New Digs

I have officially moved into the interns' hostel near the UNDP office and have met with the health coordinator to confirm our agreements that I would stay here, schedule rides with their transport to the villages and be able to work with the CHWs (community health workers). My hope is that the CHWs will be able to; translate for me during the interviews with patients and community members, allow me the opportunity to travel with them to womens' homes in the villages as the CHWs conduct their follow-ups from the clinic, and finally allow me to interview them about their role in the overall antenatal program in the district of Isingiro.

I believe that it is a rare and amazing opportunity to conduct research in the very intimate setting of residents' homes. As today has been set aside for meeting with the UNDP, I will hopefully begin my field research tomorrow. Thursday, the rest of my UW colleagues arrive in Mbarara and we will begin the usability testing process with the villages midwives who have been trained in ultrasound. After which, I will return to the individual interviews.

This is a picture of one of the midwives, Dezideranta, in their birthing room. I'm really looking forward to working with her - she has an amazing sense of humor as well as an unbreakable dedication to the mothers in her community.

This was in the village of Kanywamaizi. We also visited Ruhiira and Kabugu (Ka-boo-goo). It was in Kabugu that I broke out the bubbles I had brought from the states. At first, only one child shyly came over, but by the end I had over a dozen children squealing, 'pop pop pop' as they touched the bubbles. I handed over the wand to several children, and it ended up being that a young boy, probably 5 years old who had been admitted to the clinic - became the ultimate bubble maker. It was awesome. I wish I had my camera, but there will be many more bubbles in the future.

Yesterday, David and I had some free time and drove an hour to Lake Mburo National Park. While there we took a boat ride and saw a ton of hippos, kingfishers, alligators and eagles. Once back on land, we were able to see zebras, wharthogs, monkeys and different types of gazelles. As we approached the hippos they kept hiding underwater and swimming away, but our driver would follow their air bubble trail. So there hippos!

After the tour we stopped by the park's restaurant for lunch. It was a beautiful day with a nice breeze off the water. There was 1 large tree next to us and by the water. Hanging from it were dozens of these small nests made by the male sparrow weaver. The female birds choose their mate by how nicely the males build their homes. The nests hang about a meter over the water for protection from land and water predators.

And finally - my new digs. It is so nice to finally unpack all of my things and have a home base. All of my housemates are very nice and are working on various projects within the MVP. Last night, Henry brought four friends from the Peace Corps in Rwanda for the night and we made an amazing feast. It was a great first meal in the house!