The Lane's Log Episode 4 - Mission to Gulu!

Queueing for the first clinic

Last week we travelled to the north of Uganda, to an area called Gulu. We were part of a church ministry project called E3. We worked in the medical team that visited local communities (some days we travelled up to two hours) and set up a medical clinic. In our team we had doctors, nurses, a pharmacy, an eye glass clinic and physiotherapy. The clinic also taught and educated people about malaria and HIV. The other teams spent the week assisting local nationals in planting new churches from two mother churches.

Lady's arm broken 5 years ago by the LRA.

Throughout the week the medical team visited five of the new church sites, including areas previously heavily effected by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). The LRA , a guerrilla group, has earned a reputation for its actions against the people of several countries, including northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan. The LRA has abducted and forced an estimated 66,000 children to fight for them, and has also forced the internal displacement of over 2,000,000 people since its rebellion began in 1986. During the week we heard many very sad stories of the things the local people have endured and we also saw many injuries from bullets wounds and land mines that still live with people today.

One of our physiotherapy departments.

In total the clinic saw around 1,500 people. Getting to work with the team and serve the local people with physiotherapy was a real privilege. The clinics were unsurprisingly in high demand but thankfully we didn't have to turn any one away who had mobility needs. In the past they have had to turn people away due to lack of equipment, but the huge fundraising efforts of all concerned paid off providing enough equipment to cover the whole week. In our physiotherapy clinics we saw a variety of patients, including those who had been crawling for years that were provided with wheel chairs.

Two men who crawled in and wheeled out.

In total we gave out 48 wheelchairs: some old, some new, some without leg rests and some with. All however were for a good cause and everyone that received them were extremely happy. It would be great in the future if they continue to have plenty of equipment!

We were working along a fantastic team (the majority from the USA). Everyone worked hard to make the week a success. Our day started at 6.30 and finished around 9-10pm. Despite being tired emotionally and physically we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and have made some really special friends and memories. If you would like to know more please do ask, as we have lots of stories!

As a special treat on the way back we stayed in a posh hotel and went on a morning safari (and had a hot shower!) Wow! We saw all sorts of animals! Including Giraffes, Elephants, Buffalo, Hippo etc. We had a great time enjoying the beauty of Uganda and one of it's nature parks.

We have now returned to Masaka, and are keen to develop all that we can do here with River of Life.

We have had a few questions about the heat. We're coping with it well, although our photos may not look like it all the times! We haven’t really got burnt as most of the time we are covered up! It is polite to wear skirts below the knees which I am getting used to (Hannah not Andy!). We hear that you are all enjoying the sunshine too!

We miss you all lots!
Please do let us know more if you would like to know more!
Lots of love and hugs!
Hannah and Andy x x

Andy and Hannah are with River of Life for the next 3 months. They are Physiotherapists from Newcastle, UK and are helping River of Life develop our links with the local hospitals and ROLC's Hospital Ministy. If you would like to support their work with River of Life, head over to their Justgiving page