10 snapshots into life as a volunteer doctor in Uganda

Hi, I’m Dr Lierka Rodriguez. I am a volunteer obstetrician and gynaecologist working in rural Uganda. I recently shared my experiences as a volunteer on VSO's dedicated Twitter channel - @VSOPeople. Here are some of my favourite updates:

 

1. Walking through the dusty streets of Gulu

Welcome to Gulu, a city in northern Uganda. I’m based in Gulu’s Regional Referral Hospital. There are only two seasons - right now we are “enjoying" the hot season.

 

2. Arriving at the hospital to find my students already practising without me

What a pleasant feeling!

 

3. Neonatal care and resuscitation training time

 

Our interns really enjoy the practical training, especially with the dolls.

 

4. Still hard at work at 1am!

Diary of a volunteer: This is non-stop work, but I enjoy every minute.

 

5. New day, new people to train

Heading to out for more ultrasound training in Awach. If we diagnose a woman early, using the ultrasound machines, it can help to prevent an emergency.

 

6. Real time demonstrations work best

Real time representation are always welcome when is a health training about. "sharing knowledge, saving lives" #vso #uganda #GRRH pic.twitter.com/HWCbzyH2OD

— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 9, 2018

This is what health training is all about – sharing knowledge, saving lives.

 

7. Using my imagination to teach interns during a power cut

Sometimes you have to use your imagination when electricity is not working as usual. This is the @VSO_Intl GULU team working #FridayFeeling #Uganda #volunteers @PhilipVSO pic.twitter.com/NZesDLF8v3

— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 19, 2018

Sometimes I have to get creative – last time we practiced different surgeries on pork, because pork is similar to human flesh. They laugh but we are reaching our goals!

 

8. Even on a Saturday I’m still working

I know is #saturday but health never stops. As a worker you have an schedule but as a volunteer you have a porpoise and as a @VSO_Intl #Health #volunteer your porpoise is to preserve people's lives so here I am #SaturdaySensation @PhilipVSO pic.twitter.com/eusIDE2lJg

— VSO People (@VSOPeople) January 20, 2018

As a worker you have a schedule, but as a volunteer you have a purpose. As a VSO health volunteer, my purpose is to preserve people’s lives – so here I am!

 

9. Being stopped on the street to meet a baby I helped bring into the world

Every time a baby is born, it’s a miracle, and working in this field you get to be in the presence of that miracle.

 

10. Saying goodbye to one group of interns, ready to meet the next!

I can already see the change in these interns- when you work as a team you can reach any goal. Good luck guys.

Volunteers make it possible to give training for crucial care in Uganda, by sharing their skills and their time. I hope you enjoyed seeing what life is like as a VSO volunteer in Uganda, thanks for joining me on my journey!