Day 24:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." What if you cannot afford the preventative measures?

"Vincent, why are you home from school already?"
"Tis’ a touch of Malaria, Ahhntee."

From runny noses to HIV: the self-diagnosis is almost always "Tis a touch of Marlaria." So we test them before administering the expensive drugs. The test costs too, but physically, and financially, is not as costly as the children being on Malaria medication they don’t need. Most all of the disabilities I encountered in Uganda were blamed on Malaria or a high fever early in childhood.

Did you know people die from Malaria? Remember the worst most violent flu you have ever had and then imagine on that exact same day having someone put you on the "Scrambler" carnival ride with a megaphone in your ear and flashlight shining in your eyes. The only hydrating fluid you have is the well water that always gives people tummy trouble.

Sleeping under a net at night helps keep the malaria infecting mosquitos away, but time, the weather, and the rickety metal beds have worn holes in the nets. They try to sew them up. Which is very responsible, only now, due to the unskilled patch job, they do not drape far enough to cover the second mattress on the set of bunk beds.

They need more nets. The good kind. The "dipped" kind, that are treated with stuff to kill the mosquito when it lands on the net, not just frustrate it to move on to the next bed. They need the $10 kind. One for everyone. And some spares, just in case.

They also need regular doctor visits, dentist visits, and eye exams. Some most definitly need surgery and/or speach and physical therapists. Specialists are needed for the seisures. Who can go? Who will go? Who will help send them?

They need treatment plans and medicine. And people to properly administer that medicine who can read the directions.

Can someone volunteer to petition the chewable vitamin industry to send their products to the malnourished?

I would have killed for some Pedialite for a limp 4 year old who really did have Malaria. Will someone negotiate or beg pedialite on the children’s behalf?

It is starting to get overwhelming, isn’t it?

A very wise woman once helped me with my "all or nothing" participation on things, (If I cannot do this perfectly by myself, I wasn’t meant to do it. Right?) "You are not required by the Almighty to hand-hold every person and project that comes your way, but you could very well be meant to make the hand-off. You do the possible, God will do the impossible." Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

So you aren’t a neurosurgeon? Big Deal. Can you put these needs and requests in front all the people you know, in case they might know a neurosurgeon? Have you heard of Northwest Medical Teams? The guy ran a small business. He wasn’t a doctor. He saw a horrible story on the news, and said, "Somebody should do something!" His wife said, "Yes, you should." Two weeks later he was on a plane with volunteers he had gathered. How? He prayed alot, and ran off at the mouth to anyone who would hold still. That’s it. : >) We can do that, can’t we?

Curious to see who will pray, who will spread the word, and who will answer the call,

Lia

Day 25:

The children struggle with r’s and l’s. They can speak and read them just fine, they just mix and match them. Lori, one of Show Mercy’s founders, is known as "Mamma Roli" to the children. I, therefore, am not "Auntie Lia", but "Ahhntee Ria", or just "Ahhntee". Which is greatly more affectionate, but not said with as much curiosity/excitement as what everyone else in "town" cheerfully calls me; or rather yells at, me. "Muzungu!!" (White.) To tease them I would yell back while smiling, "No! Muganda!" (Member of the local tribe.)

Another fun fact is that a piece of candy is a "sweetie". As in, "Hey Lady, give me a sweetie!" This was translated for me, as I did not understand the two year old speaking contributors. She was in her "front yard" with her mom near the road I was walking on. I told her I didn’t have any "sweeties". Her glare told me she thought I was a mean liar. I immediately began to explain that truly I did not have any, or I would have shared with her. Her two year old eyes still accused me of being a hold out.

Her mother was trying very hard to not laugh at her daughter and me, for manners do not allow it. But she did not chide the child for asking, or for being upset at the refusal either. Doesn’t she also want her daughter to have manners? Or does she want me to have some perspective? … Truthfully, I was the only way that child was going to get "extra" that day. No shame, just reality. It was worth the risk of "no" to ask.

Food is hard to come by for most families in Uganda, and the luxury of a treat even harder. Even if you can get enough to keep your stomach from growling, it probably won’t be "a well balanced diet", and it will take hours to prepare.

One of my favorite "let’s expose how much Lia DOESN’T know" questions I was asked was this: "Madame, do you have to pick your own rice, or do you have a machine to do it for you?"

"Huh?"

She showed me the plate of uncooked rice she was picking through, kernel by kernel. There were tiny rocks everywhere. Her fingers were pretty fast. Rocks to one side, rice to the other. I explained that no one can sell rice with teeth breaking rocks mixed inside in America. They would be sued. To further shock the Ugandans at our laziness and ease of life… Ahhntee Ria told them all about Uncle Ben’s Minute Rice. They were wide eyed and skeptical, not nearly as harsh a look as the two year old had given me. I think I will bring a box with me next time to prove it.

So as you prepare your Easter feast, will you remember them?
- They could use your prayers.
- They could use some help to provide a feast of their own.
- They could really use someone to write out a completely balanced vegan* diet so they can be the best stewards of their resources as possible. (*Not because of any ideology, just because of cost.)
- They could use some money to buy meat, eggs, and dairy products to supplement the above whenever possible.
- They could use consistent sponsors and one-time gift givers.
- They could use people who will spread the word and encourage others to be sponsors and contributors.
Will you be one of those people?

Because truthfully, you are the only way these children are going to get any "extra". No shame, just reality. It is worth the risk of "no" to ask.

Risking it,

Lia