WOW - hope you in Montgomery are having a good time.....can't say I miss Kolacky Days a lot - I do enjoy working at the softball games and the bike ride and watching the run but all the crowds aren't my thing! But, I do hope it's VERY successful and the weather is good!
Am in Kampala for the day to get some things done, get some bagels and see Harry Potter! (yes, even in Uganda - there's a nice Theater at the Mall). Joining some PC people - Maria was going to come but had to cancel - darn!!!
I leave in just over a week!!! I'm SO excited to be home and see everyone - we spend a week at Lake Vermillion first - all the grandkids will be there! Not sure about Jean and Kody - they leave San Francisco Aug. 8 but maybe - will see them later if not then. Gail said that my obsession w. food is a newand surprising thing. I never thought I'd be this concerned about what I'mgoing to eat. Olive Garden here I come! Also, going to a Twins game and Gopher football scrimmage! When our group arrived in Uganda in 2008 we talked to a group leaving and all they talked about was the U.S. and what you could get and do there. Like it was the Promised Land . We thought "have you forgotten there are problems there,too?" - well, the answer is, " Yes you do!". In our fantasies it all is wonderful!
On to the week's story - Friday I sat in at Holly's First Aid Class - there were 14 people - really good group of village health volunteers who were SO appreciative of the information (and two days out w. lunch!!!). It was all in Lugandan, but we stayed for moral support - the people had lots of questions for the medical people who presented. Alex (a student) taught my math classes - he does a good job (for $.50/class!). I have the lesson and papers ready but he's a good teacher! Nice to have someone to fill in.
Nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are slowly leaving - the last on Monday. Gloria (Korean) and Dan made some great food for the dinner - spicy stuff! Gloria's mother is visiting and brought some Korean ingredients!!!
Saturday's class went well, too. Lunch was catered by a women's group by Moses' home - lots of food at $1.00/plate!!! Exactly the same both days, but the people loved it. Matoke, rice, beef (one chunk of boiled beef), cooked cabbage and sweet potatoes.....it was good - but the same!
Saturday afternoon, Gloria (Duke) came down to videotape the kids singing - she's putting together a website to send to friends - what a job! The Sisters were all gone to a meeting and Mubiru, the headboy, struggled valiently. I finally gave them a lecture about Gloria wanting to raise some money for PH and they needed to cooperate - Holly said it was funny - Quote: "Are you tired of not having enough food? - THEN SING!!" It worked!
Sunday Didas and I were supposed to sell shoes at the Stella Maris (school) Visiting Day, but he texted me at 5:30a.m. and said that his son in Kbale area (way west) was very sick and his wife was bringing him to Kamapla for more testing so he was meeting them in Kampala. I was too scared to go on my own (and measure for new shoes - or even sell), so had a pretty quiet day.
Monday was one of those "goofy" days - English went well, then the kids were supposed to go to a NAADS meeting (National Agricultural Advisory group) to talk about possible projects - had to organize the pushers to get everyone to the meeting site!!! The sewing machine repair guy came and finished - good work. Now Didas has two shoe machines!!! I teased him about being satisfied - don't press for 3 machines! (we have some other old ones but they are expensive to rehab - the one we did - which was part of the SPA grant cost 261,000 sh ($130) - but now it's done and usable). Didas was back Monday - his little boy was being treated in their village for malaria but had pneumonia and tested positive for sickle cell (bummer)...we talked a bit about Sickle Cell and how care is getting better and w. good diet and medical management he'll be O.K. It's hard tho'.
It's been very hot and dry (same in Minnesota?)...and the water tanks were officailly empty by Tuesday - there are 6 big tanks - but the kids waste water when it's available. Now they have to travel to "the dam" to get water - Sula took me to see where - it's a concrete resevoir a ways away and down a very steep path - not safe at all. Then they have to reach into the resevoir and hold a gerry can under a spigot - tough job for all the able bodied.
Tuesday Sister, Kinene and I went to the Katelemwa Rehab Center for a meeting about the formation of several parent groups in the surrounding areas. We've been trying to get something going w. their help - they originally promised money for the groups to start Income Generating Projects, but that hasn't panned out so for now they are Parent Learning Committees that are focused on education about disabilities, the rights of the disabled and what they can do as parents to help their children and advocate for better services. It really sounds good and we hope to get two groups going before the end of the year. They also will do another assessment clinic at Nkokonjeru, but not at PH - we are going to ask the city officials to do it at the Town Offices or the Town Health Center. The aimis to try to get people to NOT look at PH as the place to get help,but to expect it from their government! It will be a long process, but it's a good start if it works. The Town Council people get money to service the disabled - last year it was all used on roads! The politicos expect PH to handle it all w/o them parting w. any money! We want the parents to get together and demand that the designated funds go to the disabled! High Hopes!!! I'll miss the clinic (if it happens as scheduled in early Aug.), but this is a LONG term project.
Lots of things will wait till September - esp. the grant purchases. Just not enough time during the school term and things take a long time to get done!
Rading Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri - Jean sent it - interesting book. I get to go to bookclub when I'm back - YEA!.
Wednesday I went to RASD to get some typing done - exams and reports - bakery printer isn't working. We have two new visitors from Holland - Jan and Maggie - both are PE teachers and doing lots of sports/games - nice people!!!
Mubiru, an 18 year old resident, is making lots of cards for me to bring home - I started him off w. material and sold them at the PC conference and have made my investment back plus some for him, so will try again! They have banana tree fiber pictures on the front. Gave him some money and he's going on a class trip next week - a "geography tour"to Mt.Elgon in eastern Uganda. First time ever on a class trip - it's 30,000 sh ($15) and none of the PH kids ever get to go. Felt like if it's the only thing I do here it will have been worth it - he's SO excited and grateful. Great kid!
Thursday, I braved using the new computer at the bakery office (donated by Liliane for PH)...you all know howI hate using new things!! Sister had to help and we worked a long time to figure out how to print, etc. but it worked!!! I'm doing some lists and reports for her. The head boy (Mubiru) and head girl (Brenda) have each made up a "Duty Roster" about who's supposed to clean where in the compound - it has a chance of working since there's accountability.
FYI: Dan, the older Duke student - graduate student - has an interesting blog called "keystothegame.blogspot.com"....and he posted a neat entry about PH - it's about being Happy! He's from Boston and an avid Red Sox fan hense the blog name.
Rained a bunch Friday a.m - YEA - tanks now have some water and I'm using some donated money to buy locks for the tanks - we will ration it from now on (at least till the next rainy season or until they learn not to waste so much). It will be an adjustment but much needed. They use the tank water to bathe, wash dishes, wash clothes, drink - everything! I'd already had one locked up for Vincent to use for the animals - too much to haul from the dam.
Friday, Jan and Maggie helped me w. the slower math class - great having the extra help! In the afternoon they organized some games - one game of soccer had able bodied and disabled,but the able bodied had to crawl or do the crab walk - fun game! We all went to a funeral after lunch - the man whose home we went to for the goat roast a couple of weeks ago - he'd had a stroke sometime ago and just went downhill. Just a HUGE crowd!
That's about it - Sunday I'm going w. the Sisters to a new priest's first Mass; Monday they go to get the 100 layer chicks (I'm not going - giving my English final but they are taking some of the disabled children who will be "running" the project - fun trip for them). Rest of the week will be finishing up things with school term. Thursday nite another PCV is bringing out her family for the day - her mom is a PT and wants to see PH and will work w. the kids on Friday - she'll have her hands full! Saturday is the 5K and we'll have lots of company. Sunday I pack and Monday I leave - WOW! May or may not blog next week - we'll see how it goes.
Thanks to everyone for their support for the 5K.....Hollys says THANK YOU!!!! It's going to be interesting. Her girls' group is still practicing and lots of PH kids are going - walking the short route or being pushed!
I should be home Tuesday afternoon (4th).....it's getting close - I can remember when I started counting it was 46 days to go - now only 10!!! Hope to see lots of you and thank you personally for all your support (prayers, letters, whatever) - you may never know how much it means to have that support when you're 8000 miles from home but it really does(I'm sure the military people know). God bless you all.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 15, 2009 - quick trip to Kampala
I'm at the Peace Corps office for a wrap up meeting on the All Volunteer Conference and am on the computer for a bit - it's free and fast - so will do a short blog in case I don't get to it over the weekend. Friday and Saturday is Holly's first First Aid Class at Providence Home (15 of Moses' volunteer village health workers), Sunday Didas and I were going to try to go to visiting day at Stella Maris school and sell shoes (it's an expensive boarding school in Nkokonjeru), but he's been gone for a few days - his son is sick in Kbale and he's in Kampala asking relatives for money to send for the hospital....so we'll see when he's back - I'm not ready to go on my own - need to talk, measure feet, etc.!
THANKS so much to those who donated to the 5K - Holly has really been working hard on it! I am anxious to see what the chat is in Nkokonjeru after the run/push - a really new concept. If you'd still like to sponsor kids at Providence Home (we are rounding up "pushers") you can send a check to Don Westerman at 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - he puts in in savings and I take it out at the ATM in Ugandan shillings - the wonders of modern technology.
O.K. Ad done - on to the latest "news". Last Saturday I went with the two visiting Brothers (Servites) to visiting day at a nearby Secondary School - St. Balikudembe's (he's one of the Ugandan Martyrs). They were great traveling companions - lots of fun! One is from So. Africa so has a different perspective on things. When I get ready to go to visit at the school I wish I could stay home, but when I get there Josephine and Sissy (her caretaker) are SO excited it's very much worth it. We even got ourselves in the "guest" lunch line - I was the only muzungu there and it's easy!!! (ugly American?)
Sunday after Mass Gloria (from Duke) and I met w. Sister J. about the website Gloria hopes to establish when she returns to the U.S. to help get donations for PH. Then we all (the three PC people and the 4 Duke students) went to a goat roast given as a farewell for the Duke kids....fortunately, we were late enough to miss the slaughter which I guess is the big event!!!
They cut it up in little pieces, speared it on green sticks and roasted it over an open fire - pretty good actually!
In English we are still writing letters - by Tuesday I had them do a letter to a "Pen Pal" in the U.S. I'll bring them home w. me and try to find respondents. The kids are 16 - 26 but some of them really have poor skills (and it is a 2nd or 3rd language for all)....but it would be fun for them to get responses. I'll also enclose pictures of each!
We got a new resident Monday- he's 47 and went blind 6 years ago (unknown cause) - his wife left him w. their children and their money while he was in the hospital. His brother housed him for some time, but recently ran him off - he was dropped at the Town Council Office of a nearby town and they brought him to PH - poor guy! No one wants to have any responsibility for him. Sr. Juliet says it's sad - when she was little (20 years ago) someone in the community would have cared for him - now it's everyone for themselves!
I continually marvel at the diversity of my days at PH - and how much I don't understand yet (and never will) about Ugandan life and culture. Maybe you have to experience a culture as a child to really get the nuances.
CBR was busier than usual - mainly just advising people but good to have more traffic. The sewing machine repair man came at 4:00! (but he came)....still has one more trip w. parts - it's hard when you have to bring everything from Kampala. Also, I asked him to give a lecture to the students on care of the machines Saturday. Then around 5 a mom w. a severely malnourished 1 year old came - the parents, esp. the dad, really don't want to do much(anything?) to help the child - I think the mom cares some, but Sister Juliet said she feels like she only wants the child to die so they can have another and the lady didn't disagree - harsh words but probably true.... I worry someimes that I've become hardened to suffering and death, but it's such an "in you face" thing here - usually nothing you can do if people don't want to help themselves...and often nothing you can do even if they do.
Sr. called a meeting (late) w. the prefects (elected student leaders) and Nelson and I attended - the kids are angry about others who refuse to work ....and say that there is not enough food for the evening meal. We'd talked a little about it in English class and I encouraged them to come with "solutions not problems" and they had pretty good ideas. Few families donate any money toward their children/wards' upkeep - and when I said that "those who pay should be the ones to eat" they were horrified, but it did make them think. Only 4% of the PH budget is parent contributions! 77% is donations - scary! P.S. None of them look malnourished....it's not that bad and better than at home for most.
Wednesday was a nice quiet day - even took time to read for a bit. I may be sorry in the next two weeks as things pile up, but it was fun at the time!!! Great "party" at nite for the Duke kids (one has already left)....dancing an singing and dinner at the convent. The kids have really enjoyed having the Duke students stop by to visit and did an especially energetic job of entertaining!!! Late nite playing "spoons" with everyone - the Sisters and Brothers are really competitive!!!
So, now in Kampala, trying to postphone doing my quarterly report - we have to do it electronically now - I enjoyed the hand written version of the "old days".
Hope everyone has a good week and weekend. Things here are going well. We are starting to do some things w. the grant money - machine repair, ordered two more low tables - it's fun! but I was just reminded by a volunteer who just completed his grant, how scrupulous my records need to be (oops!). Need receipts for everything - this is going to be work! I usually let the sisters pay because I don't want to look like a "rich muzungu" but they aren't always so careful....will have to remind them that we need receipts for everything!
Take care - thanks again for everything......I really appreciate your support and prayers!!!
THANKS so much to those who donated to the 5K - Holly has really been working hard on it! I am anxious to see what the chat is in Nkokonjeru after the run/push - a really new concept. If you'd still like to sponsor kids at Providence Home (we are rounding up "pushers") you can send a check to Don Westerman at 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - he puts in in savings and I take it out at the ATM in Ugandan shillings - the wonders of modern technology.
O.K. Ad done - on to the latest "news". Last Saturday I went with the two visiting Brothers (Servites) to visiting day at a nearby Secondary School - St. Balikudembe's (he's one of the Ugandan Martyrs). They were great traveling companions - lots of fun! One is from So. Africa so has a different perspective on things. When I get ready to go to visit at the school I wish I could stay home, but when I get there Josephine and Sissy (her caretaker) are SO excited it's very much worth it. We even got ourselves in the "guest" lunch line - I was the only muzungu there and it's easy!!! (ugly American?)
Sunday after Mass Gloria (from Duke) and I met w. Sister J. about the website Gloria hopes to establish when she returns to the U.S. to help get donations for PH. Then we all (the three PC people and the 4 Duke students) went to a goat roast given as a farewell for the Duke kids....fortunately, we were late enough to miss the slaughter which I guess is the big event!!!
They cut it up in little pieces, speared it on green sticks and roasted it over an open fire - pretty good actually!
In English we are still writing letters - by Tuesday I had them do a letter to a "Pen Pal" in the U.S. I'll bring them home w. me and try to find respondents. The kids are 16 - 26 but some of them really have poor skills (and it is a 2nd or 3rd language for all)....but it would be fun for them to get responses. I'll also enclose pictures of each!
We got a new resident Monday- he's 47 and went blind 6 years ago (unknown cause) - his wife left him w. their children and their money while he was in the hospital. His brother housed him for some time, but recently ran him off - he was dropped at the Town Council Office of a nearby town and they brought him to PH - poor guy! No one wants to have any responsibility for him. Sr. Juliet says it's sad - when she was little (20 years ago) someone in the community would have cared for him - now it's everyone for themselves!
I continually marvel at the diversity of my days at PH - and how much I don't understand yet (and never will) about Ugandan life and culture. Maybe you have to experience a culture as a child to really get the nuances.
CBR was busier than usual - mainly just advising people but good to have more traffic. The sewing machine repair man came at 4:00! (but he came)....still has one more trip w. parts - it's hard when you have to bring everything from Kampala. Also, I asked him to give a lecture to the students on care of the machines Saturday. Then around 5 a mom w. a severely malnourished 1 year old came - the parents, esp. the dad, really don't want to do much(anything?) to help the child - I think the mom cares some, but Sister Juliet said she feels like she only wants the child to die so they can have another and the lady didn't disagree - harsh words but probably true.... I worry someimes that I've become hardened to suffering and death, but it's such an "in you face" thing here - usually nothing you can do if people don't want to help themselves...and often nothing you can do even if they do.
Sr. called a meeting (late) w. the prefects (elected student leaders) and Nelson and I attended - the kids are angry about others who refuse to work ....and say that there is not enough food for the evening meal. We'd talked a little about it in English class and I encouraged them to come with "solutions not problems" and they had pretty good ideas. Few families donate any money toward their children/wards' upkeep - and when I said that "those who pay should be the ones to eat" they were horrified, but it did make them think. Only 4% of the PH budget is parent contributions! 77% is donations - scary! P.S. None of them look malnourished....it's not that bad and better than at home for most.
Wednesday was a nice quiet day - even took time to read for a bit. I may be sorry in the next two weeks as things pile up, but it was fun at the time!!! Great "party" at nite for the Duke kids (one has already left)....dancing an singing and dinner at the convent. The kids have really enjoyed having the Duke students stop by to visit and did an especially energetic job of entertaining!!! Late nite playing "spoons" with everyone - the Sisters and Brothers are really competitive!!!
So, now in Kampala, trying to postphone doing my quarterly report - we have to do it electronically now - I enjoyed the hand written version of the "old days".
Hope everyone has a good week and weekend. Things here are going well. We are starting to do some things w. the grant money - machine repair, ordered two more low tables - it's fun! but I was just reminded by a volunteer who just completed his grant, how scrupulous my records need to be (oops!). Need receipts for everything - this is going to be work! I usually let the sisters pay because I don't want to look like a "rich muzungu" but they aren't always so careful....will have to remind them that we need receipts for everything!
Take care - thanks again for everything......I really appreciate your support and prayers!!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009 - 9 mos. to go - Single Digits!!!!
I know my countdown system is probably not the best for morale, but it's nice to know we are now in single digit "months to go" - and 24 days till my visit home!!! YEA!
Thanks to all for your response on the 5K - Holly is delighted!!! I forgot to add that she and the anestheologist at the Hospital have started a girls' running club - 5:30 a.m. and p.m. They are training w. students at the local Primary Teacher's College and the girls are really doing well!!! Quite a committment. I'm curious to see how Nkokonjeru will react to the 5K - entertainment for the day and talk for a month!!!
Am reading through Proverbs now and loved 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" and 16:9 "In his heart a man (or woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps".
Sunday, was "Moses" day (our CBR Volunteer) and a very nice day. First, I went to Church w. Moses. He belongs to a really small Baptist Church (mostly Roman Catholics around here). The congregation was started in 1907 by an Englishman and the church was built in the 70s up on a beautiful hill. It's a sturdy stucco building, but not in very good repair. Congregation was excited to see me (I had to speak - but briefly!). Only about 25 people there, but very spirited. The have a female pastor (Ugandan) who lives in the parish house which is really unfinished! She's a good sport. If there is a Baptist congregation out there (the big "out there") who would like to partner w. a church in Uganda they'd love to have you - even if just to pray w. them and energize them. Just e-mail me at kathywesterman@hotmail.com.
I biked out to Moses to meet him for church - haven't been biking since I've been storing my bike at PH - it was HARD. Decided to lock it back on my veranda and if it gets stolen at least someone will be riding it!!!
At 4 (or about) we picked up Moses and his mom, wife and two daughters and took him to COMBRA where he'll be taking classes the next 2 months. It's really a BIG step for him - away from farm and family for 2 months!!! (he'll get home some weekends).
Monday at English we started simple letter writing - everyone except one copied the sample on the board. One boy wrote a letter to Sr. Juliet about stealing in the dorms - it's really a BIG problem and it was a good letter!!! She agreed!
We have a big "crew" at PH right now - two Brothers on "internship" for a month, a Brother on Holiday, 2 Sisters on Holiday and one young man (hard of hearing) doing a Social Work Internship (he was turned down 5 places because of his hearing loss - and he's great - everyone gets in at PH!). Nelson also just got 2 OT interns studying at Mulago - busy place!!!
After English I helped Sister and the two Brothers to go through all the old, dusty folders in the office looking for something about some land (not found) - what a mess! Helped w. the "movement group" in the afternoon - lots of frisbee, ball, etc. for the more seriously handicapped. The sewing machine repairman returned w. parts (YEA)....doing good work but has to come back again w. some more and to fix the shoe machine (all part of the SPA grant). Did some weed pulling w. the kids in the cabbages (in anticipation of the visit Tuesday of the Mother General - the "top nun"). Ended w. going to the market w. Sr. Goretti - it was dark and the place was crowded, noisy (several bullhorns pitching stuff plus radios), and stuck me as just so typically Ugandan. Came home and made mac and cheese (Kraft box) - spiced up w. onion, garlic and tomato - and a Spam single (they are the best!).
Tuesday CBR was slow as usual - everyone knows we aren't paying anymore - just giving advice!!! The Mother General came (leader of all the Little Sisters in E. Africa) - very impressive woman! Alysious (the SW intern) wanted to teach a class so he took my English class - nice break for me and the kids!!!
Wednesday Fred and I went to Kampala to order the layers - it took awhile - lots of walking from store to store - delivery dates at some were too far out! But it's done - we pick them up July 27! I stopped to see Moses on the way home - he needed a letter verifying his employment at PH - seems he dropped his ID down the latrine!!! Did my Mukono internet, P.O., Bank and Supermarket thing and got home about 7:30.
I'm reading a book making the PC circuit - The Master and Margaurita by Mikhail Bulgakov - very Russion and VERY strange, but I can't put it down.
I thought Thursday would be slow, but Sister J invited me to go along w. the visiting Brother to see Lake Victoria and visit the convent at Kavule. We went to a fishing village (Sennyi) on the lake - they are all so poor - stopped at the convent (it was build by Mother Kevin in the 30s and is very run down, but has a gorgeous view of the lake - think it would make a wonderful retreat house if fixed up). The Sisters also run a little clinic there - 3 nuns at the end of the world!!! We stopped at Sr. Juliet's home and met her grandfather (and lots of other relatives) and saw her old Secondary School! We had to visit every classroom and since I took a picture in the first one had to take a picture in every one!!
It's sad that the forests in that part of Uganda (and everywhere) have been decimated by cutting for charcoal, firewood and timber and no re-planting - they look green but it's all small trees, bush and banana trees...very few mature trees - not a government priority!
Today (Friday) Math went well - did a "store" again - counting money and making change - even w. the faster group - they all enjoyed it and came away w. some bananas, crackers, pens and of course "sweeties"...
Tomorrow the two Brothers and I are going to see Josephine at St. Balikudembe's for visiting day (nearby in Kisoga). Sunday the muzungus have been invited to a goat roast in honor of the Duke kids who are starting to leave - I'll miss them - they are a great group! There are two new volunteers (women in their 30s) staying at RASD who've been down to PH to play w. the kids - they are from NYC - took 3 weeks off their jobs. Really outgoing ladies and the kids enjoy the extra attention!!!
Guess that's all for now - Wish Corky a Happy Anniversary - July 13 - 41 years!!!
Things go well here but I'm really eager to see everyone at home - Gail said that Riley said it was a "long time" till I come tho - "two weeks" - it's longer but that may be what he envisions as a LONG time!! It's going fast and will be even faster as we get to the First Aid classes next weekend (Holly's grant project) - we're having one two-day session at PH for Moses' community health workers the 16th and 17th and then two others for her Project Hope people, the 5K, finals and report cards - YIKES! And then off to Minneapolis (via Amsterdam).
Hope you all have a good weekend. As always, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - your support means everything!!!
Thanks to all for your response on the 5K - Holly is delighted!!! I forgot to add that she and the anestheologist at the Hospital have started a girls' running club - 5:30 a.m. and p.m. They are training w. students at the local Primary Teacher's College and the girls are really doing well!!! Quite a committment. I'm curious to see how Nkokonjeru will react to the 5K - entertainment for the day and talk for a month!!!
Am reading through Proverbs now and loved 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" and 16:9 "In his heart a man (or woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps".
Sunday, was "Moses" day (our CBR Volunteer) and a very nice day. First, I went to Church w. Moses. He belongs to a really small Baptist Church (mostly Roman Catholics around here). The congregation was started in 1907 by an Englishman and the church was built in the 70s up on a beautiful hill. It's a sturdy stucco building, but not in very good repair. Congregation was excited to see me (I had to speak - but briefly!). Only about 25 people there, but very spirited. The have a female pastor (Ugandan) who lives in the parish house which is really unfinished! She's a good sport. If there is a Baptist congregation out there (the big "out there") who would like to partner w. a church in Uganda they'd love to have you - even if just to pray w. them and energize them. Just e-mail me at kathywesterman@hotmail.com.
I biked out to Moses to meet him for church - haven't been biking since I've been storing my bike at PH - it was HARD. Decided to lock it back on my veranda and if it gets stolen at least someone will be riding it!!!
At 4 (or about) we picked up Moses and his mom, wife and two daughters and took him to COMBRA where he'll be taking classes the next 2 months. It's really a BIG step for him - away from farm and family for 2 months!!! (he'll get home some weekends).
Monday at English we started simple letter writing - everyone except one copied the sample on the board. One boy wrote a letter to Sr. Juliet about stealing in the dorms - it's really a BIG problem and it was a good letter!!! She agreed!
We have a big "crew" at PH right now - two Brothers on "internship" for a month, a Brother on Holiday, 2 Sisters on Holiday and one young man (hard of hearing) doing a Social Work Internship (he was turned down 5 places because of his hearing loss - and he's great - everyone gets in at PH!). Nelson also just got 2 OT interns studying at Mulago - busy place!!!
After English I helped Sister and the two Brothers to go through all the old, dusty folders in the office looking for something about some land (not found) - what a mess! Helped w. the "movement group" in the afternoon - lots of frisbee, ball, etc. for the more seriously handicapped. The sewing machine repairman returned w. parts (YEA)....doing good work but has to come back again w. some more and to fix the shoe machine (all part of the SPA grant). Did some weed pulling w. the kids in the cabbages (in anticipation of the visit Tuesday of the Mother General - the "top nun"). Ended w. going to the market w. Sr. Goretti - it was dark and the place was crowded, noisy (several bullhorns pitching stuff plus radios), and stuck me as just so typically Ugandan. Came home and made mac and cheese (Kraft box) - spiced up w. onion, garlic and tomato - and a Spam single (they are the best!).
Tuesday CBR was slow as usual - everyone knows we aren't paying anymore - just giving advice!!! The Mother General came (leader of all the Little Sisters in E. Africa) - very impressive woman! Alysious (the SW intern) wanted to teach a class so he took my English class - nice break for me and the kids!!!
Wednesday Fred and I went to Kampala to order the layers - it took awhile - lots of walking from store to store - delivery dates at some were too far out! But it's done - we pick them up July 27! I stopped to see Moses on the way home - he needed a letter verifying his employment at PH - seems he dropped his ID down the latrine!!! Did my Mukono internet, P.O., Bank and Supermarket thing and got home about 7:30.
I'm reading a book making the PC circuit - The Master and Margaurita by Mikhail Bulgakov - very Russion and VERY strange, but I can't put it down.
I thought Thursday would be slow, but Sister J invited me to go along w. the visiting Brother to see Lake Victoria and visit the convent at Kavule. We went to a fishing village (Sennyi) on the lake - they are all so poor - stopped at the convent (it was build by Mother Kevin in the 30s and is very run down, but has a gorgeous view of the lake - think it would make a wonderful retreat house if fixed up). The Sisters also run a little clinic there - 3 nuns at the end of the world!!! We stopped at Sr. Juliet's home and met her grandfather (and lots of other relatives) and saw her old Secondary School! We had to visit every classroom and since I took a picture in the first one had to take a picture in every one!!
It's sad that the forests in that part of Uganda (and everywhere) have been decimated by cutting for charcoal, firewood and timber and no re-planting - they look green but it's all small trees, bush and banana trees...very few mature trees - not a government priority!
Today (Friday) Math went well - did a "store" again - counting money and making change - even w. the faster group - they all enjoyed it and came away w. some bananas, crackers, pens and of course "sweeties"...
Tomorrow the two Brothers and I are going to see Josephine at St. Balikudembe's for visiting day (nearby in Kisoga). Sunday the muzungus have been invited to a goat roast in honor of the Duke kids who are starting to leave - I'll miss them - they are a great group! There are two new volunteers (women in their 30s) staying at RASD who've been down to PH to play w. the kids - they are from NYC - took 3 weeks off their jobs. Really outgoing ladies and the kids enjoy the extra attention!!!
Guess that's all for now - Wish Corky a Happy Anniversary - July 13 - 41 years!!!
Things go well here but I'm really eager to see everyone at home - Gail said that Riley said it was a "long time" till I come tho - "two weeks" - it's longer but that may be what he envisions as a LONG time!! It's going fast and will be even faster as we get to the First Aid classes next weekend (Holly's grant project) - we're having one two-day session at PH for Moses' community health workers the 16th and 17th and then two others for her Project Hope people, the 5K, finals and report cards - YIKES! And then off to Minneapolis (via Amsterdam).
Hope you all have a good weekend. As always, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - your support means everything!!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Fourth of July - July 4, 2009
Happy Fourth to you all. I'm celebrating by going to Mukono for the usual bank, PO, internet, grocery run, and to the Mall to make prints....lots of stops but I wanted to get the blog done here in Mukono - unfortunately, internet is slow and keyboard is really sticky!! But I'm grateful for the internet!!! Some of the group went to celebrate at an island off Entebe but I'm still tired after the conference and would just worry about my "to do" list - also, it's all young kids!!! NIce of them to even ask, but I'm better off at my little apt.
The All Volunteer Conference went very well. It was a strange transition back to Nkokonjeru after 4 days w. almost only Americans!!! Wonder what it will be like to be in America and then come back? It was rainy and cool when I got back on Sunday and I went to Moses's youngest's 1st Birthday Party (baby Fionna). It was fun but I always feel like a celebrity (it's akward) - it was Fionna's day. Guess it's an honor to have a muzungu come, but I'd rather just be a guest! Moses is leaving this Sunday for a 2-3 month course in Community Health Outreach - identifying, assessing, building simple orthopedic appliances out of local materials - a great opportunity for him and for PH! We'll miss him as will his family - means one season of no planting! So, it was a farewell party for him, too.
Our ton of brewers mash is infected w. maggots and had to be thrown on the fields - bummer!! The cow loved it and it saved on maize bran - we'll try again w better storage and maybe a smaller amount! Oh, the trials of farming!!!
Monday a.m. I jumped up when they rang the 5:30 a.m. bell - I'd forgotten about that!!! It was the usual crazy day. English went well - I went over some good information we got at the conference on malaria in Uganda. Then Holly and I went to a kick off near Mukono for a new service by MTN (phone co) combined w. Google to provide limited access to information on your cell phone (if it's MTN) - supposed to have weather and answers to agricultural questions - big promotional deal! We got a soda and a free lunch!!!
By the time I got back and got the afternoon "report", picked lettuce (about all that's left in our Garden except marigolds), and went to town to make copies for English it was 7:30!!!
Tuesday was a "low pressure" day - quiet at CBR. Sula brought in 500 day old broiler chicks - I'm watching his operation closely to see what we need to do - layers are slightly different but chicks are chicks. He had to put charcoal heaters in the room. They are fragile! Went for a nice walk to end a good day!
Wednesday I started digging up the garden - it's time to plant again - I was thinking it wasn't till Sept. but Sister said now. Not sure if we'll get it done - will for sure be smaller! Fred, Sr. Juliet and Sr. Goretti and I met to plan our chicken venture (100 layers) and to start planning for the Grant program. It was the last day for the two volunteers from Florida who've been staying at RASD - they came to PH about 3 afternoons a week to help Jude w. the afternoon classes and play w. the kids - much appreciated and enjoyed by the children.
Nice dinner w. Holly and the Duke "kids"...they added Chinese Eggplant and a Greek dish w. macsed potatoes and garlic (and other stuff) - really a taste treat. Sometimes (often?) we obsess about the food variety we're used to - Ugandan food is always the same and always bland!
Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - 58 patients. They brought 2 nurses and 4 students which left Sr. Goretti scrambling for enough lunch, but she always manages - more rice!!!! At lunch we were talking about Moses and I being gone for the Aug. clinic - they, of course, asked if I'd get matoke (steamed bananas) in the U.S. (NO!!) and what I like to eat there. Most seriously cannot imagine a meal w/o matoke or posho - I CAN!
Holly has really been working hard - she starts her First Aid classes on the 17th - 3, two day sessions - the first is for Moses (he'll come back) and 14 of his community volunteers - all representing different villages. It's a 2 day class and they get a village first aid kit - great service!!!
She's also organized a 5K walk/run for Aug. 1 to raise money for her organization, Project Hope, that works w. HIV/AIDS patients. They want to raise money to re-start Life Skills classes in the schools (basically HIV education, self - esteem, healthy living, etc.) - great cause also! I'm NOT running (many PCVs are) but she has a category for "Providence Home Pushers" - I'm in that one!! If you would like to donate you can send a few dollars to: Don Westerman, 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - I told all the kids at PH I'd sponsor their regiatration if they walked/got pushed - it's only $.50/student!!!
Nice supper of grilled cheese, leaf lettuce salad and pineapply - see I don't do that bad!!!
Friday (and Thursday) I had my first bout ever w. intestinal problems - not serious, but annoying - still went to PH! I really think my immune system and stamina are running down....am hoping my trip home in August will be a re-wind!
In the slower math group we talked about money and change and then used the play money to "buy" stuff Corky sent - motel soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils and some suckers - they loved it. It worked well, but some still don't get it - and others would shout out their balance before they could figure it. Also, they are not good about waiting their turn - really a Ugandan culutural trait - people budge in line all the time (or yell over the waiting customers). They have coins in 100, 200 and 500 and bills in 1,000 and 5,000 - there are 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 but they won't see those any time soon! Morning porridge was 2 hours late - they were chopping green in the kitchen and didn't think to start it - so the other Math class started at 1:00 (instead of 11). We did a review of what the money you need to start 100 layers to 5 months (when the start laying)....think the kids were surpirsed at the size of the capital outlay (about $1000!)...and we have a house already! That's why most peole just raise their own local breeds and "free range" them.
The sewing machine repair guy came from Kampala - organized by Sr. Goretti and funded by the SPA grant! YEA! Has to go back to get parts and it's always a leap of faith to give him money to buy the stuff and hope he returns! She knows the shop that recommended him, but you never know! We had a visit by the government Minister of ICT (Information, Communicaiton and Technology) on a swing through Nkokonjeru - of course, we have no technology, but what the heck - he gave Sister money for soap for the kids!!!.
Today I'm going to do my errands - lots of stops - and tomorrow I'm going to Moses' church at 10 (Baptist) and then in the afternoon we're using the truck to take him to COMBRA (the training center) along w. his wife and children so they can see it (an American touch)....
Thanks again and again for all your support and just for reading through my days - it really does help that people care - and maybe get a laugh!!! I'm really getting excited about my visit home in August.....it will be interesting!!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
The All Volunteer Conference went very well. It was a strange transition back to Nkokonjeru after 4 days w. almost only Americans!!! Wonder what it will be like to be in America and then come back? It was rainy and cool when I got back on Sunday and I went to Moses's youngest's 1st Birthday Party (baby Fionna). It was fun but I always feel like a celebrity (it's akward) - it was Fionna's day. Guess it's an honor to have a muzungu come, but I'd rather just be a guest! Moses is leaving this Sunday for a 2-3 month course in Community Health Outreach - identifying, assessing, building simple orthopedic appliances out of local materials - a great opportunity for him and for PH! We'll miss him as will his family - means one season of no planting! So, it was a farewell party for him, too.
Our ton of brewers mash is infected w. maggots and had to be thrown on the fields - bummer!! The cow loved it and it saved on maize bran - we'll try again w better storage and maybe a smaller amount! Oh, the trials of farming!!!
Monday a.m. I jumped up when they rang the 5:30 a.m. bell - I'd forgotten about that!!! It was the usual crazy day. English went well - I went over some good information we got at the conference on malaria in Uganda. Then Holly and I went to a kick off near Mukono for a new service by MTN (phone co) combined w. Google to provide limited access to information on your cell phone (if it's MTN) - supposed to have weather and answers to agricultural questions - big promotional deal! We got a soda and a free lunch!!!
By the time I got back and got the afternoon "report", picked lettuce (about all that's left in our Garden except marigolds), and went to town to make copies for English it was 7:30!!!
Tuesday was a "low pressure" day - quiet at CBR. Sula brought in 500 day old broiler chicks - I'm watching his operation closely to see what we need to do - layers are slightly different but chicks are chicks. He had to put charcoal heaters in the room. They are fragile! Went for a nice walk to end a good day!
Wednesday I started digging up the garden - it's time to plant again - I was thinking it wasn't till Sept. but Sister said now. Not sure if we'll get it done - will for sure be smaller! Fred, Sr. Juliet and Sr. Goretti and I met to plan our chicken venture (100 layers) and to start planning for the Grant program. It was the last day for the two volunteers from Florida who've been staying at RASD - they came to PH about 3 afternoons a week to help Jude w. the afternoon classes and play w. the kids - much appreciated and enjoyed by the children.
Nice dinner w. Holly and the Duke "kids"...they added Chinese Eggplant and a Greek dish w. macsed potatoes and garlic (and other stuff) - really a taste treat. Sometimes (often?) we obsess about the food variety we're used to - Ugandan food is always the same and always bland!
Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - 58 patients. They brought 2 nurses and 4 students which left Sr. Goretti scrambling for enough lunch, but she always manages - more rice!!!! At lunch we were talking about Moses and I being gone for the Aug. clinic - they, of course, asked if I'd get matoke (steamed bananas) in the U.S. (NO!!) and what I like to eat there. Most seriously cannot imagine a meal w/o matoke or posho - I CAN!
Holly has really been working hard - she starts her First Aid classes on the 17th - 3, two day sessions - the first is for Moses (he'll come back) and 14 of his community volunteers - all representing different villages. It's a 2 day class and they get a village first aid kit - great service!!!
She's also organized a 5K walk/run for Aug. 1 to raise money for her organization, Project Hope, that works w. HIV/AIDS patients. They want to raise money to re-start Life Skills classes in the schools (basically HIV education, self - esteem, healthy living, etc.) - great cause also! I'm NOT running (many PCVs are) but she has a category for "Providence Home Pushers" - I'm in that one!! If you would like to donate you can send a few dollars to: Don Westerman, 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - I told all the kids at PH I'd sponsor their regiatration if they walked/got pushed - it's only $.50/student!!!
Nice supper of grilled cheese, leaf lettuce salad and pineapply - see I don't do that bad!!!
Friday (and Thursday) I had my first bout ever w. intestinal problems - not serious, but annoying - still went to PH! I really think my immune system and stamina are running down....am hoping my trip home in August will be a re-wind!
In the slower math group we talked about money and change and then used the play money to "buy" stuff Corky sent - motel soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils and some suckers - they loved it. It worked well, but some still don't get it - and others would shout out their balance before they could figure it. Also, they are not good about waiting their turn - really a Ugandan culutural trait - people budge in line all the time (or yell over the waiting customers). They have coins in 100, 200 and 500 and bills in 1,000 and 5,000 - there are 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 but they won't see those any time soon! Morning porridge was 2 hours late - they were chopping green in the kitchen and didn't think to start it - so the other Math class started at 1:00 (instead of 11). We did a review of what the money you need to start 100 layers to 5 months (when the start laying)....think the kids were surpirsed at the size of the capital outlay (about $1000!)...and we have a house already! That's why most peole just raise their own local breeds and "free range" them.
The sewing machine repair guy came from Kampala - organized by Sr. Goretti and funded by the SPA grant! YEA! Has to go back to get parts and it's always a leap of faith to give him money to buy the stuff and hope he returns! She knows the shop that recommended him, but you never know! We had a visit by the government Minister of ICT (Information, Communicaiton and Technology) on a swing through Nkokonjeru - of course, we have no technology, but what the heck - he gave Sister money for soap for the kids!!!.
Today I'm going to do my errands - lots of stops - and tomorrow I'm going to Moses' church at 10 (Baptist) and then in the afternoon we're using the truck to take him to COMBRA (the training center) along w. his wife and children so they can see it (an American touch)....
Thanks again and again for all your support and just for reading through my days - it really does help that people care - and maybe get a laugh!!! I'm really getting excited about my visit home in August.....it will be interesting!!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
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