Such love

Dave is in Masaka, central Uganda for a two weeks fistula camp, replacing an American surgeon who had to cancel his appointment.

25 year-old Judith from a remote village 3 hours walk from a road near Lira was born with a rare bladder deformity that opened directly onto her abdomen with resulting constant wetness. Catholic priest, Father Opio Vallente in the photo made the double 12-hour rickety bus journey from here last week-end, partly at his expense to pick up two girls and their fathers so they could attend the camp. (click on this YouTube link for the story) What love!

At Kagando we could manage the very challenging surgery, but set against that are possible complications and worse. Also she would have to make a new home near a hospital in case of medical emergency. Her alternative would be to accept the disability and loss of marriage prospects, and make a life as a shop-keeper in her village. Judith decided on the latter.

Father Vallente knows a catechist (known as Ogena, meaning ‘trustworthy’) in Judith’s area who will handle the £300 we are giving him for the rent of a shop, and start-up capital for a 2nd hand clothes business. Ogena can also give her training and follow-up. Judith now has a future and a life. There is a new joy in her face.

Love is something if you give it away…

‘Love is something if you give it away it ends up something more’…..runs the childhood ditty. Helen bought a £2 cake during a fund-raising service in January, and knowing how much Ugandans appreciate cake gave it to the man next to her, Jonah, the school bursar. Since then he has frequently thanked her for the public honour she gave him. Last week in return he gave her a whole stick of matoke bananas from his garden.

Not being able to eat them all ourselves Dave carried the matoke down to the fistula ward, where the diet is cassava root and beans. The 15 patients who love matoke were thrilled to bits!