We have spent the past
week in Kitgum, Uganda which is a rural region in northern Uganda. This area is very close to South Sudan, I was
told about 2 hours away driving. This
region was also extremely affected by the conflict. We arrived on Wednesday, spent two days preparing
for our rural home-stay, which lasted from Friday afternoon until Tuesday
morning. For this home-stay we were
partnered up and had to conduct a miniature research project. My home-stay was very short-lived.
I was
very nervous when we arrived at the home-stay.
This was not like the home-stay in Gulu.
Every member of the family basically had their own hut. The huts were small and round with a straw
roof. There was a curtain that created a
small private space for sleeping. Other
than that there was a chair in the hut, and there wasn’t any electricity
anywhere. This was a very unique experience.
The
first afternoon was pretty uneventful and consisted mostly of setting up our
hut and trying to communicate with the host-family members, only two of whom
spoke English, and both were gone. I
wish I knew more Acholi to better communicate.
The stars the first night were also very beautiful! Seeing so many stars and actually seeing them
twinkle was an experience unlike any other. There were so many stars, it was
mind-blowing.
Our
dinner was simple and consisted of beans and a bread-type made with corn. After dinner I felt fine and was looking
forward to the next day to get some research done. That feeling of happiness ended abruptly at
1am when I felt very sick and vomited. I
continued to vomit every 2 hours until 5am after which I vomited every
hour. At about 7:30am it was happening
every 45 minutes. The program staff came
to pick me up as early as possible to rush me to the hospital. The problem was that the recommended doctor
in the area was out of town. It was
Saturday and not uncommon that doctors are out of town. We ended up going to a private Catholic
hospital in Kitgum. I arrived at the hospital
around 9am, feeling absolutely miserable, words cannot describe. I had to get tested for malaria which is
standard. At this point I remember
closing my eyes and picturing me laying in my bed back in Reno and given the
opportunity I would have definitely purchased a ticket back home right then and
there.
After
the malaria was ruled out I was taken to a private hospital bed where they had
to start an IV to replenish all the fluids I was losing and start the antibiotics. After about 2 hours I finally started to feel
better. I have already been struggling
with feelings of homesickness and at that point the feelings could not have
been any stronger. I am so grateful for
the regional SIT staff for this specific program. They have been so supportive and made me feel
better not only about my homesick but also during my stay at the hospital. I had someone with me the whole time, even
overnight.
I
was finally discharged yesterday. I am
feeling much better and am on regular antibiotics that I take orally. No more IVs!
Even though I couldn’t do the intended research in the rural home-stay, I
learned a lot being in a hospital. This
was also my first time ever being checked into a hospital, and of all places it
happened in rural northern Uganda. What
are the odds?
