Compassion and Hope in Kampala, Uganda

I visited a place yesterday that has to be one of the brightest beacons of compassion and hope in all of Africa.  It's called Alive Medical Services (AMS), and it's funded by Keep a Child Alive (keepachildalive.org).  Many of you know that I'm now a member of the board of directors of this top-rated, Brooklyn-based organization that was co-founded by Alicia Keys.

Like most great works of charity, AMS was founded by people of amazing vision and heart.  Dr. Pasquine and her husband Dr. Adebiyi (their first names) are soft-spoken, but extremely articulate,  focused and committed.  What began in 2004 as a project serving six patients in a small medical center is now a stand-alone clinic.  It's a hospital, really,  providing comprehensive care to 10,000 clients, 24/7, at a rate of about 400 per day.  People may first come to the clinic for routine illness, or infant immunizations, or even the birth of their babies.  But, in the end, many undergo HIV testing that saves their lives, as well as the lives of others.  One quarter of those tested are HIV positive.  And the focus is on children and family, with 50 percent of Uganda's population being under 15 years of age, and births averaging 7 children per mom.

The Ugandan Health Ministry provides AMS with antiretroviral drugs, and the clinic also distributes nutritional supplies including rice, beans, sugar and cooking oil to 1,400 vulnerable patients each month, as well as 'PUR' water purification kits donated by Proctor and Gamble.

After my tour of the spotless clean, organized and tidy clinic, we did some 'outreach' in the community, visiting clients in mud-walled shacks that are their homes.   People share rides and travel from as far as 200 miles away to visit the clinic, but many patients come from an adjacent neighborhood of 10,000 residents that fronts an abandoned railroad right-of-way.   It was raining out, so we had extended visits in living spaces of 10 by 6 feet, or so, where as many as 4 or even 6 people reside.  I brought balloons, which are always a hit with the kids.  And I was introduced as 'papa' or 'uncle'.  One woman prayed for me and my travel, saying 'who am I that he would come to my house'.

It was a powerful day that had me near tears at times, as I heard the stories of so many people who have been helped.  Dr. Pasquine speaks of 'the power of comprehensive care, food and love'.   I am in awe of these two doctors and their team, and so happy to play a part in supporting their work!