Sunday, June 28, 2008 - Post II this week

I did one post on Weds. when I was in Mukono because by Sunday I get really nervous about getting it done, power, connection, etc. But the gods appear to be with me today...we'll see if it sends! Actually, God should be, Sr. Melody and I just sat through a 3 hour Mass at the parish church - celebration of St. Peter and Paul (there's school there of that name) and one of the PH adolescent girls was among a number of adults being Baptized! Happy Birthday Jesse and Happy One Week Birthday Olivia!! Sisters Juliet and Veronica left Sat. a.m. for 2 1/2 months at a retreat for their final profession of faith. I was "a bit" panic stricken for awhile, but am getting used to Sr. Goretti - she's been here before and think all will be well. In the midst of my frenzy to get things done I have to remember the Bible quote of the day (I'm into Proverbs)..Proverbs 19:2 "It is not good to have zeal w/o knowledge, not to be hasty and miss the way". I'm working on the piggery grant and I really need knowledge...have read the books, but need to talk to some local farmers, carpenters! Slow process. Also, Sister Juliet had some figures we needed for the gutter grant (water harvesting), but she didn't get them to me before she left...now we have to search for them. It will all get done - have to try to be not so impatient. I am getting better tho'. The young man who painted my apt. saw me in the street a week and a half ago and asked if he could borrow my brushes/rollers/putty knife because he had another job. I said "yes" because I don't know how to say "no" (but I'm learning)...then found out he's painting a little shop for the bakery to sell bread etc. in Nkokonjeru so I'm glad I said yes. Anyway, he said he'd have them back in three days (which I now know means 3 weeks)....I'm getting better!!! This is just Thursday to Sunday and think life (and news) is getting slower - or I'm getting less shocked by things!! English class went well...I think I'm getting into it. Did a bunch of class prep this a.m. and am prepared to split the Math class into Addition/Subtraction and Multiplication/Division groups....not quite that simple, but that will do! Holly was not well today - stomach pains...she's a trooper tho'. Great news: The family that was visiting from Milwaukee has agreeed to sponsor Doreen - YEA - she's crippled (from birth), in a wheelchair, and is 25 so it's hard to get a sponsor. But she's a real sweetie - the only girl in the shoe making class - and despite a lot of back pain always has a smile - plus she's a great contributor in class. My oft repeated phrase...."does anyone have an answer BESIDES Doreen or Jenipher?". It's good to know her tuition is covered - it's really not a criteria for staying, but she was concerned. Maria is helping me work through the considerable paperwork to get some mosquito nets for all the residents at PH...actually her U.S. workplace donated the money but the organization needs information before they send them!! Long form that HAS to be done electronically....which to me (and I told the guy this) cuts out the people who don't have computers and probably really need them! So, the stuff goes to the big NGOs (non-government agencies - they channel most funds)...who, of course, get an "administrative fee"....it's frustrating. Maria, saint that she is, is going to take down the information by phone and do the electronic stuff for me since I'm computer illiterate (and can't get it to work on the bakery computer). Silly ??...like what's our latitude and longitude? Well, we're not in Iceland!!! Friday I tried all day to capture Sr. Juliet to go over my many questions before she left. She'd been running around all week....trying to get everyone's school fees paid for this term (or partially paid), spent Tuesday and Weds. with the Kenya group trying to work out the details on the Inclusive Education program, Thursday she took the little girl who appears to be possessed back to the prayer center and Friday she was training two new "gardners" in the far gardens (actually several acres of corn and beans), then went to get a truckload of firewood and had to talk to a large number of people who wanted $$$. And in the middle, the water storage tank on the roof of the sisters' house overflowed and water came through the ceiling in a shower!! We finally got to meet after 6 p.m. prayers - in my apt. where no one else could find her! Got most of the questions answered or at least now know who to go to to get the answers....or lead me to another person to ask! She won't be back till after the term (Aug. 8) and the new term starting (Sept. 8), so will have to manufacture report cards and get things scheduled for next term. We might add Crafts (have a potential teacher) and a Religion class....and shorten up the 2 hour classes....it's too long. Learning as we go! I washed clothes Friday a.m. to get something done...never sure if my clothes are really clean. I soak them overnight and then swish them around...do a little scrubbing....hang them outside and they smell better!!! Women here scrub and scrub w. lots of soap...I'm not that ambitious! Bug report: Actually, it's not nearly as bad as I thought...Friday a.m. a big coackroach started down the wall by the table as I was eating breakfast (came in the window)....sprayed him (to death) with DOOM! That's only the 2nd one I've had. Sat. nite there were little mounds of flying ants dying on my floor after they lost their wings (like the mayflies)...but swept them up and that was that. It's really not bad! Few ants, but I have to keep things in plastic containers or zip locs. There is another visitor here from Milwaukee - her name is Jean and she and her husband have been here before - she's 59 and staying at the convent. Very nice lady - will be here two months. She said her goal this time was to increase fire danger awareness, especially at the boarding schools! It's a big issue since the big fire that killed 20 in Kampala in May. Last time she created a library at St. Peters but she said that the M bag rate has tripled in the past year so no more books! Saturday Shari, Holly (a little better but going to see the PC nurses on Monday) and I went to a nearby High School (up the hill) for a competition they were having among their students....drama, singing, and speeches...theme was "corruption"...some were very impresive...took my little friend Proscovia (11) and another girl. Left about 1 but Sr. Melody and I went back later to see some of the dancing. Sr. Goretti's job started when the truck carrying Sr. J and V left...people who Sr. J had refused came and asked her for $$$!! Big "girl fight"...biting and all. Sr. G disciplined both of the girls and one packed up her stuff, put it out on the sidewalk and said she was leaving and going to live on the street (she didn't). Sr. said "O.K"....cool head! At the Hilltop festivities I was sitting by a man who teaches English/Literature there - he's Kenyan and has a cousin at a college in Minnesota...he didn't know which one but bet it's SW State - they get a lot of Kenyans (and Nepalese)....but she got married in the U.S., brought her mom over, and is staying!! He recommended some books by African authors if anyone is interested (if you want you can send some my way if you get one to read)... The River Between - Ngugi Wa Thiongo (Kenyan)..he wrote Petals of Blood which I read - thanks to Dick Murray - very good) Weep My Child - Ngugi Wa Thiongo (kenyan) Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe (Nigerian) My Life in Crime - John Kiriamiti (Kenya) Song of Lawino - Okot P'Bitek (Uganda) No Longer at East - Chinua Achebe (Nigerian) Just some suggestions...he was really nice. Said they read Pride and Prejudice and other American books. Asked me if I'd get to vote in November and who I was going to vote for...dodged that one as an "undecided". Hope this sends w/o problems....it's always a crap shoot. For the early part of the week you have to see the Weds. edition. I sort of like doing it this way - less time sitting, but you never know when you'll have access. Next Sat. I think I'm going to Kampala - a PC reunion/Frisbee tournament....I'm going more to shop, but it's a good excuse. Shari has a contingent of students coming from Duke University on Friday to her organization and is having a Friday nite 4th of July celebration - plans are uncertain but doubt it will include Matoke. I'll donate fruit! Hope all you are well and enjoying the summer - I forget it's summer and almost the 4th of July! Pretty soon will be Kolacky Day (will miss the softball tournament but not much else). Thanks for all the letters, packages, thoughts and prayers. It continues to go well.....lots of projects in the works, but I'm pacing myself....."not to be hasty and miss the way". Proverbs are really full of practical advice...good stuff!!

Wednesday in Mukono,June 25, 2008

Why Wednesday - had to come to Mukono for a meeting and decided to send a mid-week update in case I don't have computer access over the weekend....bakery computer is sketchy - last Sunday I really panicked because it wouldn't send...went back after a few hours and got the blog to send (phew), but e-mail wouldn't work (and still won't). It's slow here, but at least it's access!

Had a 9 a.m. meeting and got to the Nkokonjeru taxi park at 6:30 - matatu didn't fill or go till 9!! Then they picked up half a dozen people on the road so it was really full! Fortunately I had a book w. me but I finished it (Blood Orange - good, but for women and people of faith). Got to Mukono and it stalled twice before we got in town...driver messed w. some wires and got going again. Had to walk about 20 minutes to the meeting (PC doesn't allow us to take the motor bikes most people use for short trips)....got there at 10:30 (and I HATE to be late). Meeting was rambling on - lady didn't have a clue what was going on - I finally spoke up and said that we need a group name and a purpose (it's a group of organizations in Mukono District that work with Orphans and Vulnerable Children - think the Country office said they needed a group so they called people together but are not sure what to do w. them!). Anyway, I got on the committee to draft a purpose! Some are very poor (poorer than PH) and are hoping some money might trickle their way (probably will stop at the government office - I'm so cynical). Got done at 12:30 and I had to go to the bank and Post Office and have been at the internet cafe for about 2 hours already - it's SO slow, but I wanted to answer my e-mails. Enough background and whining!

Had fun Sunday coloring w. the kids...they especially love the markers. When I got my laundry done and went down to PH two of the girls were playing an interesting game where they throw up 1/2 an avacado pit and catch it before they move 12 little rocks in and out of a circle the drew on the ground - never did get the pattern, but they were intense.

Lots of news about Zimbabwe - Mugabe was losing the election a month ago so he called it unfair and they were having a new one next week, but the opposition party quit because of harrassment...their candidate is now hiding in the Dutch Embassy! Big topic of discussion here!

English class Monday went O.K. I love them but we are both frustrated! the kids want to copy from the board...don't want to think or answer questions. Maybe the subject is too hard (it is for some). I have to remember it's not their first language but many know English well. Only 2 or 3 of the girls ask questions. I think more "get it" but it's not the Ugandan way of learning. Told them I'd use more American teaching - not sure that was a good idea. The teachers here write LONG sentences on the board (in English), with lots of facts, then the teacher leaves the room and the kids copy it all down word for word in their notebooks. Exercises (tests) consist of teachers writing ou 506 questions that the kids answer by copying from their notebooks exactlyl what they copied off the board!! I want them to "fill in the blanks" with their own ideas - like "I feel hapy when _______". May be too hard for a few but most have the vocabulary. If I put down an example they EXACTLY copy my example! We are both stubborn and set in our ways... I wrote in their books last week but didn't have a red pen (do now) so it didn't count to them. Any suggestions?

Spent most of the rest of the day with a lady from Kenya and her driver looking at schools to inlcude in the CHeshire grant program to promote "inclusive education" - having handicapped children go to local schools. Those in the outlying areas particularly can't go..schools can't accomodate them and parents are ashamed of them - handicapped children are often thought to be the result of a curse and hidden. It was interesting and we went to some prety small, remote schools. Saw some kids (primary) in uniforms from schools in Nkokonjery as far as 6 km from town walking home because they want to go to the private school in town and not the government school in the country!

Tuesday, CBR is slow. People have the word that we don't have any money and no sponsorship at the present. THey come expecting something even if it's only $$ for transportation to Kampala...most do seem to get it when we tell them we can't help tho. We're hoping Dr. Antonio can find some donors in Italy and will again sponsor operations which are the really expensive item and impossible for most in our area.

Had Math class - really need to split the class. It just seems so demoralizing to the kids still in simple addition, but guess it can't be any worse than getting 0/20 or 4/20 on a quiz (marked w. a red pen). Just think the kids are slower for whatever reason and got overlooked in the big classrooms! They aren't all impaired - a few are - but maybe they missed parts of years for health reasons or no fees...doesn't take long to fall behind. I'm not cut out to be a teacher - you guys deserve BIG pats on the back. The kids are long suffering - or maybe I'm an funny muzungu!

Went to see how my wardrobe was coming - carpenter was ther and nothing had been done. I really let him have it! Text messaged my "friend" on the town council but I'm ready to give up and have someone else make it and chalk it up to "tuition expense" (Greg's suggestion). I've learned something - don't pay in advance!!! Just hate letting him get away w. it!

Great walk at nite w. Holly - made things better! Clears the brain and it is gorgeous! Made my dinner (a favorite - I still have little variety)...sliced eggplant, chopped tomato, onion and green pepper, crushed crackers, a little taco mix and cheese - it's good!!!

Anxious to see pictures of Olivia....the cow at PH had her calf on Saturday too but it was a boy!
Not in the same category of great happenings but good news all the same!

Hope all are well...now I"m up to 3 :30 and am done at th internet cafe - think I have sores on my rear and really have to go to the bathroom. TMI? Have a good week.!

As promised...

Here are a couple of the pictures we took while visiting baby Olivia. She is beautiful and slept the whole time we were there!

Big Brother Dylan saying good bye for the night.

Sunday, June 22

Welcome to the world Olivia Rose - Greg managed to call me in the midst of the rush yesterday....seems strange to have a new granddaughter halfway around the world!! Reading my Bible this a.m. (do my 2 pages a day) and read Psalm 128 - "may you live to see your children's children"...what a nice blessing!

Am at the bakery - power is on, weather is clear and computer is free!!! Life is good! Hopefully I make it to the end. I know I don't like asking for things (or maybe I do)...am still hoping to get some fabric for the tailoring class...for use by the ones who have already had the first year, and get some craft supplies for the kids to use on days like today when there's not much to do. I bring my coloring supplies when I'm here for the younger ones, but the older ones really love crafts. If you'd like you can send supplies (yarn, latch hook, crochet hooks, etc.) but postage can be hard - cash donations are good too! I get angry when the Ugandans "beg" and here I am!!! Also, if anyone has any old Junior books (3-6th grades) I'd love to start a lending library here - also little kids books. Corky is checking on better postal rates. Also, any unsed tailoring supplies - good scissors, other tools, patterns, etc. Thanks for whatever you can send, and if you can't, thanks for your thoughts and prayers! Commercial message done.

Last Saturday I went digging with the kids int he "garden" with the new bananna trees. That's work! Hoes are heavy! The hoe bottom is about 8" x 8" of solid iron and you weild it over your head like an axe - then cut off a chunk of soil and repeat...I lasted about an hour!! Weeds grow fast during the rainy season and the soil is a mix of red clay - but very fertile. Digging was better than the other job tho'...the ones not digging were dragging out bags or wheelbarrows of chicken manure! Some girls carried the bags on their heads.

It was the feast day of St. Anthony so Sister and I went to a special mass at St. Anthony School for girls on the convent grounds. Then Sister Juliet and I took two girls (and some others) to a retreat center past Kampala. The two girls have been displaying behavior that Father thinks indicates demonic possession so the hope is that the constant prayers at the center for a week will help. We stayed for their evening Mass which was very "charismatic"...lots of chanting, hand waving, yelling, people falling, etc. I realize there are services like that in the U.S. but I've never been to one - used to my quiet little Lutheran Church!! This was a Catholic Mass in an outdoor pavillion - lots of people, many w. disabilities, or with children with problems. The faith of the people there seemed asolute. The girls come back today (stayed a week - Sister J stayed a few days and then one of the parents stayed with them). It was an unusual experience...I really felt like an outsider, but think I would have at a service like that in the U.S.

Sunday I started laundry - lots of it (sheet day)....takes a long time to do by hand - my hands were sore when I was done wringing. I was on my "veranda" and the kids went by to the 8 a.m. Mass at the Sister's chapel and I said I was going later - I was actually going to skip but felt guilty and went to the 9:30 English service at the parish church. Glad I did - about 400 people - most under 25! They have a new recorded music system (and no African drums - darn) but did play "It Is Well With My Soul"...think I was the only one who knew it - and I cried!!

Went down to PH to color with the girls, but they were playing their version of Pig in the Middle - you can throw the ball over or whomp the girl in the middle - looks painful. Took some children's books Corky had sent and read with the littler kids - they really enjoyed it! Nice walk at dusk - just beautiful. Unfortunately, there are few old trees in this area of Uganda - cut for charcoal or firewood used for cooking. Really no other alternatives - don't have electricity and kerosine or gasoline are expensive. Sad that they're not replanting, tho.

Monday's English class wnet well - using some new ideas from Anne but tried to go past 1 hour w/o a break and lost them...lesson learned by the teacher. Classes are two hours but rarely last that long unless we break. I get tired! Sat in on the tailoring class - he uses the traditional method of writing (in English) long pieces ont he board, the kids copy them and then they do a written "Exercise" re-writing what he wrote...would like to see them do more hands on - measuring each other, making paper patterns, etc. Did get some old U.S. patterns from St. Peters Secondary School library - donated a year ago by a lady from America - just to see how the direction go and what the patterns look like. Tailors here just measure and maybe make a paper pattern but usually not.

Nice walk to the market and then a walk in the country all w. Holly. I really appreciate the ability to talk to Holly and Shari - puts things in perspective. Quick supper of chipati w. Peanut Butter and Bannana - warmed in pan...great but a cholesterol buster!!

Tuesday Sr. Juliet and I took the matatu to Katelemwa Orthopedic Hospital past Kampala to talk to Dr. Antonio (his organization used to pay for PH and CBR referrals but ran out of $). Very optomistic meeting - he's going to Italy in July and is going to fund raise and will resume sponsoring us in the fall - YEA! Also, said he'd try to start clinics here every other month and will train us in screening patients so he only sees orthopedic clients (in the past everyone comes - blind, deaf, epileptic - and he really can't help them...they just know he's a doctor and it's so hard to turn people away - but you have to!). Now to get the CBR volunteers out to talk about disabilities and what can be done and ot identify the children in the villages - they say there are many disabled children we never see who are neglected or not helped. Want to try soliciting for transportation money from a couple of big corproations that are in the area - sugar company, brewery and bottled water company - a suggestion from the hospital director. It's slow with the computer access we have and my limited knowledge of how things work here, but it's worth a try.

Funny aside on the matatu - they never put in more than 6000 shillings worth of petrol in at a time - don't know if they think the van will expire before more is used! (it's about 2 litres - 2 nalgene bottles!). Newsweek trivia - only 3 countries don't use metric - Liberia, Myramar and the U.S.!

Got a Nairobi paper on the way back just for fun - good opinion piece about the food crisis in Africa - started well - about the many gains that have been made in Africa in the past 10 years in the standard of living, education, health care, etc. but that their agricultureal productivity is the lowest in the world. Africa has the lowest use of fertilizers in the world also and the average grain yeild is less than 1 ton/hectare equivalent to 1/4 the global average! "African agricultural yields have stagnated since the 60s"..the writer promoted increasing productivity, improving infastructure to deliver products, water management, diversity of crops - things that Africans need to do, but then got into the G8 Summit and how they need to GIVE AFrica more - that's maybe O.K. but Africa needs to address the productivity issue and accountability (in my humble opinion). 'Course I've become a begger too so who am I to criticize!!

Sister in the elderly wing of the convent died yesterday - the sisters hold an all nite vigil with the body in the chapel and since I'm only about 100 feet from the chapel I could hear them singing all night - it was just beautiful (angelic is probably the best word).

Weds. I sat in on Holly's Public Health class - talked about nutrition and did a great job. Then I cleaned the Resource Room - where the OT has the kids. Has some resources but very disorganized and dirty...washed the floor two times! You can do floors here every day - dirty feet, cement floors, dust...never really look clean! Now I have an idea of what's there and what he needs. The room gives the severely disabled, who don't leave during the day for school, a place to hang out and play - too many to do too much teaching w. them, but they have fun being there!

Finished the book The Reader by Berhard Schlink - didn't like the 1st part (teen angst) but it got good! Good quote about is it ever too late to do something you want to do or is "late" better than "never"...he said "I don't know". Good thing we older people have "later"...

Am starting to enjoy teaching and really like just hanging out w. the kids - they are so starved for attention. They are getting more willing to use their English with me - they know it, but it's hard to use when you don't know it well....like my Lugandan!

Thursday was cool in the a.m. - put on socks when I got up! BBC said that President Bush is going for offshore drilling and drilling in Alaska again - hope the expensive gas won't push that through!

Had the English class write a little story about themselves - with a fill in the blank format. They have a hard time thinking of what they'd like to do someday in a big perspective - e.g. travel. Their exposure is limited and so is their concept of what they could do. But they are trying to think bigger - an impressive bunch. The tailoring teacher complained to Sister J about my insisting he comes on time (he was two hours last Weds. and didn't come on Thursday!)....the kids deserve better.

Good news! Sister Juliet and Sister Veronica are going on a 2 1/2 mo. retreat the end of June (that's not the good news) - Sr. V convinced the powers that be to let Sr. Geretti come back for 6 mos. to help out. She was here for two years and then went to a 6 month training and was going to be re-assigned to Kampala. Sr. V convinced them that they should divert her here while they are gone - I feel so much better as do Sr. Benna and Sr. Melody (who would have run the bakery and PH by themselves for that time!!). She used to teach tailoring and I'm going to ask if she could work w. the advanced students and do some actual sewing...

Friday got a message from my friend Maria that she was coming to PH from Kabale..got a ride to Kampala and was going to brave the trip to Nkokonjeru! I went to the market to get some food, but got stuck in the rain (I should know better)...stood in an empty stall for about 45 minutes w. a mother chicken and her chicks and a few ducks till I decided to go for it - I was the only person on the street! I stopped at the little grocery and they had the door closed and four people huddled inside...the owner said to me "It's raining"...well I guess so - I was soaked! Bet they had some good muzungu laughs that day!

Had some company in the afternoon - a family from Milwaukee - their youngest daughter is going to be helping at Stella Maris (the really nice boarding school up the hill) and they came to see where she'd be - very nice group. Maria got here about 5 and we went to Holly's for dinner - bean burgers. Two other PCVs are visiting here so it was lots of fun and lots of talking!!! Maria brought some great cheese that's made by a Belgium man in Kbale - had cheese and crackers to start!!

Saturday a.m. I took her on a tour of the convent and PH - then went with her as far as Mukono and had lunch. She was going to stay in Kampala overnite, but instead shopped, went to a movie and caught the 1 a.m. bus to Rwanda that stops in Kbale - got home at 7 a.m. today (Sunday)...it's a LONG trip and I really appreciated her coming! Next time she said she'd stay longer since she has the return figured out, but I need to go out there before that...it was really fun to see her. I was going to stay in Mukono to do the blog, but visitors came again - unfortunately, I got back after they had left anyway. A group of older girls from all over Uganda that go around to see different ways of life...they had written Sr. J but never confirmed by phone and were 1 1/2 hours late so I left w. Maria...then they showed. Guess they really did a great job interacting w. the kids and Sr. got a lunch for 30 prepared!!

This a.m. I went to the Sister's Chapel for 8 a.m. Mass - getting to feel comfortable there. Did some wash and here I am again - ready to color when I get this done.

Hope you are all well - Congratulations again to Greg, Jessica and Dylan - guess they were at the hospital only one hour!!! Can't imagine Greg in the car knowing the contractions were 3 minutes apart!!! Glad it all went well!

The Baby Boom Has Begun!!

I just got a call from Greg and the Westerman Baby Boom of 2008 has begun...

Olivia Rose was born just before 2:00 this morning weighing in at 7 lbs 11 oz. He didn't know length because he was on his way out to the car to get his camera, they didn't have time to bring the bags in. They left home a little after Midnight and she was born before 2 so I can't wait to hear the story about the ride up!! I will add pictures after we visit tomorrow!!!

-Gail

Friday afternoon at the Bakery (the 13th!!)

Friday the 13th and the weather looks threatening! Decided to try getting this done at the bakery this week....it takes me awhile tho'. Mainly because I'm so long winded...I actually do write every day but I edit lots out when I type! Hope you all find it interesting...skip what you don't. Electricity was on when I came back from Kampala Sunday - yea! At least I don't have to worry about things spoiling in the frig - don't have one!! Life is simple here.

I got back from Kampala about 4 - huge pack full of goodies and bags to boot...good to be back. Took a shower and washed clothes - just filthy from the matatu ride! Love my new baskets and placemats - also, put my pictures up and some maps so the place is really starting to look like mine - no wardrobe yet, but I've stopped stressing about that...really - well, almost.

Didn't even go down to PH (Providence Home) to check in on Sunday nite - felt funny to be gone for 3 days! Monday was an intersting day - was ready for English, but Sister had the kids shucking corn picked Saturday and others were going out to pick more (holiday - Ugandan Heroes Day - like Veteran's Day). They were done by 9:30 and wanted to start class(really!) but in the meantime I got to meet a teacher of the deaf who is here for a week from Kampala School for the Deaf to check the place out for a local boy who's been in their home who is blind, deaf and mute (and mentally impaired) - he's 17 and too old for their school any more. She and the young deaf man with her offered to do a sign language class for the kids and it was a big hit! Ugandans have great memories and they did just awesome. After that he taught 6 of the older kids some crafts so they can teach others - doing a latch hook run on a plastic flour sack - they loved it!

Tailoring teacher was 1 1/2 hours late so they just crafted through his class. Confronted him again - very frustrating!! In the afternoon the Deaf teacher and I went to meet the blind boy and his mom - father is dead (HIV?)..sad story. Teacher claims someone (the government?) will provide a 1:1 for him if she accepts him here, but Sister is skeptical (and rightly so).

Another elderly man died today - two in less than a week. Sent quite a ripple through the elderly community. Went to the Monday Market for a bit w. Holly and she came over to see my new decorating. I used some "tacky" for maps and used 3M hooks w. ribbon coming down and pictures taped to the ribbon - saving my paint job!!! Now I just need my wardrobe and maybe a reading chair - and some time to read!

Tuesday was CBR day (Community Based Rehab)...was just getting going when Sr. J called me and asked me to keep some company busy because she was occupied - it was one of the girl's moms who had brought a caretaker for her ("caretaker" is another young girl from their community up north whose family encouraged her to come - the mom of our resident pays her school fees which they couldn't, in exchange for caring for the girl who is very crippled; she goes to school but the caretaker makes sure she get bathed and gets there, washes her clothes, etc.). Moses can handle CBR anyway...he feels so sorry for Corky - said that if his wife left for two years he'd get another wife! "Who would do my washing and cooking?"

Accepted 3 new vocational students today (two weeks into class)...one has been to the epliepsy clilnic and was recently thrown out of the home by her stepmom, another is lame and being raised by a brother w. 8 children (reluctantly I think - parents are dead) - has no lower body strength - is 19 and has never seen a doctor re: his legs or had a wheelchair or crutches - just crawles...very quiet kid...he's been to primary school and seems bright; last one has a nice family who are actually paying fees, but she's slow and needs vocational trainng and parents are persistent! No more this term (got another on Friday - so much for "no more").

Was going to have Math class at 2:30 but cook is sick, kids are subbing in the kitchen and lunch wasn't ready till 3:00....by the time they got done it was time for 4 p.m. Mass for the deceased elderly man in the main hall (also, I'm a little afraid of Math class). In the meantime I talked to the shoemaking teacher about the one girl in his class who's in a wheelchair - she can't hoist herself up to the table like the guys can - doesn't have the upper body strength - so he got another, lower table for her - YEA! There is no allowance for special needs - one of the girls, Hope, goes to St. Anthony's and is very crippled, but smart. She does very poorly on exams because she writes so slowly and they won't give her extra time!! And still she presses on - amazing!! Working on changing things slowly, slowly - "mpolampola" (also how my language skills are progressing). Oh, yes, bookkeeping teacher didn't come that day (he called) because someone had stolen his pregnant pig and he was going to get it back - and mission was accomplished!

Wednesday Sr. J and I went to Mukono to a meeting - government of the district meeting w. the cartakers of children in the district....got some really good information from their data - tho' not much else except another meeting date! Poverty in Mukono District is 49% (tho' didn't list the poverty line - must be low tho'), only 13.4% graduate from Primary School, ratio of teacher to students is 1:50, adult to child ratio in the district is 1:7!! - lots of kids; 43% have never been to any school, only 10% have electricity, mortality to age 5 is 129/1,000. Biggest killers (all ages) are 1) Malaria (15%), 2. dysentary (11%), 3. pneumonia (10%) 4. HIV (7.6%)..others are measles, TB, nutritional deficiency, cardio, maternal, etc.

Got lots of great mail in Mukono - had to get a flour sack from the mailman for Holly's and my stuff! Books from Corky, magazines and special ed teaching aides from Anne, great pkg from Eggerts w. magazines (farming and boys' life) and goodies - Thanks!

Had a nice talk w. Holly while we went through our treasures - just about life in general. Love those girls! Went down to PH to do some computer work and ended up helping put corn away - every day they take this mountain of corn (on cob) out and spread it on the cement by the bakery to dry and every night they bag it and carry it to an empty room - getting old....fewer and fewer helpers every day! Everything here is so labor intensive!

This week is going so fast. Thrusday's English class went well - some kids still seem over their heads - simple sentences - but they stick it out. Practiced greeting each other - hard for them - I know how they feel from training. Most have vocabulary, but just don't want to speak because they think they will sound dumb (I know this because that's how I feel about speaking Lugandan). Did misspell one Lugandan word on the board that translated into something bad and they had a real laugh over that! Spent time after class going over the shoe making books - good for the kids to see me struggle!! It happens a lot.

Had company from the UK in the afternoon - HR Director of Cheshire - nice English lady - she looked like she was out of a novel. Gray hair, a little plump and a ruddy complexion! Kids did a great job singing as usual.

Had to get groceries late - sort of dark but market is close and everyone else is out! Got a tomato (200sh), green pepper (200sh), pineapple (800sh), avacado (100 sh), 3 eggs (@200sh) and a chipati (300sh) - total "bill" at market was 2200 sh. ($1.38)! Got a dozen buns for 1000 sh at the bakery and 2 big rolls of TP at the grocery for 1600 sh. Big spender today!!

Finally up to Friday (it's 2:15) and finish...have a meeting at 3:00 - guy from Nkoko who works in Kampala at a hospital workshop, and if all works out and we get the grant, will be here making CP chairs, standing frames for CP kids, claiphers (leg braces), etc. here Have to wait a long time to get them from the Kampala hospital and very expensive by Ugandan standards.

Day started crazy as usual. Bunch of little boys were not at school - excuses: "they sent me home yesterday because I didn't have a cup for morning prooidge; "they sent me home because my school fees weren't paid"; "it's sports day and we don't have to go"...all from one boy and all of it untrue. Sr. Benna got on the bandwagon and dragged out about a dozen skippers - who needless to say went to school after a tounge lashing - they sound really bad in fast Lugandan!. I took the 6 boys and talked to their teacher (2 are in wheelchairs and one is w/o lower legs - can see why sports day would be avoided by them)...yes, they can't have porridge w/o cups (I went to town after and got 9 plastic cups - 3000sh - less than $2); no one was told to go home and they had classes all a.m.!! Also found out she has 86 in her P-1 class. I'm sure she was happy to see me and my 6 truants!

Tailoring teacher got here after 2 phone calls - the other teachers have got it now. Bookkeeping teacher was here at 8:30 and so were all the kids. Tailoring guy skipped 2 days this week - "been busy". Kids don't show any more either. We really need to can him, but salary is low. Weds. he was here and the kids told him they were working on yarn rugs (they were - a free time craft project from the deaf teacher) - so he went home w/o having class! This a.m. after he started w girls were on the floow with thier rugs instead of taking notes - and I blew! They have now seen my dark side!! But, I no longer let him sour my day - went home for a delicious guacamole/chipati lunch!

Have another meeting at 6 tonite w. a sister from the hospital who's helping me put together a list of dresings, etc. PH needs for possible donors. I'm getting to be such a begger!

Stopped to see two of the older girls who are really sick w. malaria - one despite treatment at the hospital - high fevers and chills. Glad we take anti malarial meds weekly - it's nasty and the #1 killer in Uganda.

So, now I'm up to date and won't have to go to Mukono - still have mail to send, but can do that another time. Have enough Peanut Butter to last me another week.....the necessities!

Thanks for your kind words about the blog...it's pretty random but so am I! Life is good - weather is nice - cool at night so sleeping is good. Think we're going to the garden to "dig" tomorrow unless it rains so I wanted to get this done today....hate to miss a "digging"!

Take care and thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Sunday a.m. in Kampala

Well, I'm on my way out of Kampala - stopped at Logogo Mall for a few things and then I'm on my way back to Nkokonjeru. Funny how a day or two away can make you anxious to get back! Kampala is fun, and got to see lots of people from our PC class, but I keep talking about the people and experiences at PH (Providence Home)....when I'm not talking about Riley, Dylan, Henry, Emma and Ben!!!! Happy Birthday Greg!! (I talked about you "old" folks, too, just not as much).

I keep thinking I'll shorten my messages or go to every other week, but it's still all an adventure to me! Corky said that he hears from many of you who are reading the blog and you still find it entertaining! Patric - good to get your message! Congratulations!

Shari and I tried Mass at the parish church last Sunday - nice - good children's choir. Had lunch at her house - mac and cheese. We use "Laughing Cow" cheese which is those little foil wrapped triangles you get in Christmas packs....never spoil and they're not bad! Did a little "grocery" shopping - fruits and veggies at the market - and went to PH to color w. some of the girls...lots of fun. Took a great walk....there are about 6 gravel roads that lead out of Nkoko and they all branch off into farms/woods....one more beautiful than the other. People are so friendly tho' they can't understand why we walk for fun! And so fast!

Monday was a downer day - low clouds and everything was damp...paper just hung. E-mail wouldn't work...usually doesn't when the weather is overcast. English class seemed to go well - think I learned as much aas the kids did! Great range of abilities, but they were there and we made it through! There was no word in our language manual for "to be angry" (the tailoring teacher continues to be late for every class and it's getting to me). Kids said it was okuenjaara which, in Lugandan, means very angry OR very, very hungry - guess they can specialize anger!
Teacher always has an excuse - "it was raining", "I was here, you didn't see me (in the classroom?)"....kids are learning to be on time tho'....I'm impressed! I need to not get so Nenjaara! I am trying to learn how (HOW?) to not let anger at something that's already done, spoil a good day.


The other teachers are now on time - a huge accomplishment....and the kids are on time. They genuinely seem to enjoy coming to class....there's not much for them to do w/o class. They are from 14-20 and are in the vocational program and no longer go outside to school so it needs to be good quality. They are most comfortable with VOLUMES of stuff written on the board that they can copy in their books...Holly and I would like some discussion, but it will take time. The range of physical and mental abilities is enormous but think we can work with it.....it's hard to group them (but not impossible) because of the devices and wheelchairs and the "desks" are long tables with benches attached. I have some plans (when I run out of plans I'll be worried).

CBR was slow - Tuesday was Ugandan Martyr's Day which I didn't realize is a national holiday! Celebrates the death of 23 Catholic men who were murdered by the King (Kabaka) in 1885 - rolled in mats and burned (some were tortured). Actually, most schools were cancelled for the day. A few of our kids walked to the town where they were martyred (about 12 miles away)...started Sunday. People walk from Kenya and Tanzania! Holly and Shari went but left early because of the crowd.....very crushing they said. I might try it next year, but stayed back this year because of CBR and Math class, but could have cancelled both. Might be better if I try on another day, however...I don't like crowds either. At Math we did an assessment test....some did a few addition problems counting on fingers (I said they could use toes, too)....others went through the multiplication....will have at least two sections for that class.

Weds. BBC Africa was full of the Obama Phenomena.....Africans love the idea that he might be President...think he will do all kinds of things for Africa....I think it's a BIG expectation. Like we haven't already spent trillions in Africa w. not the best results.....and Uganda is one of the better developed countries and the roads/water/health care/schools are still sub par.

Electricity has been out since Monday - I keep flipping the switch in hope, but no luck. Just in the convent...it's helpful that it's the whole convent and not just me. I've become so used to it....you all be sure to appreciate it!!!

Lots of little frustrations this week....let them get to me which is my fault. Trying to set things up - seems like every time you call someone you get "the number you called is temporarily out of service" - probably uncharged. Have to keep trying. My wardrobe isn't even started and the carpenter is really avoiding me, start up of vocational classes and teachers are late, or want me to buy them books/materials/supplies, etc. I had to get chalk...they write a LOT on the board....bookkeeping teacher said he needed 3 pieces of chalk for every class - I told him he'd have to get by w. 2! Boards are old and chalk is poor, but he can learn to do some discussion too!

Holly did a great job w. her Public Health class...did a handwashing demonstration...kids really enjoy her. It's a great topic for them! I was across the yard watching the really severely handicapped kids in the resource room....quite a project! OT was meeting with some visitors....actually it's a couple from an Organization in Kampala that pay his salary....very nice people! They have been in Uganda for 4 1/2 years and are friends of PH. Gave Sr. J a donation of a lot of corn flour, wheat flour and rice, which was MUCH appreciated. Also said they give her some money to re-start the chicken raising project - God does work in amazing ways!!! So, we have to get some figures for them and check w. the Kampala meat market who takes them,but it sounds good!

Went to Mass Weds. nite at PH - father comes down to do Mass because so many can't get to church...they start about 6:30 when the sun is setting and finish about 7:30 in the dark w. a few candles and a lantern (it's in the big hall)....it's just amazing! Kids sing and play the drums.....it's in Lugandan but I pray on my own and watch them and the sunset....truly inspirational.

Thursday a.m. I decided I need to get a grip on my frustrations and their effect on my attitude...did a LONG journal entry listing (by #) what's most bugging me and my "action plan"...think it helped! No electricity (yet) was #4 but there's nothing I can do about it (did check again w. the convent and it's still out all over). #1 was the Wardrobe...and not just the piece of furniture but the guy's attitude even I go there to see him every day (He must see me coming). Rest of the day went much better - it's all in the attitude!

Got to meet w. Sr. J in the a.m. - she's been so busy and I need to run things by her. Told kids there wouldn't be English class because today is the Epilepsy Clinic, but they were there anyway so we read a Ugandan folk tale (someone donated about 15 copies of 5-6 folk tales at various levels that I found and am using)....they are still slow on the questions but they are getting better. We talked about having children and how many they would like to have (BIG families are expected here)....girls said 1-3; guys said 6-9!! Go figure....who bears them and does the most of the work and worry.

Epliepsy Clinic went very well...nurse came from Kampala and saw 24 people...she is SO good. She gives out free meds and people seem to really appreicate it...one of the older girls gave her a beautiful basket she'd made! Epilepsy is such a huge problem here because of the many, many childhood fevers. Moses (the CBR volunteer) acts as interpreter and all around good guy! He has such a big heart....

Another good thing...walked the nurse down to the taxi park (where the matatus leave) and then went on to the carpenters....he wasn't there (??) but two workers were and another guy who's been there before - in fact he's the guy who the carpenter had call me to tell me it wouldn't be done on the 29th but FOR SURE on June 4 (it's now the 5th). Turns out the guy is on the Town Council and gave me his phone number and is going to talk to the carpenter....other workers said he lost my plans (I re-drew them), and also he's spent the $ and only has purchased 2 of the 8 timbers he needs! I had figured that was the case, but was good to hear someone admit it, instead of "the timbers need more time to dry". But I now have a contact and a phone number and feel much better about it. I don't "need" they wardrobe - tho' the suitcases are getting old - but would appreciate some honesty! Ugandans tell you what they think you want to hear....whether true or not!

Lovely dinner w. Holly and Shari - Shari made tossed salad and sushi (her mom had sent her wrappers)....doesn't sound like living in Africa does it?

Friday I left early for Kampala....stopped part way at an organization called COMBRA which trains CBR volunteers but they don't do a short course any more - they will come out and do parent training in handling disabled children which sounds wonderful - they can do 15-20 parents at a time on a variety of disabilities in a week and the parents are then expected to go out and help others in their villages. Now to put that together in a request.....think I may try to tie it to the inclusive education program since they want to do a parent education segment...it's worth a try.

Had to go all the way into the taxi park to meet w. the mushroom growing guy....that place really throws me. Got a call on the matatu from the hotel - I couldn't hear well - radio was blaring - but they couldn't get into the room we reserved because someone took the key to the airport (there is only one key per room) so could we make due with two single (instead of two double beds)....said O.K. Got off downtown and the electricity was off...generators running all over the sidewalks...noise was even more oppressive than usual! I was thinking then that I wanted to go back to Nkokonjeru! Did, however, find the correct matatu for my connection (with lots of help from people - they are so nice to a muzungu running around staring at a piece of paper!)....the mushroom operation was fascinating. The guy grows his own spores in cotten waste and then puts it in plastic bags, hangs them in a dark building and waters them 2x/day and mushrooms grow out of the bags. If you can maintain a consistent supply and find a good market (lots of IFS) you can make a decent profit out of not much investment. Thinking about it, but would want someone to take the training for two days - it's not as easy as he makes it sound! And marketing is the key!

Went then to the Garden City Mall and bummed around till Maria got to town and we went to the hotel which was close...not fancy, but a lovely bathroom!!! very convenient location and lots of PCVs there! So fun to see everyone....many are not nearly as luck in their sites as I am....about 1/2 don't have electricity or running water and are at schools WAY out in the bush....on the school compound grounds, but not near a market or other PCVs. I should stop complaining (but I won't). Bunch went to dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant (buffet) - very good! Really fun to talk and eat out.

Saturday Maria and I went to the Mall for coffee - actually went to the nearby golf course hotel..."very civilized"....then back to the mall to meet with one of the PC staff about improving language training. Good meeting - we have an refresher in July for four days and she wanted some ideas about improving the training. Did a little shopping after that - I went sort of crazy in the bookstore - books for vocational, kid books....I can never resist a bookstore! It was raining hard all day, so we ate at the mall - Maria had lamb chops and I had stir fry - great. Went to the movie and saw Indiana Jones....we both loved it....sort of cheezy but lots of action and Indy looked pretty good (old, but good). At the movie you sort of get disoriented and feel like you're in America! After that, we met some more PCVs at the mall and went for a snack at the New York Cafe - bagels, cheesecake, pizza - the dining area is in the parking ramp, but who cares?
Rain stopped and went to an African Craft market near the hotel, back for a bit and then to a nearby Indian restaurant. Maria and a few others went to the Casino at the mall (really close) to watch the Belmont - I pooped out - race was at 1:30 here! They had a great time and didn't lose! Casey (from Minnesota) went w. Maria - he's such a great guy. Forgot what a nice young man he is....YEA MINNESOTA!.

Going to do a little shopping now and then then go on home....have to haul all my stuff. Every time I buy stuff here I think "why did I do that", but love books and baskets which is most of what I bought. Can get woven baskets so cheap and they are so nice and good for organizing....I need to go home where I can't spend any more money! Good fun tho'. Maria and I went for a breakfast buffet at the Imperial Hotel and then off....we did spent a lot of time eating didn't we?

Hope all are well....it's been a roller coaster week....someday soon I may go to blogging every other week, but for now it's still all so interesting (to me) and newsworthy. Continue to be amazed by the spirit of the residents at PH. They work with some pretty awful disabilities but never fail to be hopeful and smile. Makes my life a lot easier! Busy week coming up with classes and meetings, but I like it that way. Was telling the PC staff person about the chicken plucking and she said "is that on your job plan" and I had to explain that EVERYONE helps and it's actually fun.....I'd be ashamed to not help, plus it was interesting and a good time. It's just a very different world.

Greg, again, hope you had a good birthday - I'll try to call. Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Had a brief afternoon of aching and chills Weds. afternoon but laid down for about 40 minutes and it was over.....keep on being lucky!

Take care and have a good summer!