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.
Friday, 11 April 2014
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.......
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