Monday 22nd – Saturday 27th June 2009

This week we had managed to be at Akanyijuka while Susanna was actually teaching, and caught her in action.  Susanna is in Kabale for two months and while she is here she is helping us with teaching English:

Not sure if Agnes was paying attention though:

Thanks also to Susanna as last Saturday and this Wednesday we also had some people from California visit.  They were a team that had also come to work with Trinity College and through Susanna, had heard about us.  We were blessed by them bringing a stack of socks, underwear, clothes and other small items for the children.  Thank you so much guys, we appreciate it so much.  You made the children’s week, they were so excited to get all the things you brought.

Monday 15th to Saturday 20th June 2009

We headed off early Monday morning for a usual rushed time in Kampala, we only head there when absolutely necessary or if someone needs us to pick them up.  We travelled for the purpose of picking up three Canadians that are in Kabale for six months to volunteer with VCCS (our covering NGO).  As always it will be good having some like minded westerners around.  We were also going with Ben and Eddie Ward, as Eddie was heading back to England for a five week holiday.  This is a small wrap up of events of our ever enjoyable week. 

Monday – we set off at 8 am to drive to Kampala, arriving around 4 pm, then we rush off to find Kathryn’s hairdresser so we can make an appointment, of course the phone number we got last time does not work anymore, and then back to Esther Lawson’s place for some cheap accommodation.  We head straight out after showers to have a farewell dinner with Eddie, his flight was around 4 am, luckily we weren’t needed for that one. 

Tuesday – I left Kathryn at Esther’s place and headed for the day at the mechanics, we usually get things done to the car in Kampala as parts are not available in Kabale.  I was there all day, I remember leaving and calling Kathryn at 9:25 pm.  The air-conditioner was not working and we had to get it fixed in Kampala, and the fellow that the mechanic got in caused us a lot of headaches, and it was still not fixed.

Wednesday – we left at 6:30 am for the airport to pick up our visitors – Tyler, Michelle and their 2 year old son Jeremiah.  We were only given a time as details for their flight and we arrived and found a BA flight at that time, we started to worry a little when no couple with a child came out for ages and most people had come out.  Finally they came, and we discovered that someone had taken the wrong acoustic guitar and that our friends were left to try and organise getting it back.  We headed to the hotel for a rest, and then straight out for lunch and some shopping for household items not easily available in Kabale.  In the afternoon Kathryn had her hair cut, then it was back to the mechanics.  Fortunately Tyler got his guitar back while I was at the mechanics, but unfortunately tonight was another late one, the air-con guys took ages/hours to show up again.  I finally left at 10:15, but at least the ac was fixed.

Thursday – an 8 am departure for the long drive home.  Unfortunately the ride was too much for little Jeremiah and we had a few sick stops on the way, but we made it by around 5 pm, with a welcome dinner at Pastor Edward and Peace’s place.  We finally made it home, it was fantastic to have a shower and crash in our own bed.

Friday we went with the visitors to Akanyijuka and the Drop-In Centre and then showed them our land etc.  Here are a couple of pictures of them with the Akanyijuka children.

 

As usual the children were happy to receive new visitors

Thursday 11th – Saturday 13th June 2009

Thursday we went for a visit to the lake to get a little break from life in Kabale.

Thursday is the day we usually look after Pastor Edward’s daughter, Favour, you thought she would have been a bit more excited about going to see the lake, but as a 2.5yr old, drawing is more important:

Friday  I spent some time at the drop-in centre.  There have been a few going ons with the boys there lately.  Some have been struggling with the change that is involved with going to school and have stopped.   As such, a few others are now being given a chance.  One boy was told by another that the Mzungus (white people) will not be able to help you, but the boy told one of the local workers that the Mzungus don’t think he can do it, but that he was going to prove that he could go to school and was going to make it work.  We are also looking at trying to get some mechanical training for one of the older boys that is not interested in school.  There is also still need to get some accommodation going for them as some need supervision beyond what family or relatives give and some are not at school only because they still sleep on the streets.  There is one boy that has improved a lot in his general behaviour and presentation so Pam asked him if he had somewhere to stay now as he was always coming already clean.  He simply replied – Do you think that I can sleep straight on the ground, every night I get a clean box and lie it out before going to sleep on it.  The fact that he has changed so much whilst still living and sleeping on the streets shows that he is wanting a better life then he has.

Saturday we had our usual music lessons, except Kathryn had a staff meeting with the teachers.  In the evening we had dinner at Pam and Eddie’s as on Monday we travel to Kampala to drop Eddie off at the airport as he’s going back to England for a five week visit.  While we are there we are picking up some volunteers from Canada who will be staying in Kabale for 6 months, working with Victory Community Care Services.  So next week my posts will be delayed a little, but at least this time I have an excuse!!

Wednesday 10th June 2009

We just had a birthday, but with 40 children that is getting close to one a week.  Today was Akanyijuka Moses’ birthday. 

Tuesday 2nd – Tuesday 9th June 2009

This was a normal sort of week, but we did have Esther and Hazel Lawson visit from Kampala.  As usual the children were very excited to see them.  We also had some friends that we made from around town come and visit (they are from England and are here working in the teachers’ college and a few other places).  Not too many details sorry about this week, but some photos instead:

Monday, Kathryn also had the joy of going to her first of many board meetings as now she is a member of the VCCS Board. Lucky her I say!

Monday 1st June 2009 – Party Time

Today it was Kobusheshe’s birthday and boy was he happy about it – if only you could have seen him run out of class to his house for the cake!!! Here is what usually takes place when we celebrate birthdays:

Step 1: Everyone gets a little bit excited in anticipation of a cake that Kathryn has made:

Step 2: The formal part where we sing happy birthday and have the cake cutting ceremony:

Step 3: The best part – everyone gets to eat some cake – in what ever way they desire:

Some slam it down fast

Some take little by little:

Most just enjoy it:

But Kobusheshe, we are yet to discover how he eats it!

Step 4: Everyone gets happy and waits for the next birthday to come along: