Day 9: The Nwoya Institute Of Health Sciences
June 23, 2024
DAY 9: THE NWOYA INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
This morning, we all slept in late. We convened at 10:30 to ride across Gulu to Michael Dfendu’s Lab School, which is located in Olwiyo in a village called Wii-pollo, about 45 miles from Lacor Hospital.
Michael is a microbiologist who works for Uganda’s Ministry of Health. Sharon met him back in 2000 when they worked together in the lab at Lacor Hospital during the ebola crisis. The trip there was very scenic, and we saw the beautiful countryside of northern Uganda.
When we arrived, we went to a building that is currently under construction. This was the lab school that Michael was constructing. He is very passionate about the school he is building.
He told us all about his vision and how it would support students who needed to branch off before university if they did not have the funds to attend college. He discussed how the classes would be taught.
First, his students would visit the nearby hospital and choose a patient. Then, using what they had learned when returning to school, each student would present how they would diagnose the patient based on their illness and what they would prescribe for that person. An Italian lab professor would be on Zoom overhearing the presentation, pushing the students, correcting them, and asking questions.
In addition to the structure of the classes, Michael talked about the school's other benefits to the area. He iterated how he meticulously chose the location because it was west of the Nile and near the Acholi, both heavily populated locations.
Other functions the school will serve include a sick bay for the village because the nearest hospital is almost 10 miles away. Some children suffering from malaria only have 30 minutes to survive, and a mother and child can’t travel 10 miles at night, plus endure the near-hour wait for a doctor at the hospital. At his school, he could care for the child, giving him a much higher chance of survival because of its proximity to where they live.
Michael plans to also assist the community through education. He wants his students to provide guidance to local families on how to spend their money on healthy foods. Because of extreme poverty, many men resort to drugs and alcohol, and the students he will train will help local mothers keep their money and not be exploited by addicts. He also wants to do research in his lab and use the data to improve the community. Anybody who wants to do research will be welcomed into the lab. He has so much experience with microbiology that he wants to be sure to share it with everyone.
After returning to Lacor, we thanked Michael for showing us his lab school, and we rested up for dinner.
For a great end to the day, we all enjoyed a pizza party! We met some cute kids and had a dance party! We went to bed, exited for what tomorrow may bring.
Day 9/15 done!
Ellie Robson
Social Promise Youth
