Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Another day full of orphan visits.  We first went to the Uganda Martyrs Primary school to visit seven of the Muko HOPE orphans who attend there.  We were also taken around to each of the classrooms – baby class (3 years old) through P7 (7^th grade equivalent).  We were warmly greeted in each class, sometimes with a song and other times with a recitation by the entire class welcoming us.   We each introduced ourselves and then in the older classes the students asked us questions ranging from what the weather is like in Michigan to what we each do as a profession, and even just asking us to repeat our names.  Each visit at the schools provides more and more insight on the culture of education in Uganda.

After our visit at Uganda Martyrs, we then headed to Muko High School where there are 17 Muko HOPE sponsored orphans.  We had fun, and sometimes sadness, learning how their lives and studies are progressing.  They all appreciated the hockey jerseys and t-shirts and we took a nice photo of all of the boys in their jerseys.

We left the high school around 3:30 pm so Karen stayed in order to have time before her 5:00 violin lesson to visit with the music teacher and see her classroom.  Or so she thought…Karen set out with the music teacher, Isabella, three students, Haward, Henry, and Isobel understanding that they were headed for the music classroom. Instead, they took her to a beautiful home in the middle of the Muko High School campus where the “grandmother” of the school lives. Her home was surrounded by plantings of beautiful blue hydrangeas, calla lilies, and a large palm tree. When Karen was introduced to the grandmother, named Dinah, pronounced “Deenah” she thought she was about to be served dinner! A wonderful time of fellowship ensued which included a call from Dinah’s daughter who lives in Kampala. Dinah insisted that Karen talk with her on the phone! Dinah amused everyone with stories of her life and a brief sermon including John 3:16. Karen will remember this for the rest of her life!

Music classes included an introduction to the viola. The students caught on quickly and it seems like they are on their way to a second section of the orchestra.

While part of the team was visiting the schools, the HANDS team made great progress with plans for the commercial potato endeavor, including finding a buyer/distributor, William Katonga who agreed to purchase potatoes from ACT for 1000 UGX above market price.  William has been a volunteer for ACT Uganda from the start of ACT and recently donated 20,000 UGX to fill the rutted road in front of the ACT Center prior to the Thanksgiving Event.  All we can say is: Webare Munonga William!  The HANDS Team also met to discuss soybeans, liquid manure production and organization of the potato storage area. Tomorrow the team will meet at the Mushroom Training and Resource Center east of Kabale to learn more about training fees and on Thursday we will observe and help with potato planting in the three parcels of land that have been leased by ACT this growing season.

Dave, following instructions that Dave Molzahn (who was on the last ACT Mission Team in May) found on-line, was able to provide 3G access to the Empowerment Center on his first attempt by rigging up an antenna attached to the new 20 foot water tower.  The antenna is comprised of a metal colander, an empty peanut butter jar and duct tape.  We're giving McGyver a run for his money!

Speaking of the water tower, there is now running water in the Center in the form of a sink and a shower – which has more water pressure that our hotel!

Ginny spent much of afternoon organizing and packing baskets to bring back to the U.S.  She also prepared lessons for tomorrow’s class with the MEP women and men.  She is expecting 40 women and up to 10 men carvers.   They will be learning new dyeing techniques and will also be working with the jewelry makers and carvers on quality control.

One of the vans returned to Kabale a little earlier than normal today and Norman, Ginny, Sue and John did some shopping to purchase a few more necessities for the Empowerment Center.  Shopping is a bit different here … and negotiating is expected.

We accomplished many extra things today, so rated ourselves a 175%.  The bar just keeps getting raised.