Almost back to normal!

I’ve taken my final antimalarial tablet, eaten the last of the green oranges the children of Brain Trust PS gave me as a farewell gift (I helped eat the cock that I was supposed to bring back to ‘Father Norman’, the night before I left Nawanyago!) and shared out with family and friends many of the g-nuts given to me, though every time I pass the box in the kitchen I somehow navigate towards it for the last few!

The colours and gentle warmth of the UK Spring are still putting a smile on my face after the sight of limp water-starved crops suffering in the excruciating heat of the continued drought in Uganda. 

I’m not quite used to driving a ‘proper ‘ car yet, even today I found myself forgetting my seatbelt and had difficulty getting our car into gear after the heavy wrenching manoeuvres needed for the Land cruiser and pickup truck I drove in Uganda!

I’ve not quite finished sending out posts and photos from my wonderful (mostly!) four weeks in Uganda but already started my 2020 list for my next visit! 

The very good news is that Innocent is now in contact once again thanks to my lovely friend Marie and my wonderful hubby who clubbed together and bought him a phone, a replacement for the one that was stolen when he was viciously mugged a week before I returned home. Innocent has now recovered from that terrible experience and from the two seizures that followed and is busy looking after his farm and family, and eager to help with my projects whenever I ask. 

I hope you’ll continue your interest and support for the help we offer people in Uganda and look forward to hearing from you along the way. X Be back soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The youngest English footy supporter in Uganda! Meet six month old Norman Reginald, son of Innocent and Betty, grandson of Judith. Norman was a constant companion while in Uganda. He is named after my wonderful hubby Norman who I will hopefully be seeing in a couple of hours.

 

 

The last sponsored nets were collected by head teacher Charles on Tuesday night. Now every child at Brain Trust will be protected from being bitten by the Malarian mosquito!

 

 

Another power cut provided me with my last supper in Nawanyago cooked, served and eaten by candlelight! Then yesterday morning I was up and out as dawn was breaking, something I had only seen previously through my mosquito net and the window bars! It was time to say goodbye to my wonderful family in Nawanyago who have been caring for me so well. I will miss them!

 

 

On our way through Jinja we called in on another family member Bosco at his work place. He showed us around the hospital and pointed out where he had been busy doing basic dentistry! Thanks to Doc Lisa-Marie and other colleagues he now has the correct tools! Nurse Bosco who enjoys dentistry and has already treated three patients using donated tools from dentists in Poynton!

 

 

Well that’s it folks, I’m at Banana Village about 30 minutes from Entebbe airport. I’ve made the most of having time to spare by visiting friends and pretending to be a tourist! Innocent has kept me company today which has been good, giving him a break. My flight is one minute to midnight. See you soon! X

Very early Thursday morning! Arrived in Brussels just waiting for connecting flight home. Thank you Patrick Manday Sseruwagi for my farewell lunch. Good luck with your amazing project for those who were not able to receive an education when they younger. Also my enormous gratitude to Innocent for seeing me all the way to Entebbe airport then having to travel overnight many hours back to the village. I hope you are now home once again with your family in Nawanyago. I’ve had a good flight but still coughing with the results of the Uganda dust! See you next year.

Amazing tailoring being taught so these women can acquire skill to help them become independent

Amazing Grace and Shalom

Tuesday: I was going to stay home today, finish packing and relax with the family who I will miss so much when I start my journey to the UK very early tomorrow morning. But expect the unexpected in Uganda! A boda turned up at the front door asking for Madam Gerry and an invitation to go down to Athens school. I half expected something was going on when Alex grinned at me as he left for school.

So off I went having asked for a second boda for Judith.

It was very quiet when we arrived and only Charles was in his office. He said the children want to say farewell to you.

He insisted on carrying my bag and water and led me down to the open hall. As soon as I approached the whole school rose as one chanting their welcome.

The Uganda and Basoga anthems were sung and one of the teachers invited me to sing our National Anthem. I declined by saying maybe later!

Speeches followed, thanking me and you for the support we have given the school. The head teacher Charles particularly emphasised about the mosquito nets saying sickness amongst the children had been reduced considerably.

The recent repair of the roof by Poynton Rotary was highlighted too as already the children had benefited in the rainy season.

The chairman of the management committee also spoke and presented me with a live cock to ‘bring back to father Norman for allowing me to come to Uganda’! I didn’t like to tell them that he doesn’t have much choice! Love you Norman!!

The children entertained with songs and the head boy made a brief speech.

The live cock had been under my seat when suddenly it made a run for freedom even though it’s legs were tied! Alex who had been seated with his classmates leaped over the desk and gave chase. Guess what we had for supper!

A big surprise was when Alex again stood up and came to stand in front of me. He produced a piece of paper and read put his thanks too. Alex lives with Innocent as his mother couldn’t look after him when the father left. He speaks very little English so Innocent and I have been helping him. It took a lot of courage to do what he did.

By this time a lot of the tiny tots had fallen asleep or were playing about. I was asked to say a few words and suddenly they woke up! Not sure they could understand a word I was saying but when I ended by getting them all to sing The Jambo Song they were wide awake.

I thought that was it when Charles stood up with a big grin on his face and what looked like another framed picture of the Basoga king or a certificate of appreciation, I have a collection at home! He asked me to guess but I said I couldn’t think what it could be! I just didn’t want to offend!

Well I was very wrong anyway. I will leave the photo to tell the story. I was overwhelmed!

The teacher then invited me again to sing our National Anthem, so I did!

Children also brought in donations of oranges, avocado and even an egg.

Leaving school, my husbands cock (tee hee!) was hung from the handlebars of the boda!