I forgot to tell you about the rat 🐀, no not that one, his brother or sister, cousin or friend, the other one! On my first day at Innocents home last Sunday Judith, Innocents mum, was helping me to unpack a few things I leave in Uganda, from the metal trunk. She noticed some shreds of paper and we both knew straight away what it was! The trunk didn’t smell so we were pretty sure the rat 🐀 had moved on but I got the boys to carry it into the garden regardless. We started unpacking carefully and low and behold there was the rat 🐀 scampering about! At this point I stood back and let Innocent take charge! To cut a long story short, very short, the rat 🐀 didn’t move house that day!!

Innocent went in for the kill!

Quite a nice looking 🐀! Reminded me if the gerbils our daughters had when they were young!

These wonderful people then sorted and cleaned the trunk out while I sat and watched! There is quite a bit of damage to school books etc but at least Ratty left my personal things in tact!

I’m late getting up this morning, well it’s just after 8! There’s no electricity so I’m missing my early morning cuppa. Terrible! That is until I remember that Innocent, Alex and Paul (Judith’s 10 year old son) are in the garden (fields) and have been since dawn, and his wife Betty is at the borehole collecting water, quite a bit of it for me!

Really puts my ’needs’ in perspective!

Fempads!

A bag of fempads were waiting for me when I got back from Kasozi yesterday. They hadn’t been ready for me to collect on my way from Entebbe probably because it had been the Christmas holidays. Dear Patrick had travelled all the way from Kampala to bring them here ready for me to start delivering to the local ladies of menstrual age, along with the mosquito nets. Thanks to all who have donated to fempads, they are going to be life changing.

I showed them to Judith and Betty this morning and even though I explained what they were they looked doubtful so I went and got a pair of my knickers to demonstrate which worked. So I said I would take my knickers when I was delivering the fempads and they both burst into laughter! Why? After she had stopped laughing Judith said it was because they were so large! I like my big knickers but I will borrow a pair of Betty’s or buy a new pair to demonstrate.

With Patrick’s ladies group so far away from Kamuli District I’m seriously considering looking round for someone local to start a fempad project with. It makes much more sense. I’ve got Innocent on the case. X

Paul and Mum Monica are loading bricks into the pick-up just in case we get stuck in the mud. Going to have an attempt at midday, 90 minutes. I’m getting nervous as it’s worse knowing now what us to come! But can’t stay here, Mike has to get back to work and Paul to uni.

No worries. Well I have some very good news, enough for almost 700 nets has been raised which is amazing 😉 !

Everyone is so appreciative of our efforts to help protect them from Malaria. Thanks everyone!

Bonga! Thank you with fists!

Arrived safe! Will explain more later but for now can’t stop smiling! My tummy still hasn’t calmed down!

The road was even worse than when we had gone to Kazozi with the ditches now with water in them after the storm yesterday and many were thick with mud on the approach and on exiting. We were supposed to leave at 12, giving the sun time to dry the mud but Paul noticed the weather changing so we left early. There were numerous ditches and nine very challenging ones that the three of us plus spectators doubted we would make but with Mike and Paul out of the vehicle planning my route, using twigs to assess water depth it was then up to me. I made up my mind that taking it easy, slow and careful was not an option. I needed to put my foot down a bit, maybe more than a bit and most importantly keep going! I was so nervous but also determined as if we missed this opportunity it could be a long wait as more rain was forecast. Mike needed to get to work and Paul back to uni. So I gritted my teeth, quite literally, and went for it. The grin on the boys faces said it all when I succeeded by getting through the first one, I even got a ‘bonga’ (high five equivalent) from Paul. Each one we navigated successfully was another relief but the thought of another and another to follow was quite scary! In the swamp area the ditches came one after the other so the boys would walk ahead of me.

We were all amazed how the pick-up coped though it was complaining loudly when I was making it work hard!

Once we had succeeded through all the ditches we allowed ourselves congratulatory smiles, rather big smiles! I think that journey will be one of those that will be in our memories for a long time! I must admit I’m still wondering how we did it!

One minute I’m laughing and the next nervous at the memory of what we had achieved. I shall sleep very well tonight!

Fortunately the deliveries in and around Nawanyago should be very easy by comparison but I will take a couple of days rest before we start.

Mike and Paul came all the way back to Nawanyago with me, stayed for lunch then Innocent and I walked them to the bus. It had been lovely having the four brothers together for a few days, they are lovely young men and always care for me so well.

But I’ve decided no more ‘adventures’ this visit to Uganda!X

One of the many challenges me and the pick-up had today!

Wednesday, a day of mixed emotion! We’d set off mid-morning to our first meeting place. We soon discovered that the track, it wouldn’t qualify as a road, that ran in, out and around the homesteads had been badly flood damaged too. The pick-up truck had to cope with ridiculous angles and several times I thought we were going to tip over! I felt very sorry for Mike and Bosco who were travelling in the back with the mosquito nets as they couldn’t see where we were going so wouldn’t have been able to prepare themselves for the twists and turns and ridiculous angles I put the pick-up through! At one point I thought we had had it when, at about half way to our destination I made a wrong decision and got stuck in the mud! The pick-up wouldn’t go forwards or backwards and there was a distinct smell of burning when I tried. So out jumped the brothers in their best outfits to try and push me out but with no success. The two left tyres were actually off the ground! Then out of the bushes came children carrying babies, ladies in traditional dress and then young men who for a while just watched the scene. Then gradually offers and ideas to help us came forward with hoes, stones, branches off trees and sheer strength and eventually the pick-up was freed. I was so relieved!

There was no one around when we arrived at a school playing field, the location Paul had agreed with the community. But it didn’t take long for the message to get round and for one person to appear, then another, then another. Soon Bosco had started his health checks while I was really just a spectator greeting the people and taking photos which I was pleased at as I had started to feel unwell again (the heat and possibly the reaction to the stressful drive there!) There was a lovely atmosphere lots of chatting and laughing. It’s at times like this I wish I could speak their language so I could share completely. One thing the boys did share with me when I asked why everyone was laughing was that someone had commented that I had the voice from the phone that says ‘Sorry, number unavailable. Please try later’!

It had been going very well, as to our plan when everything changed in the blink of an eye. I was taking photos when I heard a man shouting what could only be abuse at Paul then others started shouting. This man then seemed to rip a mosquito net from Paul’s hands! This man already had two which is what his family qualified for. Paul had apparently decided to give the spare ones to people who had come for the check up but were not on the original list, just one per person. Another man tried to get the net off the first man and it became a tug of war, the net being the rope! Well I just saw red and approached this man head on as he was trying to run off. He wouldn’t have spoken any English but I shouted at him regardless, and indicated to take the net back finding myself eye to eye with him at one point, but found there was no fear on my part. I think it was rather a shock to him that a Mzungu woman could act that way! I must admit I was quite surprised too and still wonder how I moved so fast!! It was quite weird how well I felt afterwards, my energy returning. Must have been the adrenaline!

This one incident could have spoilt the whole day and I think for Paul it did in a way, as for a long time afterwards he looked worried wondering how he could have managed the situation better. Later on when we had eventually got back to the family homestead, they had had something to eat and I had had a rest, the four of us Mike, Bosco, Paul and I sat down and talked it through. We all came to the conclusion that there was nothing Paul could have or needed to have done different and that there are greedy rude people like the man everywhere!

We’ve had a big storm with torrential rain so I’m getting rather concerned about the drive home to Innocents tomorrow. The road had been bad enough coming without the added problem of the road being wet or even flooded again! I’ll let you know!

We based ourselves under the trees and Bosco started his health checks

Paul and Bosco make a good team

Children looked on

This toy truck was having a few alterations

Tyres off motorcycles make favourite toys

It’s Tuesday, I’ve been at a Innocents place since Sunday but my phone has been playing up and the internet very weak. I’ll catch up with the ‘missing ‘ days eventually!

This morning Paul and I travelled to his home village Kasozi arriving after a long and horrendously difficult journey, and it was me driving the pick-up! The recent weeks and weeks of flooding has caused the road to be almost impassable in many places, almost disappearing in places leaving many steep muddy ditches to navigate and often I thought the old pick-up (and the old driver!) were not going to make it! But, I had Paul sat beside me encouraging me and warning as we approached another bad deep ditch, and then out guiding where to go and which way to steer! I had no choice but to have faith in him! We had quite a few amused spectators too as only boda motorcycles, four-wheel drive and HGV usually attempt the journey!

By the time we reached the village my hands and arms ached from the strain of holding the wheel so tight!!! Every bone in my body has been madly shaken up!

All my belongings are covered in thick dust because I never thought to cover them. Fortunately the mosquito nets were still in their original packing so they should be fine.

Brother Bosco had beaten us here having travelling the road himself on a boda motorbike taxi and had been wondering if Mum Gerry would ever make it through! Soon after we arrived he showed me his new BP machine and asked if I’d like him to take my BP. I thought it would be very high after the stressful drive but he read 137/97, commenting that I was within range for my age! I don’t think that’s too bad but would love it confirmed daughter Nicola!

I forgot to mention at the start, that Innocent accompanied me from his home along the main Kamuli Road to where you have to branch off onto the track to to Kasozi where Paul net us. The traffic Police with their bright white uniforms (however do they keep them that way with all the dust?!) were out in force and stopped me! My heart missed a beat as I know from experience how ‘awkward’ they can be, and of course many are corrupt! A young one approached me so I calmly wound down the window and greeted him with a smile and Good morning Officer. He immediately pointed out I was not wearing a seatbelt. I explained that they didn’t work (like many parts of the pick-up!!) Then he asked to see my driving licence which fortunately I had somewhere in my bag? A more senior and rather larger officer then approached asking me the same questions. Relief, I found it along with my passport and a bit of money in case a bribe was needed! This officer took time looking at my licence, seeing quite fascinated by the large paper form (pre photo card etc!). He then commented on my age and asked if it was true that in the UK you can pass your test at 25 and not have to renew ever. I said yes, not until you reach 70 unless you’ve had lots of accidents. I passed my test in 1968 and would renew next year when I turn 70. I think his expression showed a mixture of surprise and appreciation! Whatever it was he then just asked me where I was going and for what what reason. I proudly stated that I was to deliver 200 mosquito nets to the village of Kasozi and that was it. He wished me well and waved me through! I hope if the police are there again on our return journey on Thursday he is there too!

Tuesday to be Continued!

Unpacking the pick-up

Health check by Bosco with his new BP machine

Bosco explains my results

Is that releif on my face?

The Loans and Savings group

Nurse Bosco. It’s great to have a visiting health care nurse visiting the village and they all know Bosco

Handing out nets, some got more than one depending on their family size

Paul gives washing instructions while brother Bosco carries on with health checks.

Thank you Patsy

Paul is now at Uni studt=ying clinical medicine and community health so this is very good experience for him

Emma declared that now he was my in-law as he was wearing my husbands shirt and then that everyone should now vote for him!

It had been a good but tiring day and I really needed to bathe! No bathroom here so Paul organised my water and a basin to stand in and with the help of my plastic jug I bought with me I bathed in the moonlight once again. Can’t beat it though something stung my foot!!

Recently it had been Paul’s 21st so I bought a cake and we had a wonderful family celebration. Paul was so surprised!

Emma decorated the cake with glowsticks as no electric light here

My daughter Sara made the gingerbread man and Paul was thrilled to see his name on it

Take a wish Paul

So strange coming way out in the countryside and finding the Internet is good! I’m making the most of it as you might have noticed!

Ok the boys have packed the pick-up and we heading even further into the countryside for another net delivery. Brother Mike has travelled early from Iganga to join us so plenty of help. See you later x

Wednesday morning. Ive just enjoyed a brilliant long sleep the most relaxed sleep I’ve had in ages. Secure in the knowledge that Paul was sleeping right outside my door, something that all these boys have done since I first stayed in their home starting with Alex over ten years ago when he not only slept nearby but also secured the door with an iron bar, a big boulder and his motorbike that we had travelled there on! It was fun and games when I needed a ‘shortcall’ in the middle of the night!! The boys promise Dad Norman (my hubby) that they will look after Mum Gerry and they do their best!

Already ladies are arriving for a health check from Bosco and it’s only 7.30. I’ve excused myself and walked down the garden to a good internet spot to write to you and have my breakfast. I can’t go without until mid morning like they do!

See Tuesday cont. below

Once we had enjoyed Mum Monica’s delicious lunch work started. Firstly a Village Loans and Savings meeting was held at the home then Bosco, now a qualified nurse gave them and others a health check. Many of them qualified for mosquito nets so Paul and I gave them out to very grateful recipients. All these nets were bought with a kind donation from my sister Patsy. The sun was going down rapidly as we gave out the last nets. I created a lot of laughter as I kept going into my room and chasing a mother hen and her chicks out but still they returned time after time. Then Paul informed me that it was there home too!! Better than sleeping with a rat!

We’ll be heading further into the countryside tomorrow but Paul has arranged for people to gather in groups in several areas so the job should be much easier than last year with the added bonus of a free health check!