Passion and Smiles

By Nampiima Maria Gorret, Program Coordinator

It took a few minutes, but she did finally smile. And once she started, she didn’t stop.

Joyce was shy when we first started to discuss her situation, but it didn’t last long because her passion for the subject could not be stifled.

Her journey with fistula started more than 20 years ago when she encountered issues during childbirth in Lugazi. Joyce now understands that the complications arose because she delayed to go to the hospital, which she didn’t realize at the time. She somberly recounts how the health workers tried to resuscitate her baby, but were unsuccessful. Aside from the weight of loss, Joyce also began battling constant incontinence.

Upon returning home from the hospital, little did she know her troubles were only just beginning. She noticed the discrimination from her community immediately, but the separation from her family was slower to set in. It wasn’t until she and her husband began sleeping in separate beds did she realize the depth of her situation.

Determined, Joyce began to seek treatment for herself; multiple visits to various hospitals did not furnish results. Each location quoted her enormous amounts of money to provide the treatment she needed, a price out of reach for Joyce and her family of subsistence farmers. She fell into a deep despair aggravated by the isolation and mockery she experienced in her community. And then one day there was a ray of light.

On the radio, she heard an advertisement for the very treatment she was seeking! A week later, in her nicest gomesi, she set out on a journey to Kamuli Mission Hospital. Joyce received successful treatment and she did not hide her joy. She danced and sang and hugged anyone who was close to her. She was elated.

Joyce will soon graduate from UVP’s extended reintegration program and has dreams to start her own business in her home community. “It has been a life changing opportunity,” Joyce says. It’s clear that from her lengthy experience that Joyce maintains a deep passion for obstetric fistula prevention.

Do you have a deep passion for preventing fistula like Joyce? Be part of the solution today! Joyce's story has been used with her permission. 

My Village has Transformed

by Josephine Asio, Program Coordinator

Moses during our interview, holding notes
from a meeting he just attended.

Despite the many people attending prayers at the mosque next door, we were able to manage a quiet conversation in Moses’ compound. The peaceful scene was the perfect setting for our sensitive conversation.

Next to Moses’ compound in Bulondo there is a swamp and a sugar cane field. One of these brings income; the other brings heartache. One day, Moses’ wife came to him with good news: she was pregnant with their sixth child. They were elated! She immediately went to the health center to begin antenatal care. Things were progressing well until around four months.

Being so close to the swamp, Moses and his family constantly battle a vicious cycle of malaria, which keeps them from attending school and work. In addition to the reduced income Moses receives when he cannot work due to the illness, medical expenses strain the family’s finances, which make paying for mosquito nets challenging. Then, due to a particularly nasty bout of malaria, Moses’ wife suffered a miscarriage. Their little savings was drained to pay medical expenses for her treatment. Moses felt trapped.

As an avid supporter of UVP, Moses helps
to mobilize community members to attend
outreaches, sometimes directly from the car!

Then, he learned that UVP was providing reduced-cost mosquito nets and he immediately jumped at the opportunity, buying one for his wife and another for his two smaller children. Eventually, as the medical costs reduce, he was able to afford 2 more nets so every member of his family was protected during the night.

As the chairman of his village, Moses knows that he acts as an ambassador for good health, and he is happy to fulfill this role. He also knows that improving the health of his village takes a group effort: from the leaders in his community, to his neighbors, to UVP staff, and to the financial supporters who take health seriously.

“My village has slowly transformed,” Moses says, “I am grateful to UVP as a person who has directly benefited from this organization.”

Do you have a deep passion for preventing malaria? Join the movement to approach poverty through health prevention!

The Cheerfulness of Ituba B

  by The Ituba B Village Intern Team: Shafic, Sarah, Ellis, Annliz, Suzie, and Shaby

The celebratory crowd
\arriving at the health center.

We heard the large crowd of community members before we saw them. There were dozens of people waving branches, playing the drums, and singing along the way. Curious, one of our team members followed the crowd down the road. Turns out, it was a celebration for the registration of a candidate for the Chairman position in the village. Once the village members arrived to their final location (the health center), the candidate sat down and began his registration paperwork. The community celebrated up until the candidate finished his registration. It was interesting to see so much celebration, dancing, and excitement for the registration of a candidate.

From this celebration, we understood how much the village values happiness and excitement. But the cheerfulness doesn’t end with special events.

Next door, there are a set of twins, a girl and boy about five years old, called Babirye and Waiswa who never fail to come and say hello to us. They cannot stop smiling at the sight of us and always invite us to join them in their current game. Their mother, the wife of one of our VHTs, gave us some recently harvested beans from their garden as a thank you for helping her to construct a tippy tap. She was so excited and grateful; we felt the impact of our work deeply. As the days go by, the hospitality of the people just keeps getting better and better.

Upon our arrival to Ituba B, we were happy to be in a team so we had others to experience similar feelings with, but soon enough, the warm welcome from the community calmed our fears. The small trading center, which contains a few salons, kiosks, and rolex (chapatti and fried eggs) stands, are always present with dozens of people, who continuously smile and wave at us. There is no shortage of cheerfulness in Ituba B!

The Influence of Others

by Tumusiime Loy, Reproductive Health Program Coordinator

Mariam has not always been comfortable telling people her story. She wasn’t always comfortable attending outreaches in her home village of Irenzi. The negative attitudes and stories from her fellow community members discouraged her from seeking contraceptives. It even made her scared to discuss the topic with her husband.

As parents of three children, Mariam and her husband are utilizing UVP services to space their children. “We are planning to have another child after five years,” she says. She elaborates further that the space between children allows her to stay healthy, and when she remains healthy, she can more easily provide for her family.

Mariam manages a small business and the family farm. While it is on a small scale, it provides well for her small family. She notes that because she and her husband can better care for a small family, they spend less money caring for sick children. The benefits are very obvious to Mariam. So obvious that she has begun to encourage other women to attend UVP outreaches to learn about the benefits of a small family.

The Spirit of Naluko

by Derrick Agaba and Kevin Preciado, Interns, Naluko Village

The village of Naluko is a place that you can call home. Our team has called it home for the past five weeks while working with Uganda Village Project. Although it has not been home for long, it has succeeded in opening our hearts to the wonderful diversity of the human spirit.  Triumph and tragedy intertwines itself onto the human condition and creates powerful narratives. One poignant narrative we have encountered is Sara, an incredible village elder, who’s childbearing journey provides a moving backdrop to life in Naluko.

UVP interns Gloria and Lexie conduct an education session in Naluko. 

Sara is arguably the most vibrant woman and community mobilizer within Naluko. With a glowing smile and dedicated vision for her village, she is at the heart of the community. She serves as a representative on the council for women at the sub-county level, fighting for women’s reproductive rights and educating young and middle aged women on family planning and obstetric fistula. Most recently, she has been working with UVP to sensitize and mobilize the community on HIV, malaria, and reproductive health. She has given herself entirely to her community in order to serve others, evoking passion from tragedy.

Team Naluko from left to right: Derrick, Gloria,
Lexie, Gertrude, Kevin, and Amanda.

Pain and suffering highlight Sara’s experience with pregnancy and childbirth. Her first child arrived when Sara was 19 years old, and although Sara gave birth to 14 children in total, only three lived past age five. Sara felt every death tremendously, and today she wants to spare other women in the village from that pain and suffering. Her efforts in family planning, education, and social encouragement have empowered countless women in the village to take control of their reproductive health and have safely planned pregnancies.

Sara’s intimate understanding of motherhood and dedication to her community has made her the ideal representative for women in Naluko. She is on a mission to make the health in her community thrive, while simultaneously spreading joy and happiness to whomever she encounters. We are touched by the triumphant essence of Naluko, particularly Sara’s resilient spirit.

Learning to Love the Village Clock

by The Kinu Village Intern Team: Margret, Trevor, Shannon, Alex, Christine, and Sarah

    

Children of Kinu Village waiting for the entertainment to begin!

Picture this – it’s the day of our HIV/Malaria sensitization in Kinu village, which was scheduled to begin at 2 pm. It’s now 3:30 pm, and only a handful of community members, maybe around 15 people total, are waiting patiently in the shade of a mango tree. And these people aren’t just anyone – they’re our neighbors and friends. We’re excited to see them, but it also sort of feels like putting on a concert with your band and having only your parents show up.

The minutes tick by and we start to feel worried – did our mobilizing efforts fail? Was anyone else going to come? We spent the days leading up to the sensitization hanging posters and going door-to-door around the village, speaking to each household about our sensitization. Now, we felt like our efforts were in vain.

A government health worker tests a community
member for HIV in Kinu village. (Photo by
Ben Blankenship)

Just when we started to lose hope, people began arriving – mothers trickled in with babies on their backs, a group of men gathered at the base of the tree, and hoards of kids sat at the very front, eager to watch our skits. By the end of the sensitization, more than 100 people were there to improve their understanding of HIV and Malaria.

Overcoming our own assumptions about how things should be, rather than how they are, has been one of our team’s greatest challenges. As a group of students, our days at school are often defined by a strict adherence to the numbers on the clock – lecture start times and assignment deadlines are strictly enforced, end of story.

In our village, however, time is perceived differently – instead of thinking in terms of numbers on a clock, people think in terms of sequences of events. Once one event ends, the next can begin, and not before. We call this the “Village Clock”, and to our limited understanding of time, it was initially a cause of worry, fear, and frustration.

Community members register for services in
Kinu village. (Photo by: Ben Blankenship)

As the weeks went by, our need for precise punctuality diminished, and with it our worries. The “Village Clock” no longer frustrated us like it once did. Instead, the extra time that it provided before sensitizations became one of favorite ways to spend time with the community, playing games with the kids, chatting with neighbors, and having impromptu dance parties.

Learning to love the “Village Clock” is just one example of the many ways we, as a team, have come to understand the importance of being flexible, humble and open to different lifestyles; doing so only opens up new possibilities for building connections, having fun, and ultimately working towards a healthier community.

Nets Are Not the Only Answer

by Tigaiza Arnold and Clare Killian, Interns, Ituba A Village

Arnold and Clare with Mr. Kintu Sam, his mother, and his wife

She welcomed us into her humble home with a sweet and soft “Tusangaire!” (you are welcome) and we sat down on the couches. The survey went smoothly, and as we conversed with her, a middle aged man, who we later discovered was her son, was seated adjacent to us. Throughout the duration of the survey, we thought the man was resting, not paying attention to the activity happening nearby. Little did we know, not only was he paying attention, but he would end up sparking a conversation emphasizing malaria and its detrimental impact on the people he loves dearly. The impact of this conversation would last much longer than the time they spent in this man’s company.

When we completed the survey and thanked the woman, the man immediately cleared his throat, sat up, and addressed us somewhat aggressively at first, asking our names again. We answered quietly with a smile, unsure of what this man was going to say. He then launched into a conversation, almost a lecture, about the complex issue of malaria prevention. According to him, the long-standing prevention methods focused on manufacturing and providing mosquito nets is absolutely crucial and important, but is only a secondary and incomplete line of prevention. Nets alone will not eliminate mosquitos and malaria.  Nets alone will not prevent people from getting bit by malaria-carrying mosquitos; the majority of life in Ugandan culture is lived outside and sleeping is one of the only indoor activities.

Mosquitos are most prevalent from dusk until dawn, but almost no one goes to bed before dusk and stays in bed until after dawn, especially in village communities. “These people are vulnerable when they are not sleeping, and that time period has not been accounted for in malaria prevention efforts.” he said. He discussed how malaria prevention must account for all the different lifestyles lived by people affected by mosquitos every single day. Communities deserve individualistic and culturally relative approaches to preventing this disease, something that large, governmentally funded organizations and efforts tend to lack. His passion for this issue was contagious and very evident. He expressed his disbelief about how this debate has been going on for years in the academic and political community, but almost nothing has been done in the field other than education and mass distribution of mosquito nets.

             

Arnold and Clare with Mr. Kintu Sam

We intently listened to him, agreeing wholeheartedly with his statements. Unable to give answers to his important questions and opinions, we struggled internally with this, feeling helpless in that moment. We assured him that they would share his story, continue the conversation, and work within their capacity to further the progress on malaria.

Weeks later, with our previous discussion with him still nagging in our thoughts, we decided to go return to this man and talk to him more. When they arrived at his home again, he was joyous to see them, welcoming them feverishly, and eagerly sharing more information regarding his life and opinions. Once again we enjoyed an engaging conversation with him. The time spent at this man’s home with him and his family was wonderful, a new relationship blossoming between us.  

People, such as this man, can change the world. We were so fortunate to meet him, hold an unforgettable conversation, and continue to foster our undeniable conviction that every individual human life matters. Every life changed is significant and people are not solely statistics, not only numbers in a global epidemic. People are individuals and deserve to be treated as such. You never know what impact you could have.

The Welcome We Weren't Expecting

by Alex Mulyowa, Trevor Bishai and Margaret Nabukenya, Interns, Kinu Village

The football game outside the Kinu house.

Most evenings around 6 p.m., the area outside the front of our house becomes the venue of a spirited game of pickup soccer. As the sun sets over the dry patches of scattered grass, a group of energetic children and teenagers from the neighborhood fill the air with excited shouts, kicks, and cheers. Four small bricks are the goalposts, and because there isn’t quite enough space between our house and the house across the path, the pitch bends a little bit to the right side of our house. The older boys usually have the ball, while younger children spend their time either chasing after it or doing cartwheels. The games begin when we return from working around the village and continue until the sun sets; a crowd of spectators both young and old add a distinct jubilant atmosphere.

Team Kinu during a planning meeting.

But these evening soccer games are not any sort of longstanding tradition here in Kinu. They began just a few weeks ago, on one of our first days here, when we started kicking a ball around outside our house. When our international team leader, Shannon, decided to pack a ball in her luggage, little did she know that it would become the source of such a fun tradition in the village, and one that signifies our brand-new presence here.

One evening, we chatted with some of the regulars on the teams to get to know them better. When speaking with Yosamu, a 17-year-old young man from the village, I was surprised at one of the reasons he gave for why he likes to come play at our house. He told us that he and his friends like playing soccer here because they “want to show love to the visitors.” Even though soccer is his favorite sport, and he likes to keep practicing regularly, coming to our house to play is his way to show us that our presence is genuinely appreciated. He is playing a part in incorporating us into the broader community of Kinu by just showing up to play. A building of mutual understanding and appreciation is taking place: while we are always happy to see the large group of kids outside, the kids themselves are evidently just as happy to have six new friends, ready to play.

Interns practicing their football skills during orientation.

We have dedicated much of our first few weeks here to building relationships within the community, and we have done this in a variety of ways. Formally, we have met with VHTs and held introductory meetings in local places of worship. Less formally, but just as importantly, we have been playing soccer. Building relationships has been an important goal for our team, because at the end of the day, strong relationships form the foundation of successful public health projects. Public health depends on mutual understanding, learning, and growing together. While we work every day to build relationships around community health, nightly soccer games are one of the ways that the community extends its welcoming hand back to us.

Recognizing the Hero Inside Myself

by Tess Waldrop, International Internship Coordinator

Women from the recent cohort of UVP's reintegration program
practicing their tailoring skills.

Laughter and singing echoes over the gate as we walk down the familiar red dirt road that leads us to our destination on a sunny morning in Iganga Town. As we cross the threshold of the house, I admire the numerous classic foot-powered Singer sewing machines that occupy the light filled space, where scraps of colorful kitenge litter the floor, vibrant hand sewn garments hang from the ceiling, and delicious savory smells waft down the hall. With the obvious joy that is emanating from the occupants that fill these rooms, one would be surprised to learn that their recent pasts might not match the bright smiles which now adorn their faces.

Loy and a program participant discuss UVP's
work at the International Day to End Fistula in
Mbale, Uganda.

Only months earlier, the women residing here were all suffering from obstetric fistula, locally referred to simply as “leaking.” Often ostracized by their communities, left by their partners, or even told they would never be cured, the women who now surrounded me had reached their momentous UVP Fistula Reintegration Program Graduation day. An ever-evolving and expanding program done in close partnership with various experts and community based organizations, the UVP Fistula Reintegration Program provides an opportunity for those living with fistula in eastern Uganda to receive screenings, counseling, surgical repairs, and vocational training skills. The average time UVP’s patients have suffered from fistula is an unimaginable 11 years - for most of us, it is hard to conceptualize the true weight of living with incontinence for such an extended period of time. Thus when invited to assist with conducting exit interviews with the graduating participants of this cycle of the program, my colleague Maria and I jumped at the chance to hear more about their stories and celebrate their new found health.

Evelyn and a participant from UVP's reintegration program
enjoy the festivities at the International Day to End Fistula
in Mbale, Uganda.

We sit down one on one with each woman, asking them about their experience with fistula, what they had learned while spending time with UVP, and how their dreams for the future might have changed over the course of the past two months. It may come as no surprise that these sessions were filled with many tears and hugs. What might be surprising, however, is that these were not tears of sadness or hugs given in order to console those we were interviewing. These tears were tears of happiness; these hugs were initiated when recognizing the optimism and courage displayed by some of the strongest women we undoubtedly had ever met. Identified through UVP’s Fistula Ambassadors with guidance from our Fistula Coordinators Loy Tumusiime and Evelyn Nabwiire, it quickly became clear that the support given by these two dedicated colleagues of mine was paramount in our new friends’ lives in a way I could only begin to understand. This observation was confirmed when, after one particularly long interview and soggy hug with a survivor, she turned to look at us and poignantly said “Thank you for helping me to recognize the hero inside myself.” To me, this woman had summed up in 11 words what all of us should be striving to achieve and what UVP works to do every day. Loy and Evelyn have plainly made it their job to not only make sure that they are assisting their patients in recognizing the power and opportunity which exists inside themselves, but more importantly helping them recognize that it is up to them to seize that power and opportunity and never let it go. Though many of the patients were older than my colleagues by many years, it was clear the patients looked up to Loy and Evelyn, and were ready to begin their lives anew and make their mentors and families proud.

Upon completing the program, the participants
dance with excitement to return home and start
their new businesses.

 At the end of a long day of celebrating with mounds of matooke, lots of dancing, pictures galore, and smiles from to ear to ear, we presented the survivors with the mantras which they themselves came up with. Mantras which would help them to find motivation in the days ahead and remind them of just how powerful they are:

··· “Believe in yourself!” ··· “Never give up!” ··· “Be strong, be patient, and work hard to achieve your dreams!” ··· “If you love something, you can achieve your goals.” ··· And my personal favorite, “Work with happiness every day!”

Yesterday, a Tippy Tap. Today, a Kitchen!

by Patrick Tulibagenyi, WASH Program Manager

Mutesi mixing the sticky dirt
to lay the bricks.

She is mixing the mud and he is laying the bricks. One by one, together, they build a kitchen. As the final sanitation facility left to build, Mutesi and her husband Hatim glow with pride when they talk about the progress they have made over the last several months. Making time and saving money can be a slow process, but they worked diligently to make this a reality.

“My husband has been supportive every time I tell him about what we learn from the sensitizations,” says Mutesi. From educational sessions conducted by the VHTs and UVP staff the family has learned the benefit of having proper sanitation facilities. Just yesterday, VHT Shaban helped them construct a tippy tap (hand washing facility) just outside their latrine. When I passed by, it was full of water, had a full bar of soap next to it, and water on the bricks below: it had been used very recently.

Hatim using his skills
to expertly lay brick.

Before the sanitation campaign, Mutesi says, “We were not bothered and no one cared about the sanitation facilities, but after seeing what our neighbors were doing and the support of the VHTs, we had no option but to join the campaign.”

Although the kitchen was the last facility to be constructed, that doesn’t mean it was the least important. Without a kitchen, there was nowhere to cook when it rained, leaving the family hungry or to cook in the house, neither being a healthy option.

Twekembe! (Teamwork!)

Making healthy changes takes time: Hatim took time away from his job to help Mutesi construct the facilities. He sees the time away not as a loss, but a gain for his wife and their four children. He sees their health as his duty.

As residents of Bukakaire, Mutesi and Hatim have seen UVP around for three years, but changing behaviors takes time. With the support of their VHT, Hatim and Mutesi intend to maintain their sanitation facilities as a reminder their neighbors to take their own health seriously. Hatim concludes, “I would feel terrible if I had a guest visit my house and no latrine for them to ease themselves. That’s no way to appreciate your visitors.”

Mutesi shows the previous 'kitchen'.

Our Grandfather Next Door

by Alexandria Van Dall and the Naluko Village Team

Naluko intern Gloria interviews David.

"Our landlord's name is David. He's very nice and speaks some English, we should introduce ourselves as soon as we arrive. Also, he's disabled, so don't be shocked." My team leader said this to me upon arrival in our village and I was unsure what to expect. I couldn't help but think, "How exactly do people with disabilities live in the villages?" The first time I met David he sat on a low wooden bench, one leg crossed over the other, under a mango tree in our front yard. Most of the time when I see him, he's in this exact position, as if he is always waiting and willing for visitors. I make it a point to speak with him whenever I see him out on his bench -- not just out of respect, but out of genuine affection for him. David is the personification of perseverance and grace.

He has seven children, 18 years between his youngest and oldest. None of them live with him, however they do make a point to visit when they can. His first wife passed away, and his second left him after he retired. In spite of this, he speaks of them all affectionately. David has a warm stoicism about him. Often times his responses to questions are single syllables mumbled behind a wide and knowing smile. He's an archetypal wise, grandfatherly figure.

His disability is hidden when he's sitting, but when he's out tending to his pigs or in his garden the damages left by untreated polio in his childhood become obvious. Incredibly, David's relaxed demeanor doesn't shift when he's away from his front yard perch. He expertly maneuvers the yard, rhythmically switching crutches and one-handedly completing everyday village tasks that I find myself struggling with. David explained that for most of his life disabled persons in Uganda weren't granted much extra consideration, so he had to adapt to less than hospitable living, transportation, and work arrangements. He had a successful career as a clerical officer, and is now an important figure in village politics. David largely attributes his accomplishments to good fortune -- "I'm lucky my parents could afford an education for me" is his standard remark on the matter.

From left to right: Derrick, Amanda, David, and Gloria
in Naluko village.

Now that he's retired, David is a counselor for those in the village with disabilities. His opinion on various matters is held in high regard, though.  He's been a much needed, vehement advocate of our locally controversial family planning initiatives. Our friends and neighbors love and respect him, and for good reason. It is obvious to anyone who knows David that he is much more than the physical disability than passersby see -- he is an intelligent, patient, and kind person. In the short time I've been in his home, I've grown quite fond of him, and I've learned so much about the relativity of hardships.   

The Terror of Training

by Maria Nampiima, VHT and Intern Program Coordinator

It all started with a phone call.

Ok, it was actually about a hundred phone calls. After all, coordinating 65 people across 13 villages takes more than just one phone call.

It was my first time coordinating the annual VHT training, and I was so nervous that no one would show up, that I would let my team down, and the villages would never be healthy. Now that I think about it, I may have made two hundred phone calls. With the help of other staff members, we curated the agenda, looking for opportunities to spice up the health information, a way to create excitement and motivation the VHTs could carry with them for the next year.

The day of training, we arrived at the venue early, and I remained hopeful and optimistic every step of the way. We swiftly readied ourselves for the training. The 9 am start time had arrived, and to my dismay, not a single person had arrived. I stood, unbelieving, at the front of the room, staring at the dusty benches, empty and mocking me. For 30 excruciating minutes I waited; I know our VHTs operate on village time (consider time in events rather than minutes), so I wanted to be flexible. I was cursing myself under my breath and racking my brain to figure out what I could have done differently when I reached my trembling hand into my pocket to retrieve my phone and make yet another phone call. Before I finished the first phone call, a group of VHTs had arrived and, after just a few more minutes, nearly all of our VHTs were occupying the dusty benches.

Seeing all the VHTs very excited and expectant gave me courage to spice up the training as much as I could. To ensure that they take ownership of the programs from the word go, I gave them a platform to take the lead during focus group discussions and encouraged them to present information to the group on the various program areas they lead in their villages. The zeal they showed indicated the participatory activities were well received and effective.

I want to thank our staff members in Iganga for helping to deliver such a successful training. I would also like to thank you, our supporters, for constantly encouraging our work by reading these stories, commenting on our Facebook posts, and contributing financially to the benefit of rural villages.

Thank you!

Tailoring to Heal the Deep Scars of Fistula

by Edmond Okiboko, Managing Director

Sarah showing us her advanced sewing skills.

It’s only been a few months, but the fear of wetting her clothes is a faint memory.

“I had lost hope in life, I had no dreams, but that is all history. I’m ready to work on my big plans to change my situation. I’m on my journey for a new beginning,” Sarah declares.

We visited with Sarah a few months ago, and she shared her story of how she developed obstetric fistula and her journey to treatment. That was shortly after her return home from the reintegration camp. Now, she sits cheerful, even happier than when we met with her months ago.

Sarah moved back to her community and identified a location to start her tailoring business in a nearby trading center. To continue improving her skills, Sarah is working under an artisan mentor, Rebecca, who has been in the business for more than 30 years. Through this mentorship, Sarah is now able to make different products beyond what she learned during her reintegration program. Her emotions have changed from despair to optimism.

Proud, Sarah says, “I am now able to meet the basic needs of my four children from the tailoring business”.

Sarah is a beaming with hope, energy, and persistence. She is fully integrated within the community and no trace of fistula signs can be seen. Happiness is all she shows on her face with a bright future ahead.

Sarah and her mentor, Rebecca, sewing together in the trading center.

Musical Motorcar Mobilization

by Bailey Miller,  Alumni, 2016 Intern Cohort, Bufutula B Village

From the back of a moving pickup truck, dust kicking up behind us, my teammates and I can see the eyes of community 

members near and far light up as we shout details of the upcoming event through a megaphone. Drama group members joined us, playing drums and singing, making it impossible not to dance.

The HIV Outreach is the best event we do all summer because Uganda Village Project partners with the doctors and nurses from a government health center to provide testing for HIV and malaria, treatment for malaria, HIV counseling, deworming services, and vaccinations for children - all free of cost to community members! In addition to all of those amazing services, UVP also hires a Ugandan drama group to help mobilize for the event, perform songs related to HIV prevention and conduct entertaining skits. As interns, our role is to sensitize, or educate, the community about HIV transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention, treatment, and resistant medicines.

As we returned to the site of the event, the children were chasing the truck and wanting the dancing to continue. Rose, one of my international teammates, and I continued dancing with the children. They were in pieces laughing so hard at Rose and I, and it proved very effective at attracting more people to the event. 

In total we had 270 people get tested for HIV in the village of about 300 households. Amazing turnout! The leadership skills of our Village Health Team members (VHTs) shined so brightly that day as they conducted the sensitization. This was a huge success for us as interns because one of our goals is to empower our VHTs to carry on this work when we leave and until the next cohort of UVP interns arrives.

UVP creates breath-taking moments by providing life-saving services through partnerships and empowering VHTs and their communities to advocate for their health. Just in a single HIV outreach day, so many lives were changed for the better. 

Are you interested in joining our intern cohort? Check out our website or contact Internships@UgandaVillageProject.org to learn more details of how you can implement health programming at the grassroots level.

If you would like to join us in providing life-saving health education in rural villages, you can contribute here and specify the health program of your choice.