4^th Clinic in Jijna

It is Saturday, and we are all tired, but eager to get going. Breakfast is ready for us at 7am, and we all meet in the dining hall. Chapatti, eggs, and fruit are on the menu. I think that we are all getting used to this diet, and really enjoying the fresh fruit. It is so delicious!

As we are cleaning up, I mention to Fr. Nicholas that I had spotted a school near the hotel for the deaf. His eyes perk up, and he says, lets go! So, without really knowing where it is, as I didn’t see it last night, we went looking for it, on foot! But, by the Grace of God, the school is right across the street from the hotel!

And, although the first time I saw the sign it was clear as day, when we got there, sign was chipped and hardly legible. We entered, looked for the headmaster, and talked to him about tuition, fees, and supplies that the little boy may need. It turns out that, based on initial figures (they’ll get us more later in the day) that it will only be $200 per semester to send this little boy to school. Currently, this little boy doesn’t really have a future. He can’t communicate with anyone, and won’t be able to attend a regular school. But, with schooling and socializing, he can have a future. He can meet and play with other children. He can learn how to interact with adults. Father and I are so excited, and the headmaster promises that they will bring more information over to the hotel later in the day so that we can have all of the information.

As Fr. Nicholas and I leave the school, the van is waiting for us, and the rest of the team is eager to hear about the program and tuition. Needless to say, it feels as though our team is adopting this little boy and everyone is eager to help!

So, we load into the van and head out to our 4^th clinic. We arrive to a beautiful setting. Green pastures, and tons of children singing “you are welcome”.

VIDEO: Your are welcome – perfomed by the youth of Uganda, as we arrived to provide healthcare

This is so breathtaking, and touching. The clinic is held in a grass hut so navigation is interesting.

But, like always, we find a way to make it work, and get everything set up! Again we are really busy, and we see over 200 people before lunch.

During lunch, it rained and everyone piled into the clinic and waited it out.

All of the children were waiting very patiently, so Gina, Zoey, Mika, and I started singing children’s songs with them. We did the Chicken Dance, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, the Hokey Pokey, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and anything else we could think of. We all had so much fun; it was really a nice break to the day. Alex even joined us for a round of Wishy Washy Wee – which the kids sang for the rest of the day!

Eventually the rain stopped, and the clinic got underway again. Even though we were a little late, and with the rain delay, we were able to treat everyone that was at the clinic today.

On the way home, we all felt great about the day, and were looking forward to dinner tonight. We got back to the hotel, got cleaned up from the day, and I went to check on any messages from the school. Nothing. So we went to dinner, and Fr. Stevens show up for dinner. He is the priest of the parishes that we have been visiting in Jinja. As we are visiting with Fr. Stevens, the headmaster from the school stops by to give us all of the information. What a blessing that they came when they did, as now we can involve Fr. Stevens on this too, since the family would be dealing with him. The fees and tuition and supplies are nominal for American standards, but almost unattainable for Ugandan standards. This is boarding school, so the little boy will live there, except during breaks when he will go back home. We share the info with the rest of the team, and we are all really excited, and all want to pitch in to pay for his tuition! Alex informs us though that we may have money left over from our trip expenses so hold on, and we’ll discuss again at the end of the trip.

We all go to bed feeling really good. Today has been a great day!