Archive for May, 2009

Back from Kumi and Shooting in Kampala

Posted by Scot, May 30th, 2009

We made the long 6-hour drive back from Kumi and arrived in Kampala safe and sound. We’re all exhausted, dirty and could use about three days sleep. But, the shooting went amazingly well. We spent a full day with each of the families that are going to be featured in the show. It really is a privilege to be accepted and trusted by these vulnerable children and their parents.

People often ask me how I feel seeing so much poverty and suffering. They wonder if it’s depressing or if I take away an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The truth is, I always come home feeling inspired and hopeful. The human spirit is an amazing thing. To see people live their lives with strength and courage in the face of such oppressive obstacles is truly life changing. Just normal people trying to make a living, raise a family, laugh a little and love each other. I think they give me more than I give them.

So far we’ve shot several stories about children with disabilities living in extreme poverty:

A young boy named Vincent with Bilateral Cataracts who can barely see more than rough shapes and shadows. He’ll be permanently blind in six months unless he gets surgery.

A 12-year old girl named Janet with Osteomyelitis in her right leg. If she doesn’t get treatment the bone will rot and eventually she won’t be able to walk. As the infection spreads she’ll lose her leg. If it manages to travel further up her body it will kill her.

 A 12-year old boy named Vigilio had his leg amputated two years ago after improper surgery to fix a broken ankle. His mother can’t afford a prosthesis or properly fitted crutches. It’s hard to watch him struggle to keep with the other kids. Because he’s young, the bone inside his leg is still growing and pushing it’s way out. When it does, infection will likely set in.

Janet

That’s just three of the kids we’ve met. The good new is that we’re making sure they all get the medical care they need. Their lives will be dramatically changed.

Back to work now. Five more days to go before we head home! It’ll be great to get back but we’ll all remember these kids for the rest of our lives.

Scot McDonald

Hello from Uganda

Posted by Scot, May 17th, 2009

Our first post!

Hello there. Scot McDonald here. I’m writing this first post in our shiny new Full Frame blog while overlooking the city of Kampala in Uganda. It’s about 7AM and the sun is just rising over Lake Victoria. It’s very beautiful. High up on this hill it’s hard to imagine there’s so much suffering here.

We’re here with CBM to shoot a new television show that documents their work with children with disabilities living in extreme poverty. It’s hard enough existing in this unforgiving environment when you’re able bodied and can provide for yourself. Many of these kids are hidden away in the shadows, shunned by society and forgotten by the outside world.

We’ve only been here a few days and have just started visiting children and families to select the stories we’ll shoot for the show. It’s always a difficult process. We see so many kids, so many tragic situations. But, that’s why we’re here – to hopefully make a difference. That’s the cool part.

Well, it’s about time to get into the truck and head off for our five-hour drive up to a town called Kumi. We’ll be shooting our first four stories there. Hopefully the heavy rains we’ve been having lately will cooperate and not wash us out.

More later!