A very delayed update on Ivan

Ivan and his pals having a little weekend fun. (Wheelchair was in for repairs and has since been returned)

To be expected, getting back into the grind of life in Canada has made it a little difficult to keep tabs on Ivan’s journey.

I received a small report from OURS and was happy to hear that Ivan is doing alright. He started school last May and has been adapting well to this change.

Also, an American friend of mine, Brendan, is still living in Mbarara. In September, he was in Kamwenge for work. He was able to stop by St Anthony’s boarding unit at Kamwenge P/S to see how Ivan has been doing and snap a few shots.

Ivan has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. With this form of Cerebral Palsy, the mind is keen but the body is not. This type of CP is classified by a mixed muscle tone so his movements are either too stiff or too floppy. His lack of muscle coordination makes simple tasks like using a pencil, holding a toothbrush, or bathing very difficult to do independently without training and practise.

When Ivan first started school, a therapist from OURS took the time to train the school’s nurse and matron how to properly guide and care for Ivan.

He has been taught to use an adapted toilet, but requires minimal assistance. This is a great step! Your donations have also provided Ivan with an adapted wheelchair. He’s not yet independantly mobile, but he has many friends and teachers who help him to get around. Having a wheelchair with an attached tray is great news for Ivan. Not only does it help him to view the world from a different angle, it can prevent further contractures from developing . It also allows Ivan to get from place to place without having to drag himself over dirt or gravel.

For this first year of school, Ivan was put in the nursery class. He spends his days with other disabled children and although they aren’t following any curriculum, he has learned many valuable lessons. Rather than being thrown into serious study, attending nursery class is enabling him to adapt to this new environment.  I hear he is a social butterfly and has many friends; some who are disabled, and some who are not.

He has also been working on his fine motor skills. Since he has uncontrolled movements in his hands, he has difficulty using a pencil. I remember working with Ivan at OURS about a year ago. I stood behind him and placed a pencil in his hand. Together we wrote his name. He was beaming with pride.

Next year, he will begin first grade. He will be integrated into classes with other children, and will begin curriculum guided studies.

The distance between Mbarara and Montreal has made communication sparse at times. I may not have received monthly updates and photos, but one things is for sure – Ivan is doing great and is immensely grateful for all of your generous support.

If you are still interested in supporting Ivan’s education, donations are still very welcome!  Unfortunately, at the moment I’m unable to issue a tax receipt. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions….

Well wishes to you all…

Caitlin.

Farewell, Uganda.

I am no longer an official resident of Uganda.

After a very amazing 6 months,  it was time to return to Canada.

Kahiija staff, chairman and treasurer.

A few days before leaving Mbarara, I travelled to the village to say farewell to the teachers and students at Kahiija. I rolled in on a boda and like my first day at school, I was surrounded by hundreds of children -their beautiful black faces and sparkling white smiles. The teachers greeted me, and we huddled together in the staff room. Mr Headmaster brought the fixings for a special breakfast, and the ladies brought their finest tablecloths, mugs and bowls that day. We drank delicious chai, ate hard-boiled eggs, bananas and a chicken. I was asked to be the first to serve myself and to choose my favourite part of the chicken.  Since all eyes were on me, I was 

Look at those faces!

slightly uncomfortable and I picked whatever my hand could grab. I managed to score the bum. Slightly embarrassed by my choice, I blushed, sat back and enjoyed my breakfast. We ate with our hands around the table. I sat with the men. The other women ate on the floor.

After finishing, there were four speeches made in my honour, which I have never experienced and was very humbled by. We then went outside for a brief assembly with the whole school. It was beautiful to see all of their faces again against the bright green rolling hills that is Uganda. I was even given a

Squeamish but thrilled to be accepting a chicken...

chicken, and encouraged by some to bring it home to share with family in Canada.

I had no choice but to get used to my new little feathered friend. Making my way home on a motorbike and then in an overcrowed taxi with a live chicken is a story for another day.

Another memorable goodbye was with the OURS team back in Mbarara. We had dinner one night and feasted under the setting sun on pork, chicken and goat. I found myself looking around every once in a while to silently adore my company.

The gang from OURS.

The following Monday at OURS, I was treated to another farewell breakfast. Before eating, we stuffed the mothers, children, staff, and a big drum into a small room. Florida, the most spirited woman I have ever met, led the songs. She’s about 8 months pregnant, and blew me away that she also led the dancing. Their dancing was so spontaneous and natural and unlike anything I have ever experienced. The jubilant spirit in the room filled me with a joy I have never felt before. 

Words cannot express how truly touched I was at both of these farewells.

Eppy, Paul, Inger and Anina

 Of course, I also had to say a few goodbyes to the different Canadian, Ugandan, German, American, and Swiss friends I made along the way. They were all wonderful people who I hope to meet again someday in this world. 

As I somewhat reluctantly boarded the plane in Entebbe, I knew that without a doubt, I would return back.

Since I have been home, not a day has gone by where I haven’t thought about Uganda. I miss the way people dance to dance, and smile to smile. I miss the way the sun shines and I miss the way the  rain pours. I even miss risking my life on daily helmet-less boda rides through town.  The other day I said to someone that I missed the way the sink water was sometimes brown, and how the power went out at any time on any day. They looked at me like I had twelve heads. I think what I was trying to say is that I miss the unpredictability and easy flow of life in Uganda.

To state the obvious: Canada and Uganda are two very different worlds. 

I was incredibly fortunate to make this “dream” of mine reality. Many people have dreams of Africa, but I don’t think anyone really knows what it’s all about until they have been and seen it with their own eyes. Yes, there were challenges and frustrations. But when I look back, I have to search to think of the negative. All I remember is the good. And boy, was it good.

I will be back, Uganda.

In the meantime, our friend Ivan is still counting on continuing his schooling. Donations are always welcome, and I will pass them on to OURS when they come in.  I will also post about how he is doing in school as soon as I get word from OURS.

Ivan and his mother - A much easier way to carry him.

I joined the OURS team on their outreach a week ago. The outreach was held in the same district where Ivan and his family are from. Although it would be a very long walk for them, we were crossing our fingers they would turn up in town to see us. When we pulled up, there were already 30 or so people lined up, waiting to be seen. Most of them children, whose parents had heard about OURS and the hope it meant for their children.

At first, I didn’t see Ivan, and was very disappointed. If his mother or grandmother didn’t bring him to meet us, we probably wouldn’t be able to help him. Time was running out, I was leaving Uganda soon, and if they didn’t have the initiative to meet us, they certainly wouldn’t have the commitment to keep Ivan in school.

Yes, we could cover his school fees, and give him new clothes, books and pencils for school. But we needed to know that someone would be responsible for picking Ivan up from school after every term, and bringing him back when the new term started. This requires hours and hours of walking, or saving enough money for transport.

After a few minutes, I recognised a woman who looked very much like Ivan. She was carrying a boy I didn’t recognise at first. He was bathed, wearing clean clothes, and his head was shaved.  It was Ivan! He was wearing an outfit that was given to him by OURS. An outfit that his mom saves for special occasions. She thought she was bringing him to Mbarara for more therapy. She wanted to continue what the grandmother had put an end to in December.

A posed pose in front of his new mattress, basin, and suit case full of clothes and supplies.

As it turned out, his grandmother was the one to receive the message that Ambrose and I had visited their home earlier in March. Yet, she never relayed the reason why we had come. Ivan’s mother had no idea we were going to put her son in school. (Not sure what the situation is between these two women but clearly there are issues) When we explained to her what our plans were, she was overjoyed and so thankful. She vowed to work extra hard in the garden so that she could even visit him in the middle of the term. She promised to stay responsible for Ivan.

The day before the outreach we went to pick up clothes, socks, undies and shoes for Ivan. We also purchased books, pencils, wash basins, a mattress, sheets and a blanket for him. When we showed him what we were giving him, he couldn’t stop clapping and cheering.

We took them to the school to show them around. They were so happy.

Ivan starts school in May.

Ivan

2008 - Little Korean students

Towards the end of 2007, I had to make a decision. I was teaching English in Korea, and my one year contract was about to expire. Should I leave or should I extend my contract for another year? It was a tough decision. On one hand, I really wanted to stay. I loved my job, my co workers and my students. I was making enough money to save and travel with. I had made amazing friends, and there was always food, wine and laughs to be shared. The city was huge, bright, busy and chaotic – just the way I like it. I decided to stay. With no regrets.

However, I remember there was something nagging at me. There I was, making “good” money teaching children who had everything including wealthy families who would find them an English teacher whether or not I was there. They didn’t need me. As irrelevant and dramatic as that might sound, and as much as I loved them, it still got to me.  Nonetheless, I signed for another year, and vowed to myself to figure out where I was “needed” next.

A few years later, I figured out that for some reason or another, Uganda was calling my name, and here I am.

The other day, I received an email from Hayne; the director of the school I taught at in Seoul. She informed me that the parents of  4 of my remaining graduating students got together and raised another $1000. Not only was I blown away at the extra money coming in, but I thought it was beautiful the way that these two “worlds” of mine have come together. The way my former well off Korean students  have joined forces to help my current less fortunate ones in Uganda is really something.

I have been trying to decide what to do what the leftover money from the latrine fund, as well as the funds from Korea. I had many ideas, but I couldn’t decide on any of them.

Dec 2010 - Enthralled by the xylophone.

And then, I remembered Ivan…

Ivan is a boy who I met at OURS towards the middle of December. He has cerebral palsy, is 7 years old, has a hilarious sense of humour, and is such a bright boy considering he has never been to school.
My heart expanded for this little boy, and it also broke a little. Not only did it seem as though his mother wasn’t around very much, but  his grandmother didn’t seem to have very much pride or concern for her grandson. She ignored his little successes and improvements,  and she even ignored his rare cries of frustration.  Whenever the OURS staff was around, they would translate what he was saying. Often, he was joking around or making intelligent observations. But many times he would say matter-of-factly that he was a

Several times a day, Ivan spent time in a standing frame. This was helping him to gain balance and strength.

cripple and was completely useless.

I can very easily figure out how a boy, 6 years old at the time, would get these self destructing ideas.

His granny also brought her other grandson, Justus, a 3-year-old boy with a club foot. Since he is so young, he doesn’t require surgery, and his condition can be easily treated. However, it takes a little time, patience, and a few sets of plasters. One day. the grandmother took off with the two boys because she was worried her son-in-law (Ivan’s father) was going to sell her land. She promised to return, but we haven’t seen them since. Not only did Justus need new plasters, but Ivan was thriving in this new environment and making progress with his rehabilitation.

New children come to OURS everyday. I am always meeting new little friends, and they keep me busy. But still, I couldn’t seem to get Ivan out of my head.  I kept

Looking kewl.

hoping he would return. After a while, it appeared as though his grandmother had no intention of returning. It was possible that initially she came to OURS in hopes of a magical cure for these boys. Obviously this isn’t how it works, so she likely left frustrated and back at square one.

Last week I spoke to other staff, and we agreed that although we had no phone number for his family, we did know the name of his village so there was a chance of locating him.

The other day, I headed off with Ambrose, an occupational therapist, in an overcrowed little taxi. (7 large men and myself) We went to Kamwenge, a district northwest of Mbarara. From there, we met with the local chairman. He knew the direction to take for Ivan’s village. After eating chapati and bananas, we set off on a bumpy and nail-biting motorcycle ride through the villages. We stopped occasionally to ask for directions to this family’s home. Two sunburned arms later, we arrived at Ivan’s little mudhome. There were no caretakers there,

March '11. Shortly after finding Ivan. Such a happy moment.

unless you count his 12-year-old sister. She was left to look after her three little brothers while their mother and grandmother were in town trying to resolves a case between themselves over land.

We found Ivan and his siblings in their kitchen. He was busy preparing ground nut sauce for their lunch. All three boys were half naked, filthy, and crawling a very dirty and dusty kitchen floor. All four children showed signs of malnourishment and had stomach parasites. Ambrose gave them tasty, candy-like deworming medicine, which they gobbled down.

March 2011 - Still looking so mischievous...

Opposite the kitchen is  the house.  It is divided into two rooms. One for the mother, and the other for the children. I had a quick look in, and saw that the four children sleep together on a small mat on the ground in a very limited space. There was no mosquito net. (Which, by the way, was how Ivan developed CP – it was post-malaria.  Like many children here, he was infected with cerebral malaria, which was never properly treated. )

Ivan was especially dirty. He can’t stand or walk, so he spends all of his time on the floor, dragging himself around.  He was covered in dirt, food, and who knows what else. I wanted to suggest to Ambrose that we at least give them a bath. I wasn’t sure how long his mother had been away, and when she was coming back.  But they had no water. The closest source was hours and hours away.

I kept thinking of children back in Canada. How they kick and scream every night before bathtime. Even though they have jacuzzis, bubbles, and rubber duckies waiting for them. Their mommies buy no-tear Johnson and Johnson watermelon scented shampoo, and  get to run the tap until they find the oh so perfect temperature for their children’s delicate skin. The kids get to step out of the tub into a giant cozy towel, that they can snuggle in until they are dry. They have a closet full of clothes and pjs to choose from and chances are, these clothes and pjs smell like Downy, feel softer than the Cottonelle kittens, and don’t have holes.

Don’t get me wrong, when I have babies,  I will also dry them in oversized cozy towels and make

Dec '10 -A funny face competition...

sure they smell like little babies should. It’s just unfair that these things are for some, and not others.

My main purpose for visiting Ivan was to make sure he was ok. It turns out, that although he is living in very poor conditions, he is ok. My other reason was to discuss the idea of sending him to school. A child like Ivan stands a very slim chance to attend school in Uganda. Not because he is incapable, but because in the villages, people just don’t have the knowledge or the information about disabilities. They might not see the point in sending a child like Ivan to school. Also, since the father abandonned his family, they are living off of very little money.

Luckily, there is a school called Kamwenge Primary School and it’s in the same district. This school accommodates children with disabilities, and integrates then into classrooms with other children.  I know of this school because OURS has already sent a few children here and I have heard the good reviews. It is a boarding school, which would mean Ivan would not have to move back and forth from home each day. Ambrose and I had a brief visit at the school. In comparison to Kahiija, and many other schools I have come across, I was impressed with the facilities at Kamwenge PS.

Dec 2010 - So excited and proud to be in the driver's seat. He said he wasn't capable of honking the horn, and when he did, he nearly fell out of the truck.

Ivan was beaming when we told him that he was going to get to go to school. He asked if he could start right away.

We still need to wait to hear from the mother/grandmother. We weren’t able to locate them, but a message has been passed on. Once we hear back from them, we will discuss other details.

Thanks to all of your donations, it looks as though Ivan will be a new student at Kamwenge PS. The staff from OURS will be able to send photos, report cards and news once I am back in Canada. I plan to leave the money (your donations) for school fees in the hands of OURS. Since they already have students at this school, they will easily monitor Ivan’s success and experience, and pay school fees each term.

The donations should be good enough for 3 years at this school. I really believe that this boy has potential. Who knows how far he will get in school, or what kind of job he will have as an adult, but the important thing is that he has been given a chance…

There is still an opportunity to make a donation. All money will be forwarded to OURS, and will go towards Ivan’s education.

These days at OURS…

As I have mentioned before, these days I am working as a volunteer teacher at OURS – Organised Useful Rehabilitation Services. OURS is based in Ruharo, Mbarara and made up of a staff with a range of specialties. There are physio and occupational therapists, an orthopedic technician, a social worker, a CBR (community based rehabilitation) coordinator, and nurses. Each day there are new miracles happening because of the care and dedication of the staff members.  

Justus - a 10 year old boy who had hydrocephalus and developed knee contractures. He had casts to stretch his legs, and he is doing daily physiotherapy. This is his first time to stand. He is making incredible progress. Day by day...

Every week, the staff heads to a different district in south-west Uganda for an outreach. They educate the local communities, and parents come from all over seeking help for their children. They are often confused about why their children are like this, and don’t know where to begin to help them. These parents have never heard of the terms, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, club foot, epilepsy or osteomyelitis before. Truth is, I had not known too much about many of these conditions, either. 

But in Uganda, there is very little knowledge about disability. When a woman gives birth to a child who is seen as “abnormal” or when a postnatal disability develops, they are not given any support. They may even believe they have been cursed. Far too often, their husbands will leave them. Sometimes, the mother also abandons her child, and forces the grandmother to take over.  Since people don’t have the information they should, they often see a disability as a sign that their child has been bewitched. Most children come in with scars and burns because their parents had turned to witchcraft. 

Many families are referred to OURS, and are not required to pay the fees if they cannot afford to. Instead, they are encouraged to offer whatever they have to contribute, whether it is a small amount of money, or even food.

This is Living. He is a 14 year old with CP. He has little control over his muscles, and is completely dependant on his mother. This photo was just after we finished painting together. We hung his work up on the wall. He was beaming.

Medical and surgical costs are also covered, as well as transport expenses.

They are in very good hands once they reach the doors of OURS. However, it is far too common to see a mother start to give up hope for her child. It takes time for them to understand it’s a process that requires time and patience rather than magic and medicine. I have seen mothers come around, and be there for their children after all. It’s wonderful to see this change. 

My role at OURS changes throughout the day. I spend the majority of the days with the children when they are not in therapy. We have regular school-like lessons that even the mothers like to participate in. I also work with the children individually to cultivate  their self-esteem, which I hope in turn has some effect on their mother’s confidence in them.  We work together to promote their motor and social skills. I see many “firsts”  like throwing and catching balls or holding a pen. It doesn’t take time for most of the kids to learn these things, they have just never been given a chance. No one has believed in them.

Prossy and Patience are two beautiful, strong, bright and determined little girls. Prossy developed an infection on her spine last year that left her paralyzed from her waist down. Patience has CP, but boy can she move around. The two of them love to learn.

Sometimes the moms seem confused as to why I love their children so much. I secretly hope my example rubs off on them, and that they learn to accept and love their disabled children like all others.

Arriving back in Uganda brought a huge smile to my face. It’s good to be back. I had a great visit with my sister. Three weeks wasn’t enough time though! I am very lucky to have had such a great visitor.

I had the chance to visit the village last week. It was so fun walking back through the school yard. The students came running out of their classrooms to sing songs and swarm me with hugs. It was a wonderful little reunion.

The latrine is finished.! It was even under budget, thanks to Perez, the wonderful Ugandan who helped me to supervise the project. I think that if I was in the village and had taken that role, things could have easily gone over budget for several reasons. 

I am trying to decide what to do with the remaining funds. So many ways to use it! I will decide soon and post the details and stories. So far I know of women who are widows and in desperate situations. I know of bright students who cannot afford to continue their education and need a sponsorship. I also know of disabled children from OURS who do not have the money for surgeries  that are routine and free in Canada.

In the meantime, I am still loving life here. I have now been here for four and a half months. Although I miss friends and family so much, I have met many wonderful people here, and have been blessed with a few great friendships. I whole heartedly love the work that I am doing at OURS.

The elections were held last Friday. After 25 years, Museveni is still in power. Although the elections were corrupt (as expected) it has been fairly peaceful here.

Here is a video that I took a little while ago. It was after a meeting with secondary students that are sponsored by Urban Systems. Some of them are orphans, others are from very poor famlies. The meeting included not only the students, but their parents and guardians, too. Take a look at how the meeting ended. We walked outside, someone ran into the banana plantations to grab a stick for the drum, and the others gathered around to sing and dance. Why can’t we all be this happy and thankful?     http://www.facebook.com/v/758968939216

Hello from Zanzibar. My sister Sarah is here, and after visiting Ugandan and Canadian friends in Nyakera, we made our way to Dar es Salaam to spend time with Sarah’s friend Joanne, and her man friend, Gordon. Afterwards, we made our way to the  turquoise water and mega heat here in Zanzibar. 

I am here for a few days before heading back to Mbarara. These days I am based in town instead of the village. I am spending my days at OURS, a wonderful rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities. 

Although I am really enjoying Tanzania, I do miss Uganda. Life is simple and beautiful there.

While we were at camp in Nyakyera, I was able to take a couple of photos of  the excavation of the latrine. The digging should be finished today.  It took about a month to dig a 40 feet pit. Without machines, it’s an incredibly tedious job. One man stays on the bottom to dig and fills a small bucket with dirt. The other man pulls the bucket up with a rope, dumps it, and sends it back down.

On Monday, the masons will start their work. The rest of the latrine should really only take a week or two longer.

School has already started. But since things generally more very slowly here, most students don’t come to school until a week or two after the ”first day.” Timing should be perfect.

Thank you everyone for contributing towards this project. I will have more than enough for the latrine. And with the extra money, I can help certain people I know here.

In fact, last week I visited Vanessa, an 18 year old girl with cerebral palsy. She is a long time client from OURS.  Vanessa wants to start a small business in the village and has asked for help from OURS to get her going. We went to pay her a visit to get a sense of how serious she was about starting this business. It turns out that she is very eager to get started and to become independant.  Although it looks promising that OURS will give her support, we discovered that Vanessa  frequently catches malaria, and sleeps on the hard floor with 10 others in her house. Sleeping on the floor is very uncomfortable and painful with her condition, and getting to and from the hospital when she catches malaria is not only costly, but also very awkward for her because they live in the hills.

 For under $100 I was able to purchase mosquito nets for all 10 members of their household, and a mattress for Vanessa. I will wait until the latrine is finished before I use the money elsewhere. I figured this was a very reasonable expense.