A Day in the Life

"It's to make a difference, really," says Dr. Micheal Ogwal.

"To see someone come in and know they are in despair. By the time they go back home, they have hope. It's more than a job. To me, it's more than just a job. It's a calling, a responsibility that God has given me. I may not stand up on a pulpit and preach, but I have been taught that living is a sacred act of worship. All of it. So whether I am taking the history of a patient or resuscitating a patient, it's all about God giving me the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life."

Fifteen hours after entering the hospital, Dr. Micheal crosses an empty, dark road after completing his nightly ward rounds. It's his third night on call. He enters his house and turns on the television to make the room feel less empty. The world news plays as Dr. Micheal sits in front of the TV with a plate of french fries. He enjoys knowing what is happening in the world. His dining room is empty aside from a refrigerator and a keyboard, which he has had since medical school.

Soon comes a power outage—a fairly regular occurrence in Uganda—yet he plays anyway, the only sound: his fingers tapping against the keys. Playing music helps Dr. Micheal to process the day and relax. It's one of the things he enjoys most.

Dr. Micheal is tired and hopes he won't get called back into the hospital. He sits on the couch with an open textbook next to him. Eventually, he goes to bed. He sleeps through the night, waking at 6:00 am and arriving at the hospital an hour later to start his day all over again.

. . .

The photographs below document the joys and the heartbreaks that come with being a doctor at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda.

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