Sunday a.m. in Kampala

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take care and have a good summer!