Blog post #5: Return to Gulu
Author: Jamie Robinson, Mercy Project co-Founder and current Board Member
I just got back from Gulu a couple of weeks ago, and after being away for three years, the trip was much needed and very grounding. While I was there I had the chance to meet with our TMP partners, and I wanted to send an update.
TMP’s main partner is the St. Jude’s Children’s Home and our contribution to them has really grown over the past few years. Aside from the regular clinic services, SJCH continues to prioritize the needs of children with disabilities, within the home and in the community through monthly outreach programs in 5 villages. The program reaches people in remote areas, primarily children with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, in desperate need of expensive medications and basic health care support.
While I was in Gulu I had the opportunity to attend an outreach program with the St. Jude’s nurse (Aliga K. Brenda) in the village of Amuru. I have to say, it was a truly moving and humbling experiences. After 7 years of working on this project, and thinking about development from a variety of perspectives (primarily critical), few experiences have moved me as deeply. Families travelled a great distance to attend- I saw a grandmother carrying twelve-year-old girl! I also heard about the impact that these medications make on the children, some of whom are able to attend school for the first time as a result of this medications which prevent their seizures.
This trip really showed me how vital this work is, and how large the impact of our contribution.
As we look forward to the 8th year of the project, we will be facing exciting challenges and changes. This year, the St. 
Jude’s Clinic will become a registered health center, allowing our nursing team to provide better care (for example they will be able to prescribe a wider range of medications). We also hope to contribute to the completion of the clinic at SOM, and to work with a new partner.
I am so proud of the Mercy Project, and of everyone at home and around the world who has and continues to support the amazing work of our partners in Gulu.
THANK YOU