The Gretta Foundation

            WE MADE IT!!!

Well after 30 hours of being in transit, four flights, 8 hours of sleep in the last 60, too many mosquito bites to count, we have come to the conclusion of our first day in Uganda.

But before getting into business, we should share the crazy that is getting to the hotel from the airport.  The traffic in Kampala is usually congested, even at midnight when we arrived.  On either side of the roads are little business where you’ll see bottle shops (make-shift bars no bigger than a small closet), barbers, food stands, and the like.  Everyone drives on the left side which can be a little disorienting for American tourists like myself.  But between the lack of street lights, countless boda bodas (little motorcycles transporting persons…yes, plural at times) dodging in-and-out of traffic, headlights coming in from all directions and persons walking just inches from speeding cars, including one’s own, it is mind-blowing that more people don’t die.  It never gets routine I tell ya.

So on to business. We got an early start. Why I never learn NOT to schedule appointments right after arriving, I’ll never know.  We went to meet our Gretta Scholars at the International Health Science University. 

We took lots pictures and interviewed each one.  They are all passing and doing very well.  Each and every one took time to give their humble thanks to TGF and all its supporters.  It is so heartwarming to hear their stories about how their lives have changed and the see the great sense of pride and satisfaction they feel in their chosen profession. The pride is palpable.  What a great start to the day. It is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. 

Next we traveled across town to meet our two new graduates, Agnes and Martha, at the Mulago National Referral Hospital where they are interns.  I can’t begin to tell you how much joy I felt seeing Agnes, our very first Gretta Scholar, walk out of the main entrance in her nurse’s uniform.  She looked glorious. We got to meet her supervisor and hear her acclaim of Agnes’ work.  Her current rotation is in the pediatric ward where we saw her care for a tiny little person with pneumonia.  She reminded us that HIV and/or TB often first presents itself as pneumonia. We left hoping that this precious case would be an exception. 

Next we joined Martha in the oncology ward. Mulago has the only oncology ward in Kampala, we are told, all who need treatment are referred here.  We surprised Martha on her lunch break where we found her pouring over her patient’s charts.  Her drive and commitment to nursing continues to be a source of awe; just so proud we are.

With another scholar Doreen joining us, we enjoyed some girl-time and got to hear how proud they are to be independent…and also share their plans for the future. How wonderful.

Tomorrow will be another full day!  (MS)