Losing Sleep

I have been hesitant to post this blog for a multitude of reasons. Mainly, I like to focus on the positive. When discussing my stay in Uganda I see so many wonderful things; Friends graduating from universities, parents working to better the lives of their children, innovations that are improving the lives of thousands of people, etc. These accomplishments are often overshadowed in my home country by negative media and lack of knowledge on this area of the world. 

Of course, no matter where you go, there is poverty and corruption. My internship takes place at a children's home, so I am working with an incredibly vulnerable population. In order to showcase all of the good that Sanyu does for these kids, I've decided to share an experience that has especially touched my heart. Please note this is not a common occurrence or a generalization of a population.  

Wanted a picture other than my face with the link. 

There are many happy days at Sanyu filled with class activities, playtime, singing and hugs.  Then there are days like today.

A two-day-old baby was brought into Sanyu. She was born premature and weighs only 1.5kg (around 3lbs). When one of the Mama's handed me the bundle of blankets, I didn't realize there was a baby inside. I was horrified. She is so small and fragile, I was amazed doctors let her leave the hospital. 

Her life is the result of a rape. The sperm donor is forty; the mother is twelve years old. Her underdeveloped body couldn’t carry the baby to full term and an emergency C-section had to be done to save both mother and child. I don't know much about the whole situation (I'd prefer not to, actually), but family, officials at the hospital, social workers, and police must believe that Sanyu is the best place for this baby for the time being. 

I’ve had a hard time sleeping since this baby has arrived. I think of my twelve-year-old sister at home and am nauseated. I think of the mother and the extreme trauma she has and will continue to endure. I think of this child’s future and the how events prior to her birth will impact her life. I think of the other children at Sanyu and the tragedies that have brought them here. I think of children around the globe living in disadvantaged circumstances.

I think of the injustice; a key determinant of your quality of life is based on the circumstances you are born into.

Circumstances can be overcome, yes, but that takes opportunity. It takes access to health care, education, purchasing power, a support system, hard work, etc. These opportunities aren’t always readily available.

I didn’t have to travel halfway across the globe to realize this. I can walk around my town and see people struggling to feed their families. People are people, no matter where you are, and all face challenges. Some are more severe as the challenges I have faced in my 21 years of life are microscopic in comparison to the kids of Sanyu, all of who are under the age of 5.

I could dwell on the injustice of the world until the end of my days. In my hours of brooding, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that dwelling does no good for anyone. Action, on the other hand, has the potential to. That's what Sanyu does, they take action. This home steps in as an intermediate setting for children and provides them with food, water, health care, basic education (they are, of course, babies), and a support network that extends borders.

So in that time I'm not sleeping, I go and feed the babies at midnight, when 5 a.m. rolls around I do the same. My respect for these Mama’s has soared (even more so) in the past week as I learn about their lives and the sacrifices they make for not only the children of Sanyu but their own. The extra care they give to this young child is needed and amazing. They've taught her to feed from a bottle which is the only way the child would live past the first days here. They work daily to improve the livelihoods of society’s most vulnerable.  It’s humbling to play a very small part.

Update: Baby is currently gaining weight and eating well. She will remain in the isolation room (extra medical care, smaller potential for sickness) until she ages and health improves.