THE ROOM IS DONE!

I could not have finished it without Hugh and Lucy! They are 2 volunteers from Spain who spent 2 weeks here at MOP volunteering. I was a bit selfish and grabbed them as soon as I could to help me prepare the rehab room for Fr Ho Lung's visit. I was nearly there but was still moving like molasses for what I thought was an unknown reason (Turns out I was getting sick yet again but did not know it).

Hugh and Lucy, THANK YOU!!!! 

Thanks to all the volunteers, to all the people who graciously donated, to all the people who prayed,
               the room is now DONE DONE DONE! Check out some of the "snaps"!

Hanging the curtains
 (you can see the new bolster swing on the R)

Trying to show off the colors of the curtains 

Matches the green in the mural perfectly!

One of the other delights was the first of the disabled boys coming in with Brother Ciprion to check on our work. Mirrors are absent here. Most of the boys are unfamiliar with their reflections and are usually intrigued by them as a result. We were able to witness both of these boys seeing themselves for the first time!

Bro Ciprion, Lucy and Serembe
excited to see his reflection for the first time!

He realized it was himself after a few moments
then broke out into laughter!

Kabuto had to be coaxed to look in the mirror as he was
afraid at first.

NOW IT IS TIME FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE QUEEN OF PEACE REHAB ROOM!

By the guidance of Mother Mary and the Grace of God, generous donors and lots of prayers,
the children who are the poorest of the poor, abandoned and disabled
will have the best rehab department in all of Kampala! 

The sculpture made from broken pieces of glass 

A view looking out of the private treatment room/office

The colors will stimulate their little brains

Nothing missing from this room 

Beauty, color and texture to bring out the autistic from their worlds

Accessibility everywhere

Even in the equipment which was specifically made for the disabled in mind 

Plenty of challenges to promote balance and mobility
(This is only ONE of 4 sensory swings that have been made)

I was told during meditation, when the idea first was given to me on the first weeks of my arrival...

" This will be a place of miracles in which people will know that my (Mother Mary's) love is with them  and they are not alone"

I know this to be the truth....there is no way this would have happened otherwise, as the conception of this idea did not come from me. There have been miracles throughout this process and I am sure more will certainly come! 

BEHIND THE SCENES...REAL LIFE ISSUES OF HEALTH

I have been blogging about the major events happening, but there are so many more things that are being managed here in the homes and with the children. These things are the most important...they are the real life issues of Africa and caring for the poor. They have been my focus and have taken up more of my energy, prayers and time, yet I have not talked about it much really.

We have to deal with many things here including, poor water quality in the schools where our children attend, poor quality local doctors, local doctors that do not listen or care as we do about our poor children. The children's health has been good with Douglass's good care, but there are times when the symptoms of the children are hard to track. We have sent one boy in particular to the hospital 3 x for fevers, anemia and weight loss. Each time he has been sent back with either antibiotics or iron tabs. The boy was getting rapidly worse. Douglass finally demanded that he be admitted. The boy's condition deteriorated rapidly at that point and he underwent surgery.

He was found to have a perforated intestine and peritonitis. He did not improve much, so they took him in for surgery again less than a week later. Last week Douglass and I went to visit him in the hospital only to find him gone. He had been taken yet a third time and this time we were not told. Douglass was furious as was I. We did not get answers for a couple days which left all of us, including the in charge brother, very upset and panicked. This boy was weak and frail and the whole community was praying for him.

Visiting Sibabi in the hospital after being called by him on the phone 3 x
"PLEASE Sister Carol, bring me chocolate!"
He was not allowed to eat yet so he just rubbed the bars on his face.  His Mother
chuckling in the background

The scary thing was the fact we have 4-5 other boys with the same early symptoms that this boy had. Sick of not having answers we needed, I sent out emails to everyone I knew including CMMB and Maria Provost, a surgeon now stationed in Mutomo, Kenya. We got a lot of help and resources this way and good referrals to local surgeons. We (Douglass and I) received approval from the in charge brother and took one of the now sick boys to "The Surgery" for testing and assessment. This is the "muzungu" clinic where I go.

The pediatrician, (local Ugandan), was wonderful and listened...we FINALLY had an answer following labs, abdominal ultrasounds, and stool/urine testing. The boys are suffering from a water borne amoeba and salmonella like virus (NOT typhoid as was diagnosed for the boy in the hospital). Medication which only cost 19 USD has cleared it up. Now we are in the process of investigating which water source is contaminated. We are suspecting the school as the boys have been drinking the tap water there, though they know they are not supposed to. They are kids...we will have to come up with another option for them. We will be testing our water just in case though ours is triple filtered.

The remaining boys with the same symptoms are now being sent for testing to see if they need the same treatment. Our boy who underwent surgery is finally improving and will be coming home this week. We are all breathing a sigh or relief now that the mystery has been solved. We THANK GOD and the good doctors at The Surgery as well as the folks at CMMB and Maria Provost for helping us figure out this mystery and keep our children safe and ALIVE!

THE FOUNDING FATHER ARRIVES

This is really a big deal...when a founder visits his or her mission, it is a historical event. The brothers and sisters joining the mission get the opportunity to be inspired and filled with passion from the founder. Father Ho Lung has been to Africa 3 x now, this being his third time. He has seen the Missionaries of the Poor grow and spread throughout the world and has seen the mission in Africa grow tremendously over the last several years.

The welcome was complete with a marching band!

Tumblers 

And the Bethlehem Home girl dancers! 

He arrived safely yesterday with the welcome deserving royalty. You could see in his now aged and wrinkled brow, the humility of the man who had the courage to follow his heart and the will of God. He looked at times as if he would shed a tear, then composing himself, offered his hand and hugs to all who came to greet him.

Father arriving 

Smiling and greeting everyone! 

I kept my distance to allow the brothers and sisters to have their moment with Father. Some may never get the chance to see him again as he is growing in years. Even the professed brothers who know Father from years of being some of the first to struggle through the early phases of the Mission, were approaching him as if approaching their own Father with joy and reverence.

Greeting ALL the brothers and sisters

Overcome with the immensity of his welcome
As Father says, " I am just a simple man" 

The welcoming Mass also included the induction of 12 of my English class senior Aspirants to Postulants, 3 of my prior English students from Postulants to Novices and my dear friend, Sister Rose from senior Aspirant to Postulant. What a wonderful opportunity to have this done by Father Ho Lung himself!

My class anxiously awaiting their move to Postulants

My prior class of now Novices 

Father Ho Lung blessing the new clothes of the brothers

Sister Rose receiving her veil 

Sister Rose, the first African Postulant of
Missionaries of the Poor 

The feast and celebration afterwards was the usual fun and lively non stop singing, dancing and speeches. The children from both homes were there to perform for a weary Father Ho Lung. Brother John Reddy also was celebrated as he turned 40 yesterday AND celebrated his 20th year with the Missionaries of the Poor. I had given him a large slice of coconut cake from one of the only stores that I know that makes such a cake. Brother John shared it with the 30 brothers who stayed up late cleaning up after the celelbration. He did tell me he even had 2 candles in the cake! This is so typical of the brothers...sharing EVERYTHING!

MATOKE AND GNUT SAUCE! YUM! 

Sister Rose trying NOT to smile

The new Postulants serving the feast! 

The now 40 yr old Brother John Reddy
hamming it up on stage with the brothers 

I went to sleep with a full stomach and a huge smile on my face counting myself lucky to be so close to such a great man as Fr Ho Lung!

PREPARING FOR FATHER FOUNDER, FR. HO LUNG

The founding father of Missionaries of the Poor is making a visit to the Uganda and Kenya missions this week! His name is Father Richard Ho Lung and is well known throughout the Caribbean, in particular Jamaica. Despite his 73 years, he keeps a busy schedule, continues to write and produce music and is known for his theatrical productions 1-2 x year in Jamaica. His visit here is a historical event as he is so incredibly busy that his visits are not frequent. He is presently in Kenya and will be arriving in Uganda this Saturday, August 24th. I consider myself blessed to be able to meet him in person.

We have had 3 more volunteers over the last week (arriving before I returned home from Bunyonyi). We have a couple, Hugh and Lucy who currently live in Spain as well as Nina from New York in the USA. Nina was only able to stay for a week, but the kids LOVED her and enjoyed being loved and hugged and played with....everything a kid wants to tell you the truth.

Bro Nelam, Nina and Bro John Reddy at the airport

Hugh and Lucy have been indispensable in getting the final projects done...this includes but not limited to: helping set up and hang the 4 sensory swings, cleaning the entire room, mopping the floor, wiping off walls (windows included), ironing 12 curtains, etc etc.

Hugh with Mathias (after donating drawing supplies) 

Lucy with Sibiri (after donating drawing supplies) 

It is exciting to see everything coming together. I managed to pick up the final items from the carpenter today and put together the last of the sensory swings. The boys helped cart out the last of the trash from the painting and construction and the place is now looking like the "REAL DEAL!"

The chaos of moving the equipment into the room
while the kids "hung out"

Mathias' art work

Hugh, Lucy, Bro Sonny and I trying to assemble the
platform swing. 

WOW...looking good! 

Sibiri loving his custom table 

The boys"helping" ...NOT....borrowing my computer to
watch movies! 

Tomorrow, we hang the curtains, do another cleaning and set up the equipment in the gym! WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING TO BE NEARLY DONE! YAY! THANK GOD!

Sibiri trying out the swing! 

I have a feeling everyone will WANT to come
to therapy!

Hugh doing the first hammock swing test with Noah

YUP! I think it will work! 

He is such an artist

Exhausted but happy!

THE SISTERS MOVE AND CAROL TAKES A BREAK!

It was sweet sadness to say goodbye to the Sisters of MOP who were my floor mates for the last year. They now have moved to their own home "convent" to start their new vocations for the Sisters of MOP! They are close by, only a 5 min Boda drive, but I will miss their smiling faces and lightheartedness every evening.

Always smiling 

Sister Rose (AKA Mother Superior) and I. She is my best friend here

We took some final pictures in the chapel and then I was able to escort them to "move in" the night of Aug 10th. It is a beautiful home, able to house 18 women. It sits high on the hill behind the monastery and is gated and well lit. The Brothers sent 2 of the big dogs with the sisters to protect them (I was happy about this because I no longer have to listen to them howl at night!) I will get to see them in the early morning for mass but that will be it. SO...I decided that I have to make a regular dinner visit at least once a week...Friday (fish night) as I am sure the Sisters are able to cook up a feast! We are all excited about this.

Final pictures in St Joseph's chapel

I then left for a week long REST leaving early the next morning for Lake Bunyonyi in South West Uganda. It is a beautiful lake that has many islands and terraced gardening around creating a lovely tropical picture to the eye. The lake itself sits over 6,000' in elevation and is quiet and far from the hustle of the city.

Overland Resort at Lake Bunyonyi 

The Dock by the lake 

the beautiful Flora 

Not sure what it is but it is "pretty" 

I cannot say I did much other than eat and sleep. I did manage a dug out canoe boat ride and a couple shuffle jogs. The water was lovely but the air cold. I only swam 1 x as I was nursing yet another cold. It was still one of those things you just HAVE to do! The lake itself is 6,000 feet deep...or so they say...I am not sure this is fully accurate BUT it is deep. It is popular for local crayfish (of which I ate for several meals!)

The dug out canoe 

OTHER people jumping off the platform

AHH...bonfires at night

I splurged and stayed in a nice little cottage with hot showers (well, 50% of the time when the power was on). The food was good and the lodging very reasonable. The week went by much to quickly as I felt I needed at least another one in there....but alas...the final projects are calling!

One of the many nice views 

From the dining area 

I would come back here if I had time....it was worth every penny... the cottages are only 35 USD a day, but you can rent a platform tent for 25 and a tent for 12! Did I mention the food was good???

Fab art for purchase (IF you have a lot of money) 

Regardless, nice to look at!!!