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More Thoughts on Uganda
Ugandan Child - by Ken Magee, April 25, 2007

Here is a little story that adds credence to our role in Uganda.

Entering the small thatch-roofed hut, we were first impressed by the added heat, darkness and stench. It's one room had only the light from the door. As my eyes adjusted I could see one sweaty assistant nurse sitting at a central table. He paused in talking with a patient and her baby to greet us. He looked harrased and tired. As our eyes adjusted we could see small benches lining two walls, crowded with waiting people from Wii Anaka IDP Camp. Three other workers also greeted us, including Michael who was tending to a twelve-year-old girl.

She lay on a corner cot and dirty bandages covered the length of both legs. The smell was stiffling. Lou's immediate words were "psuedomonas." She had been scalded by hot water about a week before. Thankfully Lou Ingrisano had worked in a burn center in the past and quickly donned gloves to help Michael. Together they cut away bandages and found the expected badly infected second and third degree burns the length of both of the girls legs. Some areas appeared like pure charcoal. The outlook was ominous - loss of legs or more likely death. For two hours they worked together debriding charred flesh, washing with antiseptic solutions, and finally applying fresh bandages the length of the girl's legs. As they worked Lou explained carefully to Michael what he was doing and what Michael was to do daily for the next week. It was an exhausting two hours in that hot overcrowded "Village Health Clinic."

A week later with mixed feelings we again made the bumpy two hour drive into the bush to visit Wii Anaka. Lou wondered what we would find. Had the girl died? Entering the small dark room, we could see her on the corner cot. There was no smell of psuedomonas and the bandages appeared well placed. As he and Michael cut these away, it was obvious to Lou that Michael had followed instructions perfectly. Debrided areas were not infected and new granulation tissue was already growing into burned areas. Michael was doing an excellent job. The girls outlook was hugely better.

This one experience added much optimism in our mission, not only of finding severe needs, but finding Ugandan health providers eager to learn.

Thank you for listening a bit more, Ken

Links to all of Ken's letters from Uganda:

Letter from Uganda 1 - by Ken Magee - March 25, 2007

Letter from Uganda 2 - by Ken Magee - March 31, 2007

Letter from Uganda 3 - by Ken Magee - April 1, 2007

Letter from Uganda 4 - by Ken Magee - April 9, 2007

Forgiveness - More Words from Uganda - by Ken Magee - April 15, 2007

More Words from Uganda - by Ken Magee - April 22, 2007

Ugandan Child - by Ken Magee - April 25, 2007

Final Thoughts on Uganda - by Ken Magee - May 12, 2007