We are setting into a regular schedule of meetings and training sessions etc. Starting with Monday morning meetings with VCCS, Tuesdays, Kathryn runs training for the updated and revised matrons training manual with the matrons and then a discipleship lesson with them and the female teachers on Wednesdays. Thursday and Saturday afternoons it is music lessons with the children. Kathryn also runs staff meetings for the school on every third Friday afternoon. In between that we still are organising restructuring and changing the way we operate etc. We are now thinking long term and trying to set up in a way that we will run when we grow bigger.
This week we had a couple of extra things happen, some good, some exciting and some frustrating! Thursday we started some holiday packages for the Primary 1 and Primary 2 students, to test them out to see how they are going. Then on Friday night we had a couple of guests over for dinner – they had just popped in from Brisbane to try out my cooking skills. They said it was good, but that might only be because they have been eating local food for about three months. Ash and Amie arrived in Kabale Friday afternoon to visit Akanyijuka and generally rest in Kabale for 10 days. They have been in Kampala at Sanyu Babies Home volunteering and knew about us through a mutual friend so they came to check out what we were up to etc.
Saturday afternoon we took them down to Akanyijuka to meet everyone there, which was great. I think that the children are getting a bit used to visitors these days as they do not go crazy anymore when we have visitors just pop in. But a good time was had by all. It was while we were there we discovered the frustrating thing I mentioned earlier. About two weeks ago people from the council said that the road Akanyijuka is on was to be widened, which is ok as that is how it is on the town plans, but they did not give any warning and Friday suddenly a bulldozer showed up to knock down our front compound, along with everyone else’s in the street – brick fences, gates and all. Most of the fence was managed to be saved and brought inside. But also the Town Clerk apparently came and said outright that there will be no school here next term (3 weeks from now). So we are now having to go into some serious negotiating and rearranging with the School Inspector etc.
On a happier note Judith, our relief Matron, started longer hours to help Pamellah have more time on her hands to develop a better mentoring program for the children. From now on Judith will be doing most of the extra activities that Pamellah used to travel around town doing. Also Merida, one of our other matrons is being trained as a Head Matron to take over in that area also, giving much more time for Pamellah to concentrate more on the children’s development etc.
I also managed to get some photos throughout the week:
Although these two photos of Agnes are not the most flattering, those who know her and her story will be glad to know she is having a lot more fun these days!!
Here is Patrick, our tireless volunteer. He helps with music lessons, chickens, crops, home visitations and just about anything we ask – thanks Patrick, people like you make what we do easier and even more enjoyable!
