THURSDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2012
We arrived back in U.K. yesterday morning at 7:30am after a long and tiring flight with Ethiopian Airlines that included a 6 hour stopover in Addis Ababa.Both Baz and I tried to stay awake until the evening but after supper cooked by Daniel I gave in and was asleep by 9pm! I didn't wake up until 10am today and spent the time sorting out dirty clothes, phoning family and opening Christmas cards! Oh and a little TESCO shopping....
MONDAY we spent being shown around Uganda Christian University which I knew as Mukono Theological College back in the sixties and before that it was Bishop Tucker College for the training of priests. It began as a thatched mud and brick building staffed by CMS missionaries. Whilst we marvelled at the state of the Art science labs being built with American money and loved the huge library complex that includes the latest ICT equipment, we 5 Brits on the tour felt very sad at the demise of British influence.I personally am not very much in favour of the very rightwing American evangelican views...... Nevertheless the university is a beacon of excellence in Uganda and of great educational value.
Baz of course had never before been in the company of so many Bishops and Archbishops and to be honest neither had I! We became especially friendly with the Bishop of The Horn of Africa who is based in Ethiopia but whose diocese runs all the way up to and includes Egypt. and did I mention that I had my picture taken on Sunday with The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu? I hope the guy who snapped us on his mobile phone forwards it to me! We weren't allowed to take cameras into the Enthronement ceremony and after witnessing the media scrum at the wedding of Princess Ruth Komuntale earlier I was happy to adhere to that rule.
Talking of princesses, I must mention (boast????) that Princess Elizabeth Bagaya joined us at The Good African Coffee Shop on Tuesday morning as I was saying goodbye to my friends before catching the plane home. She insisted on giving Baz and me a lift in her Official Car with Official Driver, to Entebbe Airport!
We sailed past the traffic and checkpoints and Car Park barriers, were whisked through immigration and chatted to the Italian Ambassador in the VIP Lounge! And caught the plane by the skin of our teeth!!!!
Well, the adventure stops here and I must go into school tomorrow to share some of the details with the children and Staff.
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Monday, 17 December 2012
MONDAY 17th December 2012
We have eaten too much!
Oh my goodness! What an experience!Stanley has been well and truly enthroned!
Yesterday started with breakfast at The Adonai Guesthouse st 7:30 am with Mansoor arriving dead on 8am ready to drive us to Namirembe Cathedral for the service. We weren't allowed to take cameras because security was very tight as President Museveni was due to attend. Which he did arriving half an hour after the Service had started and leaving immediately after he had made a speech - all about AIDS and Homosexuality which I felt was out of place but was obviously intended to please the large group of Bishops from America and especially the Bishop who gave the sermon. The Americans are very generous donors to several projects close to Archbishop Stanley's heart.......
The service lasted over SIX hours but we had been warned to take a snack and a bottle of water! Baz ate all the biscuits! The pews were very hard but I am becoming an expert at lengthy church services viz The Royal Wedding!
When the service ended - and it was very colourful indeed - we've never seen so many bishops in one place. Archbishop of York John Sentamu spoke beautifully. Interestingly, in his sermon, Bishop Bob Nash mentioned The Uganda Martyrs and The death of Bishop Luwum who spoke against Idi Amin and was also martyred........We walked down to the Reception at Mengo School. A wonderful spectacle of traditional dancers and drummers were performing against a background of marquees and we were directed to a marquee labelled International Visitors. We found ourselves seated behind Archbishop Stanley and Archbishop Sentamu amongst tables full of bishops from Overseas. We manage to find Bishop George Kasangaki in an adjoining marquee and greeted him and Joyce. The we lined up to collect our food - loads of matooke and sweet potatoes and millet and 2 kinds of rice with goat stew and chicken and beef cooked with veggies and peanut sauce with coleslaw plus a choice of soda and fresh pineapple, watermelon and paw paw!
We sat with Janine and Sallie and The Collors. I met the Bishop of Bristol who reminded me that Keynsham is in the Diocese of Bath and Wells!!!!!
The speeches were kept to minimum and we were royally entertained by the dancers and drummmers.Finally the cake was cut and Beatrice and Stanley served us all in our tent and finally finally the big black 4x4 donated by President Museveni was driven on to the lawn and Archbishop Stanley drove it briefly.It all finished at 4pm and Mansoor miraculously found us and drove back to our Guesthouse where Baz had a lay down and I attempted to write up Fridays exploits (I found the draft I'd lost!) BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN AT 7PM to attend the Reception for Overseas visitors at the Archbishops place,! Wow! More food and very few speeches. I didn't take any photoes as it was in marquees again all lit up by fairy lights. Very atmospheric with different groups or choirs singing Christian songs to beautiful African melodies This time the food included fried bits of fish so Baz ate a bit of protein!This party ended at 9:30 pm and again Mansoor found us and drove back to the Adonai. I must say that the organisation has been superb and Canon Alison and SAMS Missionary Susan have been more than helpful. Absolutely fantastic hospitality and timekeeping. I feel a bit of a fraud being classed as an Overseas Visitor but then Baz did make the flight specifically to attend George's Consecration and Stanley's enthronement.
We have eaten too much!
Oh my goodness! What an experience!Stanley has been well and truly enthroned!
Yesterday started with breakfast at The Adonai Guesthouse st 7:30 am with Mansoor arriving dead on 8am ready to drive us to Namirembe Cathedral for the service. We weren't allowed to take cameras because security was very tight as President Museveni was due to attend. Which he did arriving half an hour after the Service had started and leaving immediately after he had made a speech - all about AIDS and Homosexuality which I felt was out of place but was obviously intended to please the large group of Bishops from America and especially the Bishop who gave the sermon. The Americans are very generous donors to several projects close to Archbishop Stanley's heart.......
The service lasted over SIX hours but we had been warned to take a snack and a bottle of water! Baz ate all the biscuits! The pews were very hard but I am becoming an expert at lengthy church services viz The Royal Wedding!
When the service ended - and it was very colourful indeed - we've never seen so many bishops in one place. Archbishop of York John Sentamu spoke beautifully. Interestingly, in his sermon, Bishop Bob Nash mentioned The Uganda Martyrs and The death of Bishop Luwum who spoke against Idi Amin and was also martyred........We walked down to the Reception at Mengo School. A wonderful spectacle of traditional dancers and drummers were performing against a background of marquees and we were directed to a marquee labelled International Visitors. We found ourselves seated behind Archbishop Stanley and Archbishop Sentamu amongst tables full of bishops from Overseas. We manage to find Bishop George Kasangaki in an adjoining marquee and greeted him and Joyce. The we lined up to collect our food - loads of matooke and sweet potatoes and millet and 2 kinds of rice with goat stew and chicken and beef cooked with veggies and peanut sauce with coleslaw plus a choice of soda and fresh pineapple, watermelon and paw paw!
We sat with Janine and Sallie and The Collors. I met the Bishop of Bristol who reminded me that Keynsham is in the Diocese of Bath and Wells!!!!!
The speeches were kept to minimum and we were royally entertained by the dancers and drummmers.Finally the cake was cut and Beatrice and Stanley served us all in our tent and finally finally the big black 4x4 donated by President Museveni was driven on to the lawn and Archbishop Stanley drove it briefly.It all finished at 4pm and Mansoor miraculously found us and drove back to our Guesthouse where Baz had a lay down and I attempted to write up Fridays exploits (I found the draft I'd lost!) BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN AT 7PM to attend the Reception for Overseas visitors at the Archbishops place,! Wow! More food and very few speeches. I didn't take any photoes as it was in marquees again all lit up by fairy lights. Very atmospheric with different groups or choirs singing Christian songs to beautiful African melodies This time the food included fried bits of fish so Baz ate a bit of protein!This party ended at 9:30 pm and again Mansoor found us and drove back to the Adonai. I must say that the organisation has been superb and Canon Alison and SAMS Missionary Susan have been more than helpful. Absolutely fantastic hospitality and timekeeping. I feel a bit of a fraud being classed as an Overseas Visitor but then Baz did make the flight specifically to attend George's Consecration and Stanley's enthronement.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
SATURDAY 15TH December 2012.
It is nearly 10:30pm and I am forcing myself to stay awake!
Yesterday was extremely tiring and emotionally draining for me. I got up at 6:30am, groan, groan and when Sallie arrived we jumped into Wamani's taxi and picked up Teacher George Byarugaba on our way to Harriet's village. When we arrived all the family were sitting under a tree waiting for us. Harriet's mum Alice Kyaligonza was dressed in a very smart Gomesi which is one of the traditional dresses here in Uganda, so I knew immediately that she and her husband Charles Mukuru had agrred that she have her tubes tied. Little Harriet greeted us witha really huge grin and Charles instructe his eldest son, Linus to look after all the brothers and sisters including grandchild Ivan, the son of he eldest girl Joyce whom you read about in a previous posting...... Imagine Alice aged 35 and the mother of 10 plus one grandchild already...........She looked extremely apprehensive as we drove to the American funded private hospital at Kabalega. It didn't help that one piece of equipment needed for the Tubal Ligature was missing and we had to send Wamani in his taxi to Masindi general Hospital to borrow it......( it wasn't lost - just being used by the team of American doctors who were In The field holding clinics in some villages!) .
Eventually they called Alice in to prepare for the op and as I accompanied her, I discovered that she doesn't read or write so gave her consent with a cross. Husband Charles who was holding Baby Sandra (2 months old) was able to print his name. When they took her into theatre I went back to where Charles and George were sitting on the verandah and after a while when baby Sandra woke up andbegan crying I was left holding the baby! I tried to pacify her by walking up and down but she became desperate for a feed .... about 2 hours had gone by
It is nearly 10:30pm and I am forcing myself to stay awake!
Yesterday was extremely tiring and emotionally draining for me. I got up at 6:30am, groan, groan and when Sallie arrived we jumped into Wamani's taxi and picked up Teacher George Byarugaba on our way to Harriet's village. When we arrived all the family were sitting under a tree waiting for us. Harriet's mum Alice Kyaligonza was dressed in a very smart Gomesi which is one of the traditional dresses here in Uganda, so I knew immediately that she and her husband Charles Mukuru had agrred that she have her tubes tied. Little Harriet greeted us witha really huge grin and Charles instructe his eldest son, Linus to look after all the brothers and sisters including grandchild Ivan, the son of he eldest girl Joyce whom you read about in a previous posting...... Imagine Alice aged 35 and the mother of 10 plus one grandchild already...........She looked extremely apprehensive as we drove to the American funded private hospital at Kabalega. It didn't help that one piece of equipment needed for the Tubal Ligature was missing and we had to send Wamani in his taxi to Masindi general Hospital to borrow it......( it wasn't lost - just being used by the team of American doctors who were In The field holding clinics in some villages!) .
Eventually they called Alice in to prepare for the op and as I accompanied her, I discovered that she doesn't read or write so gave her consent with a cross. Husband Charles who was holding Baby Sandra (2 months old) was able to print his name. When they took her into theatre I went back to where Charles and George were sitting on the verandah and after a while when baby Sandra woke up andbegan crying I was left holding the baby! I tried to pacify her by walking up and down but she became desperate for a feed .... about 2 hours had gone by
SUNDAY 16th December 2012
It is 5:30pm and I have one and a half hours to relax before the next festivities!
I was so disappointed last night as I was forcing myself to write this up at 10:30pm when I was hot , tired and exhausted. Baz and I and Sallie had travelled to Kampala in Moses taxi and hit the "jams" before dumping Sallie's bags at her hotel and then we two at a Hairdressing Salon to get our nails done. Baz continued on to dump our bags at our hotel and then picked us up to go to "MISHMASH", our friends Adam and Genevieve's Art Gallery, cafe and general meeting place. Young Doreen met us there and joined us in coffee and cheesecake, bringing me a hat to wear at The Enthronement the next day. Eventually, we returned to our hptel and I unpacked enough clothes for our last three days in Uganda and started to write my Blog. I had almost finished when it flashed and I was asked for my password to sign back in!. So I lost that beautiful Blog!!!!!One reason why I was so tired last night was that the previous day had been draining due to taking Harriet's mum Alice to hospital..And a disco in town had kept me awake most of the night!
Did I tell you that we had misunderstood and it appears that Alice is 35 years old and has TEN children aged between 20 years and 2 months! Here, it is the women who dig the shambas and if you are exhausted by childbearing the family is not going to prosper.When Sallie and I found this out we suggested that Alice be sterilised so on Thursday we sent word that we had arranged the op for her at the Private hospital. You can imagine that when I set out on Friday morning at 7am to see if Charles {Harriet's Dad} had agreed and if Alice was brave enough, it was with my heart in my mouth. When we reached the village we found the whole family sitting under a tree waiting for us dressed in their best So I knew right away that the op was to go ahead.. Teacher George had sent word ahead and was a brick the whole day, translating everything into Runyoro. Harriet gave us a huge grin, recognising us , and Charles instructed his eldest son Linus aged 19 to look after everyone until we got back.
There was a wait at the hospital whilst a vital piece of equipment was sent for .Then, when Alice was asked to sign the consent form I realised that she can't read or write. Charles managed to print his name. Baby Sandra was handed to Charles when Alice went in to prepare for the op and managed to sleep for about an hour. However when she woke up she wanted MILK and I was given her. I must have walked miles up and down the verandah and at this point began to worry if I should have let well alone. The op seemed to be taking ages ---was something going wrong? At this point a lovely old Ward Orderly kindly boiled and cooled some water and we gave it to Sandra to drink......... At last, about two and a half hours later, Alice walked out of the Operating theatre and was taken to rest on a bed in the ward. Immediately she began to suckle her baby and I began to relax. Alice was left to rest for about 4 hours - I popped back to the Hotel because Baz was missing me. George phoned me to go and get them and both Alice and Charles thanked me over and over again. But I am worried that she is not producing enough milk so I sent them back home with some fish to cook and some milk for Alice to drink. She had had to be really persuaded to drink the bottled water I had bought......
Anyway, everyone seems happy and George is considering the same op for his wife. He will keep me informed of Alice's progress and also of what will be best for Harriet. At the moment we are considering splinting her weak leg. I need the expertise here of my sister in law Jan!
It is 5:30pm and I have one and a half hours to relax before the next festivities!
I was so disappointed last night as I was forcing myself to write this up at 10:30pm when I was hot , tired and exhausted. Baz and I and Sallie had travelled to Kampala in Moses taxi and hit the "jams" before dumping Sallie's bags at her hotel and then we two at a Hairdressing Salon to get our nails done. Baz continued on to dump our bags at our hotel and then picked us up to go to "MISHMASH", our friends Adam and Genevieve's Art Gallery, cafe and general meeting place. Young Doreen met us there and joined us in coffee and cheesecake, bringing me a hat to wear at The Enthronement the next day. Eventually, we returned to our hptel and I unpacked enough clothes for our last three days in Uganda and started to write my Blog. I had almost finished when it flashed and I was asked for my password to sign back in!. So I lost that beautiful Blog!!!!!One reason why I was so tired last night was that the previous day had been draining due to taking Harriet's mum Alice to hospital..And a disco in town had kept me awake most of the night!
Did I tell you that we had misunderstood and it appears that Alice is 35 years old and has TEN children aged between 20 years and 2 months! Here, it is the women who dig the shambas and if you are exhausted by childbearing the family is not going to prosper.When Sallie and I found this out we suggested that Alice be sterilised so on Thursday we sent word that we had arranged the op for her at the Private hospital. You can imagine that when I set out on Friday morning at 7am to see if Charles {Harriet's Dad} had agreed and if Alice was brave enough, it was with my heart in my mouth. When we reached the village we found the whole family sitting under a tree waiting for us dressed in their best So I knew right away that the op was to go ahead.. Teacher George had sent word ahead and was a brick the whole day, translating everything into Runyoro. Harriet gave us a huge grin, recognising us , and Charles instructed his eldest son Linus aged 19 to look after everyone until we got back.
There was a wait at the hospital whilst a vital piece of equipment was sent for .Then, when Alice was asked to sign the consent form I realised that she can't read or write. Charles managed to print his name. Baby Sandra was handed to Charles when Alice went in to prepare for the op and managed to sleep for about an hour. However when she woke up she wanted MILK and I was given her. I must have walked miles up and down the verandah and at this point began to worry if I should have let well alone. The op seemed to be taking ages ---was something going wrong? At this point a lovely old Ward Orderly kindly boiled and cooled some water and we gave it to Sandra to drink......... At last, about two and a half hours later, Alice walked out of the Operating theatre and was taken to rest on a bed in the ward. Immediately she began to suckle her baby and I began to relax. Alice was left to rest for about 4 hours - I popped back to the Hotel because Baz was missing me. George phoned me to go and get them and both Alice and Charles thanked me over and over again. But I am worried that she is not producing enough milk so I sent them back home with some fish to cook and some milk for Alice to drink. She had had to be really persuaded to drink the bottled water I had bought......
Anyway, everyone seems happy and George is considering the same op for his wife. He will keep me informed of Alice's progress and also of what will be best for Harriet. At the moment we are considering splinting her weak leg. I need the expertise here of my sister in law Jan!
Thursday, 13 December 2012
THURSDAY 13th December
I thought we would be having a nice quiet day! Didn't go to breakfast until 9:30am- there was a big minibus load of tourists around in the dining room so I tidied up our room in the hotel, preparing to go to Kampala on Saturday.Got some help in printing out Sallie's invitation to the Enthronement on Sunday and checked my emails. Really enjoyed the one from grandchild Nina! I am running out of books to read on my kindle and the WiFi at the hotel doesn't seem to be working. Hmmmmmm a load of noise outside...... it is a squad of Army recruits training. They run down the road , some in uniform , some not, carrying guns and singing marching songs. There is an army Training School one mile down the road towards Murchison Falls so these occurrences are frequent.Uganda has a big contingent in Somalia. If you join the Army here it is for life .........
Monica Kiiza, former Headteacher of Kabalega Primary turned up mid morning. I had phoned her to ascertain the amount of money raised at the Fundraising For The Mission Built School building back in 2009. Apparently it has all been spent on painting the Government built classrooms. Mary Mukonyezi has not been to see me for well over a week and was not in the office on the three occasions I went there....
Anyway Monica arrived with her new man in tow and is talking about An Introduction (engagement) next year. I have suggested to Monica who is now an Inspector of Schools that certainly the new P7s start their new year in 3 groups and that indeed all classes start using one register for each class and the 2 teachers begin teaching just the few pupils who turn up at the very beginning in their separate groups instead of lumping the children together until there are over 60 and then split into the 2 groups........... She thinks that is a good idea! But will Mary enforce it? The children trickle in at the beginning of term.
I enjoyed chatting with Monica, but she brought bad news - Margaret Ekwang's mother died last night. I shall go to the house with Sallie tonight. Tomorrow I hope to take Harriet's mother AlIce to the hospital to be sterilised, but only if she agrees.J anine reminded us that it must be a voluntary choice - we all ended having lunch together- but monica ,as an African felt that sterilisation after 10 children is a good choice...
We'll see if Alice , or more pertinently her husband Charles agrees tomorrow.
BUT I PLANNED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE WEDDING IN KAMPALA which took place a fortnight ago.....Here are the bridesmaids in the pink dresses I brought in my suitcase for Florence the Bride to choose or not...... The girls are getting their hair done in Dr. Margarets house in Kamapala.
I thought we would be having a nice quiet day! Didn't go to breakfast until 9:30am- there was a big minibus load of tourists around in the dining room so I tidied up our room in the hotel, preparing to go to Kampala on Saturday.Got some help in printing out Sallie's invitation to the Enthronement on Sunday and checked my emails. Really enjoyed the one from grandchild Nina! I am running out of books to read on my kindle and the WiFi at the hotel doesn't seem to be working. Hmmmmmm a load of noise outside...... it is a squad of Army recruits training. They run down the road , some in uniform , some not, carrying guns and singing marching songs. There is an army Training School one mile down the road towards Murchison Falls so these occurrences are frequent.Uganda has a big contingent in Somalia. If you join the Army here it is for life .........
Monica Kiiza, former Headteacher of Kabalega Primary turned up mid morning. I had phoned her to ascertain the amount of money raised at the Fundraising For The Mission Built School building back in 2009. Apparently it has all been spent on painting the Government built classrooms. Mary Mukonyezi has not been to see me for well over a week and was not in the office on the three occasions I went there....
Anyway Monica arrived with her new man in tow and is talking about An Introduction (engagement) next year. I have suggested to Monica who is now an Inspector of Schools that certainly the new P7s start their new year in 3 groups and that indeed all classes start using one register for each class and the 2 teachers begin teaching just the few pupils who turn up at the very beginning in their separate groups instead of lumping the children together until there are over 60 and then split into the 2 groups........... She thinks that is a good idea! But will Mary enforce it? The children trickle in at the beginning of term.
I enjoyed chatting with Monica, but she brought bad news - Margaret Ekwang's mother died last night. I shall go to the house with Sallie tonight. Tomorrow I hope to take Harriet's mother AlIce to the hospital to be sterilised, but only if she agrees.J anine reminded us that it must be a voluntary choice - we all ended having lunch together- but monica ,as an African felt that sterilisation after 10 children is a good choice...
We'll see if Alice , or more pertinently her husband Charles agrees tomorrow.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
WEDNESDAY 12 th December2012
Yesterday I went back to visit Harriet in the village, taking with me the walking frame designed by Physio Abraham and made by Laurence. If you look at the picture it is not the usual walking frame but Harriet was delighted with it.
I took Sallie with me because her local knowledge is far superior to mine and we picked up Teacher George Byarugabe along the way because not only was he our interpreter but we will rely on him to monitor Harriet and her family when I am back in England..Y ou may remember that he is renting some land close to Harriet's home and is a knowledgeable farmer as well as being a teacher. Physio Abraham is from Teso and has limited understanding of the local language, Runyoro
Although the handle bar is too low, Harriet loved the walking frame and did not want to be parted from it.Here she is with her father.
When we arrived, the whole family were waiting to greet us, dressed in their best as George had warned them of our visit. It appears that they are not as poor as first thought but although they have land , Charles does not cultivate all of it and we suspect drinks most of his profits away on Market day! I took presents of soap and a hoe and then gave Charles the packets of seeds miraculously donated by Rev Deb.
Many of the vegetables are unknown and not eaten by people in the village but g
George has promised to show Charles and his wife Alice how to grow things like carrots, cucumbers and spinach which Sallie would buy for the hotel (George can transport them when he cycles into Masindi to teach - Rumpungu village is 25km. from Masindi. I suggested to Alice that she feeds the carrots to her children as they are full of vitamin A and good for eyes.
We then found out that Alice is 35 years old and has 10, yes ten children. Sallie then launched into the need for family planning and we are hoping that Alice will come into hospital to have her tubes tied before I leave.....
More distressing is the fact that the eldest daughter, Joyce 's baby was conceived as the result of rape by a neighbour.It also became apparent that she is slightly spastic.
We actually left the village feeling hopeful that our interest and encouragement will help Harriet's family aim a little higher and possibly show their neighbours how to improve their lives. George will be around and Sallie is available for help and advice.They will keep me informed of developments which may include taking Harriet to the School for the Handicapped. The first thing is to higher the handlebar of her walker and to find boots to protect her feet. I did feel that the family were showing more interest in her.All in all a successful trip.
I took Sallie with me because her local knowledge is far superior to mine and we picked up Teacher George Byarugabe along the way because not only was he our interpreter but we will rely on him to monitor Harriet and her family when I am back in England..Y ou may remember that he is renting some land close to Harriet's home and is a knowledgeable farmer as well as being a teacher. Physio Abraham is from Teso and has limited understanding of the local language, Runyoro
When we arrived, the whole family were waiting to greet us, dressed in their best as George had warned them of our visit. It appears that they are not as poor as first thought but although they have land , Charles does not cultivate all of it and we suspect drinks most of his profits away on Market day! I took presents of soap and a hoe and then gave Charles the packets of seeds miraculously donated by Rev Deb.
Many of the vegetables are unknown and not eaten by people in the village but g
George has promised to show Charles and his wife Alice how to grow things like carrots, cucumbers and spinach which Sallie would buy for the hotel (George can transport them when he cycles into Masindi to teach - Rumpungu village is 25km. from Masindi. I suggested to Alice that she feeds the carrots to her children as they are full of vitamin A and good for eyes.
We then found out that Alice is 35 years old and has 10, yes ten children. Sallie then launched into the need for family planning and we are hoping that Alice will come into hospital to have her tubes tied before I leave.....
More distressing is the fact that the eldest daughter, Joyce 's baby was conceived as the result of rape by a neighbour.It also became apparent that she is slightly spastic.
Monday, 10 December 2012
MONDAY 10TH CONTINUED WITH PICTURES!
Here is Roger dressed as Father Christmas offering his wife Audrey a piece of cake.
Ugandans love cake and there has to be one to grace any important event!
Employees of the Sugar Works may buy a ticket to allow their child to attend the Children's party, which includes food and a soda, plus they may provide the present for Father Christmas to give to their child.
Roger really got into character and Audrey feared she might have to gag him at night to stop the flow of "ho,ho,ho's".
Then , later that evening Baz lit the Hannukah candles and I told all the diners the miracle of the oil.
Here is Roger dressed as Father Christmas offering his wife Audrey a piece of cake.
Roger really got into character and Audrey feared she might have to gag him at night to stop the flow of "ho,ho,ho's".Then , later that evening Baz lit the Hannukah candles and I told all the diners the miracle of the oil.
MONDAY 10th December2012
The Internet was playing up yesterday - could not get my email to James Short to go although I know the address is correct. Need his Report on the Mission Built core school building at Kabalega Primary. My meeting last week about restoring it is beginning to bear fruit so that is one positive thing.Michael Kaheru whose Dad had been the first African Head of the school brought our local M.P. Ernest Kiizza to meet me on Saturday evening and he has promised to help with a chatshow on local radio to publicise the need to fundraise and stop the building from being demolished and give more classroom space.
However I was really disheartened last night after a fun afternoon at Kinyara Sugar Works where Roger Collor dressed up as Father Christmas to a group of rather bemused youngsters whose parents are employed at the factory. Of course timekeeping went all haywire and Roger finally made his entrance at just after 4pm at a party that was scheduled for 2pm............ Sallie had been driven to Kinyara by Manager Robert and was hunting for the costume and eventually sent a message for someone to go and buy gumboots and a belt. Meanwhile Roger and Audrey were on the alert, trying to kep mzungu time and Baz and I were dozing until all hell let loose, with Welder Francis bringing a new builder along to try and persuade me to concrete the floor of the thatched classroom and Roofer Alex bringing his quotation for said floor and Roger C. saying what about wire mesh etc. etc........ When we got back from Kinyara about 7pm I looked at the 2 quotes and whilst one specified 8 bags of cement the other wanted 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know what they are doing? Some people think that mzungus can pluck money off trees!
In any case I don't have the money although I had considered using the couple of hundred in the Kabalega Lunches Account but on reflection I shall do nothing. Most of the windows are now secured by strongly welded grilles and when Mary Headteacher has returned from the village she has promised to empty that classroom used as a store.
With only 5 days left in Masindi, I hope to take the walking frame to Harriet tomorrow. I also want to meet with the District Education Officer to again stress the need for more classrooms and I should pop over to HIV positive Ivan's home to see if his mother is taking her ARVS..............
Finally I want to use the many packets of seeds that Janine's friend Rev Deb has given me and encourage Harriet's father to take upa hoe and dig for his family......
The Internet was playing up yesterday - could not get my email to James Short to go although I know the address is correct. Need his Report on the Mission Built core school building at Kabalega Primary. My meeting last week about restoring it is beginning to bear fruit so that is one positive thing.Michael Kaheru whose Dad had been the first African Head of the school brought our local M.P. Ernest Kiizza to meet me on Saturday evening and he has promised to help with a chatshow on local radio to publicise the need to fundraise and stop the building from being demolished and give more classroom space.
However I was really disheartened last night after a fun afternoon at Kinyara Sugar Works where Roger Collor dressed up as Father Christmas to a group of rather bemused youngsters whose parents are employed at the factory. Of course timekeeping went all haywire and Roger finally made his entrance at just after 4pm at a party that was scheduled for 2pm............ Sallie had been driven to Kinyara by Manager Robert and was hunting for the costume and eventually sent a message for someone to go and buy gumboots and a belt. Meanwhile Roger and Audrey were on the alert, trying to kep mzungu time and Baz and I were dozing until all hell let loose, with Welder Francis bringing a new builder along to try and persuade me to concrete the floor of the thatched classroom and Roofer Alex bringing his quotation for said floor and Roger C. saying what about wire mesh etc. etc........ When we got back from Kinyara about 7pm I looked at the 2 quotes and whilst one specified 8 bags of cement the other wanted 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know what they are doing? Some people think that mzungus can pluck money off trees!
In any case I don't have the money although I had considered using the couple of hundred in the Kabalega Lunches Account but on reflection I shall do nothing. Most of the windows are now secured by strongly welded grilles and when Mary Headteacher has returned from the village she has promised to empty that classroom used as a store.
With only 5 days left in Masindi, I hope to take the walking frame to Harriet tomorrow. I also want to meet with the District Education Officer to again stress the need for more classrooms and I should pop over to HIV positive Ivan's home to see if his mother is taking her ARVS..............
Finally I want to use the many packets of seeds that Janine's friend Rev Deb has given me and encourage Harriet's father to take upa hoe and dig for his family......
Friday, 7 December 2012
SATURDAY 8th December
Thought you might be interested to hear about a couple of friends, Masindi residents who figure quite abit in my stories.......
SALLIE WAREING came out to East Africa as a young girl when her father spent some years in Tanzania advising in Agriculture. She returned to England to study and became a Headteacher in Derbyshire. Roughly 20 years ago she took early retirement and came to Uganda as a VSO working as an Inspector of Schools. Her latest adventure has been to buy and run The New Courtview Hotel where she is a fountain of wisdom and practical help to all. At present she is a great help to me as I worry about what is best for disabled Harriet and how to help that family out of poverty.
This is Roger Turner, who bravely came right out of his comfort zone and settled in Masindi almost ten years ago to advise and help the former Bishop Stanley Ntagali. Roger and his friends in England formed a fundraising group to help and advise the relatively newly created Diocese of Masindi-Kitara.On his own Roger has set up an orphanage run on roughly english boarding school lines and pays the fees of over 20 boys at various schools and unis in the district.. He lives a dictinctly monastic life but has shown me a thatched dwelling he has had built for a dormitory so can see the waterproofing of the roof and the quality of the concrete floor.
I have woken up this morning with these issues on my mind. I have used up all the money entrusted to me to secure the classroom windows but would really like to finish off the thatched classroom with a sturdy concrete floor and leakproof roof.. Basically I am about 200 pounds sterling short. and now with only a week left I am worried that I am not going to get The Headmistress back from her village and clear the classroom used for storage ready for use in February.........
SALLIE WAREING came out to East Africa as a young girl when her father spent some years in Tanzania advising in Agriculture. She returned to England to study and became a Headteacher in Derbyshire. Roughly 20 years ago she took early retirement and came to Uganda as a VSO working as an Inspector of Schools. Her latest adventure has been to buy and run The New Courtview Hotel where she is a fountain of wisdom and practical help to all. At present she is a great help to me as I worry about what is best for disabled Harriet and how to help that family out of poverty.
I have woken up this morning with these issues on my mind. I have used up all the money entrusted to me to secure the classroom windows but would really like to finish off the thatched classroom with a sturdy concrete floor and leakproof roof.. Basically I am about 200 pounds sterling short. and now with only a week left I am worried that I am not going to get The Headmistress back from her village and clear the classroom used for storage ready for use in February.........
Thursday, 6 December 2012
FRIDAY 7th December.
The days are speeding by and we shall soon be flying home!
I am feeling tired and my arthritis is fairly painful , due I think to the hot and sultry weather as The Rains come to an end.
We had such a lovely evening last night when Bishop George and his wife Joyce graciously agreed to join us for dinner at the hotel. As you know, Audrey and Roger Collor (Friends of Masindi -Kitara Diocese) are also residing in Sallie's Hotel also staying on for Archbishop -designate Stanley's enthronement, so we also invited Missionary Janine and her friend Rev Debs who has flown over to attend Stanleys enthronement. We were 8 to dinner and I caused a lot of amusement by serving custard as dessert! Aurey had reminded me that that was George's favourite when he was studying in England! I had found a tin of custard powder in the supermrket in Masindi and ssneaked into the hotel kitchen to make it after ascertaining that the cooks on duty were not familiar with such a British delight!!!!!
I am having trouble with fluctuating power and flashing screen so will adjourn...
The days are speeding by and we shall soon be flying home!
I am feeling tired and my arthritis is fairly painful , due I think to the hot and sultry weather as The Rains come to an end.
We had such a lovely evening last night when Bishop George and his wife Joyce graciously agreed to join us for dinner at the hotel. As you know, Audrey and Roger Collor (Friends of Masindi -Kitara Diocese) are also residing in Sallie's Hotel also staying on for Archbishop -designate Stanley's enthronement, so we also invited Missionary Janine and her friend Rev Debs who has flown over to attend Stanleys enthronement. We were 8 to dinner and I caused a lot of amusement by serving custard as dessert! Aurey had reminded me that that was George's favourite when he was studying in England! I had found a tin of custard powder in the supermrket in Masindi and ssneaked into the hotel kitchen to make it after ascertaining that the cooks on duty were not familiar with such a British delight!!!!!
I am having trouble with fluctuating power and flashing screen so will adjourn...
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
THURSDAY CONTINUED........
Let me try to send the pictures of the fundi installing the metal grilles and shutters in the windows at Kabalega Primary.
I have an appointment with Francis Welder this morning to check on the work. I wonder if this heavy thunderstorm has affected the final progress.
There may be enough sand and cement left over (you have to order sand by the lorry ful!) to concrete the
floor of the thatched classroom Baz and I with your help built last March.
I have an appointment with Francis Welder this morning to check on the work. I wonder if this heavy thunderstorm has affected the final progress.
There may be enough sand and cement left over (you have to order sand by the lorry ful!) to concrete the
THURSDAY 6th December 2012
Tried to send pictures of the windows etc but the Internet was too slow yesterday evening.
This morning at 9am we are continuing to have thunder and lightning and a heavy rainfall so don't know if this will go.
I really want to tell about my visit to Rumpungu village with Physio Abraham to assess Harriet.
As you may see from the pic her legs seem permanently bent. She certainly has a weakness down her left side and cannot grasp with her left hand. Abraham suspects Cerebral Palsy and thinks her lack of speech is due to neglect. THE VILLAGE IS INCREDIBLY POOR. If a person is not deemeduseful or able
to be productive the family has no use for them
Physio Abraham was able to help Harriet stand and says her limbs are not permanently bent but can be helped by exercise. He recommends a walking frame so I said go ahead and get one made. We do have concerns that the family could sell the frame and not help her do the exercises . He recommends that she stays in the family. There is NO money for school. The mother has 5 children under 7 years.
Sallie says that the school fees are sh. 100.000 (27 pounds sterling ) per term. Whilst Physio Abraham fears Harriet would be left in school during the holidays Sallie says she would arrange transport to and from the village. It cost me sh.40.000 (10 pounds sterling) there and back on Tuesday and Physio Abraham charged me sh. 20.000 (5 pounds) for his cosulltation and assesssment!
Tried to send pictures of the windows etc but the Internet was too slow yesterday evening.
This morning at 9am we are continuing to have thunder and lightning and a heavy rainfall so don't know if this will go.
As you may see from the pic her legs seem permanently bent. She certainly has a weakness down her left side and cannot grasp with her left hand. Abraham suspects Cerebral Palsy and thinks her lack of speech is due to neglect. THE VILLAGE IS INCREDIBLY POOR. If a person is not deemeduseful or able
to be productive the family has no use for them
Sallie says that the school fees are sh. 100.000 (27 pounds sterling ) per term. Whilst Physio Abraham fears Harriet would be left in school during the holidays Sallie says she would arrange transport to and from the village. It cost me sh.40.000 (10 pounds sterling) there and back on Tuesday and Physio Abraham charged me sh. 20.000 (5 pounds) for his cosulltation and assesssment!
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
WEDNESDAY 5th Decmber 2012
Have just come back from a site meeting, both with Francis Welder who is securing the classroom windows and with Alex Builder who constructed the temporary classroom in the Spring of this year.
Mary Mukonyezi ,the Headteacher has been complaining that the thatched roof of the temporary classroom is leaking.Whilst the coolness and space of this locally built classroom (wood and thatch) is very much appreciated a leaking roof and muddy floor is not! Alex says that he can cure the leaks - it rained heavily overnight so I was able to see first hand the problem this morning- by creating a ceiling of wire sand and plastic bags. The total cost of the sand, wire and plastic will be sh.600.000 (170 pounds sterling).
HELP!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile I do have the money for the metal shutters etc for those P4 classroom windows, courtesy of Furzedown Primary School. Webale munno! The fundi arrived as we were meeting and started removing the wooden shutters so I shall join Baz in a cup of coffee - it's cool today after the heavy rain - and go back to school at 11o clock to photograph the windows etc. My camera (Daniel's!) was charging after yesterday's trip to Rumpungu village with Dr. Abraham to assess Harriet. More of that with pictures in the next Blog.
Have just come back from a site meeting, both with Francis Welder who is securing the classroom windows and with Alex Builder who constructed the temporary classroom in the Spring of this year.
Mary Mukonyezi ,the Headteacher has been complaining that the thatched roof of the temporary classroom is leaking.Whilst the coolness and space of this locally built classroom (wood and thatch) is very much appreciated a leaking roof and muddy floor is not! Alex says that he can cure the leaks - it rained heavily overnight so I was able to see first hand the problem this morning- by creating a ceiling of wire sand and plastic bags. The total cost of the sand, wire and plastic will be sh.600.000 (170 pounds sterling).
HELP!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile I do have the money for the metal shutters etc for those P4 classroom windows, courtesy of Furzedown Primary School. Webale munno! The fundi arrived as we were meeting and started removing the wooden shutters so I shall join Baz in a cup of coffee - it's cool today after the heavy rain - and go back to school at 11o clock to photograph the windows etc. My camera (Daniel's!) was charging after yesterday's trip to Rumpungu village with Dr. Abraham to assess Harriet. More of that with pictures in the next Blog.
Monday, 3 December 2012
TUESDAY 4th continued.......
So there we were drinking tea when George rolls up and we have a strange conversation until it all sorts itself out when I finally twig that he thinks it is Tuesday!But it is Monday evening , just an hour or so before Dark and Sallie has been arranging to go and view a house because she is not happy with her present one and here is George thinking it is Tuesday so I politely tell G. to come back on Tuesday and that I am rushing off with Sallie to see this house and Wamani Taxi drives up. So we all get up and walk to the vehicle and Wamani is saying he has no fuel . Robert says he'll take us in his car and meanwhile Sallie is talking to George and I'm saying we must go before the light goes and George is literally jumping up and down because his precious bicycle is not there. Robert is telling Wamani to get into his car and SALLIE IS SAYING NO and gets into Wamani's and George is saying where is my bicycle and we get hotel staff to look for the Askari (watchman/guard) whom someone thinks has gone off on the bike and Wamani says he has no fuel and no money when the Askari comes hurtling back into the Hotel compound on George's bike ! So I ask who ha s money and I am the only one so I give Wamani ten thousand for petrol and G. pedals off until Tuesday and we drive off to view this house which in any case is unsuitable for Sallie and her brood which now includes her factotem James and his wife Margaret's new baby......................
Must get showered and go to school to meet Francis Welder before arrangng with a Doctor to go and visit the handicapped girl Harriet.
Who knows what today will bring?
So there we were drinking tea when George rolls up and we have a strange conversation until it all sorts itself out when I finally twig that he thinks it is Tuesday!But it is Monday evening , just an hour or so before Dark and Sallie has been arranging to go and view a house because she is not happy with her present one and here is George thinking it is Tuesday so I politely tell G. to come back on Tuesday and that I am rushing off with Sallie to see this house and Wamani Taxi drives up. So we all get up and walk to the vehicle and Wamani is saying he has no fuel . Robert says he'll take us in his car and meanwhile Sallie is talking to George and I'm saying we must go before the light goes and George is literally jumping up and down because his precious bicycle is not there. Robert is telling Wamani to get into his car and SALLIE IS SAYING NO and gets into Wamani's and George is saying where is my bicycle and we get hotel staff to look for the Askari (watchman/guard) whom someone thinks has gone off on the bike and Wamani says he has no fuel and no money when the Askari comes hurtling back into the Hotel compound on George's bike ! So I ask who ha s money and I am the only one so I give Wamani ten thousand for petrol and G. pedals off until Tuesday and we drive off to view this house which in any case is unsuitable for Sallie and her brood which now includes her factotem James and his wife Margaret's new baby......................
Must get showered and go to school to meet Francis Welder before arrangng with a Doctor to go and visit the handicapped girl Harriet.
Who knows what today will bring?
TUESDAY MORNING 4TH DECEMBER
The Internet was really weak all of yesterday so simply could neither post a Blog or send an email all day!!
Have woken reasonably early so have a few minutes before people get to the office and open their computers.Don't know if I'll have time to tell you about the smart Kampala wedding last Friday, but I must tell you about the ammusing incident last evening which livened up an otherwise uneventful day - neither Francis Welder nor Alex Roofer having turned up for the meetings in the morning!
Well, Baz and I with Sallie and Manager Robert were sitting in the Hotel Garden drinking tea and nibbling biscuits (big treat!) when along comes Teacher George Byaruhanga whonm some of you have met in England in the autumn of 2011we would meet today Tuesday. I had arranged with him that
The Internet was really weak all of yesterday so simply could neither post a Blog or send an email all day!!
Have woken reasonably early so have a few minutes before people get to the office and open their computers.Don't know if I'll have time to tell you about the smart Kampala wedding last Friday, but I must tell you about the ammusing incident last evening which livened up an otherwise uneventful day - neither Francis Welder nor Alex Roofer having turned up for the meetings in the morning!
Well, Baz and I with Sallie and Manager Robert were sitting in the Hotel Garden drinking tea and nibbling biscuits (big treat!) when along comes Teacher George Byaruhanga whonm some of you have met in England in the autumn of 2011we would meet today Tuesday. I had arranged with him that
Sunday, 2 December 2012
SUNDAY 2nd December.
Am feeling really lazy and tired. Our friends , the Collors who are over here for The Consecration and The Enthronement are both suffering from an upset tummy so I hope I am not coming down with anything... think I'm just a bit exhausted with all the speechmaking.......
Went to church at St. Matthews Cathedral here in Masindi today and tried to blend in with the crowd - to no avail - being one of the 3 white faces amongst a sea of Ugandans! Rev Frances Kajura spotted me and called me up to the front, thrust the mic at me and asked me to introduce The Collors who do wonderful work raising money for the Diocese of Masindi -Kitara. Roger is an architect so I have called a meeting on Wednesday with him and Michael Kaheru, an Old Boy of Kabalega Junior, Something has to be done about the mission built core building of the school which is continuing to fall into disrepair. If rebuilt it would give at least 2 classrooms and l ibrary upstairs and store rooms which are so badly needed.......
Baz went off swimming at Kinyara Sugar Works but I rested until Teacher Joseph stopped by as I'd requested. After Church he'd told me that his 3 cows were stolen over Friday night and he was planning to sell one in order to pay for next term's school fees at Uni where he is studying Sports Science ,part time. What do you do but help out.......?
Then Room Attendant Godfrey showed me his brother Alfred's End of Term Report and Alfred has come 11th out of 57 ...not bad for a boy who only came down from a village in the North last February! Godfrey also supports 2 sisters at a Boarding school all on a very low salary so I am helping out with money for busfare home, uniform etc.etc.
The pics are of melast week, presenting THE MAGNETS to the headmistess of Masindi Town Model school where my colleague Olive's brother i n Law teaches.........................................................Had a lovely supper with Salli and Janine and The Collors,this evening. Meetings with the Welder and The Thatcher tomorrow, so now to bed and details of the smart Kampala wedding next time!
Am feeling really lazy and tired. Our friends , the Collors who are over here for The Consecration and The Enthronement are both suffering from an upset tummy so I hope I am not coming down with anything... think I'm just a bit exhausted with all the speechmaking.......
Went to church at St. Matthews Cathedral here in Masindi today and tried to blend in with the crowd - to no avail - being one of the 3 white faces amongst a sea of Ugandans! Rev Frances Kajura spotted me and called me up to the front, thrust the mic at me and asked me to introduce The Collors who do wonderful work raising money for the Diocese of Masindi -Kitara. Roger is an architect so I have called a meeting on Wednesday with him and Michael Kaheru, an Old Boy of Kabalega Junior, Something has to be done about the mission built core building of the school which is continuing to fall into disrepair. If rebuilt it would give at least 2 classrooms and l ibrary upstairs and store rooms which are so badly needed.......
Baz went off swimming at Kinyara Sugar Works but I rested until Teacher Joseph stopped by as I'd requested. After Church he'd told me that his 3 cows were stolen over Friday night and he was planning to sell one in order to pay for next term's school fees at Uni where he is studying Sports Science ,part time. What do you do but help out.......?
Then Room Attendant Godfrey showed me his brother Alfred's End of Term Report and Alfred has come 11th out of 57 ...not bad for a boy who only came down from a village in the North last February! Godfrey also supports 2 sisters at a Boarding school all on a very low salary so I am helping out with money for busfare home, uniform etc.etc.
Saturday, 1 December 2012
SATURDAY 1st December 2012
We are back in Masindi after a load of adventures in Kampala and beyond!
Travelled down safely to Kamapala on a LINK bus and Godfrey-Taxi-Kampala met us at Bwaise on the outskirts and drove us straightaway to The Adonai Guest house in Muyenga.. Godfrey looked at me strangely when I asked where was the cathedral but it wasn't until I went to bed that the penny clicked - there are TWO guesthouses named Adonai and we had booked ourselves into the wrong one! Annoying because the wedding on Friday was in the cathedral and we would have to encounter the famous "jams" or traffic jams for which Kampala is famous!At least we nowknow where to go for The Archbishop's enthronement!
And this one is lovely and peaceful and clean and not too expensive.
We got up at the crack of dawn on Thursday, in order to reach the village of Kabale Bugonzi just off the main road to Masaka - a drive of two and a half hours from Kampala once you are out of the "jams"! I had arranged with the Deputy Head John Sentamu, that we would be at his school by 11am in order to present the prizes at The End of Term. We made it by 11:15am(the road was being resurfaced) but not all the parents were in place yet anyway.This Is Africa!!!!!! John and a pupil were waiting for us in front of a row of shops and led us down a narrow road which we found was lined by pupils singing and clapping a welcome right up to the school gates! We felt like royalty. Once inside the compound we were seated as Guests of Honour and after the usual welcome speech and introductions, each class sang. a songAll the time more and more parents were joining us and more chairs were hurriedly being put out and we had loud music being piped through a sound system. Eventually Baz was asked to give out prizes - a dinner plate - to the pupils who had come top of the class or who were the best at punctuality, attendance or smartness.
I was then asked to make a speech and to present the little ones who have come to the end of 2 years of Nursery class, with a certificate stating that they are now graduating to Year One of Primary School It is really sweet to see these little ones all dressed up on gowns - but very hard work for me to fit the tiny mortar boards on each small head. A thunderstorm was imminent but we had finished all the business before taking shelter in the Heads office. I had a lot of my questions about the school answered by John Sentamu but I do have a bone to pick with Monica Kitchlew- Wilson who sent me out to the school .....we were not even given a plate of matooke and stew!!!!!!! We think that maybe they were too poor to provide anything that they thought a muzungu would eat, hahaha!
All in all a wonderfully uplifting day.
We are back in Masindi after a load of adventures in Kampala and beyond!
Travelled down safely to Kamapala on a LINK bus and Godfrey-Taxi-Kampala met us at Bwaise on the outskirts and drove us straightaway to The Adonai Guest house in Muyenga.. Godfrey looked at me strangely when I asked where was the cathedral but it wasn't until I went to bed that the penny clicked - there are TWO guesthouses named Adonai and we had booked ourselves into the wrong one! Annoying because the wedding on Friday was in the cathedral and we would have to encounter the famous "jams" or traffic jams for which Kampala is famous!At least we nowknow where to go for The Archbishop's enthronement!
And this one is lovely and peaceful and clean and not too expensive.
All in all a wonderfully uplifting day.
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
TUESDAY 27th November.
Sorry I broke off rather suddenly yesterday but I was running on BATTERY with no power and the machine began to hibernate.........
Yesterday was such a good day for a Monday!
I struggled in to school after successfully finding Baz's emails. We'd had a bit of a drama when he couldn't find them on my laptop ... Al had kindly modified the computer for me when I was having trouble (it was actually MTN) and said he knew what to do as his parents were always bothering him so he had worked out how elderly people could do what they wanted to do in 3 easy steps....... I'd forgotten that once he was here Baz would want to use my computer..............
School was very quiet as they had finished End of Term Exams and the teachers were marking them..........
I handed over the magnets much to Science Teacher George Byaguraba's delight who says that now his lessons will be very interesting with the magnets to play with! Mary Headteacher was equally delighted with the 2 new clocks Daniel had found for us so now every Year Group has one clock and several have two which means most classrooms now have a clock on the wall.
I strolled over the compound to find Olive and Nebbert marking and a number of children playing outside so we rounded them all up and eventually herded about 50 (total year group numbers 130 ish) into one room,and I went over some phonics with them, making little booklets with the photocopying paper I had brought.
Had to walk on to the main road in the boiling sun to find a boda boda to take me back to Courtview so was glad I'd remembered my suncream and hat!
At 5pm teacher Jackson arrived to escort Baz and me to his teeny house (One room) in town to see his 4day old baby boy. Absolutely beautiful!As honoured guests we were given a huge bowl of matooke with groundnut sauce and not only a bottle of soda but a bottle of water as well. So hospitable!Then we quickly rushed to The new Bishop's House where I photographed George in all the finery Baz had brought from U.K. These robes are absolutely beautiful and George and Joyce are so thrilled with them. I hope to go to Wales in the New Year and show Bishop Ivor's family the photographs etc. I have taken.
Bishop George and his wife Joyce were really pleased to be talked into going back to Courtview for Dinner
with Baz and me and Audrey and Roger Collor who really are FRIENDS OF MASINDI KITARA DIOCESE.They had brought an Altar Cloth among other presents for the new Bishop. Incidentally, between us we'd forgotten to bring any purple socks but the purple handkerchiefs were a great hit!!!!Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hour long dinner together and especially the huge box of Thornton's chocolate that Sallie had brought back from U.K. on Saturday. It was a lovely evening after a lovely day.
We go to Kampala tomorrow so I will expand on the Consecration when we get back at the weekend....
Tonight a meeting with the welder about securing the classroom windows.
Thursday to the Soroptomist school near Masaka where apparently I am to present the prizes.....
And a wedding on Friday!
Sorry I broke off rather suddenly yesterday but I was running on BATTERY with no power and the machine began to hibernate.........
Yesterday was such a good day for a Monday!
I struggled in to school after successfully finding Baz's emails. We'd had a bit of a drama when he couldn't find them on my laptop ... Al had kindly modified the computer for me when I was having trouble (it was actually MTN) and said he knew what to do as his parents were always bothering him so he had worked out how elderly people could do what they wanted to do in 3 easy steps....... I'd forgotten that once he was here Baz would want to use my computer..............
School was very quiet as they had finished End of Term Exams and the teachers were marking them..........
I handed over the magnets much to Science Teacher George Byaguraba's delight who says that now his lessons will be very interesting with the magnets to play with! Mary Headteacher was equally delighted with the 2 new clocks Daniel had found for us so now every Year Group has one clock and several have two which means most classrooms now have a clock on the wall.
I strolled over the compound to find Olive and Nebbert marking and a number of children playing outside so we rounded them all up and eventually herded about 50 (total year group numbers 130 ish) into one room,and I went over some phonics with them, making little booklets with the photocopying paper I had brought.
Had to walk on to the main road in the boiling sun to find a boda boda to take me back to Courtview so was glad I'd remembered my suncream and hat!
At 5pm teacher Jackson arrived to escort Baz and me to his teeny house (One room) in town to see his 4day old baby boy. Absolutely beautiful!As honoured guests we were given a huge bowl of matooke with groundnut sauce and not only a bottle of soda but a bottle of water as well. So hospitable!Then we quickly rushed to The new Bishop's House where I photographed George in all the finery Baz had brought from U.K. These robes are absolutely beautiful and George and Joyce are so thrilled with them. I hope to go to Wales in the New Year and show Bishop Ivor's family the photographs etc. I have taken.
Bishop George and his wife Joyce were really pleased to be talked into going back to Courtview for Dinner
with Baz and me and Audrey and Roger Collor who really are FRIENDS OF MASINDI KITARA DIOCESE.They had brought an Altar Cloth among other presents for the new Bishop. Incidentally, between us we'd forgotten to bring any purple socks but the purple handkerchiefs were a great hit!!!!Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hour long dinner together and especially the huge box of Thornton's chocolate that Sallie had brought back from U.K. on Saturday. It was a lovely evening after a lovely day.
We go to Kampala tomorrow so I will expand on the Consecration when we get back at the weekend....
Tonight a meeting with the welder about securing the classroom windows.
Thursday to the Soroptomist school near Masaka where apparently I am to present the prizes.....
And a wedding on Friday!
Monday, 26 November 2012
MONDAY 26th November
What a lot has happened in the last 4 days and although Baz has brought me Daniel's camera to replace the one stolen on Kabarole Hill I havn't yet worked out how to transfer the pics on to this Blog so no pics for the moment!
Met Baz who arrived on time at Entebbe with the huge parcel of Bishop's robes. Godfrey Taxi Kampala drove us directly to Masindi, stopping off at a petrol station at Kawempe suburb for a cold coke and packet of Gnuts! Arrived in Masindi just before dark and ALL the staff came out to greet us, saying that they had seen me on T.V. at The Royal Wedding!. I think they saw me at the church service.
The Bishop Elect, George Kasangaki asked me to deliver the parcel of Bishop's robes the next morning at 9am so after a bite of supper (Baz was not hungry after journeying for over 24 hours without sleeping) and meeting up with Roger and Audrey Collor (friends of both Archbishop-elect stanley and Bishop-elect George) we fell into bed without really unpacking!
And so I got myself and the parcel to the Bishop's house by 9am, leaving Baz sleeping. George and Joyce were SO excited at unpacking the parcel. We were amused at finding a wonderful thick and huge black cloak - the temp. here is in the eighties as the Rainy Season comes to a close..........We discovered 3 mitres and the most wonderful cope etc etc. Unfortunately the robes are just ever so slightly too long for George so he chose to wear on Sunday the very shiny ones made locally.
Sunday was the dayof George's Consecration and all went wonderfully - especially since there were about a thousand people attending. The Service was held in the open air under 30 or so marquees in Kabalega PPPPrimary Primary School's playing field. sPrimary
What a lot has happened in the last 4 days and although Baz has brought me Daniel's camera to replace the one stolen on Kabarole Hill I havn't yet worked out how to transfer the pics on to this Blog so no pics for the moment!
Met Baz who arrived on time at Entebbe with the huge parcel of Bishop's robes. Godfrey Taxi Kampala drove us directly to Masindi, stopping off at a petrol station at Kawempe suburb for a cold coke and packet of Gnuts! Arrived in Masindi just before dark and ALL the staff came out to greet us, saying that they had seen me on T.V. at The Royal Wedding!. I think they saw me at the church service.
The Bishop Elect, George Kasangaki asked me to deliver the parcel of Bishop's robes the next morning at 9am so after a bite of supper (Baz was not hungry after journeying for over 24 hours without sleeping) and meeting up with Roger and Audrey Collor (friends of both Archbishop-elect stanley and Bishop-elect George) we fell into bed without really unpacking!
And so I got myself and the parcel to the Bishop's house by 9am, leaving Baz sleeping. George and Joyce were SO excited at unpacking the parcel. We were amused at finding a wonderful thick and huge black cloak - the temp. here is in the eighties as the Rainy Season comes to a close..........We discovered 3 mitres and the most wonderful cope etc etc. Unfortunately the robes are just ever so slightly too long for George so he chose to wear on Sunday the very shiny ones made locally.
Sunday was the dayof George's Consecration and all went wonderfully - especially since there were about a thousand people attending. The Service was held in the open air under 30 or so marquees in Kabalega PPPPrimary Primary School's playing field. sPrimary
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
WEDNESDAY EVENING November21st
I shall try to finish the story of Princess Ruth Komuntale's Introduction Ceremony last Thursday 15th Nov.
Before Christianity arrived in Uganda, it had been the custom for the boy and his friends to kidnap the girl and take her back to his village then his father and elders would go to the girl's village and start negotiations for them to marry. These would include demands and offers of beer and finally the number. of cows as Bride Price. Nowadays this custom has been modified to The Introduction Ceremony when the girl introduces the boy to her parents who finally agree to the wedding which can be the next day or several years later!
I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Introduction by my friend Evah who is related to the Royal Clan.
The grooms aunt then presented the bride with a basket of fruit and flowers that she may be fruitful .
Then they signed a marriage contract and we could all be served a feast of traditional Ugandan food!I forgot to say that it rained heavily at the point when food was to be served so we had to wait ....................................................................................................
WEDNESDAY 21st November.
This is my second attempt at writing up my Blog today!
It is chaos here in Doctor's flat in Kampala - the T.V. is blaring, Dorothy Mugenyi has arrived with youngest daughter Brenda, and granddaughter Edith, Evah is both trying to arrange a wedding venue for her friend on the phone and getting the twins (Nalongo's daughters) to try on bridesmaids dresses and Doctor is shouting advice to everyone!
Colin drove 3 of us plus the twins and Fred's daughter back to Kampala yesterday.We left Fort Portal at 11am, loaded to the gunnels and reached Kampala at7pm! We kept stopping to buy bananas , onions ,potatoes tomatoes asnd avocadoes by the roadside and when we reached Mubende at about 2pm we bought little bags of freshly fried grasshoppers, still warm to nibble for lunch!Carrying on to the next biggish town of Mityana we stopped at the shop of one of Evah's many sisters, a nurse and were given a tasty meal of meat stew, matooke and Irish potatoes covered in groundnut sauce! This was about 5pm. We carried on to Kampala and reached the outskirts just before dark. Doctor then did a big shop in Nakumatt Supermarket and we finally reached Kololo and her flat just before 8pm. We found Kampala very hot and sticky so after bathing and a cup of tea I crashed out in bed!
The first picture is of The Royal Musicians who played both at The Introduction ceremony and again at the Reception up on Kabarole Hill after the actual wedding. They are wearing barkcloth whih was worn in precolonial days.
The second one is of a witchdoctor who was part of he Delegation from the Kingdom of Bunyoro who came to pay their respects to The Kingdom of Tooro.
I will try to write up the rest of the Introduction Ceremony on the next Blog.
I am really missing my camera! Baz will bring me Daniel's to use when he arrives on Friday. It is too late for Daniel to buy the professional one for Nebbert on Ebay.I was thinking along the lines of 'give a man a hoe.....". I will see how much thet cost in Kampala.
This is my second attempt at writing up my Blog today!
It is chaos here in Doctor's flat in Kampala - the T.V. is blaring, Dorothy Mugenyi has arrived with youngest daughter Brenda, and granddaughter Edith, Evah is both trying to arrange a wedding venue for her friend on the phone and getting the twins (Nalongo's daughters) to try on bridesmaids dresses and Doctor is shouting advice to everyone!
The second one is of a witchdoctor who was part of he Delegation from the Kingdom of Bunyoro who came to pay their respects to The Kingdom of Tooro.
I will try to write up the rest of the Introduction Ceremony on the next Blog.
I am really missing my camera! Baz will bring me Daniel's to use when he arrives on Friday. It is too late for Daniel to buy the professional one for Nebbert on Ebay.I was thinking along the lines of 'give a man a hoe.....". I will see how much thet cost in Kampala.
Monday, 19 November 2012
MONDAY 19th November
Yesterday was cold and rainy and quite frustrating for me.
All 5 of us got up late and Doreen got a lift back to Kampala because she has to go to work today, Monday. Colin is desperate to get back to the city - as a 24 year old graduate he is bored driving these old ladies around and now he has lost his young cousin Doreen! He and I became buddies, exclaiming in exasperation as Evah continued to change her mind in her usual disorganised way!Doctor Margaret remained her cool cynical self!
Eventually we set off for Evah's ancestral home and met her two brothers. They insisted we stay for a bite to eat and we were very grateful for the hot tea. The Ruwenzori mountains affect the climate of Fort Portal bringing loads of rain after hot sunshine.After Evah had checked that all was in order, we set off to find another relative, an old man who is quite ill. We stayed in the car. Then on to greet Dora Rwambona whose sister Anne I taught alongside Evah back in 1965.Dora and Anne'.s mother is very old and frail but enjoyed the visit.And then another stop to find yet another elderly relative. Again Colin and I remained in the car.
The vehicle had almost got bogged down at the Rwambonsa's place so we were careful here to stay on firm ground!
By now it was nearly 6pm and we were starving so I insisted on us all going to The Gardens Restaurant in town(F.P.) for food. We had 3 children in tow who had come for the ride so we were 7 and the bill came to abut 15pounds sterling! I had fish and chips!Delicious.
This morning I am happy to hear that the request we had put out on the Radio has borne fruit and that someone has my camera. I offered a reward but don't hold out too much hope .......When Evah and Doctor come up for breakfast we shall go and see.......
Then I hope to meet up for lunch with an old friend Sam Rukuba. who might be able to help me find an old colleague who taught with me at Kyebambe Secondary, Lydia Nkojo. We shall go to Kampala tomorrow.
.
Yesterday was cold and rainy and quite frustrating for me.
All 5 of us got up late and Doreen got a lift back to Kampala because she has to go to work today, Monday. Colin is desperate to get back to the city - as a 24 year old graduate he is bored driving these old ladies around and now he has lost his young cousin Doreen! He and I became buddies, exclaiming in exasperation as Evah continued to change her mind in her usual disorganised way!Doctor Margaret remained her cool cynical self!
Eventually we set off for Evah's ancestral home and met her two brothers. They insisted we stay for a bite to eat and we were very grateful for the hot tea. The Ruwenzori mountains affect the climate of Fort Portal bringing loads of rain after hot sunshine.After Evah had checked that all was in order, we set off to find another relative, an old man who is quite ill. We stayed in the car. Then on to greet Dora Rwambona whose sister Anne I taught alongside Evah back in 1965.Dora and Anne'.s mother is very old and frail but enjoyed the visit.And then another stop to find yet another elderly relative. Again Colin and I remained in the car.
The vehicle had almost got bogged down at the Rwambonsa's place so we were careful here to stay on firm ground!
By now it was nearly 6pm and we were starving so I insisted on us all going to The Gardens Restaurant in town(F.P.) for food. We had 3 children in tow who had come for the ride so we were 7 and the bill came to abut 15pounds sterling! I had fish and chips!Delicious.
This morning I am happy to hear that the request we had put out on the Radio has borne fruit and that someone has my camera. I offered a reward but don't hold out too much hope .......When Evah and Doctor come up for breakfast we shall go and see.......
Then I hope to meet up for lunch with an old friend Sam Rukuba. who might be able to help me find an old colleague who taught with me at Kyebambe Secondary, Lydia Nkojo. We shall go to Kampala tomorrow.
.
Saturday, 17 November 2012
SATURDAY 17th November2012
Wrote a blog yesterday but lost the Internet and that entry!
The challenges of living in Uganda!
Anyway, over the past 3 days I have been to an Introduction (kind of Engagement Party),a Wake at the end of the ritual 4 days of mourning after Margaret Tinka's father died, a graduation Dinner (Grace's son Charles and Dorothy & Doreen's brother) and The Royal Wedding of Princess Ruth Komuntale and Black American Christopher Thomas! Am exhausted!
I'll do the Introduction in detail later but want to write up today and The Wedding whilst it is still fresh..........
We got up at 7am talking about being in the church by 8am but of course, This Is Africa and we actually got to the cathedral ( memories of taking the Kyebambe boarders to church there every Sunday in the Sixties!) at around 9am.Found a pew towards the front but as the church filled up squeezed people in until I was really squashed between Doctor and Nalongo(Harriet, one of Evah's sisters) The police Band began playing about 10:15 ( service scheduled to start at 10am and the Groom's party arrived 11:30 and the Omukama followed by the Bride about midday.Meanwhile as more and more people crowded in they eventually moved the choir out and frantically kept bringing in more plastic seats. At one point they carried in the Omukama's throne only to be told by The Bishop or was it the Archbishop to take it back as there was a designated seat for King Oyo. Princess Bagaya, my old friend decided to move her seat in order to accomodate The Speaker of the Parliament! The poor king of Benin left the cathedral at one point only to be brought back in when they pushed the choir out.................
I can't add any pictures today because my camera disappeared as I walked up the last part of the hill up to The Omukama's palace. Evah and Doctor had walked the whole way up the hill ,as the line of cars was bumper to bumper and was at a standstill for minutes on end.Colin managed to drive halfway for me -he and Doreen wanted to execute Plan B and just go home for food and drink when we left the cathedral about 1;45pm but felt obliged to get me up to the palace, knowing there would be a long wait for food. I think the camera got pinched as I was on the phone trying to liaise with Evah to come and get me in as I had no Invitation on me!
The good thing was that it rained whilst we were in church but the bad thing was it became very muddy....Many vehicles got stuck and it seems that Colin had to pay men to push him out of the parking place once they'd dropped me and Nalongo( Harriet is the mother of twins hence Nalongo)
I was glad of the rather gaudy stole we'd had made on Saturday to cover me up for church as it got quite cold and we sat in a tent for hours listening to speeches and only glimpsing the newly weds between the hordes of cameramen. Apparently my group had been spotted in church on live T.V. this morning . Don' suppose the wedding has had much coverage in U.K. Whilst we were waiting for the Wedding service to begin -my bum went to sleep at one point and I was grateful to have to stand and sing hymns-we read todays newspaper of the Royal wedding so far.....!
It was fascinating to see the fashions and the variety of unsuitable shoes up on the Royal Hill.Eventually they served food - and I mean served - by ladies beautifully dressed in blue and gold traditional dress as we sat in a beautiful tent containing many round tables with tablecloths and lovely flower arrangements plus glasses and cutlery!A far cry from Princess Ruth's father's coronation back in 1965! The food was tasty and the best I've eaten in the past 3 days.The dinner at Charles Graduation was spectacterly bad!
Princess Ruth wore a fairytale white dress for the Church and a slimmer white dress up at the Palace. Christopher wore a white dinner jacket - very american.
It was moving in the church when everyone clapped and ululated when Ruth and Christopher said "I do" and the outgoing Achbishop Orombi gave a clear, accessable sermon both practical and spiritual.
Finally, we waited for the present giving and the dancing to begin before Doctor, Evah and I stumbled our way home back down the Royal hill to find Colin waiting for us on the main road opposite the road to Kyebambe, my old school where I taught over 40 years ago!
Wrote a blog yesterday but lost the Internet and that entry!
The challenges of living in Uganda!
Anyway, over the past 3 days I have been to an Introduction (kind of Engagement Party),a Wake at the end of the ritual 4 days of mourning after Margaret Tinka's father died, a graduation Dinner (Grace's son Charles and Dorothy & Doreen's brother) and The Royal Wedding of Princess Ruth Komuntale and Black American Christopher Thomas! Am exhausted!
I'll do the Introduction in detail later but want to write up today and The Wedding whilst it is still fresh..........
We got up at 7am talking about being in the church by 8am but of course, This Is Africa and we actually got to the cathedral ( memories of taking the Kyebambe boarders to church there every Sunday in the Sixties!) at around 9am.Found a pew towards the front but as the church filled up squeezed people in until I was really squashed between Doctor and Nalongo(Harriet, one of Evah's sisters) The police Band began playing about 10:15 ( service scheduled to start at 10am and the Groom's party arrived 11:30 and the Omukama followed by the Bride about midday.Meanwhile as more and more people crowded in they eventually moved the choir out and frantically kept bringing in more plastic seats. At one point they carried in the Omukama's throne only to be told by The Bishop or was it the Archbishop to take it back as there was a designated seat for King Oyo. Princess Bagaya, my old friend decided to move her seat in order to accomodate The Speaker of the Parliament! The poor king of Benin left the cathedral at one point only to be brought back in when they pushed the choir out.................
I can't add any pictures today because my camera disappeared as I walked up the last part of the hill up to The Omukama's palace. Evah and Doctor had walked the whole way up the hill ,as the line of cars was bumper to bumper and was at a standstill for minutes on end.Colin managed to drive halfway for me -he and Doreen wanted to execute Plan B and just go home for food and drink when we left the cathedral about 1;45pm but felt obliged to get me up to the palace, knowing there would be a long wait for food. I think the camera got pinched as I was on the phone trying to liaise with Evah to come and get me in as I had no Invitation on me!
The good thing was that it rained whilst we were in church but the bad thing was it became very muddy....Many vehicles got stuck and it seems that Colin had to pay men to push him out of the parking place once they'd dropped me and Nalongo( Harriet is the mother of twins hence Nalongo)
I was glad of the rather gaudy stole we'd had made on Saturday to cover me up for church as it got quite cold and we sat in a tent for hours listening to speeches and only glimpsing the newly weds between the hordes of cameramen. Apparently my group had been spotted in church on live T.V. this morning . Don' suppose the wedding has had much coverage in U.K. Whilst we were waiting for the Wedding service to begin -my bum went to sleep at one point and I was grateful to have to stand and sing hymns-we read todays newspaper of the Royal wedding so far.....!
It was fascinating to see the fashions and the variety of unsuitable shoes up on the Royal Hill.Eventually they served food - and I mean served - by ladies beautifully dressed in blue and gold traditional dress as we sat in a beautiful tent containing many round tables with tablecloths and lovely flower arrangements plus glasses and cutlery!A far cry from Princess Ruth's father's coronation back in 1965! The food was tasty and the best I've eaten in the past 3 days.The dinner at Charles Graduation was spectacterly bad!
Princess Ruth wore a fairytale white dress for the Church and a slimmer white dress up at the Palace. Christopher wore a white dinner jacket - very american.
It was moving in the church when everyone clapped and ululated when Ruth and Christopher said "I do" and the outgoing Achbishop Orombi gave a clear, accessable sermon both practical and spiritual.
Finally, we waited for the present giving and the dancing to begin before Doctor, Evah and I stumbled our way home back down the Royal hill to find Colin waiting for us on the main road opposite the road to Kyebambe, my old school where I taught over 40 years ago!
Thursday, 15 November 2012
THURSDAY 15thNovember.
Is anyone reading this?
It has been so frustrating not being able to connect to the Internet, but now it is 10;30 pm and I am conected.........but it will it disconnect?
Anyway had the most fabulous day starting with fried grasshoppers for breakfast in Fort Portal! Evah herded us all into Doctor Makuru's 4x4 and we set off only to discover E. hadn't got her mobile so turned back ....and she was sitting on it all the time. We were in a rush to deliver dresses to some "bridesmaids" at the Royal wedding which was due to start at 10am. It was now after 10:30am and we set off again only to find that Collin our nephew and driver had no socks .... and E. was wearing no ear rings ....so we stopped in town to buy earrings and socks... Doctor directed C but E said no so lots of shouting and then we realised we had gone the long way round and no-one had any idea where we were and the locals were no help.... we were looking for the village home of the Princess's uncle... Eventually at around 11;30 WE FOUND THE PLACE!Evah and I took the dresses round the back of the house - after thorough security checks and I caught a glimpse of Princess Ruth Komuntale getting made up...
The sun was really hot but we found seats in a marquee that were relatively shady and the sun did move round so that when the ceremonies began ...... at around 1pm!!!!!!!! ... we were not getting burned.
More tomorrow............
Is anyone reading this?
It has been so frustrating not being able to connect to the Internet, but now it is 10;30 pm and I am conected.........but it will it disconnect?
The sun was really hot but we found seats in a marquee that were relatively shady and the sun did move round so that when the ceremonies began ...... at around 1pm!!!!!!!! ... we were not getting burned.
More tomorrow............
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
TUESDAY 12th November.
Caught 9am LINK bus to Kampala which left 45 minutes late whilst it filled up. Travelled with Maz from SOFTPOWER and we laughed and chatted all the way to Kampala when we got aout at Bwaise and were met by Godfrey Taxi. No-one in at Kololo but tracked Evah and Dr, Margaret down in beauty salon. I ashed to try to sort out my Internet at MTN but not a lot of help moneywise although Internet seems accessible now.....
Spent a couple of relaxing hours getting feet and hands done ready for The Royal Wedding on Saturday.
Introduction on Thursday so travelling to Fort Portal tomorrow.
Will try to catch up in the next few days.....
Caught 9am LINK bus to Kampala which left 45 minutes late whilst it filled up. Travelled with Maz from SOFTPOWER and we laughed and chatted all the way to Kampala when we got aout at Bwaise and were met by Godfrey Taxi. No-one in at Kololo but tracked Evah and Dr, Margaret down in beauty salon. I ashed to try to sort out my Internet at MTN but not a lot of help moneywise although Internet seems accessible now.....
Spent a couple of relaxing hours getting feet and hands done ready for The Royal Wedding on Saturday.
Introduction on Thursday so travelling to Fort Portal tomorrow.
Will try to catch up in the next few days.....
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
THURSDAY 8th November
The last 2 days have been quiet, but somewhat frustrated by the sporadic Internet which has caused me to lose a lot of my postings .
Monday and Tuesday school was closed apart from the candidates sitting their P.L.E. exam so it was dobly frustrating not to be able to use hat time on the Internet.I have taken to eating an avocado with bread and butter at lunchtime - they are so huge!
The last 2 days have been quiet, but somewhat frustrated by the sporadic Internet which has caused me to lose a lot of my postings .
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
FURZEDOWN'S VISIT TI THE VILLAGE KISUUGA 28.10.12
We all received such a warm welcome that it was humbling. We fully enjoyed the the beautiful singing of the choir accompanied by traditional instruments.
Janine, an American missionary gave a sermon on "LOVE" which was translated into the local language by Rev Moses from another parish who came to add gravitas to the occasion. Our visit was a great occasion for the whole community.
When the service ended all the gifts which had been given in lieu of cash were auctioned off which caused lots of merriment as we visitors entered into the swing of things:Nick and I helped to push up the price of a bunch of matooke.We all felt uncomfortable when our group was invited to sit and partake of the food I had brought intended for 40. There were more than 90 left behind in the church (it had been raining outside) so we tried to share the food with everyone. It is a tightrope trying to balance between two cultural divides but we managed to give everyone something to eat - truly a case of The Loaves and fishes..........
Finally we trooped out to visit the site of Rev. Elizabeth's new house. She is building a new one because the old mud hut she is currently residing in with her family of four is full of jiggers and rats and too small.
When the service ended all the gifts which had been given in lieu of cash were auctioned off which caused lots of merriment as we visitors entered into the swing of things:Nick and I helped to push up the price of a bunch of matooke.We all felt uncomfortable when our group was invited to sit and partake of the food I had brought intended for 40. There were more than 90 left behind in the church (it had been raining outside) so we tried to share the food with everyone. It is a tightrope trying to balance between two cultural divides but we managed to give everyone something to eat - truly a case of The Loaves and fishes..........
Monday, 5 November 2012
This is the Reverend Elizabeth welcoming our group of teachers from Furzedown Primary School who spent their Half Term visiting Uganda and Kabalega Primary in particular. Since going to church - be it Anglican, R.C or attending the mosque is such an important part of life in Uganda - most people have no access to cinema or library - I felt that my colleagues would find a Sunday at Church helpful in understanding the lives of our pupils here.
MONDAY NOVEMBER5th
What a frustrating day!
Have been unable to connect all weekend to The Internet plus electric power has been sporadic so asked Mustapha to take me down to MTN on his motorbike (bodaboda). The guys there told me that my "chip" in my dongle was corrupted and eventually after phoning Kampala they were able to explain that since I had not used my dongle for the 6 months I was back in U.K. it had been deleted and I had to go to Kampala to get my money back........... so we compromised and I spent another sh. 40.000 in order to get it working until I went to Kampala so that when I go to meet Baz off the plane I can also get the sh. 80.000 back off the "corrupted" i.e. deleted chip then!!!!!!
After waiting for power I now find that the Internet is weak...........
However I have chatted to Lynn and Ronnie of REDEARTH and popped in to Kabalega school which is closed due to the PLE exams and arranged with Mary Mukonyezi that we will have a training session a week on Wednesday so that Kabalega may try for REDEARTH'S bronze award..........
It has been raining heavily overnight and I have been reading late so I have been having my breakfast later and later. It has been very cold. However I got up at 6:45am yesterday Sunday and met Manager Robert who then drove me to worship at the cathedral. I was made to stand up and hear Rev. Frances Kajura heap praises on my head. Met loads of colleagues and old friends including Michael Kaheru.
The papers are full of princess Ruth Komuntale's forthcoming wedding in Fort Portal. Where is my invitation?!!!!!!!!She is taking over as 'Bateebe" from Princess Elizabeth Bagaya.
The picture was taken during our "teaprty" at Teacher Joseph's house last week. Will be meeting Bishop Elect George Kasangaki on the 18th so the news that the bishop's robes are on the way is heartening.
What a frustrating day!
Have been unable to connect all weekend to The Internet plus electric power has been sporadic so asked Mustapha to take me down to MTN on his motorbike (bodaboda). The guys there told me that my "chip" in my dongle was corrupted and eventually after phoning Kampala they were able to explain that since I had not used my dongle for the 6 months I was back in U.K. it had been deleted and I had to go to Kampala to get my money back........... so we compromised and I spent another sh. 40.000 in order to get it working until I went to Kampala so that when I go to meet Baz off the plane I can also get the sh. 80.000 back off the "corrupted" i.e. deleted chip then!!!!!!
After waiting for power I now find that the Internet is weak...........
However I have chatted to Lynn and Ronnie of REDEARTH and popped in to Kabalega school which is closed due to the PLE exams and arranged with Mary Mukonyezi that we will have a training session a week on Wednesday so that Kabalega may try for REDEARTH'S bronze award..........
It has been raining heavily overnight and I have been reading late so I have been having my breakfast later and later. It has been very cold. However I got up at 6:45am yesterday Sunday and met Manager Robert who then drove me to worship at the cathedral. I was made to stand up and hear Rev. Frances Kajura heap praises on my head. Met loads of colleagues and old friends including Michael Kaheru.
The papers are full of princess Ruth Komuntale's forthcoming wedding in Fort Portal. Where is my invitation?!!!!!!!!She is taking over as 'Bateebe" from Princess Elizabeth Bagaya.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
THURSDAY 1st November2012
Wonder of wonders! We've had electric power AND the Internet all day!
Spent the morning showing the P7s the magnets I brought and letting them play with them.Great fun.
Was dismayed to find that that Welder Francis had made two complete metal window frames complete with grilles and shutters. I understood from Monica that he was goinr to simply add vertical bars to the exising metal frames but both he and Mary headteacher assured me that Monica had subsequently commissioned him to make these frames to replace the wooden ones on the back walls of he classroom. But who will pay for the wooden ones to be ripped out and the new metal ones to be cemented in?
Still can't get hold of Monica.................
Felt very tired and lazy after lunch - the weather is very hot and thundery.It seems to rain mostly over night
Spent a wonderful evening at Teacher Nebbert's mother in laws place in a village maybe 7 kilometres from Masindi.The road was muddy and full of potholes. We slid a couple of times and encountered cows....
Nebbert's wife died in childbirth and he wanted me to see his surviving baby boy.
The grandmother is a widow and is looking after baby Herbert along with several other grandchildren.
There was a lovely meal plus coke and lots of praying and a few tears . Next month Nebbert waants to take me to his wife's grave.
Wonder of wonders! We've had electric power AND the Internet all day!
Spent the morning showing the P7s the magnets I brought and letting them play with them.Great fun.
Was dismayed to find that that Welder Francis had made two complete metal window frames complete with grilles and shutters. I understood from Monica that he was goinr to simply add vertical bars to the exising metal frames but both he and Mary headteacher assured me that Monica had subsequently commissioned him to make these frames to replace the wooden ones on the back walls of he classroom. But who will pay for the wooden ones to be ripped out and the new metal ones to be cemented in?
Still can't get hold of Monica.................
There was a lovely meal plus coke and lots of praying and a few tears . Next month Nebbert waants to take me to his wife's grave.
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