Making a Documentary

Wow what a week!!!

While Isaac worked away at the hospital I took a trip to Iganga. I went with a woman from church and her film crew. Yes you read that right. Isaac and I, well really it’s the lady from church who is doing it but I got to help in the process.

Tuesday we left Kampala and drove the 5 hours to Isaac’s village. We walked deep into the village to gather interviews and information on how the local people in the area around where we want to put the hospital get health care. You can tell from my dirty feet! The stories were unreal. I can’t imagine being in labor and after walking to a clinic having to get on the back of a bicycle and balance myself to the next clinic over because the first one can’t serve me. These women gave story after story of traumatic situations they find themselves in.

Wednesday we went to the local hospital (26km from where our hospital is proposed to be). We interviewed the administration and doctors. They continued to tell us that they were just a local hospital and so they weren’t prepared for critical medical cases. My goodness if that’s their attitude! This is the best the people can get and the administration thinks that their job is to handle minor cases. Wow. We talked to many patients within the hospital and were shocked at how far they had traveled to receive services.

Thursday we went back to the village, only after visiting the district office and getting an interview about the land and how the process of our hospital project is going. It was funny that the man we talked to almost begged for an interview and then really wanted to watch his interview on the camera. J Once in village we visited the local clinics. The director of the documentary was shocked that these clinics, even though they are free or have minimal cost are empty. Upon simple investigation she found out why; lack of supplies, lack of medical personnel to care for patients, and lack of hygiene. We were also able to get the local chairman’s interview while standing on the donated land. It was great to hear him talk about how excited the local people are about the project.

It was an exhausting time but well worth it. We hope to have a documentary to show all of you very soon!!!

Blessings