Sponsoring Patrick
Patrick is probably the best nurse at BCHC. He is kind, diligent and extremely professional. He joined after us, in May 2006, and has been a pleasure to work with. When Vicky appraised him she learnt that although he had been working as an aid-nurse for ten years (he is 35) he had gone back to school last year to do O’levels. It is his dream to be a Comprehensive Nurse. (No, not a nurse handing out condoms to kids in a failing school somewhere in the West Midlands – a Comprehensive Nurse in Uganda is trained in midwifery, public health and to make basic diagnoses and give treatment). He says that if he is sponsored to do this he will spend the rest of his life working at BCHC.
Patrick has suffered great tragedy recently. He was the nurse on duty in early August when his 7 year old son was brought in suffering from cerebral malaria. He died that night. In spite of this Patrick says he is ready to start his training. Initially we were going to keep him at BCHC for a year, as he is such a valued member of staff. However, there is no point holding his talent back any longer. This week he went for interviews for Comprehensive Nurse training and has been offered a place in Kabale Nursing School, starting in November.
The cost of his training is 2.5 million Ugandan Shillings (1 million per year for two and a half years). He will also need to have enough money to live on, and to get transport to visit his family. Just £50 per month for the next two and a half years will cover all of this. I can guarantee that it would be money well spent.
We are pleased to announce that a sponsor for Patrick has now been found.
