Teso Development Trust partnership in relief, development and mission

Teso News - Summer 2014, Issue 58

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IN THIS ISSUE OF TDT NEWS

Launching the Kumam Bible Water progress New Medical Fund Ngora Parents’ School landmark project Skills for orphaned young people New TDT coordinator

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BRIDGING THE GAP?

"He lives on a different planet" is commonly said about many in our celebrity obsessed culture. This is said about England footballers, politicians, media moguls, pop idols or Hollywood film stars. It is also true that we in the West live on a different planet to life in Teso. Recent statistics about the community researched by Martin Harrison show how great the gulf is.

70% of families are dominated by the basic challenges of finding food, water, shelter and security. Few of the children go to school, people use traditional healers because they cannot afford conventional health care, and food supply is limited and irregular so malnutrition is rife. Income is under £1 per day, derived from casual labour. Life expectancy is well below average. 15% have a small income based on subsistence farming of cassava, beans, rice, maize and fru it. Some can just afford health care and schooling for the children but on a hand to mouth basis, diet is entirely vegetable. 15% have some disposable income so eating meat as well as vegetables and travel is possible. Children go to school and families can afford health care. People have their own businesses or are employed in public services or NGOs.

This picture shows what a different world Teso is: the 70% on survival rations are a huge challenge and need help to have food security and to access schooling and health care. Many TDT projects have helped with clean water, food aid and food security.

In this newsletter, we show many projects trying to help people to improve their lives through better water supply, training, and savings schemes. Our new programme to access health care at Kumi Hospital is a vital new means of helping the poorest get basic, but life saving, medical treatment. I am in the process of handing most of the work over to James Seager our very capable new coordinator. But … I am not signing off fully as I have been co-opted onto the Committee to look after some of the projects and lead on Trust fundraising. I am organising our 2014 Evaluation trip and expect to make an input at the AGM in October when I look forward to meeting many of you. My office remains the point for all communications until James gets a new home.

Over the past ten years of working for the Trust, I have met some extraordinary people in Uganda and very dedicated people in the UK who have the Teso people close to their heart. It has been a privilege to work for you all and see God do some amazing things through us.

Dave Watts

Front cover photo: Community outreach from Kumi Hospital

Dave and Maggie Watts with Margaret Amongin and Aloysius of Soroti Women’s Cooperative discuss progress with Apuuton Umoga (Savings and Loans Group).

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Improving inside, moving out – Kumi Hospital moving forward Over the past 4 years, Kumi Hospital has undergone a major transformation in its work and style and has become a centre of excellence in medical care in the region. The 300 bed hospital now has 6 doctors, and patient numbers have increased by 50%. In 2013, 46,000 outpatients and 8,700 inpatients were treated with 2,200 operations undertaken and 1,600 babies delivered. The hospital has undergone a major revolution in quality of operating including its staff management and drug supply. During 2013 and for several months in 2014, Martin and Elaine Harrison - supported by us - have been working in the hospital helping to achieve all this, notably through upgrading financial systems and management practices. A key development now possible is that the hospital can fulfill one of its most precious aims as a Christian Hospital - that of delivering health care out in the community, reaching the most needy and marginalised. Picture captions: 1. Orthopaedic operation 2. Tackling malnutrition 3. Eye care 4. Caring for those with disabili ty - leprosy unit 5. Treating children with malaria

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VISITING TESO

Kumam Bible Launch at a St Valentine's Party to remember! It lasted many hours, with temperatures about 320C and finished with a feast. There was joy, gladness, music and dancing, and many speeches! More than 1,000 people were celebrating the arrival of the Kumam Bible. Jean and I were back in our beloved Diocese of Soroti in N.E. Uganda, where we had served with CMS from 1960-1974. We had revisited it 3 times by invitation for about 6 weeks each time to teach, preach, encourage and be encouraged. We were married in Uganda in 1961 and all our children were born there. To make a 4th and final visit was very special for us. In 1961 the Iteso, the major tribe, received the whole Bible in Ateso, which we speak. However, the Kumam people, the minor tribe, had no part of

the Bible in their language, which has a very different structure from Ateso. John's last job was to be Archdeacon of Soroti, with pastoral responsibility for 5 counties, one of which, Kaberamaido, spoke Kumam. Idi Amin had seized power and it was not possible to start translation then or in the troubled times which followed. In 2001, an able team, led by the Diocese but including Pentecostals and Roman Catholics, started translation and stayed together, working hard with Bible Society guidance. They completed the translation in 12 years, the fastest time for any translation of the whole Bible in all Africa. On the publication day for the New Testament, 5,000 copies so ld in 2 hours. Now they have the whole Bible. Delays in printing meant that it arrived in February, financially the most difficult month, for school fees have to be paid

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The Kumam team with Bishop Charles Obaikol who instigated the project (middle) and Bishop George Erwau who oversees it now (right)

and there was little cash around. About 3,000 copies, however, were sold. Many more will se ll at harvest time. When Queen Elizabeth was crowned, the Moderator of the Church of Scotland gave her a Bible and said "The most precious thing this world affords. This is the Royal law; these are the mighty oracles of God". Could there be a better gift on St. Valentine's Day than learning love? Canon John Wheatley Price TDT has funded the work over the 13 years with the Uganda Bible Society and contributions form Teso churches …and the work is not quite finished. The team are to produce a concordance to the Bible in Kumam to help people study the Bible in their language.

Hospital Visit - "Seven Weeks in Ngora District" - reflections of a midwifery manager In February 2014, nine months into a one year sabbatical from my post as Labour Suite Co-ordinator, I contacted Carol McCormick out of the blue looking for a midwifery project in Africa. Within days, she had organised a position for me in Ngora District, Eastern Uganda. The brief: to advise on the resuscitation area in the newly constructed maternity theatre, to provide resuscitation training, liaise with the School of Midwifery regarding training needs and generally improve standards. As my first foray on to the continent it was a daunting, yet highly appealing task. February 25th saw me transported in style to Ngora District maternity unit by the Chief Administration Officer Mr Dembe Davis. I was introduced to the staff at Hope Greeners Farm Send a Cow, which was to be my home for the next two months. Wasting no time at all, it was straight down to the Maternity Unit to be received by Sister Apio Margaret and her team. Helping improve procedures My main focus, I felt, was to promote the importance of doing the basics well. There was a lack of routine observations on attending mothers and little documentation. Another area of concern was the lack of basic emergency equipment such as cannulae, giving sets, IV infusion fluids and oxytocic drugs in the event of a postpartum haemorrhage. As a result, I visited Soroti to purchase the medical supplies I had identified. In addition, I purchased

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Delighted with his new Bible!

a clock for taking pulses and recording time of birth, towels for drying babies at resuscitation and photocopied 200 partographs! With the accession of stethoscopes and syphgmomanometers from the store, week two emphasised baseline observations on all mothers presenting to labour ward. Moreover, the Haemorrhage Box was born - a large plastic box containing vital equipment for immediate access in the event of a postpartum haemorrhage. The idea is that the birth attendants would replace items used once the mother was stable, rather than delaying treatment by going

out to buy items from the nearby shops while the mother was bleeding. In addition, a record book was provided to enable documentation of the haemorrhages taking place. Having implemented these basic, yet potentially life saving, solutions my role henceforth was as a role model for the gold standard of care. Midwife Teacher As well as my clinical role, the School of Midwifery and I had devised a training programme for the practical instruction of obstetric emergencies and Newborn

Life Support (NLS). The students were a joy to teach and I found myself enjoying an aspect of midwifery that I had never previously considered. Every lesson I would be quizzed on topics that I had not covered since I myself was a student and I would refer back to textbooks to clarify my answers. Newborn Life Support One of the major areas in need of concentration throughout the whole of Uganda is resuscitation of the newborn. Deficiencies exist both in basic equipment and staff knowledge. I was personally involved in a difficult resuscitation of a breech baby and resources available to me were grossly inadequate . Indeed, no-one was more surprised than me when the baby rallied round after almost 40 minutes of suboptimal ventilation. This baby appeared to be the consequence of a divine intervention that day.

Reflections The visit was both challenging and highly worthwhile. It is easy to become disheartened and feel like you are fighting a losing battle sometimes. In the end it comes down to persistence and having a thick skin. It is also not the norm to examine and reflect on your

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Partograph training with the students

Newborn Life Support training

practice in the event of an adverse outcome. Furthermore, it is difficult to inspire staff who may not have received a salary for weeks or who do not feel that the workload is being shared equally. Sister Apio spent a lot of time talking to the staff about attitudes and service improvement and while she has the foresight to recognise this area is lacking, she has a difficult task of trying to turn it around. I have been extremely fortunate to undertake this journey of enlightenment from the comfort of Send a Cow and under the watchful eye of Helen and Jane who have looked after me like two long lost aunts and taught me to make chapatti. Thanks also to TDT for supporting this opportunity. Vikki Barratt Vikki is the latest in a succession of medical staff who have not just visited our partner hospitals but also got stuck in to help encourage and train the local staff. Their commitment and input is greatly appreciated by the hospitals and as part of the Trust's work to help improve medical care in the region. We are grateful to Jack Strong and Carol McCormick of Nottingham for their promotion and organisation of these visits.

BOOK REVIEW: Bishop Geresom: Who and Deeds – the autobiography. 75pp Born in 1935, Bishop Geresom Ilukor, the third bishop of Soroti, died on August 30th last year. He’d often lived dangerously, but his dangers had arisen mostly from people, so it was ironic that it was a cobra’s bite which killed him. Summing up Bishop Geresom’s life, John Wheatley-Price, who had known him for fifty years, describes this small book as a record of Geresom’s openness and humility, his courageous leadership and his far-sighted planning for the welfare of all the Iteso people. His autobiography (edited for him by Elizabeth Swarbrick) is a brief record of an amazing life. The family into which he was born was poor, but happy. Naked until he was seven, he started school when he was nine and began his theological training in 1955. For Ugandans entering into Christian ministry, it was a long haul, so ordination came in 1964. Within three years, he was made diocesan treasurer. He describes how his father called h im to the family home and made him repeat these words three times: “Do not steal church money. You will have no blessings”. It was this ingrained integrity and Christian discipleship - from which he never wavered - that brought a financial and spiritual discipline to Soroti Diocese. On January 11th, 1976,

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www.teso.org.uk for up to date news and information

on all TDT’s work.

he was consecrated its bishop. The troubled waters of his time as bishop – the wickedness of President Amin, the Karamojong cattle raids, the brutality practised by those who trampled over the fields of Teso - were all bridged by Geresom’s extraordinary qualities of leadership. Never afraid of rebuking the wrong-doer, he risked death on many occasions. Added to this were problems so typical of rural Africa – sickness, infant mortality, grinding poverty, and, in almost equal measure, floods or drought. The autobiography gives details of all the educational governorships, medical and economic initiatives in which Geresom had a guiding hand. Added to this were Geresom’s wider responsibilities within the whole Church of Uganda and the nation. One of those who stood by his coffin in reverent silence was President Museveni. Before and after an amazingly fruitfu l ministry in retirement, Geresom underwent three major operations. Despite the pain of these times, he could say, “I am a dead man living with the living. I don’t understand the works of God. Every day I say thank you”. Known to many in England, in Canada and the USA, Geresom’s heart was so much “in Christ” and so much “in Teso”. It will be in this flat, hot and cattle-filled landscape that he will be most sorely missed. This little autobiography helps us to get glimpses into a remarkable life – service to Christ at its very best. Robert de Berry

The book was produced by Elizabeth Swarbrick and published by Sue White Secretarial Services of Horse Park Lane, Pilling, Lancs PR3 6AS. To get a copy contact Sue on 01253 799119, email info@ suewhitesecretarial.co.uk or order on the website www.bishopilukor.co.uk Price £5 + £2 p&p

PROVIDING A FUTURE AND HOPE More clean water The risks from drinking unclean water are many. Not only are there many health risks such as from Diarrhea, bilharzia and typhoid but there is the sheer time and labour in collecting water, usually undertaken by the women and children. Lack of water also leads to poor sanitation practices and lack of irrigation for crops. This has meant that the Trust has seen the need to provide clean water as a key priority. In 2013, we funded 13 wells for about 8,700 people, working through the Pentecostal Assemblies of God. Funding came for grants from Wilmslow Wells for Africa, The Charles Hayward Foundation, the Drinking Fountain Association, the Rathbone Trust and two churches, for which we are very grateful. In 2014, The Pentecostal Church and Church of Uganda submitted a programme of 26 projects in Soroti, Serere and Kumi. This envisages provision of clean water for a further

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11,000 people through wells and boreholes but also some borehole refurbishments and spring protections. So far, we have funded 10 projects: four through Wilmslow Wells for Africa, two through individual donors and a sponsored walk, and three from main funds. We are keen to fund as many of this programme as possible as village communities have already made a specific case for a well.

We are happy to receive funds for a named project and supply donors with a report and photos to see the big

difference a source of clean water makes.

A new dormitory for girls at Ngora Parents’ School Ruddington Parish Church in Nottingham has supported the development of a secondary school in Ngora more or less from scratch. The school now has 450 students with education now extending to sixth form level. Results have been increasingly good and attendance at high levels. The result is that the school has become steadily more popular with parents and children from greater distances, with about 150 students now boarding. The boys are accommodated in the community but the girls for their safety and proper care are currently housed in two school classrooms – not ideal and depriving the school of teaching space.

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Newly completed well at Aderideri

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The school shared the plan (costed at £12,000) to build a girls' dormitory block on the site to accommodate girls properly and release classrooms for teaching and the provision of a library study area. On the basis of part funding from Ruddington Church and a grant from The British and Foreign Schools Society of £7,450, this is now going ahead. At time of writing, the building

work is out to tender and we are expecting completion by the end of the year. This is a landmark advance for the school. It will meet an urgent need and further enhance the quality of the school. Below: Design impression of new Dormitory at Ngora Parents’ School

Training Leaders for the future The Churches continue to grow. The challenge for the Bishops is to train enough leaders to keep the momentum and to disciple new Christians. The vast majority of congregations are led by lay pastors or lay readers not full time pastors or clergy. All the Bishops we work with in the Church of Uganda and the Pentecostal Churches have training

programmes but they are under resourced. Pastors training at Katakwi The Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) run a programme of training on an open learning basis whereby for one year, leaders receive a weekly day workshop by tutors from the Mbale Pentecostal College. They pursue a curriculum including all

aspects of doctrine, Church development and leadership, financial management, evangelism and Community development. This study programme is supported by reading and assignments. TDT has supported PAG Kumi and Katakwi to support their programmes. We pay a significant contribution, with the trainees finding the rest. In the last year, 100 pastors have been trained in Kumi and 21 in Katakwi. We have just provided £1,000 to PAG Katakwi to continue the programme as the needs arise.

Lay readers centre, Soroti The Church of Uganda trains Lay readers at its training centre in Soroti. The building of the centre has been funded through TDT and currently the final part is under construction: a dining hall / kitchen for students' meals and relaxation. The centre currently has 40 students who are funded by their own fees and support from the Diocese. Bournemouth Deanery and various TDT supporters have helped as funding is very tight. Various TDT supporters have helped with books and Bibles for the students who have received them with great appreciation.

PAG Katakwi pastors on their training course.

Dining hall under construction

£30 supports training for one

year. Can you help sponsor a pastor?

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Above: Tailoring students, many of whom are able to sell what they make to buy materials and take care of their families. Below: A practical lesson with a BCP class.

Commencing in January with a gift of £1,500 from a TDT donor, the pro ject has exceeded expectations with 38 students enrolled, 7 of whom are boarders! 2 are boys and 26 are girls. 5 of the girls bring their children to the centre daily. The training being given is in building skills and textiles. A visit in May by Sam Ediau, the diocesan education officer, found that 5 of the girls were now able to support themselves with the clothing they are making and they were very happy with what they had learned. A TDT donor has given a further donation to fund continuation of this training for the rest of the year for the girl students but not yet for the boys .

Will you help? We need £750 for materials and tutoring.

Giving Orphaned Young People Hope Many young people in Teso have been traumatised from abduction by insurgents, losing parents from disease or being killed by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). In the years of insurgency, it was estimated that over 5,000 children were abducted. Many have HIV Aids transmitted from their parents. This means there are many young people who struggle with the trauma of coping with the death of parents and finding enough food and clothing - let alone managing to attend school. The northern districts of the Teso region - Katakwi and Amuria which were in the frontline of the insurgency - have particularly serious problems of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). The Churches have had an important role in helping since they run a significant proportion of the schools which regularly engage with these young people. The Church of Uganda Education team working with TDT has developed a programme that offers hope to these most disadvantaged young people. This is based at Ngarium Technical Institute in Palaam sub country, a training centre that offers building skills and sewing skills facilities. The programme offers OVC young people support to attend school such as providing equipment, school uniforms, and books, apprenticeship training and specific counseling and support over a six month period.

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A young mother arrives at the Out Patients Department with a child with typhoid, having walked for 3 hours. She has no money for treatment which costs around 10,000 UGX. Transport for the return visit would cost 4,000 UGX. The child could be treated for £3.50 including the return transport.

A young child with a broken arm comes into OPD accompanied by a 10 year old. The x-ray and plaster cast is 60,000 UGX (£15).

50% of children in Uganda get malaria at least once a year and we often come across disabilities caused by incorrect treatment of malaria. A typical malaria treatment over 4 days costs 16,000 UGX. There might also be return transport costs of a further 10,000 UGX. Total need is £6.50.

A 30 year old man is admitted to the Medical Ward with severe malnutrition and will die within 24 hours without medical intervention. He has no money and has been rejected by his village because he is thought to be possessed

KUMI HOSPITAL COMPASSIONATE FUND SET UP IN HONOUR OF EDNA PICKERING

The need We estimate that over 70% of the people in the Kumi area live on under 3,000 UGX per day per person (£0.75 pence). This means that they have almost no disposable cash to spend on health, nor on the transport to a hospital or health centre. When babies and young children are very ill, HIV positive or are suffering from severe malnutrition, they are not being treated because the family just cannot afford the 4,000 UGX in transport and the 10,000 UGX in medical and drug costs. In practice Kumi Hospital is currently treating the 30% of the population who have some disposable income, not the 70% who are very poor. The Government Health Centres are also not treating the very poor as they often do not have the drugs or healthcare services available and hence the patients have to purchase these from expensive drug clinics. It is the role of Kumi Hospital both to treat the very poor and to raise the funds to enable it to do so. The hospital has significantly improved its operations in recent years and is now keen to help the poorest access its services. This is the purpose of the Compassionate Fund which is now up and running. Typical cases that Kumi Hospital encounters, but could not previously help, include the following:

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Above: Children being gathered for surgery to remedy Gluteal Fibrosis, a condition that damages muscles and handicaps movement.

system. It is expected that £1,000 will be spent every month on the Compassionate Fund at Kumi Hospital. The results we expect In one year we expect to treat 1,200 people under the fund. These will be the poorest people in the area and many will be at risk of severe illness or death. The Trust will be supplied with a monthly list of people who have benefited from the programme. How it is funded The fund has been going since the beginning of May funded by Antioch Church in Colwyn Bay and a legacy from Enid Pickering (right), a CMS missionary who served at Freda Carr Hospital, Ngora. The fund needs topping up from time to time and we hope that TDT supporters will want to contribute.

Martin Harrison

£10 per person will give potentially life saving treatment to some of the poorest in Teso. Can you help add to the fund?

(witchcraft). The cost of treatment is around 20,000 UGX (£5); the cost of the hospital chaplain is free!

A ten year old girl is transferred to

the hospital from a government hospital with a compound fracture of the upper arm. She has already spent a week in the other hospital and her family have already used up their savings paying for the treatment. The arm is now severely infected and she will die within 48 hours without treatment. The cost to treat her is 500,000 UGX (£125).

A young breast feeding mother with HIV needs treatment for an illness which would threaten her baby. The cost of the treatment is 20,000 UGX (£5) but she has no money.

An adolescent girl comes into the hospital with malaria. She can afford the treatment (just) but cannot afford sanitary towels or panties and is very embarrassed.

A young mother with a disabled child cannot afford basic appliances (typical cost 30,000 UGX (£7.50) to help the child lead a more normal inclusive life.

How it is run The hospital has set up a detailed procedure, run by the hospital social workers, to assess each poor patient who is not covered by other funding. After examination by the medical officer, the poor patient is screened to determine how much, if any, they can afford to pay towards the treatment. These details are recorded on the medical notes and the hospital billing

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Children in need

INTRODUCING OUR NEW COORDINATOR – JAMES SEAGER My name is James, I’m married to Nichola and we have two children Rebekah and Benjamin. This is a new type of role for me. I’ve spent 12 years in church leadership as an Assemblies of God pastor in Mansfield and Bentley in Doncaster, and before that worked as a Health and Safety advisor in a commercial setting. These past roles have given me a good overview of charity management and organisational sk ills, as well as being able to connect with people with varied cultures and backgrounds. Whilst I have no direct experience of ministry in Africa, I have felt for a long time that mission work in that great continent would be part of my future ministry. I’m excited to be part of the journey of TDT, supporting the work of the committee and developing fresh skills as I develop in the role of Coordinator.

James Seager

The Committee are delighted to have appointed James who is working for TDT 15 hours a week as coordinator. TDT has developed quite a team and James will enable and support team members as well as run the charity and be the central point of contact. He is also working 3 days a week with Torch Trust for the Blind as their Yorkshire and Humberside development officer and is shortly moving to Hull where the family have joined New Life Church, a large multi congregation Assemblies of God Church.

FUNDRAISING

A key target of TDT's fundraising has been the parent-led school called Takaramiam School in Gweri, 15 miles north of Soroti. This school has 650 primary school children and half are taught outside because of a lack of classrooms. Lucy Hefford, one of our committee, is a teacher at King Alfred’s school in Abingdon and has got her school fundraising. Recently she has done a 10km sponsored fun run and raised £550 as a result. Right: Lucy celebrating - well done you!

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Above: James Seager and Nichola, Rebekah & Benjamin

tdt TESO DEVELOPMENT TRUST www.teso.org.uk

For all correspondence: Coordinator James Seager 07446 898149 c/o 24 Sandhurst Avenue, Stourbridge West Midlands DY9 0XL info@teso.org.uk or Jamess.tdt@gmail.com

Management Committee Chairman Jim Sampson 2 Homefield, Cupernham Green Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7WG 01794 514722 jimandjanet@talktalk.net

Hon Treasurer Andrew Third Old Garth , 1 Moor Lane Gotham, Nottingham NG11 0LH 0115 983 1205 Andrew.home@integracommunications.co.uk

Hon Secretary Clement Dixon 64 Musters Road, Ruddington Nottinghamshire NG11 6HZ 0115 921 1565 clement.dixon@ntlworld.com

Projects and Fundraising Dave Watts 24 Sandhurst Avenue, Stourbridge West Midlands DY9 0XL 01384 376494 david@drwatts.co.uk

Dr Hugh Mason Catherine Emaru Florence Odeke Philip Good Dr Peter Walker Lucy Hefford Christine Moyes Dr Frank Guinness Rev Robert de Berry

A Registered Charity 1005139 HMRC number XN84557 Website and publicity: Stewart Hills

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COULD YOU ORGANISE A SPONSORED EVENT FOR A TDT PROJECT?

We are more than happy to support your fundraising with our leaflet – as many copies as you

want a PowerPoint explaining TDT DVD of some of our projects extra copies of the newsletters - as

many as you can use a speaker from the committee a sponsorship form for sponsored

events Contact James by email or phone and discuss how we can help you. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 4th OCTOBER RUDDINGTON, NOTTINGHAM

This year's AGM will feature visit reports from our medical colleagues, the latest on the work of Martin and Elaine Harrison (who are planning a further 3 months in Kumi Hospital), an account of the launch of the Kumam Bible and its significance by Canon John Wheatley Price and the introduction of James Seager as our new coordinator. Full details will be mailed out in August. CONTAINER NEWS

The Friends of Teso container for 2014 will be going to Soroti in September. If there are useful items you wish to send email Pat Morris at patriciamorris1@hotmail.co.uk