Days 8 and 9

Yesterday I learnt 4 things:
1. To keep your butt well clear of Mutatoos (Taxis) - had a close shave with one!
2. That Ugandans have time and we have watches! They say they have 25 hours in the day which is why they can take their time with everything.
3. That I definitely could not live in a mud hut (far too basic)
and 4. That I have started to think in a Ugandan accent and Christopher has started to sing in one - so, so funny. It seems we adapt very well to the environment we are in.

My new house!

Sorry about not blogging yesterday, we had another storm that shut off the wireless network.

The frustrating thing is that our permission letters have still not arrived to allow us access to the Luzira prisons. It appears that the current unrest here is what is holding them up. Security tightens in the prison system when this type of thing takes place - they become much more cautious. 3 more people were killed yesterday in Gulu, where we were only a few days ago. Anyway, we would rather be safe than sorry and we have still achieved an awful lot without having to go to the Luzira complex.
We have discovered, although it is probably unsurprising, that there is very little medical support for the smaller, more rural prisons. That their needs are far more basic - sanitation, nutrition, diversional activities and access to medical equipment and healthcare training are probably the most important. We have managed to advise of some healthcare issues and introduced the concept of palliative care to people who have never heard of it before. This is just a tiny drop in the ocean and there is so much more to do. But, we have been encouraged by the innovations that we have seen - counselling, volleyball and football matches between the prisoners, prison clinics holding health awareness sessions for prisoners to name but a few. These people are desperate to learn more and it is a real honour to be part of this. Its amazing really, we thought we were coming with one objective but it is clear that we are being taken in a slightly different direction that is even more beneficial to the people with most need.
Next week promises to be very busy - we are hoping to get back into Mulago Hospital on Monday. For those of you who followed us last time, you will know the complete dreadfulness of Mulago. For the last few months Mulago has closed its doors to foreign volunteers but we have managed to secure an appointment with the HIV/Aids team there on Monday. Please pray that this will be able to go ahead and that we will be able to secure some useful contacts that will enable some palliative training in the hospital to proceed in the future.

The fact that we haven't been able able to get into Luzira this weekend means that we have another weekend off - ho hum! So, today we went to Jinja, with Robert who is the Counsellor here at APP.
Jinja is a beautiful old colonial town that happens to lay claim to being the source of the Nile River. Now, those of you who remember our trip last time or who know me well will remember my yearning for a Nile Cruise - it still hasn't been realised!

Then we went shopping in the Market - not quite Waitrose!

Christopher has formed a new band!

Afro boy!

Robert, Daphne and Catherine at Jinja

Will blog again on Monday.

Take care everyone.

Catherine and Christopher xx