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.