This picture was taken in Masai Mara, Kenya…in 2007.  I’ve been really blessed to go on several safaris over the years.  I never take them for granted and I try my best to learn what I can.  I also see them as a special retreat with my student.  This year, H and I needed a retreat!  As wonderful as the Hospital is, it was really good to get away. We hired a local driver who picked us up at 6:00am to drive us the 15 minutes to QENP. It was really beautiful, but I was constantly surprised at the “missing” large mammals!  I kept thinking “There is an Acacia, we should see giraffes soon!”  However,  there were no giraffes to be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park!  The relationship between human suffering and  environmental degradation is something that I read, teach and write about.  I spend most of my time writing about the link between disease emergence and environmental damage http://flourishonline.org/2010/01/kristen-page-on-wendell-berrys-the-gift-of-good-land/ So, what happened to the giraffes? When large groups of mammals are missing, then there has been some large-scale disaster. Sometimes it’s climate, but usually it is a result of war. War and poverty has resulted in the demise of many of the larger mammal species in this part of Western Uganda.  I did a quick online search to see what was written about the lack of large mammals.  All I found was complaint after complaint about how “Africa isn’t Africa without a giraffe”.   No one seemed to understand that the plight of the giraffe is tied with the plight of the people. I try to remember that I’m not the “average safari tourist”.  I am in this part of the world to mentor students who are dealing daily with poverty.  They are working in communities where clean water is unheard of, protein is a luxury, and “going on safari” is the most ridiculous thing imaginable (if it could even be imagined).  So, I try not to take it for granted when I am blessed to be in close proximity to some of the most amazing things God has created!

Even though, we saw no giraffes or even Zebra, the Safari was incredible!  I even added a few life species!  Check out these amazing creatures:

Uganda Kob (a life species for me)

Lion (I hope I didn’t need to tell you that)Martial EagleHippos! (the closest I’ve ever been)Red Chested Sunbird

African Dusky Flycatcher (life species)

Warthog
HamerkopWater Thick Knee (life species)

Malachite Kingfisher (life species)African Jacana African Skimmers (life species) – there is also a gull-billed tern in the photo (life species)Squacco Heron (life species)Cape Buffalo (crossed with a forest buffalo) and a Cattle EgretCrocodile!  (don’t worry, I was in a boat)

Waddled Lapwing

Pied Kingfisher

Yellow-billed oxpecker African Fish Eagle

Elephant + Greater Cormorant + Yellow-billed stork

There are still villages within the park boundaries.  The people in this village are allowed to fish in Lake George.

This part of the world is starting to recover, but only because there are compromises in management that benefit both wildlife and people.  The giraffes and zebra are gone, but hopefully the surviving species will remain!

Masai Mara, Kenya 2007

The kids at Kagando are in terrific hands. The pediatricians and nurses are excellent, and care about the patients. However, I was overwhelmed by the fact that most of the kids had totally preventable illnesses. Clean water and sanitation would empty out most of the beds. The doctors do amazing work, despite a crippling lack of resources. I wish that a kid’s recovery was never limited by the fact that there isn’t a ventilator…or there isn’t the right medicine. If my girl had been born in Uganda, she would live her life with a tethered cord and all of the consequences of nerve damage. I am so thankful that we were able to take care of her, but I wonder what can be done to give the kids at Kagando a similar chance at a healthy life?

While it was frustrating to be faced with these limitations, thanks to many of you, I was able to see how a little joy can be powerful medicine. I wasn’t able to capture many pictures, but I can say that there were lots of big smiles as I handed out toys and hats.

Kagando Hospital is tucked into the base of the Rwenzori Mountains of Western Uganda.

It’s a beautiful place and I met many wonderful people.

More coming soon!

Thank you to everyone who helped the girl implement her plan!

We collected nearly 100 hats for the babies and over 200 small toys for the bigger kids!  Hopefully this will bring some cheer.

We are very excited to see what unfolds…well, most of us are!