Written on 18/10/10
So following an awesome weekend in Jinja rafting, it was back to work again. Today I was taken into Mulago hospital where I was based for the day.

So a bit of background about the centre there:

As far as I've learnt, it was originally opened by a Shelly Cox from the University of Strathclyde back in 1992. She founded and laid the path for its progress, whereby the British Red Cross provided funding for the project and a period of time. After a few years, she left, only to be followed by a German filling her footprints. Then, in 1994, that guy left and a Jane Hunter joined for a year, leaving in 1995. At that time, the sponsorship from the British Red Cross ended, and gradually since then, funding has plummeted alongside their stock that they have here (but more on that later).

Classroom for 75 students

I travelled with Dr Wanume, meeting Patrick there (he lives in the area), though once I was introduced to Dr Mugisha and Mr Kayondo, he left to head back to his own clinic. Dr Mugisha is the president of 18 paramedical schools and was apparently extremely eager to meet me before I left. Mr Kayundo is the only full time staff member for the school here, with the others only being part time and frequently unable to attend. This guy has a mammoth job and I applaud the amount of work that he has to do every day. Today, an agreement and contract was signed between Mulago Hospital and the Great Lakes Rehabilitation Centre (where I'm working) to allow 15 students every 6 months to train at our centre. The reason being to allow the best of the students at the hospital to have further education and experience in manufacture and materials. The reason for this is explained below:

Originally the course was designed for 15 students to attend every year and to train for a period of three years with over 300 students that apply. However, with the increasing amount of pressure from the government and the ministry of education, from the year 2006 the class sizes have exponentially increased in size to a ridiculous total of 75 per year. That's an incredible percentage increase in such a short time.

Depleted stocks

Empty shelves

And the teaching isn't the only problem. Since the centre was originally designed for 15 students, that means the amount of equipment, tools, materials and classroom sizes are also all designed for that size. There's one lecture room for all those students and it's nowhere near big enough.  Even the equipment that they do have is very limited. At a glance it doesn't look too bad, but it is. Two of the three routing machines that they have are broken and the oven has been out of order for five years. Materials that were originally available for the 15 students are almost exhausted, resulting in students unable to complete much of their coursework until further supplies arrive and having to work in large groups to keep costs at a minimum. With lecturers almost entirely part time, many are late for lessons or cannot attend. However, even with all those complications, drop out numbers from the course are at a minimum and they all attend with impressive enthusiasm to work, attending smartly dressed in shirts and ties. It really is inspiring the spirit that they show to learn, it's just such a shame that they can't be provided with better resources. It really does make me feel incredibly grateful that I was able to receive such great education with apparent ease. There is SO much that needs to be done and improved here. That's why that contract that was signed today is hopefully going to be the beginning of a step forward.

Patrick with a students cast

Today was mostly about me meeting those listed earlier and for me to meet some of the students. Fortunately (for myself), not all 75 of the second years turned up, and I was able to chat to as many of them as possible before the day was over. They were all really keen to hear about the course in the UK, similarities and differences, but had so many questions about jobs at the end of the degree. In Uganda, only 10 of the 75 will get jobs in the public health sector, a  few will work for private companies, with the rest going into the "army"  trying to get another job and pass time until they can be absorbed into the system.

Tomorrow I'm attending the school again and I'm hoping to continue a list of possible improvements and guidance that can be established in the near future. I think the plan is for me to stay there until Thursday, with Friday being the day on which the first select few students will attend the GLRC here.