AIDSPIRIT- TRAVEL TEAM

aidspiritwebsite
May 15
3 min read

Good evening from Kayunga!!!

Day 10 of travel-

This morning we woke for breakfast at 8, and visited the Kayunga Hospital for a tour of the sickle cell anemia clinic. The gentleman host led us down dark un-lit hallways past a large room marked Cafeteria, where medical students studied, to a court yard filled with families of all ages in-line to receive treatment. The people may get there at 9am and be in line ALL DAY, till 5pm, waiting to treat their family member, or themselves. The staff would call them to a 10x10 SHARED room where two people would be treated at the same time. One would think that a hospital as enormous as this may have a bigger treatment area. Once again reminding us what little people work with here, and yet how grateful they are to be treated. So what is sickle cell anemia?? The anemia part I understood, being borderline myself many years back. But the “sickle cell” was puzzling. By definition, it is when the red blood cells mutate from a circular cell, to a boomerang, crescent, or sickle shape (scythe, like the Grim Reaper), causing them to break down. When this happens the cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells, and can block blood flow and oxygen, causing severe pain, infection, dizziness, fatigue, and more. Some may live into their 50’s or longer, though many die much sooner. It is genetic and can be found in other cultures, though much more prevalent in Africans. They are now encouraged to be tested at birth, or if two people want to get married, they recommend both be tested to see if their chances of having offspring with SCA is higher, just to give them the information. It can be a super painful life with a lot of complications. Treatments include medication with folic acid, and such, everyday, for a period of time (usually 30 days); or even blood transfusions and bone-marrow transplants.

After, we stopped by Tender Mercies quick, to get the glasses clinic lined out. We then traveled to Charles’ homestead just 20 minutes out of Kayunga to a different town. Passing by red rusted tin roofs, some with brick sides, some concrete, that seem to have been from another time. Weathered yet colorful, with a small brick detached house for cooking. Such vast color contrasts. The red dusty dirt roads, making the bright green trees, corn, and foliage seem almost neon. Off these mystical abodes hung vibrant batik tapestries in colors like fuchsia and yellow, for doorway covers. Then a woman would pop out in colors like bright blue, or yellow, accompanied by a small child in a bright orange worn dress, un buttoned in the back and dirty from play. My senses were pinging like a Las Vegas casino with colors, sounds, smells, and more. Every few feet was another shot I wished I’d captured. We arrived at his home and sat under the mango tree, and heard Charles’ heartfelt history. He toured us around the farm down the red dirt road where local children would emerge from the thick jungle and humble homesteads, then walk with us like our own private little tour guides, but in silence. We saw rows of pineapples in different stages, coffee, avocado, and bananas trees, corn, beans, and more. A vast amount of wild grown fruit and jungle, thick and lush. Visiting also their well house, where the well was 75 feet down, dug by hand. After, we retreated back to the shade of the mango tree, Charles peeled a pineapple with a machete and served it to us on a plate. Perfectly ripe and dripping with juice, sending me to a quick daydream, wondering what it may be like blended with the Ugandan coconut rum I had back in my room. He then sent around an enormous papaya half, with two spoons to pass around and share with the group, to finish his farm tour. The group talked of rain coming, and before we knew it, it had turned into a down pouring mini monsoon with small rushing roadside red rivers, to end the day. Followed by dinner at 6:30 with rice, fried fish, chicken curry, fresh sliced tomato’s, avocados, and fresh pineapple for dinner. Accompanied by the occasional black-out for 2-3 minutes, then lights back on, and repeat. Perfect way to end the day! Have the most glorious day and remember you are loved. More to come tomorrow!!