Quick recap: Sunday was spent doing laundry by hand, which means when I get home I'm going to give my washing machine a big bear hug (and let's be honest, there's really no other way to hug a washing machine, those things are huge). We also got to attend a cultural show with dances, songs, and music from the various regions of Uganda. I tried goat meat. It wasn't very good. The highlight was when the emcee invited people onto the stage one nation at a time until all of the guests were down there, then we all danced together.
Upon arriving, we were treated to a song and a few dances performed by the children from the home, and I probably didn't make it more than a few seconds into the song before the waterworks came. Sitting in a disabled home in a rural village in Uganda while its residents sang to us to thank us for coming and welcome us to their community and family is one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Providence Home consists of a boys and girls dorm, a therapy gym run by the occupational therapist Nelson (who we all agreed is basically a saint), a workshop, convent, elderly section, a pig sty, goats scattered around the campus, and a few gardens. Our rooms were noticeably smaller than those @ Nufu House, and the first night we discovered an unexpected roommate, but after about 10 minutes and at least as many failed attempts as well as no shortage of high-pitched screams that were probably heard all over the home, I finally succeeded in killing the spider with one of Brett's shoes, with the other PTs behind me cheering and recording some worthwhile videos. We also had to get rid of a couple cockroaches the following night, including a baby one in Ryan's bed, but all in all the bug and lizard situation wasn't as bad as I had expected. We had a pit toilet, and to shower we had to fill a few small tubs with water and pour these over ourselves, but Ryan and I discovered this much easier when you shower together.
The gym was the focus of our stay. We worked with Nelson, who is great with kids, and one time he loaned the mother of one of the children 60,000 shillings (about $30 USD) to start a business so she could afford to pay for her child's therapy. (PS that's no small sum here). Wow.
Though most of the patients we saw had pretty similar cases, it was still highly interesting and educational for me, having had no pediatric experience before. Karen and Nelson are great teachers and great role models. One of my favorite patients was Geraldine, a young girl with severe dystonia who virtually never stopped smiling and laughing and never stopped trying to get into or out of her wheelchair independently no matter how long it took or difficult it was.
Before leaving, the children performed another dance, which we naturally joined in on, and we gave them two radios and a bunch of inflated soccer balls, which they seemed to love.
Another of my favorite parts from the village was the hour run Ryan and I took Wednesday morning that led us over some honest hills, incredible sunrise views, and tons of friendly and curious onlookers wondering why there mzungos in their town, and what they were running from. That's another thing. The people in the village were so friendly, and I wish we could have spent more time with the kids in the village taking pictures and teaching them to high-five.
Back in Kampala, we have a pretty easy day of shopping at the markets, and one of the therapists from Mulago Hospital offered to take us to dinner tonight. Then this weekend we start our 3 day safari and chimpanzee-tracking adventure. I can't wait.
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