After landing in Entebbe and getting to the Nekoli guesthouse Thursday night, I've been busy trying to absorb all of the information that UVP is throwing at us these past few days. With full day orientations added to the excitement of getting to meet everyone, it's been a hectic few days. I'm just trying to really appreciate it all before heading out to the villages.
Today was the last day of our orientation. It was filled
with many emotions for me. The orientation itself covered all of UVP’s programs
in depth: Malaria, Shallow Wells, Water and Sanitation, HIV/STIs, Obstetric
Fistula, and Family Planning. It was interesting and enlightening to hear the
various services that UVP offers as well as listen to the challenges that the
staff and past interns have faced. Learning about obstetric fistula and the
suffering that women face was difficult. OF affects pregnant women and can be
caused by obstructed labor. One of the symptoms of fistula is the constant leaking
of urine and sometimes feces from the vagina with no ability to control it. I
keep imagining women who have to deal with this in a rural village and it’s
just so heartbreaking to think of what would happen. One of the staff said that
the first loss is the baby (they said sometimes women with OF give birth for up
to 5 days), then it’s the job, then the house (since the husband usually makes
the wife move away from the compound), and then maybe even the village. Yet,
there is some hope with what UVP can provide and I’m trying to hold on to that.
It is extremely humbling to be here.
Even though orientation was long and emotional, I have one
thing to look forward to: tomorrow, we are heading out to the villages!
Kasambika 2 it is for me! I AM SO EXCITED.