This will probably be the shortest blog on record....I'm at the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference - almost over - and don't have my "notes" so will just do a quick review of the week - you are all probably very grateful. I was thinking I'd stop in Mukono on my way back to Nkokonjeru tomorrow a.m. but I'm not sure the internet cafe will be open that early on Sunday and I'm ready to go back to my apartment. Also, tomorrow there is a 1 year Birthday Party for Moses little girl, Fionna, and I hope to get to at least part of it!
Happy Birthday last week to Olivia, Gail and Jesse (tomorrow)...WOW!
The Conference has gone very well - lots of good presentations and some great outside contacts...the Ambassador came by today (he's leaving Uganda next week - being replaced by a new one soon - regime change??). It's been a lot of fun, but very intense and I'm tired. We had a good speaker on Agroforestry from "Trees for the Future"(headquartered in the U.S.) Am hoping to get some seeds to plant from them.
Back to last week. Sunday, we had visitors from Holland (Bake for Life) - fun group. Monday I went with Nelson to Mulago Hospital in Kampala with three of the children from the community he works with and two moms! A VERY long day - I was ready at 7:30 - we left at 9 a.m. and returned at 9 p.m. Had to wait a long time at the hospital - but probably not worse than Mayo Clinic! They all went to the Sickle Cell Clinic and one had then to see the pedicatrician in Acute Care. There were so many sick kids waiting. Plus we were all hungry and tired!
Tuesday I wanted to get lots done before I left but there were lots of difficulties. The guy who was to fix the stove said he would come Sunday (and confirmed it in a text) but didn't show Sunday. He came Monday, but of course they were using the stove. Said he would come "early" on Tuesday, I called him at 10 and he assured me he'd be there in 45 minutes - and came at 2:15. Then, he wanted me to get the materials ready - I was trying to start English class (CBR was finished) and we all were going to a funeral at 3:00! I really let him have it - I really don't usually yell, but I was so mad - I told him at least he could have texted me and told me the truth about coming. Ugandans usually tell you what they think you want to hear!!! He didn't seem repentant at all! The funeral was a last minute addition to the day, too - Moses told us in the a.m. that the grandfather of the little girl staying at PH who we got fitted w. leg braces had died - so we took a truck load (including her, two PH Sisters, Sister Ellen from the U.S., two visiting Brothers, and lots of kids) to the funeral. Her parents were there (she'd been left at the grandparents years ago w. her siblings when the parents split and re-settled). THey were there but there was not a good feeling between them or her and either one and she was anxious to get back in the truck and return to PH (her Grandfather had been her major supporter - grandmother was too busy digging and working).
It seemed like I was behind all day Tuesday - well, I was. Wanted to get things ready for being gone for four days - it's hard!
I am very impressed at the Conference about all the things the PCVs in our group are doing - most seem to really have hit their stride and have some very interesting projects going and keeping busy. Some are still struggling, but all in all, they are doing well. The "oldest" group leaves in October and then we will be the "old" group - WOW! There are two groups behind us - a nice feeling.
Hope you all have a good week.....and a great Fourth of July!!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - June 20, 2009
I just tried 3 times and waited 6 minutes for "new post" to appear - then called the kid to come and see and it opened right up!!! I think computers don't like me! I'm in Mukono on a quick a.m. trip (which is turning out to not be so quick since the computer hates me)...the bank/P.O./grocery/blog trip! I will be gone a lot this week and trying to cover all my bases before - will spend most of the rest of the weekend getting ready for and trying to find someone to cover my classes!!! Monday I'm going to Nelson (O.T.) to Mulago with some of his kids and Wednesday to Sunday is the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference. The "committee" has to be at the office Weds. to do final planning - it's been a lot more work than I thought when I signed up (that happens often).
Onward - I'm reading a very heavy (scholarly AND big) book given to me by the Duke graduate student (Dan) - called Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier - it's about the fighting in the Congo after the Rwandan Genocide till today...massively footnoted and very detailed! Every one in central Africa (and beyond) was involved. The author is French and really doesn't care for any of the participants! (U.S. included - but also France's meddling)
Last Thursday I was in Kampala for a meeting on the AVC (All Volunteer Conference) when I blogged. The week has gone fast - after I got home I went down to PH (Providence Home) to "check in" and they delivered the re-furbished cabinet for the production sewing area - Sr. Goretti went on Friday to buy materials for uniform shirts for our shoe students and then for petticoats for Sisters for sale! The four kids really need to get better before they start the Sister's things - Sr. Goretti had them ripping apart the shirts they had made because of pretty sloppy work - they weren't supervised but they are supposed to be ready to go out and work....I keep blaming it on their teacher who is really sloppy (we do so need a replacement but none to be found in these parts). It's a struggle - also the machines keep breaking - we can get them serviced, but I'm not sure the kids are using them well w/o supervision (something they should also know by this time).
Friday I was up early to get ready for Math....it went much better today than last week. In the slower class we used fake money (cardboard coins and paper bills) to count money and make change, but they had a hard time w. the concept of fake money (or they are totally unfamiliar w. Ugandan coins/bills which is also possible)....I wanted to challenge the faster class but may have overdone it w. changing fractions, changing cm to metres and back and computing measurements. We'll keep at it! I had them figure how to cut a piece of material 2m long into 3 pieces - first transfer to cm and then divide - I think they were thinking, just fold it over 3 x and forget the measuring (not a bad idea!).
In the afternoon I walked up to RASD to use the computer and to talk to them about how to go about handling a possible donation of a sand water filter for drinking water (that's RASD's speciality). I came back to welcome Sr. Goretti home from shopping and see 2 girls (about 10) get questioned and then punished for stealing money from another girl's foot locker (they used the key to open it and take stuff - then found in their boxes). There is lots of stealing at PH and they don't see it as wrong if they get away with it! In class, I was asking about it and one of the boys said "we're poor, and other people have things...and we want them"....simple!
Satuday I washed and cleaned...hung our sheets and towels. I went down to PH about 9:30 and it poured!!! Good for the rain - it's been dry for two weeks and people were worried that the dry season had started early - lots of crops still in the gardens! My clothes had a Downy rain fresh rinse and were dry by 6 p.m.
I am constantly struck by the endless variety of the days here - on Saturday afternoon we were waiting for some people from a pharmaceutical company to come (they said 10 but it was 1)...we'd invited the North Korean doctors down to sign off on the meds the company was donating. Two of the doctors came at 10:30 (after the rain) and had a nice visit w. Sr. Juliet, but had to go. I went to town to buy some baskets to mail - certainly made the day of the lady in the shop (it's run by women affected by HIV/AIDS). The people finally arrived and it turned out to be a pharmaceutical company w. a nurse to see sick people - and the UBC (Ugandan Broadcast Co) who filmed the event!!! They saw some children from the community (thanks to Moses) and from PH - mainly flu, colds, malaria - and gave out meds. Some children from PH lined us just for the "give away" - one little boy cried because he wasn't sick and couldn't get any of whatever it was they were given every one else!!! They left some medications and we got to watch the promotional video (for us but mainly for the pharmaceutical company) on the news that night!!!
Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi and the bishop of Lugazi Diocese came to Nkokoneru for a big 10 a.m. Mass and then a 2 hour procession to various sites w. a large crowd to venerate the host.....they ended at PH. The Bishop then stayed for a little presentation and lunch (at 4 p.m.). Sr. Juliet put me NEXT to the Bishop - yikes! Fortunately he's traveled a lot and we pretty much stuck to his favorite places!
Monday after English, Holly and I joined someone from PC staff at the Ridah Hotel in Seeta where the conference will be held to talk to the staff - and esp. the chef. He was really nice and think we'll get more "American" foods this time - garlic mashed potatoes vs. matoke! I had a nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are really fun and lots of good conversations. Gloria and Dan (the graduate student) are working with a local Savings and Credit Association, Alex and Loren are in engineering and trying to make charcoal out of coffee husks and other worthwhile projects...very interesting.
Tuesday I woke up tired.....still have bad dreams the nites after I take the malaria medication - (Methloquin)....lots of monsters eating people (ugh). CBR went well. We are going through the 2008 glasses' lists and having the "town crier" (he uses a sound system) announce the names of local people who haven't picked up their glasses yet on market day (Monday)- it's getting results. One elderly resident of PH got his glasses and was so excited he gave me four ears of corn!!! Moses went out to see the malnourished 2 year old and it's not going so well - she's lost weight since she left Mulago - they just don't have the food she needs. I send out porridge mix and dry milk, but it only last so long (and not sure if the girl gets it all).
In English I read a story w. pictures about building a house (I make copies for everyone), did "house building" vocabulary and then they had to draw their "dream house" - everyone drew such modest structures - and say something about it in English - it actually went pretty well!
There is a Sister from New Jersey, Sister Ellen, (about my age) staying at PH for 2 weeks - she's a Franciscan Sister of Peace and wanted to see how things work in African congregations - she's really a lot of fun and very energetic! (like I was at the start I think - I'm wearing down)
Holly has been really busy. She works w. Project Hope - a program that has volunteers who assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. She just got a grant to teach them (and some victims and some of Moses' community health workers) in First Aid - YEA! And she's organizing a 5K walk/run (get ready to pledge) on Aug. 1 to raise money to continue their teaching Life Skills (AIDS prevention and self-esteem) in the Secondary Schools!
Didas has just finished the shoe order (YEA) and put the 3rd new sole on my brown ECCO sandals!!!
Wednesday and Thursday were "catch up" days - actually, I did very little! Gloria (from Duke) and the mom and daughter from Florida who are staying 2 months in Nkokonjeru have been coming down some to help with the kids in the afternoon - the kids love new people and the attention!
Thursday nite I got a call from Sr. Juliet at 11:30 and she said she'd forgotten that Sr. Melody (who used to be here) was graduating from a 6 mo. program Friday and Sr. Ellen and I should go with her to the ceremony - leave at 7 a.m. She'd found a visiting Ugandan Sister who would take my math class - I revised my workplan - I was going to practice making change again and had gotten bananas to reward the ones who got it right (and eventually everyone)....dropped that plan since Ugandans really are not used to that sort of activity. The graduation was very nice but it was a LONG day . We met lots of really impressive Sisters!!! They do a great service here in East Africa!
So, now I'm in Mukono - sorry the blog is so long.....next week will be short w. the Conference. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Fathers - hope it's a good one and nice weather to grill!
Take care and thanks again and again for your prayers, thoughts, mail - just everything. It's sort of the mid-range of time and I'm feeling a bit deflated - but I still have lots to do and my grant to plan and distribute - plus help w. Holly's projects coming up and then the trip home! It will go fast!!!
Onward - I'm reading a very heavy (scholarly AND big) book given to me by the Duke graduate student (Dan) - called Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier - it's about the fighting in the Congo after the Rwandan Genocide till today...massively footnoted and very detailed! Every one in central Africa (and beyond) was involved. The author is French and really doesn't care for any of the participants! (U.S. included - but also France's meddling)
Last Thursday I was in Kampala for a meeting on the AVC (All Volunteer Conference) when I blogged. The week has gone fast - after I got home I went down to PH (Providence Home) to "check in" and they delivered the re-furbished cabinet for the production sewing area - Sr. Goretti went on Friday to buy materials for uniform shirts for our shoe students and then for petticoats for Sisters for sale! The four kids really need to get better before they start the Sister's things - Sr. Goretti had them ripping apart the shirts they had made because of pretty sloppy work - they weren't supervised but they are supposed to be ready to go out and work....I keep blaming it on their teacher who is really sloppy (we do so need a replacement but none to be found in these parts). It's a struggle - also the machines keep breaking - we can get them serviced, but I'm not sure the kids are using them well w/o supervision (something they should also know by this time).
Friday I was up early to get ready for Math....it went much better today than last week. In the slower class we used fake money (cardboard coins and paper bills) to count money and make change, but they had a hard time w. the concept of fake money (or they are totally unfamiliar w. Ugandan coins/bills which is also possible)....I wanted to challenge the faster class but may have overdone it w. changing fractions, changing cm to metres and back and computing measurements. We'll keep at it! I had them figure how to cut a piece of material 2m long into 3 pieces - first transfer to cm and then divide - I think they were thinking, just fold it over 3 x and forget the measuring (not a bad idea!).
In the afternoon I walked up to RASD to use the computer and to talk to them about how to go about handling a possible donation of a sand water filter for drinking water (that's RASD's speciality). I came back to welcome Sr. Goretti home from shopping and see 2 girls (about 10) get questioned and then punished for stealing money from another girl's foot locker (they used the key to open it and take stuff - then found in their boxes). There is lots of stealing at PH and they don't see it as wrong if they get away with it! In class, I was asking about it and one of the boys said "we're poor, and other people have things...and we want them"....simple!
Satuday I washed and cleaned...hung our sheets and towels. I went down to PH about 9:30 and it poured!!! Good for the rain - it's been dry for two weeks and people were worried that the dry season had started early - lots of crops still in the gardens! My clothes had a Downy rain fresh rinse and were dry by 6 p.m.
I am constantly struck by the endless variety of the days here - on Saturday afternoon we were waiting for some people from a pharmaceutical company to come (they said 10 but it was 1)...we'd invited the North Korean doctors down to sign off on the meds the company was donating. Two of the doctors came at 10:30 (after the rain) and had a nice visit w. Sr. Juliet, but had to go. I went to town to buy some baskets to mail - certainly made the day of the lady in the shop (it's run by women affected by HIV/AIDS). The people finally arrived and it turned out to be a pharmaceutical company w. a nurse to see sick people - and the UBC (Ugandan Broadcast Co) who filmed the event!!! They saw some children from the community (thanks to Moses) and from PH - mainly flu, colds, malaria - and gave out meds. Some children from PH lined us just for the "give away" - one little boy cried because he wasn't sick and couldn't get any of whatever it was they were given every one else!!! They left some medications and we got to watch the promotional video (for us but mainly for the pharmaceutical company) on the news that night!!!
Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi and the bishop of Lugazi Diocese came to Nkokoneru for a big 10 a.m. Mass and then a 2 hour procession to various sites w. a large crowd to venerate the host.....they ended at PH. The Bishop then stayed for a little presentation and lunch (at 4 p.m.). Sr. Juliet put me NEXT to the Bishop - yikes! Fortunately he's traveled a lot and we pretty much stuck to his favorite places!
Monday after English, Holly and I joined someone from PC staff at the Ridah Hotel in Seeta where the conference will be held to talk to the staff - and esp. the chef. He was really nice and think we'll get more "American" foods this time - garlic mashed potatoes vs. matoke! I had a nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are really fun and lots of good conversations. Gloria and Dan (the graduate student) are working with a local Savings and Credit Association, Alex and Loren are in engineering and trying to make charcoal out of coffee husks and other worthwhile projects...very interesting.
Tuesday I woke up tired.....still have bad dreams the nites after I take the malaria medication - (Methloquin)....lots of monsters eating people (ugh). CBR went well. We are going through the 2008 glasses' lists and having the "town crier" (he uses a sound system) announce the names of local people who haven't picked up their glasses yet on market day (Monday)- it's getting results. One elderly resident of PH got his glasses and was so excited he gave me four ears of corn!!! Moses went out to see the malnourished 2 year old and it's not going so well - she's lost weight since she left Mulago - they just don't have the food she needs. I send out porridge mix and dry milk, but it only last so long (and not sure if the girl gets it all).
In English I read a story w. pictures about building a house (I make copies for everyone), did "house building" vocabulary and then they had to draw their "dream house" - everyone drew such modest structures - and say something about it in English - it actually went pretty well!
There is a Sister from New Jersey, Sister Ellen, (about my age) staying at PH for 2 weeks - she's a Franciscan Sister of Peace and wanted to see how things work in African congregations - she's really a lot of fun and very energetic! (like I was at the start I think - I'm wearing down)
Holly has been really busy. She works w. Project Hope - a program that has volunteers who assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. She just got a grant to teach them (and some victims and some of Moses' community health workers) in First Aid - YEA! And she's organizing a 5K walk/run (get ready to pledge) on Aug. 1 to raise money to continue their teaching Life Skills (AIDS prevention and self-esteem) in the Secondary Schools!
Didas has just finished the shoe order (YEA) and put the 3rd new sole on my brown ECCO sandals!!!
Wednesday and Thursday were "catch up" days - actually, I did very little! Gloria (from Duke) and the mom and daughter from Florida who are staying 2 months in Nkokonjeru have been coming down some to help with the kids in the afternoon - the kids love new people and the attention!
Thursday nite I got a call from Sr. Juliet at 11:30 and she said she'd forgotten that Sr. Melody (who used to be here) was graduating from a 6 mo. program Friday and Sr. Ellen and I should go with her to the ceremony - leave at 7 a.m. She'd found a visiting Ugandan Sister who would take my math class - I revised my workplan - I was going to practice making change again and had gotten bananas to reward the ones who got it right (and eventually everyone)....dropped that plan since Ugandans really are not used to that sort of activity. The graduation was very nice but it was a LONG day . We met lots of really impressive Sisters!!! They do a great service here in East Africa!
So, now I'm in Mukono - sorry the blog is so long.....next week will be short w. the Conference. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Fathers - hope it's a good one and nice weather to grill!
Take care and thanks again and again for your prayers, thoughts, mail - just everything. It's sort of the mid-range of time and I'm feeling a bit deflated - but I still have lots to do and my grant to plan and distribute - plus help w. Holly's projects coming up and then the trip home! It will go fast!!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
16 months down and 10 to Go!! June 11, 2009
My title is probably not the best was to start - but it's how I count time!!! I am really enjoying my work here and especially the kids and the people I work with, but I miss home, too. I got a nasty cold this week (my first "illness" in Uganda) - haven't had to stay home, but sometimes I feel like I'm running down - liek I came w. really lots of energy but have to push harder these days to get things done! I'm hoping my vacation at home in August will revitalize me!!!
I'm having fun with the four students from Duke University working here for 2 months - really a smart, high energy bunch! Two are working w. a local Savings and Loan (actually a private credit organization) and the others are working on projects like biomass charcoal (from corn husks) and a solar cooker - neat projects. I have dinner w. them at the guest house occasionally - lots of good conversation! Initially, one of them teased us (Holly, Shari and I) about our obsession w. food (mainly "American" food we can't get easily) but after almost 3 weeks that's their main topic of conversation too!!!
Satuday I went to Kampala to get my electric tea kettle fixed - I made it to the center of town to look for light blue material for more uniform shirts - bummed that the shop we buy from was out of that color and I didn't have a sample so while I looked elsewhere didn't feel I should buy. Being down there reminded me of what I don't like about inner Kampala - dirt, noise, pollution, smells (garbage, urine), sidewalks full of people selling, streets full of people, cars, motorcycles - there are lots of potholes full of water thrown out from bathing, washing, etc. It's hard to visualize I'm sure.....the "kids" love the energy there - I do my business and retreat.
The garden is giving us lots of lettuce, cucumbers and beans. Not all is lost with the leaf mold, tho' the cucumbers seem to be getting infected (darn). I've asked a lot of people what the problem is and get lots of different answers but no solutions (sort of typical for here). I think maybe the site is too level and gets too much roof run off and the problem is drainage. But we are enjoying what we have - adds variety to the diet. The kids at PH still cannot believe that we eat lettuce and cucumbers (things they've never seen) raw!!!
Sunday I worked a long time w. Sr. Juliet to update our website - Gail is re-doing the text and adding new pictures (thanks Gail). The site is www.providencehomeuganda.org if you're interested. Got it all edited, attachment attached....and the internet went off!!! Six months ago that would have made me crazy - now it's "oh, well, I'll try tomorrow". Started to get the "library" organized - put cards in all the books Anne and Corky have sent (mainly Junior books and easy readers) - I am worried about getting them back when kids take them out, but we'll see. We signed four out Monday a.m.!!! Alex, one of the students, is helping me.
I went on a nice walk - decided to start walking again in the evening to clear my head - there was a beautiful sunset and I helped a little girl carry some gerry cans of water home and untangled a baby goat (they are tied up all day and this one got really tangled and was struggling - took my keys and cut some of the foliage holding the rope). Met Joseph, the piggery builder, who said he's very busy and also building his own piggery - I couldn't help but add that I'm not surprised since he was so well paid for our project!! (maybe even some of our materials???).
Monday for English class Alex, a Duke student, gave a lecture on Compost translated by Fred. Kids were good and asked questions - he said it was his most attentive audience to date. In the afternoon three of theDuke kids came down to help w. the "Music and Movement Group" - they really enjoyed themselves and the kids loved it.
Tuesday we had a busy CBR day - Moses was out with Nelson doing home visits to Cerebral Palsy children so Kinene helped. Also, visiting PH for the day was a teacher of the deaf and a young lady from the UK who teaches deaf/blind there on a short term volunteer stint. They helped us assess a new 2 year old client whose parents thought was deaf (she didn't think so), and partially paralyzed after a high fever at 6 mos. They said they would take him to Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center for a PT assessment....hope they do. He's young and seemed smart and exercises could really make a difference. We'll try to follow up.
Didas is almost done with the shoe order - he's made 40 pairs of girls school shoes for Stella Maris Primary School (actually, they are shoes for girls sponsored by Caritas, a U.S. organization). Simon, a recent graduate, is back to help. We got the payment money and it worked out well - we were able to pay Didas and Simon and still make a profit - he really estimated well and priced well - the profit isn't huge, but it will help purchase more materials. I gave Didas 2000sh/shoe ($1) and Simon 1,000/shoe (.50) and they were very happy - Didas only makes 50,000/month to teach plus what he gets for repairs so it was a nice bonus!!! He did a great job and they have worked hard! I really appreciated their effort!
I had promised to go to see a primary, residential school for the blind in Kisoga (1/2 hour away) - met a teacher on the matatu and he kept calling me. I was sort of sorry I said yes, but after going I'm so glad I did (that happens often). They have 60 blind students (or partially sighted) and several blind teachers....very nice facility and like PH they kids seem healthy and happy....I went out w. the kids and teachers to their banana garden to cut matoke bananas....the partially sighted help the truly blind!!! Just amazing - they all pick corn together,too!!! From there I went to visit the Italian Sisters at their clinic in Kisoga - they are amazing, too. They are about my age and so energetic - adorable accent! They are nurses and have a really nice, clean clinic - lots of patients, too!! Then stopped to see Benedicto (the boy who had his leg amputated) and his pig (both look good). I'm hoping he can come to PH someday to either study shoemaking or try to finish Primary School (two years to go and he's 18).....he ahd to take lots of time off because of no money. He's still angry at his lameness - it's only been 6 months I guess - think time at PH would help that! This is shameless begging, but if anyone has an "extra" $250 (hard in these times, I know), we could get him an artificial lower leg which would help. I don't like to use the blog to "beg" but you never know who's out there!!!
I got back to PH much later than I expected (no surprise) - long wait for the matatu in Kisoga - but all in all delightful day of visiting. The Nkokonjeru parish priest (Father Jembe - really a great guy) came to say Mass and afterwards went out and blessed the piggery and pigs, and the new cow. Very nice - but he kept thanking me, and I kept saying, "No, it's all from my church" - wish you all could have been there to get the recognition!!!
Hope you are all well - life here is certainly busy and interesting. Fred and Sula went to the brewery yesterday and came back w. a ton of brewer's mash for the animals - guess it really sells fast!!! My grant has all been approved. I don't have the money yet, but we are in the planning stages - deciding what to make and how to sell it. Also, what to plant for the school gardens - I want to add some variety to the diet - people here don't think that's a good idea - I think it stems from being on the cusp of being w/o food - if you try a new thing and it doesn't work what do you eat? (like our zuccini tho' we'll try again). Hope to plant some cabbages which are common but we don't have any at present. Some days I really do feel my head is whirling (doesn't take much)!
Thanks again for all your support - just knowing you're reading this makes me feel good!!! And I hope you're learning a little about life in Uganda. It's a good life here - shouldn't complain (tho' I do sometimes).....hope you are all well and enjoying the Summer.
I'm having fun with the four students from Duke University working here for 2 months - really a smart, high energy bunch! Two are working w. a local Savings and Loan (actually a private credit organization) and the others are working on projects like biomass charcoal (from corn husks) and a solar cooker - neat projects. I have dinner w. them at the guest house occasionally - lots of good conversation! Initially, one of them teased us (Holly, Shari and I) about our obsession w. food (mainly "American" food we can't get easily) but after almost 3 weeks that's their main topic of conversation too!!!
Satuday I went to Kampala to get my electric tea kettle fixed - I made it to the center of town to look for light blue material for more uniform shirts - bummed that the shop we buy from was out of that color and I didn't have a sample so while I looked elsewhere didn't feel I should buy. Being down there reminded me of what I don't like about inner Kampala - dirt, noise, pollution, smells (garbage, urine), sidewalks full of people selling, streets full of people, cars, motorcycles - there are lots of potholes full of water thrown out from bathing, washing, etc. It's hard to visualize I'm sure.....the "kids" love the energy there - I do my business and retreat.
The garden is giving us lots of lettuce, cucumbers and beans. Not all is lost with the leaf mold, tho' the cucumbers seem to be getting infected (darn). I've asked a lot of people what the problem is and get lots of different answers but no solutions (sort of typical for here). I think maybe the site is too level and gets too much roof run off and the problem is drainage. But we are enjoying what we have - adds variety to the diet. The kids at PH still cannot believe that we eat lettuce and cucumbers (things they've never seen) raw!!!
Sunday I worked a long time w. Sr. Juliet to update our website - Gail is re-doing the text and adding new pictures (thanks Gail). The site is www.providencehomeuganda.org if you're interested. Got it all edited, attachment attached....and the internet went off!!! Six months ago that would have made me crazy - now it's "oh, well, I'll try tomorrow". Started to get the "library" organized - put cards in all the books Anne and Corky have sent (mainly Junior books and easy readers) - I am worried about getting them back when kids take them out, but we'll see. We signed four out Monday a.m.!!! Alex, one of the students, is helping me.
I went on a nice walk - decided to start walking again in the evening to clear my head - there was a beautiful sunset and I helped a little girl carry some gerry cans of water home and untangled a baby goat (they are tied up all day and this one got really tangled and was struggling - took my keys and cut some of the foliage holding the rope). Met Joseph, the piggery builder, who said he's very busy and also building his own piggery - I couldn't help but add that I'm not surprised since he was so well paid for our project!! (maybe even some of our materials???).
Monday for English class Alex, a Duke student, gave a lecture on Compost translated by Fred. Kids were good and asked questions - he said it was his most attentive audience to date. In the afternoon three of theDuke kids came down to help w. the "Music and Movement Group" - they really enjoyed themselves and the kids loved it.
Tuesday we had a busy CBR day - Moses was out with Nelson doing home visits to Cerebral Palsy children so Kinene helped. Also, visiting PH for the day was a teacher of the deaf and a young lady from the UK who teaches deaf/blind there on a short term volunteer stint. They helped us assess a new 2 year old client whose parents thought was deaf (she didn't think so), and partially paralyzed after a high fever at 6 mos. They said they would take him to Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center for a PT assessment....hope they do. He's young and seemed smart and exercises could really make a difference. We'll try to follow up.
Didas is almost done with the shoe order - he's made 40 pairs of girls school shoes for Stella Maris Primary School (actually, they are shoes for girls sponsored by Caritas, a U.S. organization). Simon, a recent graduate, is back to help. We got the payment money and it worked out well - we were able to pay Didas and Simon and still make a profit - he really estimated well and priced well - the profit isn't huge, but it will help purchase more materials. I gave Didas 2000sh/shoe ($1) and Simon 1,000/shoe (.50) and they were very happy - Didas only makes 50,000/month to teach plus what he gets for repairs so it was a nice bonus!!! He did a great job and they have worked hard! I really appreciated their effort!
I had promised to go to see a primary, residential school for the blind in Kisoga (1/2 hour away) - met a teacher on the matatu and he kept calling me. I was sort of sorry I said yes, but after going I'm so glad I did (that happens often). They have 60 blind students (or partially sighted) and several blind teachers....very nice facility and like PH they kids seem healthy and happy....I went out w. the kids and teachers to their banana garden to cut matoke bananas....the partially sighted help the truly blind!!! Just amazing - they all pick corn together,too!!! From there I went to visit the Italian Sisters at their clinic in Kisoga - they are amazing, too. They are about my age and so energetic - adorable accent! They are nurses and have a really nice, clean clinic - lots of patients, too!! Then stopped to see Benedicto (the boy who had his leg amputated) and his pig (both look good). I'm hoping he can come to PH someday to either study shoemaking or try to finish Primary School (two years to go and he's 18).....he ahd to take lots of time off because of no money. He's still angry at his lameness - it's only been 6 months I guess - think time at PH would help that! This is shameless begging, but if anyone has an "extra" $250 (hard in these times, I know), we could get him an artificial lower leg which would help. I don't like to use the blog to "beg" but you never know who's out there!!!
I got back to PH much later than I expected (no surprise) - long wait for the matatu in Kisoga - but all in all delightful day of visiting. The Nkokonjeru parish priest (Father Jembe - really a great guy) came to say Mass and afterwards went out and blessed the piggery and pigs, and the new cow. Very nice - but he kept thanking me, and I kept saying, "No, it's all from my church" - wish you all could have been there to get the recognition!!!
Hope you are all well - life here is certainly busy and interesting. Fred and Sula went to the brewery yesterday and came back w. a ton of brewer's mash for the animals - guess it really sells fast!!! My grant has all been approved. I don't have the money yet, but we are in the planning stages - deciding what to make and how to sell it. Also, what to plant for the school gardens - I want to add some variety to the diet - people here don't think that's a good idea - I think it stems from being on the cusp of being w/o food - if you try a new thing and it doesn't work what do you eat? (like our zuccini tho' we'll try again). Hope to plant some cabbages which are common but we don't have any at present. Some days I really do feel my head is whirling (doesn't take much)!
Thanks again for all your support - just knowing you're reading this makes me feel good!!! And I hope you're learning a little about life in Uganda. It's a good life here - shouldn't complain (tho' I do sometimes).....hope you are all well and enjoying the Summer.
Friday, June 5, 2009
It's June Already - 6-5-09
| Almost Happy Birthday to Greg!!! This blog is long, so get a beverage - well, not too long, just a busy week. We had a great weekend in Jinja - I met Maria in Mukono and we went together to Jinja. Our hotel was on the outskirts of town but only 100 yds. from the start of the Marathon and right by the Source of the Nile park! It was an old colonial house made into a hotel and suited us just fine (only bummer was that the TV didn't work). We had a lovely dinner at a nearby place called the Nile Reflections - I had beef fajitas which were wonderful!!! Jinja had some good eating places but the town needs some paint and street repairs. Satuday we went to a weaving shop and to Bujagali Falls. It's really just rapids used now to raft, but we had a great lunch at the Nile Explorers Resort - Chicken Ceasar wrap eaten by the pool - also swam (life in PC is hard!). One of the Duke kids asked why we obsess about food - we really don't (well, maybe we do) but it's about the accessibility of the food we're used to - if you want Mexican, you go to the store or to a Mexican restaurant - it's a LOT more difficult here!!! Sunday was the race - started at 9:40 (40 minutes late) and it was HOT and humid. Holly did very well - 2 hrs. and 20 minutes. They finished at the Source of the Nile Park - very nice! A bunch of us went back to the Nile Reflections for lunch and then I came back w. the Duke kids (2 of them ran) On Satuday they rafted the rapids - they said it was good, but scary!. Monday we started classes - had English with only 10, but it was fun. Really trying to get them to talk in English - am planning on bribing them w. candy - bad, but I'm desperate!!! They don't speak English for the same reasons I don't speak Ugandan - I think I'll sound dumb and I really can't express myself as well - pretty good reasons I think! Another elderly Sister died on Sunday; They sang all Monday nite - a favorite is "I will raise him up on the last day".....it really is beautiful! Josephine (a Senior at a school in Kisoga) kept calling about some breast pain - she'd heard a radio program on breast cancer and was sure that was it. I went over to Kisoga to talk to her and gave her money to get an X-ray - the school nurse was taking kids to the Lugazi hospital the next day. It turned out to be mastitis and the Dr. assured her it was not cancer - hope that's finished!!! (she's 17 and no history of cancer plus the Dr. in Nkokonjeru had done an exam and said it was O.K.) I got FOUR boxes last Friday and sent them back on the Nkokonjeru matatu to Holly while I went on to Jinja; opened them Monday night and they were super - two from St. Johns (sent to the people in the service; I feel honored to be included in that group). Lots of neat stuff we shared (snacks), and cool crafts In the other boxes I got a new pair of sandals, and a new skirt and tops for Mother's Day. I wore the skirt on Thursday and everyone at PH commented - guess my stuff is getting a little old! I do plan to leave all my clothes here (or what's left of them). Tuesday we took four children to CoRSU (the orthopedic hospital). Ben (the boy w. the amputated leg) for review; Sharon for surgery on two badly clubbed feet - she's 10 and can't walk at all. The doctor couldn't do surgery because of infected sores on her feet - got her antibiotics and will try again in 2 weeks; Barbara for a growth on her sternum that they decided was benign; and Paul, a resident w. hydrocephalis and a hump back...can't do surgery for either at this point. Sula (our driver) and I went to Mulago hospital and left Moses at CoRSU (and he did great). We met w. Justine's doctors and got her discharged (w. some arguing - I was determined to pull a "muzungu" on them, but wasn't needed). They wanted her to stay to take antibiotics and eat better, but mom was buying food and trying to economize and so we convinced them she should go. We took her back to CoRSU and they kept her there so they didn't get to go home, but at least the services at CoRSU are better - the Doctors at Mulago are good, but it's SO understaffed! Sula laughed when we were taking her out - there was no wheelchair in the orthopedic ward (go figure) so we went to the ER and just took one out of a closet! I did tell him I'm pushy even for an American! Wedneday was a Holiday - Ugandan Martyr's Day (you can google it). No school and the kids were bored. I was enjoying it!!! Holly cut my hair and we put up mosquito netting over her windows to slow the flow of bugs. We went down to the garden but the mold is really bad on the one side and our zuccini are rotten - very bummed. Leaf lettuce is great, tho' and cucumbers still look good. Did some coloring w. the little kids and I was done for the day. Thursday we went to Iganga to get the cow! Sula drove and Fred (the business manager) and Vincent (the animal caretaker) went along. We bought the one from the Sister at the baby orphanage - The cow's name is Maria, and she's about 2 1/2 and has had one calf and is pg (due in November). We're trying to re-create her diet there which consisted of maize bran (the outer husk of the kernal), brewers mash (from the beer brewery in Jinja), cotten seed cakes, and then elephant grass, banana peels and other greens! We hope to keep her well and happy! She was producing 18-20 liters a day which is really good for here. She produced 7 Thursday nite, but it had been a hard day. Friday a.m. the kids had porridge w. milk - a great treat! I missed most of the epilepsy clinic, but Moses and Nelson did great (I knew they would)...time to start letting go!!! Today, we had Math class - doing it in 2 sections seems to work better. I was able to spend a lot more time w. the slow kids, but now I need to really crank up the "better" class! Good day - got to check my e-mails and blog. Going to Kampala tomorrow to return my electric coffee pot - got it at Game and have a receipt thankfully. Will try to brave going into town to get some material for the advanced sewing kids to make more uniform shirts for the shoemaking students.....I really dislike the crowds and the pushing (and the smells) in the central area of town. I tend ot stick to the outskirts and the malls. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. And thanks to St. Johns for the great boxes - it was just like Christmas!!!! |
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