Trip Report
Date August 7-20, 2010
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Volunteers
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Surgeries
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Days Working
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This trip was by far the most paced and organized. We treated 8 patients with 9
surgeries, saw many more in clinic, saw a number of our grateful past patients,
and established new contacts and colleagues. On this trip I was privileged to
work alongside a truly compassionate and dedicated group. Each team member
contributed something unique and in turn experienced the cycle of emotions
(excitement, anxiety, intimidation, doubt, homesick, remorse, gratification and
guilt). We all still, to differing degrees, take for granted what privileged lives we
lead. When one experiences the devastation and suffering it becomes unsettling.
Once again my universe has been “realigned”. I personally am gratified knowing
that Mark’s initial and all our continuing efforts are sustainable and will continue
to be carried on by others who have been on these missions. In the same light I
realize after this trip, that I am now resigned to the fact that I can only do so
much; treat one patient at a time and do the absolute best with what you have.
Uganda is still and will be for a long time a developing nation. The corruption is
ever present and visible. During this trip I was impressed with the extent of
construction in Kampala, yet equally disappointed with the deterioration of the
infrastructure especially the roads and Mulago Hospital. There was absolutely
no evidence of road maintenance; however, they are building multi story glass
and concrete structures on plots of land serviced by a single lane mud road.
Apparently the funding for the buildings is from the Global Relief Fund, which has
been funneled into the pockets of a few select private developers who stand to
profit dramatically. The sentiment is that the intent of the funding is not reaching
the end user. How is the village farmer going to gain any benefit from an empty
multi story office building in downtown Kampala? As Dr Sebaale (CEO of Case
Medical Center) emphasizes, we must make all efforts to “take the foreign aid
and get it to the end user”. Most NGOs peel off local “expenses” for plush
offices, executive expenses and for personnel without regard for the end user.
By the time a few dollars actually trickle down to the end user the majority has
been lost to its original intent. This observation justifies our mission even more.
As a team we have been and will continue to provide services directly to the end
user. All funds donated ( excepting minimal overhead fees to Health Volunteers
Overseas and FirstGiving) are used to provide care to the less fortunate, to
provide for education, to provide for medications, to provide for diagnostic
testing, to provide for food, lodging and transport of the patients, and to ship
equipment and the team to and from Uganda.
I thank all of you who have contributed (institutional and private) and all who
have volunteered. I encourage anyone reading this to consider contributing in
any way you can, (financial, in kind, volunteer, etc). I look forward to many more
successful missions.
This trip was by far the most paced and organized. We treated 8 patients with 9
surgeries, saw many more in clinic, saw a number of our grateful past patients,
and established new contacts and colleagues. On this trip I was privileged to
work alongside a truly compassionate and dedicated group. Each team member
contributed something unique and in turn experienced the cycle of emotions
(excitement, anxiety, intimidation, doubt, homesick, remorse, gratification and
guilt). We all still, to differing degrees, take for granted what privileged lives we
lead. When one experiences the devastation and suffering it becomes unsettling.
Once again my universe has been “realigned”. I personally am gratified knowing
that Mark’s initial and all our continuing efforts are sustainable and will continue
to be carried on by others who have been on these missions. In the same light I
realize after this trip, that I am now resigned to the fact that I can only do so
much; treat one patient at a time and do the absolute best with what you have.
Uganda is still and will be for a long time a developing nation. The corruption is
ever present and visible. During this trip I was impressed with the extent of
construction in Kampala, yet equally disappointed with the deterioration of the
infrastructure especially the roads and Mulago Hospital. There was absolutely
no evidence of road maintenance; however, they are building multi story glass
and concrete structures on plots of land serviced by a single lane mud road.
Apparently the funding for the buildings is from the Global Relief Fund, which has
been funneled into the pockets of a few select private developers who stand to
profit dramatically. The sentiment is that the intent of the funding is not reaching
the end user. How is the village farmer going to gain any benefit from an empty
multi story office building in downtown Kampala? As Dr Sebaale (CEO of Case
Medical Center) emphasizes, we must make all efforts to “take the foreign aid
and get it to the end user”. Most NGOs peel off local “expenses” for plush
offices, executive expenses and for personnel without regard for the end user.
By the time a few dollars actually trickle down to the end user the majority has
been lost to its original intent. This observation justifies our mission even more.
As a team we have been and will continue to provide services directly to the end
user. All funds donated ( excepting minimal overhead fees to Health Volunteers
Overseas and FirstGiving) are used to provide care to the less fortunate, to
provide for education, to provide for medications, to provide for diagnostic
testing, to provide for food, lodging and transport of the patients, and to ship
equipment and the team to and from Uganda.
I thank all of you who have contributed (institutional and private) and all who
have volunteered. I encourage anyone reading this to consider contributing in
any way you can, (financial, in kind, volunteer, etc). I look forward to many more
successful missions.
Dr. Isador Lieberman
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