Update on Special Needs in Jinja

We should be able to share some of the design ideas for our latest School very soon. 

But let’s update you on the progress with the Eye care project which Trustee Denise started about 3 years ago.

Sebastian, our partner in Jinja has reported;

So far we have screened and treated a total 138 children. These were diagnosed with various eye conditions like cataract  (15 ), allergies conjunctivitis (103) myopia ( 12) glaucoma (1) so far treated with corneal transplant, other four are still pending and squints (03).

Some of these children are started going to school especially for those whose parents/ guardians who can afford the school requirements like uniforms and stationery. The majority are still out of school as their parents cannot afford the education because of their high poverty level in these family households.

There about four children who need corneal transplants still waiting for the surgeries in Kampala. This is because there is no funding to cater for these expensive surgeries.

Many times, there is a challenge of finding a right pathway for those children with very complicated cases here in Uganda. Some of these even may need to be taken out Uganda for specialised treatment like the case of Moureen Divine Favour among others.

Among the barriers that limit our work include;

a) lack of qualified personnel for eye care here in Uganda to diagnose and treat some conditions. Some cases are only handled in private eye hospitals like Dr. Agarwals Hospital in Kampala which charge a great deal..

b) Lack of transport on the side of the organisation to transport those children screened and referred to Kampala for further treatment.

This is so because sometimes we transport over ten children to Kampala. This means that the vehicle is hired for the whole day which is expensive looking at the meagre resources available.

Secondly, because most people have given up with poor health system, many tend to stop seeking treatment in the government hospitals but to only wait for God's intervention/ good Samaritans. For that reason, if a new help comes up like ours, we have to travel wide in the communities to identify and register these children. This means that we need to have adequate transport always to reach these vulnerable children.

c) Wrong myths among the community members on the causes of visual related conditions. Many parents and other community members lack facts on the causes and treatment of these conditions. Many attribute these diseases to witchcraft and hence spend most their time using herbal medicines to treat the children. By the time they come for proper treatment many of these children have already lost their sight completely.

Some highlights of our Coast to Coast

Sponsors may have seen some of these before. The short video made by Trustee Richard Bircher is worth 3 minutes of your time. Five of us took part in the 170 mile cycle ride of the "Way of the Roses" from Morecambe to Bridlington. We are raising money to help build St. Francis de Sales School for Deaf Children, in Jinja, Uganda.

Midland Hotel in Morecambe. Richard Jacobs, Chris Bishop, Peter Mount and Bob Blundell

Richard Bircher

Its not too late if you would like to DONATE

And if you have already donated we would all like to send a most sincere thank you. Its been quite a challenging week but we are so glad that we did it.

A big Pee for Pocklington

Day 4 of our Coast to Coast

They call Yorkshire God’s own Country and this trde really reminded us all of why. It really has everything. 

Today we started off in the picturesque town on Pocklington, after talking a long walk around the centre. Lots of small businesses and the sort of market town that has disappeared in much of Britain.

The ride took us through Yorkshire Wolds (hill’s with woodland and open country) and hardly any traffic.

Lunch at the Crosskeys in Driffield and really looked after by Lee the very kind landlord who made a donation to our fund. Thanks Lee.

                                                     

Then on to the beautiful Burton Agnes stately home for tea and ice cream.

Richard Bircher joined us for this ride and his company is always great.

And finally down to the North Beach at Bridlington, toes in the sea, a photo shoot of course and then to the bar of the Ransdale for a celebratory drink.

Ricard Jacobs took Richard Bircher back to Pocklington to collect his vehicle and drive up to Durham during the evening.

While it was exhilarating to finish the ride successfully there was more than a little sadness that it is over. A tough challenge on a wonderful route and we would recommend it to everyone.

We reached our target which is even more satisfying.

Thank you to all our sponsors.

Are we nearly there yet/

Day 3 of our Coast to Coast

Are we nearly there yet?

Today we did the  52 miles from Ripon to Pocklington passing through some lovely Yorkshire places. 

Like Roecliffe, Boroughbridge, and York. Mostly downhill which was quite a change from yesterday.  

Lunch was at the  Dawnay Arms in Newton on Ouse and that where we met cancer survivor George from Troon in Ayrshire. What a guy. He had already cycled 1200 miles around Scotland and England and was on the 600 miles back home. Simple old bike (no eBike for George) and all his kit in a rucksack

He is raising money for Ayrshire Cancer Campaign. It made us feel quite humble.

The route into York was alongside the River Ouse and was just for cyclists and pedestrians. Great.

York was overflowing with tourists but that was no surprise.

The journey form York to Pocklington was across very well organised farmland. EU subsidies for agriculture help but they still voted OUT. I really don’t understand. Enough of that.

Approaching Pocklington we were excited to see that they had put up flags and bunting to welcome us. Then found out it was for something else. Mabe Donald Trump's visit to London?

The Feathers at Pocklington is a really nice place to stay. Dinner at Judson’s was worth travelling to Pocklington for.

Tomorrow is our final day and I think we will all be very sad, but Trustee Richard Bircher will join us and that’s always a bonus 

Day 2 Settle to Ripon

Lycra used to be everyone’s favourite cycling thing. Now it’s batteries.

Day 2 of our Coast to Coast for Kids was the most difficult day ever. It meant crossing the Pennines from the lovely town of Settle and finishing 44 miles on in Ripon.

After a wonderful seafood linguine at Matteo’s in the square a great nights sleep at the King William 4th bed and breakfast and straight into Settle’s infamous hill climb. 

A cold and rather overcast day. There’s something about Pennine hills. You think you are nearing the summit and then another more distant one appears, again and again. A sort of mirage.

Great pub In Appletreewick where battery recharge was done. Just as well we did because the subsequent 24 miles to Ripon just about flattened mine and Richards. Bob did rather better. I say it’s because he has less weight to take up the hills but maybe he is just stronger!

We were surprised to see Llamas grazing on the top of the Pennines.

White Horse Inn for the night and rides get easier from here on.

Day one War of the Roses

Well it should read Way of the Roses but some of the hills east of Lancaster made me feel like I’d been at war.
Meet up for breakfast at the Art Deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe and then of course a photo shoot at Eric Morecombe’s statue on the lovely promenade. I believe there are plans to create a garden like the famous Cornish one and this could really rejuvenate what is a lovely seaside town.

The first 9 miles was along a wonderful cycle path, vert well signposted and with an excllent surface. Its worth going to Morecambe for this alone.

Lucky timing for lunch when it rained for an hour. The on over some of the most wonderful scenery in England. And what a joy to be able to take our time and see it all with hardly any traffic at all.

A great day finishing at Settle at about 4 0m after covering 30 miles. Now a rest and a nice meal tonight.