Day 8: A Visit To The Lagoon
June 22, 2024
DAY 8: A VISIT TO THE LAGOON
We started the day by visiting Comboni Samaritans. Originally, Comboni Samaritans was a religious group that sold art to help HIV-positive women. It has since grown and is now run by the Comboni sisters. They have also set up a medical center and an education center.
Some women in the group make and sell paper-beaded bracelets, necklaces, rosaries, etc., using the money they make to fund the Comboni Samaritans. We visited them today to learn how to make paper beads. Two women who worked there taught us the specific techniques and materials needed to make the beads.
We learned how to cut the paper, roll it into a bead shape, glue only the ends, and varnish and string the beads together. We ended up with an assortment of different bracelets, keychains, and necklaces. We also had a chance to look next door at the women’s store, where they sell all of their handmade jewelry.
After we got back to Lacor, we met a mother named Martha and her two children. Unfortunately, her two children were both diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Her son had several strokes due to this disease and is unable to care for himself, so Martha spends most of her time caring for her son.
Because of this, she has a hard time working and earning money for her family. She told us about how she is a tailor and where her shop is located, so hopefully, we will have a chance to visit it later in our trip.
Later, we went to see Lacor’s lagoons and incinerators. Guido, the engineer of these systems, showed us around.
We first looked at the lagoons that filter the sewer water. Before the water enters the first lagoon, the solid particles are filtered out using a vacuum system. Then, the water is emptied into the first lagoon, where the sun begins to filter the water. Then, it is transferred into the second and third lagoons, during which more oxygen and sun come in contact with the water, which helps it to filter. Lastly, it was transferred by pipe to a lake in the Gulu district.
After that, we went to see the incinerator, where they burn all the plastic and other waste produced at Lacor. We learned that most incinerators release toxic gasses when burning plastics, but this incinerator releases far less. The incinerator burns at 800 degrees, which is a high enough temperature to get rid of all the dioxins and toxic gasses so they are not released into the air.
Lastly, we learned about how Lacor is investing in a new machine to dispose of hazardous waste produced by the hospital. The new machine will crush and sterilize the hazardous waste and turn it into reuseable material.
Thank you!
Abby Robson
Social Promise Youth
