Came into the Peace Corps office today to use the computer and hopefully get some help with my Small Project grant for the vocational school. Kind of nice to have fast accesss to the internet!!!
Came to Kampala last Saturday to shop - haven't been to "town" since Corky was here and didn't do any shopping then so I had quite a bit to get. Also, Maria had bought a bunch of material for the tailoring students and I wanted to pick it up and bring it back - really nice patterns....very cute ABC print for children's dresses. We are hoping the students can make some things to sell.
Once back I went to the little shop where I make copies and get school suplies. Caro (the cook for the sisters) was there making copies for Sr. Goretti and I mentioned Sr. Goretti's name and Beatrice (the owner) said she had some other things for Sister and would give them to Caro to take back to PH if I would vouch for her!!! Thought it was strange having the muzungu do that - but I am a GOOD customer!!!
Read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See - good book (from book club) - read it in a day (and it wasn't even a slow day!).
On Sunday we had visiting day - not many parents came, but it's our first time. Sister had a meeting to explain our "new" rules....parents actually added some!!! The parents of one of the new residents came with birthday treats for all the girls - biscuits (cookies) and juice - just a really generous treat!! The girl (18) had a brain tumor removed some years ago and is slow and think they are just happy she has a place to be where she appears to be happy!
Classes seem to be going well - I know I'm going too fast for some, but most of the newer students are pretty sharp and want to keep them interested. Still gear down one Math worksheet for the slower ones - don't want them to feel bad about not getting it. Kids were upset about Monday's lunch - the cook (or whoever - it's tough to get down to the bottom for accountability here) forgot to have corn ground so there was no way to make posho (power was out) and they had beans cooked w. whole kernel corn - guess it's the staple in Kenyan schools - but many refused to eat it because "we don't eat that in Uganda" - guess they aren't really hungry!
Tuesday CBR went well - we're working on a "Workplan" for 2009 (well, we're a little late). Went down in the late afternoon after Math and Sister J invited me to go with the kids to dig sweet potatoes from the field plowed 3 months ago - we dug by hand to get one big one from each hill and left the plants intact! Another group was weeding around the banana trees and the less mobile ones were peeling cassava for lunch the next day - all seemed to be having fun and feeling pretty productive (maybe the corn/beans lunch motivated them!!!).
Wednesday was one of the down days - lots of frustrations. The plan was to go w. Fred to a professional farm outside Nkokonjeru to check their piggery but the truck had a flat tire; it got fixed but then they needed firewood to make lunch (lack of long - short? - range planning) and the boys who were to help needed to take porridge first; went up to RASD to e-mail while I waited and it wasn't working; back to PH - took 2 girls to town to show them where we buy brown paper to make patterns - got some mandazi (fried donut balls) for the class - they were SO excited! Finally got ready to go to the farm and called Fred and he was on his way to Kampala - ugh! Went to the farm anyway w. the driver (Sula) and saw their pigs - they are SO nice. They also said they do a "class" for piggery workers and want our new worker to take it when he arrives! (good things happened in the day, too). Came back and went up to RASD again (had called and they said the internet was one) - not working still! Stopped on the way back to see the house being built by an older gentleman from Portland OR who came here as a volunteer teacher and is staying - really nice, big house!! Went back to my apt. to take in my laundry and realized that someone had stolen my good black ECCO sandals from my veranda!! I was mad!!! I think it was some school kids taking a shortcut through the convent. Went back to PH to take one of the girls to town to buy hair vaseline (her dad had given her some $)....ended at Mass. Holly stopped by and brought mail - YEA! Then went to make supper and my propane tank was empty - and the power is out!!! (power is still out - Sunday to ????). Big bummer!!! Had to have cold coffee Thursday a.m. So, the day was full of ups and downs....somedays are like that - makes me crazy, but that's life in Nkokonjeru (and probably everywhere else - just seems magnified here because you have no baseline - e.g. predictable spots).
Thursday was much better - English class went well. We wrote a progressive story about how to tell a muzungu to make matoke (steamed green bananas) and then changed it to past tense - kids enjoyed the story! And the E-mail worked! Holly and I met and worked on a grant for training village health workers -we took my empty gas tank to PH and had lunch (Sister J was going in the truck to Kampala Friday and said she'd get it filled). Holly made me supper (since I can't cook) and gave me a thermos of boiling water so I could have hot coffee this a.m. - really sweet!!!
So, the plus side is winning!! (today). Hope Spring is coming to you all - our rain is still sporadic so we haven't planted our garden - maybe in a week. Next week Sister J and I are going to the grand opening of the new Italian orthopedic hospital in Kampala....I'm excited to see it.
Tomorrow is Riley's 4th birthday - can't believe it. Or that there are now NINE grandchildren four and under!!! Hope you are all well and life is good. Sorry if I complain too much - life is good here, too. Love the kids at Providence Home and feel useful and busy there - it's just that the pace of life and culture is so different! What did I expect???
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, March 13 - Past the 13 month mark!
Probably looking ahead to the end a this point is not a great way to look at things, but we now have 13 months in country - and 13 months to go (11 months at site).....it seems long sometimes, but at others it seems short! There is a group leaving in April, the first group we really got to know and it seems hard to see them go!!! We are already thinking about what we will do with all our "stuff" when we leave - give most away I'm sure.
I forgot last week to mention the U.K. eye workers organization - Sight 4 Africa....it was a very quiet week w/o them!! Blog will be short (rejoice).
They gave me a great book "The Man With The Key is Gone" by Dr. Ian Clarke from No. Ireland who started Kiwoko Hospital in Luweero (we visited there in training) in the late 80s....it's a very Christian perspective, but very funny in parts - esp. since I've been talking about jiggers, matatutus, frustrations etc. for the past 13 months....I think most will enjoy it!!! It was also a time when AIDS was a death sentence - must more hopeful today if people get tested and take ARVs!
Sunday, after the UK group left I washed, cleaned, did class prep for the week and re-grouped. One of the songs at Mass was "Take It To The Lord in Prayer" - seemed very appropirate - esp. when I am "tired and discouraged". It was International Day For Women, and the priest mentioned it but then went on to talk about Obedience (Abraham and Issac reading) and Suffering - think the Ugandan women have enough of obedience and suffering....they work SO hard. He also said that if a child turns out bad, it is the mother's fault! I don't think so!!! Had a welcome for the Holland girls in the p.m. They are really a fun group (3) to have around and play with the kids in the afternoon - the kids are loving it.
Had a slow week - lots of catch up to do after the eye clinic - classes went on as scheduled. Continuing fractions in Math and they "get" 1/2 of a circle, but have problems w. the concept of 1/2 of the class or 1/2 of the way to Mukono - difficulty seeing the abstract! Well, that's sort of concrete, but can't put it on the board!! At English on Thursday we were working on "Directions"...first tried mapping Nkokonjeru and giving directions but that was a really alien concept....they just say "over there" and give a head movement in the proper direction!!! Then we did a little science experiment following directions....that worked better! Still a learning process for me.
Pig shed is progressing....met again w. the builder and we need to get this stage done and then work on finishing the floor before the pigs can be bought and moved in. Apparently pigs try to root and "eat" the cement unless you put on a very strong finishing layer. Fred and I are going to a model farm nearby on Monday to check on their operation and pig varieties. This project has been such a learning experience - wish I had been more assertive at the start, but not sure it would have made much difference - the building is sound and looks good so that's a real plus! I think forcing the builder to have a plan and a set budget would have been a good learning experinece for him but not sure the outcome would have been much different!
Holly hosted a Peace Corps Trainee this week - new class in training. It was fun to look back on that time in our lives - we've come a long way I think! Had dinner together and that was fun....and good food! Weds. a.m. we all went down to PH to start digging our garden - it's been very HOT and DRY (rains have stopped) so it was really work swinging the big hoes....added some manure from our cow pile....we're keeping at it but won't plant till the rains really start (April??). Some people planted after the first rains last week, but seedlings are now dying - very sad. People say you can't depend on the seasons like you used to be able to....
That's it.....pretty slow week. Actually, it was kind of nice for a change. The heat really makes it hard to do too much. We dig at 6:30 a.m. and now have the soil all worked up.
Hope you are all well and Spring is starting....thanks for the wonderful letters and packages and for your thoughts and prayers! Means so much.
I forgot last week to mention the U.K. eye workers organization - Sight 4 Africa....it was a very quiet week w/o them!! Blog will be short (rejoice).
They gave me a great book "The Man With The Key is Gone" by Dr. Ian Clarke from No. Ireland who started Kiwoko Hospital in Luweero (we visited there in training) in the late 80s....it's a very Christian perspective, but very funny in parts - esp. since I've been talking about jiggers, matatutus, frustrations etc. for the past 13 months....I think most will enjoy it!!! It was also a time when AIDS was a death sentence - must more hopeful today if people get tested and take ARVs!
Sunday, after the UK group left I washed, cleaned, did class prep for the week and re-grouped. One of the songs at Mass was "Take It To The Lord in Prayer" - seemed very appropirate - esp. when I am "tired and discouraged". It was International Day For Women, and the priest mentioned it but then went on to talk about Obedience (Abraham and Issac reading) and Suffering - think the Ugandan women have enough of obedience and suffering....they work SO hard. He also said that if a child turns out bad, it is the mother's fault! I don't think so!!! Had a welcome for the Holland girls in the p.m. They are really a fun group (3) to have around and play with the kids in the afternoon - the kids are loving it.
Had a slow week - lots of catch up to do after the eye clinic - classes went on as scheduled. Continuing fractions in Math and they "get" 1/2 of a circle, but have problems w. the concept of 1/2 of the class or 1/2 of the way to Mukono - difficulty seeing the abstract! Well, that's sort of concrete, but can't put it on the board!! At English on Thursday we were working on "Directions"...first tried mapping Nkokonjeru and giving directions but that was a really alien concept....they just say "over there" and give a head movement in the proper direction!!! Then we did a little science experiment following directions....that worked better! Still a learning process for me.
Pig shed is progressing....met again w. the builder and we need to get this stage done and then work on finishing the floor before the pigs can be bought and moved in. Apparently pigs try to root and "eat" the cement unless you put on a very strong finishing layer. Fred and I are going to a model farm nearby on Monday to check on their operation and pig varieties. This project has been such a learning experience - wish I had been more assertive at the start, but not sure it would have made much difference - the building is sound and looks good so that's a real plus! I think forcing the builder to have a plan and a set budget would have been a good learning experinece for him but not sure the outcome would have been much different!
Holly hosted a Peace Corps Trainee this week - new class in training. It was fun to look back on that time in our lives - we've come a long way I think! Had dinner together and that was fun....and good food! Weds. a.m. we all went down to PH to start digging our garden - it's been very HOT and DRY (rains have stopped) so it was really work swinging the big hoes....added some manure from our cow pile....we're keeping at it but won't plant till the rains really start (April??). Some people planted after the first rains last week, but seedlings are now dying - very sad. People say you can't depend on the seasons like you used to be able to....
That's it.....pretty slow week. Actually, it was kind of nice for a change. The heat really makes it hard to do too much. We dig at 6:30 a.m. and now have the soil all worked up.
Hope you are all well and Spring is starting....thanks for the wonderful letters and packages and for your thoughts and prayers! Means so much.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
March already - 3/7/09
Looking back over my blog notes for the week most were about the upcoming/ongoing Eye Clinic....I was really nervous about the set-up etc., since neither Sr. Juliet or I had been here for the previous two and Sr. Veronica was laid up in Kampala w. a bad back (compressed discs suffered on a bad matatu ride a year ago- I can see it happening!).
Last Saturday afternoon Holly stopped by and three of the older girls came up to say "HI" and have tea.....they love it that they can use all the sugar they want!!! They are amazed at my stuff (sometimes I am too). Showed them all my new pictures....lots of grandchildren pics - they are wonderful!!!
Gave a tour to a group of visiting teachers from Sweden (I am really getting good at the PH tour - but still can't walk backwards and talk like the college tour guides)....the place looks so much better w. the new student leadership - dorms cleaned, grass slashed, beds made - really much nicer when you take people around. I tried my hand at "slashing" one day - using a stick w. a blade to cut grass - I was a total failure but did provide good laughs for the boys!
The UK opthomologists came on Sunday afternoon in the midst of a big downpour - the kids did their welcome indoors and we had a planning session w. the local volunteers. They visitors were a great group - lots of fun and VERY flexible!!! That seems to be true of most of the visitors....guess you don't come to Uganda (and esp. to PH w/o being a bit adventurous). Each day of the clinic we registered under the big tree by the entrance, then there was pre-screening, then people went to have their eyes tested in the bakery office (darkened by putting blankets on the windows w. clothes pins) and then saw the person who was measuring for glasses in the hallway...pretty efficient system. Monday through Thursday we had two testing and saw over 100 each day; Friday it was only one (Doreen, who was an absolutely trooper) and we saw 70! They said they really saw some "interesting" (and sad) things - damage caused by infections that could have been treated, injury, damage to the optic nerve - and some conditions that they said they'd only seen previously in text books.
We started each day at 7 setting up and they saw people from 8 to 5 or 6....really quite the system and lots of good work done. Steady stream of people all day! There were 8 but some went to a clinic in Jinja, the School for the Blind in Sorotti and then a two day clinic in Mukono.
Other events of the week - Monday nite the 3 new volunteers from Holland arrived and started to settle in. They are finishing a university degree in Occupational Therapy and this is their internship. They are catching on fast!!!
Problems w. the piggery - now the builder says we have to put a layer of finishing cement on the stuff that's there - and he didn't account for that in his "estimate"....no surprise there!!! Apparently pigs like to eat cement??? Also, the new coat will provide the slope for drainage - he didn't have a level so we're not sure where we are w. slope - he promised to bring it, but haven't seen him since!!! Fred has done a good job of trying to limit expenses by using timbers we had and old tin sheets from a building that was taken down, so we could have most of the "extra" covered (except the builder's extra labor costs which I'm reluctant to pay).....but it was such a busy week and I got so annoyed talking to him we put off any further discussion till next week. Life in the fast lane!!!
Thursday, we doubled up w. clinics w. the epilepsy clinic (regular monthly one sponsored by Butabeka Hospital in Kampala)...BUT, they brought out 12 students and their administrator (w/o warning)....SO, more tours and Sr. Goretti skipped teaching to cook for them - since Caro the cook for the sisters was making meals for the U.K. doctors and volunteers....the staff worked HARD all week. I was mainly a trouble shooter and gopher. The administrator from Butabika Hospital wanted to meet w. the local health authorities so I took her up to see Sr. Ambrose at the Hospital....Sr. J. was in Kampala and I don't know who the local authorities are! She seemed satisfied with doing that since apparently they have to notify someone that they were providing services in this area. All very confusing to me!!!
So, it has been a busy week - ate dinner w. the UK people and Sisters every evening. We went on a walk together one nite and a few evenings were spent at the local pub sitting on plastic chairs out in the street observing life around us. Lots of good conversation!! Holly and Shari joined in some of the time - very international suppers with people from U.K., Holland and U.S.
Anastasia is still in the hospital and does have TB - bummer - it's one of the most frequent opportunistic infections seen with HIV people....but not something that's easily treated esp. when you are as weak as she is....we'll have to see.
Hope all are well....heard it's warming up a bit! Spring can't be too far away can it??? Got a great package from Anne (lots of neat school stuff) and one from Bert and Naomi w. a DVD and pictures....w. all the pictures Corky brought I need to re-decorate my room!!!
Take care - thanks again for all your prayers, thoughts and letters.....
Last Saturday afternoon Holly stopped by and three of the older girls came up to say "HI" and have tea.....they love it that they can use all the sugar they want!!! They are amazed at my stuff (sometimes I am too). Showed them all my new pictures....lots of grandchildren pics - they are wonderful!!!
Gave a tour to a group of visiting teachers from Sweden (I am really getting good at the PH tour - but still can't walk backwards and talk like the college tour guides)....the place looks so much better w. the new student leadership - dorms cleaned, grass slashed, beds made - really much nicer when you take people around. I tried my hand at "slashing" one day - using a stick w. a blade to cut grass - I was a total failure but did provide good laughs for the boys!
The UK opthomologists came on Sunday afternoon in the midst of a big downpour - the kids did their welcome indoors and we had a planning session w. the local volunteers. They visitors were a great group - lots of fun and VERY flexible!!! That seems to be true of most of the visitors....guess you don't come to Uganda (and esp. to PH w/o being a bit adventurous). Each day of the clinic we registered under the big tree by the entrance, then there was pre-screening, then people went to have their eyes tested in the bakery office (darkened by putting blankets on the windows w. clothes pins) and then saw the person who was measuring for glasses in the hallway...pretty efficient system. Monday through Thursday we had two testing and saw over 100 each day; Friday it was only one (Doreen, who was an absolutely trooper) and we saw 70! They said they really saw some "interesting" (and sad) things - damage caused by infections that could have been treated, injury, damage to the optic nerve - and some conditions that they said they'd only seen previously in text books.
We started each day at 7 setting up and they saw people from 8 to 5 or 6....really quite the system and lots of good work done. Steady stream of people all day! There were 8 but some went to a clinic in Jinja, the School for the Blind in Sorotti and then a two day clinic in Mukono.
Other events of the week - Monday nite the 3 new volunteers from Holland arrived and started to settle in. They are finishing a university degree in Occupational Therapy and this is their internship. They are catching on fast!!!
Problems w. the piggery - now the builder says we have to put a layer of finishing cement on the stuff that's there - and he didn't account for that in his "estimate"....no surprise there!!! Apparently pigs like to eat cement??? Also, the new coat will provide the slope for drainage - he didn't have a level so we're not sure where we are w. slope - he promised to bring it, but haven't seen him since!!! Fred has done a good job of trying to limit expenses by using timbers we had and old tin sheets from a building that was taken down, so we could have most of the "extra" covered (except the builder's extra labor costs which I'm reluctant to pay).....but it was such a busy week and I got so annoyed talking to him we put off any further discussion till next week. Life in the fast lane!!!
Thursday, we doubled up w. clinics w. the epilepsy clinic (regular monthly one sponsored by Butabeka Hospital in Kampala)...BUT, they brought out 12 students and their administrator (w/o warning)....SO, more tours and Sr. Goretti skipped teaching to cook for them - since Caro the cook for the sisters was making meals for the U.K. doctors and volunteers....the staff worked HARD all week. I was mainly a trouble shooter and gopher. The administrator from Butabika Hospital wanted to meet w. the local health authorities so I took her up to see Sr. Ambrose at the Hospital....Sr. J. was in Kampala and I don't know who the local authorities are! She seemed satisfied with doing that since apparently they have to notify someone that they were providing services in this area. All very confusing to me!!!
So, it has been a busy week - ate dinner w. the UK people and Sisters every evening. We went on a walk together one nite and a few evenings were spent at the local pub sitting on plastic chairs out in the street observing life around us. Lots of good conversation!! Holly and Shari joined in some of the time - very international suppers with people from U.K., Holland and U.S.
Anastasia is still in the hospital and does have TB - bummer - it's one of the most frequent opportunistic infections seen with HIV people....but not something that's easily treated esp. when you are as weak as she is....we'll have to see.
Hope all are well....heard it's warming up a bit! Spring can't be too far away can it??? Got a great package from Anne (lots of neat school stuff) and one from Bert and Naomi w. a DVD and pictures....w. all the pictures Corky brought I need to re-decorate my room!!!
Take care - thanks again for all your prayers, thoughts and letters.....
Friday, February 27, 2009
February is gone! 2-28-09
We've been w/o power for four days so I came to Mukono early Sat. a.m. to blog, check the P.O., visit the ATM and the grocery and change the scenery! Corky said he has a new appreciation for my little trips to Mukono after his matatu ride.....it is quite an adventure (ordeal?) - if you see him, be sure to ask. Nothing like being "up close and personal"!
We had a good weekend - pretty slow but fun. Last Friday I took Corky all over town to distribute flyers about the U.K. Doctors' Eye Clinic next week and it was pretty hot and think it was quite the walk for him! Sunday nite the kids had a special musical tribute and farewell party (he supplied sodas and cakes and they loved him!). Then we had elections for "officers" - it's a tradition in boarding schools that PH hasn't done for awhile...took several hours but was very spirited! Monday a.m. I taught English while he packed, etc. and then after lunch we took the PH truck to the airport - with some stops for "sister errands".....we dropped him off about 6 p.m. and came back to Kampala to pick up Sr. Sara, who was in the very center of town in the wholesale district picking up bakery supplies. The traffic was so bad we were just stopped - got back to Nkokonjeru at 10:30!! Corky made it home just fine and had a short customs stop in Minneapolis....think he's glad to be back where things work!!!
Tuesday was CBR day, but Sr. Juliet wanted me to go with her to the dedication of a new village school donated by some Americans through Educate Uganda Foundation....very impressive function and a beautiful 6 classroom structure! Previously they'd just had an open wood shed.
The lunch was catered by some former local boys who now work w. a caterer in Entebbe and they had wonderful food - the best of which was a hamburger/tomato/macaroni casserole and a salad w. head lettuce!!!
Came back around 3 but the kids still wanted to do math class - I must really be amusing or they are terribly bored! In the midst of that the man from Kampala came to work on servicing all our sewing machines and he got them all tuned up - great improvement!
Wednesday a.m. we had a huge wind storm - which is why we still don't have power. I had plans to type and copy forms for next week, plus a bunch of other lists/forms, etc. but that will have to wait! I went to 6:45 Mass to get ashes and it was very nice by candle light and lantern till the sun rose!
Taught Public Health Weds. a.m. - Shari was sick - and I was out of ideas, so we talked about "leisure time"...well, didn't call it that (not in their vocabulary) but, time when you are looking for things to do. I brought things so they could play some games - cards, a local game called Ludo (like Parchesi), Uno...some did some drawing, some crocheted....it actually was lots of fun!! (they also have no word for "fun"). I mused that Americans often work very hard at having fun and we always need "stuff"....Ugandans usually just sit around and talk tho' they did love the "stuff".
The little girl, Anastasia, who has sickle cell, diabetis and is HIV positive, is not doing well...she's at the hopspital and vomiting blood....may be TB, but they can't take an X-ray because there's no power. It's the type of thing that happens to HIV positive people - the side infections. Please pray for her - not sure what the resolution will be - she's so ill and thin - but she wants to live.
Thursday was the Katelemwa Clinic - long day. Got to PH at 7 a.m. and the kids were already mopping the floors. We had a smaller turnout than in November - not sure why - planting season? date change? word is out that PH is no longer paying for hospital stays w/o a contribution? Don't know, but it was still good and the the PTs could take a lot of time w. people. Some of the children are really disabled, but there was one 12 year old boy who'd had malaria at 4 and a high fever, causing brain damage and his legs were paralyzed. He was bright and walked w. a walking stick, but had never been to school (tho' his siblings did)....he and the dad were well dressed and the dad asked the PT, "Can you make him normal?" I wanted to yell at him and say, "look at these other kids - he is 'normal'...he can walk and talk and is bright"....I didn't say it but tried to really encourage the dad to send him to school.....boy has lots of potential!
Thursday night we had a Mass at PH to swear in the new officers. Father gave a really nice sermon about role models and leadership (I got a few words of the Lugandan)....kids are really enthused...many dressed up!!! And they had a special supper w. meat and fish and rice!!! BIG EVENT!
Friday, the craft teacher started - teaching bead making, which the kids want to know tho' the market is saturated!!! She is supposed to alternate w. bookkeeping/basic math - we sparated the kids by ability level at the teacher's request. I quarreled w. the bookkeeping teacher about being on time and staying for both his classes, and turning in a lesson plan -he had lots of excuses! Holly stopped by - she had a great time climbing in the Rwenzories...even got to use ice axes, crampons and ropes to scale the ice and rock.....not my idea of "fun" but she was thrilled!!! Sr. J took me along again to Stelal Maris (local girls' primary - the "up the hill" school)...she was Guest of Honor at their game and sports day and was embarrassed! It was really fun - the girls competed hard - grass lanes w. oil marking the lines, a sand pit for the high jump landing, but great enthusiasm and effort!! And it was HOT - sun was intense!!! They compete by "houses" - dormitories - and it's very spirited!!!
Piggery is going slow....Joseph (the builder) was sick, then a neighbor died.....I can never fathom the lists of reasons they have for not working......just get it done!!!! But Fred hopes he will finish this week.....think Fred is tired of me calling him asking "will Joseph be here today?"! Then I want to do some research at local places about the best type of pig to buy. Sister wanted to slaughter one of our existing pigs for the feast on Thursday, but the little boys have been helping take care of them and they each "have" one and when she suggested slaughter, they all cried!!! So she bought meat!!!
Hope you are all well and seeing signs of spring...hear it's been a LONG winter in Minnesota! Thanks for all your good wishes, thoughts, prayers, letters.....means a lot. Have been away from home for a year....I'm still really enjoying my site and the people here, tho' another year seems long at this point! There are frustrations - as in any job - and I don't really get the culture - don't know if I would if I lived here all my life - so I'm usually a little out of step - but they are tolerant! This will be a busy week with the U.K. Opticians here for their clinic...hope the turnout is good. The word is out! Will let you know next week!
We had a good weekend - pretty slow but fun. Last Friday I took Corky all over town to distribute flyers about the U.K. Doctors' Eye Clinic next week and it was pretty hot and think it was quite the walk for him! Sunday nite the kids had a special musical tribute and farewell party (he supplied sodas and cakes and they loved him!). Then we had elections for "officers" - it's a tradition in boarding schools that PH hasn't done for awhile...took several hours but was very spirited! Monday a.m. I taught English while he packed, etc. and then after lunch we took the PH truck to the airport - with some stops for "sister errands".....we dropped him off about 6 p.m. and came back to Kampala to pick up Sr. Sara, who was in the very center of town in the wholesale district picking up bakery supplies. The traffic was so bad we were just stopped - got back to Nkokonjeru at 10:30!! Corky made it home just fine and had a short customs stop in Minneapolis....think he's glad to be back where things work!!!
Tuesday was CBR day, but Sr. Juliet wanted me to go with her to the dedication of a new village school donated by some Americans through Educate Uganda Foundation....very impressive function and a beautiful 6 classroom structure! Previously they'd just had an open wood shed.
The lunch was catered by some former local boys who now work w. a caterer in Entebbe and they had wonderful food - the best of which was a hamburger/tomato/macaroni casserole and a salad w. head lettuce!!!
Came back around 3 but the kids still wanted to do math class - I must really be amusing or they are terribly bored! In the midst of that the man from Kampala came to work on servicing all our sewing machines and he got them all tuned up - great improvement!
Wednesday a.m. we had a huge wind storm - which is why we still don't have power. I had plans to type and copy forms for next week, plus a bunch of other lists/forms, etc. but that will have to wait! I went to 6:45 Mass to get ashes and it was very nice by candle light and lantern till the sun rose!
Taught Public Health Weds. a.m. - Shari was sick - and I was out of ideas, so we talked about "leisure time"...well, didn't call it that (not in their vocabulary) but, time when you are looking for things to do. I brought things so they could play some games - cards, a local game called Ludo (like Parchesi), Uno...some did some drawing, some crocheted....it actually was lots of fun!! (they also have no word for "fun"). I mused that Americans often work very hard at having fun and we always need "stuff"....Ugandans usually just sit around and talk tho' they did love the "stuff".
The little girl, Anastasia, who has sickle cell, diabetis and is HIV positive, is not doing well...she's at the hopspital and vomiting blood....may be TB, but they can't take an X-ray because there's no power. It's the type of thing that happens to HIV positive people - the side infections. Please pray for her - not sure what the resolution will be - she's so ill and thin - but she wants to live.
Thursday was the Katelemwa Clinic - long day. Got to PH at 7 a.m. and the kids were already mopping the floors. We had a smaller turnout than in November - not sure why - planting season? date change? word is out that PH is no longer paying for hospital stays w/o a contribution? Don't know, but it was still good and the the PTs could take a lot of time w. people. Some of the children are really disabled, but there was one 12 year old boy who'd had malaria at 4 and a high fever, causing brain damage and his legs were paralyzed. He was bright and walked w. a walking stick, but had never been to school (tho' his siblings did)....he and the dad were well dressed and the dad asked the PT, "Can you make him normal?" I wanted to yell at him and say, "look at these other kids - he is 'normal'...he can walk and talk and is bright"....I didn't say it but tried to really encourage the dad to send him to school.....boy has lots of potential!
Thursday night we had a Mass at PH to swear in the new officers. Father gave a really nice sermon about role models and leadership (I got a few words of the Lugandan)....kids are really enthused...many dressed up!!! And they had a special supper w. meat and fish and rice!!! BIG EVENT!
Friday, the craft teacher started - teaching bead making, which the kids want to know tho' the market is saturated!!! She is supposed to alternate w. bookkeeping/basic math - we sparated the kids by ability level at the teacher's request. I quarreled w. the bookkeeping teacher about being on time and staying for both his classes, and turning in a lesson plan -he had lots of excuses! Holly stopped by - she had a great time climbing in the Rwenzories...even got to use ice axes, crampons and ropes to scale the ice and rock.....not my idea of "fun" but she was thrilled!!! Sr. J took me along again to Stelal Maris (local girls' primary - the "up the hill" school)...she was Guest of Honor at their game and sports day and was embarrassed! It was really fun - the girls competed hard - grass lanes w. oil marking the lines, a sand pit for the high jump landing, but great enthusiasm and effort!! And it was HOT - sun was intense!!! They compete by "houses" - dormitories - and it's very spirited!!!
Piggery is going slow....Joseph (the builder) was sick, then a neighbor died.....I can never fathom the lists of reasons they have for not working......just get it done!!!! But Fred hopes he will finish this week.....think Fred is tired of me calling him asking "will Joseph be here today?"! Then I want to do some research at local places about the best type of pig to buy. Sister wanted to slaughter one of our existing pigs for the feast on Thursday, but the little boys have been helping take care of them and they each "have" one and when she suggested slaughter, they all cried!!! So she bought meat!!!
Hope you are all well and seeing signs of spring...hear it's been a LONG winter in Minnesota! Thanks for all your good wishes, thoughts, prayers, letters.....means a lot. Have been away from home for a year....I'm still really enjoying my site and the people here, tho' another year seems long at this point! There are frustrations - as in any job - and I don't really get the culture - don't know if I would if I lived here all my life - so I'm usually a little out of step - but they are tolerant! This will be a busy week with the U.K. Opticians here for their clinic...hope the turnout is good. The word is out! Will let you know next week!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
New Pictures
My dad has returned and I have uploaded all of the pictures from Kath's memory card so check out the Flickr link.
- Gail
- Gail
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Corky's Visit - Feb. 21, 2009
Am up at RASD and the computer is working VERY well so thought I'd do a short update on "the visit"....Corky is napping (11 a.m.). He's having a problem w. the heat - it is hot by 10 a.m. and the food. The Sisters keep inviting us to eat w. them (their natural hospitality) so he's getting a good taste of local food but it's causing some minor problems (my cooking would probably be worse!).
We spent Saturday in Kampala touring the Mall and the area around the hotel....he was pretty jet lagged - it's a tough trip to do at one time! Sunday we went out early and went down to the center of town and saw the taxi park, etc. Had a great afternoon at the pool at one of the better hotels (tho' I actually sunburned my legs!!).
Sunday nite we went to the Red Chilli Hideaway and had a nice burger and went to sleep in the dormitory with all the backpackers - actually pretty quiet! We left early Monday a.m. in a van with a couple from Norway (their daughter works in the Norwegian embassy in Uganda), a father and son from Australia who travel a LOT, and a couple from Washington State (she's nurse and he's a PT - her brother is here as a medical missionary - he's a P.A.)....good group!!! The drive took about 7 hours and got hotter and drier the farther north (toward the Sahara) we went.
We went right to the top of the falls on Monday afternoon - it's amazing. The falls gorge narrows to 7m at one point and the water busts out! After that we went to the "Red Chilli Rest Camp" (it's not actually a hotel) and we joined the American couple in a 4 man tent!! (this was the rustic trip).
There were a lot of people there and a real mix - lots of fun conversations - mainly about others past travels (people travel a LOT). and about Africa and what it would take to "fix" their problems - lots of suggestions to improve water quality and sanitation. Many thought we (Americans and Europeans) should just stay out for now and let them try to solve their own problems....there is so much corruption in the give away programs now! It would be awful, but I don't know if we're helping all that much sometimes!
Tuesday a.m. we went out early for a safari (in our pop top van)....I was amazed at the number and variety of animals - there were about 30 giraffe in a group, lots of elephants, big herds of Cape Buffalo and endless hoofed animals (Hardebeast, waterbuck, Ugandan kob, etc.) and warthogs. Didn't see any lions but I'm sure they were in the shade somewhere! The park was decimated during the Amin (1960-80) years and has just started to re-group since 1990 but is doing great. Lots and lots of little babies and juveniles!
Corky will bring home my picture card and I'm hoping Gail can post pictures - there are some from Jan. 6 and thereon but it will include some of the park.
Tuesday afternoon we went on a boat trip on the Nile from the landing to the falls....there were SO many hippos - hundreds!!! Also, at one spot by the falls there were about 70 (?) Nile crocodiles that we scared into the water. Also, a big herd of elephants playing in the water! Lots of birds - amazing colors! There were kingfishers, ibis, storks, beautiful little beecatchers, fish eagle...more than I could name. I was more than satisfied w. the park!!! Coming back from the falls we saw a dead hippo (the males fight to the death) being eaten by crocodiles - really a feeding frenzy and lots more swimming to the site!
Food at the lodge was good - it was all in all a very good excursion. On the way back Weds. we stopped at a Rhino Sanctuary, but it was hot and the Rhinos were just sitting looking at us (sort of anti-climactic after the Park and all the action there).
We got back to Kampala at 6:00 and rushed to the main road to catch a matatu to Mukono and got the last matatu to Nkokonjeru there (7 p.m.).....so we got to spend Weds. nite at my apt.! Thursday, we checked out Providence Home - and Corky was checked out by the residents/staff! Friday was a busy day w. my usual problem w. teachers not showing and then we walked around town distributing flyers for the U.K. Eye Clinic at PH (March 2-6) - long walk up hill and down and may have been a bit much for Corky! In the evening we went out to see where the CBR volunteer Moses lives and chat w. him.
Should be a pretty slow weekend......which is O.K. We took a nice walk this a.m. before it got hot.
One of the pictures I'm sending is of the advanced sewers with some unforms and shirts they made. At Christmas time Maria gave them some bright patterned material to make Christmas stockings - the kids were horrified at using that good material to make something no one would ever wear! We had some left over and they used it to make some cute African style shirts for the little boys that they can use for Sunday uniforms. We want to get more of the bright prints and do some for all....so the kids are now satisfied that at least we used half of the material for something practical!!!! They are so funny!
Hope you are all well. I'm sure Corky will have lots of stories to tell.....I'd better get back and see if he's up and O.K. We are having lunch w. the sisters (they just keep insisting and it's impossible to disobey a Sister), but may pass on supper - they eat at 9 p.m. and we're all ready for bed!
Thursday next week the people from Katelemwa are supposed to come out and do an orthopedic clinic and they want to stay till Friday to do some village visits. The UK optical group arrives Sunday the 1st and will be checking eyes all week....they want to see 100 people every day!!! The volunteers have been working hard to get the word out! So it will be a busy time with school and the usual crises!!!! Pig shed slowed because the builder was sick (malaria), but it rising again. So life goes on! Thanks again and again for your generosity, good wishes and prayers.
We spent Saturday in Kampala touring the Mall and the area around the hotel....he was pretty jet lagged - it's a tough trip to do at one time! Sunday we went out early and went down to the center of town and saw the taxi park, etc. Had a great afternoon at the pool at one of the better hotels (tho' I actually sunburned my legs!!).
Sunday nite we went to the Red Chilli Hideaway and had a nice burger and went to sleep in the dormitory with all the backpackers - actually pretty quiet! We left early Monday a.m. in a van with a couple from Norway (their daughter works in the Norwegian embassy in Uganda), a father and son from Australia who travel a LOT, and a couple from Washington State (she's nurse and he's a PT - her brother is here as a medical missionary - he's a P.A.)....good group!!! The drive took about 7 hours and got hotter and drier the farther north (toward the Sahara) we went.
We went right to the top of the falls on Monday afternoon - it's amazing. The falls gorge narrows to 7m at one point and the water busts out! After that we went to the "Red Chilli Rest Camp" (it's not actually a hotel) and we joined the American couple in a 4 man tent!! (this was the rustic trip).
There were a lot of people there and a real mix - lots of fun conversations - mainly about others past travels (people travel a LOT). and about Africa and what it would take to "fix" their problems - lots of suggestions to improve water quality and sanitation. Many thought we (Americans and Europeans) should just stay out for now and let them try to solve their own problems....there is so much corruption in the give away programs now! It would be awful, but I don't know if we're helping all that much sometimes!
Tuesday a.m. we went out early for a safari (in our pop top van)....I was amazed at the number and variety of animals - there were about 30 giraffe in a group, lots of elephants, big herds of Cape Buffalo and endless hoofed animals (Hardebeast, waterbuck, Ugandan kob, etc.) and warthogs. Didn't see any lions but I'm sure they were in the shade somewhere! The park was decimated during the Amin (1960-80) years and has just started to re-group since 1990 but is doing great. Lots and lots of little babies and juveniles!
Corky will bring home my picture card and I'm hoping Gail can post pictures - there are some from Jan. 6 and thereon but it will include some of the park.
Tuesday afternoon we went on a boat trip on the Nile from the landing to the falls....there were SO many hippos - hundreds!!! Also, at one spot by the falls there were about 70 (?) Nile crocodiles that we scared into the water. Also, a big herd of elephants playing in the water! Lots of birds - amazing colors! There were kingfishers, ibis, storks, beautiful little beecatchers, fish eagle...more than I could name. I was more than satisfied w. the park!!! Coming back from the falls we saw a dead hippo (the males fight to the death) being eaten by crocodiles - really a feeding frenzy and lots more swimming to the site!
Food at the lodge was good - it was all in all a very good excursion. On the way back Weds. we stopped at a Rhino Sanctuary, but it was hot and the Rhinos were just sitting looking at us (sort of anti-climactic after the Park and all the action there).
We got back to Kampala at 6:00 and rushed to the main road to catch a matatu to Mukono and got the last matatu to Nkokonjeru there (7 p.m.).....so we got to spend Weds. nite at my apt.! Thursday, we checked out Providence Home - and Corky was checked out by the residents/staff! Friday was a busy day w. my usual problem w. teachers not showing and then we walked around town distributing flyers for the U.K. Eye Clinic at PH (March 2-6) - long walk up hill and down and may have been a bit much for Corky! In the evening we went out to see where the CBR volunteer Moses lives and chat w. him.
Should be a pretty slow weekend......which is O.K. We took a nice walk this a.m. before it got hot.
One of the pictures I'm sending is of the advanced sewers with some unforms and shirts they made. At Christmas time Maria gave them some bright patterned material to make Christmas stockings - the kids were horrified at using that good material to make something no one would ever wear! We had some left over and they used it to make some cute African style shirts for the little boys that they can use for Sunday uniforms. We want to get more of the bright prints and do some for all....so the kids are now satisfied that at least we used half of the material for something practical!!!! They are so funny!
Hope you are all well. I'm sure Corky will have lots of stories to tell.....I'd better get back and see if he's up and O.K. We are having lunch w. the sisters (they just keep insisting and it's impossible to disobey a Sister), but may pass on supper - they eat at 9 p.m. and we're all ready for bed!
Thursday next week the people from Katelemwa are supposed to come out and do an orthopedic clinic and they want to stay till Friday to do some village visits. The UK optical group arrives Sunday the 1st and will be checking eyes all week....they want to see 100 people every day!!! The volunteers have been working hard to get the word out! So it will be a busy time with school and the usual crises!!!! Pig shed slowed because the builder was sick (malaria), but it rising again. So life goes on! Thanks again and again for your generosity, good wishes and prayers.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wheelchairs and Piggery
I got a letter and some pictures today in the mail from Kath that she wanted me to post. New wheelchairs and the parade as well as the beginning work on the piggery. We got an email that Cork made it, will be interesting to hear what he thought of everything!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
