Hope you are all having a great Thanksgiving weekend! Not a holiday here - tho' tomorrow may be a holiday - it's another one of those movable Muslim holidays that depend on the moon....won't know till tonite!!! Came to type and check e-mails and blog and it's taking a long time. Wanted to send a small proposal, but couldn't type in Nkokonjeru - our printer is out of ink and the one you can use for hire isn't working because they shop didn't pay their electric bill!!!! After I'm done here will go on to the graduation ceremony of our outreach worker, Moses, from his training program - it's just in the next town, but I'm getting late (got going this morning later than expected - matatu was slow to fill in Nkokonjeru - and it's slow going here)....but I expect it will start late. This blog should be mercifully short - don't think I'll get back for the weekend because of the Christmas Program on Sunday so will get it done now!
Marathon get-together last weekend was fun (if you didn't run)....it wasn't as well organized as last year and the the route was different...last 3 miles were uphill!!! Was surprised by all the begging children around - apparently they have "handlers" who hide in the bushes and these tiny kids hold up their hands (especially to muzungus).. The police are all around just watching!!! No social services here!
Got back to PH on Sunday in time to catch the Christmas program practice. Sr. Juliet was reviewing and cut a bunch of songs - it was WAY too long and she cut the popular lip-synch ones - the kids were upset, but she said "It's a Christmas Program, not a disco show!". Keyboard man continues to be unreliable, but great when he comes!
On Monday the kids slaughtered 150 chickens and we took them to Kampala to sell. Several of the previously sick ones Sister bought from Sula died and one of hers died so she decided to cut her losses and take them. None of our layers have gotten sick (thankfully) - no common people working on both groups so I'm hopeful!
I went to Kamapla w. Sula (and the chicken bodies) - I volunteered to accompany Nususla to see the plastic surgeon at CoRSU Hospital for a review. She's the 15 year old who, several years ago, had a huge tumor behind her right eye; it was removed very badly and she had more plastic surgery in August to try to cover the hole. She was upset because it's still oozing some pus, but the plastic surgeon (from the U.K.) said it looked "fantastic"!!! It's still really ugly, but it's healing nicely. She has a big bandage on it all the time and it has to be irrigated and dressed daily. I felt bad for her on the matatu (we took one from Kampala to Entebbe) - people just turned and STARED! She handled it well but was glad to get back to the truck in Kampala for the ride home.
We had company when we got back - Adrian, who is a British Airways pilot and donor to Providence Home - his small group bought the truck, part of the boys' dorm, the generator, etc. Nice guy and fun to talk to. However, when I got to my apt. (6:30) someone had stolen by good Eddie Bauer capris! That's all they took off the clothes line on my veranda - and they even replaced the clothes pins!!! Bummers - I was going to leave them here,but wasn't ready to part w. them yet! Went back to dinner and we all talked till 11 p.m.!
Tuesday Sister J, Nelson, Jasmine and I went w. Adrian to Kavule - the convent overlooking Lake Victoria - it is absolutely a breathtaking view! Went down to the lake and stopped by Sr. Juliet's home. Fun afternoon.....more talking at dinner. All this social time is wearing me out!
Wednesday a.m. Adrian left and Sr. Juliet and I worked on a proposal (I typed and sent today) to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Uganda who may be able to donate some wheelchairs and tricycles (heavy three-wheeled chairs that operate w. crank handles). Then we went to a Grand Opening of one of the new handicapped accessible latrines at a village school - big event. The money was donated by the Rotary of Ireland and U.K. and co-ordianted by Cheshire Foundation.... Lots and lots of speeches in which everyone took credit for the building of the latrines at 10 district schools!! The National Chairman of Cheshire Uganda told everyone that every disabled child should go to school (good idea) and that if there children were too disabled they could send them to Providence Home for rehabilitation and surgery (Cheshire does not provide any funding for PH)....I asked him afterwards if we could send him the bills - he laughed, nervously, and said "no way". PH is still called (by some - and it's on the letterhead) Providence Cheshire Home, but they haven't supported it for 7 years!!!
Animals are doing well - the girl, Sara, who's helping w.the chickens WAY overfed them and we were out of food 2 weeks. The boys were giving the food previously and watched the amounts, but Sara felt the more the better!!! Fred talked to them and we're back to the boys measuring the feed - till Sara asserts herself again!!!
Things are winding down for classes - report cards "should" be done today and to Sister for her comments. Program is Sunday - we are setting up a "display room" with all the things the kids have made so parents can see them. Costumes are all made and ready to be given out.....I'm instituting a signout book for costumes so we are a little more sure they may be returned after the program!
Next week I start on my year end reports and then December 13 - 17 I am going to Rwanda to see my sponsor children. Nothing special for Thanksgiving....Holly and Shari have been on the move and we thought about eating at PH, but Sr. Goretti is sick - she's waiting for surgery to have her appendix removed and there's been several postponements at the hospital - hopefully, it will get done next Monday. If we eat there she'll try to cook and she's really not well enough. So plans change!!!
Hope you all are full of turkey - next year I intend to really go for it!!! Am so thankful for family and friends, faith, and especially for good health (when you see the effects of poor health all around it really makes you appreciate it). It's been a great 22 months, but I'll also be VERY thankful to be back in Minnesota!!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving To All - Nov. 21, 2009
I'm in Kampala for the weekend - tomorrow is the Kampala Marathon and several PCVs are running all or the shorter races. I was just at the internet cafe at the Garden City Mall and it was SO slow, I asked for my money back (took 20 minutes to do one e-mail).....went to get a bagel and met up with a bunch of "the kids" and am now at another internet cafe and it's FAST!!! Like in U.S. fast!
It was a good week - all our exams are now given in the vocational school and I'm waiting for the other teachers to complete their grade reports! Looking forward to a less hectic schedule for two months. Will work on year end reports for Sister (shoes, CBR, school) and do my final grant report. Our PH printer is out of ink so I may have to do it all at the PC office, but that's O.K. I'm planning to go to Rwanda the 14th to see my Compassion "kids" there - Compassion will take me out to Faustin's home (12) and I'll see Plusca (22) and her daughter Elsa in Kigali where they live (Plusca just finished her final Secondary exams). A little less grand trip than we took as a group in 2006 when we stayed at the Mille Coline Hotel - but I'm up for it!!!
Tried to divide my exams by ability group - English had 3 versions - the most advanced group had to write a short story from an article I gave them. We hadn't really worked on that and it was hard - most just copied the required 7-10 sentences from the article, but that's O.K. For Math I had 4 different exams based on ability (and one large print one for Edward, who can hardly see).
Sister was paying some teachers and actually got out the attendance log book and only paid the tailoring teacher for the days he taught! He was upset - said he shouldn't be held to "muzungu standards" - I told him at the start of the term it would happen!!! The students have lost a lot of teaching time (he was there for 14 classes; absent for 12 - and late for most of the ones he did attend). Not at all uncommon in many schools, but it makes me furious!
We have been having a lot of rain - both at night and during the day - huge rainstorms. Puddles last all day which is unusual....the ground must be saturated! More rain than last year - the good news is that the power outages are shorter - never more than one day!!!
Tuesday was one of "those" days - agriculture teacher came late for exam because of rain (he walks in 4 km...and has a limp); found out the pigs have no more food - it's gone faster than expected because our "temporary replacement" animal manager is not giving greens in the afternoon - "too much work" he said (Vincent's - the regular manager - wife is still not doing well after the baby); ag teacher complained that one boy was copying from his notebook during the exam - he expected it all to be from memory and it was a LOT (more than most of our kids can do - or me!)......he refused to accept the kids' paper but then said it was up to me! Sister bought some of Sula's broiler chickens to fatten up for Christmas sale, and I'm nervous about then being close to our layers since his chickens have been so sick!. Sister said she wants to buy a bull after her problems finding a suitor for Maria (cow)....not a good idea in my opinion esp. since she wants to use the proceeds from the pigs to do it and we need that money for pig food! Nelson and I are trying to plan a trip to CoRSU and Katelemwa for Thursday - it's a stuggle to get people to plan two days ahead! Went to my apartment at 4:00 for a cup of tea, congratulating myself for staying calm (I still have some peanut butter cups and allow myself one on days when I'm a good girl - probably why they have lasted so long!).
Wednesday I was on my way to get the matatu to Mukono at 6 a.m. to use the internet and Sula came by w. the truck - he was going w. the headmistress of St. Peters Secondary School to the Mukono police station to pick up the National Exams for their S-6 (final year) students.....we also picked up two Nkokonjeru policeofficers - w. guns!!! to guard the exams. Exams here are a BIG deal - like in Europe....they mean everything! Kids take 12-16 exams over 2 weeks - and they are long and full of things to remember! I don't know how they do it...many sleep only 2-3 hours a nite.
Re-reading Empire Falls - still good. Want to see the movie when I get home - esp. since I learned Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are in it!!!
Thursday, we got the group organized to go to Kampala - Nelson was heading the trip and I stayed back (knew it would be a long day).....Justine went and also the little boy w. the sores (Marvin) who were due for review at CoRSU (orthopedic hospital)....both were actually ready on time. Two students went from PH who needed new applicances from Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center.....and also a Sister and another resident who wanted to go that day!!! Still having a problem w. people contributing for fuel, but let it pass this time (probably not a good idea but we really wanted those two to go and both are really poor). I have some money in our "CBR fund" thanks to your generous donations, but I'm trying to make it last - plus, we really believe that a contribution is important...gives them a vested interest in the program - although those two moms are really working hard to keep their kids treated. I was so happy to see Marvin - his mom and he were at PH at 6 a.m.!!! We said we'd leave at 7:00 - actually didn't leave till 8:30 due to additions to the riders, but I think it spoke volumes about her commitment to seeing her son treated - even the dad is now on board she said (previously he told Moses he'd given up on the boy - said "no more money" for Marvin's treatment).
Holly and I went on a long walk Thursday nite - part of the way we accompanied a blind lady to her home (she's a former teacher of the blind)...amazes me how she remembers all our names by our voice - and how she finds the path to her home w. her white stick!!!
Friday was the math exam; I was also trying to get laundry done and with the rains I kept putting it out, taking it in......there's no "throw it in the drier" here!!!
Nelson's report on the Kampala trip was great - they returned at 9 p.m. but got everything done! Dr. Antonio was very please with Marvin's progress after taking the TB drugs - sores are healing and he's put on some weight! Justine was treated like a queen - she was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened and was there for 210 days; Nelson said they all got lunch thanks to her mom who went to the kitchen and asked! Not as successful at Katelemwa. We had left some leg braces there to be re-sized and the man who does the work was canned and all the things he was working on (and the measurements) are "lost"! They have to start all over - Nelson argued, successfully, that we shouldn't have to pay for a new pair since it was just a re-adjustment and it was their fault they were gone.....I'll have to check the bill carefully to make sure they don't try to sneak it in!
So, that was the week - next week looks pretty good. Lots of practice for the Christmas Program (on the 29th).....the skirts for the choir are all made (thanks to the 2 advanced sewing kids).....
We need to get the rooms ready for an "open house" and display of things made (or grown).
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for - good health always comes up on top for me. I see so much sickness here it's a constant reminder!!! Sr. Goretti may be having her appendix out Monday at the Nkokonjeru Hospital - she's been having a lot of pain and is ready for the operation - please pray for her! I may got to CoRSU on Monday w. Nusula (the girl who had the tumor removed from behind her eye)...she is taking "public" (matatu) and doesn't want to go alone. If I think people stare at me as a muzungu, it must be a lot worse for her!!
Thanks to all for your continued support - the time is going fast but I can't wait to be home (although not in winter yet). Again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It was a good week - all our exams are now given in the vocational school and I'm waiting for the other teachers to complete their grade reports! Looking forward to a less hectic schedule for two months. Will work on year end reports for Sister (shoes, CBR, school) and do my final grant report. Our PH printer is out of ink so I may have to do it all at the PC office, but that's O.K. I'm planning to go to Rwanda the 14th to see my Compassion "kids" there - Compassion will take me out to Faustin's home (12) and I'll see Plusca (22) and her daughter Elsa in Kigali where they live (Plusca just finished her final Secondary exams). A little less grand trip than we took as a group in 2006 when we stayed at the Mille Coline Hotel - but I'm up for it!!!
Tried to divide my exams by ability group - English had 3 versions - the most advanced group had to write a short story from an article I gave them. We hadn't really worked on that and it was hard - most just copied the required 7-10 sentences from the article, but that's O.K. For Math I had 4 different exams based on ability (and one large print one for Edward, who can hardly see).
Sister was paying some teachers and actually got out the attendance log book and only paid the tailoring teacher for the days he taught! He was upset - said he shouldn't be held to "muzungu standards" - I told him at the start of the term it would happen!!! The students have lost a lot of teaching time (he was there for 14 classes; absent for 12 - and late for most of the ones he did attend). Not at all uncommon in many schools, but it makes me furious!
We have been having a lot of rain - both at night and during the day - huge rainstorms. Puddles last all day which is unusual....the ground must be saturated! More rain than last year - the good news is that the power outages are shorter - never more than one day!!!
Tuesday was one of "those" days - agriculture teacher came late for exam because of rain (he walks in 4 km...and has a limp); found out the pigs have no more food - it's gone faster than expected because our "temporary replacement" animal manager is not giving greens in the afternoon - "too much work" he said (Vincent's - the regular manager - wife is still not doing well after the baby); ag teacher complained that one boy was copying from his notebook during the exam - he expected it all to be from memory and it was a LOT (more than most of our kids can do - or me!)......he refused to accept the kids' paper but then said it was up to me! Sister bought some of Sula's broiler chickens to fatten up for Christmas sale, and I'm nervous about then being close to our layers since his chickens have been so sick!. Sister said she wants to buy a bull after her problems finding a suitor for Maria (cow)....not a good idea in my opinion esp. since she wants to use the proceeds from the pigs to do it and we need that money for pig food! Nelson and I are trying to plan a trip to CoRSU and Katelemwa for Thursday - it's a stuggle to get people to plan two days ahead! Went to my apartment at 4:00 for a cup of tea, congratulating myself for staying calm (I still have some peanut butter cups and allow myself one on days when I'm a good girl - probably why they have lasted so long!).
Wednesday I was on my way to get the matatu to Mukono at 6 a.m. to use the internet and Sula came by w. the truck - he was going w. the headmistress of St. Peters Secondary School to the Mukono police station to pick up the National Exams for their S-6 (final year) students.....we also picked up two Nkokonjeru policeofficers - w. guns!!! to guard the exams. Exams here are a BIG deal - like in Europe....they mean everything! Kids take 12-16 exams over 2 weeks - and they are long and full of things to remember! I don't know how they do it...many sleep only 2-3 hours a nite.
Re-reading Empire Falls - still good. Want to see the movie when I get home - esp. since I learned Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are in it!!!
Thursday, we got the group organized to go to Kampala - Nelson was heading the trip and I stayed back (knew it would be a long day).....Justine went and also the little boy w. the sores (Marvin) who were due for review at CoRSU (orthopedic hospital)....both were actually ready on time. Two students went from PH who needed new applicances from Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center.....and also a Sister and another resident who wanted to go that day!!! Still having a problem w. people contributing for fuel, but let it pass this time (probably not a good idea but we really wanted those two to go and both are really poor). I have some money in our "CBR fund" thanks to your generous donations, but I'm trying to make it last - plus, we really believe that a contribution is important...gives them a vested interest in the program - although those two moms are really working hard to keep their kids treated. I was so happy to see Marvin - his mom and he were at PH at 6 a.m.!!! We said we'd leave at 7:00 - actually didn't leave till 8:30 due to additions to the riders, but I think it spoke volumes about her commitment to seeing her son treated - even the dad is now on board she said (previously he told Moses he'd given up on the boy - said "no more money" for Marvin's treatment).
Holly and I went on a long walk Thursday nite - part of the way we accompanied a blind lady to her home (she's a former teacher of the blind)...amazes me how she remembers all our names by our voice - and how she finds the path to her home w. her white stick!!!
Friday was the math exam; I was also trying to get laundry done and with the rains I kept putting it out, taking it in......there's no "throw it in the drier" here!!!
Nelson's report on the Kampala trip was great - they returned at 9 p.m. but got everything done! Dr. Antonio was very please with Marvin's progress after taking the TB drugs - sores are healing and he's put on some weight! Justine was treated like a queen - she was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened and was there for 210 days; Nelson said they all got lunch thanks to her mom who went to the kitchen and asked! Not as successful at Katelemwa. We had left some leg braces there to be re-sized and the man who does the work was canned and all the things he was working on (and the measurements) are "lost"! They have to start all over - Nelson argued, successfully, that we shouldn't have to pay for a new pair since it was just a re-adjustment and it was their fault they were gone.....I'll have to check the bill carefully to make sure they don't try to sneak it in!
So, that was the week - next week looks pretty good. Lots of practice for the Christmas Program (on the 29th).....the skirts for the choir are all made (thanks to the 2 advanced sewing kids).....
We need to get the rooms ready for an "open house" and display of things made (or grown).
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for - good health always comes up on top for me. I see so much sickness here it's a constant reminder!!! Sr. Goretti may be having her appendix out Monday at the Nkokonjeru Hospital - she's been having a lot of pain and is ready for the operation - please pray for her! I may got to CoRSU on Monday w. Nusula (the girl who had the tumor removed from behind her eye)...she is taking "public" (matatu) and doesn't want to go alone. If I think people stare at me as a muzungu, it must be a lot worse for her!!
Thanks to all for your continued support - the time is going fast but I can't wait to be home (although not in winter yet). Again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
It's Sunday a.m. and I'm back in Mukono to blog. Mass today was at 7:00 because the priests are going to some celebration and I got here about 10 and it was going great,but then the place filled up and it got SLOW!!! Oh, well, at least it's on - thanks to a generator (no power in Mukono).
It was a busy week - next week is final exams for our little vocational program and always is a rush - I was typing exams, but didn't realize the printer ink was finished so everyone (including me) had to hand write their exams! Learning to adapt (?). Next Sunday is the Kampala Marathon - Holly is doing the 10K so I'll go and watch...other volunteers are doing 1/2s and wholes....it will be a fun gathering.
Last Saturday after I blogged Shari and her friend Michelle had a dinner for a group of local PCVs...tempura, terriyaki beef, rice,sushi, fresh veggies and greens - VERY good!!! Most of our group's conversation now centers on what we'll do when we leave Uganda - nearly everyone's primary focus is home or post service travel!!!
Sunday, Sr. Goretti made my favorite meal of liver and chips (fries) and pineapple...really sweet of her. I worked on laundry, English prep (review for exam) and then sat in on practice for the Christmas Program (Sunday Nov. 29)...it's pretty rough,but it will pull off (I hope). We have the keyboard guy and the sound guy booked and will get some new costumes - really sparks up the performance.
I got two packets of newspaper articles from Corky and as I was reading realized that Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize - talk about feeling out of touch!!! Now that she's home Maria says we're not missing much w/o TV, but I do miss the news.
Monday, Sister J. wanted to plant banana suckers so all the "walkers" (5) had to work - even the other went to watch for awhile, so English class was canceled. Banana trees (which aren't really trees) don't produce seeds - they grow "suckers" from the main stalk which you can cut and plant. The trees take about a year to produce bananas and then you cut down the main tree and go w. the sucker (keeps up for about 5 years). Actually, our suckers were bought from a demonstration farm and were grown in a lab from leaf tissue,but that's more than you need to know. We'd budgeted for 130 suckers in the grant and Sister had the prisioners dig holes, but someone forgot to tell them to stop! She ended up w. 400 holes!!! We got 250 suckers from the farm and the rest are taken from local trees. The kids worked so hard, helped a lot by a local man who's sort of crazy but works like a demon!!! I tried to help, too - the holes are 3' x 3' x 3'. You put manure in each one (we also spent time getting extra manure from the novitiates pig barn - we'd used all ours up)....then, push the sucker into the manure and put a little black dirt around the plant....it's quite a project being down in the hole, pushing the suckers into the manure - I didn't start till afternoon and I was bushed!!! (and smelly).
I had spent the morning w. Sr. Goretti measuring students for a possible gift of some wheelchairs and tricycles (three wheeled chairs you propel w. a hand crank - very usefull on the road). We had visitors from the Mormon church who have an office in Uganda and said they may be able to get us some - would be great for the tailors and shoemakers who will start w. a mobile workshop....cross your fingers!!! Also, went to check on a sponsored child for someone in the U.S. who is sending money to an uncle after a visit here. It was legit (payments were being made) but it pays to check it out!! So, I was a late worker in the banana fields (thank goodness)....am thinking tho' that banana sucker planting is not a skill that's highly marketable in Minnesota!
On the way to the school, I saw the Nkokonjeru Public Works Dept....one guy w. a shovel and hoe, digging dirt out of the ditch and throwing it on the huge gullies in the road!!!
Tuesday I got the English exam review done - great walk in the p.m. w. Holly - she really books!!!
Wednesday am I went to Mukono early for my bi-weekly internet fix. In the afternoon I was back and we had a BIG rain and hailstorm. I was really worried for the banana suckers, but we went out and they were a bit beaten, but fine. Guess that's an advantage of being at the bottom of a 3 foot hole!!!
Having a lot of frustration lately w. people asking for money - maybe because I'm getting close to the end, but it's been pretty constant. I never given anyone money directly (per China's hint when I first arrived), but it keeps up - some are big - business start up, house - some smaller - bicycle, school fees - and some really small - candy,chipati - but it really gets annoying!!! I can usually brush it off, but some days I have a harder time!!!
Thursday Sr. Goretti and I went to Kampala w. Sula in the truck for costume material - trip went really well and we got 27 blue T-shirts and material for 20+ skirts (blue and white).....Sr. Goretti loves blue!! Good prices on both....less than anticipated.
Sr. Juliet didn't go but spent the a.m. looking for a bull in the area that could service Maria (the cow - she was in heat and you only have 24 hours). Hilarious story about her search for the perfect suitor - some were too young, some too short, some not a good breed. She finally "rented" one and he got the job done...she was worried about our cow shed so they had to tether the cow outside!!!
The production sewers are making baby dresses for sale and they were totally unaware of how to price them (I hadn't let them know the fabric costs) so we went over that - they'd grossly underestimated the amount of material they were using (they guessed 1/2 yd./dress - it was actually 2 yards!!). We have to charge enough to at least cover cost.....I'm worried about sustainablity. Also, having trouble w. the guy who's selling the milk (our regular animal manager is home w. his wife and new baby for a bit)....he's not turning in all the money and Sr. Goretti is concerned, but no one wants to confront him (and he speaks no English). In the midst of this 3 boys left shoemaking class because they didn't want to mop the floor after Didas told them to do it. I just lost it - I'm embarrassed about it now! Yelled at everyone - sewing kids, the 3 boys - even got angry w. Sr. Goretti! Finally calmed down and apologized to all - when did I forget it's not my stuff? It was all given to PH and they have to manage it the best they can! Humbling afternoon!
Saturday we had the first ever PH Staff Party - everyone contributed and the women cooked tons of food and we all went in the truck to a place about an hour away called Sezebbwa Falls - very nice time despite some rain showers. We had 21 staff - 8 in the front of the double cabin truck, 13 in back w. the sound system, generator and the food - quite the ride.....seemed very Peace Corps (Holly came too). A very good afternoon!!! Holly and I came back before the serious dancing started - can't compete w. Africans!!! Also, there were 13 people from Bake for Life in Holland coming to PH and the kids were doing a welcome (my excuse).
So, that's the week....lots of my usual ups and downs (and one BIG down). I'm looking forward to the end of the school term, the end of the program and the exit of many of the kids for two months......and some down time. End of year reports to do, but there's no rush!!! I'm planning to go to Rwanda in mid-December to see my sponsor children and our COS (Close Of Service) conference is in mid-January where we learn everything we need to know about paperwork (a specialty in federal agencies).
Hope you are all well and enjoying the fall (or is it winter?). We are still getting lots of rain (thank goodness-can't imagine carrying water to 400 banana plants). I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers - keeps me going!!! Good luck to all in the busy (and sometimes difficult) holiday season!!!
It was a busy week - next week is final exams for our little vocational program and always is a rush - I was typing exams, but didn't realize the printer ink was finished so everyone (including me) had to hand write their exams! Learning to adapt (?). Next Sunday is the Kampala Marathon - Holly is doing the 10K so I'll go and watch...other volunteers are doing 1/2s and wholes....it will be a fun gathering.
Last Saturday after I blogged Shari and her friend Michelle had a dinner for a group of local PCVs...tempura, terriyaki beef, rice,sushi, fresh veggies and greens - VERY good!!! Most of our group's conversation now centers on what we'll do when we leave Uganda - nearly everyone's primary focus is home or post service travel!!!
Sunday, Sr. Goretti made my favorite meal of liver and chips (fries) and pineapple...really sweet of her. I worked on laundry, English prep (review for exam) and then sat in on practice for the Christmas Program (Sunday Nov. 29)...it's pretty rough,but it will pull off (I hope). We have the keyboard guy and the sound guy booked and will get some new costumes - really sparks up the performance.
I got two packets of newspaper articles from Corky and as I was reading realized that Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize - talk about feeling out of touch!!! Now that she's home Maria says we're not missing much w/o TV, but I do miss the news.
Monday, Sister J. wanted to plant banana suckers so all the "walkers" (5) had to work - even the other went to watch for awhile, so English class was canceled. Banana trees (which aren't really trees) don't produce seeds - they grow "suckers" from the main stalk which you can cut and plant. The trees take about a year to produce bananas and then you cut down the main tree and go w. the sucker (keeps up for about 5 years). Actually, our suckers were bought from a demonstration farm and were grown in a lab from leaf tissue,but that's more than you need to know. We'd budgeted for 130 suckers in the grant and Sister had the prisioners dig holes, but someone forgot to tell them to stop! She ended up w. 400 holes!!! We got 250 suckers from the farm and the rest are taken from local trees. The kids worked so hard, helped a lot by a local man who's sort of crazy but works like a demon!!! I tried to help, too - the holes are 3' x 3' x 3'. You put manure in each one (we also spent time getting extra manure from the novitiates pig barn - we'd used all ours up)....then, push the sucker into the manure and put a little black dirt around the plant....it's quite a project being down in the hole, pushing the suckers into the manure - I didn't start till afternoon and I was bushed!!! (and smelly).
I had spent the morning w. Sr. Goretti measuring students for a possible gift of some wheelchairs and tricycles (three wheeled chairs you propel w. a hand crank - very usefull on the road). We had visitors from the Mormon church who have an office in Uganda and said they may be able to get us some - would be great for the tailors and shoemakers who will start w. a mobile workshop....cross your fingers!!! Also, went to check on a sponsored child for someone in the U.S. who is sending money to an uncle after a visit here. It was legit (payments were being made) but it pays to check it out!! So, I was a late worker in the banana fields (thank goodness)....am thinking tho' that banana sucker planting is not a skill that's highly marketable in Minnesota!
On the way to the school, I saw the Nkokonjeru Public Works Dept....one guy w. a shovel and hoe, digging dirt out of the ditch and throwing it on the huge gullies in the road!!!
Tuesday I got the English exam review done - great walk in the p.m. w. Holly - she really books!!!
Wednesday am I went to Mukono early for my bi-weekly internet fix. In the afternoon I was back and we had a BIG rain and hailstorm. I was really worried for the banana suckers, but we went out and they were a bit beaten, but fine. Guess that's an advantage of being at the bottom of a 3 foot hole!!!
Having a lot of frustration lately w. people asking for money - maybe because I'm getting close to the end, but it's been pretty constant. I never given anyone money directly (per China's hint when I first arrived), but it keeps up - some are big - business start up, house - some smaller - bicycle, school fees - and some really small - candy,chipati - but it really gets annoying!!! I can usually brush it off, but some days I have a harder time!!!
Thursday Sr. Goretti and I went to Kampala w. Sula in the truck for costume material - trip went really well and we got 27 blue T-shirts and material for 20+ skirts (blue and white).....Sr. Goretti loves blue!! Good prices on both....less than anticipated.
Sr. Juliet didn't go but spent the a.m. looking for a bull in the area that could service Maria (the cow - she was in heat and you only have 24 hours). Hilarious story about her search for the perfect suitor - some were too young, some too short, some not a good breed. She finally "rented" one and he got the job done...she was worried about our cow shed so they had to tether the cow outside!!!
The production sewers are making baby dresses for sale and they were totally unaware of how to price them (I hadn't let them know the fabric costs) so we went over that - they'd grossly underestimated the amount of material they were using (they guessed 1/2 yd./dress - it was actually 2 yards!!). We have to charge enough to at least cover cost.....I'm worried about sustainablity. Also, having trouble w. the guy who's selling the milk (our regular animal manager is home w. his wife and new baby for a bit)....he's not turning in all the money and Sr. Goretti is concerned, but no one wants to confront him (and he speaks no English). In the midst of this 3 boys left shoemaking class because they didn't want to mop the floor after Didas told them to do it. I just lost it - I'm embarrassed about it now! Yelled at everyone - sewing kids, the 3 boys - even got angry w. Sr. Goretti! Finally calmed down and apologized to all - when did I forget it's not my stuff? It was all given to PH and they have to manage it the best they can! Humbling afternoon!
Saturday we had the first ever PH Staff Party - everyone contributed and the women cooked tons of food and we all went in the truck to a place about an hour away called Sezebbwa Falls - very nice time despite some rain showers. We had 21 staff - 8 in the front of the double cabin truck, 13 in back w. the sound system, generator and the food - quite the ride.....seemed very Peace Corps (Holly came too). A very good afternoon!!! Holly and I came back before the serious dancing started - can't compete w. Africans!!! Also, there were 13 people from Bake for Life in Holland coming to PH and the kids were doing a welcome (my excuse).
So, that's the week....lots of my usual ups and downs (and one BIG down). I'm looking forward to the end of the school term, the end of the program and the exit of many of the kids for two months......and some down time. End of year reports to do, but there's no rush!!! I'm planning to go to Rwanda in mid-December to see my sponsor children and our COS (Close Of Service) conference is in mid-January where we learn everything we need to know about paperwork (a specialty in federal agencies).
Hope you are all well and enjoying the fall (or is it winter?). We are still getting lots of rain (thank goodness-can't imagine carrying water to 400 banana plants). I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers - keeps me going!!! Good luck to all in the busy (and sometimes difficult) holiday season!!!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Am at Mukono bright and early Saturday a.m. - the guy opened at 7:15, I got a really good keyboard and it's working well - think this is one of those days where things work. It's been raining a LOT and the road in was pretty rutted, but there were 3 Sisters on the matatu which always makes me feel a lot safer. I told Jean, I feel like Anne of Green Gables - either "in the depths of despair" or "the heights of rapture" - depending on how things are going - I need to level a bit!!!
It's been a busy week at Providence Home - the end of last week I spent some afternoons rounding up kids to go dig/hoe (some were under their beds) - but, then I felt obligated to join them and didn't wear my gloves - BIG blisters!
I had a great weekend w. Beth and the PCVs in the area - nice to see some other projects/living quarters - I still like mine the best! Beth is really fluent in the language (she was PCV in Namibia before here) and I can see where it helps - I should have studied more!
Sunday nite Bert called - said Henry said "let's call Grandma in Africa" - he sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" - priceless.
School is going fast - next week is Revision (review) and the following week is Exams. The last week we're saving for practice for the Christmas Program (Nov. 29). Went w. the kids to "pull" beans Monday afternoon - again, after shagging them out of the dorms. Sister went to collect a stack of firewood she saw in our fields - cut illegally from the home's property (happens a lot). She'd been there Saturday and mentioned to our caretaker who lives there, that she would come Monday to take it; he (of course) denied any knowledge of the woodcutting!!! Well, Monday it was GONE!!! Sula followed the footprints and found it hidden in some bushes (and it was a big pile). The watchman stared in wonder!! They went to get it Tuesday a.m. and neighbors told Sister the watchman paid them 10,000 shillings to move it over the weekend!!! But he stays on - and he'll do it again. Sister says having him out there (it's far out) keeps people from stealing the crops (except him!!!).
Holly came back from Rwanda Monday night - they had a great time. Saw the Genocide memorial and even went to a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu - she said Rwanda was very organized and neat - very Euro/African! She lost her apt. key on the trip and Sr. Ambrose had to dig through the hospital's pile of extra keys to find one that opened it - keys are a constant problem here!!!
Had a cockroach in my bed Monday nite - I tried to deny it as he scampered over me looking for a way out - finally got up, turned on the light and sprayed him! UGH!
Having some zuccini and cukes from our garden, but the leaf mold is gaining - it's just been raining so much and think our American seeds can't handle the African climate and diseases!!
Tuesday the Sisters, Nelson, Jasimine and I went to the burial of an 8 year old who was coming to Nelson's Wednesday afternoon physical therapy. He was really crippled and could barely eat....sad case. His sister (11) also has sickle cell and looks bad too - such tragedies! Alex subbed for me in English class - I swear he does better than I do (also can re-explain in Lugandan). Had a great walk w. Holly - she books!!!! I feel much better and sleep better when we walk (and talk).
Wednesday I left at 6:30 to go to Mukono to use the internet - but the internet wasn't working. I tried the other internet cafes but no luck....came back and sat for over 2 hours punching the screen till it came on at 9:45!!! (Fortunately I had a book). Sister J was picking me up at 10 in the truck to go to Kampala, but (also fortunately) she started late (surprise?) and didn't get to Mukono till 11:15 so I got things done. (again the UP and DOWN)
Sr. Goretti and Sr. Juliet had stops in Kampala and Sula and I went to Entebee to the Orthopedic Hospital (CoRSU) to pick up Justine - she was finally going home!!! - after 8 solid months in the hospital w/o even a visit home for her or mom (or visits by the siblings at the hospital)!!! Dr. Antonio (the Italian surgeon) told me that after all that time of having the puss coming from the bone, he was desperate and tested her for TB - and she was positive (after having the regular coughing TB, if it's not treated, it can re-occur in other parts of the body). Her symptoms are not at all textbook for bone TB but one he got her on the anti-TB drugs she improved rapidly - she's walking a bit w. crutches and looks SO much better!!! She has to take the drugs for 8 months and then should be O.K. She was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened in April and was nearly dead when she got there! She and her mom were SO happy!!! We took them home and it is WAY, WAY back off the road in the forest - and then we had to walk down a path! Their home is mud and small, but it's home. They have some nice coffee trees but mom told Sr. Goretti that they "pre-sold" their crop to cover costs while they were at CoRSU so no income this season. I'm sure they are looking forward to a return to normal life.
We had the Epilipsy Clinic on Thursday - almost 60 people!! Moses is still at his class and Kinene's Uncle died and he couldn't come, so it was a bit confused but we made it thanks to our nurse, Juliet, and Stella (a disabled young woman from PH who recently graduated from the University but hasn't found a job)....great helpers!!!
Finished reading Into Africa by Craig Parker -he is/was a Professor at the U of Minnesota! Did research w. the lions of the Serengeti and the chimps of Gombe in Tanzania. Interesting book. He says there's a "mal d'Africa" - African sickness - and that people who go back to the "boring, temperate world" long for the color, chaos and edginess of Africa!! I'm not so sure! However, as he got older (and enjoyed his creature comforts more) his stays got shorter! Now reading The Spare Room...short book about a woman who takes care of a friend w. terminal cancer..also good!
Sister J and Sr. G and I are working on a small proposal for wheelchairs and tricycles - three wheeled chairs that move w. hand cranks - very sturdy and handy for mobility in the villages! We had visitors from the Church of the Latter Day Saints and they said they may be able to provide some - would be fabulous!!! We'll see....they are made in Jinja, Uganda and are really well made!
Friday I got in one math class - a bit of a struggle - doing money counting and change - some are good, but some have NO clue. Had a long (and late) staff meeting and missed the 2nd Math class. Then, Nelson and I went to Kinene's uncle's funeral - very big crowd. When we arrived they were reading the condolence letters and a guy was still varnishing the coffin!! People bring cloths to wrap the body - some fabric, some barkcloth - and guess there were late arrivals, because they had to take the wrapped body out of the coffin and add about 6 more layers!! Then stuff him back in and proceed to the burial site. People here are buried in family graveyards....after the coffin goes in they fill the hole up w. cement - so wearing rubber boots to the funeral means you are a close male friend or relative and are shoveling cement! The man was 83 and there were lots of older people - they have the most interesting faces - all lines and curves from years of hard, manual labor in the sun!
Hope you are all enjoying the fall - well, guess it's technically winter. All is going well here (today) - we've sold a few more piglets, cow is producing well and the chickens are healthy! What more can I ask for??? Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. Mailed my school election ballot on Wednesday (I was able to get the copy to mail via e-mail - YEA!)....pretty exciting!
Happy Birthday Kody and Henry.....Best wishes to you all.
It's been a busy week at Providence Home - the end of last week I spent some afternoons rounding up kids to go dig/hoe (some were under their beds) - but, then I felt obligated to join them and didn't wear my gloves - BIG blisters!
I had a great weekend w. Beth and the PCVs in the area - nice to see some other projects/living quarters - I still like mine the best! Beth is really fluent in the language (she was PCV in Namibia before here) and I can see where it helps - I should have studied more!
Sunday nite Bert called - said Henry said "let's call Grandma in Africa" - he sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" - priceless.
School is going fast - next week is Revision (review) and the following week is Exams. The last week we're saving for practice for the Christmas Program (Nov. 29). Went w. the kids to "pull" beans Monday afternoon - again, after shagging them out of the dorms. Sister went to collect a stack of firewood she saw in our fields - cut illegally from the home's property (happens a lot). She'd been there Saturday and mentioned to our caretaker who lives there, that she would come Monday to take it; he (of course) denied any knowledge of the woodcutting!!! Well, Monday it was GONE!!! Sula followed the footprints and found it hidden in some bushes (and it was a big pile). The watchman stared in wonder!! They went to get it Tuesday a.m. and neighbors told Sister the watchman paid them 10,000 shillings to move it over the weekend!!! But he stays on - and he'll do it again. Sister says having him out there (it's far out) keeps people from stealing the crops (except him!!!).
Holly came back from Rwanda Monday night - they had a great time. Saw the Genocide memorial and even went to a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu - she said Rwanda was very organized and neat - very Euro/African! She lost her apt. key on the trip and Sr. Ambrose had to dig through the hospital's pile of extra keys to find one that opened it - keys are a constant problem here!!!
Had a cockroach in my bed Monday nite - I tried to deny it as he scampered over me looking for a way out - finally got up, turned on the light and sprayed him! UGH!
Having some zuccini and cukes from our garden, but the leaf mold is gaining - it's just been raining so much and think our American seeds can't handle the African climate and diseases!!
Tuesday the Sisters, Nelson, Jasimine and I went to the burial of an 8 year old who was coming to Nelson's Wednesday afternoon physical therapy. He was really crippled and could barely eat....sad case. His sister (11) also has sickle cell and looks bad too - such tragedies! Alex subbed for me in English class - I swear he does better than I do (also can re-explain in Lugandan). Had a great walk w. Holly - she books!!!! I feel much better and sleep better when we walk (and talk).
Wednesday I left at 6:30 to go to Mukono to use the internet - but the internet wasn't working. I tried the other internet cafes but no luck....came back and sat for over 2 hours punching the screen till it came on at 9:45!!! (Fortunately I had a book). Sister J was picking me up at 10 in the truck to go to Kampala, but (also fortunately) she started late (surprise?) and didn't get to Mukono till 11:15 so I got things done. (again the UP and DOWN)
Sr. Goretti and Sr. Juliet had stops in Kampala and Sula and I went to Entebee to the Orthopedic Hospital (CoRSU) to pick up Justine - she was finally going home!!! - after 8 solid months in the hospital w/o even a visit home for her or mom (or visits by the siblings at the hospital)!!! Dr. Antonio (the Italian surgeon) told me that after all that time of having the puss coming from the bone, he was desperate and tested her for TB - and she was positive (after having the regular coughing TB, if it's not treated, it can re-occur in other parts of the body). Her symptoms are not at all textbook for bone TB but one he got her on the anti-TB drugs she improved rapidly - she's walking a bit w. crutches and looks SO much better!!! She has to take the drugs for 8 months and then should be O.K. She was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened in April and was nearly dead when she got there! She and her mom were SO happy!!! We took them home and it is WAY, WAY back off the road in the forest - and then we had to walk down a path! Their home is mud and small, but it's home. They have some nice coffee trees but mom told Sr. Goretti that they "pre-sold" their crop to cover costs while they were at CoRSU so no income this season. I'm sure they are looking forward to a return to normal life.
We had the Epilipsy Clinic on Thursday - almost 60 people!! Moses is still at his class and Kinene's Uncle died and he couldn't come, so it was a bit confused but we made it thanks to our nurse, Juliet, and Stella (a disabled young woman from PH who recently graduated from the University but hasn't found a job)....great helpers!!!
Finished reading Into Africa by Craig Parker -he is/was a Professor at the U of Minnesota! Did research w. the lions of the Serengeti and the chimps of Gombe in Tanzania. Interesting book. He says there's a "mal d'Africa" - African sickness - and that people who go back to the "boring, temperate world" long for the color, chaos and edginess of Africa!! I'm not so sure! However, as he got older (and enjoyed his creature comforts more) his stays got shorter! Now reading The Spare Room...short book about a woman who takes care of a friend w. terminal cancer..also good!
Sister J and Sr. G and I are working on a small proposal for wheelchairs and tricycles - three wheeled chairs that move w. hand cranks - very sturdy and handy for mobility in the villages! We had visitors from the Church of the Latter Day Saints and they said they may be able to provide some - would be fabulous!!! We'll see....they are made in Jinja, Uganda and are really well made!
Friday I got in one math class - a bit of a struggle - doing money counting and change - some are good, but some have NO clue. Had a long (and late) staff meeting and missed the 2nd Math class. Then, Nelson and I went to Kinene's uncle's funeral - very big crowd. When we arrived they were reading the condolence letters and a guy was still varnishing the coffin!! People bring cloths to wrap the body - some fabric, some barkcloth - and guess there were late arrivals, because they had to take the wrapped body out of the coffin and add about 6 more layers!! Then stuff him back in and proceed to the burial site. People here are buried in family graveyards....after the coffin goes in they fill the hole up w. cement - so wearing rubber boots to the funeral means you are a close male friend or relative and are shoveling cement! The man was 83 and there were lots of older people - they have the most interesting faces - all lines and curves from years of hard, manual labor in the sun!
Hope you are all enjoying the fall - well, guess it's technically winter. All is going well here (today) - we've sold a few more piglets, cow is producing well and the chickens are healthy! What more can I ask for??? Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. Mailed my school election ballot on Wednesday (I was able to get the copy to mail via e-mail - YEA!)....pretty exciting!
Happy Birthday Kody and Henry.....Best wishes to you all.
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