Easter Sunday was fun. The Holland girls boiled eggs and the kids decorated w. markers...and then ate them (some ate before decorating). We had a lovely dinner and sodas (a big hit) and Maria had brought 8 big baskets and candy that we handed out. The girls donated a big CD player to the kids - really a great present and much appreciated.
Monday Maria went back and I went home to re-organize and get the English final typed and copied. Took some girls to the market to buy some used clothing for Nantale (the girl w. the braces). They love to have money and shop! They are also very frugal! I stay away while they are bargaining!
The kids have started painting animal murals outside their dormitory rooms (giraffe, elephant, etc.)- each dorm got to pick one to identify itself and the Holland girls are supervising. They are really cute!! We found out that Saturday nite while the kids were at church someone came in and stole Bob's locker (he's the one w. MD in the wheelchair). Really a rotten thing to do!!! Sister thinks she knows who it is (former resident). Stealing is a terrible problem!
Tuesday, Sister talked me into going to Kampala to take Justine back to the hospital (I was hoping she'd go). I got Alex to do math class again...he's good and I give him a little money for subbing (1000sh - 60 cents!). We were supposed to leave at 7 and actually left at 7:20 (Holland girls went along to do shopping and tour the hospital) but a little way out of town we realized we'd forgotten a key to get copied so had to come back. REALLY left at 7:45 which is still good! Sr. Sara went along to do bakery shopping and it was a LONG day. Dropped Justine off in Entebbe at the hospital, went to town to buy material the girls wanted to make uniforms for Nelson's class, picked up Sr. Sara at the warehouse district (a madhouse), went to Katelemwa so they could see it, went to pick up plastic bags for the bakery, and then went back downtown to look for shirts they want to buy for Nelsons class....we met someone there to guide us and went through the labryinth of shops in the heart of the city - it's unbelievable! They finally got some nice dk. green polo shirts....then a quick stop at Logogo mall and we got back at 8!!
Wednesday I gave the Math final - no helping and no copying - really hard for some! Moses had gone out on Tuesday to see the home of the mom w. the malnourished babies we took to the hospital last week. SURPRISE - she has a husband who lives there, but Moses said, tho' they have land, they aren't working it! Also, there are older children living there and going to school when they have money but not doing much else (Moses was pretty disgusted w. them). The woman has had 15 children - five have died in infancy. No wonder she wanted to save this one! I was angry w. her at first for lying about having a husband, but can see she was desperate to get help.
The malnourished baby
Fred and I met to discuss the pigs - we want to have stockpiled (or have money saved) for enough food and medicine for a long time - it takes about a year to actually "make" money from pigs - we get them at 2 months, they can be bred at 8 mos., takes about 4 months to gestate (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days???) and then 2 months to sell the piglets (am I close, those of you who know pigs?).
Thursday we did the English Exam - I had to read it to some (and did help them). Am helping Nelson with Nantale's braces every day and getting her to walk a few times a day - it's exhausting!. Her grandfather stopped by and it's obvious he doesn't want her to come home any time soon. And he never brings her anything (even bananas) - I think they think she'll stay here forever, but she's not!
Nantale
Decided to take a quick trip to Mukono to check the P.O. instead of correcting English Exams (did that at night tho'). The Postmaster was out of the office and he has the only key to the mailroom!!! The guy who's there just shruged!!!
I was already on the matatu back when Nelson texted me and said the dad of the 15 children was in his room and could I come quickly! Got back and talked to the man (through Nelson) - he gave a different story than what Moses reported - said they had gardens/chickens etc. Think he was trying to make himself look good. Also, said that the babies died because the mom had children too close together and that it was TOTALLY her responsibility to do any family planning!!! (He neglected to mention he wouldn't give her permission or money to go to a clinic). He also said that if she stops having babies he'll get a new wife and have more because he wants a lot (like 10 living children isn't enough?)...but they have no money and no food! (which he denied). I was having a hard time hearing all this. Nelson was being WAY too polite! And he wants his wife home NOW!(probably to work). I told him to go get her - don't think Nelson translated it that way - Of course, he has no money to go get her! After he left I helped Nelson clean some oozing sores on Vanungi's ankle - (well, I held her)...she really screamed which is very uncharacteristic...must have hurt badly. I kept venting about the man!!
Both Bookkeeping and Tailoring got their exams done on Friday (YEA) so all are done...now to get reports done! I had the Math and English ones corrected in one day and the kids were amazed! Most did well. Nelson and I went by matatu to Mulago to see the mom and babies (2 and 4 mos.)...wanted to see why she lied about the husband (tho' after meeting him I can see why). The 2 year old looked SO much better - waving her arms and smiling at me!! I couldn't believe what a week of intensive feeding had done! And, apparently there is no bill (a service that is govt. sponsored - YEA), so she'll stay longer. Mom looked better, too! While we were there a young doctor stopped by and said that Mulago is trying to do more community based work (isn't everyone?) and he wants some pictures of the family home and was going to present this family as a case study at a staff meeting on April 28 and we were invited! If it helps get attention for the mom and kids, I'm all for it!
Got back at 8 (again - I'm really too old for this)...had a great supper of toasted bagel (New York Kitchen), spam single and cheese - wonderful!! Know it's LOTS of calories and fat, but it balances the Luna bar for lunch!!!
Satuday I went with the Sisters and some children to an event in Tororo (Northeast)....put on by Sr. Margaret, the former administrator at PH. Very nice, but LONG. Met some great "older" (my age) gals from Ireland who are working in the area for 3 weeks. They are totally frustrated w. Ugandans, but can't wait to come back!!! The place is irritating but compelling!
On the way back we stopped to see a milk cow at a baby orphanage in Iganga run by the Sisters.(that sentence is hard to get - sorry). They have 3 and need to sell one - she's had one calf and is pg again and looks good, but we want to look at some others. The sister in charge had really good ideas about feeding and care tho' - she's got it down! We need to have some reserve to be sure we can get good food and medicine when we need it! We left Saturday at 5 a.m. (actually 5:45 - 5 was the target time) and returned at 9 - and Sr. J still had a meeting to go to!!
I'm having a very quiet Sunday - actually trying to avoid people....need to "re-charge". Reading a good book Julie sent me (first book in weeks). I was sitting in Mass this a.m. in the back w. the kids thinking about how "church" isn't a building, it's a community....and that this has, for now, become my community....not family, but still people I really care about and enjoy.
Hope all had a good Easter and that spring is on it's way!!! Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers - goodness knows I need them!!!
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