11 pm Friday- it’s been really lovely sat under the stars first eating our supper then chatting, with Paul kept busy translating. Ever since I first came for an overnight visit to Kasozi I have been very well guarded at night. My first time way back in 2009 big brother Alex had slept on a mattress by the door which he had already reinforced with an iron bar, a boulder and his motorbike that we had travelled up here on! Though there are now iron railings up at the windows and doors Paul is still guarding me by sleeping the other side of my door! I feel very safe, loved and happy. I’m finding  it sizzling hot here as they’ve not had rain for weeks and this is supposed to be the rainy season, crop planting time! Wa.

I’m settled down for the first of two nights in  my en-suite!! When I was moving in I explained my toilet to Paul & Mum so they wouldn’t be wondering how this Mzungu does ‘it’! To those of you who are new to me sharing ALL about how I cope with my visits to Uganda, I will explain. Basically the places I stay in have no running water, indoor facilities or toilets as we know them. Each have latrines in their compound which are long drop toilets with just a hole to do the necessary. With my arthritic knees I am unable to use these so had to come up with a plan or otherwise not come to Uganda which to me was unthinkable! My present ‘facility’ I keep in my room. Basically it’s the frame of an old hospital commode. I purchase biodegradable bags that fit over the seat, do what I have to do, tie a knot in the bag and drop it in the bucket ready to tip into the lat pit. Then replace the bag. Easy, convenient and good for the environment! 

8 pm Friday night sat outside in the moonlight with Mum Monica cooking gnut sauce over a charcoal stove beside me. All I can see is the light from embers and occasionally her smile when I try to strike up a little conversation with her. She just laughs shyly. We don’t really need words, we just feel comfortable in each other’s company.

Megan the girl that helps mum in the home and garden is busy ironing on the ‘shade’, veranda , using a charcoal iron! I’ve never seen one in use before!

Paul and I did the first mosquito net delivery this’d evening getting back when the sun was setting. I think I’ve got used to the terrible poverty but each new place I go to I know I never will. I shake every hand that’s offered to me from kneeling women and children and feel the rough hands of the men as they clasp one of mine between both of theirs shaking profusely, obviously thanking me for caring just a little bit. I know what I do is only a drop in the ocean but I have to admit to feeling very pleased and privileged to even be able to do so little.

I had another ‘first ‘ tonight, bathing outside in the moonlight! No kidding! I had to really organise myself as it was dark but I coped and really enjoyed the experience! Only one slight worry at the beginning, and that was that white bodies show up in the dark but then I thought what the heck and just made the most of it! I’ll be doing the same tomorrow!

No photos until I get back to Innocents on Sunday.

The Ugandan people are very proud of their heritage, love to fly their flag and sing the Ugandan National Anthem. Learning all about the Ugandan flag is part of their Year 4/5 curriculum too. The children also like to draw and ‘shade’ at every opportunity. So with all these things in mind I decided we would make Ugandan flags but with the addition we we learn about the British Union Flag.

I had bought the school the two flags as a gift and they were displayed, between gusts of wind that blew them over the back of the board or even out of the hall completely!

I was pleased when the class teacher was very keen on the idea too and even took over from me as he saw me struggling to draw on the blackboard. My carpal tunnel is getting worse!! I guided him and the class through how our union flag was made up, the children following each step carefully. The teacher was brilliant at explaining to the children how to draw each cross etc and we were both really pleased at the work produced.

The children were very confident with producing  their own flag and I helped them a little by bringing printed Great Crested Cranes that they could cut out to use if they wished. The only problem with the lesson, other than the relentless dust blowing everywhere, was that with all the crayons donated by schools & individuals in the UK there were very few of the two colours we needed red and yellow! Obviously the favourite colour!

The school stapler had ‘gone missing ‘ recently so I had no stapler to attach flags to drinking straw ‘poles’ so, giving the teacher 10,000 Ugx (£2)he hopped on a passing boda, went to the trading centre and returned with said product and change! On a previous occasion I had forgotten to take a snack with me to school (the maize porridge everyone else has I just find unpalatable!), I mentioned the fact to Judith as I could feel my blood sugar lessening and the next thing I knew, Charles had gone and got me a bunch of bananas!

The lesson ended with photos and with singing the two national anthems, a risky venture which I’m sure those who’ve been following me for a while will remember!! I will try to forward you the video of the lovely singing of the children at a later date. My camera was too full to video my singing, what a shame!! When the teachers heard me their response was silent entrapment (I think, hope!) but they still keep asking when I will let them video it!

On my way home after school, I walked into the middle of the road to let this lady pass. She stopped suddenly and bending slightly at the knees offered me her hand of gratitude! In doing so her bike loaded with heavy bundle of wood for the cooking fire started to fall! I grabbed the bike and we heaved it back upright! I’m still not sure why she greeted me so profusely, was it because I made way to her whereas others might have forced her to reroute, or was she thanking me for my ‘good works ‘ as many do or was it that she just fancied shaking Mzungu hands. I will never know, but I got a great photo!

Today I’m moving inland for a couple of days to the village of Kasozi. This is where my other Uganda family, Alex and his five brothers, were brought up. All have left the home now except for Paul who is there helping his mum while he waits to move onto further education having passed his A levels. Emma, their step brother also resides there during school holidays.

It is likely to be hotter still in Kasozi, pronounced ‘cassoss’, and with no electric I won’t have the luxury of using my fan! That also means once my phone and power block are flat I won’t be in touch. But I promise I will tell you that really good news when I get back to Innocents on Sunday late afternoon!

I tried sending from Gerry’s Plaza but still no joy but I did have a visit from a little girl who gave me a gift!

The desks have arrived

Thank you Sheila Knotts for our new desk and mosquito nets

The children say thank you to their friends at St Paul’s Catholic School in Poynton for our mosquito nets, desks, charts and books.

Thank you Rose for buying charts. They will make our lessons more interesting.

Thank you Pamela!

Our new desk sponsored by Cath Lawson is much better than writing with our book on our knees sat on a bench. Thank you!

Thank you Jeannie & Roger!

 

Fiona Moyes and George donated this desk along with mosquito nets and books. Thanks for the stickers you gave to Madam Gerry too, we love them!

Aunt Susan Hampton- Kenny donated this desk to dear Oscar. Thank you xx

Helping move piles of bricks mostly with bare feet and a smile 😊

Another desk being labelled, this one to Anne Holder a great supporter of Madam Gerry’s work out in Uganda. Thank you 😊 Anne! X

This young man is an artist and uses this skill to earn a living

Thank you Anne!