The pair visited Uganda with Save The Children to view the impact of accessible healthcare within the country.
Recently, Bethan Leadley and Chloe Dungate partnered with Save The Children to visit Uganda to view the organisation’s work within the country, as well as to look at how accessible healthcare was impacting the lives of citizens. Save The Children, a charitable organisation working to improve the quality of life of those in developing countries, runs the Helping Babies Breathe Program, which trains midwives and nurses in life-saving skills directed toward newborns.
While on the trip, Bethan and Chloe visited Naguru hospital, where the program is currently implemented, and the slums of Kampala, where they were able to meet mothers who were being impacted by the country’s healthcare system. They were also able to interview nurses and midwives, to help get a sense of how Save The Children’s program had helped improve the quality of care newborns receive.
Speaking with TenEighty, Chloe discussed what she learnt whilst on the trip:
“I think I learned that I knew less about the world than I realised. I learned that Lake Victoria is just way too big. I learned that I have no idea how to react when a woman goes into labour in front of me. I learned that there are people who have endured so much hardship as children that, as adults, they don’t know their own birthday or even how old they are. And I learned that no camera will ever do justice to the stories some people have to tell.”
Both Chloe and Bethan have filmed videos for Save The Children, outlining their experiences while in Uganda. The first sees Chloe speaking about her experiences in the country; the second is a cover of Birdy’s People Help The People; and the third is a montage of footage from the trip.
Throughout the trip, the pair saw a lot of hardship. However, despite that, Chloe said one thing stood out to her the most, “This one time, we were stood on top of a hill overlooking the city and there was just the sound of a local choir in a nearby church, singing a really loud, upbeat hymn. I just remember how joyful it sounded. There were children playing outside, singing along, and otherwise, it was just completely peaceful.”
She concluded by stating how her mindset changed throughout the trip:
“Honestly, before the trip, I’m not sure I had a mindset. I knew very little about the country, its culture and the problems it faced with healthcare and funding. I knew the programs Save The Children were running, but [had] no sense of perspective. I had the information, but no idea of the reality.
“If my mindset has changed, it’s changed to being aware. Not only aware of the differences in culture and livelihood… but just aware of people, their lives and their stories. There’s a difference between hearing about someone’s tragedy through a screen in your home and sitting beside them on their doorstep as they look into your eyes. And that difference is that you can never ever forget they exist, and the urge to do everything to help them never goes away.”
On 25 September, various world leaders will be gathering in New York to discuss their plans to help change the world in the future. On 24 September, Save The Children will be holding an event at Millennium Bridge in London as part of their Global Day of Action to raise awareness for poverty, climate change and inequality. However, Chloe says those wishing to support Save The Children, but are unable to attend the event, can help by utilizing social media and other means to remind leaders that healthcare is a priority.
More information about Save The Children can be found via their website.
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Bethan recently announced she’ll be opening for The Midnight Beast’s show at Camden Underground on 24 September. Check it out!
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