The need for Ugandan Nurses and Midwives to engage in storytelling

By Mujurizi Anthony

“What a fabulous storytelling training this was for our Ugandan nurses and midwives!”. I exclaimed. “Never overlook the power of a good story. This is what people will remember about your work.” Stories have been used to hand down learning and knowledge for thousands of years. A good story engages our curiosity, emotions, and imagination. It can help us make sense of the world.

At the start of October 2023, I received a call from a mentor, friend, and health heroin, Lilian Nuwabaine Luyima. Upon seeing her call, I got excited because that was going to be my first time to speak to her. Previously, I would interact with her virtually while she was conducting different trainings for Ugandan nurses and midwives under a certain organization. As a Nurse working in one of the remote health facilities located on an island in Kalangala district, I listened attentively to her.

You may wonder what happened, but she invited me for a 3-day training in a storytelling workshop at Skyz Hotel, Naguru Hill, Kampala district. The training comprised 10 unique Nurses and Midwives working in different health facilities across Uganda. It was conducted by Peoples’ Vaccine Alliance, Africa, with an aim of improving the writing, speaking and storytelling skills of Nurses and Midwives in Uganda. Such a storytelling workshop stirred memories of our tradition of storytelling with our grandparents back in my village.

Do you recall how our grandparents used to regale us with tales of our origins, of warriors, victories, and defeats? Those stories were what we eagerly anticipated when returning home. We now can share our own stories – the untold narratives, the quiet conversations of war and its consequences, sorrows, death, and suffering.

This is what life experiences are all about the matters that hold deep significance for us, shaping our identities. So, I pose the question: Who are you? Are you aware that we are all made of the same darkness, regardless of our skin colour? Life begins in obscurity. We are all made of the same blood.

The life experience has rekindled a spark in me, igniting a quest, questions, and a passion that am always asked to write my book – Will the Book Be of Sorrow? Nobody knows but all I know it will delve into near-death experiences, suffering, and the triumphs that emerge from the darkest moments. I am thrilled to share that with storytelling, there is a soul energized somewhere.

My message to everyone is simple: Share your story, whether it pertains to your business, leadership, foundation, organization, or any other, and endeavour close to your heart. Storytelling is the art of preserving our history, sharing our experiences, and forming deep connections with others. It acts as a bridge that unites our past, present, and future, allowing us to express our identities, beliefs, and emotions while inspiring empathy, understanding, and change in the hearts of those who listen. So, share your story and let it resonate with the world.

The author is a Nurse working in Kalangala District