WEDNESDAY 30th continued.
They have let Junior out of prison so I broke off to greet him
To contnue: at the Police station we reported the theft as a child was screaming and voices were shouting and doors clanging. We noticed a woman sitting on a mat at the end of the corridor with a months old baby sleeping beside another to aged maybe 3 and 4. Her 1 year old was the one sceaming with hunger. Her husband had abandoned her and she wanted to return to her mother up in Pader , in the North. Sallie wanted tobring them back to the hotel but Robert persuaded her to send them food instead. We returned to the hotel to await the Police Dog. When he camewith his anler and 2 or 3 other policemen we went to my room and the dog was taken inside after licking me. He boundd off round the back to the staff quarters and stopped outside Junior's room The polce went in and arrested Junior. None of us could believe that Junior was the thief.We knew that his scent was in my room because, as housekeeper he had a key and had brought my laundry back and put it in the wardrobe that evening. After Junior was arrested, one of the cooks came and told us that about 8pm he had raced out of the kitchen to pick up some samosas as he had run out of them and seen a man atanding smoking near my banda. And when he had returned that man was still there Then, Albina the receptionist came forward and said that a brown man had booked and paid for the room next to mine but had barely stayed 3 hours around that time, dropping his key back at Reception. Francis the waiter said that he had seen the brown man talking to the other stranger in one of the open bandas.
We went back to the Police station with this new eveidence but they didn't ant us to tell them what to do.
Meanwhile, young Junior spent the night in Masindi Prison. Briefly Junior is a young sensitive graduate who has been sponsored by Astrid and is earning a bit by helping out at the hotel whilst Kaawa the regular Housekeeper is on sickleave.
This morning, we went back to the Police Station both to make my statement and to get Junior out.
We saw the top men but were told to return in the afternoon.Sallie and Robert went back - I had "withdrawn my charge" and "forgiven" Junior in the morning.
The poor boy is quite distraught but we have all told him that it was all a mistake.
Meanwhile I have had to apologise to Princess Elizabeth Bagaya with whom I was to have spent this evening but I will go to Kampala at 8am tomorrow in Wamani's taxi and spend the day with her before checking in at Entebbe at 10am.
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
WEDNESDAY 30th APRIL 2014.
This, probably mylast before I fly back to U.K. is being written on a borrowed computer and comes with a health warning.
MY BELOVED NEW LAPTOP WAS STOLEN LAST NIGHT WHILST I WAS AT DINNER.
I had been having a most succesfull day, visiting Shining House, Roger Turner's orphanage and then going up to Kabalega Primary with Rogers to install th compuer and link up the printer and also to take possession of the two cupboards and pay the carpenter ( his wife of 20 yrs died last year in childbirthalthough the child - their seventh lived. His mother now keeps house for him).Milly the new Head at Kabalega couldn't get the electricity switched on so we abandoned that idea. Rogers will goback once school reopens May 19th. Came home to te hotel all hot and sweaty and indulged in a cold Bell beer. Chatted to Sallie and Robert and about 7pm as it was getting dark popped round tomy room, dumpd my handbag and picked up the outfit the tailor made for my grear niece, to show
Sallie.My laptop was in its usual place.
We chatted to Florence the CID officer and ordered dinner. At 9pm Rober moved into the Bar to watch the News but since it was the local one I said goodnight and went to my banda. As I neared my room I noticed that the lights were on and the curtains open.I unlocked the door and went to the desk to write thid Blog ..............to find no computer! I then looked across the room to where my hndbag was on the floor near the bdside table. Since I had been to the ATM to get funds for my journey home via Kampala I opened it and looked inside my wallet -all the cash left from paying the carpenter had gone!
I rushed back to get Robert the Hotel Manager and we both went and searched my room . Nothing. We then caught Sallie as she was about to go home with Wamani Taxi and he drove us to the Police station
This, probably mylast before I fly back to U.K. is being written on a borrowed computer and comes with a health warning.
MY BELOVED NEW LAPTOP WAS STOLEN LAST NIGHT WHILST I WAS AT DINNER.
I had been having a most succesfull day, visiting Shining House, Roger Turner's orphanage and then going up to Kabalega Primary with Rogers to install th compuer and link up the printer and also to take possession of the two cupboards and pay the carpenter ( his wife of 20 yrs died last year in childbirthalthough the child - their seventh lived. His mother now keeps house for him).Milly the new Head at Kabalega couldn't get the electricity switched on so we abandoned that idea. Rogers will goback once school reopens May 19th. Came home to te hotel all hot and sweaty and indulged in a cold Bell beer. Chatted to Sallie and Robert and about 7pm as it was getting dark popped round tomy room, dumpd my handbag and picked up the outfit the tailor made for my grear niece, to show
Sallie.My laptop was in its usual place.
We chatted to Florence the CID officer and ordered dinner. At 9pm Rober moved into the Bar to watch the News but since it was the local one I said goodnight and went to my banda. As I neared my room I noticed that the lights were on and the curtains open.I unlocked the door and went to the desk to write thid Blog ..............to find no computer! I then looked across the room to where my hndbag was on the floor near the bdside table. Since I had been to the ATM to get funds for my journey home via Kampala I opened it and looked inside my wallet -all the cash left from paying the carpenter had gone!
I rushed back to get Robert the Hotel Manager and we both went and searched my room . Nothing. We then caught Sallie as she was about to go home with Wamani Taxi and he drove us to the Police station
Monday, 28 April 2014
MONDAY 27th APRIL 2014.
Had a very successful day today.
Although I turned over and went back to sleep around 6:30am when it was dark, raining and no power, I did manage to get showered and dressed for breakfast for 9am when Sallie joined me. Was unable to find out about the land leasing deal but I enjoyed my breakfast of lightly boiled eggs arriving at the same time as the toast so I could eat them warm together. Well done waiter Francis!
I wandered into town and went straight to Aunt Joy's in order to order the dress for Felicity but they were closed. So I went back to Peace for Piece and tailor Olive said yes she could oblige. I chose a small African print and drew a picture of what I wanted and gave her the measurements, kindly sent by grandfather Robert. At 4:30 pm Olive phoned me to say the outfit was ready! How about that for service!
Arriving back at the hotel I was all hot and sweaty so ordered a cool glass of pineapple juice and bought another Lindsey Davis detective story on my Kindle. Tried to phone Mary Mukonyazi whose scissors I had kept for the last 2 years She then called me ( had been weeding in her shamba) and arranged for Wamani to drive me over to Katasenywa to see her . Went over to my banda once the maid had finishedtidying it and sent off a couple of emails and then realised I was running late for my trip to visit Mary Mukonyezi in her village 20 miles away.
Wamani waited whilst I finished my lunch of salad and then drove carefully along the very rutted Hoima road. At Bulima we asked for directions to her brother, Archdeacon Jonathan's place and there she was all smiles and pleased to see me. I was introduced to Jonathan's daughter and grandchildren etc etc and shown her own house next door. Wamani and I were both given fried chicken and a bottle of soda. Such hospitality! About 4:15pm we said farewell and rushed back to Masindi both to pick up
Felicity's outfit- I got Olive to quickly stitch a bag to match - and to meet waitress Big Sylvia who wanted me to meet her youngest daughter named after my mother, Daisy. I had last seen Daisy as a 4 day old newborn! She is now 3 years old! Sylvia wasn't at the hotel when I got back so I joined Sue in a cup of tea before going for a shower, When I came out I found Sylvia and the children in one banda and Bishop George and Joyce in another. Sallie and Sue helped me entertain both groups of guests and Sylvia explained the eldest child was not hers but her best friend's who had died. I took photos of Sylvia and the children in their best dresses and thanked her for her gift of a pineapple.
Finally I had a lovely calm Dinner with Bishop George a nd Joyce plus Sallie and Sue. We all chose the baked fillet of Nile Perch with mushroom sauce. Wamani had stopped the car on the way to the village so that I could buy the mushrooms from two ragged little boys along the road, incidentally near the Bishop's home also in Katasenywa (t he place of no firewood).
Tomorrow I will meet with Joseph Isingoma...............
Had a very successful day today.
Although I turned over and went back to sleep around 6:30am when it was dark, raining and no power, I did manage to get showered and dressed for breakfast for 9am when Sallie joined me. Was unable to find out about the land leasing deal but I enjoyed my breakfast of lightly boiled eggs arriving at the same time as the toast so I could eat them warm together. Well done waiter Francis!
I wandered into town and went straight to Aunt Joy's in order to order the dress for Felicity but they were closed. So I went back to Peace for Piece and tailor Olive said yes she could oblige. I chose a small African print and drew a picture of what I wanted and gave her the measurements, kindly sent by grandfather Robert. At 4:30 pm Olive phoned me to say the outfit was ready! How about that for service!
Arriving back at the hotel I was all hot and sweaty so ordered a cool glass of pineapple juice and bought another Lindsey Davis detective story on my Kindle. Tried to phone Mary Mukonyazi whose scissors I had kept for the last 2 years She then called me ( had been weeding in her shamba) and arranged for Wamani to drive me over to Katasenywa to see her . Went over to my banda once the maid had finishedtidying it and sent off a couple of emails and then realised I was running late for my trip to visit Mary Mukonyezi in her village 20 miles away.
Wamani waited whilst I finished my lunch of salad and then drove carefully along the very rutted Hoima road. At Bulima we asked for directions to her brother, Archdeacon Jonathan's place and there she was all smiles and pleased to see me. I was introduced to Jonathan's daughter and grandchildren etc etc and shown her own house next door. Wamani and I were both given fried chicken and a bottle of soda. Such hospitality! About 4:15pm we said farewell and rushed back to Masindi both to pick up
Felicity's outfit- I got Olive to quickly stitch a bag to match - and to meet waitress Big Sylvia who wanted me to meet her youngest daughter named after my mother, Daisy. I had last seen Daisy as a 4 day old newborn! She is now 3 years old! Sylvia wasn't at the hotel when I got back so I joined Sue in a cup of tea before going for a shower, When I came out I found Sylvia and the children in one banda and Bishop George and Joyce in another. Sallie and Sue helped me entertain both groups of guests and Sylvia explained the eldest child was not hers but her best friend's who had died. I took photos of Sylvia and the children in their best dresses and thanked her for her gift of a pineapple.
Finally I had a lovely calm Dinner with Bishop George a nd Joyce plus Sallie and Sue. We all chose the baked fillet of Nile Perch with mushroom sauce. Wamani had stopped the car on the way to the village so that I could buy the mushrooms from two ragged little boys along the road, incidentally near the Bishop's home also in Katasenywa (t he place of no firewood).
Tomorrow I will meet with Joseph Isingoma...............
Sunday, 27 April 2014
THE THIRD POST on Sunday 27th April.
Janine is still sick - I think she overdid it last Saturday when we went to Mirya Kalwa and Bweyale before she was fully recovered from flu...........Anyway I tore myself away from attempting to chat with three deaf and dumb young men. It seems that Sue had met one of these in Masindi and brought him back to the hotel for me to say whether or not he was the guy I had met working as an Instructor of carpentry at The School for the Handicapped. He is not that guy. Sue had hoped that her protegee had got a job at The School for the Handicapped because he is lonely in Bweyale where no-one knows how to sign. He lost his hearing as a child when he caught meningitis. He was so delighted to meet up with Isaac who Sallie feeds and his friend. They were all three beaming as they communicated by sign language.
I tore myself away when the samosas Janine had fancied were ready and I asked Moses Taxi to drag himself away from the Chelsea v Liverpool match to take me to Janine's. She is actually a bit better and had showered and dressed, We sat in her Living Room drinking tea and eating biscuits (and samosas in her case!) and watching, through the fly screen, 3 or 4 vervet monkeys chasing each other and coming up quite close to her front door. I love them but they are a terrible pest for Janine as they eat her mangoes and maize and steal her chicks. The monkeys have been driven near Janine and The Cathedral by the draining of the swamp between the Cathedral and Sallie's hotel plus more people have cultivated land up from the swamp and chase the monkeys away. I don't think they are endangered yet but it is a big tussle between people and animals...............
To go back to Friday, when I woke up in Kampala, I had a lovely day! Dorothy Mugenyi had met me at The Bus Park in Kampala, when I arrived at around 4pm on Thursday and we jumped in a Special Hire Taxi which took us to the computer shop "New Feathers" to buy the printer I had promised Kabalega Primary School. We carried on to Doctor Margaret's and after Dinner of matooke and chicken stew we chatted quite late until young Doreen arrived home from work around 10pm. Dorothy had invited me to her middle son's Graduation at Nakawa Vocational School the next day Friday, so I was quite tired when I got up at 8am ready to accompany Dorothy to Nakawa. We travelled by "matatu" minibus taxi- squeezing in and paying sh .100 each or about 30 pence!The Graduation consisted of many long speeches , ones by The Japanese Ambassador and the new Minister for Education included but we were all given a bottle of water and later a bottle of soda plus a bun!There was a interval of traditional dancing but it was cut short by an imminent thunder storm. Dorothy's son, Bruno had graduated in electrical engineering. The college offers courses in such practical skills as plumbing, welding, carpentry and brick laying , all vital in a developing country such as Uganda. Bruno looked very handsome in his cap and gown and we had both professional and amateur photos taken! We then jumped into another matatu and rushed to a restaurant in Centenary Park where I treated us all to lunch! Bruno had to report back to work so Dorothy and I walked back through the park to Kololo and Doctor's place where I promptly fell asleep ( they teased me that the beer I have been drinking - Nile Special - is too strong and I should revert to Bell or Tusker
which have a lower alcohol content!!!!!) I woke up in time for a little dinner of rice and beef and more gossip with Doctor Margaret and her friend Jean, retired Resident District Commissioner. I should add that Doctor Margaret' own children are married ( one son was killed during the Idi Amin years whilst a schoolboy)but she continues to look after several nephews and nieces such as Doreen.
Janine is still sick - I think she overdid it last Saturday when we went to Mirya Kalwa and Bweyale before she was fully recovered from flu...........Anyway I tore myself away from attempting to chat with three deaf and dumb young men. It seems that Sue had met one of these in Masindi and brought him back to the hotel for me to say whether or not he was the guy I had met working as an Instructor of carpentry at The School for the Handicapped. He is not that guy. Sue had hoped that her protegee had got a job at The School for the Handicapped because he is lonely in Bweyale where no-one knows how to sign. He lost his hearing as a child when he caught meningitis. He was so delighted to meet up with Isaac who Sallie feeds and his friend. They were all three beaming as they communicated by sign language.
I tore myself away when the samosas Janine had fancied were ready and I asked Moses Taxi to drag himself away from the Chelsea v Liverpool match to take me to Janine's. She is actually a bit better and had showered and dressed, We sat in her Living Room drinking tea and eating biscuits (and samosas in her case!) and watching, through the fly screen, 3 or 4 vervet monkeys chasing each other and coming up quite close to her front door. I love them but they are a terrible pest for Janine as they eat her mangoes and maize and steal her chicks. The monkeys have been driven near Janine and The Cathedral by the draining of the swamp between the Cathedral and Sallie's hotel plus more people have cultivated land up from the swamp and chase the monkeys away. I don't think they are endangered yet but it is a big tussle between people and animals...............
To go back to Friday, when I woke up in Kampala, I had a lovely day! Dorothy Mugenyi had met me at The Bus Park in Kampala, when I arrived at around 4pm on Thursday and we jumped in a Special Hire Taxi which took us to the computer shop "New Feathers" to buy the printer I had promised Kabalega Primary School. We carried on to Doctor Margaret's and after Dinner of matooke and chicken stew we chatted quite late until young Doreen arrived home from work around 10pm. Dorothy had invited me to her middle son's Graduation at Nakawa Vocational School the next day Friday, so I was quite tired when I got up at 8am ready to accompany Dorothy to Nakawa. We travelled by "matatu" minibus taxi- squeezing in and paying sh .100 each or about 30 pence!The Graduation consisted of many long speeches , ones by The Japanese Ambassador and the new Minister for Education included but we were all given a bottle of water and later a bottle of soda plus a bun!There was a interval of traditional dancing but it was cut short by an imminent thunder storm. Dorothy's son, Bruno had graduated in electrical engineering. The college offers courses in such practical skills as plumbing, welding, carpentry and brick laying , all vital in a developing country such as Uganda. Bruno looked very handsome in his cap and gown and we had both professional and amateur photos taken! We then jumped into another matatu and rushed to a restaurant in Centenary Park where I treated us all to lunch! Bruno had to report back to work so Dorothy and I walked back through the park to Kololo and Doctor's place where I promptly fell asleep ( they teased me that the beer I have been drinking - Nile Special - is too strong and I should revert to Bell or Tusker
which have a lower alcohol content!!!!!) I woke up in time for a little dinner of rice and beef and more gossip with Doctor Margaret and her friend Jean, retired Resident District Commissioner. I should add that Doctor Margaret' own children are married ( one son was killed during the Idi Amin years whilst a schoolboy)but she continues to look after several nephews and nieces such as Doreen.
SECOND BLOG of SUNDAY 27th APRIL
There is so much to tell, I don't know where to begin!
This morning I went to church at The Cathedral, getting a lift with Robert Manager. We got into conversation with Sue so arrived a bit late and had to squeeze in behind a pillar on the back row.
We found The Mothers' Union in full spate celebrating Lady Day.....................
All the Mothers' union members were dressed in either white satin gomasi or sukas made of a pretty blue and white pattern featuring the blue MU logo. There were many prayers led by various ladies and the choir sang and a few members performed a play in Runyoro which I could neither understand or see being so far back! Robert later explained that it had been performed earlier at the Runyoro service and that they repeated it for us and that it was about out a wealthy man who broke up his home life by showering money and gifts on a young girl, not his wife. There was a male guest of honour who mentioned how his parents had stayed together and how his Mum had ameliorated his Dad's harshness when he flunked his "A" levels and due to her intervention he went on to get a degree at Makerere University. Bishop George honoured us with his presence and we ended with an auction - a homemade ball made of knitted banana fibre raised a lot of money as The Chief of Police and a top Headmaster bid against each other!
There is so much to tell, I don't know where to begin!
This morning I went to church at The Cathedral, getting a lift with Robert Manager. We got into conversation with Sue so arrived a bit late and had to squeeze in behind a pillar on the back row.
We found The Mothers' Union in full spate celebrating Lady Day.....................
All the Mothers' union members were dressed in either white satin gomasi or sukas made of a pretty blue and white pattern featuring the blue MU logo. There were many prayers led by various ladies and the choir sang and a few members performed a play in Runyoro which I could neither understand or see being so far back! Robert later explained that it had been performed earlier at the Runyoro service and that they repeated it for us and that it was about out a wealthy man who broke up his home life by showering money and gifts on a young girl, not his wife. There was a male guest of honour who mentioned how his parents had stayed together and how his Mum had ameliorated his Dad's harshness when he flunked his "A" levels and due to her intervention he went on to get a degree at Makerere University. Bishop George honoured us with his presence and we ended with an auction - a homemade ball made of knitted banana fibre raised a lot of money as The Chief of Police and a top Headmaster bid against each other!
SUNDAY 27th ARRIL2014
Arrived back from Kampala yesterday about 3:30pm EXTREMELY hot and sweaty! The first thing I did was rush to my room and have a cold shower including hairwash! Bliss!
So, Saturday morning I woke up about 8am at Doctor Margaret Mukulu's house in Kololo where I shared a bedroom with young Doreen who is now working, had a wash and breakfasted on pineapple, bread and margarine and tea.. I phoned Godfrey Taxi to come and pick me up and we drove to The dreaded Bus Park. A porter took my newly bought printer and we pushed through the noisy sweaty crowd to the LINK bus stand - only to find no bus waiting there. It was 10:45am and I had hoped to find a bus ready to leave at 11am. The porter handed me over to the LINK men who recognise me and one led me to sit at the back of the stand where one woman is in charge of the fridge containing cold sodas ( various hawkers get their supplies from her and climb into the buses selling cold drinks to the waiting passengers). I sat there until 1pm until the bus arrived from Masindi. The interesting thing was I had plenty of time to observe all the comings and goings but the noise -loud music blaring, buses hooting , frequent banging when a bus was about to run someone over as it reversed in a confined space, and general loud voices was very wearing- especially as I had to keep a steely eye on the printer, my overnight bag and my handbag! When the bus arrived another LINK employee took the printer and helped me climb over the pile of goods and luggage waiting to be transported to Masindi and pushed me up into the bus even before the incoming passengers had got out!That way I got a reasonable seat by the window although the young African girl who came to sit next to me fidgeted something horrible!
The bus left at 1: 20pm and we sped to Masindi in 3 hours stopping 2 or 4 times and breaking all speed limits).
After my shower I found Sallie and her friend Sue ( working over here as a VSO volunteer developing Nursery Education) and had a drink and an omelette. We chatted and then I went back to my room to find it reeking of "DOOM" the anti malaria spray and my mosquito net already spread around my bed. The mosquitoes are rampant in this the Rainy Season although Sallie gets her staff to check all stagnant water and spray on a regular basis. So far I have avoided being bitten, using the Avon "soft and lovely" and spraying my ankles in the evening with repellent.
Arrived back from Kampala yesterday about 3:30pm EXTREMELY hot and sweaty! The first thing I did was rush to my room and have a cold shower including hairwash! Bliss!
So, Saturday morning I woke up about 8am at Doctor Margaret Mukulu's house in Kololo where I shared a bedroom with young Doreen who is now working, had a wash and breakfasted on pineapple, bread and margarine and tea.. I phoned Godfrey Taxi to come and pick me up and we drove to The dreaded Bus Park. A porter took my newly bought printer and we pushed through the noisy sweaty crowd to the LINK bus stand - only to find no bus waiting there. It was 10:45am and I had hoped to find a bus ready to leave at 11am. The porter handed me over to the LINK men who recognise me and one led me to sit at the back of the stand where one woman is in charge of the fridge containing cold sodas ( various hawkers get their supplies from her and climb into the buses selling cold drinks to the waiting passengers). I sat there until 1pm until the bus arrived from Masindi. The interesting thing was I had plenty of time to observe all the comings and goings but the noise -loud music blaring, buses hooting , frequent banging when a bus was about to run someone over as it reversed in a confined space, and general loud voices was very wearing- especially as I had to keep a steely eye on the printer, my overnight bag and my handbag! When the bus arrived another LINK employee took the printer and helped me climb over the pile of goods and luggage waiting to be transported to Masindi and pushed me up into the bus even before the incoming passengers had got out!That way I got a reasonable seat by the window although the young African girl who came to sit next to me fidgeted something horrible!
The bus left at 1: 20pm and we sped to Masindi in 3 hours stopping 2 or 4 times and breaking all speed limits).
After my shower I found Sallie and her friend Sue ( working over here as a VSO volunteer developing Nursery Education) and had a drink and an omelette. We chatted and then I went back to my room to find it reeking of "DOOM" the anti malaria spray and my mosquito net already spread around my bed. The mosquitoes are rampant in this the Rainy Season although Sallie gets her staff to check all stagnant water and spray on a regular basis. So far I have avoided being bitten, using the Avon "soft and lovely" and spraying my ankles in the evening with repellent.
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
THIRD POST TODAY April 23rd 2014
I am trying to catch up before I go to Kampala tomorrow for a couple of days.
I don't seem to have mentioned much about Easter but I really wasn't very well on Easter Sunday and although I got up in time after the disastrous meal on Saturday night at The Masindi Hotel I must have missed Robert Hotel Manager who had promised to drive me to the Cathedral and as I waited in the Dining Room I felt increasingly faint so went back to bed. Later Robert said that the cathedral was full to overflowing and a marquee had been set up to accomodate everyone.Janine had apparently looked out for me and in fact texted me but I was back in bed. She sadi the same thing and that George led the service well.
I took it easy on Easter Monday and declined Janine's request to help her with her Easter Egg Hunt at The Family Spirit Orphanage. Mustapha helped her hide the eggs and apparently the kids were terribly excited and some found 3 or 4 eggs each!! She had coloured 10 trays of eggs!
I saved myself for 4pm in the afternoon of Easter Monday when I went to Bishop George's for a fundraising Tea Party!. Some of you will know that the former Bishop Stanley had started to raise money to build a new cathedral for Masindi because the present St. Matthew's is too small. There are many critics, some of whom say the present one could be enlarged but Bishop George took Nehemiah as his text and as a result banked nearly 3 million shillings and has pledges of up to 7 million..... We all sat under a marquee at the "tea party" and it was primarily in Runyoro. Janine and I WERE THE ONLY TWO MZUNGUS and Bishop George occasionally took the trouble to paraphrase in English just for us although Janine has a fair bit of Runyoro now.............. It was the usual long hot afternoon with speeches and then prominent business men making suggestions and George repeating that receipts were to be issued and everything to be transparent. And I think it wil be under George's administration. Then came the auction with Headteacher Byona as Master of Ceremonis and clowning around amusingly and finally at 7pm as it was getting dark we got up to wash our hands and take a plate of matooke, rice beef and cabbage plus a soda. I bumped into Teachers Nebbert taking pics with the camera I sent him fro U.K. and Jackson who has been transferred. He begged me to visit him in his new school so I popped in to see him at Masinddi Town Model Primary yesterday and he was so pleased. They have a library - not too many books but a number of old donated encyclopaedias plus Readers. I hope to talk on Monday with Headteacher of Kabalega Millie about how we can implement Reading Time into the timetable .............
Must pack for an 8am ride to Kampala tomorrow. Will not take laptop so Blog will be resumed on Saurday /Sunday!
I am trying to catch up before I go to Kampala tomorrow for a couple of days.
I don't seem to have mentioned much about Easter but I really wasn't very well on Easter Sunday and although I got up in time after the disastrous meal on Saturday night at The Masindi Hotel I must have missed Robert Hotel Manager who had promised to drive me to the Cathedral and as I waited in the Dining Room I felt increasingly faint so went back to bed. Later Robert said that the cathedral was full to overflowing and a marquee had been set up to accomodate everyone.Janine had apparently looked out for me and in fact texted me but I was back in bed. She sadi the same thing and that George led the service well.
I took it easy on Easter Monday and declined Janine's request to help her with her Easter Egg Hunt at The Family Spirit Orphanage. Mustapha helped her hide the eggs and apparently the kids were terribly excited and some found 3 or 4 eggs each!! She had coloured 10 trays of eggs!
I saved myself for 4pm in the afternoon of Easter Monday when I went to Bishop George's for a fundraising Tea Party!. Some of you will know that the former Bishop Stanley had started to raise money to build a new cathedral for Masindi because the present St. Matthew's is too small. There are many critics, some of whom say the present one could be enlarged but Bishop George took Nehemiah as his text and as a result banked nearly 3 million shillings and has pledges of up to 7 million..... We all sat under a marquee at the "tea party" and it was primarily in Runyoro. Janine and I WERE THE ONLY TWO MZUNGUS and Bishop George occasionally took the trouble to paraphrase in English just for us although Janine has a fair bit of Runyoro now.............. It was the usual long hot afternoon with speeches and then prominent business men making suggestions and George repeating that receipts were to be issued and everything to be transparent. And I think it wil be under George's administration. Then came the auction with Headteacher Byona as Master of Ceremonis and clowning around amusingly and finally at 7pm as it was getting dark we got up to wash our hands and take a plate of matooke, rice beef and cabbage plus a soda. I bumped into Teachers Nebbert taking pics with the camera I sent him fro U.K. and Jackson who has been transferred. He begged me to visit him in his new school so I popped in to see him at Masinddi Town Model Primary yesterday and he was so pleased. They have a library - not too many books but a number of old donated encyclopaedias plus Readers. I hope to talk on Monday with Headteacher of Kabalega Millie about how we can implement Reading Time into the timetable .............
Must pack for an 8am ride to Kampala tomorrow. Will not take laptop so Blog will be resumed on Saurday /Sunday!
SECOND POST ON APRIL23rd
Went to Kinogozi Primary School this morning (total enrolment 186 pupils) to deliver 4 of those cheap charts (sh.2.00) the boys sell in the street. This school is very poor and when I went to visit George Byarugaba and Florence who had been transferred there at the beginning of term, one of the teachers begged for an Atlas etc. So I took her a map of Uganda and a world map. I also gave the P1 teacher an ABC chart and the P6 AND 7 teachers a chart of the human body
I ended up taking photographs of them all! Many children have not returned after the Easter weekend and the teachers are all busy marking and writing Reports. Needless to say Ggeorge Byarugaba was nowhere to be seen.
After lunch, Mustapha took me to Kabalega Primary where again everyone was writing Reports and the children went home early. Term officially ends on Friday. I attempted to do an Inventory of all the goodies I have used your money for over the last few years.
I found:
Out of 7 clocks 2 in working order
Magnets in place.
31 out of 50 P7 ENGLISH TEXTS 2 years old and very worn and torn
30 P7 MATHS new
30 P6 ENGLISH new
00 P6 MATHS (none bought)
00 P5 ENGLISH (none bought)
50 P5 MATHS not bad - one year old
50 Atlases not bad condition
couldn't check on the DVD player although said to be with Teacher Felly
3 boxes of Magic Key Readers also with Felly
I saw the box of Phonics materials last week.
I hope to go to Kampala tomorrow for a couple of days -Evah was phoning from U.K. and Doctor Margaret phoned to say I m welcome to stay at her place in Kololo ( posh part of Kampala!)
Evidentally Princess Bagaya is hoping to see me.......................
Will now relax with my latest Lindsey Davies detective story on my Kindle.
Went to Kinogozi Primary School this morning (total enrolment 186 pupils) to deliver 4 of those cheap charts (sh.2.00) the boys sell in the street. This school is very poor and when I went to visit George Byarugaba and Florence who had been transferred there at the beginning of term, one of the teachers begged for an Atlas etc. So I took her a map of Uganda and a world map. I also gave the P1 teacher an ABC chart and the P6 AND 7 teachers a chart of the human body
I ended up taking photographs of them all! Many children have not returned after the Easter weekend and the teachers are all busy marking and writing Reports. Needless to say Ggeorge Byarugaba was nowhere to be seen.
After lunch, Mustapha took me to Kabalega Primary where again everyone was writing Reports and the children went home early. Term officially ends on Friday. I attempted to do an Inventory of all the goodies I have used your money for over the last few years.
I found:
Out of 7 clocks 2 in working order
Magnets in place.
31 out of 50 P7 ENGLISH TEXTS 2 years old and very worn and torn
30 P7 MATHS new
30 P6 ENGLISH new
00 P6 MATHS (none bought)
00 P5 ENGLISH (none bought)
50 P5 MATHS not bad - one year old
50 Atlases not bad condition
couldn't check on the DVD player although said to be with Teacher Felly
3 boxes of Magic Key Readers also with Felly
I saw the box of Phonics materials last week.
I hope to go to Kampala tomorrow for a couple of days -Evah was phoning from U.K. and Doctor Margaret phoned to say I m welcome to stay at her place in Kololo ( posh part of Kampala!)
Evidentally Princess Bagaya is hoping to see me.......................
Will now relax with my latest Lindsey Davies detective story on my Kindle.
WEDNESDAY 23rd April 2014
Had a bit of a problem with gmail accessing my account over the last couple of days so had to wait for Rodgers to return from his Easter break in Kampala ...and then when we looked it had righted itself and let me in!. The mysteries if The Internet!
In order, on Ssturday I accompanied missionary Janine as she took a Trainer and 4 trainee Prayer Leaders out to 2 villages out in Kiryandongo - quite a long way on bad murrum roads. I went more to support her than anything - she has been down with a fever and a terrible cough. She was running out of time to prepare for the group of American volunteer doctors mobile clinics to be held in the villages of Mirya kawala and Bweyale. The need for medical help is great out here - there is a nearby hospital but it is understaffed and underresourced. Janine went to discuss with local church leaders how to control the crowds: people start queuing for medical treatment the night before and in the past fights have broken out. With experience she now gives the local vicar and his team a big ball of twine and explains how to cordon off a single line in which to queue. She explains that no-one is to be given preferential treatment - first come first served and people must be warned that the doctors will only treat/ advise on ONE problem! She had to be very precise with the people at the first village, Mirya Kwale because it will be the first time those people have hosted such a clinic. Meanwhile the Trainer and the Prayer Team met with local volunteers and discussed how to pray with the clients. Janine and I walked around the nearby school and she designated this classroom for Triage and the next for wounds whilst that one is for medical problems and further on is Family Planning etc. Finally there will be a Prayer Tent and ultimately a room for Pharmacy where patients can collect medicine. We had a big discussion about whether drugs would be available for elephantiasis ( 0ne of the choir members asked). There will be no facility for surgery and complicated cases will be referred to a competent hospital. The doctors are on a learning curve about Tropical Diseases.
About 2 pm we were invited to the vicars home for a meal of rice and posho ,chicken and beef. Both Janine and I slipped the reverend a sh. 20.000 note(£20) to cover his generosity. Remember the usual diet is posho /matooke and beans!A chicken sitting on her eggs in a far corner of the vicars sitting room kept a baleful eye on us and a cute but skinny kitten begged for scraps!
Then on to Bweyale where they have hosted a clinic before and they brought us a bottle of water and a small packet of biscuits each for all 7 of us. So kind and generous. Janine was fading a bit by then so we began to leave but not before she asked for a list of local leaders who would be able to calm and reassure the crowd that will undoubtedly grow. Uneducated people can rapidly turn into a mob.
A bumpy and hot drive back to Masindi dropped me at the hotel around 7:20pm for me to find Sallie all dressed up and waiting with Ruth to go out to Dinner at The Masindi Hotel. I dashed into a cold shower and threw on the cool Kaftan I had bought in St. Kitts and Robert drove us to the beautiful and spacious M.Hotel. It was pretty much deserted BUT the service was atrocious, 4 or 5 noisy Indian children ran about and swung dangerously on a hammock and my white wine was warm despite having checked with the waiter. After a long time we demanded a menu and ordered only to find there was only one portion of Tandoori chicken which both Ruth and Sallie would have liked ! At 10pm we asked what had happened to our food and at 10:20 stood up to leave whereupon the waiter came running with my chicken stir fry. Sallie's tandoori fish came without its naan and Ruth's tandoori chicken was a burnt chicken leg the size of my finger. Roberts Tilapia fillets cowered beside a mound of mashed potatoes covering three quarters of a white plate. No veg or colour!I don't know why we didn't send it back but we just ate it , dropped Sallie at her house and got back to the hotel and in bed by midnight!!!!
Had a bit of a problem with gmail accessing my account over the last couple of days so had to wait for Rodgers to return from his Easter break in Kampala ...and then when we looked it had righted itself and let me in!. The mysteries if The Internet!
In order, on Ssturday I accompanied missionary Janine as she took a Trainer and 4 trainee Prayer Leaders out to 2 villages out in Kiryandongo - quite a long way on bad murrum roads. I went more to support her than anything - she has been down with a fever and a terrible cough. She was running out of time to prepare for the group of American volunteer doctors mobile clinics to be held in the villages of Mirya kawala and Bweyale. The need for medical help is great out here - there is a nearby hospital but it is understaffed and underresourced. Janine went to discuss with local church leaders how to control the crowds: people start queuing for medical treatment the night before and in the past fights have broken out. With experience she now gives the local vicar and his team a big ball of twine and explains how to cordon off a single line in which to queue. She explains that no-one is to be given preferential treatment - first come first served and people must be warned that the doctors will only treat/ advise on ONE problem! She had to be very precise with the people at the first village, Mirya Kwale because it will be the first time those people have hosted such a clinic. Meanwhile the Trainer and the Prayer Team met with local volunteers and discussed how to pray with the clients. Janine and I walked around the nearby school and she designated this classroom for Triage and the next for wounds whilst that one is for medical problems and further on is Family Planning etc. Finally there will be a Prayer Tent and ultimately a room for Pharmacy where patients can collect medicine. We had a big discussion about whether drugs would be available for elephantiasis ( 0ne of the choir members asked). There will be no facility for surgery and complicated cases will be referred to a competent hospital. The doctors are on a learning curve about Tropical Diseases.
About 2 pm we were invited to the vicars home for a meal of rice and posho ,chicken and beef. Both Janine and I slipped the reverend a sh. 20.000 note(£20) to cover his generosity. Remember the usual diet is posho /matooke and beans!A chicken sitting on her eggs in a far corner of the vicars sitting room kept a baleful eye on us and a cute but skinny kitten begged for scraps!
Then on to Bweyale where they have hosted a clinic before and they brought us a bottle of water and a small packet of biscuits each for all 7 of us. So kind and generous. Janine was fading a bit by then so we began to leave but not before she asked for a list of local leaders who would be able to calm and reassure the crowd that will undoubtedly grow. Uneducated people can rapidly turn into a mob.
A bumpy and hot drive back to Masindi dropped me at the hotel around 7:20pm for me to find Sallie all dressed up and waiting with Ruth to go out to Dinner at The Masindi Hotel. I dashed into a cold shower and threw on the cool Kaftan I had bought in St. Kitts and Robert drove us to the beautiful and spacious M.Hotel. It was pretty much deserted BUT the service was atrocious, 4 or 5 noisy Indian children ran about and swung dangerously on a hammock and my white wine was warm despite having checked with the waiter. After a long time we demanded a menu and ordered only to find there was only one portion of Tandoori chicken which both Ruth and Sallie would have liked ! At 10pm we asked what had happened to our food and at 10:20 stood up to leave whereupon the waiter came running with my chicken stir fry. Sallie's tandoori fish came without its naan and Ruth's tandoori chicken was a burnt chicken leg the size of my finger. Roberts Tilapia fillets cowered beside a mound of mashed potatoes covering three quarters of a white plate. No veg or colour!I don't know why we didn't send it back but we just ate it , dropped Sallie at her house and got back to the hotel and in bed by midnight!!!!
Monday, 21 April 2014
EASTER MONDAY 21st APRIL 2014
I am feeling a bit better this morning after a good night's sleep, so, as promised here is the story o f the last few days!
On Friday I took Ruth who is staying at Courtview Hotel, with me to visit little disabled Harriet at her home in Rupungu village. Wamani drove us ( and I paid him an inordinate amount to do so - although his Mum did break her hip last year and he alone it seems paid for her to go to hospital in Kampala. Furthermore he takes responsibility for his late brother's wife Annette who works as a chambermaid here at the hotel and has AIDS so needs a balanced diet). The road was a bit rough but Harriet's family were almost ready for us - I spotted Harriet sitting behind their hut and rushed to greet her only to find her Mum Alice just finishing bathing! Chairs were found for Ruth and me and the family came to sit on a reed mat. Harriet was delighted with the dresses I had brought for her in England and her Mum said that the second pair of jeans that I had also brought would be fine to protect her knees as she crawls around the compound . I was worried about going to the toilet but her family - through Teacher George Byarugaba who had joined us to interpret -said that she would be able to manage.I noticed a new mud and thatch hut had been built and they told me that this is for their eldest boy, Linus who is 17 and has never been to school. It seems that Charles and Alice only have 2 boys in their family of 10 but the second boy is at school along with one daughter. The littlest girls are not quite old enough to go to school yet as free universal education starts at 6 years.
I was startled when Teacher George then introduced me to a nicely dressed lady in a "Gomesi" or national dress and said that the one year old she was carrying was his son! I shall confirm as to what he actually means but he had said previously that he was friendly with a lady in the village where he is renting extra fields................ and his dad a vicar!
Charles shared out some of the biscuits we had brought and Alice was delighted with the soap and sugar. The we were taken on a tour of the fields. It is The Planting Season so the fields looked wonderful - maize and sweet potatoes, French beans and cowpeas plus wild spinach and "greens". Charles also has a nice little grove of banana trees the savoury matooke kind.And a pig.
I asked to see the nearest well which had been broken when I had visited in December 1012, so we walked for about 15 minutes and found that it had been repaired - apparently all the locals had got together to pay an engineer. Quite right too for we carried on and found the stagnant and deep yellow pool upon which they had relied whilst the got the well repaired. I will show a picture of it when Rodgers returns from Kampala and can help me. Count your blessings for Thames Water and the stuff that flows out of our taps!!!!!!!!!
At this point we heard thunder in the air and saw rain clouds gathering so Driver Wamani hurried us up and we walked back to Harriet's compound passing 2 little compounds of huts belonging to her Dad's relatives. It seems that Charles inherited his fields from his aunt but has not yet got the land deeds . We said our goodbyes and jumped into the taxi and beat the rainstorm by fifteen minutes!
Ruth had said that she had never eaten sweet potatoes so Wamani took us to Kolpings (hostel founded by an Austrian monk so patronised mainly by Roman Catholics) . At first we sat on the verandah and treated ourselves each to a bottle of cold beer but suddenly the rain came down so we went into the Dining Room to find 3 mums towelling down their 4 & 5 year olds who had been allowed to run around and get soaking wet in the thunderstorm!!
We actually were imprisoned there for nearly 2 hours, the downpour was so heavy. And cold!
I am feeling a bit better this morning after a good night's sleep, so, as promised here is the story o f the last few days!
On Friday I took Ruth who is staying at Courtview Hotel, with me to visit little disabled Harriet at her home in Rupungu village. Wamani drove us ( and I paid him an inordinate amount to do so - although his Mum did break her hip last year and he alone it seems paid for her to go to hospital in Kampala. Furthermore he takes responsibility for his late brother's wife Annette who works as a chambermaid here at the hotel and has AIDS so needs a balanced diet). The road was a bit rough but Harriet's family were almost ready for us - I spotted Harriet sitting behind their hut and rushed to greet her only to find her Mum Alice just finishing bathing! Chairs were found for Ruth and me and the family came to sit on a reed mat. Harriet was delighted with the dresses I had brought for her in England and her Mum said that the second pair of jeans that I had also brought would be fine to protect her knees as she crawls around the compound . I was worried about going to the toilet but her family - through Teacher George Byarugaba who had joined us to interpret -said that she would be able to manage.I noticed a new mud and thatch hut had been built and they told me that this is for their eldest boy, Linus who is 17 and has never been to school. It seems that Charles and Alice only have 2 boys in their family of 10 but the second boy is at school along with one daughter. The littlest girls are not quite old enough to go to school yet as free universal education starts at 6 years.
I was startled when Teacher George then introduced me to a nicely dressed lady in a "Gomesi" or national dress and said that the one year old she was carrying was his son! I shall confirm as to what he actually means but he had said previously that he was friendly with a lady in the village where he is renting extra fields................ and his dad a vicar!
Charles shared out some of the biscuits we had brought and Alice was delighted with the soap and sugar. The we were taken on a tour of the fields. It is The Planting Season so the fields looked wonderful - maize and sweet potatoes, French beans and cowpeas plus wild spinach and "greens". Charles also has a nice little grove of banana trees the savoury matooke kind.And a pig.
I asked to see the nearest well which had been broken when I had visited in December 1012, so we walked for about 15 minutes and found that it had been repaired - apparently all the locals had got together to pay an engineer. Quite right too for we carried on and found the stagnant and deep yellow pool upon which they had relied whilst the got the well repaired. I will show a picture of it when Rodgers returns from Kampala and can help me. Count your blessings for Thames Water and the stuff that flows out of our taps!!!!!!!!!
At this point we heard thunder in the air and saw rain clouds gathering so Driver Wamani hurried us up and we walked back to Harriet's compound passing 2 little compounds of huts belonging to her Dad's relatives. It seems that Charles inherited his fields from his aunt but has not yet got the land deeds . We said our goodbyes and jumped into the taxi and beat the rainstorm by fifteen minutes!
Ruth had said that she had never eaten sweet potatoes so Wamani took us to Kolpings (hostel founded by an Austrian monk so patronised mainly by Roman Catholics) . At first we sat on the verandah and treated ourselves each to a bottle of cold beer but suddenly the rain came down so we went into the Dining Room to find 3 mums towelling down their 4 & 5 year olds who had been allowed to run around and get soaking wet in the thunderstorm!!
We actually were imprisoned there for nearly 2 hours, the downpour was so heavy. And cold!
Sunday, 20 April 2014
SUNDAY 20th April 2014
Today I am not feeling very well - think I overdid it on Friday and Saturday so I retired to bed at lunchtime to drink lots of water and to read my Kindle only to fall asleep until 6 ish. Had some soup out in the hotel garden with Sallie just as it was beginning to get dark and by 8 pm felt strong enough to have some tilapia goujons and mashed potatoes.
The roads were very bad going to Harriet's village on Friday and even worse going out with Janine as she prepared for her American volunteering Doctors clinics ready for early May. The weather too has been extreme veering from extremely hot to extremely cold during a very heavy tropical thunderstorm on Friday, luckily as we had got back from Rumoungu village.
Getting up on Saturday to go with Janine on her Missionary work in the villages of Mirya Kalwala and Bweyale I sat on the hotel's verandah waiting for my breakfast and watching the birds.Uganda really is a birders paradise : I saw superb starlings, all glossy and petrol blue, little starling like birds and bigger ones all robin redbreasty but larger and with black and white badger like heads, there were sleek yellow birds and pigeons not to mention the huge marabou storks nesting in the tops of the tall trees across the road Wonderful with my pineapple, watermelon and banana start to my breakfast!
Even Ruth, who is over here , volunteering with various children's charities before - hopefully - setting up an orphanage, is tired, so Sallie has persuaded her to stay here in Masindi tomorrow and relax before she goes to Kampala to spend her last week in Uganda to work in Sanyu Babies Home.
More details tomorrow
Today I am not feeling very well - think I overdid it on Friday and Saturday so I retired to bed at lunchtime to drink lots of water and to read my Kindle only to fall asleep until 6 ish. Had some soup out in the hotel garden with Sallie just as it was beginning to get dark and by 8 pm felt strong enough to have some tilapia goujons and mashed potatoes.
The roads were very bad going to Harriet's village on Friday and even worse going out with Janine as she prepared for her American volunteering Doctors clinics ready for early May. The weather too has been extreme veering from extremely hot to extremely cold during a very heavy tropical thunderstorm on Friday, luckily as we had got back from Rumoungu village.
Getting up on Saturday to go with Janine on her Missionary work in the villages of Mirya Kalwala and Bweyale I sat on the hotel's verandah waiting for my breakfast and watching the birds.Uganda really is a birders paradise : I saw superb starlings, all glossy and petrol blue, little starling like birds and bigger ones all robin redbreasty but larger and with black and white badger like heads, there were sleek yellow birds and pigeons not to mention the huge marabou storks nesting in the tops of the tall trees across the road Wonderful with my pineapple, watermelon and banana start to my breakfast!
Even Ruth, who is over here , volunteering with various children's charities before - hopefully - setting up an orphanage, is tired, so Sallie has persuaded her to stay here in Masindi tomorrow and relax before she goes to Kampala to spend her last week in Uganda to work in Sanyu Babies Home.
More details tomorrow
Friday, 18 April 2014
FRIDAY 18th APRIL
I set a few things in motion yesterday, what with cataloguing the books that Joseph finally brought to me on Wednesday morning ( I am so disappointed in Joseph - after telling me lots of different stories , I finally cut him short and said that he had used the money I had sent to buy the sets of text books, to pay his university fees and he had said yes that was the truth and he was sorry .He had spent Tuesday travelling to Kampala to buy the books he should have bought earlier in the year. He had brought them to me early on Wednesday morning but there were only 30 Maths for P7 and only 30 English for P6 . He says he will buy the missing 40 when his salary comes in but that will not be enough............. meanwhile I am letting him stew.............)
So let us move on to happier things.Today Ruth who has been volunteering at The Centre for the Handicapped, came with me to visit Harriet who has returned to her home in Rumpungu now that The Centre has closed for Easter. It is a good opportunity for Ruth to see what real rural life is all about. I especially wanted to see the well that Harriet's family rely, on for her village is a collection of mud and thatched huts seemingly owned by her aunts and uncles. No piped water or electricity. Her parents and eldest brother and sister can't read or write. Her whole family were pleased to see us and delighted with the soap and sugar and biscuits we took. Harriet herself was thrilled with the 2 little dresses I'd brought from London and her parents liked the jeans I'd bought in Masindi to protect her knees when she crawls about. She has no wheelchair and I'm not sure how practical one would be in her home........
Charles, Harriet's father then took us on a tour of his fields and he is growing maize and green beans to sell as well as potatoes and cowpeas and cassava to eat. He has quite a few banana trees and a boar. I shall get him one of the female piglets from Janine's sow once she has farrowed. We reached the well and I was pleased to see that it is now working . The local families clubbed together to pay an engineer to fix it.
By then thunder was in the air and a tropical storm was approaching so Wamani, our driver rushed us away in his car. Ruth had never eaten sweet potatoes so Wamani took us to Kolpings on the outskirts of Masindi for lunch. As we were eating the storm caught up with us and it was a whopper! We were trapped inside for nearly 2 hours as the heavens just opened and water cascaded everywhere. We were on tarmac by now so when it ceased a bit we dashed into the car and Wamani drove us safely back to Courtview and the warmth of an afternoon nap!
I set a few things in motion yesterday, what with cataloguing the books that Joseph finally brought to me on Wednesday morning ( I am so disappointed in Joseph - after telling me lots of different stories , I finally cut him short and said that he had used the money I had sent to buy the sets of text books, to pay his university fees and he had said yes that was the truth and he was sorry .He had spent Tuesday travelling to Kampala to buy the books he should have bought earlier in the year. He had brought them to me early on Wednesday morning but there were only 30 Maths for P7 and only 30 English for P6 . He says he will buy the missing 40 when his salary comes in but that will not be enough............. meanwhile I am letting him stew.............)
So let us move on to happier things.Today Ruth who has been volunteering at The Centre for the Handicapped, came with me to visit Harriet who has returned to her home in Rumpungu now that The Centre has closed for Easter. It is a good opportunity for Ruth to see what real rural life is all about. I especially wanted to see the well that Harriet's family rely, on for her village is a collection of mud and thatched huts seemingly owned by her aunts and uncles. No piped water or electricity. Her parents and eldest brother and sister can't read or write. Her whole family were pleased to see us and delighted with the soap and sugar and biscuits we took. Harriet herself was thrilled with the 2 little dresses I'd brought from London and her parents liked the jeans I'd bought in Masindi to protect her knees when she crawls about. She has no wheelchair and I'm not sure how practical one would be in her home........
Charles, Harriet's father then took us on a tour of his fields and he is growing maize and green beans to sell as well as potatoes and cowpeas and cassava to eat. He has quite a few banana trees and a boar. I shall get him one of the female piglets from Janine's sow once she has farrowed. We reached the well and I was pleased to see that it is now working . The local families clubbed together to pay an engineer to fix it.
By then thunder was in the air and a tropical storm was approaching so Wamani, our driver rushed us away in his car. Ruth had never eaten sweet potatoes so Wamani took us to Kolpings on the outskirts of Masindi for lunch. As we were eating the storm caught up with us and it was a whopper! We were trapped inside for nearly 2 hours as the heavens just opened and water cascaded everywhere. We were on tarmac by now so when it ceased a bit we dashed into the car and Wamani drove us safely back to Courtview and the warmth of an afternoon nap!
Thursday, 17 April 2014
THURSDAY 17th APRIL 2014
What a day it was yesterday!
First of all Joseph turned up with the books at 7:40am just as I was about to shower, but more of that later!
Then after breakfast Wamani drove me , 5 trays of eggs, the special oily crayons I had bought in Kampala and Janine's powder dyes ...oooh and the vinegar Sallie gave me permission to steal from the hotel (too lazy to go to Lucky Seven Supermarket) about 8 miles to Bujenje village where The School for the Handicapped is situated. We found a large group of children weeding and slashing the grass at the entrance to make the place look smart and they all followed the car up the hill to a shady spot under a tree. The Headteacher had been called to a meeting, but her deputy, a lovely lady who herself had polio as a child, welcomed me. Ruth, an English volunteer who is also staying at Courtview Hotel , joined us and we perfected our plan. The Centre is built on a steep hillside, with the Office on the top terrace plus a few classrooms and the boys dormitory and other classrooms as well as the workshops for Carpentering and Leatherwork, Cosmetology and Tailoring on lower terraces. Thus the terrain is definitely not suitable for children who are either mentally or physically disabled to run around on an Easter Egg Hunt. We therefore decided to decorate and paint the hardboiled eggs in small groups - altogether 14!!!!! We were exhausted by 3pm when we had given 121 children an egg to colour!!!!!! I wish I could tell you of all the children there- one with terrible burns on her face whose ears and everything has had to be reconstructed and whose face is still a mass of scars, the "autistic" ones who dribble and do not respond , the few in wheelchairs including "my " Harriet, the one with hydrocephalis and the many who are deaf and dumb! There are no facilities for the blind here - those are elsewhere.As we handed out eggs and explained how to first decorate them with the crayons and then to put them in the pint mugs containing red, blue green yellow and orange dye for at least half an hour plus 15 minutes drying time the children's personalities began to merge! "My" Harriet is SUCH a smiler - so, so different from the crooked bag of bones Teacher George first carried out of the mud hut over 15 months ago - other children had cottoned on to the fact that I am her sponsor and kept wheeling her around after me as I went into each classroom. One Deaf and dumb girl wanted to eat her egg there and then and got quite amusingly stroppy. I joined teachers and pupils alike for lunch - the same old same old Beans and Posho which is the standard fare in schools in Uganda but could only eat a third of it. I gave the remains away to two big lads who I think are in the carpentry section and they gobbled it! Meanwhile one poor child - a girl- had an epileptic fit and one of the teachers immediately held her safe until the fit passed and she was able to go to the bathroom to change for she had wet herself.
After lunch, Ruth and I sat to rest in a small room whilst Ruth handed out two footballs she had bought for the children to play with. Two of the older deaf and dumb girls wheeled Harriet to visit me and they were able to communicate by writing. Ruth - who was a tremendous help to me- and I could not have got the eggs colored etc if we hadn't had the help of the teachers who signed for us . I had attempted to explain the symbolism of eggs at Easter in a whole school Assembly at the beginning of the whole exercise.And I must clearly explain to you all reading this that those children VERY RARELY get an egg to eat - they live on 2 meals a day of beans and posho.
We must remember that this Centre is a relatively safe and relatively stimulating environment for these disabled children ( have I mentioned my friend Ira who came back to visit a disabled child she was helping only to find that the child was near death - the grandmother had been STARVING him).
Tomorrow I will take Ruth to Harriet's village so she w ill see that Harriet sleeps on a mattress at school but not at home................Meanwhile to Lucky Seven to buy a nailbrush in an attempt to get the dye from yesterday, off my hands!
What a day it was yesterday!
First of all Joseph turned up with the books at 7:40am just as I was about to shower, but more of that later!
Then after breakfast Wamani drove me , 5 trays of eggs, the special oily crayons I had bought in Kampala and Janine's powder dyes ...oooh and the vinegar Sallie gave me permission to steal from the hotel (too lazy to go to Lucky Seven Supermarket) about 8 miles to Bujenje village where The School for the Handicapped is situated. We found a large group of children weeding and slashing the grass at the entrance to make the place look smart and they all followed the car up the hill to a shady spot under a tree. The Headteacher had been called to a meeting, but her deputy, a lovely lady who herself had polio as a child, welcomed me. Ruth, an English volunteer who is also staying at Courtview Hotel , joined us and we perfected our plan. The Centre is built on a steep hillside, with the Office on the top terrace plus a few classrooms and the boys dormitory and other classrooms as well as the workshops for Carpentering and Leatherwork, Cosmetology and Tailoring on lower terraces. Thus the terrain is definitely not suitable for children who are either mentally or physically disabled to run around on an Easter Egg Hunt. We therefore decided to decorate and paint the hardboiled eggs in small groups - altogether 14!!!!! We were exhausted by 3pm when we had given 121 children an egg to colour!!!!!! I wish I could tell you of all the children there- one with terrible burns on her face whose ears and everything has had to be reconstructed and whose face is still a mass of scars, the "autistic" ones who dribble and do not respond , the few in wheelchairs including "my " Harriet, the one with hydrocephalis and the many who are deaf and dumb! There are no facilities for the blind here - those are elsewhere.As we handed out eggs and explained how to first decorate them with the crayons and then to put them in the pint mugs containing red, blue green yellow and orange dye for at least half an hour plus 15 minutes drying time the children's personalities began to merge! "My" Harriet is SUCH a smiler - so, so different from the crooked bag of bones Teacher George first carried out of the mud hut over 15 months ago - other children had cottoned on to the fact that I am her sponsor and kept wheeling her around after me as I went into each classroom. One Deaf and dumb girl wanted to eat her egg there and then and got quite amusingly stroppy. I joined teachers and pupils alike for lunch - the same old same old Beans and Posho which is the standard fare in schools in Uganda but could only eat a third of it. I gave the remains away to two big lads who I think are in the carpentry section and they gobbled it! Meanwhile one poor child - a girl- had an epileptic fit and one of the teachers immediately held her safe until the fit passed and she was able to go to the bathroom to change for she had wet herself.
After lunch, Ruth and I sat to rest in a small room whilst Ruth handed out two footballs she had bought for the children to play with. Two of the older deaf and dumb girls wheeled Harriet to visit me and they were able to communicate by writing. Ruth - who was a tremendous help to me- and I could not have got the eggs colored etc if we hadn't had the help of the teachers who signed for us . I had attempted to explain the symbolism of eggs at Easter in a whole school Assembly at the beginning of the whole exercise.And I must clearly explain to you all reading this that those children VERY RARELY get an egg to eat - they live on 2 meals a day of beans and posho.
We must remember that this Centre is a relatively safe and relatively stimulating environment for these disabled children ( have I mentioned my friend Ira who came back to visit a disabled child she was helping only to find that the child was near death - the grandmother had been STARVING him).
Tomorrow I will take Ruth to Harriet's village so she w ill see that Harriet sleeps on a mattress at school but not at home................Meanwhile to Lucky Seven to buy a nailbrush in an attempt to get the dye from yesterday, off my hands!
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
TUESDAY 15th APRIL 2014
Yesterday I spent the morning at Kabalega school, inspecting the new shutters on the office windows and hoping that Joseph Isingoma would return the text books and that the carpenter would deliver the new table for the computer. The ex Deputy Head was there searching for missing files and data which the new Head needs in order to fill in for The Ministry. Apparently all the schools are going crazy trying to fill in these detailed forms before the End of Term. I think that Headmaster who replaced Mary Mukonyezi did not keep his data up to date. Hopefully the computer will help them in that respect in future. I hope that Headteacher Millie will go on a computer course .
Welder Francis stopped by in the evening and I paid him for the shutters but the carpenter did not deliver the table until today so I will pay him when I see him
Joseph did not deliver the text books he had borrowed so this morning I went to Kyema school to demand them back.Headteacher Jennifer said he was with some children in town training for an athletics competition but when I phoned him he said he was at Kabalega school. So Manager Robert kindly continued to drive me. At Kabalega no-one had seen Joseph but both Rosaleen and Moses talked about the books so I think he may have bought them but I don't know what he has done with them. A different side to Joseph is being revealed as I speak to more people..........
Before breakfast I had phoned D.E.O. Deo and he invited me over to his office to discuss where to put the second computer ( I had already thought about this with Lynne and Ronnie and with Sallie and her friend Thelma. Happily Deo came up with Army Boarding school whose head, Julius was Baz's friend. Julius will collect the computer when he comes to Courtview tonight for a meeting.
After Lunch I shall go to Janine's to hard boil the 5 trays of eggs Mustapha is getting for me ready for the Egg Hunt at Masindi Centre for the Handicapped tomorrow
Drinking cold pineapple juice when I got back from Kabalega I greeted David my old friend the fishmonger from the market and he said he has Nile Perch so I bought 2 kilos for the hotel so I can eat some tonight!.
Yesterday I spent the morning at Kabalega school, inspecting the new shutters on the office windows and hoping that Joseph Isingoma would return the text books and that the carpenter would deliver the new table for the computer. The ex Deputy Head was there searching for missing files and data which the new Head needs in order to fill in for The Ministry. Apparently all the schools are going crazy trying to fill in these detailed forms before the End of Term. I think that Headmaster who replaced Mary Mukonyezi did not keep his data up to date. Hopefully the computer will help them in that respect in future. I hope that Headteacher Millie will go on a computer course .
Welder Francis stopped by in the evening and I paid him for the shutters but the carpenter did not deliver the table until today so I will pay him when I see him
Joseph did not deliver the text books he had borrowed so this morning I went to Kyema school to demand them back.Headteacher Jennifer said he was with some children in town training for an athletics competition but when I phoned him he said he was at Kabalega school. So Manager Robert kindly continued to drive me. At Kabalega no-one had seen Joseph but both Rosaleen and Moses talked about the books so I think he may have bought them but I don't know what he has done with them. A different side to Joseph is being revealed as I speak to more people..........
Before breakfast I had phoned D.E.O. Deo and he invited me over to his office to discuss where to put the second computer ( I had already thought about this with Lynne and Ronnie and with Sallie and her friend Thelma. Happily Deo came up with Army Boarding school whose head, Julius was Baz's friend. Julius will collect the computer when he comes to Courtview tonight for a meeting.
After Lunch I shall go to Janine's to hard boil the 5 trays of eggs Mustapha is getting for me ready for the Egg Hunt at Masindi Centre for the Handicapped tomorrow
Drinking cold pineapple juice when I got back from Kabalega I greeted David my old friend the fishmonger from the market and he said he has Nile Perch so I bought 2 kilos for the hotel so I can eat some tonight!.
Monday, 14 April 2014
MONDAY14thAPRIL.
Despite getting back so late from Kampala on Saturday, I really wanted to go to church on Palm Sunday and I was not disappointed.
As usual the Runyoro service overran and when I reached the cathedral there were loads of people waiting patiently to get inside, nearly all carrying long palm fronds. I had seen the hawkers on the pavements in Kampala selling these palm fronds which of course are local - its a wonder the trees aren't stripped bare! Some people had stuck them on the front of their motorcycles!
About 8:30am - half an hour late - people began pouring out of the cathedral and I was able to photograph some with their palms. I quickly squeezed in to the back of the church in order to get a seat - it was quite a melee with people still pouring out and the rest of us struggling to get in!
I must say that Bishop George with the help of "The Nine Friends" (now 8 since Michael Kaheru's death) has quite cleaned up the cathedral and the English Service. They have whitewashed the nave and put fresh tiles all down the central aisle . The back porch has been opened out ,too in attempt to accommodate all the worshippers.
As the service began the choir processed down the aisle, all waving their palm fronds and singing their hearts out. As Reverend Lydia welcomed us she waved her palm and all the congregation waved theirs back! At certain points we stood and waved our palm fronds and shouted "Halleluhia".
There is new innovation which is a drop down screen with the prayers, responses and hymns projected on to it. This is great as only a minute percentage of the congregation have either hymn or service books. Rev. Evas has been moved from her position as Head of Mothers' Union and is now based in the cathedral. Her English is good , as is Rev. Lydia's and Evas preaches a decent sermon - so much better than Rev. Francis Kajura's when he was Vicar. Rev. Evas took Matthew as her text and put a bit of a leap in asking us to liken the cleansing of the temple to the cleansing of our hearts! I think she missed a bit out and could have explained more about the moneychangers and the doves for sale....... Nevertheless something to think about especially as she referred to Proverbs and how we should walk purposefully. We sang more hymns and waved our palm fronds and the service finished about 10:20am. I stood around and greeted the new Headteacher of Kabalega Primary who sings in the choir and several teachers until Mustapha arrived on his motorbike to whisk back to Courtview Hotel!
Despite getting back so late from Kampala on Saturday, I really wanted to go to church on Palm Sunday and I was not disappointed.
As usual the Runyoro service overran and when I reached the cathedral there were loads of people waiting patiently to get inside, nearly all carrying long palm fronds. I had seen the hawkers on the pavements in Kampala selling these palm fronds which of course are local - its a wonder the trees aren't stripped bare! Some people had stuck them on the front of their motorcycles!
About 8:30am - half an hour late - people began pouring out of the cathedral and I was able to photograph some with their palms. I quickly squeezed in to the back of the church in order to get a seat - it was quite a melee with people still pouring out and the rest of us struggling to get in!
I must say that Bishop George with the help of "The Nine Friends" (now 8 since Michael Kaheru's death) has quite cleaned up the cathedral and the English Service. They have whitewashed the nave and put fresh tiles all down the central aisle . The back porch has been opened out ,too in attempt to accommodate all the worshippers.
As the service began the choir processed down the aisle, all waving their palm fronds and singing their hearts out. As Reverend Lydia welcomed us she waved her palm and all the congregation waved theirs back! At certain points we stood and waved our palm fronds and shouted "Halleluhia".
There is new innovation which is a drop down screen with the prayers, responses and hymns projected on to it. This is great as only a minute percentage of the congregation have either hymn or service books. Rev. Evas has been moved from her position as Head of Mothers' Union and is now based in the cathedral. Her English is good , as is Rev. Lydia's and Evas preaches a decent sermon - so much better than Rev. Francis Kajura's when he was Vicar. Rev. Evas took Matthew as her text and put a bit of a leap in asking us to liken the cleansing of the temple to the cleansing of our hearts! I think she missed a bit out and could have explained more about the moneychangers and the doves for sale....... Nevertheless something to think about especially as she referred to Proverbs and how we should walk purposefully. We sang more hymns and waved our palm fronds and the service finished about 10:20am. I stood around and greeted the new Headteacher of Kabalega Primary who sings in the choir and several teachers until Mustapha arrived on his motorbike to whisk back to Courtview Hotel!
Sunday, 13 April 2014
SUNDAY 13th APRIL 2014
Yesterday I went to Kampala!
Originally I planned to go to check out cameras, so I phoned Dorothy Mugenyi and asked her to meet me at the Bus Park and then I went and bought my single ticket for sh.13.000 (less than £4) and came home and found my camera hiding in a trainer!Then that evening Janine decided to come with me, not knowing that I'd contacted Dorothy. I said that I'd meet her at 7:30 am at the bus.
Imagine how Impressed I was when Janine arrived at the hotel at 7:10am as I was finishing my breakfast of fruit(mango,pineapple and banana) and boiled egg! She suggested we walk to the bus so I gulped my tea and off we went without me going back to my room.
Just as it became the time for the bus to depart (we'd secured 2 very comfortable seats and paid extra for the middle one so that no-one would join and squash us!!!!) I realised that I didn't have my mobile - how was I to link up with Dorothy? I had left the mobile on my table so J. tried phoning Sallie to ask one of the staff to retrieve my phone and send D's number. But we couldn't get through and then When I did so I inadvertantly shut off J's phone so Courtview couldn't phone us back . At this point we were in Kampala and waiting outside the gates of the Bus Park.
You have to imagine the Kampala Bus Park: it is a teeming mass of humanity with huge coaches trying to enter and depart in a seeming noisy chaos compounded by pickpockets and porters and vendors dodging and running between buses and up inside buses, behind buses and in front of buses. The skill of the drivers has to be seen to be believed and all the time klaxons blowing and people shouting , laughing, crying............
We did eventually get Dorothy's number and eventually after standing in the boiling sun met up.She had brought her "special" driver (saloon car taxi) and we walked through the heat, dust and noise to find the Taxi - the "jams" around the bus park are famous so he had parked some distance away - and I hadn't put on any suncream since I'D NOT GONE BACK TO MY ROOM and the anti malaria drug I take makes one susceptible to sunstroke........
Once in the taxi, we went to a shop dealing in computers and printers. I found one that fulfilled the criteria but he wanted cash so I said we'd go the Garden City Shopping Mall, have some lunch, talk buy J's vine leaves (she would keep on about GRAPE leaves for her dolmades (the diet out here is restricted and we're always looking for variety)and find an ATM. Also a decent loo!
We managed all that : J. ate Lebanese food, D. the African favourite Chicken and Chips and I chose a Chinese noodle thing1 Told you we crave variety!!! I also popped in to Uchumi supermarket and bought wax crayons for the Easter Egg Hunt I am planning for the Handicapped children.
A bit of a kerfuffle choosing a "special" taxi to take us back to get the printer only to find the Moslem shopkeeper had gone for Friday Prayers............. All is not lost as term is about to end and so I shall go and spend a few days with Doctor Margaret and meeting up with Princess Bagaya before I fly home.
We persuaded the special to push through the jams and get us to the Bus Park, not daring to do any more shopping as the bus was due to leave at 4pm back to Masindi. Janine is a missionary and has a mini farm around her home and daren;t leave her animals for long especially as her pig is about to farrow!Well, we got to sit inside the bus by 3:20pm and found 2 seats in a two seater if you see what I mean (everyone gets hot and sweaty out here) .....and to cut a long story short we left the bus park at 5:45pm. It was hot and noisy (they had turned the radio on and in the middle of all the ranting and raving we heard the Sunderland v Everton match in Runyoro! We had plenty of time to see the coming and going the hustle and bustle. the playfighting and the thief being publicly humiliated! And all the time people were squeezing on to the bus and more and more parcels and packages and bundles were being loaded underneath.
We travelled most of the way home in the dark and to his credit the driver did not exceed the speed limit.We got in at 9:45pm. I made Janine walk back to the hotel where she had parked her motorcycle ( the bodaboda men couldn't understand but we had our torches and not only were our backs aching but our bums were numb......again!We were really too tired to eat but chose a little fish - and then A SHOWER and BED!
Yesterday I went to Kampala!
Originally I planned to go to check out cameras, so I phoned Dorothy Mugenyi and asked her to meet me at the Bus Park and then I went and bought my single ticket for sh.13.000 (less than £4) and came home and found my camera hiding in a trainer!Then that evening Janine decided to come with me, not knowing that I'd contacted Dorothy. I said that I'd meet her at 7:30 am at the bus.
Imagine how Impressed I was when Janine arrived at the hotel at 7:10am as I was finishing my breakfast of fruit(mango,pineapple and banana) and boiled egg! She suggested we walk to the bus so I gulped my tea and off we went without me going back to my room.
Just as it became the time for the bus to depart (we'd secured 2 very comfortable seats and paid extra for the middle one so that no-one would join and squash us!!!!) I realised that I didn't have my mobile - how was I to link up with Dorothy? I had left the mobile on my table so J. tried phoning Sallie to ask one of the staff to retrieve my phone and send D's number. But we couldn't get through and then When I did so I inadvertantly shut off J's phone so Courtview couldn't phone us back . At this point we were in Kampala and waiting outside the gates of the Bus Park.
You have to imagine the Kampala Bus Park: it is a teeming mass of humanity with huge coaches trying to enter and depart in a seeming noisy chaos compounded by pickpockets and porters and vendors dodging and running between buses and up inside buses, behind buses and in front of buses. The skill of the drivers has to be seen to be believed and all the time klaxons blowing and people shouting , laughing, crying............
We did eventually get Dorothy's number and eventually after standing in the boiling sun met up.She had brought her "special" driver (saloon car taxi) and we walked through the heat, dust and noise to find the Taxi - the "jams" around the bus park are famous so he had parked some distance away - and I hadn't put on any suncream since I'D NOT GONE BACK TO MY ROOM and the anti malaria drug I take makes one susceptible to sunstroke........
Once in the taxi, we went to a shop dealing in computers and printers. I found one that fulfilled the criteria but he wanted cash so I said we'd go the Garden City Shopping Mall, have some lunch, talk buy J's vine leaves (she would keep on about GRAPE leaves for her dolmades (the diet out here is restricted and we're always looking for variety)and find an ATM. Also a decent loo!
We managed all that : J. ate Lebanese food, D. the African favourite Chicken and Chips and I chose a Chinese noodle thing1 Told you we crave variety!!! I also popped in to Uchumi supermarket and bought wax crayons for the Easter Egg Hunt I am planning for the Handicapped children.
A bit of a kerfuffle choosing a "special" taxi to take us back to get the printer only to find the Moslem shopkeeper had gone for Friday Prayers............. All is not lost as term is about to end and so I shall go and spend a few days with Doctor Margaret and meeting up with Princess Bagaya before I fly home.
We persuaded the special to push through the jams and get us to the Bus Park, not daring to do any more shopping as the bus was due to leave at 4pm back to Masindi. Janine is a missionary and has a mini farm around her home and daren;t leave her animals for long especially as her pig is about to farrow!Well, we got to sit inside the bus by 3:20pm and found 2 seats in a two seater if you see what I mean (everyone gets hot and sweaty out here) .....and to cut a long story short we left the bus park at 5:45pm. It was hot and noisy (they had turned the radio on and in the middle of all the ranting and raving we heard the Sunderland v Everton match in Runyoro! We had plenty of time to see the coming and going the hustle and bustle. the playfighting and the thief being publicly humiliated! And all the time people were squeezing on to the bus and more and more parcels and packages and bundles were being loaded underneath.
We travelled most of the way home in the dark and to his credit the driver did not exceed the speed limit.We got in at 9:45pm. I made Janine walk back to the hotel where she had parked her motorcycle ( the bodaboda men couldn't understand but we had our torches and not only were our backs aching but our bums were numb......again!We were really too tired to eat but chose a little fish - and then A SHOWER and BED!
Friday, 11 April 2014
THE THIRD POST TODAY! 11.04.14
I walked down to the LINK bus office at 4;30 this evening to book my seat on the bus to Kampala tomorrow (I want the single seat at the front so I am not squashed!) and came home to the hotel glowing and lay on my bed........
and saw something shining in my trainer lined up against the wall..........and it was my CAMERA!!
I am SOOOO happy but have missed a few interesting shots the ten days I have already been here. Never mind I shall still spend the day in Kampala and have lunch with Dorothy Mugenyi and maybe Annette another old pupil. I shall also look at printers for the computer. I am still waiting for Ria to send me the password to unlock it!!!!!!!
Think there is a BBQ tonight -there is a big group of Manchester Uni students doing an assignment
plus a group of Americans helping at Family Spirit AIDS orphanage and sundry others.It has been difficult getting food and the best seats this week!!!!!!! But buzzing.
Have to be at LINK about 7:30 so must have an early night despite Janine saying she'll be here.
It is terribly hot, Sallie has not yet set up the thermometer I brought but it must have been 40C in th e middle of the day. No rain for 3 days and people are still planting.
I walked down to the LINK bus office at 4;30 this evening to book my seat on the bus to Kampala tomorrow (I want the single seat at the front so I am not squashed!) and came home to the hotel glowing and lay on my bed........
and saw something shining in my trainer lined up against the wall..........and it was my CAMERA!!
I am SOOOO happy but have missed a few interesting shots the ten days I have already been here. Never mind I shall still spend the day in Kampala and have lunch with Dorothy Mugenyi and maybe Annette another old pupil. I shall also look at printers for the computer. I am still waiting for Ria to send me the password to unlock it!!!!!!!
Think there is a BBQ tonight -there is a big group of Manchester Uni students doing an assignment
plus a group of Americans helping at Family Spirit AIDS orphanage and sundry others.It has been difficult getting food and the best seats this week!!!!!!! But buzzing.
Have to be at LINK about 7:30 so must have an early night despite Janine saying she'll be here.
It is terribly hot, Sallie has not yet set up the thermometer I brought but it must have been 40C in th e middle of the day. No rain for 3 days and people are still planting.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON APRIL11th
Spent a lovely morning at Biganda Primary school along the Kampala Road meetingCatherine Birungi who had been transferred there from Kabalega. Catherine is a lovely lady who was involved in a bad car crash some years ago when 7 months pregnant. She and the baby survived but has terrible burns scars on one side of her face and along one arm. The new posting is about 5 miles from Kijura where she lives and she has to pay a bodaboda taxi to take her to school and back. She said her left arm is too weak to allow her to ride a pedal cycle and the accident still gives her pain but she does not grumble unlike George and Joseph who were also transferred
I found the Headteacher rushing off to a meeting but the equally dynamic Deputy Beth and pleasant Head of Studies Johnson helpful and charming as they showed me round. It is a spacious and tree lined compound with a mixture of solid rectangular classrooms and rooms with no windows - just chest high walls and a roof. Obviously the rain blows in during the Rainy Season.
A school in Somerset twinned with Biganda under the LINK International Global Teachers scheme and they sent money to build some Staff Quarters. Unfortunately the money dried up and he building is standing there, halfbuilt. Considering that all the teahers travel some distance in to teach , it seems to me that it would be most advisable to find money and finish off that building which can accommodate 4 teachers.
Mustapha took me there on his motorbike and also took some photos.
I must go to Kampala and see if I can afford to buy a camera tomorrow.
Now I will try to send my unsent emails ....again..........Quickly before it rains (had none for 3 days!)
Spent a lovely morning at Biganda Primary school along the Kampala Road meetingCatherine Birungi who had been transferred there from Kabalega. Catherine is a lovely lady who was involved in a bad car crash some years ago when 7 months pregnant. She and the baby survived but has terrible burns scars on one side of her face and along one arm. The new posting is about 5 miles from Kijura where she lives and she has to pay a bodaboda taxi to take her to school and back. She said her left arm is too weak to allow her to ride a pedal cycle and the accident still gives her pain but she does not grumble unlike George and Joseph who were also transferred
I found the Headteacher rushing off to a meeting but the equally dynamic Deputy Beth and pleasant Head of Studies Johnson helpful and charming as they showed me round. It is a spacious and tree lined compound with a mixture of solid rectangular classrooms and rooms with no windows - just chest high walls and a roof. Obviously the rain blows in during the Rainy Season.
A school in Somerset twinned with Biganda under the LINK International Global Teachers scheme and they sent money to build some Staff Quarters. Unfortunately the money dried up and he building is standing there, halfbuilt. Considering that all the teahers travel some distance in to teach , it seems to me that it would be most advisable to find money and finish off that building which can accommodate 4 teachers.
Mustapha took me there on his motorbike and also took some photos.
I must go to Kampala and see if I can afford to buy a camera tomorrow.
Now I will try to send my unsent emails ....again..........Quickly before it rains (had none for 3 days!)
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Thursday 10thApril.
Got chatting to Sallie and Robert over Breakfast and became late to attend Joyce Kasangaki, the Bishop's wife's English class. She had invited me when she and Bishop George had Dinner with me last Friday. I am intrigued that she had the vision to start classes for the clergy wives. Amongst this tribe, the Batoro women are expected to be very quiet and subservient to their husbands and many of the clergy have poorly educated wives. It does seem however that not many clergy wives are taking up the offer of extremely cheap classes in English and confidence although there were over 20 women and a couple of men waiting for me as Guest of Honour.They have opened the classes up and although not many clergy wives were there, they plan to start another class in Kigumba.
I found the group sitting on white plastic chairs sitting under the shade of a big jacaranda tree After the usual welcome I was invited to speak and used as my theme"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" and pointed out what an asset they would be to their husbands if they gain the confidence to stand and give thanks etcetc. It was wonderful to hear each woman in turn stand up and say a few words in English. Some were painfully shy and 3 or 4 made quite long speeches.Afterwards Joyce invited me and Janine plus their male teacher to a drink and snack back at the Bishop's house.There is a dearth of Adult Education Classes in Uganda and this is a wonderful start.
Following this I walked round to Kabalega Primary to look for Teacher Jackie to see if she knows more about schoolgirl Rachel's alleged pregnancy.Nebbert told me that her father is ill but gave me her phone number. I greeted Teacher Olive with whom I co-taught the P3s in 2012Her husband is studying for a Phd so she doesn't see much of him.
I walked all the way back to the hotel down past the swamp and up the hill again and collapsed over a bottle of coke. I am still being careful about what I eat and drink but my tum is nearly back to normal.
Kaija came to collect me after lunch to go t0 Western Union to try and collect Harriet's school fees which I had sent in February and which for some reason Kaija has been unable to collect. No go.I will see what I can do once back in Hounslow but I do wonder if Kaija has tried to collect them twice. Bought more tummy pills from HAWA Pharmacy and spent the afternoon trying to send emails but The Internet was too weak
Got chatting to Sallie and Robert over Breakfast and became late to attend Joyce Kasangaki, the Bishop's wife's English class. She had invited me when she and Bishop George had Dinner with me last Friday. I am intrigued that she had the vision to start classes for the clergy wives. Amongst this tribe, the Batoro women are expected to be very quiet and subservient to their husbands and many of the clergy have poorly educated wives. It does seem however that not many clergy wives are taking up the offer of extremely cheap classes in English and confidence although there were over 20 women and a couple of men waiting for me as Guest of Honour.They have opened the classes up and although not many clergy wives were there, they plan to start another class in Kigumba.
I found the group sitting on white plastic chairs sitting under the shade of a big jacaranda tree After the usual welcome I was invited to speak and used as my theme"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" and pointed out what an asset they would be to their husbands if they gain the confidence to stand and give thanks etcetc. It was wonderful to hear each woman in turn stand up and say a few words in English. Some were painfully shy and 3 or 4 made quite long speeches.Afterwards Joyce invited me and Janine plus their male teacher to a drink and snack back at the Bishop's house.There is a dearth of Adult Education Classes in Uganda and this is a wonderful start.
Following this I walked round to Kabalega Primary to look for Teacher Jackie to see if she knows more about schoolgirl Rachel's alleged pregnancy.Nebbert told me that her father is ill but gave me her phone number. I greeted Teacher Olive with whom I co-taught the P3s in 2012Her husband is studying for a Phd so she doesn't see much of him.
I walked all the way back to the hotel down past the swamp and up the hill again and collapsed over a bottle of coke. I am still being careful about what I eat and drink but my tum is nearly back to normal.
Kaija came to collect me after lunch to go t0 Western Union to try and collect Harriet's school fees which I had sent in February and which for some reason Kaija has been unable to collect. No go.I will see what I can do once back in Hounslow but I do wonder if Kaija has tried to collect them twice. Bought more tummy pills from HAWA Pharmacy and spent the afternoon trying to send emails but The Internet was too weak
Friday11thApril
Frustrated because 11 emails are sitting in Outbox and waiting to be sent.
Spent a long time yesterday writing emails only to find that they hadn,t been sent - the Internet was too weak
And I don't know what happened to my Blog yesterday so am up a bit early ...7:30 seeing what I can do before I visit Catherine Birungi in her new school.
Still don.t know what to do about a new camera. I don.t like Kamapala.
Frustrated because 11 emails are sitting in Outbox and waiting to be sent.
Spent a long time yesterday writing emails only to find that they hadn,t been sent - the Internet was too weak
And I don't know what happened to my Blog yesterday so am up a bit early ...7:30 seeing what I can do before I visit Catherine Birungi in her new school.
Still don.t know what to do about a new camera. I don.t like Kamapala.
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
Wednesday 9thApril
First of all I seem to be mastering this new computer with its WINDOWS 8!!!!!
Secondly the tablets Sallie gave me at breakfast seem to be sorting out my tummy
.Thirdly I am coming to the conclusion that I should buy a new camera since the one I brought has simply disappeared.........
Yesterday despite starving myself in an attempt to stop the tummy bug, I did go to Kyema School and demand Joseph to return the English books to Kabalega school.Incidentally I found the new Headteacher there at Kyema to be Jennifer Bakwata whose husband Baz met through teaching cricket at The Army School. I felt sad that Joseph continued to delay by saying the he had lent the book s to his colleague who had gone for a burial.........I think you know how disappointed I am feeling with JosephSallie wonders if I will ever get those books back!
On a lighter note I continued to travel on to Kabalega, taking Rodgers the computer expert with me so that w could set up the new computer.Ssallie is despairing the they will ever use it but I have my eye on Teacher James who is new to Kabalega or maybe Nebbert or even Sarah. Anyway we had a great old discussion about where to place the computer and I allowed them after about 30 minutes to conclude that the Heads office was the right place! But yhen came the question of Security so again after discussion we called Francis the welder and he came by later to give me a price which was a total of £190.
When Manager Robert returned from Kampala I asked if this was reasonable and he said no - more like £140. so when Frances came this moning to take me to the ATM to get the deposit I bargained and eventually he agreed on £140 to fit metal shutters over the office windows. I also arranged with th carpenter to make us a table on which to place the computer.
Today I went by bodaboda(motorcycle) to visit Teacher George at Kinogozi where he has transferred. But more tomorrow because I think the Internet is dying...........
And I must heck on the Askari at Kabalega tonight and give him a powerful torch... more effective to guard that computer than bows and arrows don't you think.......
First of all I seem to be mastering this new computer with its WINDOWS 8!!!!!
Secondly the tablets Sallie gave me at breakfast seem to be sorting out my tummy
.Thirdly I am coming to the conclusion that I should buy a new camera since the one I brought has simply disappeared.........
Yesterday despite starving myself in an attempt to stop the tummy bug, I did go to Kyema School and demand Joseph to return the English books to Kabalega school.Incidentally I found the new Headteacher there at Kyema to be Jennifer Bakwata whose husband Baz met through teaching cricket at The Army School. I felt sad that Joseph continued to delay by saying the he had lent the book s to his colleague who had gone for a burial.........I think you know how disappointed I am feeling with JosephSallie wonders if I will ever get those books back!
On a lighter note I continued to travel on to Kabalega, taking Rodgers the computer expert with me so that w could set up the new computer.Ssallie is despairing the they will ever use it but I have my eye on Teacher James who is new to Kabalega or maybe Nebbert or even Sarah. Anyway we had a great old discussion about where to place the computer and I allowed them after about 30 minutes to conclude that the Heads office was the right place! But yhen came the question of Security so again after discussion we called Francis the welder and he came by later to give me a price which was a total of £190.
When Manager Robert returned from Kampala I asked if this was reasonable and he said no - more like £140. so when Frances came this moning to take me to the ATM to get the deposit I bargained and eventually he agreed on £140 to fit metal shutters over the office windows. I also arranged with th carpenter to make us a table on which to place the computer.
Today I went by bodaboda(motorcycle) to visit Teacher George at Kinogozi where he has transferred. But more tomorrow because I think the Internet is dying...........
And I must heck on the Askari at Kabalega tonight and give him a powerful torch... more effective to guard that computer than bows and arrows don't you think.......
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
TUESDAY 8th April.
Once again I have had to ask Rodgers to help me!
I think we have just posted the Blog I wrote on Sunday.........
Today, I am not feeling very well- not only did I gobble my Doxy anti malaria tablet early without eating (without food it makes one nauseous) but I accepted the teachers offer of "pancakes" and tea at school......... I had got there at 7:30 because new headteacher Millie has organised a new regime of starting earlier in fact the P7s start at 7am and then Assembly at 7:30 . I did not have a good night last night!
This morning I have only drunk boiled water although I did try a few cornflakes and milk and am a bit better..
I was glad of the excuse to have to phone Teacher George and cancel my planned trip to see his new school. He stopped by last evening and showed me the programme of welcome he had prepared - imagine the teaching hours lost with singing , dancing and speeches............. I would like to visit those 5 Kabalega teachers in their new schools - a chance to compare facilities etc - but I don't think I can take any more speeches just now.
I spent 5 hours on Saturday at the funeral in the cathedral for Michael Kaheru -kidney failure after 17 years of diabetes apparently. On Sunday Sallie and I spent nearly 2 hours driving to his burial along extremely poor roads. Again I sat through hours of speeches (at least the burial service started on time) and Sallie and I were fractionally late- the service in the cathedral started 2 hours late AND Headteacher Millie had got me there early so my bum was PARALYSED after sitting for so long on hard wooden pews.!After the burial on Sunday it was another 2 hours back and it rained! You have to experience a tropical thunderstorm to fully realise the skill our Driver Wamani showed in keeping us on the road!
I am feeling a bit depressed today, no doubt because of my tummy but it seemed that nothing much had changed , yesterday when I visited Kabalega Primary and gave them one of the computers I was so kindly given. That classroom was being used as a storeroom still and Teacher Jackie was teaching a class of 78 pupils whilst teachers Moses and Nebbert were sitting planning lessons......... I had a word with Headteacher Millie when she asked for feedback and after Break those P6 s were being taught in 2 groups .Also the posters were peeling off the classroom walls. On the positive side, Jackie's lesson wasn't bad and the new teacher Harriet gave a sparkling maths lesson to the P5s
It does appear that things went downhill last year under that headteacher.
The thing that has really upset me is that Teacher Joseph STILL has not returned the English textbooks that he borrowed to take to his new school despite my phone calls.I think I may call Mustapha to take me to Kyema and bring the books back........
Sorry that I can't add any pictures - my camera still hasn't turned up.
Once again I have had to ask Rodgers to help me!
I think we have just posted the Blog I wrote on Sunday.........
Today, I am not feeling very well- not only did I gobble my Doxy anti malaria tablet early without eating (without food it makes one nauseous) but I accepted the teachers offer of "pancakes" and tea at school......... I had got there at 7:30 because new headteacher Millie has organised a new regime of starting earlier in fact the P7s start at 7am and then Assembly at 7:30 . I did not have a good night last night!
This morning I have only drunk boiled water although I did try a few cornflakes and milk and am a bit better..
I was glad of the excuse to have to phone Teacher George and cancel my planned trip to see his new school. He stopped by last evening and showed me the programme of welcome he had prepared - imagine the teaching hours lost with singing , dancing and speeches............. I would like to visit those 5 Kabalega teachers in their new schools - a chance to compare facilities etc - but I don't think I can take any more speeches just now.
I spent 5 hours on Saturday at the funeral in the cathedral for Michael Kaheru -kidney failure after 17 years of diabetes apparently. On Sunday Sallie and I spent nearly 2 hours driving to his burial along extremely poor roads. Again I sat through hours of speeches (at least the burial service started on time) and Sallie and I were fractionally late- the service in the cathedral started 2 hours late AND Headteacher Millie had got me there early so my bum was PARALYSED after sitting for so long on hard wooden pews.!After the burial on Sunday it was another 2 hours back and it rained! You have to experience a tropical thunderstorm to fully realise the skill our Driver Wamani showed in keeping us on the road!
I am feeling a bit depressed today, no doubt because of my tummy but it seemed that nothing much had changed , yesterday when I visited Kabalega Primary and gave them one of the computers I was so kindly given. That classroom was being used as a storeroom still and Teacher Jackie was teaching a class of 78 pupils whilst teachers Moses and Nebbert were sitting planning lessons......... I had a word with Headteacher Millie when she asked for feedback and after Break those P6 s were being taught in 2 groups .Also the posters were peeling off the classroom walls. On the positive side, Jackie's lesson wasn't bad and the new teacher Harriet gave a sparkling maths lesson to the P5s
It does appear that things went downhill last year under that headteacher.
The thing that has really upset me is that Teacher Joseph STILL has not returned the English textbooks that he borrowed to take to his new school despite my phone calls.I think I may call Mustapha to take me to Kyema and bring the books back........
Sorry that I can't add any pictures - my camera still hasn't turned up.
SUNDAY6th APRIL2014
At last I have got the strong Internet connection AND the power is onAnd Stephen has helped me configure this through Gmail (don't ask)
Ina hurry as Sallie and I are off to the burial of our friens and neighbour out here Michael Kaheru but:
1. The flight was uneventful and Evah's people met me in the baggage area and helped me get the 2 huge computers plus everything else through to find the Hotel Anderita minibus waiting for me.
2.Panic on Tuesday morning when the ATM at Entebbe swallowed my card and refused to give me money on the other. Spent ages getting card back. Luckily I had carried the sterling my friend Flora an d my hairdressers had given me so changed the pounds into shilling.
3. People at MTN most helpful and I Registered my Africa phone and put Data into my Modem in their shop in Kampala. Doctor Margaret plud Dorothy Mugenyi, Nalongo andEdna were waiting at Kololo and gave me lunch whilst Godfrey Taxi fetched Astrid who is Sallie's friend and was hitching a lift to Masindi to say Bye to S, as A. leaves Uganda forever.
4.Arrived in Masindi in the dark to a warm welcome BUT my camera disappeared. Couldn't find it when I unpacked at midnight..........
5. Amongst other things I went to visit Harriet Asiimwe at The School for the Handicapped.
More tomorrow.......
At last I have got the strong Internet connection AND the power is onAnd Stephen has helped me configure this through Gmail (don't ask)
Ina hurry as Sallie and I are off to the burial of our friens and neighbour out here Michael Kaheru but:
1. The flight was uneventful and Evah's people met me in the baggage area and helped me get the 2 huge computers plus everything else through to find the Hotel Anderita minibus waiting for me.
2.Panic on Tuesday morning when the ATM at Entebbe swallowed my card and refused to give me money on the other. Spent ages getting card back. Luckily I had carried the sterling my friend Flora an d my hairdressers had given me so changed the pounds into shilling.
3. People at MTN most helpful and I Registered my Africa phone and put Data into my Modem in their shop in Kampala. Doctor Margaret plud Dorothy Mugenyi, Nalongo andEdna were waiting at Kololo and gave me lunch whilst Godfrey Taxi fetched Astrid who is Sallie's friend and was hitching a lift to Masindi to say Bye to S, as A. leaves Uganda forever.
4.Arrived in Masindi in the dark to a warm welcome BUT my camera disappeared. Couldn't find it when I unpacked at midnight..........
5. Amongst other things I went to visit Harriet Asiimwe at The School for the Handicapped.
More tomorrow.......
Friday, 28 March 2014
FRIDAY 28th MARCH
Yesterday was exceedingly frustrating but today Colin has phoned to say I have got the excess luggage allowance for free courtesy BA. , I have exchanged the 2 too small boxes for two that will take the computers plus books and Daniel will help me pack!
Meanwhile will bake a choc cake for Daniel to take to Cub Camp this weekend.
Yesterday was exceedingly frustrating but today Colin has phoned to say I have got the excess luggage allowance for free courtesy BA. , I have exchanged the 2 too small boxes for two that will take the computers plus books and Daniel will help me pack!
Meanwhile will bake a choc cake for Daniel to take to Cub Camp this weekend.
Thursday 27 th March
Have just spent over an hour practising how to put a picture on my Blog!!
Here you can see one of the two computers I hope to take to Kabalega School to replace the laptop that got stolen. One of my tasks is to check that the askari who is employed to safeguard the compound is armed with a powerful torch!
Hope we bought enough bubblewrap to encase both!
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
WEDNESDAY MARCH 26th 2014
Relief! Have collected Doxycycline anti malaria tablets etc from chemist and last night had Typhoid jab. The Practice Nurse and I decided that we would forget about my Yellow Fever jab which is just about out of date since the symptoms will be delayed and might be heavy due to my advanced age.....!
There is a pile of clothes ,shoes and toiletries on the spare bed plus the items on Sallie's shopping list. Her MAX/MIN thermometer will arrive tomorrow courtesy of Amazon.
Now to pack up the computers - but havn't got maths books yet........Will need 8 arms at the airport!
Relief! Have collected Doxycycline anti malaria tablets etc from chemist and last night had Typhoid jab. The Practice Nurse and I decided that we would forget about my Yellow Fever jab which is just about out of date since the symptoms will be delayed and might be heavy due to my advanced age.....!
There is a pile of clothes ,shoes and toiletries on the spare bed plus the items on Sallie's shopping list. Her MAX/MIN thermometer will arrive tomorrow courtesy of Amazon.
Now to pack up the computers - but havn't got maths books yet........Will need 8 arms at the airport!
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
WEDNESDAY 18th March2014
Have been busy with School Governor business -long Governors' Meeting last night and didn't get home until 10:45pm then up this morning for Physio consultation on my knee followed by attendance at Presentation of Hounslow's new provision for School Dinners..... very glossy. Can't help thinking where all that money used in promoting new provision could go in Masindi.
Spoke to Millie, the new Head of Kabalega Primary and she seems very on the ball.She wants the English books the Joseph Isingoma has taken to his new school to be returned to Kabalega! I immediately phoned Joseph who apologised and said he had only borrowed them for the first few days at Kyema. He will return them this week! I explained that they were bought for Kabalega and not for him personally!Poor lad , he is finding the standards at Kyema much lower than he has been used to......... I suggested he contacted Jennifer in Devon and ask her to try to fund some books for Kyema.............
Received an email out of the blue from Mary Mukonyezi, the former Head of Kabalega. News of my intended visit is getting around.
Have been busy with School Governor business -long Governors' Meeting last night and didn't get home until 10:45pm then up this morning for Physio consultation on my knee followed by attendance at Presentation of Hounslow's new provision for School Dinners..... very glossy. Can't help thinking where all that money used in promoting new provision could go in Masindi.
Spoke to Millie, the new Head of Kabalega Primary and she seems very on the ball.She wants the English books the Joseph Isingoma has taken to his new school to be returned to Kabalega! I immediately phoned Joseph who apologised and said he had only borrowed them for the first few days at Kyema. He will return them this week! I explained that they were bought for Kabalega and not for him personally!Poor lad , he is finding the standards at Kyema much lower than he has been used to......... I suggested he contacted Jennifer in Devon and ask her to try to fund some books for Kyema.............
Received an email out of the blue from Mary Mukonyezi, the former Head of Kabalega. News of my intended visit is getting around.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
15th March 2014
Getting excited!
It is over a year since I was last in Uganda and I will be flying out in just over 2 weeks time!
On Thursday I went to The Uganda High Commission to obtain my Visa (cost has risen to £35) and with Evah's help it was processed within 3 hours - whilst we had lunch at Gaby's deli in Charing Cross road.Today, Ria and Elias brought over the computers they are giving me for Kabalega Primary and we weighed them.With luck, Colin should get me free transportation. Caroline S. has promised me 50 Maths text books for years 5 and 6 so now my worry is will I have enough hands at Entebbe airport. Hopefully Sallie- or more pertinently her secretary Albina will have booked me in at a Guest house in Entebbe.It seems that Hotel Anderita now charges the earth for transport from the airport and given that I will be arriving at 23:00 hours on Tuesday night I plan to stay in Entebbe until Godfrey Taxi collects me on Wednesday morning .
I have started listing the main things I want to accomplish during my 32 days stay - will ther ebe enough time?
1. set up the computers and check security.
2. see that the askari (watchman) has a powerful torch ... more useful than a bow and arrows.
3.Talk with Millie the new Head - guess this should be no. one priority!
4.Visit the school for the Handicapped
5. Oobserve th teachers using the text books sent already
It is over a year since I was last in Uganda and I will be flying out in just over 2 weeks time!
On Thursday I went to The Uganda High Commission to obtain my Visa (cost has risen to £35) and with Evah's help it was processed within 3 hours - whilst we had lunch at Gaby's deli in Charing Cross road.Today, Ria and Elias brought over the computers they are giving me for Kabalega Primary and we weighed them.With luck, Colin should get me free transportation. Caroline S. has promised me 50 Maths text books for years 5 and 6 so now my worry is will I have enough hands at Entebbe airport. Hopefully Sallie- or more pertinently her secretary Albina will have booked me in at a Guest house in Entebbe.It seems that Hotel Anderita now charges the earth for transport from the airport and given that I will be arriving at 23:00 hours on Tuesday night I plan to stay in Entebbe until Godfrey Taxi collects me on Wednesday morning .
I have started listing the main things I want to accomplish during my 32 days stay - will ther ebe enough time?
1. set up the computers and check security.
2. see that the askari (watchman) has a powerful torch ... more useful than a bow and arrows.
3.Talk with Millie the new Head - guess this should be no. one priority!
4.Visit the school for the Handicapped
5. Oobserve th teachers using the text books sent already
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