My time at home is going so fast - I'm still O.K. w. going back to Uganda, but it's getting harder by the day!!! I'm really not doing much except visiting, but it's been fun. I really do enjoy the convenience of going where you want to go when you want to go!!!
If you looked at the pictures last week, Bailey (Curt and Jamie's baby) is missing from the family picture - she was taking a nap. Curt is missing, too, but he was in Alaska fighting a fire. We got to see him Thursday evening at Hinkley (1/2 way for each of us). He really enjoyed his time in Alaska....guess it's pretty unusual for Minnesota crews to go to Alaska. He said the Alaskans like to take care of their own stuff and have thier own system - refer to the rest of us as "America" - they are ALASKA!!!
Did a lot of moving around during the week - drove in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul w/o a hitch - well I got lost going to St. Paul, but I made it!!! Took Riley and Henry to the Children's Museum on Friday - they were a lot of fun - topped off w. lunch at McDonalds - the American experience!!! I was exhausted!!!
Saturday we went to a inter-squad scrimmage at the new University of Minnesota outdoor football stadium. It's really beautiful - lots of space to walk around and nice seating. Great day w. the band and football!
I know I"ve gained weight - not doing any exercising and eating whatever I can get my hands on - had a Taco in a Bag and a Milk Shake today! Jean and I were going to take Riley and Emma somewhere and we decided on the local County Fair and Gail and Jesse came w. Tucker and Greg and Jessica were there w. Dylan and Olivia, so it was a family event - lots of fun!!! Riley thinks the animals stink.....but loved the Demolition Derby! Dylan loved the rides. Another All-American experience!!
I'm watching Dylan and Oliva Monday and Tuesday and we're going to a Twins baseball game on Monday night. Tuesday nite is dinner for the local crowd at Gails and Thursday I leave - it will be sad, but it's not long till I'm home again. Enjoyed church this a.m. - did a short talk about what I do and life in Uganda. I meant to get a power point together but the project got lost in all the visiting!
Next blog will be from Uganda - maybe in two weeks. I'll bet it takes me awhile to get used to being there again. Fortunately it's still Holiday so I won't have to start teaching till mid-September and can take it easy (which is basically what I'm doing here, but it's different!).
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
PICTURES - Aug. 17,2009
Gail added 138 pictures today bless her heart! Most are of Uganda but some are from the vacation at Lake Vermillion for those who know our family....or who have heard about them. It was really a lot of fun, tho' we all had our moments. The little kids get along well for the most part, but there was still lots of squabbles and tears.....I'm not used to children being so verbal. In Uganda children rarely talk to adults and they just sort of do their own thing - we all were shocked at first to see little children unattended on the streets, but that's the way it's done there!
Weather at Lake Vermillion was beautiful - 80s and sunny. In fact, we got so much sun we spent one afternoon at the Tower-Soudan Underground Mine (a State Park)...very interesting. You go underground 1/2 mile in an old miner's elevator and then travel 3/4 mile on an old rail track - really well done! I got a bit claustrophobic in the elevator but we made it!!!
I wish I could describe how it feels to be back - in some ways it feels like I never left. In others, it seems so alien. I have made it through Target and that was fine, but I went to the Mall today and that was too much. Nothing looked worth buying and I balked at a Smoothie for $5.29!! I'm trying to get to see a lot of people but my time is running out fast. It was good to go to church on Sunday - everyone was so nice, but after an initial "how is it?" they like to talk about what's going on in their lives, which is actually more fun for me rather than listening to myself. Lots of people have been reading the blog and are pretty up on the news anyway!!
Tomorrow I watch Riley play T-ball and go to book club. Wednesday I hope to do some more visiting and have a dental appt. I'm hoping to get to the zoo with some of the little kids and have to schedule a meeting w. Curt - he's back from Alaska already. The fire they went to fight is 40% contained and the outstate crews were sent home. Saturday we're going to a football scrimmage at the new University of Minnesota outdoor stadium!!!
I do often wonder how things are going at Providence Home and if the animals are prospering. I know things will go along well w/o me and lots of kids are home for the holidays. I think it will be hard to go back, but I'm determined to do the next 7 months barring any unforseen problems.
I hope you all have a good end of summer!!!
Weather at Lake Vermillion was beautiful - 80s and sunny. In fact, we got so much sun we spent one afternoon at the Tower-Soudan Underground Mine (a State Park)...very interesting. You go underground 1/2 mile in an old miner's elevator and then travel 3/4 mile on an old rail track - really well done! I got a bit claustrophobic in the elevator but we made it!!!
I wish I could describe how it feels to be back - in some ways it feels like I never left. In others, it seems so alien. I have made it through Target and that was fine, but I went to the Mall today and that was too much. Nothing looked worth buying and I balked at a Smoothie for $5.29!! I'm trying to get to see a lot of people but my time is running out fast. It was good to go to church on Sunday - everyone was so nice, but after an initial "how is it?" they like to talk about what's going on in their lives, which is actually more fun for me rather than listening to myself. Lots of people have been reading the blog and are pretty up on the news anyway!!
Tomorrow I watch Riley play T-ball and go to book club. Wednesday I hope to do some more visiting and have a dental appt. I'm hoping to get to the zoo with some of the little kids and have to schedule a meeting w. Curt - he's back from Alaska already. The fire they went to fight is 40% contained and the outstate crews were sent home. Saturday we're going to a football scrimmage at the new University of Minnesota outdoor stadium!!!
I do often wonder how things are going at Providence Home and if the animals are prospering. I know things will go along well w/o me and lots of kids are home for the holidays. I think it will be hard to go back, but I'm determined to do the next 7 months barring any unforseen problems.
I hope you all have a good end of summer!!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Coming to America - 8-07-09
Well, I am here - it was quite the journey. Monday afternoon, we went to the Entebbe airport w. Sr. Juliet, Sula (driver), Jan and Maggie and another young woman from Holland (on the same flight) and Andrew and Fede...Andrew is about 16 and has Cerebral Palsy and loves to draw airplanes but had never seen one; Fede, an 8 year old girl, is one of the children who never goes home. They enjoyed the trip so much!!!
Our flight from Entebee went well, but I had problems in Amsterdam. Got there about 5:30 a.m. (only an hour difference from Uganda), printed my boarding pass which should have said 10:30 - it said "9:00" - I asked a worker and she said the entire flight was cancelled and re-booked to the next day at 9:00!!! I was devestated! I just sat on the floor in a corner and cried. After several attempts at the service desk and ticketing (going in and out of customs) it was apparent there was no option but to stay - flights were all over booked and you had to have your luggage on the plane you were on (U.S. regulation). We all took shuttles to a very nice hotel - way out in the country. I got a hold of Gail to tell her (she was up - 3 a.m. - and had seen the notice on the internet)...cried again. I decided to go to Amsterdam for the day - took the shuttle back to the airport, got some Euros and took the train into town. Fabulous public transport system!
It's a lovely city - I got tickets for a hop on/hop off tour and walked around looking for the bus stop - I was getting really frustrated not finding one, then saw a man w. a brochure like mine and followed him. The tour was from the canals by boat!!! Not having done any "research" on Amsterdam was hard for this tourist......there are many, many canals in the city that used to be used for commercial transport, but now are for leisure - tours, private boats and lots of houseboats on the sides. The canals are lined by 4-5 story condominiums with restaurants and shops on the ground floor....very picturesque! I wanted to tour the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh Museum but the lines were v. long - lots of Europeans on holiday! I was impressed w. the thousands of bicycles - parked all over - even 2-3 story parking ramps for bicycles!!! There were very few private vehicles on the roads.
We had a great buffet dinner at the hotel (all courtesy of NWA)....lots of cold meats, cheeses, fish, pasta dishes - and fabulous desserts - it was GOOD! Weds. a.m. we all took the shuttle back to the airport - a pretty nervous bunch. I was saying what I might do if we didn't take off Weds. and someone said to be careful...."don't say that in an airport"...good warning! But, we did take off and landed in MSP at 10:30 a.m. (7 hour time difference). Greg, Jessica, Gail and Corky were waiting w. Dylan, Olivia, Riley, Emma, Tucker and Henry!!! Quite the sight I'm sure - the grandkids were a bit hesitant at first, but quickly got into the hugging! Very nice lunch at Olive Garden - my request!
It's funny, but in many ways it seems like I never left - I have a real advantage in that Corky is in the house and everything is where it was when I left (other PCVs have to sell their houses, rent or have children living in them). So, the adjustment was pretty easy which in itself is strange. I thought it would be harder. People ask about Uganda, but it's hard to explain - and most just want a simple story. I can't believe how much the little people talk! In Uganda children never talk to adults - adults yell at children but there are almost no conversations. Most of the time the children amuse themselves in what seems to us some pretty dangerous ways.....but there's a lot of disinterest by parents in what the kids think or do unless they do something really bad. Same applies to their progress at school - learning is the schools' job and they only get involved (to punish) if the grades are really bad.
Sad to say, but I was not appalled by the excess - went to Bert and Naomi's Thursday and stopped at Target and Fleet Farm (looking for cheap sandbox stuff to take to the lake) and loved every minute!!! I guess I can appreciate both ways of life. I realize that if we took a tiny portion of the money we spend on "toys" and gave it to the Africans, it would be a huge donation, but I'm not sure giving money is the answer. Corky got the book "Dead Aid" for me from the library and I'm anxious to read it (after "The Half Blood Prince" - wanted to see what the movie missed). I do think we have some right to enjoy the fruits of our labors! And most money is so poorly spent in Uganda from what I see - unless you give directly to someone who uses it to help the local people, too much gets siphoned off to politicians, NGO staff, big vehicles, workshops, per diem, travel, computers, corruption, etc.
I am really looking forward to the week at the lake. Bert and Naomi won't arrive till late Saturday nite - Mallard baseball game Saturday afternoon (I'd love to see that too, but not sticking around), and they have to come back early for a wedding next Saturday; not sure when Jean and Kody will arrive but they'll be there a few days. But, no family picture - Curt called yesterday and he's off to fight fires in Alaska! He called from the Duluth airport - waiting for a charter flight to Alaska w. the crew. I'm sad, but it's a great opportunity for him - he said it's just for two weeks so I'll see him before I go back. We'll miss his quiet, calming presence at the lake, but nothing to do about it! At least we'll use up a week of Jamie's "alone time".
I'm looking forward to seeing some of you while I'm home.....the time is going so fast!!! Hope the weather is good next week at the lake - but whatever, it will be fun!
Our flight from Entebee went well, but I had problems in Amsterdam. Got there about 5:30 a.m. (only an hour difference from Uganda), printed my boarding pass which should have said 10:30 - it said "9:00" - I asked a worker and she said the entire flight was cancelled and re-booked to the next day at 9:00!!! I was devestated! I just sat on the floor in a corner and cried. After several attempts at the service desk and ticketing (going in and out of customs) it was apparent there was no option but to stay - flights were all over booked and you had to have your luggage on the plane you were on (U.S. regulation). We all took shuttles to a very nice hotel - way out in the country. I got a hold of Gail to tell her (she was up - 3 a.m. - and had seen the notice on the internet)...cried again. I decided to go to Amsterdam for the day - took the shuttle back to the airport, got some Euros and took the train into town. Fabulous public transport system!
It's a lovely city - I got tickets for a hop on/hop off tour and walked around looking for the bus stop - I was getting really frustrated not finding one, then saw a man w. a brochure like mine and followed him. The tour was from the canals by boat!!! Not having done any "research" on Amsterdam was hard for this tourist......there are many, many canals in the city that used to be used for commercial transport, but now are for leisure - tours, private boats and lots of houseboats on the sides. The canals are lined by 4-5 story condominiums with restaurants and shops on the ground floor....very picturesque! I wanted to tour the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh Museum but the lines were v. long - lots of Europeans on holiday! I was impressed w. the thousands of bicycles - parked all over - even 2-3 story parking ramps for bicycles!!! There were very few private vehicles on the roads.
We had a great buffet dinner at the hotel (all courtesy of NWA)....lots of cold meats, cheeses, fish, pasta dishes - and fabulous desserts - it was GOOD! Weds. a.m. we all took the shuttle back to the airport - a pretty nervous bunch. I was saying what I might do if we didn't take off Weds. and someone said to be careful...."don't say that in an airport"...good warning! But, we did take off and landed in MSP at 10:30 a.m. (7 hour time difference). Greg, Jessica, Gail and Corky were waiting w. Dylan, Olivia, Riley, Emma, Tucker and Henry!!! Quite the sight I'm sure - the grandkids were a bit hesitant at first, but quickly got into the hugging! Very nice lunch at Olive Garden - my request!
It's funny, but in many ways it seems like I never left - I have a real advantage in that Corky is in the house and everything is where it was when I left (other PCVs have to sell their houses, rent or have children living in them). So, the adjustment was pretty easy which in itself is strange. I thought it would be harder. People ask about Uganda, but it's hard to explain - and most just want a simple story. I can't believe how much the little people talk! In Uganda children never talk to adults - adults yell at children but there are almost no conversations. Most of the time the children amuse themselves in what seems to us some pretty dangerous ways.....but there's a lot of disinterest by parents in what the kids think or do unless they do something really bad. Same applies to their progress at school - learning is the schools' job and they only get involved (to punish) if the grades are really bad.
Sad to say, but I was not appalled by the excess - went to Bert and Naomi's Thursday and stopped at Target and Fleet Farm (looking for cheap sandbox stuff to take to the lake) and loved every minute!!! I guess I can appreciate both ways of life. I realize that if we took a tiny portion of the money we spend on "toys" and gave it to the Africans, it would be a huge donation, but I'm not sure giving money is the answer. Corky got the book "Dead Aid" for me from the library and I'm anxious to read it (after "The Half Blood Prince" - wanted to see what the movie missed). I do think we have some right to enjoy the fruits of our labors! And most money is so poorly spent in Uganda from what I see - unless you give directly to someone who uses it to help the local people, too much gets siphoned off to politicians, NGO staff, big vehicles, workshops, per diem, travel, computers, corruption, etc.
I am really looking forward to the week at the lake. Bert and Naomi won't arrive till late Saturday nite - Mallard baseball game Saturday afternoon (I'd love to see that too, but not sticking around), and they have to come back early for a wedding next Saturday; not sure when Jean and Kody will arrive but they'll be there a few days. But, no family picture - Curt called yesterday and he's off to fight fires in Alaska! He called from the Duluth airport - waiting for a charter flight to Alaska w. the crew. I'm sad, but it's a great opportunity for him - he said it's just for two weeks so I'll see him before I go back. We'll miss his quiet, calming presence at the lake, but nothing to do about it! At least we'll use up a week of Jamie's "alone time".
I'm looking forward to seeing some of you while I'm home.....the time is going so fast!!! Hope the weather is good next week at the lake - but whatever, it will be fun!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Flight Delayed
I just talked to Kath and her flight is delayed until Wednesday morning. She's stuck in Amsterdam :(
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Almost Home!!! 8-2-09
Tomorrow at this time (5 p.m.) I will be on my way to the airport!!! We are leaving Nkokonjeru around 2 (hopefully) and doing a few errands w. Sr. Juliet, picking up Jan and Maggie in Kampala (Holland teachers) and stopping at CoRSU hospital in Entebbe to see a patient - no use using the fuel for one purpose. I washed clothes, cleaned and packed this a.m. (well, packed before but have more stuff to squeeze in!!! It's Sunday evening - spent the afternoon typing some reports for Sr. Juliet and exams for Sr. Goretti (see I am useful!).
The 5K on Satuday was a HUGE success!!! Holly got it started at 8:30 (she'd hoped for 8 but 8:30 is really good for Uganda). There were about 60+ runners and about 20 kids in wheelchairs (shorter route). A big crowd gathered and lots more along the way - Sr. J commented on how long it had been since they had a community event. The bodas (motorcycles) led the way, horns blaring!!! The last two people were the ex-mayor (probably my age) and a 76 year old gentlemen who told me afterwards that he has lost 9 children to AIDS!!! There was singing and a ceremony afterwards....Holly had to argue that the first two women should get a reward.....the committee said "but the first four people were men" - she won!!! Her running group did very well, tho they "flopped" pretty dramatically at the end! There were a lot of PC volunteers - some ran, some pushed. We had a pasta supper at Holly's Friday nite - people all over - she had 3 tents in her little yard and people in the house, I had people on my floor and some stayed at PH!!! Really a well done event and lots of fun! They had a tent and chairs for the ceremony after and water for the participants (PH kids each got their own bottle of water - a BIG event for them) and T-shirts for the winners and the committee - her Project Hope volunteers seemed really happy about the event! She's not sure of the total raised yet.
Back to last week - seems so long ago. Last Sunday I went w. four Sisters to a first mass in a tiny village near the lake - very poor place, but lots of people were there - a big event. It was long but part of the entertainment was a professional troupe of Rwandan dancers - very good - Rwandans use their hands more; Ugandans use their hips!
On Monday I gave my English exam and Fred and Sula took 5 kids (plus assorted other riders in the back) to Kampala to pick up the chicks (100 layers). The chickens are doing well (as of today - Sunday - none have died). The kids are doing what they can - cleaning the drinkers, checking on them and Jude (18 year old resident who watching Sula's chicks) is doing the rest....have the charcoal pots at nite (days are HOT and DUSTY - no rain - but nites are cool).
The 27th was Sr. Juliet's BD (33)....I heard about it from the Holland girls and Jan and Maggie (the teachers visiting from Holland) ordered a cake. Sr. J. said it was the lst time she ever celebrated her birthday!!!
I had a melt down Monday w. the tailoring teacher (why don't I give up?)...he was 2 hours late (usual) and the kids were sleeping (also usual)....the room and cupboard were a mess - sloppy attitudes! Teachers not showing is common in many Ugandan schools.....but I'm determined not to tolerate it. I watch for him and he has to sign in at the time he arrives and we told him we'd adjust his salary accordingly! UGH!!
Tuesday at CBR we did some planning for the Epilepsy Clinic the 6th - the hospital is bringing 20 nursing students and want to see local councilmen and talk at some schools, in addition to working w. the clients!!! So, were trying to get that all organized and Sr. Goretti has agreed to make them all lunch (she's a saint). We are still planning for a Katelemwa Rehab Center clinic on Aug. 13 to be held at the city offices tho' no formal response from the city.....Sister and I met w. the Mayor but he said we had to send a formal letter and they would have to meet - it doesn't seem he's too eager to host the clinic and have people come to the town for assistance!
Thursday a.m. I got the Math exam done - kids did well in both exams. The rest are doing exams next week (but I'll be home - YEA). Weds. nite I got bitten in bed by something - a lot of bites...was afraid it was bed bugs but the bites are big so maybe it was a spider...washed sheets, sprayed, put everything out in the sun - reminded me of the old head lice days!!!
The family who was going to come Thursday never made it unfortunately - the girl is a PCV and mom is a PT and wanted to see what we do (or don't do) at PH - mom got really sick on Thursday (it happens) and didn't feel up to the matatu ride - very understandable!!! Lots of people came Friday for the 5K so it was busy enough! One of the older PCVs from the "new" group stayed w. me and stayed over Sat. nite, too. She's older like me and has had an interesting life - did some college teaching and lots of traveling. Good to have the company tho' PH had visitors from the US on Sat. afternoon and I was there a lot! Guess we are all pretty adept at entertaining ourselves!!!
It's August already - the time waiting for my trip home went FAST!! Cross you fingers that all the flights are on time - I don't think I can wait to land in Minneapolis beyond my expected time! Have a fairly long layover in Amsterdam (5 hours) but I enjoy being in airports. Looking forward to seeing many of you! Some I will have to wait to see till next April (darn).....it will go SO fast!!!
The 5K on Satuday was a HUGE success!!! Holly got it started at 8:30 (she'd hoped for 8 but 8:30 is really good for Uganda). There were about 60+ runners and about 20 kids in wheelchairs (shorter route). A big crowd gathered and lots more along the way - Sr. J commented on how long it had been since they had a community event. The bodas (motorcycles) led the way, horns blaring!!! The last two people were the ex-mayor (probably my age) and a 76 year old gentlemen who told me afterwards that he has lost 9 children to AIDS!!! There was singing and a ceremony afterwards....Holly had to argue that the first two women should get a reward.....the committee said "but the first four people were men" - she won!!! Her running group did very well, tho they "flopped" pretty dramatically at the end! There were a lot of PC volunteers - some ran, some pushed. We had a pasta supper at Holly's Friday nite - people all over - she had 3 tents in her little yard and people in the house, I had people on my floor and some stayed at PH!!! Really a well done event and lots of fun! They had a tent and chairs for the ceremony after and water for the participants (PH kids each got their own bottle of water - a BIG event for them) and T-shirts for the winners and the committee - her Project Hope volunteers seemed really happy about the event! She's not sure of the total raised yet.
Back to last week - seems so long ago. Last Sunday I went w. four Sisters to a first mass in a tiny village near the lake - very poor place, but lots of people were there - a big event. It was long but part of the entertainment was a professional troupe of Rwandan dancers - very good - Rwandans use their hands more; Ugandans use their hips!
On Monday I gave my English exam and Fred and Sula took 5 kids (plus assorted other riders in the back) to Kampala to pick up the chicks (100 layers). The chickens are doing well (as of today - Sunday - none have died). The kids are doing what they can - cleaning the drinkers, checking on them and Jude (18 year old resident who watching Sula's chicks) is doing the rest....have the charcoal pots at nite (days are HOT and DUSTY - no rain - but nites are cool).
The 27th was Sr. Juliet's BD (33)....I heard about it from the Holland girls and Jan and Maggie (the teachers visiting from Holland) ordered a cake. Sr. J. said it was the lst time she ever celebrated her birthday!!!
I had a melt down Monday w. the tailoring teacher (why don't I give up?)...he was 2 hours late (usual) and the kids were sleeping (also usual)....the room and cupboard were a mess - sloppy attitudes! Teachers not showing is common in many Ugandan schools.....but I'm determined not to tolerate it. I watch for him and he has to sign in at the time he arrives and we told him we'd adjust his salary accordingly! UGH!!
Tuesday at CBR we did some planning for the Epilepsy Clinic the 6th - the hospital is bringing 20 nursing students and want to see local councilmen and talk at some schools, in addition to working w. the clients!!! So, were trying to get that all organized and Sr. Goretti has agreed to make them all lunch (she's a saint). We are still planning for a Katelemwa Rehab Center clinic on Aug. 13 to be held at the city offices tho' no formal response from the city.....Sister and I met w. the Mayor but he said we had to send a formal letter and they would have to meet - it doesn't seem he's too eager to host the clinic and have people come to the town for assistance!
Thursday a.m. I got the Math exam done - kids did well in both exams. The rest are doing exams next week (but I'll be home - YEA). Weds. nite I got bitten in bed by something - a lot of bites...was afraid it was bed bugs but the bites are big so maybe it was a spider...washed sheets, sprayed, put everything out in the sun - reminded me of the old head lice days!!!
The family who was going to come Thursday never made it unfortunately - the girl is a PCV and mom is a PT and wanted to see what we do (or don't do) at PH - mom got really sick on Thursday (it happens) and didn't feel up to the matatu ride - very understandable!!! Lots of people came Friday for the 5K so it was busy enough! One of the older PCVs from the "new" group stayed w. me and stayed over Sat. nite, too. She's older like me and has had an interesting life - did some college teaching and lots of traveling. Good to have the company tho' PH had visitors from the US on Sat. afternoon and I was there a lot! Guess we are all pretty adept at entertaining ourselves!!!
It's August already - the time waiting for my trip home went FAST!! Cross you fingers that all the flights are on time - I don't think I can wait to land in Minneapolis beyond my expected time! Have a fairly long layover in Amsterdam (5 hours) but I enjoy being in airports. Looking forward to seeing many of you! Some I will have to wait to see till next April (darn).....it will go SO fast!!!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
It's KOLACKY DAYS - July 25, 2009
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.
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.
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