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Newsletter: July 2023

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Posted on July 23, 2023 Posted By: folwebadminCategories: July 2023

Latest Uganda Mission Trip

We have just returned from a visit to Canaan Schools in Ndagga village, Uganda, where our primary and secondary schools are located. We only had four members on our team, which made it the smallest group I have ever taken to Uganda. But in terms of work output, we accomplished more than some of the larger groups we have had in the past. In all, we served over 500 patients in dental and chiropractic clinics.

The work felt endless during our visit, but our team gave all they had. In the face of the seemingly endless number of patients needing help, we wondered whether we were going to make any difference. But, yes, a difference was made to every one of those 500 patients. We were able to relieve suffering and improve the well-being of those who would otherwise never receive such care.

Child Sponsor, Amy Owen's Story
One of our long-term sponsors, Amy Owen, traveled with us for the first time and she was finally able to meet her sponsored student on this trip. She writes about her experience here:

I have been a Fountain of Life child sponsor for 9 years. In 2014, I started sponsoring a little girl named Sophia. She was just 6 years old at the time. It was always my intention to sign up for a trip to Uganda, where I could go and meet her. As the years passed by though, it never seemed to be the right time. After experiencing a couple of difficult life events in 2022, it finally felt like the right time for me to make the trip to Uganda in May of 2023.

Since I had never traveled beyond North America, I was nervous and hesitant about being that far away from home. Also, the only person that I knew on the team was Dr. Paul Eun. Our team of four consisted of Dr. Eun, Dentist Sam, Chiropractor Amos, and myself. Four days of our trip would be spent working in the medical clinic on school grounds. I was asked to assist Sam during that time.

As we landed in Uganda, and got off the plane, we were greeted by our bus driver, Pastor David, and Dianna. Pastor David and Dianna run the day to day operations at the school. We made our way to the hotel, where we would spend the next 4 days and 5 nights. As we began our first day in the medical clinic, I met our eighth grade interpreter, Precious, and Ugandan dentist Richard. These two individuals enhanced our team, and were invaluable to our success there. Normally I work behind the scenes at my local hospital, doing paperwork. It was fun for me to interact with patients, and build that brief connection with them.

In 4 days, 400 people received dental care, and 120 people received chiropractic care. Everyone was so patient, and appreciative of our efforts. One of my favorite memories of traveling on the bus to and from school each day was giving out candy. We would toss candy out of the bus windows, as hopeful, eager children stood by. They would squeal with delight, and come running towards the tossed candy. It really meant a lot to them, and it filled our hearts with joy.

As we finished our 4th and final day at the clinic, the school children put on a singing and dancing performance. The boys played the drums, and the girls danced in front of us, wearing a variety of brightly colored fabrics. After the performance, we posed for an all school photo. Then, the Pastor’s wife, Dianna, brought Sophia over to me. We hugged and cried. Both of us were overwhelmed by the opportunity to get to meet in person. She is now a beautiful, sweet, 16 year old young lady. We eventually got on the bus and went to Sophia’s house, where I was able to meet her brother and her mother. During this same time, we were able to visit a couple of student homes, where we were invited to come inside. Each house had a tiny front room the size of a closet. The rest of the house was a family sleeping area. Soiled blankets were spread out on the ground to make a bed. There is no electricity or running water. The cooking and laundry are done outside. I’ve taken quite a bit of time to think about how difficult life would be without the modern conveniences that we have here in the United States.

Our final couple of days in Uganda were spent at two different Safari resorts. At the first resort, we went on a game drive, and saw a variety of animals in their natural habitat. The second resort had a breathtaking panoramic view of the Nile River. We had some time to enjoy the swimming pool and the spa services. The staff provided us with delicious meals as well. It was a time to come together, rest, and reflect.

If you are considering taking a trip to Uganda, with the Fountain of Life group, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, and go for it! It’s a trip of a lifetime, and a truly rewarding experience.

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Chiropractor, Amos Chon's Story
Amos Chon, the first chiropractor to visit our school clinic, reflects on his experience here:

From my previous travels to third world countries, I anticipated a familiar experience with FOL to Uganda. However, my time in there proved to be an eye-opening encounter. It stands out as the poorest country that I’ve ever visited, with an overwhelming need. As a chiropractor, I had the privilege of treating local individuals, as well as students and teachers. Any previous signs of medical care seemed archaic and many simple and common forms of treatment were not accessible for these individuals: rashes, polio, HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis, malaria. Some of my patients were mothers but far too young to be mothers, at least by western standards. Though communication required a translator, the level of poverty I witnessed emphasized the importance of education.

The people of Uganda are trapped in a cycle of poverty, where their daily work is solely on meeting basic needs. It’s a challenging situation, and I felt overwhelmed as to where to begin. Nevertheless, the school seems like a beacon of hope for the next generation, offering the potential for a brighter and more diverse future. We start from a small but busy and dirty town, drive along a dirt road for 30 mins with mud and brick homes all along the way and suddenly this wonderful school ground emerges out of nowhere. It is evident to me that the key lies in empowering students to uplift both themselves and their communities through education. Witnessing the enthusiasm and potential in some of the students there left a lasting impression on me. I sincerely hope that they will be able to transform Uganda into a better place for everyone.

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