On May 17th, 2014 I will
travel with a group of volunteers to Adyege, Uganda. Adyege is in northern
Uganda, specifically in Oyam District. Because I have never been to Uganda, I
am pretty clueless as to what I should expect. Some people might ask me why Uganda.
Why should I travel to a place I have never been to before? Why should I
volunteer to help a community I am clearly ignorant about? My answer to that is
very simple: I will go wherever there is need. If I don’t understand a
community, I will strive to learn about it .
This is how the field of Public
Health works. Health Professionals learn by immersing themselves in the
community and studying it. They might not have prior exposure to a community,
but their extensive research enables them to tailor appropriate and effective
health programs to the needs of that specific group of people. Public Health
embraces diversity, as it knows there isn’t one simple solution for a health
problem that is applicable to everyone in the world. Every community is different
and therefore warrants a unique assessment of community needs.
As an aspiring Public Health
professional, I want to study Uganda before I go there. I want to understand
the context of our efforts so that I am better equipped to serve the community
once I am there.
No one has all the answers. If
people didn’t go places because they had never been there before, we would all
be stuck in the mud. I recognize my limitations, but these limitations do not
discredit my passion for service. My lack of knowledge will not prevent me from
helping natives of Adyege, although a full understanding of the context in
which I serve will provide important meaning behind the work. In this blog, I will explore a variety of
different health topics concerning Oyam District. This will serve as preliminary
research to aid my efforts. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of others, but I want to make sure I am prepared for
this journey.
So what is
Uganda like? How do people in Oyam District live? For starters, Uganda has been
labeled one of the poorest countries in the world. Oyam District, specifically,
is known to be a target for aid and various humanitarian efforts. This means
our volunteer team is not unique or alone in our efforts. It is encouraging to
see other groups supporting Oyam District. This means that the health problems
have been voiced with a sense of importance and urgency that did not fall upon
deaf ears. Problems were recognized and prioritized, and various initiatives
sought solutions. However, it might also be a little discouraging that many
humanitarian interventions are happening in Oyam District. If effective
solutions are created in response to health related issues, then why is Uganda
still one of the poorest countries? Is Oyam district really benefiting from
these initiatives? If the need continues, is it because the health problems are
very extensive or because our health programs are not as effective as they
should be? These are questions I will try to answer throughout my blog.
