WOW - hope you in Montgomery are having a good time.....can't say I miss Kolacky Days a lot - I do enjoy working at the softball games and the bike ride and watching the run but all the crowds aren't my thing! But, I do hope it's VERY successful and the weather is good!
Am in Kampala for the day to get some things done, get some bagels and see Harry Potter! (yes, even in Uganda - there's a nice Theater at the Mall). Joining some PC people - Maria was going to come but had to cancel - darn!!!
I leave in just over a week!!! I'm SO excited to be home and see everyone - we spend a week at Lake Vermillion first - all the grandkids will be there! Not sure about Jean and Kody - they leave San Francisco Aug. 8 but maybe - will see them later if not then. Gail said that my obsession w. food is a newand surprising thing. I never thought I'd be this concerned about what I'mgoing to eat. Olive Garden here I come! Also, going to a Twins game and Gopher football scrimmage! When our group arrived in Uganda in 2008 we talked to a group leaving and all they talked about was the U.S. and what you could get and do there. Like it was the Promised Land . We thought "have you forgotten there are problems there,too?" - well, the answer is, " Yes you do!". In our fantasies it all is wonderful!
On to the week's story - Friday I sat in at Holly's First Aid Class - there were 14 people - really good group of village health volunteers who were SO appreciative of the information (and two days out w. lunch!!!). It was all in Lugandan, but we stayed for moral support - the people had lots of questions for the medical people who presented. Alex (a student) taught my math classes - he does a good job (for $.50/class!). I have the lesson and papers ready but he's a good teacher! Nice to have someone to fill in.
Nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are slowly leaving - the last on Monday. Gloria (Korean) and Dan made some great food for the dinner - spicy stuff! Gloria's mother is visiting and brought some Korean ingredients!!!
Saturday's class went well, too. Lunch was catered by a women's group by Moses' home - lots of food at $1.00/plate!!! Exactly the same both days, but the people loved it. Matoke, rice, beef (one chunk of boiled beef), cooked cabbage and sweet potatoes.....it was good - but the same!
Saturday afternoon, Gloria (Duke) came down to videotape the kids singing - she's putting together a website to send to friends - what a job! The Sisters were all gone to a meeting and Mubiru, the headboy, struggled valiently. I finally gave them a lecture about Gloria wanting to raise some money for PH and they needed to cooperate - Holly said it was funny - Quote: "Are you tired of not having enough food? - THEN SING!!" It worked!
Sunday Didas and I were supposed to sell shoes at the Stella Maris (school) Visiting Day, but he texted me at 5:30a.m. and said that his son in Kbale area (way west) was very sick and his wife was bringing him to Kamapla for more testing so he was meeting them in Kampala. I was too scared to go on my own (and measure for new shoes - or even sell), so had a pretty quiet day.
Monday was one of those "goofy" days - English went well, then the kids were supposed to go to a NAADS meeting (National Agricultural Advisory group) to talk about possible projects - had to organize the pushers to get everyone to the meeting site!!! The sewing machine repair guy came and finished - good work. Now Didas has two shoe machines!!! I teased him about being satisfied - don't press for 3 machines! (we have some other old ones but they are expensive to rehab - the one we did - which was part of the SPA grant cost 261,000 sh ($130) - but now it's done and usable). Didas was back Monday - his little boy was being treated in their village for malaria but had pneumonia and tested positive for sickle cell (bummer)...we talked a bit about Sickle Cell and how care is getting better and w. good diet and medical management he'll be O.K. It's hard tho'.
It's been very hot and dry (same in Minnesota?)...and the water tanks were officailly empty by Tuesday - there are 6 big tanks - but the kids waste water when it's available. Now they have to travel to "the dam" to get water - Sula took me to see where - it's a concrete resevoir a ways away and down a very steep path - not safe at all. Then they have to reach into the resevoir and hold a gerry can under a spigot - tough job for all the able bodied.
Tuesday Sister, Kinene and I went to the Katelemwa Rehab Center for a meeting about the formation of several parent groups in the surrounding areas. We've been trying to get something going w. their help - they originally promised money for the groups to start Income Generating Projects, but that hasn't panned out so for now they are Parent Learning Committees that are focused on education about disabilities, the rights of the disabled and what they can do as parents to help their children and advocate for better services. It really sounds good and we hope to get two groups going before the end of the year. They also will do another assessment clinic at Nkokonjeru, but not at PH - we are going to ask the city officials to do it at the Town Offices or the Town Health Center. The aimis to try to get people to NOT look at PH as the place to get help,but to expect it from their government! It will be a long process, but it's a good start if it works. The Town Council people get money to service the disabled - last year it was all used on roads! The politicos expect PH to handle it all w/o them parting w. any money! We want the parents to get together and demand that the designated funds go to the disabled! High Hopes!!! I'll miss the clinic (if it happens as scheduled in early Aug.), but this is a LONG term project.
Lots of things will wait till September - esp. the grant purchases. Just not enough time during the school term and things take a long time to get done!
Rading Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri - Jean sent it - interesting book. I get to go to bookclub when I'm back - YEA!.
Wednesday I went to RASD to get some typing done - exams and reports - bakery printer isn't working. We have two new visitors from Holland - Jan and Maggie - both are PE teachers and doing lots of sports/games - nice people!!!
Mubiru, an 18 year old resident, is making lots of cards for me to bring home - I started him off w. material and sold them at the PC conference and have made my investment back plus some for him, so will try again! They have banana tree fiber pictures on the front. Gave him some money and he's going on a class trip next week - a "geography tour"to Mt.Elgon in eastern Uganda. First time ever on a class trip - it's 30,000 sh ($15) and none of the PH kids ever get to go. Felt like if it's the only thing I do here it will have been worth it - he's SO excited and grateful. Great kid!
Thursday, I braved using the new computer at the bakery office (donated by Liliane for PH)...you all know howI hate using new things!! Sister had to help and we worked a long time to figure out how to print, etc. but it worked!!! I'm doing some lists and reports for her. The head boy (Mubiru) and head girl (Brenda) have each made up a "Duty Roster" about who's supposed to clean where in the compound - it has a chance of working since there's accountability.
FYI: Dan, the older Duke student - graduate student - has an interesting blog called "keystothegame.blogspot.com"....and he posted a neat entry about PH - it's about being Happy! He's from Boston and an avid Red Sox fan hense the blog name.
Rained a bunch Friday a.m - YEA - tanks now have some water and I'm using some donated money to buy locks for the tanks - we will ration it from now on (at least till the next rainy season or until they learn not to waste so much). It will be an adjustment but much needed. They use the tank water to bathe, wash dishes, wash clothes, drink - everything! I'd already had one locked up for Vincent to use for the animals - too much to haul from the dam.
Friday, Jan and Maggie helped me w. the slower math class - great having the extra help! In the afternoon they organized some games - one game of soccer had able bodied and disabled,but the able bodied had to crawl or do the crab walk - fun game! We all went to a funeral after lunch - the man whose home we went to for the goat roast a couple of weeks ago - he'd had a stroke sometime ago and just went downhill. Just a HUGE crowd!
That's about it - Sunday I'm going w. the Sisters to a new priest's first Mass; Monday they go to get the 100 layer chicks (I'm not going - giving my English final but they are taking some of the disabled children who will be "running" the project - fun trip for them). Rest of the week will be finishing up things with school term. Thursday nite another PCV is bringing out her family for the day - her mom is a PT and wants to see PH and will work w. the kids on Friday - she'll have her hands full! Saturday is the 5K and we'll have lots of company. Sunday I pack and Monday I leave - WOW! May or may not blog next week - we'll see how it goes.
Thanks to everyone for their support for the 5K.....Hollys says THANK YOU!!!! It's going to be interesting. Her girls' group is still practicing and lots of PH kids are going - walking the short route or being pushed!
I should be home Tuesday afternoon (4th).....it's getting close - I can remember when I started counting it was 46 days to go - now only 10!!! Hope to see lots of you and thank you personally for all your support (prayers, letters, whatever) - you may never know how much it means to have that support when you're 8000 miles from home but it really does(I'm sure the military people know). God bless you all.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
July 15, 2009 - quick trip to Kampala
I'm at the Peace Corps office for a wrap up meeting on the All Volunteer Conference and am on the computer for a bit - it's free and fast - so will do a short blog in case I don't get to it over the weekend. Friday and Saturday is Holly's first First Aid Class at Providence Home (15 of Moses' volunteer village health workers), Sunday Didas and I were going to try to go to visiting day at Stella Maris school and sell shoes (it's an expensive boarding school in Nkokonjeru), but he's been gone for a few days - his son is sick in Kbale and he's in Kampala asking relatives for money to send for the hospital....so we'll see when he's back - I'm not ready to go on my own - need to talk, measure feet, etc.!
THANKS so much to those who donated to the 5K - Holly has really been working hard on it! I am anxious to see what the chat is in Nkokonjeru after the run/push - a really new concept. If you'd still like to sponsor kids at Providence Home (we are rounding up "pushers") you can send a check to Don Westerman at 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - he puts in in savings and I take it out at the ATM in Ugandan shillings - the wonders of modern technology.
O.K. Ad done - on to the latest "news". Last Saturday I went with the two visiting Brothers (Servites) to visiting day at a nearby Secondary School - St. Balikudembe's (he's one of the Ugandan Martyrs). They were great traveling companions - lots of fun! One is from So. Africa so has a different perspective on things. When I get ready to go to visit at the school I wish I could stay home, but when I get there Josephine and Sissy (her caretaker) are SO excited it's very much worth it. We even got ourselves in the "guest" lunch line - I was the only muzungu there and it's easy!!! (ugly American?)
Sunday after Mass Gloria (from Duke) and I met w. Sister J. about the website Gloria hopes to establish when she returns to the U.S. to help get donations for PH. Then we all (the three PC people and the 4 Duke students) went to a goat roast given as a farewell for the Duke kids....fortunately, we were late enough to miss the slaughter which I guess is the big event!!!
They cut it up in little pieces, speared it on green sticks and roasted it over an open fire - pretty good actually!
In English we are still writing letters - by Tuesday I had them do a letter to a "Pen Pal" in the U.S. I'll bring them home w. me and try to find respondents. The kids are 16 - 26 but some of them really have poor skills (and it is a 2nd or 3rd language for all)....but it would be fun for them to get responses. I'll also enclose pictures of each!
We got a new resident Monday- he's 47 and went blind 6 years ago (unknown cause) - his wife left him w. their children and their money while he was in the hospital. His brother housed him for some time, but recently ran him off - he was dropped at the Town Council Office of a nearby town and they brought him to PH - poor guy! No one wants to have any responsibility for him. Sr. Juliet says it's sad - when she was little (20 years ago) someone in the community would have cared for him - now it's everyone for themselves!
I continually marvel at the diversity of my days at PH - and how much I don't understand yet (and never will) about Ugandan life and culture. Maybe you have to experience a culture as a child to really get the nuances.
CBR was busier than usual - mainly just advising people but good to have more traffic. The sewing machine repair man came at 4:00! (but he came)....still has one more trip w. parts - it's hard when you have to bring everything from Kampala. Also, I asked him to give a lecture to the students on care of the machines Saturday. Then around 5 a mom w. a severely malnourished 1 year old came - the parents, esp. the dad, really don't want to do much(anything?) to help the child - I think the mom cares some, but Sister Juliet said she feels like she only wants the child to die so they can have another and the lady didn't disagree - harsh words but probably true.... I worry someimes that I've become hardened to suffering and death, but it's such an "in you face" thing here - usually nothing you can do if people don't want to help themselves...and often nothing you can do even if they do.
Sr. called a meeting (late) w. the prefects (elected student leaders) and Nelson and I attended - the kids are angry about others who refuse to work ....and say that there is not enough food for the evening meal. We'd talked a little about it in English class and I encouraged them to come with "solutions not problems" and they had pretty good ideas. Few families donate any money toward their children/wards' upkeep - and when I said that "those who pay should be the ones to eat" they were horrified, but it did make them think. Only 4% of the PH budget is parent contributions! 77% is donations - scary! P.S. None of them look malnourished....it's not that bad and better than at home for most.
Wednesday was a nice quiet day - even took time to read for a bit. I may be sorry in the next two weeks as things pile up, but it was fun at the time!!! Great "party" at nite for the Duke kids (one has already left)....dancing an singing and dinner at the convent. The kids have really enjoyed having the Duke students stop by to visit and did an especially energetic job of entertaining!!! Late nite playing "spoons" with everyone - the Sisters and Brothers are really competitive!!!
So, now in Kampala, trying to postphone doing my quarterly report - we have to do it electronically now - I enjoyed the hand written version of the "old days".
Hope everyone has a good week and weekend. Things here are going well. We are starting to do some things w. the grant money - machine repair, ordered two more low tables - it's fun! but I was just reminded by a volunteer who just completed his grant, how scrupulous my records need to be (oops!). Need receipts for everything - this is going to be work! I usually let the sisters pay because I don't want to look like a "rich muzungu" but they aren't always so careful....will have to remind them that we need receipts for everything!
Take care - thanks again for everything......I really appreciate your support and prayers!!!
THANKS so much to those who donated to the 5K - Holly has really been working hard on it! I am anxious to see what the chat is in Nkokonjeru after the run/push - a really new concept. If you'd still like to sponsor kids at Providence Home (we are rounding up "pushers") you can send a check to Don Westerman at 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - he puts in in savings and I take it out at the ATM in Ugandan shillings - the wonders of modern technology.
O.K. Ad done - on to the latest "news". Last Saturday I went with the two visiting Brothers (Servites) to visiting day at a nearby Secondary School - St. Balikudembe's (he's one of the Ugandan Martyrs). They were great traveling companions - lots of fun! One is from So. Africa so has a different perspective on things. When I get ready to go to visit at the school I wish I could stay home, but when I get there Josephine and Sissy (her caretaker) are SO excited it's very much worth it. We even got ourselves in the "guest" lunch line - I was the only muzungu there and it's easy!!! (ugly American?)
Sunday after Mass Gloria (from Duke) and I met w. Sister J. about the website Gloria hopes to establish when she returns to the U.S. to help get donations for PH. Then we all (the three PC people and the 4 Duke students) went to a goat roast given as a farewell for the Duke kids....fortunately, we were late enough to miss the slaughter which I guess is the big event!!!
They cut it up in little pieces, speared it on green sticks and roasted it over an open fire - pretty good actually!
In English we are still writing letters - by Tuesday I had them do a letter to a "Pen Pal" in the U.S. I'll bring them home w. me and try to find respondents. The kids are 16 - 26 but some of them really have poor skills (and it is a 2nd or 3rd language for all)....but it would be fun for them to get responses. I'll also enclose pictures of each!
We got a new resident Monday- he's 47 and went blind 6 years ago (unknown cause) - his wife left him w. their children and their money while he was in the hospital. His brother housed him for some time, but recently ran him off - he was dropped at the Town Council Office of a nearby town and they brought him to PH - poor guy! No one wants to have any responsibility for him. Sr. Juliet says it's sad - when she was little (20 years ago) someone in the community would have cared for him - now it's everyone for themselves!
I continually marvel at the diversity of my days at PH - and how much I don't understand yet (and never will) about Ugandan life and culture. Maybe you have to experience a culture as a child to really get the nuances.
CBR was busier than usual - mainly just advising people but good to have more traffic. The sewing machine repair man came at 4:00! (but he came)....still has one more trip w. parts - it's hard when you have to bring everything from Kampala. Also, I asked him to give a lecture to the students on care of the machines Saturday. Then around 5 a mom w. a severely malnourished 1 year old came - the parents, esp. the dad, really don't want to do much(anything?) to help the child - I think the mom cares some, but Sister Juliet said she feels like she only wants the child to die so they can have another and the lady didn't disagree - harsh words but probably true.... I worry someimes that I've become hardened to suffering and death, but it's such an "in you face" thing here - usually nothing you can do if people don't want to help themselves...and often nothing you can do even if they do.
Sr. called a meeting (late) w. the prefects (elected student leaders) and Nelson and I attended - the kids are angry about others who refuse to work ....and say that there is not enough food for the evening meal. We'd talked a little about it in English class and I encouraged them to come with "solutions not problems" and they had pretty good ideas. Few families donate any money toward their children/wards' upkeep - and when I said that "those who pay should be the ones to eat" they were horrified, but it did make them think. Only 4% of the PH budget is parent contributions! 77% is donations - scary! P.S. None of them look malnourished....it's not that bad and better than at home for most.
Wednesday was a nice quiet day - even took time to read for a bit. I may be sorry in the next two weeks as things pile up, but it was fun at the time!!! Great "party" at nite for the Duke kids (one has already left)....dancing an singing and dinner at the convent. The kids have really enjoyed having the Duke students stop by to visit and did an especially energetic job of entertaining!!! Late nite playing "spoons" with everyone - the Sisters and Brothers are really competitive!!!
So, now in Kampala, trying to postphone doing my quarterly report - we have to do it electronically now - I enjoyed the hand written version of the "old days".
Hope everyone has a good week and weekend. Things here are going well. We are starting to do some things w. the grant money - machine repair, ordered two more low tables - it's fun! but I was just reminded by a volunteer who just completed his grant, how scrupulous my records need to be (oops!). Need receipts for everything - this is going to be work! I usually let the sisters pay because I don't want to look like a "rich muzungu" but they aren't always so careful....will have to remind them that we need receipts for everything!
Take care - thanks again for everything......I really appreciate your support and prayers!!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009 - 9 mos. to go - Single Digits!!!!
I know my countdown system is probably not the best for morale, but it's nice to know we are now in single digit "months to go" - and 24 days till my visit home!!! YEA!
Thanks to all for your response on the 5K - Holly is delighted!!! I forgot to add that she and the anestheologist at the Hospital have started a girls' running club - 5:30 a.m. and p.m. They are training w. students at the local Primary Teacher's College and the girls are really doing well!!! Quite a committment. I'm curious to see how Nkokonjeru will react to the 5K - entertainment for the day and talk for a month!!!
Am reading through Proverbs now and loved 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" and 16:9 "In his heart a man (or woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps".
Sunday, was "Moses" day (our CBR Volunteer) and a very nice day. First, I went to Church w. Moses. He belongs to a really small Baptist Church (mostly Roman Catholics around here). The congregation was started in 1907 by an Englishman and the church was built in the 70s up on a beautiful hill. It's a sturdy stucco building, but not in very good repair. Congregation was excited to see me (I had to speak - but briefly!). Only about 25 people there, but very spirited. The have a female pastor (Ugandan) who lives in the parish house which is really unfinished! She's a good sport. If there is a Baptist congregation out there (the big "out there") who would like to partner w. a church in Uganda they'd love to have you - even if just to pray w. them and energize them. Just e-mail me at kathywesterman@hotmail.com.
I biked out to Moses to meet him for church - haven't been biking since I've been storing my bike at PH - it was HARD. Decided to lock it back on my veranda and if it gets stolen at least someone will be riding it!!!
At 4 (or about) we picked up Moses and his mom, wife and two daughters and took him to COMBRA where he'll be taking classes the next 2 months. It's really a BIG step for him - away from farm and family for 2 months!!! (he'll get home some weekends).
Monday at English we started simple letter writing - everyone except one copied the sample on the board. One boy wrote a letter to Sr. Juliet about stealing in the dorms - it's really a BIG problem and it was a good letter!!! She agreed!
We have a big "crew" at PH right now - two Brothers on "internship" for a month, a Brother on Holiday, 2 Sisters on Holiday and one young man (hard of hearing) doing a Social Work Internship (he was turned down 5 places because of his hearing loss - and he's great - everyone gets in at PH!). Nelson also just got 2 OT interns studying at Mulago - busy place!!!
After English I helped Sister and the two Brothers to go through all the old, dusty folders in the office looking for something about some land (not found) - what a mess! Helped w. the "movement group" in the afternoon - lots of frisbee, ball, etc. for the more seriously handicapped. The sewing machine repairman returned w. parts (YEA)....doing good work but has to come back again w. some more and to fix the shoe machine (all part of the SPA grant). Did some weed pulling w. the kids in the cabbages (in anticipation of the visit Tuesday of the Mother General - the "top nun"). Ended w. going to the market w. Sr. Goretti - it was dark and the place was crowded, noisy (several bullhorns pitching stuff plus radios), and stuck me as just so typically Ugandan. Came home and made mac and cheese (Kraft box) - spiced up w. onion, garlic and tomato - and a Spam single (they are the best!).
Tuesday CBR was slow as usual - everyone knows we aren't paying anymore - just giving advice!!! The Mother General came (leader of all the Little Sisters in E. Africa) - very impressive woman! Alysious (the SW intern) wanted to teach a class so he took my English class - nice break for me and the kids!!!
Wednesday Fred and I went to Kampala to order the layers - it took awhile - lots of walking from store to store - delivery dates at some were too far out! But it's done - we pick them up July 27! I stopped to see Moses on the way home - he needed a letter verifying his employment at PH - seems he dropped his ID down the latrine!!! Did my Mukono internet, P.O., Bank and Supermarket thing and got home about 7:30.
I'm reading a book making the PC circuit - The Master and Margaurita by Mikhail Bulgakov - very Russion and VERY strange, but I can't put it down.
I thought Thursday would be slow, but Sister J invited me to go along w. the visiting Brother to see Lake Victoria and visit the convent at Kavule. We went to a fishing village (Sennyi) on the lake - they are all so poor - stopped at the convent (it was build by Mother Kevin in the 30s and is very run down, but has a gorgeous view of the lake - think it would make a wonderful retreat house if fixed up). The Sisters also run a little clinic there - 3 nuns at the end of the world!!! We stopped at Sr. Juliet's home and met her grandfather (and lots of other relatives) and saw her old Secondary School! We had to visit every classroom and since I took a picture in the first one had to take a picture in every one!!
It's sad that the forests in that part of Uganda (and everywhere) have been decimated by cutting for charcoal, firewood and timber and no re-planting - they look green but it's all small trees, bush and banana trees...very few mature trees - not a government priority!
Today (Friday) Math went well - did a "store" again - counting money and making change - even w. the faster group - they all enjoyed it and came away w. some bananas, crackers, pens and of course "sweeties"...
Tomorrow the two Brothers and I are going to see Josephine at St. Balikudembe's for visiting day (nearby in Kisoga). Sunday the muzungus have been invited to a goat roast in honor of the Duke kids who are starting to leave - I'll miss them - they are a great group! There are two new volunteers (women in their 30s) staying at RASD who've been down to PH to play w. the kids - they are from NYC - took 3 weeks off their jobs. Really outgoing ladies and the kids enjoy the extra attention!!!
Guess that's all for now - Wish Corky a Happy Anniversary - July 13 - 41 years!!!
Things go well here but I'm really eager to see everyone at home - Gail said that Riley said it was a "long time" till I come tho - "two weeks" - it's longer but that may be what he envisions as a LONG time!! It's going fast and will be even faster as we get to the First Aid classes next weekend (Holly's grant project) - we're having one two-day session at PH for Moses' community health workers the 16th and 17th and then two others for her Project Hope people, the 5K, finals and report cards - YIKES! And then off to Minneapolis (via Amsterdam).
Hope you all have a good weekend. As always, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - your support means everything!!!
Thanks to all for your response on the 5K - Holly is delighted!!! I forgot to add that she and the anestheologist at the Hospital have started a girls' running club - 5:30 a.m. and p.m. They are training w. students at the local Primary Teacher's College and the girls are really doing well!!! Quite a committment. I'm curious to see how Nkokonjeru will react to the 5K - entertainment for the day and talk for a month!!!
Am reading through Proverbs now and loved 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" and 16:9 "In his heart a man (or woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps".
Sunday, was "Moses" day (our CBR Volunteer) and a very nice day. First, I went to Church w. Moses. He belongs to a really small Baptist Church (mostly Roman Catholics around here). The congregation was started in 1907 by an Englishman and the church was built in the 70s up on a beautiful hill. It's a sturdy stucco building, but not in very good repair. Congregation was excited to see me (I had to speak - but briefly!). Only about 25 people there, but very spirited. The have a female pastor (Ugandan) who lives in the parish house which is really unfinished! She's a good sport. If there is a Baptist congregation out there (the big "out there") who would like to partner w. a church in Uganda they'd love to have you - even if just to pray w. them and energize them. Just e-mail me at kathywesterman@hotmail.com.
I biked out to Moses to meet him for church - haven't been biking since I've been storing my bike at PH - it was HARD. Decided to lock it back on my veranda and if it gets stolen at least someone will be riding it!!!
At 4 (or about) we picked up Moses and his mom, wife and two daughters and took him to COMBRA where he'll be taking classes the next 2 months. It's really a BIG step for him - away from farm and family for 2 months!!! (he'll get home some weekends).
Monday at English we started simple letter writing - everyone except one copied the sample on the board. One boy wrote a letter to Sr. Juliet about stealing in the dorms - it's really a BIG problem and it was a good letter!!! She agreed!
We have a big "crew" at PH right now - two Brothers on "internship" for a month, a Brother on Holiday, 2 Sisters on Holiday and one young man (hard of hearing) doing a Social Work Internship (he was turned down 5 places because of his hearing loss - and he's great - everyone gets in at PH!). Nelson also just got 2 OT interns studying at Mulago - busy place!!!
After English I helped Sister and the two Brothers to go through all the old, dusty folders in the office looking for something about some land (not found) - what a mess! Helped w. the "movement group" in the afternoon - lots of frisbee, ball, etc. for the more seriously handicapped. The sewing machine repairman returned w. parts (YEA)....doing good work but has to come back again w. some more and to fix the shoe machine (all part of the SPA grant). Did some weed pulling w. the kids in the cabbages (in anticipation of the visit Tuesday of the Mother General - the "top nun"). Ended w. going to the market w. Sr. Goretti - it was dark and the place was crowded, noisy (several bullhorns pitching stuff plus radios), and stuck me as just so typically Ugandan. Came home and made mac and cheese (Kraft box) - spiced up w. onion, garlic and tomato - and a Spam single (they are the best!).
Tuesday CBR was slow as usual - everyone knows we aren't paying anymore - just giving advice!!! The Mother General came (leader of all the Little Sisters in E. Africa) - very impressive woman! Alysious (the SW intern) wanted to teach a class so he took my English class - nice break for me and the kids!!!
Wednesday Fred and I went to Kampala to order the layers - it took awhile - lots of walking from store to store - delivery dates at some were too far out! But it's done - we pick them up July 27! I stopped to see Moses on the way home - he needed a letter verifying his employment at PH - seems he dropped his ID down the latrine!!! Did my Mukono internet, P.O., Bank and Supermarket thing and got home about 7:30.
I'm reading a book making the PC circuit - The Master and Margaurita by Mikhail Bulgakov - very Russion and VERY strange, but I can't put it down.
I thought Thursday would be slow, but Sister J invited me to go along w. the visiting Brother to see Lake Victoria and visit the convent at Kavule. We went to a fishing village (Sennyi) on the lake - they are all so poor - stopped at the convent (it was build by Mother Kevin in the 30s and is very run down, but has a gorgeous view of the lake - think it would make a wonderful retreat house if fixed up). The Sisters also run a little clinic there - 3 nuns at the end of the world!!! We stopped at Sr. Juliet's home and met her grandfather (and lots of other relatives) and saw her old Secondary School! We had to visit every classroom and since I took a picture in the first one had to take a picture in every one!!
It's sad that the forests in that part of Uganda (and everywhere) have been decimated by cutting for charcoal, firewood and timber and no re-planting - they look green but it's all small trees, bush and banana trees...very few mature trees - not a government priority!
Today (Friday) Math went well - did a "store" again - counting money and making change - even w. the faster group - they all enjoyed it and came away w. some bananas, crackers, pens and of course "sweeties"...
Tomorrow the two Brothers and I are going to see Josephine at St. Balikudembe's for visiting day (nearby in Kisoga). Sunday the muzungus have been invited to a goat roast in honor of the Duke kids who are starting to leave - I'll miss them - they are a great group! There are two new volunteers (women in their 30s) staying at RASD who've been down to PH to play w. the kids - they are from NYC - took 3 weeks off their jobs. Really outgoing ladies and the kids enjoy the extra attention!!!
Guess that's all for now - Wish Corky a Happy Anniversary - July 13 - 41 years!!!
Things go well here but I'm really eager to see everyone at home - Gail said that Riley said it was a "long time" till I come tho - "two weeks" - it's longer but that may be what he envisions as a LONG time!! It's going fast and will be even faster as we get to the First Aid classes next weekend (Holly's grant project) - we're having one two-day session at PH for Moses' community health workers the 16th and 17th and then two others for her Project Hope people, the 5K, finals and report cards - YIKES! And then off to Minneapolis (via Amsterdam).
Hope you all have a good weekend. As always, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - your support means everything!!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Fourth of July - July 4, 2009
Happy Fourth to you all. I'm celebrating by going to Mukono for the usual bank, PO, internet, grocery run, and to the Mall to make prints....lots of stops but I wanted to get the blog done here in Mukono - unfortunately, internet is slow and keyboard is really sticky!! But I'm grateful for the internet!!! Some of the group went to celebrate at an island off Entebe but I'm still tired after the conference and would just worry about my "to do" list - also, it's all young kids!!! NIce of them to even ask, but I'm better off at my little apt.
The All Volunteer Conference went very well. It was a strange transition back to Nkokonjeru after 4 days w. almost only Americans!!! Wonder what it will be like to be in America and then come back? It was rainy and cool when I got back on Sunday and I went to Moses's youngest's 1st Birthday Party (baby Fionna). It was fun but I always feel like a celebrity (it's akward) - it was Fionna's day. Guess it's an honor to have a muzungu come, but I'd rather just be a guest! Moses is leaving this Sunday for a 2-3 month course in Community Health Outreach - identifying, assessing, building simple orthopedic appliances out of local materials - a great opportunity for him and for PH! We'll miss him as will his family - means one season of no planting! So, it was a farewell party for him, too.
Our ton of brewers mash is infected w. maggots and had to be thrown on the fields - bummer!! The cow loved it and it saved on maize bran - we'll try again w better storage and maybe a smaller amount! Oh, the trials of farming!!!
Monday a.m. I jumped up when they rang the 5:30 a.m. bell - I'd forgotten about that!!! It was the usual crazy day. English went well - I went over some good information we got at the conference on malaria in Uganda. Then Holly and I went to a kick off near Mukono for a new service by MTN (phone co) combined w. Google to provide limited access to information on your cell phone (if it's MTN) - supposed to have weather and answers to agricultural questions - big promotional deal! We got a soda and a free lunch!!!
By the time I got back and got the afternoon "report", picked lettuce (about all that's left in our Garden except marigolds), and went to town to make copies for English it was 7:30!!!
Tuesday was a "low pressure" day - quiet at CBR. Sula brought in 500 day old broiler chicks - I'm watching his operation closely to see what we need to do - layers are slightly different but chicks are chicks. He had to put charcoal heaters in the room. They are fragile! Went for a nice walk to end a good day!
Wednesday I started digging up the garden - it's time to plant again - I was thinking it wasn't till Sept. but Sister said now. Not sure if we'll get it done - will for sure be smaller! Fred, Sr. Juliet and Sr. Goretti and I met to plan our chicken venture (100 layers) and to start planning for the Grant program. It was the last day for the two volunteers from Florida who've been staying at RASD - they came to PH about 3 afternoons a week to help Jude w. the afternoon classes and play w. the kids - much appreciated and enjoyed by the children.
Nice dinner w. Holly and the Duke "kids"...they added Chinese Eggplant and a Greek dish w. macsed potatoes and garlic (and other stuff) - really a taste treat. Sometimes (often?) we obsess about the food variety we're used to - Ugandan food is always the same and always bland!
Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - 58 patients. They brought 2 nurses and 4 students which left Sr. Goretti scrambling for enough lunch, but she always manages - more rice!!!! At lunch we were talking about Moses and I being gone for the Aug. clinic - they, of course, asked if I'd get matoke (steamed bananas) in the U.S. (NO!!) and what I like to eat there. Most seriously cannot imagine a meal w/o matoke or posho - I CAN!
Holly has really been working hard - she starts her First Aid classes on the 17th - 3, two day sessions - the first is for Moses (he'll come back) and 14 of his community volunteers - all representing different villages. It's a 2 day class and they get a village first aid kit - great service!!!
She's also organized a 5K walk/run for Aug. 1 to raise money for her organization, Project Hope, that works w. HIV/AIDS patients. They want to raise money to re-start Life Skills classes in the schools (basically HIV education, self - esteem, healthy living, etc.) - great cause also! I'm NOT running (many PCVs are) but she has a category for "Providence Home Pushers" - I'm in that one!! If you would like to donate you can send a few dollars to: Don Westerman, 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - I told all the kids at PH I'd sponsor their regiatration if they walked/got pushed - it's only $.50/student!!!
Nice supper of grilled cheese, leaf lettuce salad and pineapply - see I don't do that bad!!!
Friday (and Thursday) I had my first bout ever w. intestinal problems - not serious, but annoying - still went to PH! I really think my immune system and stamina are running down....am hoping my trip home in August will be a re-wind!
In the slower math group we talked about money and change and then used the play money to "buy" stuff Corky sent - motel soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils and some suckers - they loved it. It worked well, but some still don't get it - and others would shout out their balance before they could figure it. Also, they are not good about waiting their turn - really a Ugandan culutural trait - people budge in line all the time (or yell over the waiting customers). They have coins in 100, 200 and 500 and bills in 1,000 and 5,000 - there are 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 but they won't see those any time soon! Morning porridge was 2 hours late - they were chopping green in the kitchen and didn't think to start it - so the other Math class started at 1:00 (instead of 11). We did a review of what the money you need to start 100 layers to 5 months (when the start laying)....think the kids were surpirsed at the size of the capital outlay (about $1000!)...and we have a house already! That's why most peole just raise their own local breeds and "free range" them.
The sewing machine repair guy came from Kampala - organized by Sr. Goretti and funded by the SPA grant! YEA! Has to go back to get parts and it's always a leap of faith to give him money to buy the stuff and hope he returns! She knows the shop that recommended him, but you never know! We had a visit by the government Minister of ICT (Information, Communicaiton and Technology) on a swing through Nkokonjeru - of course, we have no technology, but what the heck - he gave Sister money for soap for the kids!!!.
Today I'm going to do my errands - lots of stops - and tomorrow I'm going to Moses' church at 10 (Baptist) and then in the afternoon we're using the truck to take him to COMBRA (the training center) along w. his wife and children so they can see it (an American touch)....
Thanks again and again for all your support and just for reading through my days - it really does help that people care - and maybe get a laugh!!! I'm really getting excited about my visit home in August.....it will be interesting!!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
The All Volunteer Conference went very well. It was a strange transition back to Nkokonjeru after 4 days w. almost only Americans!!! Wonder what it will be like to be in America and then come back? It was rainy and cool when I got back on Sunday and I went to Moses's youngest's 1st Birthday Party (baby Fionna). It was fun but I always feel like a celebrity (it's akward) - it was Fionna's day. Guess it's an honor to have a muzungu come, but I'd rather just be a guest! Moses is leaving this Sunday for a 2-3 month course in Community Health Outreach - identifying, assessing, building simple orthopedic appliances out of local materials - a great opportunity for him and for PH! We'll miss him as will his family - means one season of no planting! So, it was a farewell party for him, too.
Our ton of brewers mash is infected w. maggots and had to be thrown on the fields - bummer!! The cow loved it and it saved on maize bran - we'll try again w better storage and maybe a smaller amount! Oh, the trials of farming!!!
Monday a.m. I jumped up when they rang the 5:30 a.m. bell - I'd forgotten about that!!! It was the usual crazy day. English went well - I went over some good information we got at the conference on malaria in Uganda. Then Holly and I went to a kick off near Mukono for a new service by MTN (phone co) combined w. Google to provide limited access to information on your cell phone (if it's MTN) - supposed to have weather and answers to agricultural questions - big promotional deal! We got a soda and a free lunch!!!
By the time I got back and got the afternoon "report", picked lettuce (about all that's left in our Garden except marigolds), and went to town to make copies for English it was 7:30!!!
Tuesday was a "low pressure" day - quiet at CBR. Sula brought in 500 day old broiler chicks - I'm watching his operation closely to see what we need to do - layers are slightly different but chicks are chicks. He had to put charcoal heaters in the room. They are fragile! Went for a nice walk to end a good day!
Wednesday I started digging up the garden - it's time to plant again - I was thinking it wasn't till Sept. but Sister said now. Not sure if we'll get it done - will for sure be smaller! Fred, Sr. Juliet and Sr. Goretti and I met to plan our chicken venture (100 layers) and to start planning for the Grant program. It was the last day for the two volunteers from Florida who've been staying at RASD - they came to PH about 3 afternoons a week to help Jude w. the afternoon classes and play w. the kids - much appreciated and enjoyed by the children.
Nice dinner w. Holly and the Duke "kids"...they added Chinese Eggplant and a Greek dish w. macsed potatoes and garlic (and other stuff) - really a taste treat. Sometimes (often?) we obsess about the food variety we're used to - Ugandan food is always the same and always bland!
Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - 58 patients. They brought 2 nurses and 4 students which left Sr. Goretti scrambling for enough lunch, but she always manages - more rice!!!! At lunch we were talking about Moses and I being gone for the Aug. clinic - they, of course, asked if I'd get matoke (steamed bananas) in the U.S. (NO!!) and what I like to eat there. Most seriously cannot imagine a meal w/o matoke or posho - I CAN!
Holly has really been working hard - she starts her First Aid classes on the 17th - 3, two day sessions - the first is for Moses (he'll come back) and 14 of his community volunteers - all representing different villages. It's a 2 day class and they get a village first aid kit - great service!!!
She's also organized a 5K walk/run for Aug. 1 to raise money for her organization, Project Hope, that works w. HIV/AIDS patients. They want to raise money to re-start Life Skills classes in the schools (basically HIV education, self - esteem, healthy living, etc.) - great cause also! I'm NOT running (many PCVs are) but she has a category for "Providence Home Pushers" - I'm in that one!! If you would like to donate you can send a few dollars to: Don Westerman, 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - I told all the kids at PH I'd sponsor their regiatration if they walked/got pushed - it's only $.50/student!!!
Nice supper of grilled cheese, leaf lettuce salad and pineapply - see I don't do that bad!!!
Friday (and Thursday) I had my first bout ever w. intestinal problems - not serious, but annoying - still went to PH! I really think my immune system and stamina are running down....am hoping my trip home in August will be a re-wind!
In the slower math group we talked about money and change and then used the play money to "buy" stuff Corky sent - motel soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils and some suckers - they loved it. It worked well, but some still don't get it - and others would shout out their balance before they could figure it. Also, they are not good about waiting their turn - really a Ugandan culutural trait - people budge in line all the time (or yell over the waiting customers). They have coins in 100, 200 and 500 and bills in 1,000 and 5,000 - there are 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 but they won't see those any time soon! Morning porridge was 2 hours late - they were chopping green in the kitchen and didn't think to start it - so the other Math class started at 1:00 (instead of 11). We did a review of what the money you need to start 100 layers to 5 months (when the start laying)....think the kids were surpirsed at the size of the capital outlay (about $1000!)...and we have a house already! That's why most peole just raise their own local breeds and "free range" them.
The sewing machine repair guy came from Kampala - organized by Sr. Goretti and funded by the SPA grant! YEA! Has to go back to get parts and it's always a leap of faith to give him money to buy the stuff and hope he returns! She knows the shop that recommended him, but you never know! We had a visit by the government Minister of ICT (Information, Communicaiton and Technology) on a swing through Nkokonjeru - of course, we have no technology, but what the heck - he gave Sister money for soap for the kids!!!.
Today I'm going to do my errands - lots of stops - and tomorrow I'm going to Moses' church at 10 (Baptist) and then in the afternoon we're using the truck to take him to COMBRA (the training center) along w. his wife and children so they can see it (an American touch)....
Thanks again and again for all your support and just for reading through my days - it really does help that people care - and maybe get a laugh!!! I'm really getting excited about my visit home in August.....it will be interesting!!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
This will probably be the shortest blog on record....I'm at the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference - almost over - and don't have my "notes" so will just do a quick review of the week - you are all probably very grateful. I was thinking I'd stop in Mukono on my way back to Nkokonjeru tomorrow a.m. but I'm not sure the internet cafe will be open that early on Sunday and I'm ready to go back to my apartment. Also, tomorrow there is a 1 year Birthday Party for Moses little girl, Fionna, and I hope to get to at least part of it!
Happy Birthday last week to Olivia, Gail and Jesse (tomorrow)...WOW!
The Conference has gone very well - lots of good presentations and some great outside contacts...the Ambassador came by today (he's leaving Uganda next week - being replaced by a new one soon - regime change??). It's been a lot of fun, but very intense and I'm tired. We had a good speaker on Agroforestry from "Trees for the Future"(headquartered in the U.S.) Am hoping to get some seeds to plant from them.
Back to last week. Sunday, we had visitors from Holland (Bake for Life) - fun group. Monday I went with Nelson to Mulago Hospital in Kampala with three of the children from the community he works with and two moms! A VERY long day - I was ready at 7:30 - we left at 9 a.m. and returned at 9 p.m. Had to wait a long time at the hospital - but probably not worse than Mayo Clinic! They all went to the Sickle Cell Clinic and one had then to see the pedicatrician in Acute Care. There were so many sick kids waiting. Plus we were all hungry and tired!
Tuesday I wanted to get lots done before I left but there were lots of difficulties. The guy who was to fix the stove said he would come Sunday (and confirmed it in a text) but didn't show Sunday. He came Monday, but of course they were using the stove. Said he would come "early" on Tuesday, I called him at 10 and he assured me he'd be there in 45 minutes - and came at 2:15. Then, he wanted me to get the materials ready - I was trying to start English class (CBR was finished) and we all were going to a funeral at 3:00! I really let him have it - I really don't usually yell, but I was so mad - I told him at least he could have texted me and told me the truth about coming. Ugandans usually tell you what they think you want to hear!!! He didn't seem repentant at all! The funeral was a last minute addition to the day, too - Moses told us in the a.m. that the grandfather of the little girl staying at PH who we got fitted w. leg braces had died - so we took a truck load (including her, two PH Sisters, Sister Ellen from the U.S., two visiting Brothers, and lots of kids) to the funeral. Her parents were there (she'd been left at the grandparents years ago w. her siblings when the parents split and re-settled). THey were there but there was not a good feeling between them or her and either one and she was anxious to get back in the truck and return to PH (her Grandfather had been her major supporter - grandmother was too busy digging and working).
It seemed like I was behind all day Tuesday - well, I was. Wanted to get things ready for being gone for four days - it's hard!
I am very impressed at the Conference about all the things the PCVs in our group are doing - most seem to really have hit their stride and have some very interesting projects going and keeping busy. Some are still struggling, but all in all, they are doing well. The "oldest" group leaves in October and then we will be the "old" group - WOW! There are two groups behind us - a nice feeling.
Hope you all have a good week.....and a great Fourth of July!!!
Happy Birthday last week to Olivia, Gail and Jesse (tomorrow)...WOW!
The Conference has gone very well - lots of good presentations and some great outside contacts...the Ambassador came by today (he's leaving Uganda next week - being replaced by a new one soon - regime change??). It's been a lot of fun, but very intense and I'm tired. We had a good speaker on Agroforestry from "Trees for the Future"(headquartered in the U.S.) Am hoping to get some seeds to plant from them.
Back to last week. Sunday, we had visitors from Holland (Bake for Life) - fun group. Monday I went with Nelson to Mulago Hospital in Kampala with three of the children from the community he works with and two moms! A VERY long day - I was ready at 7:30 - we left at 9 a.m. and returned at 9 p.m. Had to wait a long time at the hospital - but probably not worse than Mayo Clinic! They all went to the Sickle Cell Clinic and one had then to see the pedicatrician in Acute Care. There were so many sick kids waiting. Plus we were all hungry and tired!
Tuesday I wanted to get lots done before I left but there were lots of difficulties. The guy who was to fix the stove said he would come Sunday (and confirmed it in a text) but didn't show Sunday. He came Monday, but of course they were using the stove. Said he would come "early" on Tuesday, I called him at 10 and he assured me he'd be there in 45 minutes - and came at 2:15. Then, he wanted me to get the materials ready - I was trying to start English class (CBR was finished) and we all were going to a funeral at 3:00! I really let him have it - I really don't usually yell, but I was so mad - I told him at least he could have texted me and told me the truth about coming. Ugandans usually tell you what they think you want to hear!!! He didn't seem repentant at all! The funeral was a last minute addition to the day, too - Moses told us in the a.m. that the grandfather of the little girl staying at PH who we got fitted w. leg braces had died - so we took a truck load (including her, two PH Sisters, Sister Ellen from the U.S., two visiting Brothers, and lots of kids) to the funeral. Her parents were there (she'd been left at the grandparents years ago w. her siblings when the parents split and re-settled). THey were there but there was not a good feeling between them or her and either one and she was anxious to get back in the truck and return to PH (her Grandfather had been her major supporter - grandmother was too busy digging and working).
It seemed like I was behind all day Tuesday - well, I was. Wanted to get things ready for being gone for four days - it's hard!
I am very impressed at the Conference about all the things the PCVs in our group are doing - most seem to really have hit their stride and have some very interesting projects going and keeping busy. Some are still struggling, but all in all, they are doing well. The "oldest" group leaves in October and then we will be the "old" group - WOW! There are two groups behind us - a nice feeling.
Hope you all have a good week.....and a great Fourth of July!!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - June 20, 2009
I just tried 3 times and waited 6 minutes for "new post" to appear - then called the kid to come and see and it opened right up!!! I think computers don't like me! I'm in Mukono on a quick a.m. trip (which is turning out to not be so quick since the computer hates me)...the bank/P.O./grocery/blog trip! I will be gone a lot this week and trying to cover all my bases before - will spend most of the rest of the weekend getting ready for and trying to find someone to cover my classes!!! Monday I'm going to Nelson (O.T.) to Mulago with some of his kids and Wednesday to Sunday is the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference. The "committee" has to be at the office Weds. to do final planning - it's been a lot more work than I thought when I signed up (that happens often).
Onward - I'm reading a very heavy (scholarly AND big) book given to me by the Duke graduate student (Dan) - called Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier - it's about the fighting in the Congo after the Rwandan Genocide till today...massively footnoted and very detailed! Every one in central Africa (and beyond) was involved. The author is French and really doesn't care for any of the participants! (U.S. included - but also France's meddling)
Last Thursday I was in Kampala for a meeting on the AVC (All Volunteer Conference) when I blogged. The week has gone fast - after I got home I went down to PH (Providence Home) to "check in" and they delivered the re-furbished cabinet for the production sewing area - Sr. Goretti went on Friday to buy materials for uniform shirts for our shoe students and then for petticoats for Sisters for sale! The four kids really need to get better before they start the Sister's things - Sr. Goretti had them ripping apart the shirts they had made because of pretty sloppy work - they weren't supervised but they are supposed to be ready to go out and work....I keep blaming it on their teacher who is really sloppy (we do so need a replacement but none to be found in these parts). It's a struggle - also the machines keep breaking - we can get them serviced, but I'm not sure the kids are using them well w/o supervision (something they should also know by this time).
Friday I was up early to get ready for Math....it went much better today than last week. In the slower class we used fake money (cardboard coins and paper bills) to count money and make change, but they had a hard time w. the concept of fake money (or they are totally unfamiliar w. Ugandan coins/bills which is also possible)....I wanted to challenge the faster class but may have overdone it w. changing fractions, changing cm to metres and back and computing measurements. We'll keep at it! I had them figure how to cut a piece of material 2m long into 3 pieces - first transfer to cm and then divide - I think they were thinking, just fold it over 3 x and forget the measuring (not a bad idea!).
In the afternoon I walked up to RASD to use the computer and to talk to them about how to go about handling a possible donation of a sand water filter for drinking water (that's RASD's speciality). I came back to welcome Sr. Goretti home from shopping and see 2 girls (about 10) get questioned and then punished for stealing money from another girl's foot locker (they used the key to open it and take stuff - then found in their boxes). There is lots of stealing at PH and they don't see it as wrong if they get away with it! In class, I was asking about it and one of the boys said "we're poor, and other people have things...and we want them"....simple!
Satuday I washed and cleaned...hung our sheets and towels. I went down to PH about 9:30 and it poured!!! Good for the rain - it's been dry for two weeks and people were worried that the dry season had started early - lots of crops still in the gardens! My clothes had a Downy rain fresh rinse and were dry by 6 p.m.
I am constantly struck by the endless variety of the days here - on Saturday afternoon we were waiting for some people from a pharmaceutical company to come (they said 10 but it was 1)...we'd invited the North Korean doctors down to sign off on the meds the company was donating. Two of the doctors came at 10:30 (after the rain) and had a nice visit w. Sr. Juliet, but had to go. I went to town to buy some baskets to mail - certainly made the day of the lady in the shop (it's run by women affected by HIV/AIDS). The people finally arrived and it turned out to be a pharmaceutical company w. a nurse to see sick people - and the UBC (Ugandan Broadcast Co) who filmed the event!!! They saw some children from the community (thanks to Moses) and from PH - mainly flu, colds, malaria - and gave out meds. Some children from PH lined us just for the "give away" - one little boy cried because he wasn't sick and couldn't get any of whatever it was they were given every one else!!! They left some medications and we got to watch the promotional video (for us but mainly for the pharmaceutical company) on the news that night!!!
Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi and the bishop of Lugazi Diocese came to Nkokoneru for a big 10 a.m. Mass and then a 2 hour procession to various sites w. a large crowd to venerate the host.....they ended at PH. The Bishop then stayed for a little presentation and lunch (at 4 p.m.). Sr. Juliet put me NEXT to the Bishop - yikes! Fortunately he's traveled a lot and we pretty much stuck to his favorite places!
Monday after English, Holly and I joined someone from PC staff at the Ridah Hotel in Seeta where the conference will be held to talk to the staff - and esp. the chef. He was really nice and think we'll get more "American" foods this time - garlic mashed potatoes vs. matoke! I had a nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are really fun and lots of good conversations. Gloria and Dan (the graduate student) are working with a local Savings and Credit Association, Alex and Loren are in engineering and trying to make charcoal out of coffee husks and other worthwhile projects...very interesting.
Tuesday I woke up tired.....still have bad dreams the nites after I take the malaria medication - (Methloquin)....lots of monsters eating people (ugh). CBR went well. We are going through the 2008 glasses' lists and having the "town crier" (he uses a sound system) announce the names of local people who haven't picked up their glasses yet on market day (Monday)- it's getting results. One elderly resident of PH got his glasses and was so excited he gave me four ears of corn!!! Moses went out to see the malnourished 2 year old and it's not going so well - she's lost weight since she left Mulago - they just don't have the food she needs. I send out porridge mix and dry milk, but it only last so long (and not sure if the girl gets it all).
In English I read a story w. pictures about building a house (I make copies for everyone), did "house building" vocabulary and then they had to draw their "dream house" - everyone drew such modest structures - and say something about it in English - it actually went pretty well!
There is a Sister from New Jersey, Sister Ellen, (about my age) staying at PH for 2 weeks - she's a Franciscan Sister of Peace and wanted to see how things work in African congregations - she's really a lot of fun and very energetic! (like I was at the start I think - I'm wearing down)
Holly has been really busy. She works w. Project Hope - a program that has volunteers who assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. She just got a grant to teach them (and some victims and some of Moses' community health workers) in First Aid - YEA! And she's organizing a 5K walk/run (get ready to pledge) on Aug. 1 to raise money to continue their teaching Life Skills (AIDS prevention and self-esteem) in the Secondary Schools!
Didas has just finished the shoe order (YEA) and put the 3rd new sole on my brown ECCO sandals!!!
Wednesday and Thursday were "catch up" days - actually, I did very little! Gloria (from Duke) and the mom and daughter from Florida who are staying 2 months in Nkokonjeru have been coming down some to help with the kids in the afternoon - the kids love new people and the attention!
Thursday nite I got a call from Sr. Juliet at 11:30 and she said she'd forgotten that Sr. Melody (who used to be here) was graduating from a 6 mo. program Friday and Sr. Ellen and I should go with her to the ceremony - leave at 7 a.m. She'd found a visiting Ugandan Sister who would take my math class - I revised my workplan - I was going to practice making change again and had gotten bananas to reward the ones who got it right (and eventually everyone)....dropped that plan since Ugandans really are not used to that sort of activity. The graduation was very nice but it was a LONG day . We met lots of really impressive Sisters!!! They do a great service here in East Africa!
So, now I'm in Mukono - sorry the blog is so long.....next week will be short w. the Conference. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Fathers - hope it's a good one and nice weather to grill!
Take care and thanks again and again for your prayers, thoughts, mail - just everything. It's sort of the mid-range of time and I'm feeling a bit deflated - but I still have lots to do and my grant to plan and distribute - plus help w. Holly's projects coming up and then the trip home! It will go fast!!!
Onward - I'm reading a very heavy (scholarly AND big) book given to me by the Duke graduate student (Dan) - called Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier - it's about the fighting in the Congo after the Rwandan Genocide till today...massively footnoted and very detailed! Every one in central Africa (and beyond) was involved. The author is French and really doesn't care for any of the participants! (U.S. included - but also France's meddling)
Last Thursday I was in Kampala for a meeting on the AVC (All Volunteer Conference) when I blogged. The week has gone fast - after I got home I went down to PH (Providence Home) to "check in" and they delivered the re-furbished cabinet for the production sewing area - Sr. Goretti went on Friday to buy materials for uniform shirts for our shoe students and then for petticoats for Sisters for sale! The four kids really need to get better before they start the Sister's things - Sr. Goretti had them ripping apart the shirts they had made because of pretty sloppy work - they weren't supervised but they are supposed to be ready to go out and work....I keep blaming it on their teacher who is really sloppy (we do so need a replacement but none to be found in these parts). It's a struggle - also the machines keep breaking - we can get them serviced, but I'm not sure the kids are using them well w/o supervision (something they should also know by this time).
Friday I was up early to get ready for Math....it went much better today than last week. In the slower class we used fake money (cardboard coins and paper bills) to count money and make change, but they had a hard time w. the concept of fake money (or they are totally unfamiliar w. Ugandan coins/bills which is also possible)....I wanted to challenge the faster class but may have overdone it w. changing fractions, changing cm to metres and back and computing measurements. We'll keep at it! I had them figure how to cut a piece of material 2m long into 3 pieces - first transfer to cm and then divide - I think they were thinking, just fold it over 3 x and forget the measuring (not a bad idea!).
In the afternoon I walked up to RASD to use the computer and to talk to them about how to go about handling a possible donation of a sand water filter for drinking water (that's RASD's speciality). I came back to welcome Sr. Goretti home from shopping and see 2 girls (about 10) get questioned and then punished for stealing money from another girl's foot locker (they used the key to open it and take stuff - then found in their boxes). There is lots of stealing at PH and they don't see it as wrong if they get away with it! In class, I was asking about it and one of the boys said "we're poor, and other people have things...and we want them"....simple!
Satuday I washed and cleaned...hung our sheets and towels. I went down to PH about 9:30 and it poured!!! Good for the rain - it's been dry for two weeks and people were worried that the dry season had started early - lots of crops still in the gardens! My clothes had a Downy rain fresh rinse and were dry by 6 p.m.
I am constantly struck by the endless variety of the days here - on Saturday afternoon we were waiting for some people from a pharmaceutical company to come (they said 10 but it was 1)...we'd invited the North Korean doctors down to sign off on the meds the company was donating. Two of the doctors came at 10:30 (after the rain) and had a nice visit w. Sr. Juliet, but had to go. I went to town to buy some baskets to mail - certainly made the day of the lady in the shop (it's run by women affected by HIV/AIDS). The people finally arrived and it turned out to be a pharmaceutical company w. a nurse to see sick people - and the UBC (Ugandan Broadcast Co) who filmed the event!!! They saw some children from the community (thanks to Moses) and from PH - mainly flu, colds, malaria - and gave out meds. Some children from PH lined us just for the "give away" - one little boy cried because he wasn't sick and couldn't get any of whatever it was they were given every one else!!! They left some medications and we got to watch the promotional video (for us but mainly for the pharmaceutical company) on the news that night!!!
Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi and the bishop of Lugazi Diocese came to Nkokoneru for a big 10 a.m. Mass and then a 2 hour procession to various sites w. a large crowd to venerate the host.....they ended at PH. The Bishop then stayed for a little presentation and lunch (at 4 p.m.). Sr. Juliet put me NEXT to the Bishop - yikes! Fortunately he's traveled a lot and we pretty much stuck to his favorite places!
Monday after English, Holly and I joined someone from PC staff at the Ridah Hotel in Seeta where the conference will be held to talk to the staff - and esp. the chef. He was really nice and think we'll get more "American" foods this time - garlic mashed potatoes vs. matoke! I had a nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are really fun and lots of good conversations. Gloria and Dan (the graduate student) are working with a local Savings and Credit Association, Alex and Loren are in engineering and trying to make charcoal out of coffee husks and other worthwhile projects...very interesting.
Tuesday I woke up tired.....still have bad dreams the nites after I take the malaria medication - (Methloquin)....lots of monsters eating people (ugh). CBR went well. We are going through the 2008 glasses' lists and having the "town crier" (he uses a sound system) announce the names of local people who haven't picked up their glasses yet on market day (Monday)- it's getting results. One elderly resident of PH got his glasses and was so excited he gave me four ears of corn!!! Moses went out to see the malnourished 2 year old and it's not going so well - she's lost weight since she left Mulago - they just don't have the food she needs. I send out porridge mix and dry milk, but it only last so long (and not sure if the girl gets it all).
In English I read a story w. pictures about building a house (I make copies for everyone), did "house building" vocabulary and then they had to draw their "dream house" - everyone drew such modest structures - and say something about it in English - it actually went pretty well!
There is a Sister from New Jersey, Sister Ellen, (about my age) staying at PH for 2 weeks - she's a Franciscan Sister of Peace and wanted to see how things work in African congregations - she's really a lot of fun and very energetic! (like I was at the start I think - I'm wearing down)
Holly has been really busy. She works w. Project Hope - a program that has volunteers who assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. She just got a grant to teach them (and some victims and some of Moses' community health workers) in First Aid - YEA! And she's organizing a 5K walk/run (get ready to pledge) on Aug. 1 to raise money to continue their teaching Life Skills (AIDS prevention and self-esteem) in the Secondary Schools!
Didas has just finished the shoe order (YEA) and put the 3rd new sole on my brown ECCO sandals!!!
Wednesday and Thursday were "catch up" days - actually, I did very little! Gloria (from Duke) and the mom and daughter from Florida who are staying 2 months in Nkokonjeru have been coming down some to help with the kids in the afternoon - the kids love new people and the attention!
Thursday nite I got a call from Sr. Juliet at 11:30 and she said she'd forgotten that Sr. Melody (who used to be here) was graduating from a 6 mo. program Friday and Sr. Ellen and I should go with her to the ceremony - leave at 7 a.m. She'd found a visiting Ugandan Sister who would take my math class - I revised my workplan - I was going to practice making change again and had gotten bananas to reward the ones who got it right (and eventually everyone)....dropped that plan since Ugandans really are not used to that sort of activity. The graduation was very nice but it was a LONG day . We met lots of really impressive Sisters!!! They do a great service here in East Africa!
So, now I'm in Mukono - sorry the blog is so long.....next week will be short w. the Conference. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Fathers - hope it's a good one and nice weather to grill!
Take care and thanks again and again for your prayers, thoughts, mail - just everything. It's sort of the mid-range of time and I'm feeling a bit deflated - but I still have lots to do and my grant to plan and distribute - plus help w. Holly's projects coming up and then the trip home! It will go fast!!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
16 months down and 10 to Go!! June 11, 2009
My title is probably not the best was to start - but it's how I count time!!! I am really enjoying my work here and especially the kids and the people I work with, but I miss home, too. I got a nasty cold this week (my first "illness" in Uganda) - haven't had to stay home, but sometimes I feel like I'm running down - liek I came w. really lots of energy but have to push harder these days to get things done! I'm hoping my vacation at home in August will revitalize me!!!
I'm having fun with the four students from Duke University working here for 2 months - really a smart, high energy bunch! Two are working w. a local Savings and Loan (actually a private credit organization) and the others are working on projects like biomass charcoal (from corn husks) and a solar cooker - neat projects. I have dinner w. them at the guest house occasionally - lots of good conversation! Initially, one of them teased us (Holly, Shari and I) about our obsession w. food (mainly "American" food we can't get easily) but after almost 3 weeks that's their main topic of conversation too!!!
Satuday I went to Kampala to get my electric tea kettle fixed - I made it to the center of town to look for light blue material for more uniform shirts - bummed that the shop we buy from was out of that color and I didn't have a sample so while I looked elsewhere didn't feel I should buy. Being down there reminded me of what I don't like about inner Kampala - dirt, noise, pollution, smells (garbage, urine), sidewalks full of people selling, streets full of people, cars, motorcycles - there are lots of potholes full of water thrown out from bathing, washing, etc. It's hard to visualize I'm sure.....the "kids" love the energy there - I do my business and retreat.
The garden is giving us lots of lettuce, cucumbers and beans. Not all is lost with the leaf mold, tho' the cucumbers seem to be getting infected (darn). I've asked a lot of people what the problem is and get lots of different answers but no solutions (sort of typical for here). I think maybe the site is too level and gets too much roof run off and the problem is drainage. But we are enjoying what we have - adds variety to the diet. The kids at PH still cannot believe that we eat lettuce and cucumbers (things they've never seen) raw!!!
Sunday I worked a long time w. Sr. Juliet to update our website - Gail is re-doing the text and adding new pictures (thanks Gail). The site is www.providencehomeuganda.org if you're interested. Got it all edited, attachment attached....and the internet went off!!! Six months ago that would have made me crazy - now it's "oh, well, I'll try tomorrow". Started to get the "library" organized - put cards in all the books Anne and Corky have sent (mainly Junior books and easy readers) - I am worried about getting them back when kids take them out, but we'll see. We signed four out Monday a.m.!!! Alex, one of the students, is helping me.
I went on a nice walk - decided to start walking again in the evening to clear my head - there was a beautiful sunset and I helped a little girl carry some gerry cans of water home and untangled a baby goat (they are tied up all day and this one got really tangled and was struggling - took my keys and cut some of the foliage holding the rope). Met Joseph, the piggery builder, who said he's very busy and also building his own piggery - I couldn't help but add that I'm not surprised since he was so well paid for our project!! (maybe even some of our materials???).
Monday for English class Alex, a Duke student, gave a lecture on Compost translated by Fred. Kids were good and asked questions - he said it was his most attentive audience to date. In the afternoon three of theDuke kids came down to help w. the "Music and Movement Group" - they really enjoyed themselves and the kids loved it.
Tuesday we had a busy CBR day - Moses was out with Nelson doing home visits to Cerebral Palsy children so Kinene helped. Also, visiting PH for the day was a teacher of the deaf and a young lady from the UK who teaches deaf/blind there on a short term volunteer stint. They helped us assess a new 2 year old client whose parents thought was deaf (she didn't think so), and partially paralyzed after a high fever at 6 mos. They said they would take him to Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center for a PT assessment....hope they do. He's young and seemed smart and exercises could really make a difference. We'll try to follow up.
Didas is almost done with the shoe order - he's made 40 pairs of girls school shoes for Stella Maris Primary School (actually, they are shoes for girls sponsored by Caritas, a U.S. organization). Simon, a recent graduate, is back to help. We got the payment money and it worked out well - we were able to pay Didas and Simon and still make a profit - he really estimated well and priced well - the profit isn't huge, but it will help purchase more materials. I gave Didas 2000sh/shoe ($1) and Simon 1,000/shoe (.50) and they were very happy - Didas only makes 50,000/month to teach plus what he gets for repairs so it was a nice bonus!!! He did a great job and they have worked hard! I really appreciated their effort!
I had promised to go to see a primary, residential school for the blind in Kisoga (1/2 hour away) - met a teacher on the matatu and he kept calling me. I was sort of sorry I said yes, but after going I'm so glad I did (that happens often). They have 60 blind students (or partially sighted) and several blind teachers....very nice facility and like PH they kids seem healthy and happy....I went out w. the kids and teachers to their banana garden to cut matoke bananas....the partially sighted help the truly blind!!! Just amazing - they all pick corn together,too!!! From there I went to visit the Italian Sisters at their clinic in Kisoga - they are amazing, too. They are about my age and so energetic - adorable accent! They are nurses and have a really nice, clean clinic - lots of patients, too!! Then stopped to see Benedicto (the boy who had his leg amputated) and his pig (both look good). I'm hoping he can come to PH someday to either study shoemaking or try to finish Primary School (two years to go and he's 18).....he ahd to take lots of time off because of no money. He's still angry at his lameness - it's only been 6 months I guess - think time at PH would help that! This is shameless begging, but if anyone has an "extra" $250 (hard in these times, I know), we could get him an artificial lower leg which would help. I don't like to use the blog to "beg" but you never know who's out there!!!
I got back to PH much later than I expected (no surprise) - long wait for the matatu in Kisoga - but all in all delightful day of visiting. The Nkokonjeru parish priest (Father Jembe - really a great guy) came to say Mass and afterwards went out and blessed the piggery and pigs, and the new cow. Very nice - but he kept thanking me, and I kept saying, "No, it's all from my church" - wish you all could have been there to get the recognition!!!
Hope you are all well - life here is certainly busy and interesting. Fred and Sula went to the brewery yesterday and came back w. a ton of brewer's mash for the animals - guess it really sells fast!!! My grant has all been approved. I don't have the money yet, but we are in the planning stages - deciding what to make and how to sell it. Also, what to plant for the school gardens - I want to add some variety to the diet - people here don't think that's a good idea - I think it stems from being on the cusp of being w/o food - if you try a new thing and it doesn't work what do you eat? (like our zuccini tho' we'll try again). Hope to plant some cabbages which are common but we don't have any at present. Some days I really do feel my head is whirling (doesn't take much)!
Thanks again for all your support - just knowing you're reading this makes me feel good!!! And I hope you're learning a little about life in Uganda. It's a good life here - shouldn't complain (tho' I do sometimes).....hope you are all well and enjoying the Summer.
I'm having fun with the four students from Duke University working here for 2 months - really a smart, high energy bunch! Two are working w. a local Savings and Loan (actually a private credit organization) and the others are working on projects like biomass charcoal (from corn husks) and a solar cooker - neat projects. I have dinner w. them at the guest house occasionally - lots of good conversation! Initially, one of them teased us (Holly, Shari and I) about our obsession w. food (mainly "American" food we can't get easily) but after almost 3 weeks that's their main topic of conversation too!!!
Satuday I went to Kampala to get my electric tea kettle fixed - I made it to the center of town to look for light blue material for more uniform shirts - bummed that the shop we buy from was out of that color and I didn't have a sample so while I looked elsewhere didn't feel I should buy. Being down there reminded me of what I don't like about inner Kampala - dirt, noise, pollution, smells (garbage, urine), sidewalks full of people selling, streets full of people, cars, motorcycles - there are lots of potholes full of water thrown out from bathing, washing, etc. It's hard to visualize I'm sure.....the "kids" love the energy there - I do my business and retreat.
The garden is giving us lots of lettuce, cucumbers and beans. Not all is lost with the leaf mold, tho' the cucumbers seem to be getting infected (darn). I've asked a lot of people what the problem is and get lots of different answers but no solutions (sort of typical for here). I think maybe the site is too level and gets too much roof run off and the problem is drainage. But we are enjoying what we have - adds variety to the diet. The kids at PH still cannot believe that we eat lettuce and cucumbers (things they've never seen) raw!!!
Sunday I worked a long time w. Sr. Juliet to update our website - Gail is re-doing the text and adding new pictures (thanks Gail). The site is www.providencehomeuganda.org if you're interested. Got it all edited, attachment attached....and the internet went off!!! Six months ago that would have made me crazy - now it's "oh, well, I'll try tomorrow". Started to get the "library" organized - put cards in all the books Anne and Corky have sent (mainly Junior books and easy readers) - I am worried about getting them back when kids take them out, but we'll see. We signed four out Monday a.m.!!! Alex, one of the students, is helping me.
I went on a nice walk - decided to start walking again in the evening to clear my head - there was a beautiful sunset and I helped a little girl carry some gerry cans of water home and untangled a baby goat (they are tied up all day and this one got really tangled and was struggling - took my keys and cut some of the foliage holding the rope). Met Joseph, the piggery builder, who said he's very busy and also building his own piggery - I couldn't help but add that I'm not surprised since he was so well paid for our project!! (maybe even some of our materials???).
Monday for English class Alex, a Duke student, gave a lecture on Compost translated by Fred. Kids were good and asked questions - he said it was his most attentive audience to date. In the afternoon three of theDuke kids came down to help w. the "Music and Movement Group" - they really enjoyed themselves and the kids loved it.
Tuesday we had a busy CBR day - Moses was out with Nelson doing home visits to Cerebral Palsy children so Kinene helped. Also, visiting PH for the day was a teacher of the deaf and a young lady from the UK who teaches deaf/blind there on a short term volunteer stint. They helped us assess a new 2 year old client whose parents thought was deaf (she didn't think so), and partially paralyzed after a high fever at 6 mos. They said they would take him to Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center for a PT assessment....hope they do. He's young and seemed smart and exercises could really make a difference. We'll try to follow up.
Didas is almost done with the shoe order - he's made 40 pairs of girls school shoes for Stella Maris Primary School (actually, they are shoes for girls sponsored by Caritas, a U.S. organization). Simon, a recent graduate, is back to help. We got the payment money and it worked out well - we were able to pay Didas and Simon and still make a profit - he really estimated well and priced well - the profit isn't huge, but it will help purchase more materials. I gave Didas 2000sh/shoe ($1) and Simon 1,000/shoe (.50) and they were very happy - Didas only makes 50,000/month to teach plus what he gets for repairs so it was a nice bonus!!! He did a great job and they have worked hard! I really appreciated their effort!
I had promised to go to see a primary, residential school for the blind in Kisoga (1/2 hour away) - met a teacher on the matatu and he kept calling me. I was sort of sorry I said yes, but after going I'm so glad I did (that happens often). They have 60 blind students (or partially sighted) and several blind teachers....very nice facility and like PH they kids seem healthy and happy....I went out w. the kids and teachers to their banana garden to cut matoke bananas....the partially sighted help the truly blind!!! Just amazing - they all pick corn together,too!!! From there I went to visit the Italian Sisters at their clinic in Kisoga - they are amazing, too. They are about my age and so energetic - adorable accent! They are nurses and have a really nice, clean clinic - lots of patients, too!! Then stopped to see Benedicto (the boy who had his leg amputated) and his pig (both look good). I'm hoping he can come to PH someday to either study shoemaking or try to finish Primary School (two years to go and he's 18).....he ahd to take lots of time off because of no money. He's still angry at his lameness - it's only been 6 months I guess - think time at PH would help that! This is shameless begging, but if anyone has an "extra" $250 (hard in these times, I know), we could get him an artificial lower leg which would help. I don't like to use the blog to "beg" but you never know who's out there!!!
I got back to PH much later than I expected (no surprise) - long wait for the matatu in Kisoga - but all in all delightful day of visiting. The Nkokonjeru parish priest (Father Jembe - really a great guy) came to say Mass and afterwards went out and blessed the piggery and pigs, and the new cow. Very nice - but he kept thanking me, and I kept saying, "No, it's all from my church" - wish you all could have been there to get the recognition!!!
Hope you are all well - life here is certainly busy and interesting. Fred and Sula went to the brewery yesterday and came back w. a ton of brewer's mash for the animals - guess it really sells fast!!! My grant has all been approved. I don't have the money yet, but we are in the planning stages - deciding what to make and how to sell it. Also, what to plant for the school gardens - I want to add some variety to the diet - people here don't think that's a good idea - I think it stems from being on the cusp of being w/o food - if you try a new thing and it doesn't work what do you eat? (like our zuccini tho' we'll try again). Hope to plant some cabbages which are common but we don't have any at present. Some days I really do feel my head is whirling (doesn't take much)!
Thanks again for all your support - just knowing you're reading this makes me feel good!!! And I hope you're learning a little about life in Uganda. It's a good life here - shouldn't complain (tho' I do sometimes).....hope you are all well and enjoying the Summer.
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