SATURDAY 15TH December 2012.
It is nearly 10:30pm and I am forcing myself to stay awake!
Yesterday was extremely tiring and emotionally draining for me. I got up at 6:30am, groan, groan and when Sallie arrived we jumped into Wamani's taxi and picked up Teacher George Byarugaba on our way to Harriet's village. When we arrived all the family were sitting under a tree waiting for us. Harriet's mum Alice Kyaligonza was dressed in a very smart Gomesi which is one of the traditional dresses here in Uganda, so I knew immediately that she and her husband Charles Mukuru had agrred that she have her tubes tied. Little Harriet greeted us witha really huge grin and Charles instructe his eldest son, Linus to look after all the brothers and sisters including grandchild Ivan, the son of he eldest girl Joyce whom you read about in a previous posting...... Imagine Alice aged 35 and the mother of 10 plus one grandchild already...........She looked extremely apprehensive as we drove to the American funded private hospital at Kabalega. It didn't help that one piece of equipment needed for the Tubal Ligature was missing and we had to send Wamani in his taxi to Masindi general Hospital to borrow it......( it wasn't lost - just being used by the team of American doctors who were In The field holding clinics in some villages!) .
Eventually they called Alice in to prepare for the op and as I accompanied her, I discovered that she doesn't read or write so gave her consent with a cross. Husband Charles who was holding Baby Sandra (2 months old) was able to print his name. When they took her into theatre I went back to where Charles and George were sitting on the verandah and after a while when baby Sandra woke up andbegan crying I was left holding the baby! I tried to pacify her by walking up and down but she became desperate for a feed .... about 2 hours had gone by
Sunday, 16 December 2012
SUNDAY 16th December 2012
It is 5:30pm and I have one and a half hours to relax before the next festivities!
I was so disappointed last night as I was forcing myself to write this up at 10:30pm when I was hot , tired and exhausted. Baz and I and Sallie had travelled to Kampala in Moses taxi and hit the "jams" before dumping Sallie's bags at her hotel and then we two at a Hairdressing Salon to get our nails done. Baz continued on to dump our bags at our hotel and then picked us up to go to "MISHMASH", our friends Adam and Genevieve's Art Gallery, cafe and general meeting place. Young Doreen met us there and joined us in coffee and cheesecake, bringing me a hat to wear at The Enthronement the next day. Eventually, we returned to our hptel and I unpacked enough clothes for our last three days in Uganda and started to write my Blog. I had almost finished when it flashed and I was asked for my password to sign back in!. So I lost that beautiful Blog!!!!!One reason why I was so tired last night was that the previous day had been draining due to taking Harriet's mum Alice to hospital..And a disco in town had kept me awake most of the night!
Did I tell you that we had misunderstood and it appears that Alice is 35 years old and has TEN children aged between 20 years and 2 months! Here, it is the women who dig the shambas and if you are exhausted by childbearing the family is not going to prosper.When Sallie and I found this out we suggested that Alice be sterilised so on Thursday we sent word that we had arranged the op for her at the Private hospital. You can imagine that when I set out on Friday morning at 7am to see if Charles {Harriet's Dad} had agreed and if Alice was brave enough, it was with my heart in my mouth. When we reached the village we found the whole family sitting under a tree waiting for us dressed in their best So I knew right away that the op was to go ahead.. Teacher George had sent word ahead and was a brick the whole day, translating everything into Runyoro. Harriet gave us a huge grin, recognising us , and Charles instructed his eldest son Linus aged 19 to look after everyone until we got back.
There was a wait at the hospital whilst a vital piece of equipment was sent for .Then, when Alice was asked to sign the consent form I realised that she can't read or write. Charles managed to print his name. Baby Sandra was handed to Charles when Alice went in to prepare for the op and managed to sleep for about an hour. However when she woke up she wanted MILK and I was given her. I must have walked miles up and down the verandah and at this point began to worry if I should have let well alone. The op seemed to be taking ages ---was something going wrong? At this point a lovely old Ward Orderly kindly boiled and cooled some water and we gave it to Sandra to drink......... At last, about two and a half hours later, Alice walked out of the Operating theatre and was taken to rest on a bed in the ward. Immediately she began to suckle her baby and I began to relax. Alice was left to rest for about 4 hours - I popped back to the Hotel because Baz was missing me. George phoned me to go and get them and both Alice and Charles thanked me over and over again. But I am worried that she is not producing enough milk so I sent them back home with some fish to cook and some milk for Alice to drink. She had had to be really persuaded to drink the bottled water I had bought......
Anyway, everyone seems happy and George is considering the same op for his wife. He will keep me informed of Alice's progress and also of what will be best for Harriet. At the moment we are considering splinting her weak leg. I need the expertise here of my sister in law Jan!
It is 5:30pm and I have one and a half hours to relax before the next festivities!
I was so disappointed last night as I was forcing myself to write this up at 10:30pm when I was hot , tired and exhausted. Baz and I and Sallie had travelled to Kampala in Moses taxi and hit the "jams" before dumping Sallie's bags at her hotel and then we two at a Hairdressing Salon to get our nails done. Baz continued on to dump our bags at our hotel and then picked us up to go to "MISHMASH", our friends Adam and Genevieve's Art Gallery, cafe and general meeting place. Young Doreen met us there and joined us in coffee and cheesecake, bringing me a hat to wear at The Enthronement the next day. Eventually, we returned to our hptel and I unpacked enough clothes for our last three days in Uganda and started to write my Blog. I had almost finished when it flashed and I was asked for my password to sign back in!. So I lost that beautiful Blog!!!!!One reason why I was so tired last night was that the previous day had been draining due to taking Harriet's mum Alice to hospital..And a disco in town had kept me awake most of the night!
Did I tell you that we had misunderstood and it appears that Alice is 35 years old and has TEN children aged between 20 years and 2 months! Here, it is the women who dig the shambas and if you are exhausted by childbearing the family is not going to prosper.When Sallie and I found this out we suggested that Alice be sterilised so on Thursday we sent word that we had arranged the op for her at the Private hospital. You can imagine that when I set out on Friday morning at 7am to see if Charles {Harriet's Dad} had agreed and if Alice was brave enough, it was with my heart in my mouth. When we reached the village we found the whole family sitting under a tree waiting for us dressed in their best So I knew right away that the op was to go ahead.. Teacher George had sent word ahead and was a brick the whole day, translating everything into Runyoro. Harriet gave us a huge grin, recognising us , and Charles instructed his eldest son Linus aged 19 to look after everyone until we got back.
There was a wait at the hospital whilst a vital piece of equipment was sent for .Then, when Alice was asked to sign the consent form I realised that she can't read or write. Charles managed to print his name. Baby Sandra was handed to Charles when Alice went in to prepare for the op and managed to sleep for about an hour. However when she woke up she wanted MILK and I was given her. I must have walked miles up and down the verandah and at this point began to worry if I should have let well alone. The op seemed to be taking ages ---was something going wrong? At this point a lovely old Ward Orderly kindly boiled and cooled some water and we gave it to Sandra to drink......... At last, about two and a half hours later, Alice walked out of the Operating theatre and was taken to rest on a bed in the ward. Immediately she began to suckle her baby and I began to relax. Alice was left to rest for about 4 hours - I popped back to the Hotel because Baz was missing me. George phoned me to go and get them and both Alice and Charles thanked me over and over again. But I am worried that she is not producing enough milk so I sent them back home with some fish to cook and some milk for Alice to drink. She had had to be really persuaded to drink the bottled water I had bought......
Anyway, everyone seems happy and George is considering the same op for his wife. He will keep me informed of Alice's progress and also of what will be best for Harriet. At the moment we are considering splinting her weak leg. I need the expertise here of my sister in law Jan!
Thursday, 13 December 2012
THURSDAY 13th December
I thought we would be having a nice quiet day! Didn't go to breakfast until 9:30am- there was a big minibus load of tourists around in the dining room so I tidied up our room in the hotel, preparing to go to Kampala on Saturday.Got some help in printing out Sallie's invitation to the Enthronement on Sunday and checked my emails. Really enjoyed the one from grandchild Nina! I am running out of books to read on my kindle and the WiFi at the hotel doesn't seem to be working. Hmmmmmm a load of noise outside...... it is a squad of Army recruits training. They run down the road , some in uniform , some not, carrying guns and singing marching songs. There is an army Training School one mile down the road towards Murchison Falls so these occurrences are frequent.Uganda has a big contingent in Somalia. If you join the Army here it is for life .........
Monica Kiiza, former Headteacher of Kabalega Primary turned up mid morning. I had phoned her to ascertain the amount of money raised at the Fundraising For The Mission Built School building back in 2009. Apparently it has all been spent on painting the Government built classrooms. Mary Mukonyezi has not been to see me for well over a week and was not in the office on the three occasions I went there....
Anyway Monica arrived with her new man in tow and is talking about An Introduction (engagement) next year. I have suggested to Monica who is now an Inspector of Schools that certainly the new P7s start their new year in 3 groups and that indeed all classes start using one register for each class and the 2 teachers begin teaching just the few pupils who turn up at the very beginning in their separate groups instead of lumping the children together until there are over 60 and then split into the 2 groups........... She thinks that is a good idea! But will Mary enforce it? The children trickle in at the beginning of term.
I enjoyed chatting with Monica, but she brought bad news - Margaret Ekwang's mother died last night. I shall go to the house with Sallie tonight. Tomorrow I hope to take Harriet's mother AlIce to the hospital to be sterilised, but only if she agrees.J anine reminded us that it must be a voluntary choice - we all ended having lunch together- but monica ,as an African felt that sterilisation after 10 children is a good choice...
We'll see if Alice , or more pertinently her husband Charles agrees tomorrow.
BUT I PLANNED TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE WEDDING IN KAMPALA which took place a fortnight ago.....Here are the bridesmaids in the pink dresses I brought in my suitcase for Florence the Bride to choose or not...... The girls are getting their hair done in Dr. Margarets house in Kamapala.
I thought we would be having a nice quiet day! Didn't go to breakfast until 9:30am- there was a big minibus load of tourists around in the dining room so I tidied up our room in the hotel, preparing to go to Kampala on Saturday.Got some help in printing out Sallie's invitation to the Enthronement on Sunday and checked my emails. Really enjoyed the one from grandchild Nina! I am running out of books to read on my kindle and the WiFi at the hotel doesn't seem to be working. Hmmmmmm a load of noise outside...... it is a squad of Army recruits training. They run down the road , some in uniform , some not, carrying guns and singing marching songs. There is an army Training School one mile down the road towards Murchison Falls so these occurrences are frequent.Uganda has a big contingent in Somalia. If you join the Army here it is for life .........
Monica Kiiza, former Headteacher of Kabalega Primary turned up mid morning. I had phoned her to ascertain the amount of money raised at the Fundraising For The Mission Built School building back in 2009. Apparently it has all been spent on painting the Government built classrooms. Mary Mukonyezi has not been to see me for well over a week and was not in the office on the three occasions I went there....
Anyway Monica arrived with her new man in tow and is talking about An Introduction (engagement) next year. I have suggested to Monica who is now an Inspector of Schools that certainly the new P7s start their new year in 3 groups and that indeed all classes start using one register for each class and the 2 teachers begin teaching just the few pupils who turn up at the very beginning in their separate groups instead of lumping the children together until there are over 60 and then split into the 2 groups........... She thinks that is a good idea! But will Mary enforce it? The children trickle in at the beginning of term.
I enjoyed chatting with Monica, but she brought bad news - Margaret Ekwang's mother died last night. I shall go to the house with Sallie tonight. Tomorrow I hope to take Harriet's mother AlIce to the hospital to be sterilised, but only if she agrees.J anine reminded us that it must be a voluntary choice - we all ended having lunch together- but monica ,as an African felt that sterilisation after 10 children is a good choice...
We'll see if Alice , or more pertinently her husband Charles agrees tomorrow.
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
WEDNESDAY 12 th December2012
Yesterday I went back to visit Harriet in the village, taking with me the walking frame designed by Physio Abraham and made by Laurence. If you look at the picture it is not the usual walking frame but Harriet was delighted with it.
I took Sallie with me because her local knowledge is far superior to mine and we picked up Teacher George Byarugabe along the way because not only was he our interpreter but we will rely on him to monitor Harriet and her family when I am back in England..Y ou may remember that he is renting some land close to Harriet's home and is a knowledgeable farmer as well as being a teacher. Physio Abraham is from Teso and has limited understanding of the local language, Runyoro
Although the handle bar is too low, Harriet loved the walking frame and did not want to be parted from it.Here she is with her father.
When we arrived, the whole family were waiting to greet us, dressed in their best as George had warned them of our visit. It appears that they are not as poor as first thought but although they have land , Charles does not cultivate all of it and we suspect drinks most of his profits away on Market day! I took presents of soap and a hoe and then gave Charles the packets of seeds miraculously donated by Rev Deb.
Many of the vegetables are unknown and not eaten by people in the village but g
George has promised to show Charles and his wife Alice how to grow things like carrots, cucumbers and spinach which Sallie would buy for the hotel (George can transport them when he cycles into Masindi to teach - Rumpungu village is 25km. from Masindi. I suggested to Alice that she feeds the carrots to her children as they are full of vitamin A and good for eyes.
We then found out that Alice is 35 years old and has 10, yes ten children. Sallie then launched into the need for family planning and we are hoping that Alice will come into hospital to have her tubes tied before I leave.....
More distressing is the fact that the eldest daughter, Joyce 's baby was conceived as the result of rape by a neighbour.It also became apparent that she is slightly spastic.
We actually left the village feeling hopeful that our interest and encouragement will help Harriet's family aim a little higher and possibly show their neighbours how to improve their lives. George will be around and Sallie is available for help and advice.They will keep me informed of developments which may include taking Harriet to the School for the Handicapped. The first thing is to higher the handlebar of her walker and to find boots to protect her feet. I did feel that the family were showing more interest in her.All in all a successful trip.
I took Sallie with me because her local knowledge is far superior to mine and we picked up Teacher George Byarugabe along the way because not only was he our interpreter but we will rely on him to monitor Harriet and her family when I am back in England..Y ou may remember that he is renting some land close to Harriet's home and is a knowledgeable farmer as well as being a teacher. Physio Abraham is from Teso and has limited understanding of the local language, Runyoro
When we arrived, the whole family were waiting to greet us, dressed in their best as George had warned them of our visit. It appears that they are not as poor as first thought but although they have land , Charles does not cultivate all of it and we suspect drinks most of his profits away on Market day! I took presents of soap and a hoe and then gave Charles the packets of seeds miraculously donated by Rev Deb.
Many of the vegetables are unknown and not eaten by people in the village but g
George has promised to show Charles and his wife Alice how to grow things like carrots, cucumbers and spinach which Sallie would buy for the hotel (George can transport them when he cycles into Masindi to teach - Rumpungu village is 25km. from Masindi. I suggested to Alice that she feeds the carrots to her children as they are full of vitamin A and good for eyes.
We then found out that Alice is 35 years old and has 10, yes ten children. Sallie then launched into the need for family planning and we are hoping that Alice will come into hospital to have her tubes tied before I leave.....
More distressing is the fact that the eldest daughter, Joyce 's baby was conceived as the result of rape by a neighbour.It also became apparent that she is slightly spastic.
Monday, 10 December 2012
MONDAY 10TH CONTINUED WITH PICTURES!
Here is Roger dressed as Father Christmas offering his wife Audrey a piece of cake.
Ugandans love cake and there has to be one to grace any important event!
Employees of the Sugar Works may buy a ticket to allow their child to attend the Children's party, which includes food and a soda, plus they may provide the present for Father Christmas to give to their child.
Roger really got into character and Audrey feared she might have to gag him at night to stop the flow of "ho,ho,ho's".
Then , later that evening Baz lit the Hannukah candles and I told all the diners the miracle of the oil.
Here is Roger dressed as Father Christmas offering his wife Audrey a piece of cake.
Roger really got into character and Audrey feared she might have to gag him at night to stop the flow of "ho,ho,ho's".Then , later that evening Baz lit the Hannukah candles and I told all the diners the miracle of the oil.
MONDAY 10th December2012
The Internet was playing up yesterday - could not get my email to James Short to go although I know the address is correct. Need his Report on the Mission Built core school building at Kabalega Primary. My meeting last week about restoring it is beginning to bear fruit so that is one positive thing.Michael Kaheru whose Dad had been the first African Head of the school brought our local M.P. Ernest Kiizza to meet me on Saturday evening and he has promised to help with a chatshow on local radio to publicise the need to fundraise and stop the building from being demolished and give more classroom space.
However I was really disheartened last night after a fun afternoon at Kinyara Sugar Works where Roger Collor dressed up as Father Christmas to a group of rather bemused youngsters whose parents are employed at the factory. Of course timekeeping went all haywire and Roger finally made his entrance at just after 4pm at a party that was scheduled for 2pm............ Sallie had been driven to Kinyara by Manager Robert and was hunting for the costume and eventually sent a message for someone to go and buy gumboots and a belt. Meanwhile Roger and Audrey were on the alert, trying to kep mzungu time and Baz and I were dozing until all hell let loose, with Welder Francis bringing a new builder along to try and persuade me to concrete the floor of the thatched classroom and Roofer Alex bringing his quotation for said floor and Roger C. saying what about wire mesh etc. etc........ When we got back from Kinyara about 7pm I looked at the 2 quotes and whilst one specified 8 bags of cement the other wanted 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know what they are doing? Some people think that mzungus can pluck money off trees!
In any case I don't have the money although I had considered using the couple of hundred in the Kabalega Lunches Account but on reflection I shall do nothing. Most of the windows are now secured by strongly welded grilles and when Mary Headteacher has returned from the village she has promised to empty that classroom used as a store.
With only 5 days left in Masindi, I hope to take the walking frame to Harriet tomorrow. I also want to meet with the District Education Officer to again stress the need for more classrooms and I should pop over to HIV positive Ivan's home to see if his mother is taking her ARVS..............
Finally I want to use the many packets of seeds that Janine's friend Rev Deb has given me and encourage Harriet's father to take upa hoe and dig for his family......
The Internet was playing up yesterday - could not get my email to James Short to go although I know the address is correct. Need his Report on the Mission Built core school building at Kabalega Primary. My meeting last week about restoring it is beginning to bear fruit so that is one positive thing.Michael Kaheru whose Dad had been the first African Head of the school brought our local M.P. Ernest Kiizza to meet me on Saturday evening and he has promised to help with a chatshow on local radio to publicise the need to fundraise and stop the building from being demolished and give more classroom space.
However I was really disheartened last night after a fun afternoon at Kinyara Sugar Works where Roger Collor dressed up as Father Christmas to a group of rather bemused youngsters whose parents are employed at the factory. Of course timekeeping went all haywire and Roger finally made his entrance at just after 4pm at a party that was scheduled for 2pm............ Sallie had been driven to Kinyara by Manager Robert and was hunting for the costume and eventually sent a message for someone to go and buy gumboots and a belt. Meanwhile Roger and Audrey were on the alert, trying to kep mzungu time and Baz and I were dozing until all hell let loose, with Welder Francis bringing a new builder along to try and persuade me to concrete the floor of the thatched classroom and Roofer Alex bringing his quotation for said floor and Roger C. saying what about wire mesh etc. etc........ When we got back from Kinyara about 7pm I looked at the 2 quotes and whilst one specified 8 bags of cement the other wanted 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone know what they are doing? Some people think that mzungus can pluck money off trees!
In any case I don't have the money although I had considered using the couple of hundred in the Kabalega Lunches Account but on reflection I shall do nothing. Most of the windows are now secured by strongly welded grilles and when Mary Headteacher has returned from the village she has promised to empty that classroom used as a store.
With only 5 days left in Masindi, I hope to take the walking frame to Harriet tomorrow. I also want to meet with the District Education Officer to again stress the need for more classrooms and I should pop over to HIV positive Ivan's home to see if his mother is taking her ARVS..............
Finally I want to use the many packets of seeds that Janine's friend Rev Deb has given me and encourage Harriet's father to take upa hoe and dig for his family......
Friday, 7 December 2012
SATURDAY 8th December
Thought you might be interested to hear about a couple of friends, Masindi residents who figure quite abit in my stories.......
SALLIE WAREING came out to East Africa as a young girl when her father spent some years in Tanzania advising in Agriculture. She returned to England to study and became a Headteacher in Derbyshire. Roughly 20 years ago she took early retirement and came to Uganda as a VSO working as an Inspector of Schools. Her latest adventure has been to buy and run The New Courtview Hotel where she is a fountain of wisdom and practical help to all. At present she is a great help to me as I worry about what is best for disabled Harriet and how to help that family out of poverty.
This is Roger Turner, who bravely came right out of his comfort zone and settled in Masindi almost ten years ago to advise and help the former Bishop Stanley Ntagali. Roger and his friends in England formed a fundraising group to help and advise the relatively newly created Diocese of Masindi-Kitara.On his own Roger has set up an orphanage run on roughly english boarding school lines and pays the fees of over 20 boys at various schools and unis in the district.. He lives a dictinctly monastic life but has shown me a thatched dwelling he has had built for a dormitory so can see the waterproofing of the roof and the quality of the concrete floor.
I have woken up this morning with these issues on my mind. I have used up all the money entrusted to me to secure the classroom windows but would really like to finish off the thatched classroom with a sturdy concrete floor and leakproof roof.. Basically I am about 200 pounds sterling short. and now with only a week left I am worried that I am not going to get The Headmistress back from her village and clear the classroom used for storage ready for use in February.........
SALLIE WAREING came out to East Africa as a young girl when her father spent some years in Tanzania advising in Agriculture. She returned to England to study and became a Headteacher in Derbyshire. Roughly 20 years ago she took early retirement and came to Uganda as a VSO working as an Inspector of Schools. Her latest adventure has been to buy and run The New Courtview Hotel where she is a fountain of wisdom and practical help to all. At present she is a great help to me as I worry about what is best for disabled Harriet and how to help that family out of poverty.
I have woken up this morning with these issues on my mind. I have used up all the money entrusted to me to secure the classroom windows but would really like to finish off the thatched classroom with a sturdy concrete floor and leakproof roof.. Basically I am about 200 pounds sterling short. and now with only a week left I am worried that I am not going to get The Headmistress back from her village and clear the classroom used for storage ready for use in February.........
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