A Hero in Nurse's Clothing ππ©πΎββοΈ
One woman going the extra mile to fight TB disease in Uganda
Dear ReWilders,Β
It is full blown spring time in Cape Town, and we have taken this opportunity to reflect. This year has been busy, and we have been so lucky to be involved with telling the stories of so many passionate, bold, and mission-driven individuals. This is the best part of the job; meeting people who dedicate their lives to their causes. It is an honour, a great responsibility, and a humbling experience, always.Β
Today we share with you a film we made for BBC StoryWorks and the University Research Centre, about Rose, a nurse in Uganda who is hell bent on ending TB in her community. Nurse Rose lives in a rural area, without much access to technology and transport, and the patients that come to her seeking help are often from impoverished communities with limited facilities and health provisions.
TB is the 9th leading cause of death worldwide, and over 25% of TB deaths occur in the African continent. These staggering statistics are made worse by the fact that if TB treatment is adhered to and administered properly, the majority of cases can be cured. Nurse Rose is leading this charge. She screens hundreds of patients a week, administers their medication, trains other nurses, and often, when patients donβt return in time for their follow up medications, Nurse Rose jumps on a motorbike, medicine in hand, and drives long distances to treat patients in their homes - all by her own volition!
A note from Megs on the production:
It was quite a bizarre scene, watching a proud woman in a shiny white & ironed uniform, jump on the back of a dusty motorbike with her little medical coolerbox - nursing hat flapping in the wind and all! She would quite literally go the extra mile and deliver medication to those patients that couldnβt get to her - kilometres and kilometres at a time! I had learnt that TB can become quite complicated when medication is skipped - and the disease could become more dangerous, hence Nurse Rose making absolute sure that all her patients are seen for. The appreciation of such kindness was incredible to witness.
Everyday heroes surround us on a daily basis. We are so honoured to have met you and told your story Rose.
News from ReWild AfricaΒ π±
Weβre so excited to share the trailer of our new film for African Climate Reality Project: African Voices for Africaβs Forests. Another exceptional woman making waves in protecting land and natural resources in Cameroon. Watch the trailer below and keep and eye out for the film next week!
Sign up here to virtually join African Climate Reality Project in Cameroon next week (14 Oct) for the premier of the film.
Sam is currently in the UK, lecturing on Deep Ecology and Gaia Theory at Schumacher College, and heading to Wildscreen next week - pop him a message if youβd like to meet up for a coffee!Β
Ale just returned from a successful shoot in Italy, telling the story of new biotechnologies used in sustainable farming practices that benefit people & planet - watch this space!Β
Meg is off to the Drakensberg next week to investigate a project looking at the relationship between music and sustainable agriculture - good luck Megs!Β
Wild Regards,
Team ReWild Africa