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Life can be hard for mothers-to-be / Uganda


August 14, 2008
By Joanne Offer
Namoe Helen attends an antenatal clinic where IRC offers mothers-to-be voluntary counseling and testing for HIV.

Namoe Helen attends an antenatal clinic where the IRC offers mothers-to-be voluntary counseling and testing for HIV. Photos: Joanne Offer/The IRC

Joanne Offer is in Uganda, where the International Rescue Committee is working with Ugandan communities affected by conflict as well as refugees from neighboring Sudan. Read all her latest posts here. I meet Namoe Helen at ante-natal class. She’s pregnant with her second child and has come to St Pius Kidepo health center in Moroto district for a check up. Pregnant women can also get tested for HIV as part of IRC’s work to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.Namoe Helen says, “I’ve been tested for HIV as a precaution and I’m negative. It’s good to be tested because the virus is becoming very widespread; it’s not just affecting town people, it’s in the villages too.” Examining Namoe Helen is sister Marygoretti, who’s been running the antenatal clinic for the past few months. Marygoretti is originally from eastern Uganda and was shocked by the conditions in Karamoja.
Sister Marygoretti examines Namoe Helen on her latest visit to the ante-natal clinic where women can also get health advice and mosquito nets to prevent malaria.

Sister Marygoretti examines Namoe Helen on her latest visit to the ante-natal clinic where women can also get health advice and mosquito nets to prevent malaria.

She says, “It’s so different here. When you look at the living conditions, you see it’s very harsh. Poor sanitation is a big problem and most of the health conditions are related to this. Nutrition is also a big problem. This year, nothing has grown. But the women here get food rations to help them during pregnancy.” Soon, barefooted, Namoe Helen is beginning her long walk home. It will take her an hour. Life can be hard for mothers-to-be here in Karamoja.
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A successful individual

Submitted by Stirling (not verified) on November 16, 2009 - 1:37pm.

A successful individual typically sets his next goal somewhat but not too much above his last achievement. In this way he steadily raises his level of aspiration.

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