For once the cameras were prohibited. The pressure was off to document or capture. Finally I could just experience and feel. The hospital's visitor lobby was more like a flee market, an outdoor patio strewn with blankets, people, and various belongings set up all over. We went looking for Eunice, the girl Jeami had noticed on the street two days ago. She had been treated for severe malaria and discharged. She did not have yellow fever after all. Great news for a girl predicted to die.
Report cards came back from yesterday's hospital visit. Grandma has septic arthritis of the knees. That sucks. Still, at least now she has prescriptions and a treatment plan. Good news is that Mercy does NOT have malaria. Just pneumonia, still yucky but totally treatable with the meds. Best news is that baby Daniel does not have sickle cell anemia, likely a death sentence in his situation. He does have an upper respiratory infection, also treatable. While it sucks when anyone is sick, ot's especially tough to watch kids or the elderly suffer. It's awesome that the illnesses affecting Mercy's family are NOT fatal. It's all so overwhelming that we're just grateful for what victories may come.
Looking out over the 22 acres of swamp and five foot grass, we tried to imagine what Jeami's school might look like. Her dream of building a primary (elementary) school is sneaking up on reality. A location like this would save kids hours of walking and increase their chances of completing their education - especially the girls.
Accidentally, we happened upon an IDP (Internally Displaced People) camp during the land hunt. So, as I understand it, the Ugandan government intended these camps to be a safe haven, a protected area from the LRA. For some of the camps this worked. Sadly, in a few cases, this kinda backfired and this concentrated cluster of families became a target for LRA attacks. As the LRA has moved out from Uganda, many families have been able to move back to their homes. As a result, many camps have shut down or are only partially occupied. This is a good thing.
Still, the images from today were haunting. Hundreds of huts packed together with big white numbers sloppily painted on each. I couldn't help but think of concentration camps...
Abbey and I broke off from the group this afternoon. Our team is amazing but after 10 days of 24/7 it was cool to reduce to two. Time for the market. Yes! My shopping gene has been longing for some action. Got some pretty sweet gear. Placed an order with the tailor - interested to see how that works out; more on that later. As we walked we saw some pretty interesting things.
Picture this: A log cabin in the midst of a bunch of huts. Blaring country music. Selling Jamaican gear while three guys play cards outside. In Africa.
The food market was insane. Piles of spices, sacks of grains, rows of fish, pyramids of veggies, and swarms of flies. Biggest avocados I've ever seen. So I did what any Californian might: bought all the fixins to make some guac. We'll see how that works out :)
Meanwhile, the team looked at more land and followed up with the families we took to the hospital yesterday.
Best part of the day. The counter offer from the land owner to Jeami:
"We will reduce the price per acre if you provide the following:
2 Goats for the elders
10 Iron Sheets"
So there's that. I'm hoping I get to play some role in the ceremonial handing over of the goats.
Back at the hotel it's a live band. Part African. A little awkward Labamba thrown in. Kinda Tracey Chapman style. Like you know the lead singer is female, but the voice and most other indicators are saying otherwise. Um...so...
So there you have it - heavy hospital and IDP experiences mingled with market mayhem, Jamaican log cabins, gender-confused music, and a deal that could only be sweetened with a goat and some iron sheets.
TGIF. :)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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