Making a decision to volunteer is a personal one, be it a sense of social responsibility and wanting to make the world a better place; personal growth; a way to gain a new perspective of the world; or a desire to learn about a new country and culture. Whatever your reasons, it is a great way to contribute and support local communities either at home or in another country and be a part of making a positive change.
KHC is extremely grateful to the many international and local volunteers we have had the privilege of working with over the years. Currently we are very fortunate to have from Denmark, Dr Neda E. Bruun-Rasmussen, who is a medical doctor with PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health from the University of Copenhagen and is working with our medical team.
‘I have been living in Uganda with my family for the past two years due to my husband’s work with the World Food Program. I was introduced to KHC by Margrethe Juncker who is also Danish doctor living in Uganda, and she is a longtime friend and supporter of Kawempe Home Care.
“I currently volunteer as a medical doctor at the KHC clinic, and I am going to help start up research facilities after the summer. Volunteering at KHC is rewarding because it allows a meaningful impact, supports sustainable community health improvements, fosters mutual learning and understanding, and inspires gratitude and connection.
It’s a pleasure to work with the KHC team and share the mission of providing medical support to people living with HIV, TB, cancer and other health related issues through community based holistic care models. I am looking very much forward to expanding our collaboration and implement research facilities in the near future.” says Dr Neda.
KHC is very pleased to have such a distinguished person working with us. Research will be invaluable to help ensure best practices are followed.
Bringing New Hope to Young People
Rotary Club of Kireka Movers has initiated a project called “Boy Child Uplifting Project” (BCUP) to support young boys to be self-sustaining, confident and have a purpose through developing new skills in such areas as carpentry, welding etc.
The Hope Creator President {2023/2024) Sarah Komugisha says “Several of the young men on the program, have battled cancer and during treatment stayed at our New Hope Children’s hostel. Many of the children with cancer have to put their education on hold whilst they undergo treatment, they are away from home and the treatment is very tough on them physically and mentally.”
Felix is one of the young men who now has the opportunity to have a bright future.
A Young Man that Can Look Forward to a Different Future
Felix is 18 years old and was diagnosed in 2016 with skin cancer at the age of 10, at which stage he was in Primary 3 at school. His family are rural farmers, and he has 5 siblings and 3 step siblings. He was referral to Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). and the battle with cancer forced him to drop out of school due to frequent hospitalizations. Not only did it impact his schooling but also self-esteem and the fear of mortality lingers as he has witnessed many friends pass away during his time in the hostel and hospital.
During the next 2 years his condition improved significantly. However, with the Covid19 pandemic travel restrictions and a disruption to his treatment, his health deteriorated. When he was able to resume treatment UCI referred him to New Hope Children’s hostel so that he could be closely monitored.
Felix recalls “Komugisha Sarah came to the hostel asking the boys who would like to learn skills in a trade. I was very excited to hear this great news and I registered and enrolled in welding in November 2023. I struggled due to my ill health as sometimes I would miss school because I had to attend hospital appointments, but the president encouraged me to continue and finish. I am soon sitting for my final exams. I aspire to start my own welding business once I complete the program and secures capital. My motivation is to be able to support my father, who has sacrificed a lot for me to get well despite financial challenges and discouragement from others. I am very grateful for the support and encouragement that Komugisha Sarah has given me, and Kawempe Home Care I now have hope for a new future.”
TB Fight Continues.
KHC Is tackling TB in the most at risk communities, who mainly live in slum areas that are densely populated and this can lead to high TB effect and transmission. Through the Local Partner Health Services TB project, in partnership with Kamwokya Christian Caring Community (KCCC) and funding from @Infectious Disease Institute, we are reaching many of these people.
April- May 2024 Results
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Total number of people screened and sensitized: 1095 |
Presumptive: 176 |
TB cases notified: 12 |
TB cases started on treatment: 12 |
Nakato a female aged 64 was diagnosed with TB in February 2023 and she started treatment. However, for 6 months she did not follow up her treatment.
The team of community health workers conduct door to door sensitization and screening with the help of the Mobile Xray van. Nakato came for an Xray screening as she still had a persistent cough, chest pain, heavy night sweats, and had lost weight. The Xray showed she had TB and this was confirmed by a septum test.
Nakato was advised of her results, and she admitted to not taking the medication as she couldn’t swallow the drugs without something to eat. The community supervisor (who is a TB survivor) and the CLF counselled the family and they agreed to provide food support for Nakato so that she would take her TB medication. The community supervisor shared her experience with TB and how she overcame it by following the TB treatment.
Nakato was also put on daily CBDOTS and the CLF agreed to go to her home every morning to support Nakato to take her medication. The CLF would also do her monthly refills in terms of drug deliveries and take her to her scheduled appointment. The rest of Nakato’s family were screened for TB with two of the children being presumed to have TB and were then tested for evaluation.
In February this year Nakato completed her treatment and is now cured and back to living normally.
The experience of the teams confirms:
- Counselling is key in terms of positive living for TB patients.
- Shared TB survivor experiences help many patients to build their confidence and adhere properly to their medication.
- CB DOTS boosts adherence whilst the patient is undergoing TB treatment.
- On site diagnosis is also very key in terms of case identification and early treatment.
Health Feature- What is grief?
It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness.
The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss—and the more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be.
Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. You may associate grieving with bereavement, the death of a loved one—which is often the cause of the most intense type of grief—but any loss can cause grief.
Grieving is a highly individual experience; there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experience, your faith, and how significant the loss was to you. Inevitably, the grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no “normal” timetable for grieving.
In our Health Issue article, we highlight some of the myths and the facts on grieving; ways to cope with the pain and what not to say! https://kawempehomecare.org/what-is-grief/
On a happier note, we are Blessed by the many people who support us.
It has been a tough first half to 2024. Many people and families are feeling the pressure of the cost of living on their household budgets. We are extremely grateful for the wonderful food support we receive from the local groups and community.
Manifest Healing Team is a youth fellowship that believe in giving back to the community. Each Sunday they have fellowship with patients who wish to participate. Recently they also provided much needed food for the hostel.
Healing Water Church
Healing Water church has been a longtime supporter of the hostel. They first came in 2021 and from then onwards, every month they donate food. We are Blessed that they are contributing so much to the wellbeing of the children.
Mind Bus Health Support Uganda 
Mind Bus Health Support team visited us to extend support and share with staff, patients and caregivers about mental health and well-being.
Hazel and Amara Providing Practical Solutions.
Hazel and Amara’s Skills Programs provide practical sessions for groups and they recently visited the hostel and showed the women how to make reusable pads. This skill will help the women immensely as these items are expensive to buy and also this skill will help them to provide pads for their daughters as well and also pass on the skill to their daughters. They have many times supported us with food donations. Thank you for providing our caregivers with such practical support and for the children nutritional support.
Other groups that donated food and other items were Gaddafi Secondary School, Redeemed Church, and Catholic Women Fellowship Kyanja.
We are extremely grateful for your wonderful and kind support to the children and caregivers in our care. THANK YOU
What great initiatives from The Rotary Club of Kireka Movers with your project called “Boy Child Uplifting Project” and I remember Emmanuel from my last visit. I am very pleased he has had this opportunity and even better is that he is on the road to recovery.
Congratulations Hazel and Amara, for providing such practical support to the caregivers at the hostel.
Long live Kawempe Home, Thank you for serving the needy communities, your work is commendable.