11 hours, 260 patients, and 31 exhausted team members later, we are back at Masindi Hotel after our first full day of clinic here in Uganda!
Even before most of us were awake this morning, the line for our clinic was already forming with locals in desperate need of care. Many had spent the entire night saving their place in line to assure that they or their loved one would be seen by one of our health care providers. Marianne and her registration team arrived an hour before the health care providers to give each patient a coveted form and number on their hand, capping the number we would be able to see at a little over 200. We don’t envy their job of turning patients away after that number was reached but hope that those people will have a chance to see our team coming in May.
The two of us, along with Nicole (another nursing student) and Rachel F. (RN), spent the day in the tiny converted school classroom that would serve as our triage center. Each of us was assigned a translator and an area in the room to take vital signs, a brief medical history and chief complaint, as well as to administer zinc tablets, an anti-parasite (to fight worms), and vitamin A. Even this simple task will help prevent numerous health problems in each patient’s life. Our creative nursing skills were in full force as we faced multiple challenges from translation to screaming infants who had never seen a “munzuga” or white person before. It was definitely a grueling day but our inspiring patients’ stories kept a smile on our faces and captivated our hearts. We definitely each had a few patients that will stay with us forever.
After our time with the patient was over, we sent them off with Kelly or Danielle (our life-savers!) to see the providers who would give a full physical exam and prescribe much needed medication. The patients also had the opportunity to see our dentist, physical therapists, and even be fitted for glasses…but we’ll leave those stories for another day!
We miss you all and thank you for your support of our team! It’s amazing what we have already accomplished here! And now it’s off to bed for another long clinic day tomorrow!
Erin Taverniti and Amy Marialke
12 comments ↓
Great job team! May the Lord sustain you and give you rest for another day. I know you are all tired, but He is mighty and with God All things are possible:)
whoo HOO! get it girls : ) No surprise you two are already guest blogging! My thoughts go out to the entire team..we are thinking about yall and praying continually..may your new exciting experiences energize you daily to keep up the AWESOME work!!
Hannah B
Keep up the great work, we are praying for y’all and thinking about you from here – Kelly D’s last hoorah before the big return to America! YAY!
Whoohoo, go team, go!! The days are exhausing but I’m praying that you will have supernatural strength to get through the days and see the patients you need to see. Keep it up, y’all! Sending love and prayers… hannah
You are all doing Gods work for these patients. So happy to hear you are well and working hard. We will continue to pray for your team daily! Kathy
So glad you made it there safely. Thank you all for the amazing work that you do.
I know some people have been trying to leave comments and you are required to leave a website– anyone is welcome to just leave http://www.charlestonevent.com if you want to be able to leave a comment for the team!!
We’re impressed with your stamina – WOW, what a day!! Saw pictures of both you and Ansley. Keep up the great work and stay safe. Hugs and Kisses, Mom and Dad 143 MUAH
Wow! The team is really making an impact there. Take it all in and let it move you. I’m moved just reading about the work that you’re doing. When you’re exhausted, remember your zumbathon training.
Hello Richard M…, we are loving the ability to keep up with the great work you and your team are doing via this blog. Blessings to all of you. Love and prayers Mom and Dad
You are all doing Gods work for these patients. So happy to hear you are all well and working hard. We will continue to pray for your team daily! Kathy
Keep the blogs coming. It is exciting to hear of your amazing experiences and the great work that you are performing. This opportunity will stay with you all your lives and will similarly impact the lives of the people you are treating in Uganda. It is assuring to know that you are all safe and secure as you perform your charitable work. Erin T….can’t wait to hear about your experience when you get home.
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