Flash floods at Kisiizi Hospital

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Following the flooding at Kisiizi in 2017  and the preventive that was undertaken, we were very sorry to hear that there have again been floods affecting Kisiizi Hospital.  Although the Power House (which is next to the Ahamuza Center which Jamie’s Fund sponsored) and the Children’s Ward were again hit, we are pleased to report that the Ahamuza Centre was unaffected.  This flash flood which overwhelmed the defences put in after the 2017 flood and some of the concrete and stone defences around the powerhouse were washed away.  Not only was the power supply affected but also the water supply, as the pipes bringing clean water to the hospital were bent and broken.

Fortunately no-one was hurt and Kisiizi were quick to get the clean up underway.  This was not a pleasant job as lots of mud was deposited as the waters receded.

In one of the pictures sent by Kisiizi, we can see the flood water stretching out towards the Ahamuza Centre in the background.  You can also see the banda (the round hut with the red roof to the right of the picture) which was paid for last year by Jamie’s Fund as a place for patients to shelter from the sun (or the rain)

 

All hospitals in Uganda are very much challenged by the lockdown for Covid19 and Kisiizi Hospital is no exception so the last thing the hospital needed was the additional costs associated with this flood.  We all wish the team well at Kisiizi as they work to bring everything back into service.

Hugh Burgess

Up and Down – Reflections on a cycle ride!

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As a very “part-time” cyclist it has been an interesting experience trying to find time to do the promised miles but when the time has been found it’s also been an interesting time for reflection.

As I have cycled the leafy lanes of North Wales, I have been reminded of the challenge that many mental health patients face in Uganda.  Where I can simply jump in a car and go and see someone (or at least I could if things were “normal”), many people in Uganda simply have to walk.  This is true especially for those going to hospital or to a health centre.

For those seeking help with their mental health, this is a cost not only for them but also for anyone who accompanies them because it takes them away from any sort of economic activity.  When you add in the cost of treatment as well, it becomes an almost impossible burden for many families – and that’s where Jamie’s Fund makes a difference.  By encouraging hospitals to go TO the patient we are able to remove many of the costs for the family and have enabled the changing of many lives.

A well loaded bike

As I labour up the next interminable hill, I think of the people taking their bananas to market to earn a few shillings.  I’ve used a picture  of some of these people on my fundraising page partly because it shows bicycles in Uganda but more because it reminds me that whatever pain I’m going through they have to do this day in and day out.  Cycling is not a leisure activity but an essential means to sustain life.

 

And then, reaching the top of the hill and levelling out for a few hundred yards I fall into a reverie until a loud “PLOP” on the road in front of me wakes me abruptly and my heart pounds.  My initial reaction is that a very large bird has just passed over, but I then realise that it’s a squirrel that has fallen out of a tree – no doubt itself woken by the sound of my laboured breathing!  And then I’m further startled as the squirrel scuttles back up the tree. Again, I’m reminded of the contrast between the UK and Uganda.  Here, in our relatively rich country, we have many small animals, some beautiful birds and even large animals like deer – but it’s nothing compared to Uganda.  While Uganda has little wealth and many people live on the edge, the country itself is rich in wildlife although much is endangered: beautiful birds, amazing butterflies and of course some incredible large animals, elephant, hippo, zebra, lion and my favourite, gorillas.

 

And that only makes me reflect on encounters with some wonderful people I’ve met, ill with mental health issues and often speaking languages I can’t understand.  In contrast to them, I have everything I need (and more), live in relative comfort, have access to health services and supermarkets, have many more than one change of clothes, have cash in my pocket and a car on the drive (as well as a bicycle in the garage). But as we exchange glances and perhaps communicate through one of the nurses, it is another special moment as our common humanity comes through: Yes, we a separated by geography, language and material wealth but we are both human and that makes us very much the same and I’m pleased that everyone who has been involved with Jamie’s Fund over nearly ten years has made a difference to the lives of other people in an often forgotten corner of the world.

 

And at last, home!  Safe! With a few more miles under my belt (what a silly expression!) and after a shower and a sleep ready to do it all over again – or maybe I’ll just take a walk before bed!

Hugh Burgess

“On yer bike, Vicar!”

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Professor Ewan Wilkinson, the CEO of Jamie’s Fund is a keen cyclist, getting out on two wheels on most days while the Rev’d Hugh Burgess, the Chair, is more likely to be found tramping the byways of North Wales on foot.  This has led over the years to some gentle ribbing at the other’s expense, Ewan preferring to get there quickly while Hugh likes to watch the grass grow!

Hugh in Spain

In the past, both Ewan and Hugh have raised money for Jamie’s Fund through their preferred forms of exercise.  Ewan has undertaken a number of cycling challenges not least in both Uganda and Rwanda while Hugh completed a 1500 mile walk from North Wales to Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain.

Ewan has now encouraged Hugh to set aside his walking poles for a few weeks and to get on his bike as part the 200×100 Cycling Challenge that Ewan is organising to raise critical funds for work with mental health patients in Uganda.  During September Ewan is asking Hugh and as many other willing volunteers as possible each to cycle 200 miles during the month and to raise a minimum of £200.

Ready to go

Hugh is delighted to take up this challenge even if it means eating his words about the risks of being on two wheels rather than two feet!  Hugh plans to do much of his parish work by bicycle.

Talking about the cycling challenge and the work in Uganda, Hugh said: “Having been to Uganda and seeing a woman literally chained up because she is mentally ill, changes the way you see the world.  I have seen that woman set free from her chains and I know how little money it takes but how big the need is. That’s why I’m delighted to take up Ewan’s challenge in September and I encourage anyone reading this who can pedal to join in too.  We will use every penny we raise to help some of the poorest people with their mental health”.

He’s off!

If you would like to sign up for the challenge please click here.

If you aren’t able to do the challenge but would like to support Hugh then please click here.

For more information on the 200×100 Challenge, please click here