Monitoring visit to Gulu Regional Orthopaedic Workshop (GROW), Northern Uganda between the Trust Fund for Victims and Embassy of Ireland February 20, 2018 – Gulu District, Uganda
Introduction: On February 20, 2018 a high profile delegation of more than 30 people from the Embassy of Ireland, representatives from Trust Fund for Victims, representatives from the ICC, and their Excellencies from other Embassies visited AVSI Foundation’s Trust Fund for Victims project at Gulu Regional Orthopaedic Workshop (GROW) in Gulu District. With support from the Italian government, AVSI Foundation in Uganda constructed GROW in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Northern Uganda. Today, the support of The Trust Fund for Victims has enabled GROW’s evolution into a regional rehabilitation center, serving 400 clients annually. The center enables access to prosthetic limbs, orthopaedic appliances, physiotherapy, counselling and psychotherapy services. The delegation listened to testimonies from project beneficiaries and heard staff experiences, and how they gain motivation to continue in their work to reach more people and to deliver better services.
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This is a moment for us to reflect on the project results and to interact with the reality. Today we have an opportunity to learn and understand what should be better. Felipe Michelini, Trust Fund for Victim’s Board Member.
How it works at the GROW workshop: • Clients receive comprehensive medical care. • Expert orthopaedic technologists assess clients. • Clients are measured for prosthetic limbs or orthopaedic appliances. • Patients are fitted with their new appliances and taught how to successfully use them. • Physiotherapy training is provided to the clients to strengthen their bodies and to enable them adapt to their new prosthetics. • Clients are taught to maintain their new limbs and to stay in shape. • Follow up care is delivered through monthly outreach visits.
comprehensive medical care
Expert orthopaedic technologists
measuring clients
successful use of new limbs
physiotherapy training
proper maintenance
monthly outreaches
Counseling is continuous and key during these processes as it prepares the clients mentally and emotionally to accept/use this ‘piece of plastic’ as part of their bodies.
A workshop tour was guided by Emmanuel Kalanzi, the only orthopaedic specialist in Uganda recognized by the Ministry of Health when GROW began its operations. Mr. Kalanzi led a team of vibrant orthopaedic technologists to produce quality prostheses, orthopaedic appliances and to support their usage. Major challenges persist Old equipment and lack of sufficient space are a persistent hindrance to better quality services at GROW. The overwhelming registration of clients in need of medical rehabilitation brings further strain to the available resources.
Listening to the victims of war
Highlights from AVSI Foundation’s Joyce Laker Joyce is the Program Manager for AVSI’s Trust Fund for Victims project.
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When I got injured in 2013, I felt my life was coming to an end. My husband left. It was painful and I hid from people. But when I met AVSI, my life changed and I am here today to tell everyone that I live an independent and joyful life. Monica Pinyoloya - 39 years and mother of four
She shared the AVSI Method which is critical in the delivery of services to victims of war and an effective tool that she applies to manage the project: • Putting the person at the center. • Partnerships. • A holistic approach involving orthopaedic technologists, social workers, psychologist, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Project results: 2008 – 2017 post conflict setting: 2,544 prostheses and orthoses produced. 948 clients received counseling.
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I lost my right leg. I felt devastated. This place (GROW) restored hope in me. I have an artificial limb and I live a normal life with a bright future. Irene Laker - 37 years, mother of two
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Today I can stand before you. I’m able to walk again after the Palaro incident of 2003 when I lost my limbs. Stephen Okello - 34 years, dad to four
1,212 follow up outreaches conducted. 202 clients benefited from skills training. 73% of the plastic surgery clients healed. 90% of AVSI beneficiaries fully rehabilitated. 31 children overcame stigmatization and resumed schooling.
GROW has progressed from what was originally an orthopaedic workshop to a rehabilitation centre
Increasing people’s capacity
A combination rehabilitation by TPO Uganda
In the year 2010, Center for Victims of Torture developed an annual curriculum for certificates in trauma training with 210 hours of theory and 40 hours of hands-on. CVT has since trained and provided clinical supervision to 104 counselors, as said by Gabriele Marini.
TPO Uganda cares for 5,225 direct and indirect beneficiaries who have received a combination of physical, psychological and material support since their commencement of the Trust Fund for Victims project operations in April 2015.
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Trainings in trauma have assisted me to understand my human value and this helps me to recognize the clients who are before me with dignity.
TPO Uganda builds a network of support for victims to overcome post-war trauma and provides community outreaches to reduce stigma and discrimination. These measures assist clients to become productive, work their gardens and generate a means of living. It enhances peaceful coexistence, which is critical for reconciliation and guaranteeing non-reoccurrence of conflict. Key challenges faced by TPO Uganda
Highlights of CVT services in medical rehabilitation of victims of war
• Increasing number of beneficiaries hence inadequate mental health medication.
Between 2010-2014, CVT psychotherapists provided mental health services to 933 clients in co-therapy with counselors from different partner agencies as a practical component of training to local counselors.
• Apparent stigma and discrimination in the community.
From 2015 to-date, CVT began operations in their office in Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. This has improved provision of services to 510 clients (383 women, 127 men).
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I no longer keep away from people. Sharing experiences helps to reduce the pain of memory. Identification and treatment: Gulu Women’s Economic Development and Globalisation IN NUMBERS 2,200 (1,104 male and 1,096 female) identified through community mobilization and sensitization. 12 community dialogues conducted on victim stigma and discrimination. 706 (284 male and 422 female) fully treated. 346 (167 male and 179 female) war victims so far linked to Government programmes. 1,037 (506 male and 531 female) war victims are on treatment.
• Limited economic capacity for victims to complete recovery. • Inadequate care from caretakers to be able to assist war victims with mental illness.
Bringing smiles on the faces of individuals and families
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AVSI Foundation’s partnership with the Trust Fund for Victims has brought hope in the lives of several of victims of war and to their families. John Makoha, AVSI Country Representative
List of participants
No:
Name:
Designation:
Institution:
19
Marie Sjodin Graesholm
Intern
Royal Danish Embassy, Uganda
1
Judge O-Gon Kwon
President
Assembly of States Parties to the ICC
2
Finbar O’Brien
Irish Ambassador to Uganda
Embassy of Ireland, Uganda
20
Frank Kirwan
Head of Cooperation,
Embassy of Ireland, Uganda
3
Kevin Kelly
Irish Ambassador to the Netherlands
Embassy of Ireland, Netherlands
21
Ciara de Mora
Development Cooperation Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
4
Pieter de Baan
Executive Director
Trust Fund for Victims
22
Agnes Ocitti
Gender and HIV Advisor
Felipe Michelini
Board Member
Trust Fund for Victims
Royal Danish Embassy, Uganda
5 6
Mama Koité Doumbia
Board Member
Trust Fund for Victims
23
Hugh Mc Gowan
Liaison Officer for International Institutions
Embassy of Ireland, Netherlands
7
Mirjam Blaak
Ambassador of Uganda to the Netherlands
Ugandan Embassy, Netherlands
24
Daniel Muwolobi
Governance Advisor
Embassy of Ireland, Uganda
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Uganda
Wendy Kasujja
Programme Executive
Embassy of Ireland, Uganda
Bakker Henk
Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda
25
8
26
Kibanvu Gregory
Kampala, Uganda
9
Mogens Pedersen
Danish Ambassador to Uganda
Royal Danish Embassy, Uganda
Interpreter for Mama Koité Doumbia
27
Scott Bartell
Program Manager
10
Sabine Nolke
Ambassador of Canada to the Netherlands
Canadian Embassy, Netherlands
Trust Fund for Victims, Uganda
28
Josephine Atim
Field Officer
11
Nynke Staal
Political & Legal Affairs Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Trust Fund for Victims, Uganda
29
Maureen Lamonge
Program Officer
Trust Fund for Victims
12
Nick Rae
British High Commission, Uganda
30
Maria Kamara
Ag. Head of Field Office
ICC Kampala Field Office, Uganda
13
Juan Enrique Loyer Greene
Second Secretary
Embassy of Chile, Netherlands
31
Martin Okwir
PIOS Representative
ICC Kampala Field Office, Uganda
14
Maureen Nahwera
Senior Governance and Human Rights Advisor
Embassy of Sweden, Uganda
32
Yves Bwetusa
Security
ICC Kampala Field Office, Uganda
15
Tina Holtgaard Oulie
Second Secretary
Embassy of Norway, Uganda
33
Sally Hayden
Freelance Journalist
Irish Aid HQ, Ireland
16
Sari Mäkelä
Director for Public International Law
Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
34
Tina Smole
Videographer
Kampala
35
Will Boase
Photographer
Kampala
17
Thomas Tiedemann
First Secretary, Governance and Human Rights
EU Delegation, Uganda
36
Johnson Wanda
Body Guard
UNDSS
18
Martha Nanjobe
Deputy Component Manager
Royal Danish Embassy, Uganda