Really, I am! I know this will surprise most of you, but I came back to the US on March 11 - it was a surprise to the family (except Corky)...I wanted to be at their "mid winter get away" at St. Cloud and decided to COS (Close of Service) on March 10th a long time ago - just lied a lot since then!!! The kids were really surprised - not suspicious at all!!! We decided that the last time we were all together was August '07 at Bert and Naomi's wedding reception! That's too long!

Great fun at the hotel tho' I got a bad cold (airplane) and was a bit off - the little grandkids took a long time warming up (not sure if they ever did), but the older boys, Riley, Dylan, Henry and Ben got back into it! Greg said "it doesn't seem like you were away", but it does to me! Really overwhelmed by the crowds at the hotel, all the food, and how many people are grossly overweight! Older women in Uganda get big and you see some overweight men in Kampala but otherwise all I've seen for two years is really skinny people!! Funny that that should strike me even more than the obvious skin color difference.

Jean and Kody (well, Jean) are making wedding plans - she and Gail got 3 Bride magazines while we were there! I'm not surprised that Jean is so organized (she's even more OCD than I am if that's possible) but it amazes me that she is really into the wedding planning! The (very) tentative plans are for 2/11/1011 (Friday nite) at Lutzen Ski Resort on the North Shore in Minnesota!

Weather is not bad - 40s and 50s and snow is melting, but I'm freezing!!! Going later this afternoon to watch Greg and Bert play hockey and I don't know if I'll make it!

Miss the folks in Uganda, but I'm really happy to be home. Want to rest for a few weeks and then maybe look for some work part time! I am really tired. Living that long in a foreign culture is exhausting!

Back to the "regular" blog - old news now! I'll try to write a few more times as I get more into American society and my reactions to being back.

While I was working at the PC office the last days in Uganda I drafted my blog for the week. Am now at home Friday morning and adding. I just saw the Waste Management Truck go by - I love those guys!!! Them, the USPO and the Library - sorely missed in Uganda!

I last posted from Uganda on Friday the 6th. Friday nite Shari, Holly and Michelle had Becky and I over for dinner - the last Bean Burrito feast! A great meal. Holly's gas tank just finished (she has 3 weeks to goin Uganda) and the power is out so she's w/o any cooking facilities! Bummer. She came over for hot water Saturday a.m. (since she brought me hot water when my gas and power were out before).

Saturday, the 7th was the dreaded farewell party - I didn't know how I'd do! Ugandans LOVE parties and there was no way around it! Fortunately, they combined the going away for Shari, Holly, Sr. Goretti, Sr. Veronica and me which made it a lot less intimidating! And it was wonderful - LOTS and LOTS of work by the staff and kids!

It poured rain in the a.m. but didn't stop anyone! The priest from the parish, who I really like, came and said Mass at 10:30. Reading and sermon were on The Good Samaritan. Holly and Shari had invited the other "local" PCVs - Adam from Mukono and Heidi from Katose which was nice; plus, Lieke and Louwke ("the Holland girls") and Becky were there, along with the other departing guests! After Mass there was a program - Fred MCd and it moved! We each gave a short (really) speech and in between there were dances, songs, poems, etc. It all lasted just over an hour which is VERY un-Ugandan but great! Lieke video taped it and will send me a CD after they get home which will be nice. I got lots of great gifts which worried me (again) about packing. PH gave me a great "certificate" folder w. pictures and nice messages, and a really elaborate wood plaque, got lots of baskets, beads and purses from others, and from Sula, a "half gomez". The gomez is a traditional dress worn for special occasions and can get pretty elaborate. A half gomez is the same style but less elaborate. It's not African but an adaptation of the dresses the missionaries made the women wear - the only "African wear" we see is on the dancers occasionally. Will wear it when (if?) I get a power point together and go on the road.

During the program Didas and other staff were putting out the kids' food in the shoe room, so as soon as the tables were rearranged dinner was served! Great food - matoke, rice, beef, fish, ground nut sauce, chipati, pineapple, bananas and sodas. (I treated for dinner - the kids so love a break in their diet). Several other Sisters from the convent came for the meal.

After all the festivities I said goodbye to Sr. Goretti (very sad) and Sr. Veronica....and went home to try to pack. It wasn't working and I re-did it many times in my head that nite. Finally got the idea to leave my old brown suitcase and use one left by China (still under my bed) that's bigger - tried it Sunday a.m. and it all worked! YEA!

Sunday after Mass I divided my clothes into boy (T-shirts, polo shirts) and girl piles and took them down to PH to be distributed by the head girl and head boy. Head boy (Alex) didn't get my instructions (?) and was keeping it all, till I was alerted Monday a.m. - think we worked it out. Eva, head girl, started giving it away and by Sunday afternoon I could see myself all over PH! She really appreciated the old suitcase to use as a locker for her things,too!

Becky had us all to lunch which was really nice - on our veranda! Holly and I had our "last walk" (everything was last), and then I went to a nice little supper at Fred's. All in all, a great weekend. I'm feeling strangely unemotional - not sure if I'm heartless or just can't comprehend that, after two years, I'm actually leaving!

Monday we took off about 9:30 on a whirlwind trip to Kampala (is there any other kind of trip for PH?). Sr. Juliet came as well as Andrew (boy w. CP who I love), Josephine, and a fairly new resident, Maria (more later), plus various people from town who wanted a ride (it was a holiday, Women's Day). The Sisters, kids and Fred sang The Franciscan Prayer in parting - it's so neat. It's much better sung, but goes:

The Lord bless you and keep you,

The Lord make his face to shine upon you,

And be gracious unto you.

The Lord lift up His Countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

We stopped first in Kisoga, so Josephine could get a letter from her former Head Mistress to take to apply for college scholarships (nothing in Uganda is done easily - always has to be a personal stop and hope the necessary people/articles are there as promised). Stopped at the Italian's Sisters clinic to see some potential residents, but (fortunately) the Sisters were out w. visitors. On to Seeta to say goodbye to the Chairman of the PH Board, and then to Kireka (just outside Kampala) to try to find a another place Josephine needed to visit for information on scholarship applications (didn't find it - there are no addresses - you just hunt).

Then we went to Butabika Psychiatric hospital. The young woman, Maria, came to PH several weeks ago. She was sent by another Sister who went to nursing school w. her. She's had some bad times and basically has had a "breakdown". She talked to the nurses from Butabika when they were at PH for the Epilepsy Clinic last week and they Told Sr. J she should be admitted - she didn't know that - she thought we were going to pick up some medicine for her! Pulled up to the women's building and our "welcoming committee" was a pick-up parked outside w. some men and two police women in the back and a lady dancing away, wearing only her bra and panties - and lots of feathers in her hair - she stayed, too!

Sister went in first, and then we went in w. Maria. She figured it out (she's very bright) and went ballistic! They finally held her down and sedated her. The hospital is really clean and seems OK and I was impressed that the staff was so nice - defintely not One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest. While Sr. J and I waited for her to settle so we could take her clothes back (they get a green uniform), the other residents visited w. us - I suppose it's unusual to have a muzungu and a Sister stop by! They sang hymns, prayed for us and one even read part of Revelations (IN ENGLISH - she had to be well educated). I've never particularly liked Revelations, but having it read to you by a mad woman in a Ugandan security hospital is another experience! Do they know something we don't know?

Anyway, finally got out (YEA) and on to the PC office. Fortunately, the office had alerted the security staff so we could drive in and unload - tho' Sula and Sister had to be checked and turn in their phones (?); Meghan Bender, a friend and PCV from our group, was in the volunteer computer lounge (offices were closed for the holiday) so they didn't have to feel they were leaving me alone. So, that was the final goodbye - Sr. J was really sad, but I was still awfully casual about the whole thing (wierd).

Megan and I went down to the hotel and out to dinner together...nice! Tuesday and Wednesday I went to the PC office to finish paperwork (and there was still plenty!). Tuesday afternoon I went to the Mall to do some errands and saw Invictus -it's a bit hokey and drags in parts, but I loved it and glad I saw it in Africa!

Pretty sleepless nite - last one in Uganda, but it still hadn't registered!

Wednesday we had a big group lunch - 10 of us around from our group (3 others leaving this week) - good times. I will miss those guys. I decided to bite the bullet and will subscribe to Facebook just to keep up w. them. You know you probably won't see most again, but it was a fun bunch! Had my final interview w. my supervisor and medical and Shari and Holly went with me and the PC driver to the airport. Two years over - it's hard to believe!

Flights all were on time and w/o a hitch. Watched Up in the Air and Harry Potter to Amsterdam and then Blind Side, My Favorite Fox (?) and tried to watch Where the Wild Things Are (dumb) to Minneapolis. I can never sleep on planes and by the time I arrived I was exhausted (plus, haven't slept well the last week). At the Amsterdam Airport they have a small exhibit from the Rijks Musuem (very nice). Picture wasn't there but got a print from Josef Israels - Children of the Sea - I just loved it!! Spent my last Euros!

Corky met me after customs (I had to declare the drum but they were satisfied when I said the head was cow leather - ?) and we headed home - first on the list at home were a hot shower, microwave popcorn and laundry (love watching the machine work). I slept 11 1/2 hours Thursday nite. Now I'm pumped to go to the hotel in St. Cloud and surprise (hopefully) the family!

If I'm undone by anything - it will be technology (which has always been a problem for me). Corky got me a new phone and I'm stumped; TV remote is too complex and tried to see some videos from Uganda and can't make them work either!!!

Well, that's enough for now.....I'll be slowly re-integrating into society from here on in! Again, thanks to everyone for your support and patience. God Bless you All!

I'm back in the PC office - I'm getting my physical/dental out of the way this week. Got most done on Wednesday but we have to come back within 72 hours to have our Mantoux read - PC will even pay for you to stay in Kampala the two days, but I opted to go back (not that big a trip and personally, I don't care for Kampala - too noisy, polluted, crowded, etc.) Everything came out great - nice to know! Was extremely lucky w. the rain too - it poured yesterday (THursday) and the road to Mukono was nearly impassible (Fred went to Kamapala for chicken vaccine and was stopped for 3 hours near Kisoga for a line of matatus being pushed up the hill!); today appears to be sunny, too! Don't know if the mudslide in Eastern Uganda made the news - about 100 people killed they think. People were squatting on public park land (and the government doesn't look), and had cut down most of the trees on the side of a big hill - and it gave way in the heavy rains! It's really been raining!!!

On the way in today (we left right at 6:00) another driver stopped our matatu on the and said there was flooding in Kampala so our driver was going to go a different way, but he made a few phone calls and guess that was not true! There was a big accident in Mukono and traffic was stopped both ways, but we managed to take a road around the country and miss that (phew)! Travel here is always an adventure!!!

On to the week past - We had our COS (Close of Service) party last Saturday - lots of fun. Only 7 missing out of about 40 of us left. We had a great Ethiopian buffet - nice spicey food - then a slide show and dancing. I made it till 11:30! Was up at 7:30 and out of town by 8:15. I was pretty sure there was not going to be any action at the hotel till noon! A little rain on the way back but the road was still O.K. I'll miss the PC "kids" - a great group all in all. It's amazing how they have gotten close after being dropped in a foreign country by chance - but it does take a certain "breed" to go into PC I guess - crazy? maybe, but also able to tolerate ambiguity and being uncomfortable a lot of the time!

Monday it rained all nite - I slept for 10 hours! YEA! I got started at PH but I couldn't get the bakery office key to type and Sr. J was in Kampala so I went to my apt. to sort papers for burning. I washed my sheets etc., hung them out - and then it started to POUR - it rained for hours. The sun came back out at 3:00 and stuff sort of dried. Went back down to PH after tea w. Holly. At that point, one of the hospital Sisters came to PH to tell one of the PH Sisiters (only Sr. Benna around) that Anastasia (the girl w. diabetes and sickle cell) who's been in the hospital since Friday nite was unattended and doing badly (you are supposed to provide a caretakers for every patient). Becky and I went up with the matron, Auntie Justine, who had been checking on her during the day. Apparently Anastasia had tried to get out of bed to poop and fell - when we saw her at 4:00 she was totally unresponsive and her breathing was intermittent..she looked bad. Josephine came by and said she'd been there at 3 and Anastasia was talking tho' refused to eat. Sr. Juliet was on her way back from Kampala but her taxi was stuck between Mukono and Kisoga (got there at 10:00); She called the priest to come and give Last Rites and he did. The Doctor stopped and put in a nasal feeding tube. She was till alive hen we left around 10:30 but was having convulsions and still not conscious. Two girls were staying the nite (and they were scared). Poor girl - she's so thin and lives w. constant pain - but she's a fighter! When I got to PH two years ago I thought she'd be dead in a week! For the medical types, the nurse started her on an IV of Glucose (she's diabetic); the Doctor said to give Saline and not Glucose; the nurse said they were very low on saline and he said "FIND SOME" - she rolled her eyes!

Tuesday a.m. Sr. J stopped by and said Anastasia died at 2 a.m. Hope and Proscovia were at the hospial as caretakers and it was peaceful after she got some painkillers.

Sr. J and I went to town to buy a coffin and some barkcloth (for wrapping the body). The coffins are wood and ready made - they didn't have any little ones (she was only about 50 lbs.) so had to take a long, but thin one! Sr. J was really angry at the family for not coming to see her at the hospital. They live nearby and we know they had heard from others that Anastasia was very sick, but they refused to come (it's not uncommon for parents of disabled children to just divorce themselves from the child; also they are afraid they might get stuck having to pay something if they come to the hospital). The grandmother was at the hospital in the early morning visiting someone else and told Sr. J the family was all in Nkokonjeru but had no money to contribute! Sr. J arranged for a Mass at noon at PH and the family attended!!! w. lots of weeping and wailing! I told the father "Sorry you didn't see her when she was still alive" and walked away - not nice but I was pissed! The family then jumped in the truck to go w. the coffin to their home for burial! (looked good for the home crowd - sorry, I am bitter).

I spent the rest of the day typing (found the key). Then, Holly, Shari, Becky and I had a "paper burning party" - piles of PC paper! Holly even brought marshmallows to roast!

Wednesday Becky and I went early to Kampala - she wanted to do some shopping and I left her at Logogo Mall and hiked up to the PC office. I'm doing my physical early to get that checked off at least. I met with the PC nurse for urine, stool and blood and then down to The Surgery (muzungu clinic) to see the Doctor for the rest. Very thorough and I came off well. Had lunch at the little cafe there - cream of mushroom soup and 2 big slices of warm brown bread - delicious. (I'm getting excited about food again in anticipation of coming home). Back to PC and then to the dentist for Xrays and cleaning - also O.K.

I joined Shari's friend Michelle at the office and we came back to Nkokonjeru together - road was slippery but passable. "Checked in" w. Sr. J - they'd all been to Anastasia's buial but by 6 were cleaning out the central building as a temporary chicken coop for 250 chicks that are coming (we hope) from the National Agricultural Advisory Service (they are notoriously unreliable).

Talked to Gail - a blistering 33 degrees F in Minnesota (0 C) - might go up to 40 next wek - WOW - lots of snow left!

Thursday a.m. Sr. J, Sr. Seraphine and I sat down and finally got the Application done for a new PCV (but probably won't come till Oct.)! It only took an hour...Sister worried about making the appliation perfect - I said PC knows PH well enough and let's just get it done!

The day started sunny (more laundry up) and Becky and I were having a cup of tea about 10 while waiting for the Butabika nurses to come for the Epilepsy Clinic when the skies opened up - poured for almost 2 hours and we were literally trapped in the Sister's house! Fortunately, the nurses came sometime in there (Moses,the CBR volunter, had turned his phone off because of the lightening) and they were all working away! Moses has really come a long way - he was handling that alone and very well; also, Tuesday, he took a letter and the CBR 2010 Workplan to the Town's Community Development Officer (CDO) in the hopes of getting them to become more involved w. our work and thereby more (or at least somewhat) involved w. the disabled in the community like they are supposed to be. Anyway, the CDO wanted a budget and I told Moses I didn't have time right now and he said "I'll do it"! Great news - that's how it's supposed to work!!! We hand off!

We'd invited the CDO to come and see the Epilepsy Clinic which he did, despite the rain (I was impressed) and Sr. Juliet talked his ear off about how they could be involved! He also brought along some other people from the city office and one lady who's challenging the incumbent for the mayor job! Got him to sign off on the new PCV application - PC wants someone to say it's not a "fly by nite" organization and has been in the community for more than 2 years (try 82!). So, that was a bonus!

Butabika sent out four nurses and their supervisor - she was here to try to get Sr. J to take some elderly from the Psychiatric Hospital - Sr. J. said PH was full (it is). We've had quite a time (esp. Becky) w. the old man who's a Congolege refugee - incontinent, demanding, nasty - and Sister is not taking any more "unknowns". The nurses and Moses worked till 4:00 (63 patients) and then we had lunch! That will be my last Epilepsy Clinic - sort of sad. It's starting to be a lot of "lasts" - but I'm SO ready to go!

Then Sr. J and I met w. the Holland girls to review their proposed program. Their project is going to involve following 6 PH residents w. varying disabilities including going to their homes to see what could be done there (inexpensively) to improve the home environment (accessible latrine, easier feeding, hygiene routine etc.). It sounds exciting and Moses and Nelson will be going w. them. When we were done we used their laptop to see a CD Evelien and Tessa had sent of their life in Holland. Got to see their homes and watch them make chipati (flat bread) - Sr. was amazed at the road, stoves, etc....and esp. the snow!!! (about 1").

So, that's the week - it went fast. 'Course w. two days in Kampala it would - I should be back fairly early today and check the PO.

It's coming to a close - sort of mixed feelings - don't worry, I won't extend!! But I will miss the people I see every day; it is a nice country...here I am using the internet and having great lunches - what's to complain about?

Thanks to all for your patience w. my ramblings - and for your constant support and prayers. Almost there!!!!

Wow - it's coming fast! I'm in Kampala today (Sat.) for our COS (Close of Service) Party - it's really for our group but some people from the other groups may be there. Not sure how many of the Feb. '08 "class" will attend, but hopefully most! I'll be the only "oldie" there - the one couple from Texas opted not to come (long way) and the others are gone already!

Came in this a.m. with our two new Holland OT students - showing them "my" Kampala - the malls! They bought an electric kettle (a necessity, I think) and had a good time at the craft stores and the National Theater Craft market! We had a great "muzungu" lunch at a nice restaurant! Party fare tonite will be an Ethiopian buffet.

Becky had a nasty week - she got an intestinal infection and tried to fight it but was down most of the week. Thursday we (Sr. J and I) took her to a "muzungu" doctor in Kampala and she got some antibiotics and they seem to be turning the tide. I have been SO lucky to avoid that so far! They can really wipe you out!

Last Sunday Sr. J, Verity, Becky, Sula and I went back to Kavule - the convent by Lake Victoria. I was just there w. Holly and her dad and sister, but I love it - just a magical place. We also went to the fishing village of Ssenyi nearby - very poor place...houses and stores are all put together with odd pieces of wood - dirty kids running around everywhere!

Monday we had rain from midnite to 5 p.m.! Holly was trying to get back to Nkokonjeu and it was a bad journey after Mukono - they had to get out of their matatu and push!!!

Fred and I met early to go over the chicken grant figures before everyone headed off to Kampala - Verity to leave and the Sisters and Fred to meet w. the Mukisi people and then to pick up the new Holland OTs - Lieke and Louwke. Sr. Goretti also left (very sad)...she's off to recuperate at the Regional House in Kampala and then on to school to get certified as a tailoring and catering teacher - good opportunity for her, but we'll miss her!!!

I went back to my apartment in the afternoon to draft more reports (it's endless) and sift through more papers (also endless). Will be glad when it's all over!!!

Tuesday was not a good day - Robert, the ag teacher was late and then the kids refused to dig (it's practical ag day)...the students said it was too wet and he has no control...but we couldn't find the key to the storeroom where the hoes were anyway! Moses was very down about CBR continuing. My fear is that no one will do the organizing and paperwork; he's worried about the money for transport. Real worries. It's irritating - I thought things would be running better by now.

Fred said the chicken grant was not well received. We did a cost/income analysis for 100 layers for 18 months and the profit was not substantial - barely pd. labor costs. But it's a learning project and the kids get eggs - and with small numbers you don't make much of a profit (some costs like transport and meds - you have to buy vaccines in batches of 500 - are constant). At least we were honest. Depressing - esp. for Fred since he was hopeful of managing the project...it won't work w/o a strong, hands-on manager! The cook started using the new beans Sister J bought and the sacks are full of sand (for weight)...she called the broker and he promised to come and look (and hopefully reimburse her some) but was a no show by week's end! No wonder he gave her a "good deal"...we are hoping that in the future she will buy them from a reputable store - a little more expensive, but at least you can find them when things so wrong! Ugandans love to get a "bargain".

Gave Lieke and Louwke a tour of PH and town - they seem like they are excited to get started. They will be helping Nelson and also going out to the homes of some residents to see what it would take to modify the home environment to make it suitable for the return those residents (although the parents and the kids don't want to go back - it is the overall goal). There is also a large group of Americans in town from Educate Uganda - they are working w. the church to build schools - good work, but they give the impression that Americans can hand out money in large clumps!

Went for a nice walk w. Holly to get back in perspective...Holly has three standard comments to all my whining...1) "and is that YOUR problem"; 2) "and what did you expect would happen?" and 3) "what would they do if you weren't here"? - great comebacks!!

As I was heating my bath water the gas tank on my stove went dry! Bummer - so close to the end! Will probably re-fill - it's $35...but the worst is finding someone to lug it to Kampala to get it re-filled. Whey not this a.m. before Sr. Seraphine and Sula went to Mukono to pick up some flour and beans? I was mad, but, then, around 8 p.m. Sr. J stopped by and said she'd gotten a call from Dr. Antonio and he's raised enough money to pay our bill at CoRSU - YEA!!! The accounting dept. keeps asking when we will pay! So, it was and UP and DOWN day..nice to end up!

Wednesday, we couldn't go to the eye clinic in Jinja. The Doctor w. the key to the equipment to test Edward still isn't back - she said "maybe next week"! So, Holly and I went to the PC office. Very quiet there and we tried hard not to talk to each other and got a lot of work done - did a draft of my DOS (Description of Service) - the record of your work that goes to future employers (think the grandkids will be impressed?). Also, did my letter to Sr. J and one to the new volunteer (who won't come till Oct. even IF Sr. Juliet ever gets the application done). Did a little shopping and back by 6 - wonderful dinner of veggie pizza and salad at Shari's! Gone 12 hours for 4 1/2 hrs. at the computer, about one hour of shopping - the rest is waiting and traveling! And we are close!

Thursday Becky was still sick and very weak so Sr. J and I decided she should go to The Surgery in Kampala (where PC sends us when the nurses can't help). She balked but Sr. J insisted and it was a good thing - she got an antibiotic for an intestinal infection (not sure what). It's hard for our systems to fight those African bacteria. We had a nice tea at the little restaurant on the grounds and stopped at a 2nd hand bookstore - the enclave is set up for Muzungus (whites). And Sula got my gas tank filled - YEA! It started to rain as we went back and the road was awful. Sula had to take a detour and that road was blocked by a big dump truck that was stuck so we went back and tried another route - just like ice but wet, red, clay. We got sucked into the ditch at one point trying to go around another stuck truck and I thought we were done but Sula put it in 4 wheel drive and we escaped! He's super!!!

Reading a fun book Becky gave me - Blood, Sweat and Tea - by an EMT in the UK - lots of drunks!!!

Friday I sat in on a meeting Sr. J. had w. Lieke and Louwke re: their program at PH; then we had a 2 hour staff meeting - all in Lugandan! (I made a rough draft of my end of service report for Sister). Got to thinking of some of the good things from the past 12 months re: these meetings - #1 - we're having regular staff meetings, #2 the disciplinary committee is organized and ready to work and #3 we had elections for student leaders last Saturday - all new things that help run the home better! I have no hand in either (other than sitting in), but they are a real improvement.

After that Holly and I walked out to Moses' for "lunch" (4 p.m.)...about a 40 min walk in the drizzle. Nice to visit w. he and Mama Rose. Gave him the Solar Lantern he'd admired when a guy was selling them during the last Epilepsy Clinic (Dick "bought" two - and one was for me to give Moses so he didn't suspect). They all seemed excited - they have no power and it's hard for the girls to study at nite...it also charges phones!! We walked back and got home before 7 - nice end to the day. We marveled at how "normal" all this seems after two years - will the U.S. seem "normal". Returnees say it does - they move right back in - so much for reverse culture shock theory.

Found out that Josephine got a 19 on her S-6 exams (I'm not sure how they figure that number but it's good). That means she will get a government scholarship (minimum for a scholarship is 17). She was so happy - and SO deserving!!)

Rained again some Friday nite - my laundry is inside and still dripping! Trip to Kampala today was dicey, but the driver held it on the road. Hope it doesn't rain any more before I go back tomorrow.

Time to move on to the party - I'll be lucky to last till 10! We're staying at the same location as the dinner/dance so I can retreat whenever I want!

Best wishes to you all - so eager to see all of you and catch up on what I've been missing. See you in a month!!!

It's Sunday a.m., February 21! Jean and Kody called yesterday a.m. to tell me they had gotten engaged - YEA!!! Wedding in 2011 - plans still uncertain. I was really excited to hear the news!! AND, I'll be home in plenty of time!!!

It's been busy week - I'm still procrastinating on PC paperwork - bottom of the "to do" list! When I blogged last week I was coming back to Nkokonjeru after a day away (a great break). It was fun to see all the PC "kids" in Kampalaand hear their travel and future plans - lots of uncertainty, but we've learned to face that here.

Came back into the chaos of PH - Sr. Juliet was really sick w. malaria. The new Sister, Sr. Seraphine, is working out well - she's a take charge kind of gal! Sr. Goretti leaves PH for good tomorrow - I will miss her quiet reassurance a lot.

On the way back I stopped at the PO and got a package from Mary Brahs and am catching up on news (people getting back to the US seened shocked at the "nastiness" of the political rhetoric...bummers). Got the box from church too - such great stuff - THANKS! I feel very humble to be included in the "service people" - it's a LOT tougher in the military!

One of the two older female pigs had had 11 piglets but 6 died - no known reason - Fred thinks she may have had a fever at some point - not good, but the six are doing well.

We had scheduled a meeting of our new disciplinary committee at 2 on Saturday and I was back and eating lunch when Fred called me at 2:05 wondering where I was! What have I done...he expects to start on time??? We went over the rules, procedures and punishments. The punishments are mainly extra work, but someone really has to follow through. Caning (beating) remains an option - to them it's esppecially effective if done in front of a group of peers!

Fred had just found out that their youngest son, Tony (2) may be deaf! When Mark (5) was home they didn't notice, but now that Mark's at boarding school they could tell! He's really concerned. We'll see what the Doctors in Kampala say.

Juma came back (we took him home 3 weeks ago for bad behavior - he's an 18 yr. old in the vocational program). He just waltzed back in (if you can "waltz" in sitting in a wheelchair)....don't think he'd told him folks at home that he'd been dismissed! I asked Sr. to give him one more chance - it's all he's got....we'll see if he pulls it together.

On Valentines Day I gave everyone a Valentine and a candy - wrote them out and put them on their beds w. Proscovia's help (13 year old girl)....can't remember who sent all the valentine stuff,but THANKS - they loved it! Corky called (early - before my coffee - that's dangerous)...good to hear from home.

On Monday Josephine started teaching English and appears to be doing a great job (what I expected)...Sr. J wanted me to sit in for a few classes so I pop by but don't want to appear to be hovering! When I got to PH one of the pigs was out in the compound - Gerald,the vocational student,is having trouble taking care of them....he's a nice kid, but really slow and not sure it's going to work out. I checked them and the pigs had NO water - even the new mom. Fred came over and we got them water and greens, but Gerald's heart is definitely not in it...I really think he's afraid of the pigs. Now to go to Plan B (there is no Plan B, but we'll have to make one up).

Didas wanted to go to Kampala to get glue etc. Tuesday - he really wants to stock up before I go and the shoe money I have at my apt. goes to the Sisters - I think Sr. Seraphine will keep it intact for shoe supplies, but he's nervous. Then back up to my apt. to get the Church money for Sr. J because the guy was coming w. the posho flour (corn). It's hard to fathom how much having that food in the storeroom has eased her mind. We also got new locks for both the stores - big problem w. keys out to who knows - the Sisters give someone a key to get something and then forget to get it back and eventually there is only one key and no one remembers who has the others and things start to "diappear".

Sr. Goretti and I both went to Kampala - she went to the Head Office to get her new assignment letter and I went to have lunch w. Sandy, an older volunteer, who's going home this week. Lots of talk about what will happen when we hit the U.S. Who knows?

Woke up early Tuesday a.m. by another bat, more cockroaches and a tiny colorless frog on my wall. Couldn't get the bat, "Doomed" the cockroach and took the frog out in the dust pan! We (Becky and I) took a large group to CoRSU (orthopedic hospital)...Mulondo - to get the pins out of his broken wrist; Review of Moses (new resident- 20 - w. bad osteomyletis); Justine; a little 3 year old boy w. badly bowed legs and was having surgery and a new resident (16 yr old girl) who has one leg very bent (Seraphina - she came as a caretaker for another girl who is microcephalic but that girl has never had a caretaker before - we think the family begged to send her along so PH would "fix" her). It was super crowded at the hospital and it was quite a hectic time w. X-rays, visits, Mulondo getting his cast off, etc. Mulondo stayed w. Moses as a caretaker, little boy and his mom stayed for surgery and Justine stayed to FINALLY get her leg brace taken out - she's had that metal screwed in her leg for 10 mos!!! New girl will go back for surgery after Sister talks to her parents.

On the way out of town we picked up Rachael (Becky's friend Jenny's daughter) who is here doing business for their charity, Mikwano, and Verity (also from the UK) who is the wife of the BA pilot Adrian, and who wanted to see PH and get ideas for their charity, Uganda Children's Trust. Verity is staying w. me till Monday a.m. in my tiny apt. She's really a peach - I'm picking up lots of "Britishisms" - she's really open-minded and flexible, necessary qualities here.

Wednesday was a crazy day (like Tuesday wasn't?). The Public Health teacher came and gave notes to Alex and left (I called him and told him never to do that again); The Ag teacher spent his entire class period working alone w. the pigs - I think the kids scare him! No students showed up for Crafts and I had to go through the dormitories threatening to send everyone home - phew!

Rachael is here to do some observations and is also going over a grant for a chicken project Sr. J put together. Lots of good quesions re: care and record keeping; we called in Fred and she was impressed w. his knowledge. But when we went to see the chickens we discovered the girl working w. them had taken the keys to school and they hadn't been fed (she just started school Monday), two little (8 wk old) chicks were dead in the room and Fred said that since the girl (Beatrice) started school Monday she's been slacking and eggs are getting eaten by the chickens! Not a great impression, but they are still considering the grant. We got the keys from school (Sr. J went); Fred called the vet and we got the little chickens treated and he fed and watered and collected eggs! It's a never ending battle!

I think I mentioned the old man who was a Congolese refugee who's come to PH and is really crabby and demanding? His neice and a grand nephew came to visit him Wednesday. (Sr. J had called them - found their numbers in his stuff) - but they dont' want him either. Guess he really was a general in Mobutu's in the Congo (Zaire) army and at one point had a LOT of money and power; apparently has two or three sons in Europe who have no contact w. him. Becky is spending much of her day working w. him - changing, cleaning etc. It's hard work and not much appreciated by him!

Verity is working w. Nelson and his two OT students from Mulago Hospital...she's impressed w. all that he does in a day! To top the day off, a baby goat was born; boys pointed him out just a few minutes after birth - pretty exciting!

Thursday was another busy day (seems to be a pattern). Lots of small requsts and disturbances that took up time. Sr. J and I met w. Moses (CBR worker) to plan 2010 but they are not very optomistic about how CBR will continue w/o the donations I've been lucky to receive (thanks all)....hopefully the eyeglasses will come soon and they will get some cash from that - I'm a bit concerned about who will manage the money they do get. Moses likes to spend on outreach - have to dole it out carefully!

Then we had some more visitors from the UK - they run a school for small children w. Cerebral Palsy in Kampala and they sponsor Nelson (our OT) at PH. They are the ones officially doing the chicken grant, so there were more questions, Fred came again...but this time when we visited the chickens, we had keys (new locks) and the little ones looked great (vet visit paid off). Much more impressive!!! Now Fred and I have to re-work the figures to include some new items - training, salary etc. Fred was excited about working w. the grant (if we get it) - I'm glad for him. Got some typing done on the bakery computer (still no ink in our printer); Verity and I went to town for a soda (Becky had gone to CoRSU to pick up Mulondo and Justine)...nice dinner w. all at the convent!

Not sure why things seem so busy (they are?)...Friday the classes went well - Josephine was doing a great job at Math - had them figuring out a budget. Another baby goat was born, but his was to a first time mom and not doing as well nursing. Then we "lost" the older baby goat - had gone under some bushes for shade! Kids and the old man, Mafalanga, that cares for them, looked for a long time! We were afraid some dogs may have gotten him....

Jasmine, our German Volunteer who was here Sept.-Nov. stopped back to visit. She's working w the CP school in Kampala but wants to come back to PH! She's a great worker and got on well here so I hope it works out...also, since the new Holland OT students arrive Monday (22) and will use the apt. at PH, she may take my place and I won't have to move anything - YEA!!!

Verity is fitting right in - she's "adopted" Frederico, the 23 year old who's in bed all day - is blind and hydrocephalic and has very deformed limbs. She is washing and caring for him and helping Becky w. the elderly plus working w. Nelson. Into to Uganda - power was out, we had a huge, black bug in the apt. at nite - and my little albino frog was back! Doomed the bug, and took the frog back out (he was back in on Sat. again).

Satuday was really crazy! Rained hard in the a.m. - nice for the new banana trees! Went down to work w. Fred on the chicken figures and we got sidetracked by another project. There is a possibility of funds coming to finish re-modeling the small building Sr. would like to use as office space, so we had to discuss and measure that! Just as we got started on the chicken numbers the guy came who was to talk to the residents about tree planing. He's from Trees for the Future - I'd heard about the group at our PC conference last June, but had trouble making connnections and we finally got him scheduled for Sat. He was really good and the kids liked him and the idea of planting trees...he got down to their level w. his "lesson". They planted some seeds in a demonstration plot and then he gave us more. Cutting trees for firewood and charcoal is, to me, a HUGE problems in Uganda and resulting in rapid deforestation.

After he left (1:00) we got organized for our big dinner (courtesy of St. John Sunday School). It was planned to inaugurate the new dining tables and benches donated by Verity and Adrian's charity. Kids were SO excited....had beef, fish, matoke, rice, ground nut sauce, cabbage, pineapple, bananas and sodas! Lots of food and quite the feast. We delivered food to those that don't walk and then made the others come to get their food by tables - slow for them but very "civilized". Then, they had elections for Head boy and girl and all the Prefects (kids in charge of various areas)....finished that about 6 and then we handed out Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes! We were a little short of boys boxes and some boys got girls but they were all thrilled!!! I hope to show pictures to you all when I get home - just a great day....got back to my apt. at 8!!!

Today is much quieter - took Verity to the Sister's mass and then on a little walk; will work w. Fred later to finish the chicken project. Some are going to the convent at Kavule (by the lake) but I may pass - I love the place but was just there w. Holly's family. And a quiet day sounds awfully nice!!! Tomorrow Verity goes back to Kampala, Sr. Goretti is going to her new assignment, and the two new Holland girls come (I'm not going with - truck is full and I need to get some things done here).

Hope everyone is well and surviving the winter - is it warming up some? Yesterday was very cool (for us) and rainy but today is very hot again! Good for growing tho'.

Thanks again to everyone - it's hard to describe how much people appreciate all the donations you have made.....they are well used and lots of prayers are coming your way!!! They kids sing a song that includes the line "we have nothing to give in return, but only prayer"...and they really do! But prayers are great, too!

See you soon - less than 5 weeks to go!

I came in to work at the Peace Corps office today and get some of the Close of Service (COS) paperwork done - well, that was my intention. There are a lot of forms and reports that need to be turned in and I need to get started - but, there were a lot of people at the office, and it's hard to concentrate! Got a little done, but then we went to lunch and I went shopping for farewell gifts!!! (much more fun).

Last Saturday after I finished the blog I decided to go to a little drum maker's shop just outside Mukono to check prices. Walked there and met a couple from Holland who are living in Kiqywe (near us) and have been at PH...they were buying a big drum and had brought along a drummer from a local troupe to help them. He picked out one the size I wanted that he said was good and did the bargaining so I just bought it! Got it home on the matatu and found a box in the infirmary that will fit it so that's one thing off my list (in fact, almost everything except the PC paperwork is off my list - now how can I procrastinate?). Had a great dinner at Shari's - hot pot cooking - veggies and meat in boiling water and oil. Those girls are so creative w. cooking on a two burners.

Sunday was a quiet day - still cool and rainy. I did laundry and cleaned. Went down to PH and handed out basins, etc. to the new arrivals - a few come every day. Number will be small for Vocational School (maybe only 6)..Sister is really worried about food and isn't going to start any 1st years....I'm disappointed, but I can see her point...it's a BIG worry.

I'm reading the book Dick left, The Sign and the Seal by Graham Hancock - actually, he left it for Shari since she's going w. Michelle to Ethiopia and Egypt after COS. It's a semi-scholarly pitch for the Ark of the Covenant being in Ethiopia (not a warehouse in DC - so there, Indiana Jones). It covers a lot of history of Israel, Egypt and Ethiopia and incorporates the "mysterious body of knowledge" theory (like Dan Brown), brings in the Templars and Masons....it's really interesting, if a bit far fetched. And another excuse for not writing reports!!!

Monday we had a Staff meeting - only started 1/2 hr. late! Fred was chairing and they set a 2 hour time limit, but when that was done, they just added minutes!! I protested, but was outnumbered. Very little gets done in way of an "action plan" but Ugandans love to debate every point!

In the afternoon, I got a call from the 2 volunteers in town from Colombia - Maricio and Maria. They are teaching at St. Peter's secondary for a year. Lovely couple. They stopped by for "the tour", tea and welcome from Sr. J. We had a great conversation about politics....they are economics majors and have done a lot of traveling.

Called Jessica in the evening to wish her Happy Birthday and she said it was snowing!!! It's been another big winter!

Tuesday CBR was depressing - Moses and Kinene are convinced that the program will fall apart when I leave. I don't know what else to do to make it their program and give them some confidence. I have helped throughout the year w. some contributions, but we're hoping to get the glasses from the 2009 clinic soon which will provide funds. The program existed 12 years w/o a muzungu - only 4 w. one but that makes no difference to them! Maybe it will fold....maybe they want it to. Their small Community Based Organization has connected w. World Vision to do some work with disabled children in their district (their CBO got the grant based on Moses and Kinene's experience at PH) so maybe that will be it....Nkokonjeru Town Council needs to rise to the occasion!

Sr. Goretti is leaving - darn! She's still moving slowly from the surgery and having problems but is so much more cheerful. She's going to be sewing at the Regional House in Kampala. The new sister, Sr. Serafina is young and really feisty. Think she'll hold her own!

Want to really thank St. John Church for their generous donation. After much discussion, we decided to put the bulk of it to buying food for this term. Sister had been so desperate about the lack of food it was truly a "God send". We used some for prisoners clearing new fields and a good chunk will go toward keeping the animals healthy and well fed (sustainability is the goal, but having a reserve in case of problems is nice). She's had our corn ground, and is buying lots of beans and corn flour plus some ground nuts for variety. We have some cassava and greens growing so at least every day won't be the same. Also, Corky said the Sunday School donated some money. We had gotten a donation to get new benches and tables for the dining area some time ago and they are almost done so next Sunday we will inaugurate them w. a special dinner courtesy of the St. John Sunday School....they kids haven't had meat since Christmas so it will be great. Hope it's all O.K. Realize it's all about food and that's consumable, but when you don't have it, it becomes awfully important!

Becky's friend's husband donated some money to buy a "starter shoemaking kit" for two of last year's graduates that have no one to help them. Didas drew up the list and bought the tools and materials Wednesday....he was so excited!!! Really a great start for about $100.

All the chickens are doing well - getting about 60-70 eggs/day and the cow is producing much better w. the new guy! YEA!!! Bad news is that she's not pregnant, so we'll have to try again. Two big female pigs will deliver soon and we plan to breed the "girls", Shirley, Liz and Debbie next time they come into heat! We had good luck selling piglets last time and are hopeful now that people know the pigs and their quality. Sister said they are the best looking pigs she's seen in town!

I'm trying to get Sr. J to start the PC application for another volunteer, but there's always some "emergency" (she likes paperwork like I do). Also, am trying to track down the Italian Sister in Kisoga to get her application but we keep missing each other. The new group just arrived in Uganda last nite - 29 newbies! We really feel superior!!!

The infirmary is all painted and Becky moved back in - looks GREAT! Cheery walls and organized!

After the 5 days of rain last week it stopped and it's hot and dry again (but it saved the little banana trees)....some people are planting, but Sr. J said it's too early - the rain was just a "tease"!

Nelson has two OT students from Mulago Hospital's training program for two weeks and we'll be getting two more OT students from Holland on Feb. 22. Their help is very much appreciated. Most of our new residents are pretty severely handicapped and require a lot of attention. I cleaned out the room the German students prepared for the afternoon activities (and added all the craft supplies left in my apartment) and the Mulago students are carrying on! The Holland students will be working two days a week in the community visiting families (with Moses and Nelson), but we're hoping they will help out w. that program, too.

Monday I was washing my feet on the veranda and slipped on the cement and really landed hard on my rump! It hurt (and still does a little when I walk a lot).....I was so mad at myself! Reported it to the nurse at PC today - told her it's just bruised - she concurred - but I wanted it documented!

Wednesday nite I heard rustling under my bed about 1 a.m. - sure sign of cockroaches. Got up, turned on the light, and sprayed Doom under there...went back to bed. Then, felt one run over my back - I was MAD! Got up, turned the light on again and there he was running all over my bed, trapped by the mosquito net. I DOOMED him and then noticed what I thought was a big flying one on the outside the net and sprayed him - only to discover that it was a bat (I like bats). I felt bad watching him dizzily crawl across the back of the net and drop on the floor. Swept them up and put them outside -hope he made it. An old Sister died Weds. and there is lots of cleaning going on at the convent for visitors and think they(bugs) are all in an uproar...apparently my apt. has become a camp for Internally Displaced Critters (two more coackroaches last nite and this a.m.). I REALLY dislike cockroaches!!

Thursday the hospital had a Mass and Program for Day of the Sick - nicely done. Holly's Project Hope clients did a drama about a sick woman who went alternately to a witch doctor, hospital, herbalist, and what happened - it's all in Lugandan, but you can tell just what's going on!

That was the week....not too exciting but still very busy. Next week we have two visitors from the UK - Jenny's daughter is visiting PH (she's in Uganda for 2 weeks) and Adrian's wife, Verity, is coming (he's the pilot who started Uganda Childrens Trust and have been very generous to PH). She's bringing the glasses! We have a big group going to CoRSU on Tuesday so it will be a busy week, too. Oh, well, it makes the time go fast. And visitors are fun (and sometimes they bring chocolate).

Hope you are all surviving the winter storms. Gail said there was another snow day and that they are into "make up" days....

I'm really getting excited about coming home - hate to "count down" but it's hard to resist. At lunch today we were all talking about how ready we are to go - many are traveling after for awhile, but they are all anxious to see home!!! I've really lost my "snap"....used to take me 30-35 minutes to walk to the PC office from Lugogo Mall - now it's 45 or 50. Slowing down a lot!!! Can't wait to sit in my chair and watch movies....maybe open and close the refrig, and watch the washing machine go round and round!!!

Thanks again to everyone who has been so generous w. support, prayers and thoughts. I'm still really glad I did PC, but will also be REALLY GLAD to be back home!!!

Im in my usual spot on Sat. a.m. in Mukono at the Internet Cafe. It was raining this a.m. (YEA) and I slept in a bit. Missed the first matatu and got on the next one at 7:00 which didn't leave till 8:15 (don't think I'll do that again) and the driver was really pokey, but I really don't have anything more important to do!

Dick Murray, Corky's cousin on his mom's side) was here for a few days (more later)...he left yesterday and I was really sad. I hadn't seen him for probably 20 years, but it was still neat to have talk to someone who knows your distant past (sort of). Short stay and all at PH, but it was fun!! He and his wife are volunteer for two months in Ethiopia (did last year, too) and he popped down to see Uganda!

After last weeks "novel|, this will be short! Kids are starting to arrive at PH, but slowly. The Vocational Program will be small - Sister has gotten some requests but is holding off because food is tight. We seem to be getting more and more severely handicapped students - maybe things are getting better at home schools for the mildly handicapped. It's a drain on the staff tho'.

Sister is still keeping up the garden projects but the lack of rain (before today) was taking a toll on the banana suckers - kids watered some but there are 400 of them and it's a job! Sunday she was telling me that she went to check on the gardens in Kikwaye and someone had taken the tin sheets and windows out of the gardners "house" there. The gardner left (he's the one who was cutting firewood and selling it on the sly) and a neighbor decided to take the things for his home!!! She contacted the police, but don't know what will be done - if you are not IN it or wearing it or using it it's up for grabs I guess!

Went to Mass on Sunday and it's the first time my morning Bible reading was actually one of the readings!! One of my favorites from 1 Corinthians:13 - about "love is the greatest of these".. Also they sang a neat song at the end - chorus goes, "Holy quiet place, blessed assurance for my soul, on the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me, and the billows cease to roll"...catchy tune, too.

I've started to clear out my apartment. Collected all my school books and supplies and took them down to Josephine and boxed up my art supplies for the resource room that the German girls started with their afternoon classes. We're expecting two new OT students from Holland Feb. 22. Their program will involve some community outreach but Nelson and I are hoping they will do at least a couple afternoons with the kids at PH each week. Also, getting two OT students from Mulago program next week, so he'll have some much needed help in the classroom.

Until yesterday it's been terribly hot (intense sun) and very dry. Just drink water and sweat - it's hard to get much done after 10 a.m. It's worse than I remember from last year tho' the months in Luwero in training were really hot, too.

Jenny (Becky's friend) is heading back to the U.K. She and Becky went to Kampala on Monday to check out some places where Jenny's charity works. It was fun having her here for the week! They took along Fred, his wife and son Mark (5 in April) who's going to boarding school...I think it's sad, but the parents think it's the best for him, and he seemed excited!

Sr. J and I spent most of the day registering residents - and refused some. People still are not convinced they need to make some contribution (she'll accept a sack of cassava). They don't even bring notebooks or pencils (I raided the Christmas Child boxes for school supplies). In between we wrote up a "job description" for the Administrator of PH; we're getting a new Sister to help Sr. Juliet (Sr. Goretti is moving on - darn)....and Sr. Juliet wanted her to pick what she'd like to take over. I told Sr. Juliet that the new sister will read it, pull off her ring and run down the road screaming!!! It's a heavy load. (New Sister,Sr. Stephania, came Thursday and is young and bouncy and is still here...but hasn't seen the list yet).

I tried to clean up the afternoon resource room but didn't get far - it's just too hot!!! Sister and the kids were carrying water to the banana suckers when I gave up around 6.

Tuesday I went to Kampala and checked e-mails and picked Dick up at the airport around 2 p.m. Actually, I misread my watch (no glasses)and was an hour late but fortunately his plane was even later - African time has it's advantages! Dick has a blog (don't we all) at www.richardmurray.tumblr.com (I think) you might check out to hear his impressions of Uganda and see pictures. He said that compared to Ethiopia, it appears very prosperous. In Ethiopia almost all business is run by the government (ala communist style) and service and consumer goods are hard to come by.

We had a great welcome dinner at Holly's - bless her heart!

Wednesday I took Dick down to PH for introductions and to see how the place works (or doesn't). Cow had had mastitis but Sister got him treated and the new guy is milking and production is coming back up. Big chickens are laying 60 eggs/day (97 chickens) and that's good; little chickens are still healthy - Fred continues to go to Kampala weekly for their medicine - every week for 12 weeks!!! Sister put the female pig we got from Butabika Hospital in w. the new male and he bit her badly! Not sure what that was about!

I got to tell Sr. Juliet about receiving the 2009 Mission Money from St. Johns - she was so excited. Things have been stressful with all the people coming back and it was welcome news. Thank you all!!! The plan now is to use some for immediate needs an then sit and decide on a "project" for the rest - probably either new gardens or the boys' bathing area (they just bathe out in the open on a concrete slab behind the dormitory now).

Weds. evening Becky, Dick and I played Phase 10 - lots of fun (tho' as usual I lost big time). Dick spends a lot of time w. his grandchildren (8 & 12)and is up on games!!!

Thursday we had the epilepsy clinic - 63 patients but it went very efficiently! After lunch w. the nurses, Becky, Dick and I went to "town" for a little shopping and a beverage at Cathy's Restaurant. Took our chairs outside and watched the traffic on the main street - Dick commented that it looked like an old Western town and could use a few hitching posts! While we were gone the elderly man from the refugee program arrived (he's a refugee from the Congo and has had a stroke and was abandoned by his family in Kampala). He's going to be a handful.

Friday the painting of the infirmary started - Becky's gift. It was SO grubby it will be a great improvement. Peter (who painted my apt.) is doing the work. We muzungus had tea (Sr. Juliet is in Kbale for a meeting) and tried to figure out how to get a chair commode made for the new resident, Niccodemeus....Becky is on the hunt!

Dick and I took the matatu to Kampala, had lunch at my favorite Indian restaurant, browsed the bookstore and went to the airport. Got there just at 4 p.m. (our target time). He was leaving at 6:00 and would be in Ethiopia in 2+ hours. Took me longer to get back to Nkokonjeru!!!

Next week we start w. a staff meeting and then a teachers "workshop" Nelson is giving on teaching children w. special needs and then vocational school starts....things get back to"normal". I'm hoping to get to the PC office one day to start the dreaded paperwork!

Best wishes to all - it's February already - I can't believe how fast the time is going. Really anxious to be back in Minnesota and see everyone! Thanks again to you from St. John's for your continuing generosity!!! Believe me, it will be well used! The Sisters squeeze the max out of every shilling!!!

I started this and then the computer went off - and w/o saving - fortunately I wasn't too far. You just re-group and move on. I'm getting better at it!!!

Called yesterday to wish Emma a Happy Birthday (she wouldn't talk to me - not a morning person)...but Gail said it was -4!!! It's HOT here - around 90 and very dry and dusty - eyes, throat, etc. all full of dust! UGH. My toe is much better and I finished the antibiotic w/o any stomach problems (yet) - YEA! So there's good and bad (as everywhere).

This will be long - sorry - going from Thursday to Saturday (today) - you can skim. I'm keeping the record mainly for myself. If I didn't have my handy notebook to record every day I'd never remember what I did! I keep a journal too, but that's more personal stuff.

So, onward. Last Thursday I was a the PC office - Got back and Sr. Juliet had sold the big male pig for 250,000 shillings ($125). But she took 50,000 out because one of the noviates had a very sick father who needed medicine (47,000)...I was a tad annoyed since the pigs need food, but what can you do? Next day I got an e-mail from Corky about a $250 donation; I got the 500,000 shillings and gave it to Sister and told her that God had multiplied her good-hearted donation times 10!! She was so happy - and rushed off to say a rosary! And saved her from borrowing from me to send the kids back to the Special Needs School in Kenya (and many other things).

On Friday, Becky and I took two boys, Simon and Edward to the eye clinic at the Jinja Hospital...both are in wheelchairs. We got there at 8:30, and got a good spot in line (and they kept to the numbers they handed out -YEA). Dr. came at 10:30, but that's O.K. Simon had an eye inflamation and Edward needs an exam for possible glasses. No meds in the hospital pharmacy so Becky and I went into town to get them (and shop and have lunch - truck went on to the Kenya school so we had lots of time). We did buy the boys lunch when we got back - more substantial Ugandan fare. Both boys are in wheelchairs and the hospital is not handicapped accessible - quite a job!!! Truck didn't get back till 5:30.

P.S. Becky has a blog that she does daily (when there is power)...www.beckyrainbowinuganda.blogspot.com - if you want a different perspective. She has an individual internet connection on her laptop and is very dilligent about writing and adds a picture a day. Becky is trying mightily to organize the infirmary - she's determined!!! Hopes to repaint it too!

Never thought I'd say it but I'm ready for school to start (of course I''m not teaching). This holiday is too long - 2 months - and all the kids left are so off schedule it's chaos...no one wants to work anymore. Most of the older kids who are leaders are gone, too.

Saturday I washed and cleaned and Sr. Juliet and I finally finished the Hilton Grant Application - lots of little pieces cut and pasted (literally) to the application!!! That's what they said to do in the directions! Crazy! Sister Juliet has been to the Regional Office in Kampala twice to get advice from the Sister in charge of Projects and she asked if there'd ever been another application for Hilton (which is ONLY for Roman Catholic Sisters who work w. the poor) - Sr. Margaret said yes, some years ago, and it was approved, but the money was "lost" - wouldn't elaborate - lost, as in money transfer, taken by another organization - too scary to contemplate!

Sunday was really slow - I'm getting slower and slower. Got called down to PH to sell a pair of shoes, got the milk money from Oketch (kid taking care of the cow); he's really not interested in the cow and production is still down. There's a new man starting next week, thankfully! Cut some grass for the chickens and found out there were two new pigs!!! Sister bought a new male from a departing priest and he sent along a female he's having trouble getting pregnant - guess he thought he could let it live at our piggery till it got pg - not going to happen!!! (although it is now Saturday and the pig is still there eating for free - they keep saying they are "coming" to get her). Have to keep repeating, "it's not my problem...I'm handing it all off" - works for awhile!

Monday was a LONG Kampala day...went in w. Sister Juliet. We stopped in Mukono at the Noah's Ark Orphanage - I wanted to say goodbye to Peter (the man from Holland who runs it); he had boxes of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to give us (we could only fit 8 but will get more another time). These are from the U.S. We sat and talked a bit - he's having problems getting any cooperation from the government, Red Cross, UNICEF, etc. despite keeping 120 orphans from all over starting as babies....said he'll just rely on his own donations. It's frustrating, but pretty much par for the course. Maybe those organization work well on catastrophe's like Haiti - I hope so!

Dropped off the computer for repair, went to the Liliane office to pick up a disabled girl (Grace) who is homeless, and then stopped at an organization that works w. displaced refugees. The director had met Sr. J somewhere and now has an older man who came from the Congo years ago and has now had a stroke, and was abandoned by his family. He'll be a handful, but Sr. Juliet said PH would try, if they give some support. Then, found out we had to take the computer elsewhere (virus problem)- traffic is SO bad. After that we went out to Entebbe to give the grant application to Holly's dad who's returning and will mail it in the US so we meet the Feb. 1st deadline, and picked up Becky's good friend, Jen. Jen was here in November when Becky came (she has been in Uganda before and works w. a small charity from the UK) and came back for a week for Becky Birthday (the 26th)!!! It was all a surprise for Becky! She'd texted me 2 weeks ago and we'd been making plans. After a few more stops we got back to Nkoknjeru about 7 and called Becky down for tea...she was really overwhelmed!!!! After that we all went to the farewell party for the Australian Doctor at the hospital - didn't stay long, tho' the music went on till 3 a.m.!

Tuesday was a holiday and a nice slow day. Jen brought me a big box of Marks and Spencer mixed chocolates - heavenly!!! Tuesday nite Becky had planned a dinner party at her apt. for her birthday - really a nice gathering. The Sisters, Nelson, Sula, the Doctor....she'd made a casserole and 2 cakes in Holly's little camp oven!!! (and Jen brought an apple cake). Lots of great food and company.

Wednesday, Jen, Becky and I took the boys back to the Jinja Hospital. Simone's eyes were better after the drops. I took Edward for his eye exam but the person who does them is on leave for a month and (you could guess this)...the key to the cupboard where the equipment is held is with her!!! So we have to come back in a month. Sister sent Juma (a boy in vocational school) home w. us - not sure what the home is like - we just put him on a bus. Great kid - always full of laughs - but also some problem behaviors. I'll miss him and his smile! The three of us muzungus had lunch in town. Then took Simon to his brothers home near Mukono - very nice place. We're hoping that as he gets some basic tools, he can start a small repair "shop" there. Also got to stop for a bit to visit w. Sr. Goretti who's recuperating at a convent near Mukono - she looks good! I miss her a lot.

Dick Murray (Corky's cousin) and his wife Bea, are back in Ethiopia for 3 months and he's coming to visit Uganda Tuesday - I'm excited to show him Nkokonjeru and compare w. his experience in Ethiopia.

Reading Notes from a Small Island (England) by Bill Bryson - hysterical!!! Shariing his thoughts w. Becky and Jen.

Thursday was another marathon day in Kampala - started as a trip to CoRSU for one but people just keep adding on - not sure how they all know the truck is going. It means a later start and lots of stops so we get to the hospital later and have to wait longer, but in Uganda, you can't refuse anyone!!! Dropped Sister J and a dad and girl off at the Blind School in Kisoga to check it out; dropped off 2 Sisters at different spots in Kampala, dropped off a disabled girl trying to get to Soroti for school, stopped again at the Liliane office to drop off Grace, who's coming to PH (we picked her up Monday) but she'd forgotten her school records, etc., then took the boy (and Mubiru who was meeting Sr. Bridget) to CoRSU. The boy's name is Benebwa and he has really bad osteomyletis in his leg. He was on the street and someone brought him to the hospital. Dr. Antonio is treating him, but he had no where to stay (everyone then thinks of PH)...he's a nice kid but really sick right now. He was just there for a review (seen about 1:00) and then we picked up Justine who'd been at the hospital for about a week for review and improved diet - needs protein, but there's precious little in the diet of village people. She is doing very well and her femur is strong enough that Dr. A plans to take off the brace in Feb. We re-scheduled all reviews and pending surgers for Feb. 16 - we'll make that trip efficient (I hope).

On the way back we got the chicken meds, checked on Grace (who was not ready to go and will have to take a matatu), tried to get the computer, but it needs virus protection so we'll have to get that another day (waiting was out of the question - several hours and we were all - esp. those in the back - slowly roasting alive). We stopped at a really bad part of town for Benebwa's little bag of belongings and then in Mukono for Justine's meds before dropping her off WAY back off the road - and back to PH dusty and tired!!!

Becky and Jen had moved her to the apt. next to me. She had to leave her big apt. because a couple is coming for a year and is now my next door neighbor!!! I was listening to Becky and Jen talk in the truck Weds. and think one thing I really miss is the easy conversation of people who have known each other a long time and know each others history and families! It's to be treasured!

Friday was a slow day (thankfully)...it's too hot to move very much. Our banana suckers look parched - may have to water - UGH! Sat in for awhile on a class Cheshire is holding at PH for teachers in the area. It deals w. teaching disabled children, and is the 3rd in a series, but they are teaching them the Braille alphabet!!! Incredibly complex and I left - we have a Braille Bible at PH and I shared w. them Genesis and Exodus. They were amazed at all the little dots so close together and the bulk of the books!!! Sort of an exercise in "hands on" which is what they should be focusing on in teacing slow students!

Holly fell running and scraped her hand badly so I wrang out the last of her laundry and visited, bought "groceries" and retired to read. Went for a walk w. the Australian Dr. and Holly after 6 when it was a bit cooler, but you just drip sweat!!!

Now am in Mukono at the internet cafe and you have mercifully come to the end of the week's "adventures". After Dick's visit I'm on a strict schedule to get all the PC paperwork done and clear out my stuff to leave. Nice thought! It's been a great time, but I'm tired and ready to come home. Miss everyone!!!

Thanks again for everything - hopefully, Gail will have some pictures soon - sent a CD awhile ago and then my camera card w. Holly's dad. See you all soon.

It's counting down - know I probably shouldn't count days, but it's hard not to....still lots I want to do!

Today has been "interesting"....can't resist telling the story while it's fresh! Wanted to come to Kampala to finally pick up my new passport (ordered in October!) at the Embassy - came on Monday but the Embassy was closed (but that's another story)...today the first matatu to leave Nkokonjeru was later than usual (no one going anywhere) and we got into bad traffic nearing town. Got to the connecting park and the matatu to Gaba had gone so I waited...and waited. Finally gave in and took a taxi cab after much disagreement on the price. Got to the Embassy and was in line to register and a Ugandan lady budged ahead of me (a national pasttime). I was very adamant that she get behind me...I didn't say it, but thought, "I am an American citizen and this is MY Embassy!". Got inside and they kept asking if I had an appt. I said, "no, I got an e-mail (in Oct.) to just come and pick up my new passport"...well, they've apparently changed their protocol since October and I did need an appointment! I was ready to cry and pull the trump card - "last week I was at lunch across from the Ambassador and chatting w. him" (which I was, at COS)...but they relented and gave me the passport and punched holes in my old one so I could keep it. THink I looked pretty pitiful!

Took the matatu back to the taxi park, then a matatu to near the PC office when a torrential downpour started - got soaked on the way to the office, but it's O.K. Have a problem w. my right big toe - ripped the toenail awhile ago bumping into a rock in the sidewalk and just recently it's been hurting so I had to get antibiotics from the nurses (we'll see how that goes - she said it's a mild one for skin infections - Dicloxacillin for the medical folk - so hope there's no stomach trouble). Blogging now and then will turn in my SPA report (hope it's O.K. since it's all longhand) and return to Nkokonjeru via Mukono PO!

O.K. Back to end of COS (last THursday).On the taxi to Mukono we stopped at a police check and guess there's a new law (or an old law that's seldom enforced) that no live chickens are supposed to be inside the taxi. The police woman confiscated 3 chickens and fined the driver 3,000 shilling - which we guessed was for oil to fry the chickens!!!

Power was out for 5 days while we were gone - back on when we returned tho - YEA! I had to go "grocery shoppping" in town - got a pineapple, a papaya, 2 small eggplants, 4 tomatoes, 3 bananas and a small cabbage - for 3200 shillings - ($1.60). If I stay in the village I'd be rich!!!

We're having a problem with animal feeds, but we need to sell a pig and start selling eggs - they are coming! Becky is doing the ABC class with the little kids and I'm so glad it's her and not me - she's working HARD....even teaching the Hokey Pokey!!!

I'm starting back to "work" slowly. Sister "found" the Hilton Grant application in our Nkokonjeru PO box (the PO here has been resurected)...lots of work to do since it's due in the US on Feb. 1!!!! Our initial proposal made the cut but now the work of completing the application! Where do they get those questions?? Friday Sr. was working weeding the new bananas and said we could do it Sunday - she loves farming - her stress reliever!!!

Reading A Lion Among Men - the 3rd in the Wicked series - I'm really enjoying it but need to re-read Son of a Witch - starting a library list for when I get home.

Chickens are starting to produce and we're going to give a bunch to the kids and then start selling to the bakery - YEA!

Saturday, Becky and I went to Mukono to do errands and had a lovely lunch at the Colline Hotel..so "civilized"!!! Had supper at Shari's - stuffed green peppers - very good! A very nice day!

Sunday was also pretty quiet. Shari was helping me take pictures off my camera cards for a vidoe for COS - we all are supposed to send in 10 pics, but I have very few (on 2 cards) w. me in them!!! Also, we're putting together some prints from the Lira introduction into an album for the bride!

Monday was my first trip this week to Kamapla - if I had had a day like that one even a year ago I'd have cried - now it's just "oh, well, some good came of it". I got on the early taxi - left Nkoko at 6:15, changed taxis and was at the Embassy to pick up my passport by 7:50!!! Amazing! But the Embassy was closed - a Holiday the guard said. I asked "WHAT HOLIDAY, PRESIDENT'S DAY?" He asked around and it was MLK Day - got by us all! Came back into town, looked for some material but didn't find what I wanted, took a matatu up to near the PC office and walked over. It was also closed so I couldn't turn in my SPA grant report, but the volunteer lounge was open and I did e-mail and got my Oct. - Dec Quarterly Report done, got into some good conversations and got four new books to read. Left and got some groceries, prints and bought two solar power lights for Moses and Kinene - they also charge phones which is a problem when people don't have power. We saw them at the Conference - theres a Retired Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV - which we will be soon) who works for the distributor here. Got to Mukono and the PO and had a great package from Anne w. Newsweeks and Messengers - things are really coming late, but I'm thrilled w. a Nov. 2 Newsweek! Saw my letter in the Messenger in print (and many other good ones - well done!). I was so excited about reading the magazines I got on the wrong matatu in Mukono and was going to Katosi instead of Nkokonjeru....fortunately, they both pass through Kisoga, and I looked up from my magazine as we rounded the corner turning away from Nkokonjeru. Yelled at the driver to STOP and had to sheepishly get off and walk back to the center of town and wait for the Nkokonjeru matatu. But it was a good day!

Finiahed LION and started The Curve of the World (from the PC lending library) - dreadful book about a Coke rep on his way to So. Africa when his plane goes down in the jungle in the Congo; a local militia group boards and holds them hostage; he escapes into the jungle (and is surprised that it's so dense and so big???); the other hostages get rescued but he's lost in the jungle. His wife and their son (who's 7 and blind) come to the Congo and go out to a the jungle to find him - in my estimation they are both so clueless they should stay in the jungle!!!

Esoteric questions: I had a problem w. The Lost Symbol - and so the did the PCV who read it after me - does anyone know how Sato got the video she shows Bellamy?

Holly's dad (Fred) and sister (Heather) arrived on Sunday nite and they came out to Nkokonjeru Monday - really seem to be fitting in well!!! They, too, are glad to see all the people in town who take care of us!!!

Tuesday Becky, Moses and Sula took 2 clients to CoRSU (I stayed back to catch up)- one new, a 3 year old bow w. really badly bowed legs and Justine. Marvin (the little boy w. pussing sores) didn't come a 2nd time after several calls so now he's off the list - darn!! Might send Moses out to see why but don't know if it's worth the cost. Without the 2nd course (6 mos) of meds for TB the lst (2 months) round will be wasted! Maybe he got better and they decided it was good enough; or he didn't and they gave up! So frustrating. But, Justine is doing really well - Dr. Antonio is very pleased!!

Wednesday a.m. we had a neat Welcome/Farewell for Holly's family at PH - little kids did several songs and dances - they love performing. I actually got a little teary thinking I won't know what happens to these kids. Then we went out to Kavule - the convent overlooking Lake Victoria - bad roads, but the view is just breathtaking!!

Sister sold the big male pig - YEA - he'd gotten too big to service our three smaller females and was eating a lot; so now there's money to buy more feeds for the remaining pigs. The two big females are pregnant - due in 2 and 3 months - and now we'll have to get a male to breed w. the 3 hybrid ones. I want to find a good one! Fred worked out an agreement w. Sr. Benna to sell eggs as we get them - so the chickens are becoming productive. The cow's production is down, but we got brewer's mash Monday, so we expect that to pick up. Vincent (the regular animal manager) still isn't back and the boy taking care of them is tiring! I'm still hoping he returns - we need him!

Apparently Sr. Goretti is leaving - she'll go to the assignment she was meant to have last year when Sr. Juliet begged the powers that be to let her stay. But, today, Sr. J is picking up a "new" worker for PH. I don't think it's a very choice assignment - too many problems - but they do practice obedience.

Tomorrow Becky and I are taking Edward, the boy who has bad vision and is in a wheelchair, to Jinja to an eye specialist...don't know what can be done, but Sister wants to try.

Hope you all are well - I'm not crazy about professional football, but "GO VIKINGS". How is the winter? Making it through? (like you had a choice) - it's really been hot, dry and dusty here! Take care - and thanks again and again for your support and prayers!!! I'm excited to be going home soon and seeing everyone!

This will be a short blog. I've been at the Close of Service Conference since Sunday night and it's been wonderful. The resort - Jinja Nile Resort - is lovely (check the website - you'll be impressed). We overlook the Nile (been doing a lot of that lately)....the rooms are enormous and very comfortable. Showers are HOT and food is great! We have lots of fresh vegetables, even lettuce, and a fabulous dessert table that specializes in chocolate! It will be tough to leave - I don't even feel like I'm in Uganda! I think I've even cleared my pores of the ever present red dust for a few days.

In session, we talk mostly about Readjustment (re-entry), jobs and resumes', interviews etc. It's well done. Guess many returning PCVs have a hard time coming back to America - too much commercial excess, no one really can understand their experiences, all parties have changed and things will never be the same..... It's a bit scary I have to admit. I wonder if I'll miss the chaos of Providence Home - I'm sure I'll miss the people, but we've done this before. I doubt I'll return, but you never know.

It's great to be spending time with all the other PCVs- there are 45 of our 60 left. Some have really done great things. A few are extending in Uganda for a year (hardy souls). Many are traveling for awhile and then going to Graduate School in the fall. Some are hoping to find jobs - a few are starting now, but most plan a month or two (or more) of just relaxing, visiting and soaking in the American life (and adapting to reverse culture shock). I'm rooming w. Sandy, an older volunteer, who is leaving early because her site has really been difficult. I'm SO grateful for Providence Home!!

My departure date is set as March 26 - so should be home March 27 barring airline problems....It's exciting to have an actual date. LOTS to do before then - reports, forms, physical, dental - not the part I'm looking forward to and will have to spend more time in Kampala than I like, but it's short term.

Long session this afternoon - our goods and bads about PC Uganda - now to get out for a bit to the pool before we all go back to site tomorrow.

Again, thanks for all your support, prayers and interest. It makes ALL the difference.

Right now (Sunday at 7:00) we are all at the Jinja Nile Resort and I'm trying to get my blog done before dinner - have an unbroken streak and don't want to break it now! This is our 3 day Close of Service (COS) Conference. The resort is fabulous and after the trip to and from Lira and the time there it feels like heaven (people at the wedding were great - but more about that later).

Cannot believe I've only been back from Egypt 10 days - great trip, but I did come back w. bed bug bites from the "really nice" hotel - oh, well, could happen anywhere and they didn't come back w. me! I got back to Nkokonjeru around 1 pm on Friday the lst and bathed, organized and went down to PH. Sr. Goretti is back from the hospital (after hysterectomy and appendectomy) and is moving slow, but has her smile back!

I cannot believe how busy this holiday has been - 'course I've taken a few days off, too!!! We are still having rain every day, but afternoons are HOT! (sorry, all of you in U.S. and Europe). While I was gone Mulondo (the boy who always steals food) must have been out of PH stealing and got his hand whacked and his wrist is broken. Becky (the retired nurse from theUK) has been taking really good care of him, and they took him to Lugazi Hospital to get it set (compound fracture) and casted. Nkokonjeru Hospital had no doctor for the holiday and no plaster - Lugazi had no plaster but it's a bigger town and Sister could go buy some; Becky is amazed at health care here. They said that while they were at the hospital there were victims of a car accident brought in; it was decided to send one man to Kampala, but they couldn't locate the ambulance driver - located him finally, but the ambulance was out of fuel; his friends chipped in for fuel and then had to push the ambulance to the petrol station!!!! (the man died)

Saturday, the chickens produced their first egg! Jamil, the disabled boy who has been their primary caretaker, was SO excited...I'll see if I can send pictures from here tomorrow - it's almost time for supper now. I was helping him tie up greens for the chickens and saw it in a corner!! I cut greens for the pigs too - Sister gave a worker 2 piglets in lieu of salary, and we are trying to sell the big male and one female pig so Deb, Liz and Shirley can have their own rooms and then we'll breed them. The cow is doing well - the boy talking care of her is getting used to the job and she seems happier (and more productive).

Finished the book, Say You're One of Us - sad stories about African children (but pretty believable); now am reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol - fun and makes me want to go back to D.C. and see all the symbols!!

Sunday after Mass I met Becky at the hospital were she was trying to bathe one of our elderly residents (male) who's there w. pneumonia....he has no family and had a stroke in Sept. so he came to PH - can't talk or walk and is generally in bad shape. Later in the day, Sister and a truckload of kids went to the funeral for the mother of one of the residents - died of complications of HIV - dad died several years ago. The kids are young and it's really sad. They will be parceled out to relatives.

When we got back we learned that the old man in the hospital, Philip, had died. In the evening, Holly went running, and I went for a walk w. the visiting Australian Doctor (Nylanthe - 32). We talked about health care in Uganda - she feels the doctors are competent, but there seems to be no urgency of care and poor supply of medicines and equipment....makes it hard. She was upset about 2 children who came in recently after an awful house fire - one died and the other was struggling. The one surviving had lots of facial burns and they didn't put a tube down her throat - now she's having trouble breathing because of swelling.

Monday a.m. I typed reports and then we all went to Mass and Phillip's funeral - they buried him at the "potter's field" behind the church. Some people came from the school where he used to work and at lot of the kids came - it really was a lovely service and a beautiful spot. We all feel that he's finally at peace. Becky has been really sick but came to the burial....very simple w. a wood coffin lowered w. ropes.

Tuesday we had quite a few people for CBR; Moses and Kinene are really worried about the program after I leave - I think four years of having a PCV has made them dependent - I think they will be fine. Thanks to you all, I have been able to give some money to the program, but now we're trying to get some money from the local government agencies! Hope it works!

In the afternoon, Becky, Moses and I went out to see Serafina - she's been at her grandmothers for about 2 weeks for a holiday (for everyone). Moses made her set of parallel bars from "locally available materials"(small tree trunks) and we took some pictures....she seemed happy to see us! Just before we left for that trip, one of the other elderly men (John) at PH, fell and bumped his head - left quite a pool of blood. Nice to have Becky around to take care of him! Got him up and he demanded lunch so we figured he was O.K.

Fred (the business manager) has enrolled his oldest, Mark (4), who is one month younger than Riley, in boarding school for the coming term - he's so little, but people here think it's the way to get ahead!!!

Wednesday, we went to the Sister's Profession. It was in Jinja this year because the chapel at Nkokonjeru isn't complete (re-roofing project that started in June). Really a beautiful ceremony. The Sisters have so much fun together. There were 9 professing for the lst time; 7 doing final, perpetual profession, 12 at 25 years and 4 at 50 years! Becky and Holly went, too. It actually started on time, the sermon and speeches were short! It lasted 4 hours, but it was all about the Sisters and was very nice!

Thursday was Epilepsy day and we had 60 people - the usual, but it's busy!! Spent the evening tring to organize the milk money and plan for animal food purchases; don't know how I'd get it done w/o Fred who also had to get chicken medicines today. He went to Kamapla w. Becky and Sula, who were taking Mulonodo to CoRSU, the orthopedic hospital, to re-set his arm since he ripped off his previous cast. He is now scheduled for surgery at CoRSU on Monday.....

On Friday, Holly and I left at 6 a.m. and boarded a matatu to Kampala and took a bus to Lira which is in northern Uganda. Holly, Shari and Michelle are attendants there at n Introduction Ceremony (engagement) of a couple who live in Nkokonjeru but are from that area. They have 6 children (oldest 12) but finally have the money for the Ceremony!!! We got on a bus in Kampala that was supposed to leave for Lira at 9 a.m. but they discovered tire problems at 9 so we left at 11!!! I'm really learning to expect that sort of delay and not let it bother me (much). But, the trip was interesting - very full bus. There was a young man giving us all a gospel message a good share of the way (in the local language and others); a lady got on about an hour out of Lira and sat down right next to me and Holly and she kept moaning and shifting her position...very strange. Later I noticed she was pregnant but it looked small and high (so much for what I know). Just before Lira she squatted on the floor next to her seat and delivered!!! Quite the commotion. There was a nun just ahead of her who took charge (I was worthless)....actually, the baby just dropped out on the bus floor! They then took her to a local hospital....she walked off the bus and into the hospital w. the Sister and another passenger and holding the baby! They are tough up there!!!!

When we got to Lira we met Shari and Michelle - had to stay in town while the bride got her hair done and got to the family compound about 10 miles out at 10:00 - I bathed and went to bed! We were staying in a little mud hut w. a grass roof and sleeping two to a mattress on the floor. Bathing was rinsing w. water from a gerry can!

The next morning we met everyone and tried to help where we could.....the Introduction Ceremony was supposed to start at 2:00 but didn't start till 4:00 (to be expected)...the girls had to dress up and walk in w. the bride and her relatives and "search" the crowd for the groom!

Dinner didn't get served till 8 p.m. and they didn't have lights so it was interesting!! People had lots of fun tho' and danced till morning!

The Lira area was devestated by the fighting between the government and the Lord's Resistance Army for many years (stopped in 2006 and Kony, the leader of the LRA is now in the Congo), but the area is really poor....people were dressed up much less than in our area of Uganda. It's also VERY hot and dry.... The family seems to be one of the more prominent ones in the area based on the important guests who came, but it still was not as nice as one in central Uganda.

It was a late nite and we got up at 5:30, walked to the road, got a ride from a really nice man into town and got on the bus at 7:30 - got to Jinja around 2:30 and had lunch and waited for the shuttle from PC to take us to the hotel. Waited till 5 and then one of the girls commandered a matatu and we all paid to ride it out to the hotel. Hotel is lovely and after two nites in the grass hut w/o bathing I love it. Washed my traveling clothes in the shower by stomping on them - you really get creative!!!

Hope you are all well and enjoying the new year. I'm looking forward to visiting w. everyone for the next three days.....plus all the pampering!!! Not interested in resumes or job search or graduate school....we'll see what they have for us old folks! Really miss having Maria here but am rooming w. another older PCV, Sandy, who's lots of fun, too.

It's rapidly coming to a close - I can't thank all of you enough for your support, your prayers and your concern. It's been great but I'm definitely ready to come home!!!

We have internet at the hostel where we are staying - so will start the blog while we are waiting for the train to Luxor (10:15 departure for an overnite trip). The hostel is really comfy - has hot water showers and nice rooms and is well located in downtown. For $13/person/nite we can't complain (oh, and includes breakfast tho' we've been going to a nearby McDonalds!!).

Judith, another older female PCV and I left from Entebbe w/o incident. We had a stop in Nairobi and then a short, unannounced stop in Karthoum, Sudan (the ticket said in small print "1 technical stop" - we think they didn't want to scare people by saying they were landing in Sudan). Moment of panic when we went through customs in Egypt and the guy said we had to have a visa (which I had not researched) but you got one at the money changing booth for $15!!! Got our Egyptian Pounds (5.4 to a dollar) and we were met by a taxi sent by the Hostel (nice touch at 11:30 at nite).

Cairo was amazing late at nite - roads were packedl and the streets in downtown were full of shoppers!!! The 9 the next morning a driver met us at the hostel and took us to some of the local sights....cost $15 each for the driver for the day and quite a luxury!!! We went first to Saqqara where the first pyramid was built (2500 B.C.) - the Step Pyramid - and saw a temple and a museum of Imotep (he was a good guy it appears - the king's builder). Saw some statues at Memphis and then went to Giza to see the pyramids. Our driver made it sound like it was a LONG walk to and around the pyramids and took us to "a friend" who rented camels and horses - we chose horses. It turned out he could have driven up to the visitor center and we could have walked around, but the horses were fun. Would have felt like Lawerence of Arabia riding over the sand but the guy who took us was nervous about our riding ability so it was a slow trip. We saw the 3 big pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx - it was amazing to be standing by (and climbing on) the pyramids!!! The Sphinx has seen better days - smaller than I expected and the face is nearly gone. Had a great dinner of kashari near our hotel - rice, hummus, pasta, tomatoes and onions....the restaurant that we went to only serves that one thing in small, medium or large bowls and the place was packed! We walked around the streets - again, just full of people walking or shopping - mainly clothing stores and pastry shops in our neighborhood!

Impressions of Cairo - people are extremely friendly - they stop us and talk if they know English; it's really overwhelming just thinking of being in Cairo. As we drove around outside the main town we saw lots of donkey carts loaded w. great looking vegetables and fruits, lots of trash blown about (unfortunately), lots of unfinished apt. construction, most women have headscarves or burquas, the children are beautiful curly headed children, many smokers, lots of police everywhere (keep the tourists safe and happy), and just a busy, busy, noisy place (20 million in Cairo). It's surprising to see all light skinned people, too!

On the 28th we went in the a.m. to the train station to try to book a seat to Luxor - the sleeping cars were all full as were the sitting car for that nite, but we got seats on the sitting car for the 29th - a bit disappointed at only having one day in Luxor - and we found out later that you can't book a return trip from the Cairo station (all the trains for foreigners run overnite)- just have to take your chances in Luxor (and we have return airline tickets for the 31st so have to come back the night of the 30th!)...a bit nervous. We went to the Egyptian Museum - got there around 11 but decided it was too packed so took a cab to the Citadel, a old fort and huge mosque w. layers and layers of history! Cabs are fairly cheap, but it's a hassle arguing w. the drivers over the fare!

Mosque at the Citadel was just gorgeous! Then we took a cab to Old Cairo and the Coptic Christian area of Cairo - again, impressive building and layers of history! We found out there was a Metro (subway) and took that back to town - it has limited lines, but is great and costs 20 cents! We are discovering a lot as we go along!

On the 29th a.m. we went to McDonalds again - really enjoying the Egg McMuffins. We went early to the Musuem and got right in at 9:00.....rushed up to the Tutankahem exhibit - absolutely breathtaking! The musuem is wonderful, but things are not labeled and there's little information but you have to be impressed. There must be literally hundreds of painted/carved mummy cases! Most of the people were in groups and so moved through quickly...and we avoided them. After that we walked on a bridge over the Nile and went to the Cairo Tower where you can go up and look over the city - it was fun to look around at the places we'd been to.

Walked back over the river, had lunch and decided to ride the Metro to the northern end of the line - cheap way to see the city outskirts! On the way back we took the "women's car" - only women allowed! On our way back to the hotel we decided to check out Egypt Air from Luxor to Cairo and were able to book a flight for the morning of the 31st for only $77 so we fly back! We went back to the hostel where we'd left our bags for the day and the guy there was able to arrange a hotel and driver for us in Luxor - also pretty inexpensive and nice to know we will be back to get our flight on the 31st (and a nite of sleep and a shower between the nite on the train and the nite on the plane).

Part II: Continuing the saga after our return from Luxor . On Tuesday nite we walked to the Metro station at 9:00 to travel to the train station - 5 of us from the hostel - 3 Americans, 2 Germans. The train left nearly on time and we had a compartment w. 6 seats (another guy from Spain)....better than I thought. Slept on the floor and seats. Got to Luxor (420 miles south) at 8 a.m. - fun to watch the scenery after sunrise from the train - lots of vegetables growing on the land by the Nile. There was a man in Luxor waiting for us w. a sign (YEA)...took us to a very nice hotel right in the middle of town - had our own bath, hot water showers AND a TV - my standards of "really nice" are low these days. We met our guide and driver and took off by 8:30 for the Valley of the Kings....it's across the river from the town of Luxor in a desolate area of limestone cliffs. The kings of the Middle Kingdom built their tombs there - nothing above ground except fabulous rock formations (tops of hills have a pyramidal shape which is one of the reasons the area was chosen). For our ticket we could go into 3 tombs....you go down into the chambers - it's a bit spooky for the claustrophobic but there are beautiful carvings on the walls and some artifacts (tho' most have been stolen or are in the museum). Unfortunately you can't take pictures even of the scenery.

Then we went on to the Temple of Queen Hutshipsut - it was totally rebuilt from original stone. An impressive building and story of the queen who was discredited in death by her stepson. We decided to skip the Valley of the Queens - had to do Luxor in one day. We were lucky to have the driver and guide - really moved things along since some things are on the West side of the Nile and some on the East. Our guide was interesting, but sometimes we longed for time to just walk around and stare!!!

By noon we were back on the East Bank and went to the Temple of Karnak (actually he started it and they kept adding on for 2000 years)....it was absolutely fabulous - enormous and so full of history.....columns, arches, buildings, statues....after we let the guide go we just sat and tried to take it in!!! Pictures won't do it justice.

Had a very late lunch at a local restaurant - lamb stew and rice; Walked around and through the huge bazaar - everyone wants you to buy!!!! Went to the hotel for a shower and some TV and an early bedtime (had been wearing the same clothes for 3 days - hygiene is slipping, too).

This a.m. (New Year's Eve) a driver came to the hotel to take us to the airport (the guy at the Australian Hostel set it all up for us - I don't know how they do it but it's great)....BUT, when we got to the ticket counter we found out that when the "kid" at Egypt Air wrote out our tickets he put Jan. 31 instead of Dec. 31 and I didn't check.....when will I learn to check and re-check? Fortunately there are lots of flights of tour groups and we were only 2 people w/o luggage so we got on a 10 a.m. flight and back to Cairo in lots of time. Went to a great public park in town and had lunch overlooking the Citadel - walked back to the hotel through an older area of town and through a huge bazaar area - some local and some tourist stuff!! Sensory overload!!!

So, that's it - don't think it's all sunk in yet - but will someday. Judith was a good traveling companion - we both go to bed early and get up early; we traveled "on the cheap" but when we needed to we spent some money to get things done (actually, our guides were so cheap by American standards we were amazed!). Australian Hostel staff was great in arranging things for us and letting us "camp" here when we were inbetween. For an "unplanned trip" - not my usual obsessiveness - it went really well!! Back to Kampala tomorrow a.m. (Jan. 1, 2010) at 9 a.m. and then on to Nkokonjeru! Hope to get a few pictures out soon and will send Gail a CD when I can.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE - Best wishes for a wonderful year in 2010! I'm excited that it's my "coming home year"..... Thanks again for all your support - could not have done it w/o you all!!!

Attempted to leave Nkokonjeru early but not much activity at 6 a.m. We did leave at 7:45 and little traffic - it's Boxing Day, which is also a National Holiday. Went to my favorite internet cafe and it wasn't open; came to Garden City Mall to find an ATM that will give me U.S. Dollars and amazingly, the internet cafe here is open. I'm going to blog and then head out to the airport for our flight to Cairo! Yes, I'm going to Egypt - with Judith, another senior volunteer. We'll be back in Uganda on the 1st - will spend New Year's Eve in the air!!! So, if you ever felt sorry for me you can stop now!

Haven't blogged since I came back from Rwanda - lots of info, but I'll try not to be too long winded.

Survived the 10 hour bus ride (one stop for potty break - goal is total dehydration!). Walked down to the Kampala taxi park marveling at the difference in Kamapal and Kigali...Kampala is much bigger but is full of garbage, unregulated traffic, sellers all over the sidewalks making it impossible to walk on them -you have to take your chances w. the traffic on the street! Kigali is so neat and orderly - there may be less personal freedom, but asthetically, it's a lot nicer (and smells better).

Got back to Nkokonjeru at 7:45 and unpacked and went to bed. Went back to Kampala Friday a.m. to meet w. Judith to plan the trip to Egypt.

LOTS went on at PH while I was in Rwanda; Evelyn and Tessa (Holland volunteers) went shopping w. Sr. Juliet for 150 basins, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, vaseline, etc. plus cleaning brooms and soap. They also booked 100 baby layers (which came Thursday - 17th). Becky came back on Thursday too (U.K. Volunteer) and is now living in an apartment at the convent. Kids had spent days picking corn by hand - even cooked and ate meals in the field. Friday, there was a competition at PH, sponsored by Cheshire Foundation, to choose a young person to go to a conference in So. Africa in FEb. and become a spokesperson for "Young Voices" - an advocacy group for the disabled. Josephine won for the Mukono district but has to compete w. the winner from the Budaka district. AND, Sr. Goretti had her surgery - guess they took the appendix which was really enlarged and pressing on her intestines and her uterus (fibroids)....had it done at Nkokonjeru Hospital and seems to be O.K. Nelson gave a review of the big trip to CoRSU Hospital and Katelemwa Rehab Center Tuesday - they left at 7:30 a.m. and got back at 9!!

Saturday I washed clothes and Becky and I helped Nelson plant cassava (root crop) - just put sticks from the old plants in holes and cover! Another new skill (along w. planting bananas) that is not too marketable in Minnesota!!

Sunday, Evelyn and Tessa handed out plastic shoes for everyone they had bought - then they took four kids to the pool at the Colline hotel in Mukono - guess it was quite a task...kids here don't swim and fear water (they took four boys the previous Sunday)....had to buy suits and water wings! But what an adventure for those kids!

Monday, the whole place (about 46 people) went on a rented bus to Kampala sponsored by Eveliyn and Tessa - Josephine and I stopped off early to go to the competition, but the rest went to the airport, where they actually got out and went into a viewing area and rode an elevator!!! (Sr. Juliet's first elevator trip). Not much aircraft activity but a thrill!!! We met them at the zoo. Josephine did not win (darn); she was more poised than the other girl, but the other girl was older and working at the bakery in Budaka to make money for nursing school, and also, has "just" one lame foot and Josephine is in a wheel chair - might have looked easier to transport (tho' no one would even say that).

Ate lunch at the zoo - brought chicken, rice, chipati and sodas on the bus (cooked by the kids the nite before)....sandwiches are not "food" here - it has to be cooked!!! It was a real project folding wheelchairs, stowing them in the back seat of the bus (about 12), carrying kids on and off, and taking wheelchairs on and off at PH, the airport and the zoo - but it got done and all had a great time!! Got back to Nkokonjeru at 10 p.m.

It doesn't seem like Christmas - no decorations up and just a few presents to give....I miss the carols blaring everywhere!

Tuesday we marked all the basins etc. w. marker and the big give away began- actually, it went very smoothly - they called the kids up one by one and they were very quiet! Moses and I went down to meet with the Community Development Officer from Nkokonjeru Town Council (like a township or small county). He was actually there at the appointed time (YEA) and seemed interested in going out w. Moses to assess need. The Town Clerk (boss) was not so easy - he tried to impress us w. what they've done (tho' we know none of it was their initiative - all things given by other organizations). I asked if they had done a survey of disabled people in Nkokonjeru Town Council Area (about 15,000 people) and he said they had, and identified 151 disabled people (exclusive of PH residents); There are practically 151 in Moses' back yard!!! They are really not looking!!!

Said goodbye to Eveliyn and Tessa - sorry to see them go - they are full of energy and fun!!! Visited Sr. Goretti - she seems to be doing O.K. for someone w. long scar and major surgery.

Meeting w. Fred to plan our animal feed situation; Sr. Juliet was handling the milk money for Sr. Goretti and spent it on other necessities so we have to re-group. Our regular animal guy isn't back and one of the older boys is caring for the cow and one of the girls is doing the pigs, but not with Vincent's diligence (Edward, the interim is gone) and it shows. Now we have the layers (who haven't laid yet) and the new chickens! I helped Jamil w. our layers - I really hate chickens!!! Fred and I reviewed all the pens, got greens for the pigs (they love them), and cleaned the cows stall and gave her fresh water and grass. Hoping to sell a big pig over Christmastime to get them some more food (oh, yes, and got poison for all the rats in the pig's storeroom - Merry Christmas!).

Wednesday a.m. I took Becky on the matatu to Mukono to introduce her to Ugandan travel and shopping - it actually went well and we had a great breakfast at the Colline Hotel!!! It's been hot, dry and dusty, but rained on my sheets on Thursday and has been raining off and on since!

Christmas Eve, Holly, and her friend Adam, a PCV in Mukono, made a great meal - vegetarian meatloaf, mac and cheese, beans and salad and pineapple crumble and apple tart for dessert - fabulous. Becky came as did the Australian Doctor volunteering at the hospital - she's 32 and a real go-getter - and the Ugandan anesthesiologist. We all went to 10 p.m. Mass - at the old sisters small chapel since the big chapel is still not re-roofed (started in June). Got up at 4:30 and called home - Curt and Jamie and Gail and Jesse and kids were there for Christmas Eve - heard that the 10 p.m. service was canceled because of snow. Bert called Christmas day and said they were effectively "snowed in" and enjoying it!!!

Christmas at PH - not as awesome as last year when we had all the PCVs here - also there are lots fewer residents left this year....Sister really worked at getting most home. Sr. Goretti is still in the hospital and she is the community organizer - sort of like the mom at the PH convent. The sisters cooked and served for the kids - lunch was supposed to be at 1 but it was more like 4! But they'd had eggs and porridge (w. milk and sugar) in the a.m.; great dinner of chicken, mataoke, rice, cabbage, bananas and cake - and sodas!!! Gave away small bags of candy; I gave them the 40 what I thought were plastic straws (Valentine motiff) from my church military box, but they turned out to be whistles, which the kids loved, but were LOUD. Sr. Salome (visiting) and I decorated the tree (really a shrub, but neat)....Corky had sent me all your last year's Christmas cards and I saved them and they use them for tree decorations along w. balloons - it works!

At the end of the day, Becky said (in her priceless British accent) - "it's rather like being in One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest" - great assessment!!!

Whew, done - now to send and head to the taxi park to get a matatu to Entebbe - then have to take a taxi to the airport - can't go direct by matatu. Judith has the ticket info but we want to be there about noon. Flight leaves at 3 - stopover in Nairobi - and we arrive at10:25. We have booked at the Australian Hostel - $13/nite/person - private double w. a bath!! and they pick us up a the airport!!! They also offer tours taking the train to Luxor and we may access that service - nice to have some guidance!!!

Take care and hope you all had a good Christmas - Best wishes for 2010 - finally have made it to my return year - YEA! We have our Close of Service Conference in mid-January and think that's when we know our actual departure date (and are introduced to the mountains of federal govt. paperwork). Lots to look forward to!!

I'm going to do the blog this week from Rwanda - I just had so many impressions and stories from here (and found a great internet cafe). I was here in 2006 w. the Compassion trip, but did not, at the time, appreciate the orderliness of Rwanda - it's amazing!!! Things happen on time, the streets are clean, there are no piles of garbage, the boda drivers (motor bike taxis) have helmets and are registered, AND, there are marked crosswalks, people use them and vehicles actually stop!!!! That impressed me in 2006, but now, after almost 2 years in Uganda, I find it absolutely amazing!! How can two countries, that are so close, be so different in temperment. Rwandans are absolutely law abiding; Ugandan has the same laws (no plastic bags, helmeted drivers, etc.) but no one enforces or obeys them!!! Some say that the extreme respect for following orders may have re-inforced the actions in the 1994 genocide (like in Germany) but other countries have had genocides (Turkey, Balkans) - w/o that quality.

I still wonder at the calm and co-operation here - it was only 15 years ago that the genocide occurred. Many people don't seem to want to talk about it - they would just rather forget (or try to). The one person who really was eager to answer questions was our Compassion guide yesterday, but he just came here from Uganda after the genocide and so didn't live through it. Plusca's parents and siblings were killed at their home. She was about 6....and I really don't know how she alone survived.

On with the trip diary - got on the bus in Kampala O.K. and the ride went well (10 hours total), but the border crossing was almost my undoing. You get off the bus and it goes "somewhere"; you stop at the Ugandan immigration office and get a stamp , then walk about 1/2 mile down the road ("no-man's land" where you are practially assaulted by money changers) to the Rwandan immigration office where you get stamped in! I was really worried about "losing" the bus, but it showed up on the Rwandan side (a miracle!) - the border officials completely empty it and check all incomng luggage, boxes, etc. I did change my Ug. shillings at the border tho' all the shouting for my business made me really nervous; found out when I got to Kigali that I could have done better at the FOREX (exchange offices) in town but I didn't know! There are about 3-4 Ugandan shillings to a Rwandan Franc so I'm learning money all over again! Traveling alone is not as easy as with another person; I'm hardly the world traveler you may think I am - it's a struggle!!!!

As we entered Rwanda you are struck immediately by the great roads and the neat fields. Lots of tea and rice plantations. There is even an obvious attempt at re-forestation.

My phone didn't work in Rwanda - there is no ZAIN network (later bought an MTN sim card, but my phone has some sort of Uganda code that wouldn't accept it). However, when I got off at the bus park a taxi man approached me and let me use his phone to call Plusca - we agreed to meet at St. Famille Church where I'd hoped to stay (they have a guesthouse) and he drove me there; unfortunately, they were full, but he took me to another hotel nearby where I got a room - I paid him well, but he was worth every franc! I had my backpack and a big heavy bag w. presents and didn't want to be walking all over looking for a room. My room is $24/nite and is really quite nice - esp. compared to where Compassion recommended at $100-140/nite!!! (more than I'd pay in Kampala, but I need to find a spot and it's very near the City Centre).

The cabbie then took me back to St. Familles - it's a big Catholic Church near the City Centre where over a thousand Tutsis actually were given refuge during the months of the genocide (many churches turned into death traps). Plusca, Elsa (her little girl) and her cousin Gerald met me there. Plusca speaks little English, so Gerald was the translator.

Plusca looks great and Elsa, at almost 4, is quite the charmer. We had lunch at the hotel - rice, peas and meat in a sauce - much spicier than Ugandan food. Then we took a matatu to her home area. She and Elsa live in a little rented room near her aunts who have a small, but very full house - there are two "aunts" who have 12 children - some are theres' and some are orphans - living with them (husbands and parents were killed in 1994 - it's hard to fathom the impact of those 3 months on this tiny country). One aunt works in a hotel - I have no idea how they support all those children but they all go to school. I wish I could send pictures now, but will ry to add at least a few from the PC office. After the visit they took me back to City Centre. I walked around a bit at the shopping areas (they have a big Naukamatt - South African, 24 hour, Wal-Mart that's in Kampala, too) - only about 5 minutes from my hotel. Checked out the Mille Colline (Hotel Rwanda) where we stayed in 2006 - it's undergone a massive upgrade!

Tuesday a.m. I had an interesting breakfast w. a German gentleman (v. nice breakfast included in the hotel price) - he was very sun-weathered and had a long white beard, but he must have been in his late 60s or 70 (said his mother was 89). He's been working in Africa "building machines" for 10 years and before that in India, but now is just traveling from Cairo to Capetown for fun!

Rwanda does not have ATMs - not sure why. There are some for local accounts that fooled me at first. I finally asked because I was supposed to have $100 (American) for the Compassion driver - I was sent to a big bank and was pleasantly surprised by the great help in their "Cash Dept" - within 10 minutes I had a $100 bill using my VISA card- and that at 8 a.m.!!!!

Pluaca was at the hotel and the Compassion driver and host picked us up at 8:30 - he was about 10 minutes late but had sent word via Plusca's cousin's phone - I was not expecting that kind of punctuality!!! The village was about 64 km out of Kigali; even out there the roads were better than many of the main roads in Uganda! We went first to their church/school - Baptist - where there are about 246 Compassion children!!! They gave a great welcoming ceremony - dancing, speeches etc. I felt a bit akward sitting in the front, and am sure Plusca, Faustin and his parents felt even more so!!! Faustin was part of the warrior dance troupe. We looked at his file and I was impressed w. his marks! Also, they record every time I have sent a "family contribution" through Compassion and what they bought - animals, clothes, house repairs, etc. I was a bit concerned by the recognition for the family since it may give the neighbors the impression that they have "muzungu connections" and money in the house! We went to their home - it was much nicer than I expected - brick and plaster w. a tin roof - 4 rooms and a nice compound; 3 cows and a goat and some land to cultivate! Definitely not the "poorest of the poor". I don't know if the donations the past years changed things that much for them - if so, they are good stewards! I do think they are very hard workers. Our Compassion rep, Eugene, was a lot of help - it must be difficult to keep shepharding muzungus who seem to have more to give away than you will ever have! I was glad that Plusca went along - he introduced her as a former Compassion child and seemed impressed with her story and that I continued to sponsor her individually after she had a baby (in 2005) and dropped from the Compassion program.

We got back around 3 and Plusca and I had lunch - same lunch at the hotel. She was very worried about talking to me tho' she speaks some English (and that's all I speak)....but she needs to practice. Rwanda just changed from French to English as their official language and joined the Commonwealth of Nations (which is otherwise limited to former English colonies)....so the schools are now just switching from French to English. Plusca just finished Secondary with a major in Hotels and Tourism, but she'll need to learn English and have some computer training before she is really employable - bummer! She's hoping to get some kind of a job to pay for the training and to send Elsa to school this year, but unskilled jobs, especailly for women, are hard to find except for cleaning, shop workers, etc. There are a lot of unemployed young men on the streets, too - not a good sign.

Nice nite of sleep in my little hotel - it's just a few rooms in a secluded courtyard. At breakfast today I sat w. a young couple who'd been on the bus from Uganda w. me (actually, seeing them on the bus helped me identify which was mine among all the buses and trucks at the border). They are free-lance journalists - she's from Germany and he's from the U.K. (married) and are traveling all over East Africa sending stories back to the German press! I'm impressed - unfortunately her blog site is in German! One good thing about traveling alone is that you meet lots of interesting people!!! Germany still seems pretty connected to Uganda - it was a German colony until after WWI when it was given to Belgium in the big African "give away".

Wednesday (today) was a great day. Got this blog started and met Plusca at the hotel at 10:30 - her cousin Gerald came along, which was nice. We went to the Genocide Memorial which has a very nicely done exhibit about what "caused" the genocide and what happened. We saw it in 2006 but it was much more effective seeing it w. two young people who lost parents and family in the 4 months in 1994! It's amazing that such a small country (8 mill. total at the time), who all speak the same language (Kiryawandan), unlike Uganda where there are many languages, could inflict such damage in 3-4 months! The upstairs portion reviews the genocides of the 20th century - Armenia, Cambodia, Germany, Namibia, Serbia - it was raining when we finished so we stopped at their "coffee shop" for lunch. Guess not a lot of people stop because the only item on the menu was a buffet mainly for the workers - cheap and LOTS of food - fries, rice, cassava, greens, beans, beef...full plates!!!

We walked down the hill from the Memorial and took a matatu to Ginkondo (south of Kampala city) where Plusca lives and saw her school. Went back and said good-bye to her aunt and Elsa and then we walked to Gerald's school - Kigali College of Banking and Finance - a beautiful campus on top of a hill w. lots of grass and trees! Then we had to say good-bye and I took a matatu back to town where I am now....getting ready to get something to eat and then go to the hotel, pack and go to bed. My bus leaves at 6 a.m. tomorrow - I'm about a 10 min. walk from the bus park. Just have enough money to get back (gave whatever else I had to Plusca). Hope to be back in Kampala in time to catch a matatu to Nkokonjeru and unload - got some great baskets from Faustin's family - and return to the PC office Friday to meet w. Judith and plan our Egypt vacation. Then, I'll stay in Nkokonjeru for a week - feel bad because Eveliyn and Tessa (Holland volunteers) are back for a visit and Becky (the retired nurse from the U.K.) will be coming again THursday, but they all can do just fine w/o me.

I'm really glad I came to Rwanda - sometimes it seems like a hassle, but seeing Faustin again and spending time w. Plusca was great! Doubt I'll ever see them again, but it's fun to have the connection! Pretty tame trip, but I saw Rwanda differently than I did the last time....much more personal.

I will try to get to the blog before Christmas, but if I don't, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas - I hope you get time to enjoy the season and "God Bless You Everyone"!!!!

Remember when I thought these two months would be slow - well, it hasn't happened!!! I'm in Kamapla today on the eve of my brief trip to Rwanda. Finally got a call yesterday from someone who was with Plusca so I now have a contact and am more hopeful of meeting. On Tuesday I go to the Compassion office to get a ride to see Faustin (their requirement). Have some gifts for all - but not a lot because of carrying it all on the bus!!! I don't look forward to the bus ride, but I am really excited about the reunion and meeting Plusca's (22) little girl Elsa who is almost 4!

The week went fast. Sunday Mass was changed a bit because there was a retreat for some of the Sister's and it was just me and 70 nuns! Father kindly said "the sermon will deal mainly about living in the religious life" - don't think he knew what to say to me!!

I went out to Moses father's place for the Introduction in the afternoon. Supposed to start at 2, but of course it was 3 (not bad). The "engaged" couple have been living together for 10 years in order to save enough for the big event - and it is BIG. Tents, plastic chairs, flowers and lots of people. It starts w. all the family members taking turns approaching the bride's family and "introducing" themselves - like aunties, sisters, uncles, brothers dancing to them in turn.... Then two aunts "search" the crowd for the groom and bring him to be introduced. The bride and her attendants dance in (several times in different attire)....and the gift giving starts. The groom's relatives carry in dozens of big baskets full of food, then there is the required sack of sugar, the matoke, the sofa and chair set, and animals - he gave a cow and two goats - quite a collection of presents for the bride's parents. Surprise - they said O.K. to the marriage - tho' no one knows when that will be because it also has to be a BIG event and they have to start saving again - no wonder so few Ugandan couples are actually married!!! I sat w. Moses' sister who explained it all to me - she asked if we had a ceremony like this in America - had to admit "no", but weddings can be pretty big. I left at 7:00 because it was dark - they hadn't eaten lunch yet and generally you don't leave before the food, but I was tired and wanted to get back!

Oh, yes, Kiwaw is back (the boy who was having problems w. his father wanting to sell his head)...Sister J told a very funny story about waiting 2 1/2 days for the father to appear at the village. The father was very rude to her, but eventually was surrounded by villagers including the LC (mayor) and had to let Sister take him back. Kiwaw is full of smiles!!!!

Cindy sent me some Smithsonian magazines, mainly devoted to travel, and my favorite story was by a guy who'd traveled all over the world, but fulfilled a dream to drive across America - just quick road trip from LA to Cape Cod - it sounded so neat!!! His final remarks were "there wasn't a moment when I felt like I didn't belong...not a moment of alientation or danger - but always the reassurance that I was home, where I belonged, in the most beautiful country I'd ever seen". I read that part to Holly and we both teared up!!! Uganda is really a great country - but it's not MY country.

At CBR on Tuesday Moses and I were working on the year end reports and 2010 Workplan. He got talking about the problems connecting w. the government people, so we decided then and there to walk down to the Nkokonjeru Town Council office and see our Community Development Officer (back at site - sort of - after several years working on his university degree and not being around). Moses said "I like the way muzungu's do things - you just get up and go!". The guy was in another meeting, but we set a date to meet; he looked a little worried when I said we'd like to talk about their plans for helping the disabled in 2010 and if we could co-operate!. The CDO in Moses' district said he'd like to help and the government is supporting CBR, but he has to go to a workshop first to see what to do!!! (Workshops are a favorite Ugandan pasttime and a great money waster in my humble opinion - buit important to get lunch, per diem and travel allowance).

In the afternoon, Moses and I went w. Sr. Mwagale, a nurse a the hospital who works w. mothers and babies, out to see Baby Nakato (who at 2, in April, weighed under 5 lbs. when we took her to Mulago Hospital for a month). She still looks bad - reddish hair, swollen stomach and skinny limbs - at least she was alive and sitting up, but not walking. Saddest thing was her lack of expression - doesn't laugh anymore but also doesn't cry...just sits and stares! Her diet is still bad; mom has been trying - digging some gardens, but apparently gets little or no help from her husband or adult sons - who were absent when we got there - no one would say where they were, but our guess was "in town". Moses is going later in the month in the early morning to hopefully see the men and threaten them with getting the police involved if they don't start caring for their children - Nakato's parents have 10 living children and the adult boys have some, too, all living and eating together!!

Wednesday, Sr. Goretti went to see the Doctor again, but her cough was so bad he wouldn't operate. I volunteered to go to Mukono to get the medicine he prescribed (not available in Nkokonjeru)....got back late and then went out to the Nutrition class Holly had planned at Moses's home w. his group of Village Health Workers - started really late because of a local burial. Sr. Magwale talked about nutrition, Sam from RASD demonstrated planting bag gardens, and the hopspital dentist talked about dental hygiene. Very nicely done!

Thursday I went early to the PC office to type and use the computer and turn in my Egypt travel request (we need permission to travel - ugh). Then met Eveilyn and Tessa at the Mall - they are two OTs who were here as volunteers in early 2008 for 3 months and are back for two weeks!!! They are loads of fun and have lots of enthusiasm. Had a nice lunch of spinach ravioli (good!) and Sula and Sister picked us up around 3 p.m. The girls say they mised Uganda - the unpredictability of things, the colors, the warmth, the kids at PH - and even the bumpy road (????).

Firday Nelson and I planned his trip to CoRSU with clients next Tuesday; then Sr. J. and I sat w. Eveilyn and Tessa to plan how we hope to use the donations they brought! They are going to buy a plastic basin, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, and vaseline for every resident!!!! A huge help w. personl hygiene. Also, another 100 layers as a learning project for another group of kids and to generate some income. They said PH seems to be doing much better than in early 2008 - nice compliment!!! Everyone is impressed w. the piggery, the cow and the vocational projects - not big profit makers, but we're aiming at training and sustainability!

In the afternoon we got two more visitors - retired nurses from the U.K. One is going to stay 3 months at PH!! I anticipate that, Becky, the one staying, will do well - she's very adaptable - you just have to be to survive here!!! She's a mom and grandmom about my age and lots of fun. I love their British expressions! The other woman, Jenny, is going back on Thursday and is part of a charity working in Uganda.

We are still having lots of rain - should be slacking off by now - but I don't miss the dust that will come when it does. Saturday I showed the new visitors around PH, the convent and the hospital and we had a nice "chat" about our families!!

So, now I'm off to Rwanda - hope to be back Thursday and on Friday will meet w. Judith, the PCV I'm going to Egypt with, to plan...then back to Nkokonjeru and my own bed!!! I'm already looking forward to it!

If you don't get back to the blog before - best wishes for a Merry Christmas!!! I'll try to blog on Friday when I'm back from Rwanda and still in Kampala. I always feel a little guilty leaving PH - will miss doing things with the Holland girls this week but it's fun to travel too!

Hope everyone is well and the sale of the referendum bonds went well - and that bids come in low!!!

Thanks to everyone for your fabulous support this past year - two years? I miss home a lot tho' I really don't miss the cold. I was a bit envious when Corky said you were having a blizzard!!! Anyone get a "snow day"?

Hope all had a great Thanksgiving!!! Next year I'll be enjoying the turkey, etc. and some much valued family time!!! Only about 4 months to our Close of Service Date (April 9, 2010). Our COS conference is Jan. 10-14!!! That's where we get all the information I guess.

I sent Gail a picture CD - so check for pictures. Fewer this time - I'm slowing down!

Congrats Montgomery/Lonsdale District on passing the Bond Referendum!!!!! Gail said it has to start in Spring so when I come home they may be going - what a job well done!!! Completion in 2012! I'm excited to watch it progress!!!

Last week when I left off I was just going to Moses' graduation from the COMBRA program - 4 month training in community rehabilitation. It was 2 hours late (predictably) tho' I was there nearly on time - hard habit to break. He seemed very pleased w. the program and what he learned. He's a great asset to our community program and deserved the opportunity.

Last week's Christmas Program practice was going VERY poorly - also sound guy's phone was off for several days and the keyboard guy didn't show up (and no phone).....we were getting worried (well, I was. Stella, a young lady who is disabled and grew up at PH and is a recent college grad w/o a job so back living here was the program co-ordinator and she was staying calm). Power was out Friday and Sat., too!!! Stell was amazing!!! "It will work out"!

Spent Friday wrapping up - collected all the scissors and bobbins, got sales figures from Didas to do the year end shoe report. In 2008 we sold 167,000 shillings worth of shoes; in 2009 it was 1,606,000!!! He keeps good records!

Saturday a.m. I got down to PH prepared to work. Got greeens for the chickens myself - it felt good; I'm tired of prodding Sarah.....if Ugandans don't want to do something you ask them to do they just ignore your request! The kids were all busy cleaning the compound and getting ready for the Program. They still have to slaughter and clean 18 chickens and 2 small pigs and peel lots of bananas for matoke. I can't imagine adding thaose jobs to an American Christmas Program. I went w. Sr. Goretti to Lugazi w. the truck to buy groceries - she bought cabbabes and bananas on the way from guys w. bicycles loaded and headed to town!!!

Sunday a.m. was pretty hectic. I went to Mass and Father was talking about the "new Season" - I thought "Pentecost"? NO, it's actually ADVENT! When did that happen? You loose touch here.

When I got to PH, I asked Fred to take a boda up to the sound guy's home to confirm...he was coming he said, but we wanted wireless mikes. I told him when he got to PH - he said I should have told him sooner - it took all my patience not to scream "but, your phone was off for days"!!! He went back and brought them....they are never sure how to handle an upset muzungu! The keyboard guy came just as we were starting - did reduce his pay since he only came to 3 out of 6 promised practices. He told Stella he wouldn't work for me again unless I was "serious" next time about paying him!!! The tailoring teacher didn't come to put up the display of finished work, so I had to try to do it w. lots of help from the other tailoring teacher who works w. the two advanced students! Didas did a great display of materials, shoes and tools, the craft lady set up her table and Nelson had a photo display of his work w. the disabled. Pretty impressive.

The program was great (you knew it would be, didn't you?) - the kids did a really good job. Michelle's ( a PCV) sister was visiting her and she was Father Christmas at the end and was a riot. He wears a costume that makes him look like a begger and dances around giving out candy - everyone loves it! The old Sisters came from the retirement commmunity and seemed to really enjoy it...they love outings! Lunch got served to all - the PH kids cooked last nite w/o power - started at 3 a.m. w. lanterns! We did get a guy to come and video this year - I'm getting a copy to bring home! The day was a lot of work for all but it is worth it when it's over - a great co-operative effort!!!

Monday was understandable slow. Tuesday was World AIDS Day...Holly and her group at the hospital had a program planned. Maas at 9:00 (actually 10), the a walk through town and speeches and a drama group - very well done. Several of the speakers were clients who are HIV positive aand who urged people to test and get help ( there was free testing also availalbe). The drama group did songs, dances, plays....the crowd wasn't as big as hoped but it was very successful!

Holly had called me early Tuesday a.m. - she'd lost her wallet Monday nite and discovered it in the a.m. ID, her PC allowance for December, U.S. driver's license - really a LOT! She remembered using it at a shop in town Monday nite and then didn't think about it till Tuesday a.m. Probably dropped and stolen. She called PC and reported it to the Police but not much hope.

I'm reading The Last King of Scotland by Giles Folden....interesting and different in many places from the movie (which was good, but gory). In the early parts when it's still humorous, he talks about riding a matatu (van taxi). Two years ago if I had ready about the rickety van, jammed w. people and animals, full of noise and smells and luggage I would have thought he was exaggerating. Now, I just read and say, "Yup, been there, done that".... Next book is Abbissyan Chronicles by a Ugandan author and his coming of age during the Amin years. Found it at the PC office library.

Tuesday evening Sister, Nelson and I worked to finish an evaluation of the OT volunteers we've had in 2008 and 2009 - Liliane Foundation was reqeusting it before considering us for the 2010 volunteers . I was secretary so we did it "American style" - very brief and to the point. One of the BIG benefits was the attention the vounteers give the kids, who need it desperately, and the energy and new ideas they bring to the staff - intangibles, but really appreciated.

Wednesday a.m. I called Gail at 5 a.m. but it was only 8 p.m. and no news on the referendum. She called back when I was on the matatu to Kamplala and told me the good news!!! Spent most of the day at the PC office typing reports and the aforementioned evaluation which was due Thursday!!! PCV lounge has four computers and is always busy - lots of visiting goes on so it's a fun place to work - I "typed" for over five hours...my butt was sore!!!

Holly got her wallet back - but just w. the ID's bank cards and driver's license. Still it's something. Sr. Benna predicted that whoever stole the money will go out and buy a lot of stuff since "they didn't sweat to earn the money"...and, if the money's spent they don't have to return it!!!!

Sister Juliet went to Kampala Thursday w. a load - several kids going to drop off points to go home; a child going for review at CoRSU - many, many stops. She was also going to take one of the boys, Kiwaw (10) all the way home. His grandmother came to take him and told the most remarkable story. She said that she'd brought Kiwaw some time ago to PH becasue his mom was gone and dad was a drunkard and mad. After he'd been away for awhile, the dad accused her of selling the boy's head to a medicine man since he hadn't seen him. He wasn't upset about the supposed decapitation, but about her not sharing the money with him!!! So, she had to produce the boy or the money and she wanted him back. The boy told Sister that prior to coming he'd heard his dad concoct a plan to sell his head (so dad had the idea but he thought grandma captialized on it!!) and he was understanably nervous about going back - he tried to hide. Sister said that from the two stories it sounded legit so she was going to asses the situation and maybe show the dad the boy and bring him back!!! It's a crazy world.

Thursday we had 61 at the Epilepsy clinic - we had an efficient team. I'm trying to back off and everyone else does well! Nice feeling.

Holly and I have resumed our evening walks. Wednesday night three little kids w. big brown faces, peeked up from a ditch and yelled "Hello, muzungu" as we passed - full of smiles at their surprise. Sunset was spectacular - sometimes I forget the really neat stuff!

Friday, I helped Nelson "cast" Serafina's leg - it's contracting again w/o the caliphers...which remain at Katelemwa for re-fitting (they are SO slow). He used a wrap that hardens when wet....she was pretty unhappy at our pushing her knee down, but had to be done.

In the afternoon we all went to a burial of a really nice disabled man who worked at the bakery. (Yes, we go to a lot of burials - part of life - can't imagine what it was like when AIDS was rampant) Most people are buried in a family plot near the ancestral home usually in a banana grove. He was only 30 but had osteomyletis and had surgery some years ago, but people said he was having problems w. pussing wounds and didn't have money/didn't want to go to the hospital and he died, we think, from a massive infection. There were lots of peole there - many disabled who walked/got pushed out the five miles from town. Nelson and I ended up in the back of the double cabin truck w. the kids and it POURED rain - we were absolutely soaked. When we got back to Nkokonjeru it hadn't rained at all in town! One of those African experiences I guess!!!

Holly went into the PC office Friday and they re-funded her lost money - really nice of them. It's hard when that allowance is all you have!!!

So, the week comes to a close. I'm going to an "introduction" tomorrow in Moses' family - it's a huge deal (and long) where the couple gets engaged and the families exchange presents - mainly the groom giving the bride's parents cows, sofas, etc. Wednesday Holly is having her last grant activitiy - a nutrition class and gardening advice for Moses' group of Community Health Volunteers, Thursday we pick up Evelyn and Tessa - Holland volunteers in early 2008 - who are coming for a visit....so the week looks pretty busy. Next week I'll be in Rwanda visiting my Compassion children....looking forward to that.

Another older lady PCV (younger than me tho') and I are going to Egypt right after Christmas for a few days (Dec. 26-31)....she wanted to go and I figure it's my one shot at seeing Egypt on the "cheap".....it should be fun. She's really energetic so we'll do a lot!

Best wishes for the Holiday Season - going into the really busy time of year for most - good luck!!! I'll miss Christmas and all the little ones especially, but the end is in sight!

Thanks again for all your support - I check the P.O. box before I started on the internet and I have mail - YEA! I enjoy the e-mail, but having a piece of paper that actually started w. someone at home is really special! Hard to explain.....

est wishes and happy holidays! Guy at the internet cafe is playing the soundtrack from Lord of the Rings - love it!!!!

I have added some new pictures to the Flickr site - they're in a group titled November Pictures.

Enjoy!

Gail

Hope you are all having a great Thanksgiving weekend! Not a holiday here - tho' tomorrow may be a holiday - it's another one of those movable Muslim holidays that depend on the moon....won't know till tonite!!! Came to type and check e-mails and blog and it's taking a long time. Wanted to send a small proposal, but couldn't type in Nkokonjeru - our printer is out of ink and the one you can use for hire isn't working because they shop didn't pay their electric bill!!!! After I'm done here will go on to the graduation ceremony of our outreach worker, Moses, from his training program - it's just in the next town, but I'm getting late (got going this morning later than expected - matatu was slow to fill in Nkokonjeru - and it's slow going here)....but I expect it will start late. This blog should be mercifully short - don't think I'll get back for the weekend because of the Christmas Program on Sunday so will get it done now!

Marathon get-together last weekend was fun (if you didn't run)....it wasn't as well organized as last year and the the route was different...last 3 miles were uphill!!! Was surprised by all the begging children around - apparently they have "handlers" who hide in the bushes and these tiny kids hold up their hands (especially to muzungus).. The police are all around just watching!!! No social services here!

Got back to PH on Sunday in time to catch the Christmas program practice. Sr. Juliet was reviewing and cut a bunch of songs - it was WAY too long and she cut the popular lip-synch ones - the kids were upset, but she said "It's a Christmas Program, not a disco show!". Keyboard man continues to be unreliable, but great when he comes!

On Monday the kids slaughtered 150 chickens and we took them to Kampala to sell. Several of the previously sick ones Sister bought from Sula died and one of hers died so she decided to cut her losses and take them. None of our layers have gotten sick (thankfully) - no common people working on both groups so I'm hopeful!

I went to Kamapla w. Sula (and the chicken bodies) - I volunteered to accompany Nususla to see the plastic surgeon at CoRSU Hospital for a review. She's the 15 year old who, several years ago, had a huge tumor behind her right eye; it was removed very badly and she had more plastic surgery in August to try to cover the hole. She was upset because it's still oozing some pus, but the plastic surgeon (from the U.K.) said it looked "fantastic"!!! It's still really ugly, but it's healing nicely. She has a big bandage on it all the time and it has to be irrigated and dressed daily. I felt bad for her on the matatu (we took one from Kampala to Entebbe) - people just turned and STARED! She handled it well but was glad to get back to the truck in Kampala for the ride home.

We had company when we got back - Adrian, who is a British Airways pilot and donor to Providence Home - his small group bought the truck, part of the boys' dorm, the generator, etc. Nice guy and fun to talk to. However, when I got to my apt. (6:30) someone had stolen by good Eddie Bauer capris! That's all they took off the clothes line on my veranda - and they even replaced the clothes pins!!! Bummers - I was going to leave them here,but wasn't ready to part w. them yet! Went back to dinner and we all talked till 11 p.m.!

Tuesday Sister J, Nelson, Jasmine and I went w. Adrian to Kavule - the convent overlooking Lake Victoria - it is absolutely a breathtaking view! Went down to the lake and stopped by Sr. Juliet's home. Fun afternoon.....more talking at dinner. All this social time is wearing me out!

Wednesday a.m. Adrian left and Sr. Juliet and I worked on a proposal (I typed and sent today) to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Uganda who may be able to donate some wheelchairs and tricycles (heavy three-wheeled chairs that operate w. crank handles). Then we went to a Grand Opening of one of the new handicapped accessible latrines at a village school - big event. The money was donated by the Rotary of Ireland and U.K. and co-ordianted by Cheshire Foundation.... Lots and lots of speeches in which everyone took credit for the building of the latrines at 10 district schools!! The National Chairman of Cheshire Uganda told everyone that every disabled child should go to school (good idea) and that if there children were too disabled they could send them to Providence Home for rehabilitation and surgery (Cheshire does not provide any funding for PH)....I asked him afterwards if we could send him the bills - he laughed, nervously, and said "no way". PH is still called (by some - and it's on the letterhead) Providence Cheshire Home, but they haven't supported it for 7 years!!!

Animals are doing well - the girl, Sara, who's helping w.the chickens WAY overfed them and we were out of food 2 weeks. The boys were giving the food previously and watched the amounts, but Sara felt the more the better!!! Fred talked to them and we're back to the boys measuring the feed - till Sara asserts herself again!!!

Things are winding down for classes - report cards "should" be done today and to Sister for her comments. Program is Sunday - we are setting up a "display room" with all the things the kids have made so parents can see them. Costumes are all made and ready to be given out.....I'm instituting a signout book for costumes so we are a little more sure they may be returned after the program!

Next week I start on my year end reports and then December 13 - 17 I am going to Rwanda to see my sponsor children. Nothing special for Thanksgiving....Holly and Shari have been on the move and we thought about eating at PH, but Sr. Goretti is sick - she's waiting for surgery to have her appendix removed and there's been several postponements at the hospital - hopefully, it will get done next Monday. If we eat there she'll try to cook and she's really not well enough. So plans change!!!

Hope you all are full of turkey - next year I intend to really go for it!!! Am so thankful for family and friends, faith, and especially for good health (when you see the effects of poor health all around it really makes you appreciate it). It's been a great 22 months, but I'll also be VERY thankful to be back in Minnesota!!!

I'm in Kampala for the weekend - tomorrow is the Kampala Marathon and several PCVs are running all or the shorter races. I was just at the internet cafe at the Garden City Mall and it was SO slow, I asked for my money back (took 20 minutes to do one e-mail).....went to get a bagel and met up with a bunch of "the kids" and am now at another internet cafe and it's FAST!!! Like in U.S. fast!

It was a good week - all our exams are now given in the vocational school and I'm waiting for the other teachers to complete their grade reports! Looking forward to a less hectic schedule for two months. Will work on year end reports for Sister (shoes, CBR, school) and do my final grant report. Our PH printer is out of ink so I may have to do it all at the PC office, but that's O.K. I'm planning to go to Rwanda the 14th to see my Compassion "kids" there - Compassion will take me out to Faustin's home (12) and I'll see Plusca (22) and her daughter Elsa in Kigali where they live (Plusca just finished her final Secondary exams). A little less grand trip than we took as a group in 2006 when we stayed at the Mille Coline Hotel - but I'm up for it!!!

Tried to divide my exams by ability group - English had 3 versions - the most advanced group had to write a short story from an article I gave them. We hadn't really worked on that and it was hard - most just copied the required 7-10 sentences from the article, but that's O.K. For Math I had 4 different exams based on ability (and one large print one for Edward, who can hardly see).

Sister was paying some teachers and actually got out the attendance log book and only paid the tailoring teacher for the days he taught! He was upset - said he shouldn't be held to "muzungu standards" - I told him at the start of the term it would happen!!! The students have lost a lot of teaching time (he was there for 14 classes; absent for 12 - and late for most of the ones he did attend). Not at all uncommon in many schools, but it makes me furious!

We have been having a lot of rain - both at night and during the day - huge rainstorms. Puddles last all day which is unusual....the ground must be saturated! More rain than last year - the good news is that the power outages are shorter - never more than one day!!!

Tuesday was one of "those" days - agriculture teacher came late for exam because of rain (he walks in 4 km...and has a limp); found out the pigs have no more food - it's gone faster than expected because our "temporary replacement" animal manager is not giving greens in the afternoon - "too much work" he said (Vincent's - the regular manager - wife is still not doing well after the baby); ag teacher complained that one boy was copying from his notebook during the exam - he expected it all to be from memory and it was a LOT (more than most of our kids can do - or me!)......he refused to accept the kids' paper but then said it was up to me! Sister bought some of Sula's broiler chickens to fatten up for Christmas sale, and I'm nervous about then being close to our layers since his chickens have been so sick!. Sister said she wants to buy a bull after her problems finding a suitor for Maria (cow)....not a good idea in my opinion esp. since she wants to use the proceeds from the pigs to do it and we need that money for pig food! Nelson and I are trying to plan a trip to CoRSU and Katelemwa for Thursday - it's a stuggle to get people to plan two days ahead! Went to my apartment at 4:00 for a cup of tea, congratulating myself for staying calm (I still have some peanut butter cups and allow myself one on days when I'm a good girl - probably why they have lasted so long!).

Wednesday I was on my way to get the matatu to Mukono at 6 a.m. to use the internet and Sula came by w. the truck - he was going w. the headmistress of St. Peters Secondary School to the Mukono police station to pick up the National Exams for their S-6 (final year) students.....we also picked up two Nkokonjeru policeofficers - w. guns!!! to guard the exams. Exams here are a BIG deal - like in Europe....they mean everything! Kids take 12-16 exams over 2 weeks - and they are long and full of things to remember! I don't know how they do it...many sleep only 2-3 hours a nite.

Re-reading Empire Falls - still good. Want to see the movie when I get home - esp. since I learned Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward are in it!!!

Thursday, we got the group organized to go to Kampala - Nelson was heading the trip and I stayed back (knew it would be a long day).....Justine went and also the little boy w. the sores (Marvin) who were due for review at CoRSU (orthopedic hospital)....both were actually ready on time. Two students went from PH who needed new applicances from Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center.....and also a Sister and another resident who wanted to go that day!!! Still having a problem w. people contributing for fuel, but let it pass this time (probably not a good idea but we really wanted those two to go and both are really poor). I have some money in our "CBR fund" thanks to your generous donations, but I'm trying to make it last - plus, we really believe that a contribution is important...gives them a vested interest in the program - although those two moms are really working hard to keep their kids treated. I was so happy to see Marvin - his mom and he were at PH at 6 a.m.!!! We said we'd leave at 7:00 - actually didn't leave till 8:30 due to additions to the riders, but I think it spoke volumes about her commitment to seeing her son treated - even the dad is now on board she said (previously he told Moses he'd given up on the boy - said "no more money" for Marvin's treatment).

Holly and I went on a long walk Thursday nite - part of the way we accompanied a blind lady to her home (she's a former teacher of the blind)...amazes me how she remembers all our names by our voice - and how she finds the path to her home w. her white stick!!!

Friday was the math exam; I was also trying to get laundry done and with the rains I kept putting it out, taking it in......there's no "throw it in the drier" here!!!

Nelson's report on the Kampala trip was great - they returned at 9 p.m. but got everything done! Dr. Antonio was very please with Marvin's progress after taking the TB drugs - sores are healing and he's put on some weight! Justine was treated like a queen - she was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened and was there for 210 days; Nelson said they all got lunch thanks to her mom who went to the kitchen and asked! Not as successful at Katelemwa. We had left some leg braces there to be re-sized and the man who does the work was canned and all the things he was working on (and the measurements) are "lost"! They have to start all over - Nelson argued, successfully, that we shouldn't have to pay for a new pair since it was just a re-adjustment and it was their fault they were gone.....I'll have to check the bill carefully to make sure they don't try to sneak it in!

So, that was the week - next week looks pretty good. Lots of practice for the Christmas Program (on the 29th).....the skirts for the choir are all made (thanks to the 2 advanced sewing kids).....

We need to get the rooms ready for an "open house" and display of things made (or grown).

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for - good health always comes up on top for me. I see so much sickness here it's a constant reminder!!! Sr. Goretti may be having her appendix out Monday at the Nkokonjeru Hospital - she's been having a lot of pain and is ready for the operation - please pray for her! I may got to CoRSU on Monday w. Nusula (the girl who had the tumor removed from behind her eye)...she is taking "public" (matatu) and doesn't want to go alone. If I think people stare at me as a muzungu, it must be a lot worse for her!!

Thanks to all for your continued support - the time is going fast but I can't wait to be home (although not in winter yet). Again, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It's Sunday a.m. and I'm back in Mukono to blog. Mass today was at 7:00 because the priests are going to some celebration and I got here about 10 and it was going great,but then the place filled up and it got SLOW!!! Oh, well, at least it's on - thanks to a generator (no power in Mukono).

It was a busy week - next week is final exams for our little vocational program and always is a rush - I was typing exams, but didn't realize the printer ink was finished so everyone (including me) had to hand write their exams! Learning to adapt (?). Next Sunday is the Kampala Marathon - Holly is doing the 10K so I'll go and watch...other volunteers are doing 1/2s and wholes....it will be a fun gathering.

Last Saturday after I blogged Shari and her friend Michelle had a dinner for a group of local PCVs...tempura, terriyaki beef, rice,sushi, fresh veggies and greens - VERY good!!! Most of our group's conversation now centers on what we'll do when we leave Uganda - nearly everyone's primary focus is home or post service travel!!!

Sunday, Sr. Goretti made my favorite meal of liver and chips (fries) and pineapple...really sweet of her. I worked on laundry, English prep (review for exam) and then sat in on practice for the Christmas Program (Sunday Nov. 29)...it's pretty rough,but it will pull off (I hope). We have the keyboard guy and the sound guy booked and will get some new costumes - really sparks up the performance.

I got two packets of newspaper articles from Corky and as I was reading realized that Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize - talk about feeling out of touch!!! Now that she's home Maria says we're not missing much w/o TV, but I do miss the news.

Monday, Sister J. wanted to plant banana suckers so all the "walkers" (5) had to work - even the other went to watch for awhile, so English class was canceled. Banana trees (which aren't really trees) don't produce seeds - they grow "suckers" from the main stalk which you can cut and plant. The trees take about a year to produce bananas and then you cut down the main tree and go w. the sucker (keeps up for about 5 years). Actually, our suckers were bought from a demonstration farm and were grown in a lab from leaf tissue,but that's more than you need to know. We'd budgeted for 130 suckers in the grant and Sister had the prisioners dig holes, but someone forgot to tell them to stop! She ended up w. 400 holes!!! We got 250 suckers from the farm and the rest are taken from local trees. The kids worked so hard, helped a lot by a local man who's sort of crazy but works like a demon!!! I tried to help, too - the holes are 3' x 3' x 3'. You put manure in each one (we also spent time getting extra manure from the novitiates pig barn - we'd used all ours up)....then, push the sucker into the manure and put a little black dirt around the plant....it's quite a project being down in the hole, pushing the suckers into the manure - I didn't start till afternoon and I was bushed!!! (and smelly).

I had spent the morning w. Sr. Goretti measuring students for a possible gift of some wheelchairs and tricycles (three wheeled chairs you propel w. a hand crank - very usefull on the road). We had visitors from the Mormon church who have an office in Uganda and said they may be able to get us some - would be great for the tailors and shoemakers who will start w. a mobile workshop....cross your fingers!!! Also, went to check on a sponsored child for someone in the U.S. who is sending money to an uncle after a visit here. It was legit (payments were being made) but it pays to check it out!! So, I was a late worker in the banana fields (thank goodness)....am thinking tho' that banana sucker planting is not a skill that's highly marketable in Minnesota!

On the way to the school, I saw the Nkokonjeru Public Works Dept....one guy w. a shovel and hoe, digging dirt out of the ditch and throwing it on the huge gullies in the road!!!

Tuesday I got the English exam review done - great walk in the p.m. w. Holly - she really books!!!

Wednesday am I went to Mukono early for my bi-weekly internet fix. In the afternoon I was back and we had a BIG rain and hailstorm. I was really worried for the banana suckers, but we went out and they were a bit beaten, but fine. Guess that's an advantage of being at the bottom of a 3 foot hole!!!

Having a lot of frustration lately w. people asking for money - maybe because I'm getting close to the end, but it's been pretty constant. I never given anyone money directly (per China's hint when I first arrived), but it keeps up - some are big - business start up, house - some smaller - bicycle, school fees - and some really small - candy,chipati - but it really gets annoying!!! I can usually brush it off, but some days I have a harder time!!!

Thursday Sr. Goretti and I went to Kampala w. Sula in the truck for costume material - trip went really well and we got 27 blue T-shirts and material for 20+ skirts (blue and white).....Sr. Goretti loves blue!! Good prices on both....less than anticipated.

Sr. Juliet didn't go but spent the a.m. looking for a bull in the area that could service Maria (the cow - she was in heat and you only have 24 hours). Hilarious story about her search for the perfect suitor - some were too young, some too short, some not a good breed. She finally "rented" one and he got the job done...she was worried about our cow shed so they had to tether the cow outside!!!

The production sewers are making baby dresses for sale and they were totally unaware of how to price them (I hadn't let them know the fabric costs) so we went over that - they'd grossly underestimated the amount of material they were using (they guessed 1/2 yd./dress - it was actually 2 yards!!). We have to charge enough to at least cover cost.....I'm worried about sustainablity. Also, having trouble w. the guy who's selling the milk (our regular animal manager is home w. his wife and new baby for a bit)....he's not turning in all the money and Sr. Goretti is concerned, but no one wants to confront him (and he speaks no English). In the midst of this 3 boys left shoemaking class because they didn't want to mop the floor after Didas told them to do it. I just lost it - I'm embarrassed about it now! Yelled at everyone - sewing kids, the 3 boys - even got angry w. Sr. Goretti! Finally calmed down and apologized to all - when did I forget it's not my stuff? It was all given to PH and they have to manage it the best they can! Humbling afternoon!

Saturday we had the first ever PH Staff Party - everyone contributed and the women cooked tons of food and we all went in the truck to a place about an hour away called Sezebbwa Falls - very nice time despite some rain showers. We had 21 staff - 8 in the front of the double cabin truck, 13 in back w. the sound system, generator and the food - quite the ride.....seemed very Peace Corps (Holly came too). A very good afternoon!!! Holly and I came back before the serious dancing started - can't compete w. Africans!!! Also, there were 13 people from Bake for Life in Holland coming to PH and the kids were doing a welcome (my excuse).

So, that's the week....lots of my usual ups and downs (and one BIG down). I'm looking forward to the end of the school term, the end of the program and the exit of many of the kids for two months......and some down time. End of year reports to do, but there's no rush!!! I'm planning to go to Rwanda in mid-December to see my sponsor children and our COS (Close Of Service) conference is in mid-January where we learn everything we need to know about paperwork (a specialty in federal agencies).

Hope you are all well and enjoying the fall (or is it winter?). We are still getting lots of rain (thank goodness-can't imagine carrying water to 400 banana plants). I really appreciate your thoughts and prayers - keeps me going!!! Good luck to all in the busy (and sometimes difficult) holiday season!!!

Am at Mukono bright and early Saturday a.m. - the guy opened at 7:15, I got a really good keyboard and it's working well - think this is one of those days where things work. It's been raining a LOT and the road in was pretty rutted, but there were 3 Sisters on the matatu which always makes me feel a lot safer. I told Jean, I feel like Anne of Green Gables - either "in the depths of despair" or "the heights of rapture" - depending on how things are going - I need to level a bit!!!

It's been a busy week at Providence Home - the end of last week I spent some afternoons rounding up kids to go dig/hoe (some were under their beds) - but, then I felt obligated to join them and didn't wear my gloves - BIG blisters!

I had a great weekend w. Beth and the PCVs in the area - nice to see some other projects/living quarters - I still like mine the best! Beth is really fluent in the language (she was PCV in Namibia before here) and I can see where it helps - I should have studied more!

Sunday nite Bert called - said Henry said "let's call Grandma in Africa" - he sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" - priceless.

School is going fast - next week is Revision (review) and the following week is Exams. The last week we're saving for practice for the Christmas Program (Nov. 29). Went w. the kids to "pull" beans Monday afternoon - again, after shagging them out of the dorms. Sister went to collect a stack of firewood she saw in our fields - cut illegally from the home's property (happens a lot). She'd been there Saturday and mentioned to our caretaker who lives there, that she would come Monday to take it; he (of course) denied any knowledge of the woodcutting!!! Well, Monday it was GONE!!! Sula followed the footprints and found it hidden in some buses (and it was a big pile). The watchman stared in wonder!! They went to get it Tuesday a.m. and neighbors told Sister the watchman paid them 10,000 shillings to move it over the weekend!!! But he stays on - and he'll do it again. Sister says having him out there (it's far out) keeps people from stealing the crops (except him!!!).

Holly came back from Rwanda Monday night - they had a great time. Saw the Genocide memorial and even went to a resort on the shores of Lake Kivu - she said Rwanda was very organized and neat - very Euro/African! She lost her apt. key on the trip and Sr. Ambrose had to dig through the hospital's pile of extra keys to find one that opened it - keys are a constant problem here!!!

Had a cockroach in my bed Monday nite - I tried to deny it as he scampered over me looking for a way out - finally got up, turned on the light and sprayed him! UGH!

Having some zuccini and cukes from our garden, but the leaf mold is gaining - it's just been raining so much and think our American seeds can't handle the African climate and diseases!!

Tuesday the Sisters, Nelson, Jasimine and I went to the burial of an 8 year old who was coming to Nelson's Wednesday afternoon physical therapy. He was really crippled and could barely eat....sad case. His sister (11) also has sickle cell and looks bad too - such tragedies! Alex subbed for me in English class - I swear he does better than I do (also can re-explain in Lugandan). Had a great walk w. Holly - she books!!!! I feel much better and sleep better when we walk (and talk).

Wednesday I left at 6:30 to go to Mukono to use the internet - but the internet wasn't working. I tried the other internet cafes but no luck....came back and sat for over 2 hours punching the screen till it came on at 9:45!!! (Fortunately I had a book). Sister J was picking me up at 10 in the truck to go to Kampala, but (also fortunately) she started late (surprise?) and didn't get to Mukono till 11:15 so I got things done. (again the UP and DOWN)

Sr. Goretti and Sr. Juliet had stops in Kampala and Sula and I went to Entebee to the Orthopedic Hospital (CoRSU) to pick up Justine - she was finally going home!!! - after 8 solid months in the hospital w/o even a visit home for her or mom (or visits by the siblings at the hospital)!!! Dr. Antonio (the Italian surgeon) told me that after all that time of having the puss coming from the bone, he was desperate and tested her for TB - and she was positive (after having the regular coughing TB, if it's not treated, it can re-occur in other parts of the body). Her symptoms are not at all textbook for bone TB but one he got her on the anti-TB drugs she improved rapidly - she's walking a bit w. crutches and looks SO much better!!! She has to take the drugs for 8 months and then should be O.K. She was one of the first patients at the hospital when it opened in April and was nearly dead when she got there! She and her mom were SO happy!!! We took them home and it is WAY, WAY back off the road in the forest - and then we had to walk down a path! Their home is mud and small, but it's home. They have some nice coffee trees but mom told Sr. Goretti that they "pre-sold" their crop to cover costs while they were at CoRSU so no income this season. I'm sure they are looking forward to a return to normal life.

We had the Epilipsy Clinic on Thursday - almost 60 people!! Moses is still at his class and Kinene's Uncle died and he couldn't come, so it was a bit confused but we made it thanks to our nurse, Juliet, and Stella (a disabled young woman from PH who recently graduated from the University but hasn't found a job)....great helpers!!!

Finished reading Into Africa by Craig Parker -he is/was a Professor at the U of Minnesota! Did research w. the lions of the Serengeti and the chimps of Gombe in Tanzania. Interesting book. He says there's a "mal d'Africa" - African sickness - and that people who go back to the "boring, temperate world" long for the color, chaos and edginess of Africa!! I'm not so sure! However, as he got older (and enjoyed his creature comforts more) his stays got shorter! Now reading The Spare Room...short book about a woman who takes care of a friend w. terminal cancer..also good!

Sister J and Sr. G and I are working on a small proposal for wheelchairs and tricycles - three wheeled chairs that move w. hand cranks - very sturdy and handy for mobility in the villages! We had visitors from the Church of the Latter Day Saints and they said they may be able to provide some - would be fabulous!!! We'll see....they are made in Jinja, Uganda and are really well made!

Friday I got in one math class - a bit of a struggle - doing money counting and change - some are good, but some have NO clue. Had a long (and late) staff meeting and missed the 2nd Math class. Then, Nelson and I went to Kinene's uncle's funeral - very big crowd. When we arrived they were reading the condolence letters and a guy was still varnishing the coffin!! People bring cloths to wrap the body - some fabric, some barkcloth - and guess there were late arrivals, because they had to take the wrapped body out of the coffin and add about 6 more layers!! Then stuff him back in and proceed to the burial site. People here are buried in family graveyards....after the coffin goes in they fill the hole up w. cement - so wearing rubber boots to the wedding means you are a close male friend or relative and are shoveling cement! The man was 83 and there were lots of older people - they have the most interesting faces - all lines and curves from years of hard, manual labor in the sun!

Hope you are all enjoying the fall - well, guess it's technically winter. All is going well here (today) - we've sold a few more piglets, cow is producing well and the chickens are healthy! What more can I ask for??? Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. Mailed my school board ballot on Wednesday (I was able to get the copy to mail via e-mail - YEA!)....pretty exciting!

Happy Birthday Kody and Henry.....Best wishes to you all.

Happy Halloween! I'm a little off on my blogging - I'm planning to visit another PCV over the weekend - she was my roommate at the start of training - and I've never been to her site. Good excuse to see some new country - just staying Saturday nite, but thought I'd blog today as long as I'm in Mukono to use the internet! Sure miss it in Nkokonjeru! Got here really early and as I was doing e-mails, the cleaning lady pulled out the cable w. her mop!!!

Got back last Saturday in time to wash clothes and clean (hoping to do that again today, but it's pretty overcast - has been raining a LOT but thankfully few power outages!). One of the older girls stopped by for tea! It's always fun - they enjoy "all the sugar you can load in" in their tea!!!

Read the book The Road - about a father/son traveling after a nuclear holocaust (well years after)...it's haunting - wonder how it is as a movie. I actually read it twice - it's short - the first time I went SO fast because it was creepy and then I re-read to catch the writing!!

Sunday Mass the Sisters sang a snappy tune I hadn't heard before - Refrain "If you trust and never doubt, God will surely bring you out...Take your burdens to the Lord in prayer"....good advice!

Sunday afternoon Holly and I went to a meeting w. Moses (our outreach worker) and his Community Health Workers (they were the ones in the first aid training class)....nice group of people! They said they are running out of supplies (gauze, bandaids...) but haven't charged for them like Holly advised - small amounts like a dime - so they could replenish! The recurrent problem of making projects self-sustaining! Still planning the Infant Nutrition Class later - the problem is re-education - many people grow crops but feed little children cassava (root crop) or matoke and no fruits or vegetables (like papaya or greens)....just not something they do! Little protein too, tho' beans are easy to grow as are ground nuts! Holly has an idea for a demonstration garden called "Three Sisters" - pole beans climbing up corn stalks and squash between the rows! Might ask this group to try some as a demonstration - also one growing greens and showing how to cook and serve to children.

Really into a reading jag - escapism?? Next read A Sunday by the Pool in Kigali. I'd wanted to read it since I went in 2006 and Shari had it. Holly is on her way to Rwanda w. some other PCVs right now!!! It's a fictional (based on actual) account of the '94 genocide - very graphic and awful!!!

Sunday nite, Moses called the mom of the little boy w. the sores AGAIN, told here we had the meds and she still said she had no money for transport! Well, she showed up Monday a.m.!!! She is really frustrating....not sure why I'm so hooked on this one-maybe because he's only 5 and is so miserable. Now to see if she gives them faithfully, since she didn't pay for them (it happens).

Had dinner Monday at Shari's - beef stir fry over chinese noodles - those girls are good cooks!!! Shari got beef from the butcher - the butchers have a stall on the road, open, with no refrigeration. They hang the meat on a hook in the open stall and will whack off a piece the size you want w. a machete!!! No special cuts!!!

Tuesday I had a very frustrating day - I'm really letting stuff get to me way too much! Kids didn't want to work for the Ag teacher on the gardens in the compound - even the wheelchair ones can pull weeds - and he wasn't making them - well, I did, after much nagging!!! New wheelbarrow was missing screws and no one bothered to try and fix it (I gave Vincent money to buy new screws and do it); the cow is out of feed earlier than expected (he's feeding it more than we'd allotted again - he said it was dropping production but he went gave a LOT more and now everything is out and milk buyers don't pay till the end of the month....it's so hard to get people to think long term - say two weeks!!!). Our zuccini etc. has leaf mold again - darn - it looked so good!! And there was more than the usual amount of "begging" on Tuesday, too....there's always some - wanting money for something small, use of my phone, etc., maybe I was just annoyed at everything. We had a meeting about the cow Tuesday nite - set for 6 p.m. but actually happened at 9! Will try (once again) to get on track! I'll have to bail them out w. chicken feed money but his is (really) the last time!!! In November, it's self-supporting or the cow is hungry! I want the people here to develop their own solutions to problems, but it's just not in their nature to think "solution"! I've worked up an income/cost schedule and tried to explain it, but not sure I"m getting through.

Yesterday Holly and I went to a "Turn to Tea" event. The old man who was in Holly's 5K (he's 70?) and lost 9 children to HIV is starting an NGO to try to get people to drink tea rather than alcohol to prevent unsafe sex. He invited Holly as head of Project Hope and I just went along...nice gathering - lots of local dignitaries (and speeches). Someone from the New VIsion Newspaper was supposed to come since it's an entry in a contest for World Aids Day (Dec 1)...but they never did (he called them repeatedly and they kept saying "we're coming")....At 1 Holly left and then it started to RAIN - just sheets. At 2 I got a ride home w. the ex-mayor - after he got stuck in the road - he just kept spinning his wheels till he was mired. Some guys finally put banana leaves under the tires and pushed - like being on ice!!! I felt bad for the organizer, but he fell asleep in a chair on the porch after the rain started - no one gets angry or impatient!!! Amazing!!!

Jamie sent me the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova (I am reading a lot)....it is WAY scarier than The Road or By the Pool!!! It's about a 50 yr. old woman, Harvard College professor who gets early onset Alzheimers. Every time I forgot something I panicked!!! It's chilling! There were some lines that reminded me of how I feels sometimes (on bad days) about being in Uganda - not to be dramatic, but they fit (sometimes)....."I miss being sure of things. There's no peace being unsure of everything all the time. I miss doing everything easily. I miss being part of what's happening. I miss my life and my family".

Well, that was sad - lots of things are doing well. The chickens are great - we had to padlock their house after seeing one of the elderly men looking at them hungrily! We've sold 9 of 17 baby pigs (last group is just weaning). First mom was "serviced" again - finally, the male had something to do!! The cow went into heat, but the one guy in town who does insemination had his phone off (uncharged?) the entire 24 hours she was ready!!! Oh, well, try again! Still waiting to finish the banana tree holes and get those in before the rain stops - hate the thought of carrying water to 130 baby banana trees! Kids are progressing in school and Didas got 2 more shoe orders from Stella Maris - so, lots of good things, too!!! Sr. Juliet just called and she got a nice donation from the people from Florida to help out w. buying food for the kids - WOW!!! I have to try and get it at Western Union - don't have my passport with but do have my PC ID - hope that works!!!

Hope you have a Happy Halloween - Jasemine wants to get some pumpkins (they are green) and do some jack-o-lanterns - think we'll try!!! I like Halloween!!

Take care all - thanks again for the good wishes, prayers and thoughts. I'm looking forward to being away for a day - get a better perspective when I see others projects.

I'm in Mukono to blog - really miss having the internet in Nkokonjeru!!! I was going to take the 6:30 matatu, but didn't sleep well, and it was still raining (rained a LOT last nite) and didn't get down to town till 7:00 - had to wait till 8:20 till the next one filled and we left.....next time I'll stick w. the first one!!

Last Saturday I was here blogging before our little "pool party" at the Coline Hotel here in Mukono - lots of good company (other PCVs). We didn't swim - started out cool and cloudy and then a school group came in - lots of conversation tho' - most is about what we're all planning to do when we're done!!! Focus has shifted! We are now officially the oldest group in Uganda!!!

Sunday, Didas (shoemaking teacher), Alex (student) and I went up to Stella Maris (an expensive boarding school in town) for visiting day to try to sell shoes. We only sold one pair, but many people admired them and we'll go back - this term is over the end of November and the new one doesn't start till February, so think many were thinking they'd wait! I asked Didas how long he'd been at PH and how they used to market - he said 5 years, and they never had materials to actually make or sell shoes before - just practiced w. paper and maybe a little leather. So - one huge improvement thanks to generous donors - now to keep it self sustaining!!!

Got great phone calls from the family for my BD but sad to hear the Gophers lost @ Penn State. I'm enjoying reading newspaper articles Corky sends - I'm about a 3 weeks behind in the news but the Twins (in my world) are now set to play Detroit in the tie breaker - it's still fun to read!!

Monday, we had some disturbances at lunch re: food portions - it's rationed some to make it last. Many don't pay any contribution so not sure they should complain! There is no "free lunch" - no government help. And kids expect a LOT of food - you'd be amazed at how much Ugandans eat at a sitting - 'course it's mainly carbs and goes fast, plus there is not snacking! I've been standing outside the hall making sure people aren't taking an extra plate, saying it's for someone else and stashing it in the dormitories (a favorite trick).

Holly and I had a great walk and then dinner at Shari's - tuna hotdish and cherry pie - WOW!!

Tuesday Moses said he was sick and his wife and Fiona also - and his cow!!! Moses and Nelson (the OT) are teaming up to raise some pigs...they bought 3 of our little pigs - Nelson provides the capitol and Moses will keep them at his farm -hope it works! The little pigs are really healthy but I'd like to sell them all! Nelson, Moses and I went to the piggery to choose and catch their three and it was funny watching Moses in the stall trying to grab them - Vincent (the animal manager) heard the piglets squealing and came running - good for him. Moses wanted a female that was still w. her mom and Vincent got that done - very stealthily!

Wednesday I decided to go to the PC office to do my quarterly report - it has to be done electronically and I hate doing it (used to be able to do it in writing and send it in - easier for me). After I got it done (in some fashion) I went to the Indian Pharmacy by Mulago Hospital and got the TB drugs needed for the little boy w. the sores - I really should not be buying meds for people but Moses convinced me they were really poor - and the little boy (5) is SO miserable. Went to New York Kitchen (restaurant) and got some bagels and a cinnamon roll to take home - such a treat!!! Got to Mukono and had lots of mail - YEA - it's been very spotty the past two months! All in all a very productive day - and at the Mukono taxi park I was #14 on the matatu so we took right off - no waiting! Bonus!!!!

I'd gotten a newspaper (they are really supermarket tabloids) and my horiscope was (for the first time I can remember) accurate!!! Libra - "Brisk. You're very down in the mouth today. Although many things in your life are going swimmingly at this time the occasional doubts are creeping in. It will be difficult to know whether your fears are justified or whether you're conjuring up problems out of nowhere. Make sure you get some rest because that could be half your trouble." I have been struggling w. being here and I DO conjure up problems all the time!! Good one.

Few glitches in my perfect day after I got back. Moses stopped by and had gotten a call from a mom of one of the epilepsy patients - mom said the girl (24) had a "fit" and climbed a tree and fell out and broke her leg. Sister Juliet told Moses the mom had to at least find transport for her to the Nkokonjeru Hospital - mom said she couldn't! And he called the mom of the little boy w. TB and she said she couldn't afford to come to Nkokonjeru to get the meds!! First time I've seen Moses cut someone off - switched off the phone he was so mad!!! We also decided w should know the boy's HIV status - often TB is a sign of AIDS - weakened immune system - sad but true! So, we need him here for a test at the hospital.

Thursday Sr. Juliet asked if I'd take Liliane (our primary donor) money around to some schools to pay debts. It was a harder job than I'd anticipated (and I anticipated hard)....had to wait for the matatu, ride along in the dust, walk to the schools, pay, walk back to the main road, wait for the matatu, eat dust...you get the picture. Afternoons have been really HOT - felt like I was cooking!!! But I got it done!!! Always a sense of accomplishment!

Friday math went very well - after doing linear measures (metre, cm, km) we tried liquid measures - litre, etc. Had a variety of bottles, gerry cans, etc. and we poured water to see what the sizes were. The kids actually seem to be getting it - papers were very good!!! Also, the prisioners came (20) to start digging the holes for the banana trees - YEA. However, they can't come back till Nov. 3 (booked) and I'm not sure how much longer the rainy season will last. We get the prisoners for 2500/prisoner ($1.25), and extra for the wardens. They work really hard and it was HOT! Some seemed very young!

Had a visitor in the afternoon - a young man in a UN truck. He's met a girl who worked in PH in 1996 and he was in Uganda (he works in Sudan fixing trucks that defuse land mines!!) and told her he'd check out how it was doing. He's from the UK and has been in Africa for 10 years and loves it - said you have to look for the beauty all around (good lesson for me).....but he's a bit of a "soldier of fortune" I think - enjoys the life of the ex-pat. We talked about aid and aid agencies and he said he firmly believes the agency people keep asking for money so they can keep employed (included himself in that group) and that little of large aid is used well - in fact, much goes back to the home country people in terms of consulting fees, materials, etc.! He'd read Dead Aid and agreed - large grants have been wasted and may have even done harm by propping up bad governments, encouraging corruption and taking away the initiative of people to do something for themselves!!!

Interesting week - time goes fast but I really miss home. Today I'm missing Henry and Ellie's Birthday party - darn! I think often of the fall leaves (love fall) - maybe it will be easier to miss Minnesota when the snow flies!!! Am interested to see how the Referendum at Montgomery/Lonsdale goes - opportunity to use some federal stimulus dollars - seems like a good deal!!! Think Cook has a bond issue too!

Take care - Thanks again for your unfailing support and prayers - couldn't do it w/o you all!!!

I'm actually starting this blog Thursday at the Peace Corps office and will finish it Saturday - I'm in to have lunch and say goodbye to my good friend in PC, Maria, who is going home tonight. She just didn't have enough to keep her at her site in Kbale and decided to end early. I'll really miss her!!! I will finish the blog Saturday in Mukono - a few of us are meeting there to swim at the Colline hotel and have lunch - a little indulgence including two birthdays!

Spent last Saturday in Kampala w. Maria. We went to a huge Trade Show - a lot of commercial exhibits but also a building full of crafts and Maria's "basket ladies" had a booth. They actually sold some things to a wandering buyer from the posh craft store at the malls, Banana Boat, and they are on display there - quite an accomplishment!!! A lot of the show reminded me of under the grandstand at the Minnesota State Fair - there was even a vegematic display!!! Had a great lunch and just walked around.

Sunday the Mass was especially long - two girls from St. Anthony's Secondary were becoming Catholics (former Protestants - probably Anglican). We sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"- I really like that one!! I went to Kisoga to St. Balikudembe's to see Josephine for Visiting Day, but visitors couldn't go in and kids couldn't come out - "quarantined" because of H1N1 - or swine flu here. I dropped off the goodies I'd gotten them - pens, soap, sugar, buiscuits, buns, juice, TP....an odd assortment. Came back and did English prep, watched the kids practice for the Christmas Show (November 29) and took a nice walk.

Finished Tipping Point - lots of good ideas - not sure if I agree w. all, but really enjoyed the sections on Sesame Street and Blue's Clues (don't know if I've ever seen that show) - and preschoolers who focus on not what's flashy, but what they know and that doesn't confuse them - (me too - so why I am in Uganda where everything confuses me?). Now am reading Beloved by Toni Morrison - think I started before and quit and I now know why - SO depressing!!!

Nice evening walk w. Holly on Monday - we went down to a little brook I'd never seen before - kids were getting water in gerry cans - at least it was moving water and looked fairly clean!!!

I was so concerned about the Twins I had to call Gail - sad that they lost but they had a great finish!!! She said it snowed when they went to the Gopher game and was cold!! Also, said that they really enjoyed the pork, dumpling dinner at the Church!!!

Tuesday was stressful. Learned that one of the chickens died - the boys who take care of them were so upset. Not sure what happened. Fred gave them their scheduled vaccine late and not sure if it was too old, or they just caught something. He gave them an antibiotic and vitamins and we all prayed!!!

CBR mainly focused on following up the people who went to the hospital last week (or didn't go)...Moses called the mom of the boy w. Bone TB and she hadn't gotten the medicine yet - said she'd do it Thursday - he's calling again on Friday. Sometimes they don't have the money and sometimes they don't want to spend what little they have on a child who is disabled.

Then, Sister, Fred and I went over the bills she has and tried to allocate the Lilian Fund money - it comes in October and April and is our primary source of revenue. The allocation was down by about 20% - they said all over and that donations are just down! After we listed all the school fees owed, salaries owed and debts we were short by 7million shillings ($3500) and that doesn't get us beyond November!!! Very depressing. Really made Sister think about how we need to be more self-sufficient - have some projects written up that are out at potential donors. Also, we need to try harder to collect fees (or send kids home like most of the schools do) and somehow cut expenses! The hospital is experiencing the same problem. We reduced some payments to just end even - had Alex (student) take over English class for me so we could keep on it! Some how it will work out. I just got word that the Women of the Church at St. John's made a $500 donation!!! WOW! Sister owed me some money so I paid tha debt off and will save the rest to get the chickens through the next 2 1/2 months till they start to lay eggs!!! Really a great gift!!! We have started measuring all the feeds for the animals and hopefully can reduce costs so all are (or will be) self-sustaining.

Wednesday we took the 9 shoemaking students to Kampala to watch Didas (the teacher) use grant money to buy supplies and tools....unfortunately, Kampala is NOT handicapped accessible at all and it was really crowded so many had to stay in the truck - the walkers got out at one shop. The shops are really small and packed - you can't call or fax in an order - you just go there and tell them each thing you need and they pull it off the shelves one by one - ugh!!! And if anyone comes in w. a small order (and many did) they interupt you and serve them - ugh again!!! Boys got hot in the back of the pick-up but all in all they had fun seeing Kamapla and riding in the truck. We got back to Mukono about 2:00 and I knew they were going to miss lunch - so we stopped at a little cafe Sula recommended and bought lunch. They got to order off the menu (in one section) - could choose, beef, beans, fish or groundnut sauce over a combo of matoke, rice, sweet potatoes etc. and a soda. They had a terrible time choosing - they never choose food - just take whatever is in the pot. Good expereince and fun for me, too. Total cost to feed 11 (Sr. Goretti and one of the boys who said he gets carsick didn't eat) was $21!!!

When I left Thursday a.m. I found out that two more chickens died overnite - bummer!!

Friday there was lots of rain overnite and the power was off....it's such a thrill to wake up and flip the switch and the lights actually go on - appreciate it!!! Math went O.K., but I'm giving up on Mixed Fractions (e.g. 5/4 = 1 1/4) I've tried diagams, cut outs - and they just don't get it. Probably not important anyway!! One more chicken died Thursday, but Fred really worked w. the vet and think it's under control now - the ones in the house look perky and are eating!

Friday nite Shari and Holly made supper for me - bean burritoes, home made tortillas, guacamole, salsa and a chocolate cake - really great!!! Holly brought back a package of Reese's PB cups for my BD. Those girls really help me make it through! Today we're meeting at a hotel in Mukono to sit by the pool for the afternoon (it's $3.50 and they give you a towel!!). Tomorrow Didas, two boys and I will go up to Stella Maris (the posh school in town) and display shoes for sale - hope it works! It might take more than one try but it's a try! Didas is SO excited about his new tools - fixed up his cupboard w. compartments and signs!!!

Moses (CBR worker) stopped by this a.m. as I was doing laundry and cleaning and said that the boy w. the sores didn't get any meds and he went to the house and they were very poor - five children and 8 yr. old was watching the new baby while mom was in digging - not sure where dad was! Said the house was in bad shape and they looked really poor. I'm tempted to break my rule and just get the drugs for his TB - they should be free at government hospitals, but usually they don't have any (sold elsewhere?)...the boy is so miserable. It's really hard sometimes - but you can't fix everything! (or even close)

Heard it's cool in Minnesota - and New York and Pennslyvania!! I don't know how I'll handle that anymore - I was cold in August!!!

Thanks for all the mail, greetings and for your prayers for me! Special thanks to the St. John Women of the Church - gift was MUCH appreciated!!! Not too long to go now - it seems to be going slower, but when I look back it's gone SO fast!

Cool - all the 9s!!! Am in Mukono to use the internet - and blog. My keyboard is SO sticky I've already got sore shoulders, but such are the trials of living in Uganda!!! It's also (almost) 6 months to our COS (Close of Service) Date - wow!!! 20 months down. Today is Ugandan Independence Day - British handed over in 1962. Schools and Banks and Govt. offices are closed but the Internet cafe is busy.

Went to see Maria in Kbale last weekend (far western Uganda) - it's so beautiful - lots of hills - heavily cropped using terraces - even less trees than here - but nice to be in another setting. Saturday a bunch of people went to a picnic at Lake Bunyonyi - had roast lamb, potato salad, rice w. curry (Indian), spinach quiche, lettuce salad, chocolate chip cookies and a Dutch apple crumble - those guys really know how to cook!!! Saturday nite we went to a performance put on my some street kids (8-18) that hang out at a center near Maria's apt. - they did some native dances and very good. Maria got a small grant for them to buy instruments and costumes and they were so appreciative..very high energy performance.

It was a very relaxing weekend - except for travel. Took the Post Office bus back to Kampala Monday a.m. (9 hours). Your seat is yours, but they pack them in the aisles - conductor wrote receipts for seated passengers and I suspect the aisle people are "bonus"....he bought a lot of matoke in the west (cheaper) for re-sale in Kampala - at least they are enterprising!!! At some stops the vendors reach in the windows to sell fruit, chipati, grilled meat (?) and beverages - at times they come on the bus and really get aggressive!

Good to have Holly back in town. Her mom sent me some leaves and Brach's candy (the corn and pumpkin stuff - delicious). I do miss the colors of fall!!! (but probably not the cold). I was freezing in August!!!!

Alex (a student) taught English for me on Monday - gave him a whole $2.50 to sub - he's good too. Tuesday we read a Ugandan folk tale and tried to write our own - it was fun and they are getting better at using their imaginations!

Chickens and cow were out of maize bran when I got back - had serious conversations w. the keepers about limiting the amount of food they give - esp. the cow...she needs to be self-sustaining. Ugandans as a whole are not good at long range planning - or looking at cost/price/profit numbers....they seem to get it when I explain (and have it translated), but not sure if it will stay as a practice! They also don't report food is out till the day after it's gone!!!

We need some lead time! Their lives (esp. in the village) are really lived day to day.....not a bad thing, except when you are trying to run a business. Many big businesses in Uganda are run by Indians.

Weds. nite there was a bad fire in the electrical box at the bakery - discovered soon and didn't spread but melted the big fuse boxes - poor Sr. Benna - another big expense!!

Yesterday we used the truck (back in service thanks to Sr Veronica - YEA)....We were hoping to take two kids from the Ngogwe clinic to CoRSU (orthopedic Hospital), but only one showed (and an hour late and w/o her contribution for transport). Other one - the baby w. the unformed lower legs - had arranged for a boda to pick her up in the a.m. and get her to PH she said, but it rained and the boda didn't come!! So many variables here! The 5 year old boy who went was the one w. sores all over his body - Dr. Antonio said it was TB of the bone - really bad! When he took his clothes off I felt SO sorry for him - covered w. pussy sores and also has a deformed spine and right hip bone is fused. He looks like he's in pain all the time and I'm sure he is!!! Doctor prescribed medication he said would provide drastic improvement in the next 3 weeks but I'm so afraid the mom won't (can't?) buy it....I was tempted to just get it while we were in Kampala, but that lets them off the hook again - parents need to assume some responsibility....problem is, it's the kids that suffer! I'll have Moses call Tuesday and see what she's done - might intervene if nothing - it's really hard!

We stopped at Katelemwa and finally picked up our parallel bars (bought w. a donation from the German volunteers). Long day -supposed to leave at 7 - left at 8:30 and returned about 8, but got things done. Lots of rain in the afternoon - several hours of hard rain!!!

Maria called while I was at CoRSU - actually, I was in the handicapped restroom trying to help another girl on the pot - and a lady was banging on the door - she wouldn't stop - must have been urgent! Anyway, Maria accused me of having the Sisters pray for the Twins - I didn't but only because I didn't think of it!!! Not much hope w. the Yankees, but it was a great finish - GO TWINS!!!!

Planning to go to Kampala tomorrow to see Maria - she's in town for a Trade Show w. her basket ladies - should be interesting!!! Wanted to get internet stuff done today since it's been a long time and leaves me more time to visit and eat. Sunday is visiting day at St. Balikudembes so I"ll go see Josephine - her last term there!!!! Taking tests now and it's really stressful!!! Weeks of tests that basically determine your future.

Hope you all are well - things are going fine here - our garden is up (well some is up) - hoed today. Had some really nice visitors today from Holland - 3 women - one is a long term volunteer in Jinja.

Thanks for all your support - it was hard after coming from home, but I'm finding my rhythm again - and the Sisters are SO appreciative! Not like I do all that much!! Maybe I should ask them to pray for the Twins - nah - too many other things! Have a wonderful October!!!!

Months continue to pass - not as fast as I'd like, but it will have to do. I'm going to Kbale this weekend to see my good friend Maria and go on a real picnic (potato salad even) and see the dance troupe made up of street children that she's working with.....the kids stories are really sad - many are AIDS orphans. They are being given some help and medical care by an organization in Kbale and Maria got a small grant to get them costumes and instruments and is now interviewing the kids. I'm excited to see Kbale again....hilly and cool!

Last Sunday I was doing my usual wash and clean after Mass - listening to Allen Asbury's "Somebody's Praying Me Through"....I listened to that all the time when Bert was in Iraq - now feel like it applies to me. Thanks all!!! Also, listened to some Peter, Paul and Mommy - in honor of Mary who died - I still love their music!!!

Monday at English I started reading a short story - was going to do a chapter book, but decided to start small. First, we talked about how to focus on the main parts of the story - who, what, etc. It seemed to go well. After class on Tuesday when we finished saw several kids who can read some English checking out the Library in the back - YEA! I finished Harry Potter 7 in three days - is that scary, or what? Now am reading The Shackled Continent - about why Africa is so far behind the rest of the world despite massive aid. If I find the answer I'll let you know!

Tuesday CBR was slow and Moses went home early to get some ground ready to plant cassava - now that the rains have started everyone is trying to plant. Certainly a lot better than Kenya and the awful drought. Sister Juliet has decided on a ag project for that part of the SPA grant - we're going to put in a small banana "plantation" behind the wall in the back - 130 trees. The grow for one year and then produce - after you cut the bananas off you cut down the tree, but it re-grows as a "sucker" which produces again in a year - guess you can do that for 5-10 years so it's a nice long range project. And you can plant beans under the trees! It will be close so the Ag class can work on it and should be doable for even the disabled.

Nusula is a 13 year old at Providence Home who had a tumor removed from behind her eye 3 years ago; the surgery and treatment was really badly done and she lost her eye and has a BIG hole - but fortunately no brain damage. She went w. Sr. Juliet to CoRSU Hospital Monday because it was still pussing after recent surgery (August). They taken skin from her leg and back and tried plastic surgery. (again - several previous unsuccessful tries - just a big hole). Sister said the pus is due to a bone infection and that to remove the bone might cost her the sight in the eye that is remaining - what a terrible thing for a 13 year old!! She's a really good student and just a great kid. She said "no more surgery"...she'll take what comes!

Fred and Sula got a ton of brewers mash for the cow from the Nile Brewery on Tuesday a.m. Maria won't produce as well w/o it - it smells disgusting, but guess not if you're a cow! Sr. Goretti has been holding the milk money and said they needed to get the mash because production was dropping but the white truck is still waiting to be serviced and the red truck doesn't have plates and can only be used for local trips(they were taken by the police on a trip several months ago because they were expired) so she had Sula "borrow" some plates from a friend and they made the trip to Jinja. Sr. Juliet was horrified when she heard - not to be done again!!!

On Wednesday I went to Kampala early to try to get my passport renewed (why didn't I do it when I was home - poor planning)....took the first taxi at 6:15 - sky was just turning pink and the chipati man was out already - saw kids going to school to do study or housekeeping chores. The schools here don't have janitors - the kids are assigned the cleaning projects to be done in the early am (try that one in America). I got to the Embassy O.K. after a long wait at an outlying taxi park for the connecting matatu....watched an interesting group of ladies w. huge, heavy bags of corn and cassava trying to get to various markets - it looked like a very hard was to make a living! At the Embassy I discovered the passport pictures I had were too small (think I should have known that)...and had to go back down into town and get new pictures and go back (also got some bagels, so the trip wasn't pointless). I always say "up" and "down" when in Kampala but it's built on 7 hills (like Rome - bad drivers, too, but not nearly as nice as I imagine Rome to be), so everyplace is either up or down. I got the passport ordered and stopped in Mukono on the way back to use the internet - left Nkokonjeru at 6:15 and returned at 4:30 just for a simple errand!!

Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - the Butabika Hospital people coming out got a flat tire just outside Nkokonjeru but no spare - Florence called and asked me send out some bodas (motorcycle taxis); I had her talk to the driver but she gave bad directions and he couldn't find them. They eventually got some villagers to lift the car (a Land Rover) and got the tire changed and came on to Nkokonjeru. Clinic went well despite a heavy rain, but they were WAY short of medicine and Moses had to go to the Hospital today (Friday) to get more. The funniest story of the day - if you like black humor - involved 2 boys (aged 8 or 10 - both epileptics). One boy had a seizure while waiting and the other went into his pocket and stole a 500 shilling coin!!! When the boy regained consciousness he said something to Moses who suspected the other boy - he asked him and of course the kid said no, so Moses fished in his pockets and sure enough, there was the coin!!! Stealing is such a way of life here - they don't see it as wrong - just sharing the wealth!!! Unless they get stolen from - then it's a BIG deal.

Well, that's it for the week - lots of rain. Our garden is starting to show signs of vegetables (and lots of weeds)....the little pigs continue to do well, Maria (the cow) is happy again an the chickens are still healthy (but it's a long time till they produce eggs and can pay their own way).

Happy Birthday to Ellie (October 6) - and good luck on the Marathon Gail....wish I was there to cheer you on. Corky is going up north to grouse hunt..... Curt and Jamie are down for Jamie's cousin's wedding - and Ben is a ring bearer!!! Lots of press here about the Olympic selection - esp. since Obamas went to Copenhagen. Corky tries to keep me updated on the Twins - at least they made it interesting in the end.

Things are getting better, tho' I'm glad to have a weekend away from Providence - there is always a lot going on and I'll enjoy the break! Thanks again to all who have supported me with your prayers (somebody is praying me through - it's not my doing).....

Beware - it's sort of long. I'm in Mukono early in the a.m. to blog (Saturday).....got on the taxi at 6:30 and it filled up fast and we were here by 7:00 - internet cafe opens at 7:30! There is no limit to the lengths I'll go to to keep the blog going!!!! Only 6 1/2 months left.

Lots of Anniversary/Birthday activity in our family the next few weeks. And next Saturday Gail does the Twin Cities Marathon - it's always so beautiful w. the fall colors (of course, that's my perspective - I'm not running 26.2 miles!!!).

Back to the week in retrospect - they are going fast again. I hit a low point after my visit home, but am getting back into the swing. Classes are going better tho' I still wonder how much they are getting and retaining (I'm sure all teachers do). We had some visitors from Holland Monday and Sr. Juliet was gone so I did "the tour"....I still can't do it walking backwards yet (like college tours), but it's close!

The BIG momma pig had 11 babies - 2 died, but the remaining 9 are looking good! We were really low on feed so Sister sold 3 of the bigger pigs (6-7 months old - four left) and 2 of the month old piglets (6 left) - Vincent (the animal manager) was genuinely sad! I'm just happy to have them start to be self-supporting. Poor Vincent got into an argument w. one of the older male residents, Mafalanga, who's a little "off", about where to tether the goats (Vincent didn't want them near the cow because of ticks) and Mafalanga BIT him in the thumb really badly and he can't milk or cut elephant grass for awhile (he then hit Mafalanga and knocked out two teeth) so we have a gardener working w. him - never a dull moment!!!

I realized Monday nite that I had only one unread book at my apt. and had a panic attack! Went over to Holly's and got 3 and Shari contributed 4 so I'm O.K. again. Am now finishing The White Man's Burden by William Easterly - another criticism of big foreign aid programs and the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

On Tuesday at English I asked the kids to complete simple information forms for our records - name, age, parents names (if alive), village and any contact information - it was awful!!! Almost none could give their parents names or village.....I was floored. Nelson said later that maybe they don't know how to write them in English - obviously something they never had to do in school before!!! I felt bad for them! Total disaster but they are so patient!

In the pictures I sent last time I think there was a picture of an old woman in a red velvet pillbox hat - she comes to PH (and other homes) for meal every now and then. Actually, she could live here but prefers to stay at her home in town. Maria and I had given Sr. Goretti some money to get her a few things and Tuesday evening we went down to her home - a one room mud hut (half of a "duplex") to give her a blanket and some food items. She was SO excited - she kept hugging us and prayed that God would bless us (he has), that we would get more money and that we would get gray hair (actually, I don't want gray hair, but think she meant to get old enough to have gray hair). Fun to be generous w. so little input!

I saw Bob on the way to her home - he's the older man from Portland who came to Nkokonjeru last year as a short time volunteer and is now building a house here and intends to spend part of his time here and part back in the U.S. He's trying to buy some land (and it's a struggle) to "loan" to poor people to grow things to sell.....it's an uphill battle even to do good deeds - lots of paperwork, bribes, misinformation etc. He has a local committee but I'm not so sure of all of them either!

After stopping a visiting w. Bob I got home pretty late - made a quick supper of eggs and as I was reaching into my curtained "cupboard" I felt something on my arm - a cockroach!! UGH!!! I shook him off and "Doomed" him to death - serves him right! I hate cockroaches....think all the rain is forcing them inside.

Wednesday was the Katelemwa orthopedic clinic at Ngogwe (about 10 miles down the road)....it started late (no surpirse), but was really successful. There were 3 people from Katelemwa Rehab Center , Nelson and Jasimine and a PT from Holland who volunteered at PH in August. We started out under a tree on a bench - then Sister noticed an ant hill under our bench - we moved quickly but not fast enough - got bites between my toes and later, as they crawled up, in my underwear (that may be too much information). Had to move inside later because of rain, but the clinic itself went very well - had 23 people - some were reviews, but some were new (Moses and Kinene did a good job getting the word out). Two we want to send to Dr. Antonio (orthopedic surgeon in Entebbe). They were a little 2 1/2 month old boy w. Agonesia(?) - poor formation of lower leg bones....his feet are curled upwards but he's so young he may be a good case for reconstructive surgery. He'd had his legs casted poorly at a local hospital and had a huge sore on one ankle. The other was a 5 year old who was treated somewhere (they are really bad a remembering details) at age one for osteomyletis (bone infection) and now was covered w. sores - he was just miserable and hadn't been to a doctor. OT examining him thought it might be osteomyletis returned. All in all, a very interesting, productive day. My job is to make sure everyone has completed intake forms and that we've written down a follow up plan - good work for an obsessive person but it takes some pushing!!

Lots of rain and spells of no power - but grateful for the rain when we hear about Kenya and other places. No more political unrest here tho' the Kabeka (King) and President continue to verbally spar - mainly through Ministers!

Thursday I spent the morning making sure teachers and students were in their classes (a daily task), and that all the animals' feeds were ordered or delivered and everyone was eating, (it's a difficult job since nothing is available in one place and transport is such an issue - I must drive Fred crazy!). Then, I went to nearby Kisoga to take an Application for a PCV to the Italian Sisters there - they'd had a volunteer but he went home in April (done) and they'd neglected to re-apply. They are such a great group - had me meet a young man (19) w. TB of the spine (?) they want to come to PH - Sr. Judith (60s) drives an old Jeep "ambulance" - very exciting ride!!!! The Sisters are in their 60s and 70s and have been in Africa most of their lives - amazing women!

Friday went well - Math is getting better - I now do 2 different papers for the slower group - seems to work. Poor Sr. Juliet - the new computer got damaged in a power in and out on Wednesday - they have a surge protector, but the guy who came to fix it said computers just can't survive in Africa (why doesn't someone design one that could?)...it's fixable but am sure it will be expensive, the truck is locked up till she can afford to get it serviced and she found out that whoever did the electrical work years ago connecting the bakery power to the boys' dorm used shoddy wire (a frequent trick here - weak cement, low quality products, etc.) and it needs to be re-strung! Also, Nusula's plastic surgery (to cover the hole where her eye used to be) is not going well - lots of puss still and she needs to go back Monday. Nusulu is devastated - the spots where they took skin grafts are still very painful!!! Lots on Sister's plate besides keeping us fed! She gets down for a bit, but bounces right back - there really must be something to the power of prayer!

Spent the evening updating my grant accounting - it actually (eventually) balanced out and I have receipts for everything - YEA!!! Now to finish - it's all in the works except for the garden portion....need to make a plan for that, but it's not planting time so it's hard. Our garden is up and so are the weeds! Germination is still slow and spotty, but w. the rain it's doing better than I'd expected.

So, that's life this week in Uganda - I stick pretty close to Nkokonjeru - seems to be enough here to keep me busy! Hope you all are well and enjoying the fall colors! Thanks again and again for the support and for thinking of me and praying for me - it really helps!!!!

Happy Anniversary Greg and Jessica, Gail and Jesse, Happy Birthday Jamie, Naomi and Ellie! Will catch the rest next time!

EEd is the end of Ramadan! A Holiday in Uganda, but it's Sunday anyway - lots of Muslims all dressed up and going to the mosque. The date has something to do w. the phase of the moon.....was in the supermarket and they were buying up lots of treats for the kids!

As proof of how compulsive I am (at least about blogging weekly - and pretty much all my routines) I need to relate the story of today's blog. There still is no internet in Nkokonjeru - so, since the "standfast" was lifted Saturday I decided to come to Kampala today - just to the outmost mall to blog and get my passport pictures done (I need to renew my regular passport - why I didn't do it when I was home is a mystery to me). The internet cafe there wasn't open but I figured I'd catch the cafe in Mukono on the way back - BUT, power was out in Mukono and they weren't running their generator - I was bummed but got back on the matatu and came back to Garden City Mall where I now sit in great comfort (AC) and have a fast computer! - only 6 1/2 months left to go to our COS (Close of Service) date - can I keep it up?

Last weekend came and went w. no where to go - Maria stayed in Nkokonjeru - the riots had calmed in Kampala, but PC (and lots of others) were still worried about travel. We (Maria, Holly & I) took walks, played cards (I consistently lost everything - yatzee, phase 10 - even solitare), and ate! Not so bad, but it's hard not having any news of what's going on. Sunday matatu traffic resumed and by Monday all was normal.....Shari got back Monday after four days at the Red Chili Guest House in Kampala w. 17 other PCVs! Kabaka (King of Buganda) traveled Friday and no trouble at all!

I was going to start class on Monday, but as I walked down to PH I saw Sister and ALL the kids walking up the hill w. hoes. It appears that w. all the tanks dry (it's been terrible), one of the kids tried to get into the tank that's locked for animal water and broke the tap - no one would admit and no one would rat so they all had to skip school and go to the garden!

Tuesday we got lots done - w. Sister Juliet's help, Didas, I and some others went through the big storeroom to get all the shoemaking tools there so we can make a list of what to purchase. I was really wishing for a dumpster! Ugandans make a pack rat proud - in fact there was a lot of evidence of rats in the storeroom!!! There were quite a few tools so we can expand our list from the SPA grant. It was a busy CBR day, too - planning for a Katelemwa orthopedic clinic next Wednesday - the Nkokonjeru Town Council is still avoiding us but we're going up the road to Ngogwe for this one! I still argue w. the guys about what PH can do for people - I insist our program is only for referral and information - they want Providence Home to provide funds to people! It's just not possible. I realize it's tough for a lot of people, but it's tough for PH too - Kinene said that people "expect" money because there is a muzungu (white) at PH which really made me mad!!! (the guys need to be firmer too, but it's hard when it's their neighbors and they want to give them hope - even a false hope). Back to my old complaint about Ugandans expecting someone to come in and "fix" things by giving them money - they need to contribute and to expect their government to help (they just said that the government officials won't contribute to help the disabled even tho the money is allotted - so that's it!).

I didn't make class (Englilsh) becuase it was so late when the last people left the office; Bummer - lots of kids back and ready to go!

We had a nice rain Tuesday nite - our garden is sprouting and needs moisture. It is amazing how fast the rain soaks in. The rain put a little water in the tanks which helped the kids a lot.

Holly left on Thursday - I was hoping to go w. her to the airport, but the standfast was still on - even w. the PH truck and two sisters riding shotgun I couldn't go!! She got to go since she had a ticket! I had to laugh at the truck departure - there were the two sisters, the driver's mom and brother, and stops at the bank, for chicken feed, the orthopedic hospital in Entebbe - you really get your money's worth when you rent the PH truck!!! I did go to Mukono to do internet, PO and ATM. My trip back from Mukono was on the worst matatu I've been on - windshield looked like a spiderweb, it rattled all the time, the hatchback came open and sacks flew out necessitating a turn around on the road (which is very narrow and curvey), and we got a flat tire!!!

Thursday nite it really rained - an hour and a half of sheets of rain.....filled the tanks at PH and finally beat down the dust!!! Rain is great but causes lots of power outages - poles fall down in hard to get at places.....can't have it all I guess!

News from home - the Gophers won their first game in the new stadium (so glad I saw the place), Riley and Dylan are in the same Sunday School class - can't wait to see how singing in church goes this year (Gail said Riley is much better at going), bumper crop in corn and beans expected! I love the trivia from home!!

I finished my 2 1/2 pound jar of Skippy Super Chunk is exactly 3 weeks - sad day! I can get a good "American Garden" peanut butter in Mukono but only small jars - stocked up today!!! I've never been w/o peanut butter in Uganda which is important (to me).

Friday a.m. it was still raining and the little kids were coming up the road to Primary School - no jackets, no shoes and a banana leaf umbrella!!! Math started late because of the rain but went well - kids seem anxious to be back in class!!! I started walking again in the evening and think it helps my disposition - it really is a beautiful country and people are SO friendly!!!

Our animals continue to do well - the cow is self supporting and we'll breed her again in a month, we have 8 1 mo. old piglets almost ready to sell (good - the pigs need feed) - one mama pig set to deliver any day and 9 pigs ready to go as meat by Christmas - will be good to get that project self-supporting, too. 3 more months till the chickens produce, but they are doing well and none have died which is absolutely amazing!!! Hope our luck holds! Farming is exhausting!!! (and I don't do any of the physical labor - all I do is worry).

Saturday we had some visitors from a Pentacostal Church in Kampala - 8 University students. The ones from Makerere Univesity - the one in town - said the riots were really scary for them - and the students had chosen last weekend to strike - protesting fee increases - so the police and army were there in force! They agreed that many of the rioters don't care about the King - just in it for the "fun" of rioting and the loot. Lots of great singing and dancing by our kids and them and a special dinner for the kids - rice and meat! Much enjoyed.

On my walk last nite I was composing in my head a little article about "what I've given up and what I've gained" from being in PC - long list on both sides - but I'm still glad I did it. There's a line from the last song in Wicked - "I know it's said, that people come into our lives for a reason, giving something we can learn if we let them, and we help them in return" - I hope I've learned and helped! 2010 will be learning from and helping family at home!!!!

Have a great week - hopefully I'll get to the blog next week (you all know I'll get it done somehow). Mail has been really bad w. all the disturbances - I'm looking forward to some letters! Thanks for all you do for me!!!

It's been an interesting two weeks since I came back - the Country Director had to leave, several other PCVs are leaving or strongly considering leaving (for various reasons)...but will get to that later. The BIG events of the past few days has been the unrest in Kampala and other cities. Apparently the President did not want the King of our region (Baganda) to go to a particular community ceremony. The President said it wasn't safe, but it may be that the King is getting too popular. Anyway, it created a great deal of anger in Baganda (central Uganda), and people started rioting. There were even some vehicles burned in Mukono! Most of the disturbances were in Kampala and about 7 people were killed.....lots of looting and burned vehicles they say. There are a LOT of unemployed young men in Kampala and I would guess it became a way for them to steal - along w. those genuinely mad about the treatment of their King.

PC ordered us to "stand fast" which means not leave our sites. People in Kampala who were just visiting had to all go to a Hotel and stay there (Thursday nite to at least Sat. nite). Maria was here visiting and we planned to go into Kampala Friday w. Holly, but those plans changed!!! We've just been hanging out and playing cards. There is NO problem in Nkokonjeru. We know the police well and talked to them yesterday - five officers sitting on the bench outside the police station on the main road - looked like Mayberry RFD! No problems here!!! Peace Corps called each of us to see if we felt unsafe - not in Nkokonjeru!!!

It's now Saturday and some matatus are running again (service was cancelled yesterday), and things are quieting down in Kampala we hear. It's hard to get information - most is on the Lugandan language radio stations (the President shut down several stations), and is sometimes sensationalized. We watched the news on the Sister's TV Thursday nite and there was no mention of the riots and no pictures - Sr. Goretti said that the President won't let them broadcast pictures because it could cause more trouble!!! (try that one in America!!!)

We did get excited for a bit and were wondering if we'd have to be evacuated (we all want to go home anyway), but it's over for now. Holly is going home THursday for a few weeks and she was worried about getting to the airport, but it appears that things will be back to "normal" on Monday.

Back to the week - it has really been crazy around here and we are sort of out of sorts - hard to concentrate. Learned that one of the PCVs who just returned from a trip home in August, had a "nervous breakdown" and is going to the US for psychiatric care. He's a great guy and it's really sad. We visited him at the hospital on Monday and he said it just hit him - he's in a really isolated site w/o water or electricity and hit a down cycle. Very scary!! There are several others who are deliberating whether to stay and most are really solid volunteers!!!

I'm having problems re-adjusting to Uganda again - the travel is always a problem but maybe the most frustratng is the trouble getting things done. I really want to get some things organized and make purchases w. the grant money, but I need Sister's permission to move forward and she's so busy it's hard. Didas went to Kampala to price shoemaking tools to purchase, but first we need to see what's in storage and Sister wants to go w. us to the storeroom and doesn't have time. It's hard not being in control (especailly for a control freak like myself!!).

Tuesday we had a staff meeting that took all morning!!! Not much decided either - everyone is frustrated w. the kids' behaviors (don't want to work, sneaking out, stealing - the usual) but it's hard to control w. such limited personnel!! Good news is it rained Tuesday (a long time) which was wonderful - it's been so hot and dusty. When we got back from Kampala Monday I took a bucket bath and the was in the basin I stand in looked like I'd mopped my floor - UGH! Looked today and some of our garden plants are up - now we need more rain tho'.

We have a new visitor. There is a 19 year old girl staying at Providence from Germany, named Jasemine. She'll be here for 3 months helping Nelson, the Occupational Therapist. Wednesday Nelson, Jasimine, Moses and I went out to a home to watch Moses make a seat for a child with Cerebral Palsy from cardboard, newspaper and cassava flour glue ("locally available materials") - part of his practicum. The Sisters were all gone and I had to go back because a new resident had come and I called Nelson to come too, because of problems - so we left her out there w. Moses who she didn't know and she handled it fine!!! She was gluing paper on the frame when we got back!

The Country Director who came about 6 months ago was removed from his post and returned to the U.S. this week, too. There was quite an uproar from some of the PCVs about wanting to know WHY he left, but don't think we'll ever know - some say it was political, some say he was too liberal. It's sort of all the same to me.....I do my job at PH and PC operates like a branch of the Federal Government - I don't get too involved. They say we'll get a new director soon -

So, less work done at PH than I'd like - seems like all the uproar has distracted me quite a bit. Also, now Maria is staying for a few days and we're just "hanging out"....It's REALLY hot in the afternoons and better to stay put! Holly leaves for home on Thursday - I'll really miss her calming influence! School starts Monday (still quite a few students not here, but we'll start anyway - it could be 3 weeks before everyone is back).....good to get into the old routine!

Tucker was one year old yesterday (9/11).....next year I'll be there for birthdays!!! I hope you all have a pleasant weekend - and week. Thanks again for all your kind wishes when I was home and for your constant support - seriously, I could not do it w/o you!!!

This should be short -blogged on Monday, but I'm trying to get back into my weekend routine.....I can't believe I'm keeping up the blog, but so many of you mentioned that you read it and use it to keep up I have been re-inspired! When I get home for good I'll print it up and have a great record of my 2 years!

Spending the weekend in Jinja - staying at the home of another PCV and Maria is here - actually, there are five who play bridge and having a tournament, and Holly and I who are just here! The home actually overlooks the Nile -I continue to be amazed to be right by the Nile River!!! We walked down the road to a hotel today w. a pool and sat around and swam - again, tough duty as a PCV!!!

The week went fast. On Monday four Peace Corps Trainees arrived in town w. their language instructor - new program at training. They visit PCVs at their sites and have language "immersion" - they are forced to speak Lugandan when out in town. Nice group - really making me feel old! I think there are 45 in their class.

Went down to the Nkokonjeru Market w. Josephine to get some things for her to take back to school and there was an outdoor bloodmobile there - needless to say,I didn't offer to donate!

Tuesday we started digging up the garden early with the PCTs - Sister was horrified that we were having them work since they were company - but they wanted to!! Nice to have the extra help! CBR was quiet but we worked on Moses plan for his month of practicum and who he'll visit for his report.

Wednesday Sr. Goretti, Sr. Juliet and I went to Kamapala - Sr. Juliet had some meetings and Sr. Goretti and I were going to start shopping for the sewing portion of the SPA grant. Had a meeting first with a retired Bishop about some disputed land the Sisters "own" - there are not real land titles here (and no property tax) - it's a very informal system and apparently the land was sold by the brother of a man who died 15 years ago - he sold it supposedly to pay for his brother's childrens' education - but now the kids say they should still own it! Not sure who will win this one. Also, if you work a piece of land for 10 years or so and no one else works it you can claim "squatter's rights". Needless to say, there are a lot of disputes -there seems to be a lot of land,but with the population increasing it's going to get pretty ugly!

Sr. Goretti and I had a great time - but exhausting. We went to the area of Kampala where they sell material and it's a jungle - about 2 city blocks, lots of small shops up and down stairs (3 stories) and the shops go down aisles through the whole block on each floor - it's crazy! We did manage to purchase 4 treadle (Singer) machines at a good price,and then went on to get scissors, tapes, etc. and then material for sewing children's dresses and for the advanced class to try making the traditional dress - a gomez....a long gown that wraps around and is pretty complex! Sr. Goretti just learned how to make them and will teach the class.

We met up w. Sr. Juliet and since Sr.Goretti had to get some stuff for the bakery, Sr. J and I took the matatu to Corsu,the orthopedic hospital in Entebbe to visit some patients. Nususla is there - they are working to patch some skin over the hole in her face that resulted from bad surgery some years ago to remove a tumor (removed her eye as well); Justine is still there and there's a new client (10 year old girl) who just went Tuesday who has one leg that sticks out at a 90 degree angle at the knee.

I actually enjoyed the crowds at Kampala today - 'course it helped having Sr.Goretti to follow. We even went to the big market, Owino....acres and acres of little wooden stalls, connected by narrow lanes - and everyone yelling at you to buy! It's overwhelming to me.

Thursday was the epilepsy clinic - they brought out 20 student nurses and did some home visits...busy day and I was a bit disorganized since I was gone last month,but it all worked out well. The PCTs came down for a tour of PH and they were impressed with the size of the operation!

Friday we got garden planted (now we really need rain). Got wash and cleaning done and had a great lunch at Holly's with the PCTs and Maria arrived on time to eat, too. Holly made pumpkin curry which sounds funny but was delicious! Indian food is popular with the Peace Corps crowd.

So, the week ends. Next week I need to get ready for school. I'm getting back into the rountine, but it's hard. I'm really glad I got to go home for a bit - but now back to work!

Back in Uganda - no interruptions on the flight back (I was hoping for a delay in Minneapolis - it was hard to leave). Today, I'm at the bakery computer - Sr. Vero left us her wireless connector but the connection has gone off twice - one was a power outage - but the generator is on and I'll give this a try. Am constantly reminded of how everything in Uganda takes so much more time than it does in the U.S. Sister and I were doing some review of the past 3 weeks this a.m. and there are so many things to be done, but each has SO many steps and people to talk to and places to go - it's really discouraging!!!

While I was gone the cow got out (Vincent, the animal manager was not around) and ate some poisonous vegetation in the compound and miscarried - bummer! It was a bull calf but was 2 1/2 months early and didn't make it. When she recovers we'll try again! Need to get rid of bad plants - and reinforce the cow stall!

One of Sister's big pigs gave birth - 11 piglets - 2 died (very small) but the rest are doing well. We'll sell most of them at 2 months - too many mouths to feed already.

A lot of the children have gone home for the holiday - back next week and the week after.

The group from UC Davies (6) was in town while I was gone and got the old pump fixed (donated by the Italians in 2002, but hasn't worked for years) and set up six biosand filter boxes for filtering drinking water. Had a great send-off for them last nite! (it was also a welcome for me - Josephine had even written a song in my honor!!).

Our baby chickens are doing very well - lost none so far. Four months to go before we have eggs. Sula is selling his broilers (at 8 weeks) and will get another 500.

Dr. Norberto and his wife Anna from Florida were here but I got to see them at a gathering Saturday in Lugazi - great folks that I met last year on their visit.

Nantalie (girl w. leg braces) is now walking w. crutches - she's really trying. The interns and a visiting PT from Holland did a lot of work w. her while I was gone (unfortunately, they are gone now too).

RASD internet cafe was struck by lightening and is out of business - another bummer! The UC Davis folks are going to take the modem back to the US and see if it can be repaired.

When I put my traveling outfit (coral jacket and top) in to soak before washing I threw in the pair of socks I got in my KLM "gift packet" from the layover in Amsterdam (the goodie pack w. toothpaste, etc) - and they bled all over the jacket and top - super bummers - won't scrub out. I'll have to wear on my return as tie dyed! The last blow from Delta/NWA/KLM!!!

Moses is back from training for a one month practicum. We are working on planning for the report he has to turn in - then he goes back to COMBRA for two more months. CBR tomorrow and Epilepsy Clinic Thursday - I'm slow getting back into the swing, but guess I will be forced to carry on!! School won't start till the 13th (supposed to start the 7th, but I'm sure not enough students will be back). Wednesday, Sr. Goretti and I are going to Kampala to price materials and sewing machines for the grant. So, I'm being forced to get to work, but I really miss home.

Holly wants to re-try the garden - so do I but neither of are anxious to re-dig the plot!! There's been some rain so it's time. There was a mini earthquake here last nite about 1 a.m. - I was awake (too big and too late supper at the convent w. the UC Davies people) and heard it and couldn't figure out what it was - I thought maybe a huge truck going by - not much but a noise and then the dogs started howling!!!!

The mayor and Town Council are really dragging their feet in letting us use the city building for the Katelemwa orthopedic Clinic. I'm sure they don't want the local people getting the idea they should come to the local government for help (tho' the town council gets funding from the federal government to do just that)......Sister is reluctant to take it to a higher level - doesn't want to make the local officials angry - but they need to be accountable (easy for me to say, I'm a temp).

I so enjoyed seeing many of you while I was home. It was hard to leave everyone - the grandchildren were SO much fun. After a bit I'll get accustomed to Uganda again I'm sure. Holly is going home in September and is so ready.

Thanks again for the wonderful time and for all your support!

My time at home is going so fast - I'm still O.K. w. going back to Uganda, but it's getting harder by the day!!! I'm really not doing much except visiting, but it's been fun. I really do enjoy the convenience of going where you want to go when you want to go!!!

If you looked at the pictures last week, Ellie (Curt and Jamie's baby) is missing from the family picture - she was taking a nap. Curt is missing, too, but he was in Alaska fighting a fire. We got to see him Thursday evening at Hinkley (1/2 way for each of us). He really enjoyed his time in Alaska....guess it's pretty unusual for Minnesota crews to go to Alaska. He said the Alaskans like to take care of their own stuff and have thier own system - refer to the rest of us as "America" - they are ALASKA!!!

Did a lot of moving around during the week - drove in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul w/o a hitch - well I got lost going to St. Paul, but I made it!!! Took Riley and Henry to the Children's Museum on Friday - they were a lot of fun - topped off w. lunch at McDonalds - the American experience!!! I was exhausted!!!

Saturday we went to a inter-squad scrimmage at the new University of Minnesota outdoor football stadium. It's really beautiful - lots of space to walk around and nice seating. Great day w. the band and football!

I know I"ve gained weight - not doing any exercising and eating whatever I can get my hands on - had a Taco in a Bag and a Milk Shake today! Jean and I were going to take Riley and Emma somewhere and we decided on the local County Fair and Gail and Jesse came w. Tucker and Greg and Jessica were there w. Dylan and Olivia, so it was a family event - lots of fun!!! Riley thinks the animals stink.....but loved the Demolition Derby! Dylan loved the rides. Another All-American experience!!

I'm watching Dylan and Oliva Monday and Tuesday and we're going to a Twins baseball game on Monday night. Tuesday nite is dinner for the local crowd at Gails and Thursday I leave - it will be sad, but it's not long till I'm home again. Enjoyed church this a.m. - did a short talk about what I do and life in Uganda. I meant to get a power point together but the project got lost in all the visiting!

Next blog will be from Uganda - maybe in two weeks. I'll bet it takes me awhile to get used to being there again. Fortunately it's still Holiday so I won't have to start teaching till mid-September and can take it easy (which is basically what I'm doing here, but it's different!).

Gail added 138 pictures today bless her heart! Most are of Uganda but some are from the vacation at Lake Vermillion for those who know our family....or who have heard about them. It was really a lot of fun, tho' we all had our moments. The little kids get along well for the most part, but there was still lots of squabbles and tears.....I'm not used to children being so verbal. In Uganda children rarely talk to adults and they just sort of do their own thing - we all were shocked at first to see little children unattended on the streets, but that's the way it's done there!

Weather at Lake Vermillion was beautiful - 80s and sunny. In fact, we got so much sun we spent one afternoon at the Tower-Soudan Underground Mine (a State Park)...very interesting. You go underground 1/2 mile in an old miner's elevator and then travel 3/4 mile on an old rail track - really well done! I got a bit claustrophobic in the elevator but we made it!!!

I wish I could describe how it feels to be back - in some ways it feels like I never left. In others, it seems so alien. I have made it through Target and that was fine, but I went to the Mall today and that was too much. Nothing looked worth buying and I balked at a Smoothie for $5.29!! I'm trying to get to see a lot of people but my time is running out fast. It was good to go to church on Sunday - everyone was so nice, but after an initial "how is it?" they like to talk about what's going on in their lives, which is actually more fun for me rather than listening to myself. Lots of people have been reading the blog and are pretty up on the news anyway!!

Tomorrow I watch Riley play T-ball and go to book club. Wednesday I hope to do some more visiting and have a dental appt. I'm hoping to get to the zoo with some of the little kids and have to schedule a meeting w. Curt - he's back from Alaska already. The fire they went to fight is 40% contained and the outstate crews were sent home. Saturday we're going to a football scrimmage at the new University of Minnesota outdoor stadium!!!

I do often wonder how things are going at Providence Home and if the animals are prospering. I know things will go along well w/o me and lots of kids are home for the holidays. I think it will be hard to go back, but I'm determined to do the next 7 months barring any unforseen problems.

I hope you all have a good end of summer!!!

Well, I am here - it was quite the journey. Monday afternoon, we went to the Entebbe airport w. Sr. Juliet, Sula (driver), Jan and Maggie and another young woman from Holland (on the same flight) and Andrew and Fede...Andrew is about 16 and has Cerebral Palsy and loves to draw airplanes but had never seen one; Fede, an 8 year old girl, is one of the children who never goes home. They enjoyed the trip so much!!!

Our flight from Entebee went well, but I had problems in Amsterdam. Got there about 5:30 a.m. (only an hour difference from Uganda), printed my boarding pass which should have said 10:30 - it said "9:00" - I asked a worker and she said the entire flight was cancelled and re-booked to the next day at 9:00!!! I was devestated! I just sat on the floor in a corner and cried. After several attempts at the service desk and ticketing (going in and out of customs) it was apparent there was no option but to stay - flights were all over booked and you had to have your luggage on the plane you were on (U.S. regulation). We all took shuttles to a very nice hotel - way out in the country. I got a hold of Gail to tell her (she was up - 3 a.m. - and had seen the notice on the internet)...cried again. I decided to go to Amsterdam for the day - took the shuttle back to the airport, got some Euros and took the train into town. Fabulous public transport system!

It's a lovely city - I got tickets for a hop on/hop off tour and walked around looking for the bus stop - I was getting really frustrated not finding one, then saw a man w. a brochure like mine and followed him. The tour was from the canals by boat!!! Not having done any "research" on Amsterdam was hard for this tourist......there are many, many canals in the city that used to be used for commercial transport, but now are for leisure - tours, private boats and lots of houseboats on the sides. The canals are lined by 4-5 story condominiums with restaurants and shops on the ground floor....very picturesque! I wanted to tour the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh Museum but the lines were v. long - lots of Europeans on holiday! I was impressed w. the thousands of bicycles - parked all over - even 2-3 story parking ramps for bicycles!!! There were very few private vehicles on the roads.

We had a great buffet dinner at the hotel (all courtesy of NWA)....lots of cold meats, cheeses, fish, pasta dishes - and fabulous desserts - it was GOOD! Weds. a.m. we all took the shuttle back to the airport - a pretty nervous bunch. I was saying what I might do if we didn't take off Weds. and someone said to be careful...."don't say that in an airport"...good warning! But, we did take off and landed in MSP at 10:30 a.m. (7 hour time difference). Greg, Jessica, Gail and Corky were waiting w. Dylan, Olivia, Riley, Emma, Tucker and Henry!!! Quite the sight I'm sure - the grandkids were a bit hesitant at first, but quickly got into the hugging! Very nice lunch at Olive Garden - my request!

It's funny, but in many ways it seems like I never left - I have a real advantage in that Corky is in the house and everything is where it was when I left (other PCVs have to sell their houses, rent or have children living in them). So, the adjustment was pretty easy which in itself is strange. I thought it would be harder. People ask about Uganda, but it's hard to explain - and most just want a simple story. I can't believe how much the little people talk! In Uganda children never talk to adults - adults yell at children but there are almost no conversations. Most of the time the children amuse themselves in what seems to us some pretty dangerous ways.....but there's a lot of disinterest by parents in what the kids think or do unless they do something really bad. Same applies to their progress at school - learning is the schools' job and they only get involved (to punish) if the grades are really bad.

Sad to say, but I was not appalled by the excess - went to Bert and Naomi's Thursday and stopped at Target and Fleet Farm (looking for cheap sandbox stuff to take to the lake) and loved every minute!!! I guess I can appreciate both ways of life. I realize that if we took a tiny portion of the money we spend on "toys" and gave it to the Africans, it would be a huge donation, but I'm not sure giving money is the answer. Corky got the book "Dead Aid" for me from the library and I'm anxious to read it (after "The Half Blood Prince" - wanted to see what the movie missed). I do think we have some right to enjoy the fruits of our labors! And most money is so poorly spent in Uganda from what I see - unless you give directly to someone who uses it to help the local people, too much gets siphoned off to politicians, NGO staff, big vehicles, workshops, per diem, travel, computers, corruption, etc.

I am really looking forward to the week at the lake. Bert and Naomi won't arrive till late Saturday nite - Mallard baseball game Saturday afternoon (I'd love to see that too, but not sticking around), and they have to come back early for a wedding next Saturday; not sure when Jean and Kody will arrive but they'll be there a few days. But, no family picture - Curt called yesterday and he's off to fight fires in Alaska! He called from the Duluth airport - waiting for a charter flight to Alaska w. the crew. I'm sad, but it's a great opportunity for him - he said it's just for two weeks so I'll see him before I go back. We'll miss his quiet, calming presence at the lake, but nothing to do about it! At least we'll use up a week of Jamie's "alone time".

I'm looking forward to seeing some of you while I'm home.....the time is going so fast!!! Hope the weather is good next week at the lake - but whatever, it will be fun!

I just talked to Kath and her flight is delayed until Wednesday morning. She's stuck in Amsterdam :(

Tomorrow at this time (5 p.m.) I will be on my way to the airport!!! We are leaving Nkokonjeru around 2 (hopefully) and doing a few errands w. Sr. Juliet, picking up Jan and Maggie in Kampala (Holland teachers) and stopping at CoRSU hospital in Entebbe to see a patient - no use using the fuel for one purpose. I washed clothes, cleaned and packed this a.m. (well, packed before but have more stuff to squeeze in!!! It's Sunday evening - spent the afternoon typing some reports for Sr. Juliet and exams for Sr. Goretti (see I am useful!).

The 5K on Satuday was a HUGE success!!! Holly got it started at 8:30 (she'd hoped for 8 but 8:30 is really good for Uganda). There were about 60+ runners and about 20 kids in wheelchairs (shorter route). A big crowd gathered and lots more along the way - Sr. J commented on how long it had been since they had a community event. The bodas (motorcycles) led the way, horns blaring!!! The last two people were the ex-mayor (probably my age) and a 76 year old gentlemen who told me afterwards that he has lost 9 children to AIDS!!! There was singing and a ceremony afterwards....Holly had to argue that the first two women should get a reward.....the committee said "but the first four people were men" - she won!!! Her running group did very well, tho they "flopped" pretty dramatically at the end! There were a lot of PC volunteers - some ran, some pushed. We had a pasta supper at Holly's Friday nite - people all over - she had 3 tents in her little yard and people in the house, I had people on my floor and some stayed at PH!!! Really a well done event and lots of fun! They had a tent and chairs for the ceremony after and water for the participants (PH kids each got their own bottle of water - a BIG event for them) and T-shirts for the winners and the committee - her Project Hope volunteers seemed really happy about the event! She's not sure of the total raised yet.

Back to last week - seems so long ago. Last Sunday I went w. four Sisters to a first mass in a tiny village near the lake - very poor place, but lots of people were there - a big event. It was long but part of the entertainment was a professional troupe of Rwandan dancers - very good - Rwandans use their hands more; Ugandans use their hips!

On Monday I gave my English exam and Fred and Sula took 5 kids (plus assorted other riders in the back) to Kampala to pick up the chicks (100 layers). The chickens are doing well (as of today - Sunday - none have died). The kids are doing what they can - cleaning the drinkers, checking on them and Jude (18 year old resident who watching Sula's chicks) is doing the rest....have the charcoal pots at nite (days are HOT and DUSTY - no rain - but nites are cool).

The 27th was Sr. Juliet's BD (33)....I heard about it from the Holland girls and Jan and Maggie (the teachers visiting from Holland) ordered a cake. Sr. J. said it was the lst time she ever celebrated her birthday!!!

I had a melt down Monday w. the tailoring teacher (why don't I give up?)...he was 2 hours late (usual) and the kids were sleeping (also usual)....the room and cupboard were a mess - sloppy attitudes! Teachers not showing is common in many Ugandan schools.....but I'm determined not to tolerate it. I watch for him and he has to sign in at the time he arrives and we told him we'd adjust his salary accordingly! UGH!!

Tuesday at CBR we did some planning for the Epilepsy Clinic the 6th - the hospital is bringing 20 nursing students and want to see local councilmen and talk at some schools, in addition to working w. the clients!!! So, were trying to get that all organized and Sr. Goretti has agreed to make them all lunch (she's a saint). We are still planning for a Katelemwa Rehab Center clinic on Aug. 13 to be held at the city offices tho' no formal response from the city.....Sister and I met w. the Mayor but he said we had to send a formal letter and they would have to meet - it doesn't seem he's too eager to host the clinic and have people come to the town for assistance!

Thursday a.m. I got the Math exam done - kids did well in both exams. The rest are doing exams next week (but I'll be home - YEA). Weds. nite I got bitten in bed by something - a lot of bites...was afraid it was bed bugs but the bites are big so maybe it was a spider...washed sheets, sprayed, put everything out in the sun - reminded me of the old head lice days!!!

The family who was going to come Thursday never made it unfortunately - the girl is a PCV and mom is a PT and wanted to see what we do (or don't do) at PH - mom got really sick on Thursday (it happens) and didn't feel up to the matatu ride - very understandable!!! Lots of people came Friday for the 5K so it was busy enough! One of the older PCVs from the "new" group stayed w. me and stayed over Sat. nite, too. She's older like me and has had an interesting life - did some college teaching and lots of traveling. Good to have the company tho' PH had visitors from the US on Sat. afternoon and I was there a lot! Guess we are all pretty adept at entertaining ourselves!!!

It's August already - the time waiting for my trip home went FAST!! Cross you fingers that all the flights are on time - I don't think I can wait to land in Minneapolis beyond my expected time! Have a fairly long layover in Amsterdam (5 hours) but I enjoy being in airports. Looking forward to seeing many of you! Some I will have to wait to see till next April (darn).....it will go SO fast!!!

WOW - hope you in Montgomery are having a good time.....can't say I miss Kolacky Days a lot - I do enjoy working at the softball games and the bike ride and watching the run but all the crowds aren't my thing! But, I do hope it's VERY successful and the weather is good!

Am in Kampala for the day to get some things done, get some bagels and see Harry Potter! (yes, even in Uganda - there's a nice Theater at the Mall). Joining some PC people - Maria was going to come but had to cancel - darn!!!

I leave in just over a week!!! I'm SO excited to be home and see everyone - we spend a week at Lake Vermillion first - all the grandkids will be there! Not sure about Jean and Kody - they leave San Francisco Aug. 8 but maybe - will see them later if not then. Gail said that my obsession w. food is a newand surprising thing. I never thought I'd be this concerned about what I'mgoing to eat. Olive Garden here I come! Also, going to a Twins game and Gopher football scrimmage! When our group arrived in Uganda in 2008 we talked to a group leaving and all they talked about was the U.S. and what you could get and do there. Like it was the Promised Land . We thought "have you forgotten there are problems there,too?" - well, the answer is, " Yes you do!". In our fantasies it all is wonderful!

On to the week's story - Friday I sat in at Holly's First Aid Class - there were 14 people - really good group of village health volunteers who were SO appreciative of the information (and two days out w. lunch!!!). It was all in Lugandan, but we stayed for moral support - the people had lots of questions for the medical people who presented. Alex (a student) taught my math classes - he does a good job (for $.50/class!). I have the lesson and papers ready but he's a good teacher! Nice to have someone to fill in.

Nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are slowly leaving - the last on Monday. Gloria (Korean) and Dan made some great food for the dinner - spicy stuff! Gloria's mother is visiting and brought some Korean ingredients!!!

Saturday's class went well, too. Lunch was catered by a women's group by Moses' home - lots of food at $1.00/plate!!! Exactly the same both days, but the people loved it. Matoke, rice, beef (one chunk of boiled beef), cooked cabbage and sweet potatoes.....it was good - but the same!

Saturday afternoon, Gloria (Duke) came down to videotape the kids singing - she's putting together a website to send to friends - what a job! The Sisters were all gone to a meeting and Mubiru, the headboy, struggled valiently. I finally gave them a lecture about Gloria wanting to raise some money for PH and they needed to cooperate - Holly said it was funny - Quote: "Are you tired of not having enough food? - THEN SING!!" It worked!

Sunday Didas and I were supposed to sell shoes at the Stella Maris (school) Visiting Day, but he texted me at 5:30a.m. and said that his son in Kbale area (way west) was very sick and his wife was bringing him to Kamapla for more testing so he was meeting them in Kampala. I was too scared to go on my own (and measure for new shoes - or even sell), so had a pretty quiet day.

Monday was one of those "goofy" days - English went well, then the kids were supposed to go to a NAADS meeting (National Agricultural Advisory group) to talk about possible projects - had to organize the pushers to get everyone to the meeting site!!! The sewing machine repair guy came and finished - good work. Now Didas has two shoe machines!!! I teased him about being satisfied - don't press for 3 machines! (we have some other old ones but they are expensive to rehab - the one we did - which was part of the SPA grant cost 261,000 sh ($130) - but now it's done and usable). Didas was back Monday - his little boy was being treated in their village for malaria but had pneumonia and tested positive for sickle cell (bummer)...we talked a bit about Sickle Cell and how care is getting better and w. good diet and medical management he'll be O.K. It's hard tho'.

It's been very hot and dry (same in Minnesota?)...and the water tanks were officailly empty by Tuesday - there are 6 big tanks - but the kids waste water when it's available. Now they have to travel to "the dam" to get water - Sula took me to see where - it's a concrete resevoir a ways away and down a very steep path - not safe at all. Then they have to reach into the resevoir and hold a gerry can under a spigot - tough job for all the able bodied.

Tuesday Sister, Kinene and I went to the Katelemwa Rehab Center for a meeting about the formation of several parent groups in the surrounding areas. We've been trying to get something going w. their help - they originally promised money for the groups to start Income Generating Projects, but that hasn't panned out so for now they are Parent Learning Committees that are focused on education about disabilities, the rights of the disabled and what they can do as parents to help their children and advocate for better services. It really sounds good and we hope to get two groups going before the end of the year. They also will do another assessment clinic at Nkokonjeru, but not at PH - we are going to ask the city officials to do it at the Town Offices or the Town Health Center. The aimis to try to get people to NOT look at PH as the place to get help,but to expect it from their government! It will be a long process, but it's a good start if it works. The Town Council people get money to service the disabled - last year it was all used on roads! The politicos expect PH to handle it all w/o them parting w. any money! We want the parents to get together and demand that the designated funds go to the disabled! High Hopes!!! I'll miss the clinic (if it happens as scheduled in early Aug.), but this is a LONG term project.

Lots of things will wait till September - esp. the grant purchases. Just not enough time during the school term and things take a long time to get done!

Rading Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri - Jean sent it - interesting book. I get to go to bookclub when I'm back - YEA!.

Wednesday I went to RASD to get some typing done - exams and reports - bakery printer isn't working. We have two new visitors from Holland - Jan and Maggie - both are PE teachers and doing lots of sports/games - nice people!!!

Mubiru, an 18 year old resident, is making lots of cards for me to bring home - I started him off w. material and sold them at the PC conference and have made my investment back plus some for him, so will try again! They have banana tree fiber pictures on the front. Gave him some money and he's going on a class trip next week - a "geography tour"to Mt.Elgon in eastern Uganda. First time ever on a class trip - it's 30,000 sh ($15) and none of the PH kids ever get to go. Felt like if it's the only thing I do here it will have been worth it - he's SO excited and grateful. Great kid!

Thursday, I braved using the new computer at the bakery office (donated by Liliane for PH)...you all know howI hate using new things!! Sister had to help and we worked a long time to figure out how to print, etc. but it worked!!! I'm doing some lists and reports for her. The head boy (Mubiru) and head girl (Brenda) have each made up a "Duty Roster" about who's supposed to clean where in the compound - it has a chance of working since there's accountability.

FYI: Dan, the older Duke student - graduate student - has an interesting blog called "keystothegame.blogspot.com"....and he posted a neat entry about PH - it's about being Happy! He's from Boston and an avid Red Sox fan hense the blog name.

Rained a bunch Friday a.m - YEA - tanks now have some water and I'm using some donated money to buy locks for the tanks - we will ration it from now on (at least till the next rainy season or until they learn not to waste so much). It will be an adjustment but much needed. They use the tank water to bathe, wash dishes, wash clothes, drink - everything! I'd already had one locked up for Vincent to use for the animals - too much to haul from the dam.

Friday, Jan and Maggie helped me w. the slower math class - great having the extra help! In the afternoon they organized some games - one game of soccer had able bodied and disabled,but the able bodied had to crawl or do the crab walk - fun game! We all went to a funeral after lunch - the man whose home we went to for the goat roast a couple of weeks ago - he'd had a stroke sometime ago and just went downhill. Just a HUGE crowd!

That's about it - Sunday I'm going w. the Sisters to a new priest's first Mass; Monday they go to get the 100 layer chicks (I'm not going - giving my English final but they are taking some of the disabled children who will be "running" the project - fun trip for them). Rest of the week will be finishing up things with school term. Thursday nite another PCV is bringing out her family for the day - her mom is a PT and wants to see PH and will work w. the kids on Friday - she'll have her hands full! Saturday is the 5K and we'll have lots of company. Sunday I pack and Monday I leave - WOW! May or may not blog next week - we'll see how it goes.

Thanks to everyone for their support for the 5K.....Hollys says THANK YOU!!!! It's going to be interesting. Her girls' group is still practicing and lots of PH kids are going - walking the short route or being pushed!

I should be home Tuesday afternoon (4th).....it's getting close - I can remember when I started counting it was 46 days to go - now only 10!!! Hope to see lots of you and thank you personally for all your support (prayers, letters, whatever) - you may never know how much it means to have that support when you're 8000 miles from home but it really does(I'm sure the military people know). God bless you all.

I'm at the Peace Corps office for a wrap up meeting on the All Volunteer Conference and am on the computer for a bit - it's free and fast - so will do a short blog in case I don't get to it over the weekend. Friday and Saturday is Holly's first First Aid Class at Providence Home (15 of Moses' volunteer village health workers), Sunday Didas and I were going to try to go to visiting day at Stella Maris school and sell shoes (it's an expensive boarding school in Nkokonjeru), but he's been gone for a few days - his son is sick in Kbale and he's in Kampala asking relatives for money to send for the hospital....so we'll see when he's back - I'm not ready to go on my own - need to talk, measure feet, etc.!

THANKS so much to those who donated to the 5K - Holly has really been working hard on it! I am anxious to see what the chat is in Nkokonjeru after the run/push - a really new concept. If you'd still like to sponsor kids at Providence Home (we are rounding up "pushers") you can send a check to Don Westerman at 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - he puts in in savings and I take it out at the ATM in Ugandan shillings - the wonders of modern technology.

O.K. Ad done - on to the latest "news". Last Saturday I went with the two visiting Brothers (Servites) to visiting day at a nearby Secondary School - St. Balikudembe's (he's one of the Ugandan Martyrs). They were great traveling companions - lots of fun! One is from So. Africa so has a different perspective on things. When I get ready to go to visit at the school I wish I could stay home, but when I get there Josephine and Sissy (her caretaker) are SO excited it's very much worth it. We even got ourselves in the "guest" lunch line - I was the only muzungu there and it's easy!!! (ugly American?)

Sunday after Mass Gloria (from Duke) and I met w. Sister J. about the website Gloria hopes to establish when she returns to the U.S. to help get donations for PH. Then we all (the three PC people and the 4 Duke students) went to a goat roast given as a farewell for the Duke kids....fortunately, we were late enough to miss the slaughter which I guess is the big event!!!

They cut it up in little pieces, speared it on green sticks and roasted it over an open fire - pretty good actually!

In English we are still writing letters - by Tuesday I had them do a letter to a "Pen Pal" in the U.S. I'll bring them home w. me and try to find respondents. The kids are 16 - 26 but some of them really have poor skills (and it is a 2nd or 3rd language for all)....but it would be fun for them to get responses. I'll also enclose pictures of each!

We got a new resident Monday- he's 47 and went blind 6 years ago (unknown cause) - his wife left him w. their children and their money while he was in the hospital. His brother housed him for some time, but recently ran him off - he was dropped at the Town Council Office of a nearby town and they brought him to PH - poor guy! No one wants to have any responsibility for him. Sr. Juliet says it's sad - when she was little (20 years ago) someone in the community would have cared for him - now it's everyone for themselves!

I continually marvel at the diversity of my days at PH - and how much I don't understand yet (and never will) about Ugandan life and culture. Maybe you have to experience a culture as a child to really get the nuances.

CBR was busier than usual - mainly just advising people but good to have more traffic. The sewing machine repair man came at 4:00! (but he came)....still has one more trip w. parts - it's hard when you have to bring everything from Kampala. Also, I asked him to give a lecture to the students on care of the machines Saturday. Then around 5 a mom w. a severely malnourished 1 year old came - the parents, esp. the dad, really don't want to do much(anything?) to help the child - I think the mom cares some, but Sister Juliet said she feels like she only wants the child to die so they can have another and the lady didn't disagree - harsh words but probably true.... I worry someimes that I've become hardened to suffering and death, but it's such an "in you face" thing here - usually nothing you can do if people don't want to help themselves...and often nothing you can do even if they do.

Sr. called a meeting (late) w. the prefects (elected student leaders) and Nelson and I attended - the kids are angry about others who refuse to work ....and say that there is not enough food for the evening meal. We'd talked a little about it in English class and I encouraged them to come with "solutions not problems" and they had pretty good ideas. Few families donate any money toward their children/wards' upkeep - and when I said that "those who pay should be the ones to eat" they were horrified, but it did make them think. Only 4% of the PH budget is parent contributions! 77% is donations - scary! P.S. None of them look malnourished....it's not that bad and better than at home for most.

Wednesday was a nice quiet day - even took time to read for a bit. I may be sorry in the next two weeks as things pile up, but it was fun at the time!!! Great "party" at nite for the Duke kids (one has already left)....dancing an singing and dinner at the convent. The kids have really enjoyed having the Duke students stop by to visit and did an especially energetic job of entertaining!!! Late nite playing "spoons" with everyone - the Sisters and Brothers are really competitive!!!

So, now in Kampala, trying to postphone doing my quarterly report - we have to do it electronically now - I enjoyed the hand written version of the "old days".

Hope everyone has a good week and weekend. Things here are going well. We are starting to do some things w. the grant money - machine repair, ordered two more low tables - it's fun! but I was just reminded by a volunteer who just completed his grant, how scrupulous my records need to be (oops!). Need receipts for everything - this is going to be work! I usually let the sisters pay because I don't want to look like a "rich muzungu" but they aren't always so careful....will have to remind them that we need receipts for everything!

Take care - thanks again for everything......I really appreciate your support and prayers!!!

I know my countdown system is probably not the best for morale, but it's nice to know we are now in single digit "months to go" - and 24 days till my visit home!!! YEA!

Thanks to all for your response on the 5K - Holly is delighted!!! I forgot to add that she and the anestheologist at the Hospital have started a girls' running club - 5:30 a.m. and p.m. They are training w. students at the local Primary Teacher's College and the girls are really doing well!!! Quite a committment. I'm curious to see how Nkokonjeru will react to the 5K - entertainment for the day and talk for a month!!!

Am reading through Proverbs now and loved 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" and 16:9 "In his heart a man (or woman) plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps".

Sunday, was "Moses" day (our CBR Volunteer) and a very nice day. First, I went to Church w. Moses. He belongs to a really small Baptist Church (mostly Roman Catholics around here). The congregation was started in 1907 by an Englishman and the church was built in the 70s up on a beautiful hill. It's a sturdy stucco building, but not in very good repair. Congregation was excited to see me (I had to speak - but briefly!). Only about 25 people there, but very spirited. The have a female pastor (Ugandan) who lives in the parish house which is really unfinished! She's a good sport. If there is a Baptist congregation out there (the big "out there") who would like to partner w. a church in Uganda they'd love to have you - even if just to pray w. them and energize them. Just e-mail me at kathywesterman@hotmail.com.

I biked out to Moses to meet him for church - haven't been biking since I've been storing my bike at PH - it was HARD. Decided to lock it back on my veranda and if it gets stolen at least someone will be riding it!!!

At 4 (or about) we picked up Moses and his mom, wife and two daughters and took him to COMBRA where he'll be taking classes the next 2 months. It's really a BIG step for him - away from farm and family for 2 months!!! (he'll get home some weekends).

Monday at English we started simple letter writing - everyone except one copied the sample on the board. One boy wrote a letter to Sr. Juliet about stealing in the dorms - it's really a BIG problem and it was a good letter!!! She agreed!

We have a big "crew" at PH right now - two Brothers on "internship" for a month, a Brother on Holiday, 2 Sisters on Holiday and one young man (hard of hearing) doing a Social Work Internship (he was turned down 5 places because of his hearing loss - and he's great - everyone gets in at PH!). Nelson also just got 2 OT interns studying at Mulago - busy place!!!

After English I helped Sister and the two Brothers to go through all the old, dusty folders in the office looking for something about some land (not found) - what a mess! Helped w. the "movement group" in the afternoon - lots of frisbee, ball, etc. for the more seriously handicapped. The sewing machine repairman returned w. parts (YEA)....doing good work but has to come back again w. some more and to fix the shoe machine (all part of the SPA grant). Did some weed pulling w. the kids in the cabbages (in anticipation of the visit Tuesday of the Mother General - the "top nun"). Ended w. going to the market w. Sr. Goretti - it was dark and the place was crowded, noisy (several bullhorns pitching stuff plus radios), and stuck me as just so typically Ugandan. Came home and made mac and cheese (Kraft box) - spiced up w. onion, garlic and tomato - and a Spam single (they are the best!).

Tuesday CBR was slow as usual - everyone knows we aren't paying anymore - just giving advice!!! The Mother General came (leader of all the Little Sisters in E. Africa) - very impressive woman! Alysious (the SW intern) wanted to teach a class so he took my English class - nice break for me and the kids!!!

Wednesday Fred and I went to Kampala to order the layers - it took awhile - lots of walking from store to store - delivery dates at some were too far out! But it's done - we pick them up July 27! I stopped to see Moses on the way home - he needed a letter verifying his employment at PH - seems he dropped his ID down the latrine!!! Did my Mukono internet, P.O., Bank and Supermarket thing and got home about 7:30.

I'm reading a book making the PC circuit - The Master and Margaurita by Mikhail Bulgakov - very Russion and VERY strange, but I can't put it down.

I thought Thursday would be slow, but Sister J invited me to go along w. the visiting Brother to see Lake Victoria and visit the convent at Kavule. We went to a fishing village (Sennyi) on the lake - they are all so poor - stopped at the convent (it was build by Mother Kevin in the 30s and is very run down, but has a gorgeous view of the lake - think it would make a wonderful retreat house if fixed up). The Sisters also run a little clinic there - 3 nuns at the end of the world!!! We stopped at Sr. Juliet's home and met her grandfather (and lots of other relatives) and saw her old Secondary School! We had to visit every classroom and since I took a picture in the first one had to take a picture in every one!!

It's sad that the forests in that part of Uganda (and everywhere) have been decimated by cutting for charcoal, firewood and timber and no re-planting - they look green but it's all small trees, bush and banana trees...very few mature trees - not a government priority!

Today (Friday) Math went well - did a "store" again - counting money and making change - even w. the faster group - they all enjoyed it and came away w. some bananas, crackers, pens and of course "sweeties"...

Tomorrow the two Brothers and I are going to see Josephine at St. Balikudembe's for visiting day (nearby in Kisoga). Sunday the muzungus have been invited to a goat roast in honor of the Duke kids who are starting to leave - I'll miss them - they are a great group! There are two new volunteers (women in their 30s) staying at RASD who've been down to PH to play w. the kids - they are from NYC - took 3 weeks off their jobs. Really outgoing ladies and the kids enjoy the extra attention!!!

Guess that's all for now - Wish Corky a Happy Anniversary - July 13 - 41 years!!!

Things go well here but I'm really eager to see everyone at home - Gail said that Riley said it was a "long time" till I come tho - "two weeks" - it's longer but that may be what he envisions as a LONG time!! It's going fast and will be even faster as we get to the First Aid classes next weekend (Holly's grant project) - we're having one two-day session at PH for Moses' community health workers the 16th and 17th and then two others for her Project Hope people, the 5K, finals and report cards - YIKES! And then off to Minneapolis (via Amsterdam).

Hope you all have a good weekend. As always, thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers - your support means everything!!!

Happy Fourth to you all. I'm celebrating by going to Mukono for the usual bank, PO, internet, grocery run, and to the Mall to make prints....lots of stops but I wanted to get the blog done here in Mukono - unfortunately, internet is slow and keyboard is really sticky!! But I'm grateful for the internet!!! Some of the group went to celebrate at an island off Entebe but I'm still tired after the conference and would just worry about my "to do" list - also, it's all young kids!!! NIce of them to even ask, but I'm better off at my little apt.

The All Volunteer Conference went very well. It was a strange transition back to Nkokonjeru after 4 days w. almost only Americans!!! Wonder what it will be like to be in America and then come back? It was rainy and cool when I got back on Sunday and I went to Moses's youngest's 1st Birthday Party (baby Fionna). It was fun but I always feel like a celebrity (it's akward) - it was Fionna's day. Guess it's an honor to have a muzungu come, but I'd rather just be a guest! Moses is leaving this Sunday for a 2-3 month course in Community Health Outreach - identifying, assessing, building simple orthopedic appliances out of local materials - a great opportunity for him and for PH! We'll miss him as will his family - means one season of no planting! So, it was a farewell party for him, too.

Our ton of brewers mash is infected w. maggots and had to be thrown on the fields - bummer!! The cow loved it and it saved on maize bran - we'll try again w better storage and maybe a smaller amount! Oh, the trials of farming!!!

Monday a.m. I jumped up when they rang the 5:30 a.m. bell - I'd forgotten about that!!! It was the usual crazy day. English went well - I went over some good information we got at the conference on malaria in Uganda. Then Holly and I went to a kick off near Mukono for a new service by MTN (phone co) combined w. Google to provide limited access to information on your cell phone (if it's MTN) - supposed to have weather and answers to agricultural questions - big promotional deal! We got a soda and a free lunch!!!

By the time I got back and got the afternoon "report", picked lettuce (about all that's left in our Garden except marigolds), and went to town to make copies for English it was 7:30!!!

Tuesday was a "low pressure" day - quiet at CBR. Sula brought in 500 day old broiler chicks - I'm watching his operation closely to see what we need to do - layers are slightly different but chicks are chicks. He had to put charcoal heaters in the room. They are fragile! Went for a nice walk to end a good day!

Wednesday I started digging up the garden - it's time to plant again - I was thinking it wasn't till Sept. but Sister said now. Not sure if we'll get it done - will for sure be smaller! Fred, Sr. Juliet and Sr. Goretti and I met to plan our chicken venture (100 layers) and to start planning for the Grant program. It was the last day for the two volunteers from Florida who've been staying at RASD - they came to PH about 3 afternoons a week to help Jude w. the afternoon classes and play w. the kids - much appreciated and enjoyed by the children.

Nice dinner w. Holly and the Duke "kids"...they added Chinese Eggplant and a Greek dish w. macsed potatoes and garlic (and other stuff) - really a taste treat. Sometimes (often?) we obsess about the food variety we're used to - Ugandan food is always the same and always bland!

Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - 58 patients. They brought 2 nurses and 4 students which left Sr. Goretti scrambling for enough lunch, but she always manages - more rice!!!! At lunch we were talking about Moses and I being gone for the Aug. clinic - they, of course, asked if I'd get matoke (steamed bananas) in the U.S. (NO!!) and what I like to eat there. Most seriously cannot imagine a meal w/o matoke or posho - I CAN!

Holly has really been working hard - she starts her First Aid classes on the 17th - 3, two day sessions - the first is for Moses (he'll come back) and 14 of his community volunteers - all representing different villages. It's a 2 day class and they get a village first aid kit - great service!!!

She's also organized a 5K walk/run for Aug. 1 to raise money for her organization, Project Hope, that works w. HIV/AIDS patients. They want to raise money to re-start Life Skills classes in the schools (basically HIV education, self - esteem, healthy living, etc.) - great cause also! I'm NOT running (many PCVs are) but she has a category for "Providence Home Pushers" - I'm in that one!! If you would like to donate you can send a few dollars to: Don Westerman, 103 Inner Dr., Montgomery, MN 56069 - I told all the kids at PH I'd sponsor their regiatration if they walked/got pushed - it's only $.50/student!!!

Nice supper of grilled cheese, leaf lettuce salad and pineapply - see I don't do that bad!!!

Friday (and Thursday) I had my first bout ever w. intestinal problems - not serious, but annoying - still went to PH! I really think my immune system and stamina are running down....am hoping my trip home in August will be a re-wind!

In the slower math group we talked about money and change and then used the play money to "buy" stuff Corky sent - motel soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, pencils and some suckers - they loved it. It worked well, but some still don't get it - and others would shout out their balance before they could figure it. Also, they are not good about waiting their turn - really a Ugandan culutural trait - people budge in line all the time (or yell over the waiting customers). They have coins in 100, 200 and 500 and bills in 1,000 and 5,000 - there are 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 but they won't see those any time soon! Morning porridge was 2 hours late - they were chopping green in the kitchen and didn't think to start it - so the other Math class started at 1:00 (instead of 11). We did a review of what the money you need to start 100 layers to 5 months (when the start laying)....think the kids were surpirsed at the size of the capital outlay (about $1000!)...and we have a house already! That's why most peole just raise their own local breeds and "free range" them.

The sewing machine repair guy came from Kampala - organized by Sr. Goretti and funded by the SPA grant! YEA! Has to go back to get parts and it's always a leap of faith to give him money to buy the stuff and hope he returns! She knows the shop that recommended him, but you never know! We had a visit by the government Minister of ICT (Information, Communicaiton and Technology) on a swing through Nkokonjeru - of course, we have no technology, but what the heck - he gave Sister money for soap for the kids!!!.

Today I'm going to do my errands - lots of stops - and tomorrow I'm going to Moses' church at 10 (Baptist) and then in the afternoon we're using the truck to take him to COMBRA (the training center) along w. his wife and children so they can see it (an American touch)....

Thanks again and again for all your support and just for reading through my days - it really does help that people care - and maybe get a laugh!!! I'm really getting excited about my visit home in August.....it will be interesting!!! HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

This will probably be the shortest blog on record....I'm at the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference - almost over - and don't have my "notes" so will just do a quick review of the week - you are all probably very grateful. I was thinking I'd stop in Mukono on my way back to Nkokonjeru tomorrow a.m. but I'm not sure the internet cafe will be open that early on Sunday and I'm ready to go back to my apartment. Also, tomorrow there is a 1 year Birthday Party for Moses little girl, Fionna, and I hope to get to at least part of it!

Happy Birthday last week to Olivia, Gail and Jesse (tomorrow)...WOW!

The Conference has gone very well - lots of good presentations and some great outside contacts...the Ambassador came by today (he's leaving Uganda next week - being replaced by a new one soon - regime change??). It's been a lot of fun, but very intense and I'm tired. We had a good speaker on Agroforestry from "Trees for the Future"(headquartered in the U.S.) Am hoping to get some seeds to plant from them.

Back to last week. Sunday, we had visitors from Holland (Bake for Life) - fun group. Monday I went with Nelson to Mulago Hospital in Kampala with three of the children from the community he works with and two moms! A VERY long day - I was ready at 7:30 - we left at 9 a.m. and returned at 9 p.m. Had to wait a long time at the hospital - but probably not worse than Mayo Clinic! They all went to the Sickle Cell Clinic and one had then to see the pedicatrician in Acute Care. There were so many sick kids waiting. Plus we were all hungry and tired!

Tuesday I wanted to get lots done before I left but there were lots of difficulties. The guy who was to fix the stove said he would come Sunday (and confirmed it in a text) but didn't show Sunday. He came Monday, but of course they were using the stove. Said he would come "early" on Tuesday, I called him at 10 and he assured me he'd be there in 45 minutes - and came at 2:15. Then, he wanted me to get the materials ready - I was trying to start English class (CBR was finished) and we all were going to a funeral at 3:00! I really let him have it - I really don't usually yell, but I was so mad - I told him at least he could have texted me and told me the truth about coming. Ugandans usually tell you what they think you want to hear!!! He didn't seem repentant at all! The funeral was a last minute addition to the day, too - Moses told us in the a.m. that the grandfather of the little girl staying at PH who we got fitted w. leg braces had died - so we took a truck load (including her, two PH Sisters, Sister Ellen from the U.S., two visiting Brothers, and lots of kids) to the funeral. Her parents were there (she'd been left at the grandparents years ago w. her siblings when the parents split and re-settled). THey were there but there was not a good feeling between them or her and either one and she was anxious to get back in the truck and return to PH (her Grandfather had been her major supporter - grandmother was too busy digging and working).

It seemed like I was behind all day Tuesday - well, I was. Wanted to get things ready for being gone for four days - it's hard!

I am very impressed at the Conference about all the things the PCVs in our group are doing - most seem to really have hit their stride and have some very interesting projects going and keeping busy. Some are still struggling, but all in all, they are doing well. The "oldest" group leaves in October and then we will be the "old" group - WOW! There are two groups behind us - a nice feeling.

Hope you all have a good week.....and a great Fourth of July!!!

I just tried 3 times and waited 6 minutes for "new post" to appear - then called the kid to come and see and it opened right up!!! I think computers don't like me! I'm in Mukono on a quick a.m. trip (which is turning out to not be so quick since the computer hates me)...the bank/P.O./grocery/blog trip! I will be gone a lot this week and trying to cover all my bases before - will spend most of the rest of the weekend getting ready for and trying to find someone to cover my classes!!! Monday I'm going to Nelson (O.T.) to Mulago with some of his kids and Wednesday to Sunday is the Peace Corps All Volunteer Conference. The "committee" has to be at the office Weds. to do final planning - it's been a lot more work than I thought when I signed up (that happens often).

Onward - I'm reading a very heavy (scholarly AND big) book given to me by the Duke graduate student (Dan) - called Africa's World War by Gerard Prunier - it's about the fighting in the Congo after the Rwandan Genocide till today...massively footnoted and very detailed! Every one in central Africa (and beyond) was involved. The author is French and really doesn't care for any of the participants! (U.S. included - but also France's meddling)

Last Thursday I was in Kampala for a meeting on the AVC (All Volunteer Conference) when I blogged. The week has gone fast - after I got home I went down to PH (Providence Home) to "check in" and they delivered the re-furbished cabinet for the production sewing area - Sr. Goretti went on Friday to buy materials for uniform shirts for our shoe students and then for petticoats for Sisters for sale! The four kids really need to get better before they start the Sister's things - Sr. Goretti had them ripping apart the shirts they had made because of pretty sloppy work - they weren't supervised but they are supposed to be ready to go out and work....I keep blaming it on their teacher who is really sloppy (we do so need a replacement but none to be found in these parts). It's a struggle - also the machines keep breaking - we can get them serviced, but I'm not sure the kids are using them well w/o supervision (something they should also know by this time).

Friday I was up early to get ready for Math....it went much better today than last week. In the slower class we used fake money (cardboard coins and paper bills) to count money and make change, but they had a hard time w. the concept of fake money (or they are totally unfamiliar w. Ugandan coins/bills which is also possible)....I wanted to challenge the faster class but may have overdone it w. changing fractions, changing cm to metres and back and computing measurements. We'll keep at it! I had them figure how to cut a piece of material 2m long into 3 pieces - first transfer to cm and then divide - I think they were thinking, just fold it over 3 x and forget the measuring (not a bad idea!).

In the afternoon I walked up to RASD to use the computer and to talk to them about how to go about handling a possible donation of a sand water filter for drinking water (that's RASD's speciality). I came back to welcome Sr. Goretti home from shopping and see 2 girls (about 10) get questioned and then punished for stealing money from another girl's foot locker (they used the key to open it and take stuff - then found in their boxes). There is lots of stealing at PH and they don't see it as wrong if they get away with it! In class, I was asking about it and one of the boys said "we're poor, and other people have things...and we want them"....simple!

Satuday I washed and cleaned...hung our sheets and towels. I went down to PH about 9:30 and it poured!!! Good for the rain - it's been dry for two weeks and people were worried that the dry season had started early - lots of crops still in the gardens! My clothes had a Downy rain fresh rinse and were dry by 6 p.m.

I am constantly struck by the endless variety of the days here - on Saturday afternoon we were waiting for some people from a pharmaceutical company to come (they said 10 but it was 1)...we'd invited the North Korean doctors down to sign off on the meds the company was donating. Two of the doctors came at 10:30 (after the rain) and had a nice visit w. Sr. Juliet, but had to go. I went to town to buy some baskets to mail - certainly made the day of the lady in the shop (it's run by women affected by HIV/AIDS). The people finally arrived and it turned out to be a pharmaceutical company w. a nurse to see sick people - and the UBC (Ugandan Broadcast Co) who filmed the event!!! They saw some children from the community (thanks to Moses) and from PH - mainly flu, colds, malaria - and gave out meds. Some children from PH lined us just for the "give away" - one little boy cried because he wasn't sick and couldn't get any of whatever it was they were given every one else!!! They left some medications and we got to watch the promotional video (for us but mainly for the pharmaceutical company) on the news that night!!!

Sunday was the Feast of Corpus Christi and the bishop of Lugazi Diocese came to Nkokoneru for a big 10 a.m. Mass and then a 2 hour procession to various sites w. a large crowd to venerate the host.....they ended at PH. The Bishop then stayed for a little presentation and lunch (at 4 p.m.). Sr. Juliet put me NEXT to the Bishop - yikes! Fortunately he's traveled a lot and we pretty much stuck to his favorite places!

Monday after English, Holly and I joined someone from PC staff at the Ridah Hotel in Seeta where the conference will be held to talk to the staff - and esp. the chef. He was really nice and think we'll get more "American" foods this time - garlic mashed potatoes vs. matoke! I had a nice dinner w. the Duke kids - they are really fun and lots of good conversations. Gloria and Dan (the graduate student) are working with a local Savings and Credit Association, Alex and Loren are in engineering and trying to make charcoal out of coffee husks and other worthwhile projects...very interesting.

Tuesday I woke up tired.....still have bad dreams the nites after I take the malaria medication - (Methloquin)....lots of monsters eating people (ugh). CBR went well. We are going through the 2008 glasses' lists and having the "town crier" (he uses a sound system) announce the names of local people who haven't picked up their glasses yet on market day (Monday)- it's getting results. One elderly resident of PH got his glasses and was so excited he gave me four ears of corn!!! Moses went out to see the malnourished 2 year old and it's not going so well - she's lost weight since she left Mulago - they just don't have the food she needs. I send out porridge mix and dry milk, but it only last so long (and not sure if the girl gets it all).

In English I read a story w. pictures about building a house (I make copies for everyone), did "house building" vocabulary and then they had to draw their "dream house" - everyone drew such modest structures - and say something about it in English - it actually went pretty well!

There is a Sister from New Jersey, Sister Ellen, (about my age) staying at PH for 2 weeks - she's a Franciscan Sister of Peace and wanted to see how things work in African congregations - she's really a lot of fun and very energetic! (like I was at the start I think - I'm wearing down)

Holly has been really busy. She works w. Project Hope - a program that has volunteers who assist people affected by HIV/AIDS. She just got a grant to teach them (and some victims and some of Moses' community health workers) in First Aid - YEA! And she's organizing a 5K walk/run (get ready to pledge) on Aug. 1 to raise money to continue their teaching Life Skills (AIDS prevention and self-esteem) in the Secondary Schools!

Didas has just finished the shoe order (YEA) and put the 3rd new sole on my brown ECCO sandals!!!

Wednesday and Thursday were "catch up" days - actually, I did very little! Gloria (from Duke) and the mom and daughter from Florida who are staying 2 months in Nkokonjeru have been coming down some to help with the kids in the afternoon - the kids love new people and the attention!

Thursday nite I got a call from Sr. Juliet at 11:30 and she said she'd forgotten that Sr. Melody (who used to be here) was graduating from a 6 mo. program Friday and Sr. Ellen and I should go with her to the ceremony - leave at 7 a.m. She'd found a visiting Ugandan Sister who would take my math class - I revised my workplan - I was going to practice making change again and had gotten bananas to reward the ones who got it right (and eventually everyone)....dropped that plan since Ugandans really are not used to that sort of activity. The graduation was very nice but it was a LONG day . We met lots of really impressive Sisters!!! They do a great service here in East Africa!

So, now I'm in Mukono - sorry the blog is so long.....next week will be short w. the Conference. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Fathers - hope it's a good one and nice weather to grill!

Take care and thanks again and again for your prayers, thoughts, mail - just everything. It's sort of the mid-range of time and I'm feeling a bit deflated - but I still have lots to do and my grant to plan and distribute - plus help w. Holly's projects coming up and then the trip home! It will go fast!!!

My title is probably not the best was to start - but it's how I count time!!! I am really enjoying my work here and especially the kids and the people I work with, but I miss home, too. I got a nasty cold this week (my first "illness" in Uganda) - haven't had to stay home, but sometimes I feel like I'm running down - liek I came w. really lots of energy but have to push harder these days to get things done! I'm hoping my vacation at home in August will revitalize me!!!

I'm having fun with the four students from Duke University working here for 2 months - really a smart, high energy bunch! Two are working w. a local Savings and Loan (actually a private credit organization) and the others are working on projects like biomass charcoal (from corn husks) and a solar cooker - neat projects. I have dinner w. them at the guest house occasionally - lots of good conversation! Initially, one of them teased us (Holly, Shari and I) about our obsession w. food (mainly "American" food we can't get easily) but after almost 3 weeks that's their main topic of conversation too!!!

Satuday I went to Kampala to get my electric tea kettle fixed - I made it to the center of town to look for light blue material for more uniform shirts - bummed that the shop we buy from was out of that color and I didn't have a sample so while I looked elsewhere didn't feel I should buy. Being down there reminded me of what I don't like about inner Kampala - dirt, noise, pollution, smells (garbage, urine), sidewalks full of people selling, streets full of people, cars, motorcycles - there are lots of potholes full of water thrown out from bathing, washing, etc. It's hard to visualize I'm sure.....the "kids" love the energy there - I do my business and retreat.

The garden is giving us lots of lettuce, cucumbers and beans. Not all is lost with the leaf mold, tho' the cucumbers seem to be getting infected (darn). I've asked a lot of people what the problem is and get lots of different answers but no solutions (sort of typical for here). I think maybe the site is too level and gets too much roof run off and the problem is drainage. But we are enjoying what we have - adds variety to the diet. The kids at PH still cannot believe that we eat lettuce and cucumbers (things they've never seen) raw!!!

Sunday I worked a long time w. Sr. Juliet to update our website - Gail is re-doing the text and adding new pictures (thanks Gail). The site is www.providencehomeuganda.org if you're interested. Got it all edited, attachment attached....and the internet went off!!! Six months ago that would have made me crazy - now it's "oh, well, I'll try tomorrow". Started to get the "library" organized - put cards in all the books Anne and Corky have sent (mainly Junior books and easy readers) - I am worried about getting them back when kids take them out, but we'll see. We signed four out Monday a.m.!!! Alex, one of the students, is helping me.

I went on a nice walk - decided to start walking again in the evening to clear my head - there was a beautiful sunset and I helped a little girl carry some gerry cans of water home and untangled a baby goat (they are tied up all day and this one got really tangled and was struggling - took my keys and cut some of the foliage holding the rope). Met Joseph, the piggery builder, who said he's very busy and also building his own piggery - I couldn't help but add that I'm not surprised since he was so well paid for our project!! (maybe even some of our materials???).

Monday for English class Alex, a Duke student, gave a lecture on Compost translated by Fred. Kids were good and asked questions - he said it was his most attentive audience to date. In the afternoon three of theDuke kids came down to help w. the "Music and Movement Group" - they really enjoyed themselves and the kids loved it.

Tuesday we had a busy CBR day - Moses was out with Nelson doing home visits to Cerebral Palsy children so Kinene helped. Also, visiting PH for the day was a teacher of the deaf and a young lady from the UK who teaches deaf/blind there on a short term volunteer stint. They helped us assess a new 2 year old client whose parents thought was deaf (she didn't think so), and partially paralyzed after a high fever at 6 mos. They said they would take him to Katelemwa Rehabilitation Center for a PT assessment....hope they do. He's young and seemed smart and exercises could really make a difference. We'll try to follow up.

Didas is almost done with the shoe order - he's made 40 pairs of girls school shoes for Stella Maris Primary School (actually, they are shoes for girls sponsored by Caritas, a U.S. organization). Simon, a recent graduate, is back to help. We got the payment money and it worked out well - we were able to pay Didas and Simon and still make a profit - he really estimated well and priced well - the profit isn't huge, but it will help purchase more materials. I gave Didas 2000sh/shoe ($1) and Simon 1,000/shoe (.50) and they were very happy - Didas only makes 50,000/month to teach plus what he gets for repairs so it was a nice bonus!!! He did a great job and they have worked hard! I really appreciated their effort!

I had promised to go to see a primary, residential school for the blind in Kisoga (1/2 hour away) - met a teacher on the matatu and he kept calling me. I was sort of sorry I said yes, but after going I'm so glad I did (that happens often). They have 60 blind students (or partially sighted) and several blind teachers....very nice facility and like PH they kids seem healthy and happy....I went out w. the kids and teachers to their banana garden to cut matoke bananas....the partially sighted help the truly blind!!! Just amazing - they all pick corn together,too!!! From there I went to visit the Italian Sisters at their clinic in Kisoga - they are amazing, too. They are about my age and so energetic - adorable accent! They are nurses and have a really nice, clean clinic - lots of patients, too!! Then stopped to see Benedicto (the boy who had his leg amputated) and his pig (both look good). I'm hoping he can come to PH someday to either study shoemaking or try to finish Primary School (two years to go and he's 18).....he ahd to take lots of time off because of no money. He's still angry at his lameness - it's only been 6 months I guess - think time at PH would help that! This is shameless begging, but if anyone has an "extra" $250 (hard in these times, I know), we could get him an artificial lower leg which would help. I don't like to use the blog to "beg" but you never know who's out there!!!

I got back to PH much later than I expected (no surprise) - long wait for the matatu in Kisoga - but all in all delightful day of visiting. The Nkokonjeru parish priest (Father Jembe - really a great guy) came to say Mass and afterwards went out and blessed the piggery and pigs, and the new cow. Very nice - but he kept thanking me, and I kept saying, "No, it's all from my church" - wish you all could have been there to get the recognition!!!

Hope you are all well - life here is certainly busy and interesting. Fred and Sula went to the brewery yesterday and came back w. a ton of brewer's mash for the animals - guess it really sells fast!!! My grant has all been approved. I don't have the money yet, but we are in the planning stages - deciding what to make and how to sell it. Also, what to plant for the school gardens - I want to add some variety to the diet - people here don't think that's a good idea - I think it stems from being on the cusp of being w/o food - if you try a new thing and it doesn't work what do you eat? (like our zuccini tho' we'll try again). Hope to plant some cabbages which are common but we don't have any at present. Some days I really do feel my head is whirling (doesn't take much)!

Thanks again for all your support - just knowing you're reading this makes me feel good!!! And I hope you're learning a little about life in Uganda. It's a good life here - shouldn't complain (tho' I do sometimes).....hope you are all well and enjoying the Summer.

Almost Happy Birthday to Greg!!! This blog is long, so get a beverage - well, not too long, just a busy week.

We had a great weekend in Jinja - I met Maria in Mukono and we went together to Jinja. Our hotel was on the outskirts of town but only 100 yds. from the start of the Marathon and right by the Source of the Nile park! It was an old colonial house made into a hotel and suited us just fine (only bummer was that the TV didn't work). We had a lovely dinner at a nearby place called the Nile Reflections - I had beef fajitas which were wonderful!!! Jinja had some good eating places but the town needs some paint and street repairs.

Satuday we went to a weaving shop and to Bujagali Falls. It's really just rapids used now to raft, but we had a great lunch at the Nile Explorers Resort - Chicken Ceasar wrap eaten by the pool - also swam (life in PC is hard!). One of the Duke kids asked why we obsess about food - we really don't (well, maybe we do) but it's about the accessibility of the food we're used to - if you want Mexican, you go to the store or to a Mexican restaurant - it's a LOT more difficult here!!!

Sunday was the race - started at 9:40 (40 minutes late) and it was HOT and humid. Holly did very well - 2 hrs. and 20 minutes. They finished at the Source of the Nile Park - very nice! A bunch of us went back to the Nile Reflections for lunch and then I came back w. the Duke kids (2 of them ran) On Satuday they rafted the rapids - they said it was good, but scary!.

Monday we started classes - had English with only 10, but it was fun. Really trying to get them to talk in English - am planning on bribing them w. candy - bad, but I'm desperate!!! They don't speak English for the same reasons I don't speak Ugandan - I think I'll sound dumb and I really can't express myself as well - pretty good reasons I think!

Another elderly Sister died on Sunday; They sang all Monday nite - a favorite is "I will raise him up on the last day".....it really is beautiful!

Josephine (a Senior at a school in Kisoga) kept calling about some breast pain - she'd heard a radio program on breast cancer and was sure that was it. I went over to Kisoga to talk to her and gave her money to get an X-ray - the school nurse was taking kids to the Lugazi hospital the next day. It turned out to be mastitis and the Dr. assured her it was not cancer - hope that's finished!!! (she's 17 and no history of cancer plus the Dr. in Nkokonjeru had done an exam and said it was O.K.)

I got FOUR boxes last Friday and sent them back on the Nkokonjeru matatu to Holly while I went on to Jinja; opened them Monday night and they were super - two from St. Johns (sent to the people in the service; I feel honored to be included in that group). Lots of neat stuff we shared (snacks), and cool crafts In the other boxes I got a new pair of sandals, and a new skirt and tops for Mother's Day. I wore the skirt on Thursday and everyone at PH commented - guess my stuff is getting a little old! I do plan to leave all my clothes here (or what's left of them).

Tuesday we took four children to CoRSU (the orthopedic hospital). Ben (the boy w. the amputated leg) for review; Sharon for surgery on two badly clubbed feet - she's 10 and can't walk at all. The doctor couldn't do surgery because of infected sores on her feet - got her antibiotics and will try again in 2 weeks; Barbara for a growth on her sternum that they decided was benign; and Paul, a resident w. hydrocephalis and a hump back...can't do surgery for either at this point.

Sula (our driver) and I went to Mulago hospital and left Moses at CoRSU (and he did great). We met w. Justine's doctors and got her discharged (w. some arguing - I was determined to pull a "muzungu" on them, but wasn't needed). They wanted her to stay to take antibiotics and eat better, but mom was buying food and trying to economize and so we convinced them she should go. We took her back to CoRSU and they kept her there so they didn't get to go home, but at least the services at CoRSU are better - the Doctors at Mulago are good, but it's SO understaffed! Sula laughed when we were taking her out - there was no wheelchair in the orthopedic ward (go figure) so we went to the ER and just took one out of a closet! I did tell him I'm pushy even for an American!

Wedneday was a Holiday - Ugandan Martyr's Day (you can google it). No school and the kids were bored. I was enjoying it!!! Holly cut my hair and we put up mosquito netting over her windows to slow the flow of bugs. We went down to the garden but the mold is really bad on the one side and our zuccini are rotten - very bummed. Leaf lettuce is great, tho' and cucumbers still look good. Did some coloring w. the little kids and I was done for the day.

Thursday we went to Iganga to get the cow! Sula drove and Fred (the business manager) and Vincent (the animal caretaker) went along. We bought the one from the Sister at the baby orphanage - The cow's name is Maria, and she's about 2 1/2 and has had one calf and is pg (due in November). We're trying to re-create her diet there which consisted of maize bran (the outer husk of the kernal), brewers mash (from the beer brewery in Jinja), cotten seed cakes, and then elephant grass, banana peels and other greens! We hope to keep her well and happy! She was producing 18-20 liters a day which is really good for here. She produced 7 Thursday nite, but it had been a hard day. Friday a.m. the kids had porridge w. milk - a great treat!

I missed most of the epilepsy clinic, but Moses and Nelson did great (I knew they would)...time to start letting go!!!

Today, we had Math class - doing it in 2 sections seems to work better. I was able to spend a lot more time w. the slow kids, but now I need to really crank up the "better" class! Good day - got to check my e-mails and blog. Going to Kampala tomorrow to return my electric coffee pot - got it at Game and have a receipt thankfully. Will try to brave going into town to get some material for the advanced sewing kids to make more uniform shirts for the shoemaking students.....I really dislike the crowds and the pushing (and the smells) in the central area of town. I tend ot stick to the outskirts and the malls.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. And thanks to St. Johns for the great boxes - it was just like Christmas!!!!

Well, almost - hope the spring/summer weather is good and you're enjoying it. School there is about over - seems like that went fast! Our Term II technically started last Monday (25) but very few students are back so we're starting next coming Monday (June 1). It amazes me how they trickle in for weeks (even at the regular schools) - usually lack of money for fees, transport, supplies, etc. We had a teacher meeting yesterday and I'm going to split the Math class and teach two sections on Fridays - discussion on whether the slower kids will feel bad, but I just can't give them enough one on one time learning to count and add in the bigger group! We'll try it for a term and see - means I'm committed on Friday, but that's O.K. The groups alternate w. the craft teacher so it's a good time and means all are busy.

After two days "on the road" last week I rested on Friday - washed clothes and cleaned and took it easy (it's getting easier all the time). Our three new female piglets came on Thursday - they are really cute - and everyone is now in the new piggery. Everyone who sees it is just amazed at how nice it is - and we show it to everyone who visits!!! After all that frustration it's beautiful - thanks again St. Johns!!

Four students from Duke University arrived to help at Shari's site - two in engineering and two in finance. They seem really nice and anxious to get to work. It's interesting to watch them and remember when we were new! They are staying at the convent guest house so are nearby.

I got a bunch of Messengers from Anne - fun to read. A new SUBWAY - wow!!! Still wondering how the baseball team/tracksters are doing, but it's like a sequel story! Incidently I'm reading the 3rd of the Golden Compass books (The Amber Spyglass) now - the author definitely had bad feeling about God and "the Church"....mixing in the Newsweeks from Anne and Guideposts from Maridan for variety!

We ordered and got a new low table for the room that's used for the afternoon enrichment classes w. funds from the Holland girls - very nice and much better for wheelchair people. I was there yesterday trying to introduce them to Connect 4! We hope to get some laying chickens in June so the kids can learn how to raise chickens AND keep records. I have to get one more form in for the SPA grant (scanned and send this a.m.) and then will wait for the money - but FIRST we need to decide what we want to produce based on some kind of "market research" - everyone has ideas, but nothing to back them up! Not going that route again - we did it w. the small size shoes and that was enough! At least we have some time.

We are eating garden lettuce - very good - and Holly made zuccini bread yesterday!!! I'd looked and didn't see any on Tuesday and she looked and found 2 large ones on Weds. - they sneak up on you!!! The rest is going well; some not so well - peas - but it's been fun!

Saturday I traveled to Iganga (ne) to see Sandy - another senior volunteer who's working at a Teacher's College helping the 10 deaf students there. The trip was long (mostly lots of waiting for matatus to fill) but fun. We had a great lunch at a hotel in town that had an Indian restaurant. Good to see her and her site - nice rooms for living but outside pit latrine (ugh).

Sunday, I went to Mass at the big church - they are fixing the roof on the Sisters' Chapel and then finally got to sit down w. Sr. Juliet and get some questions answered! Made some calls trying to line up panelists for the All Volunteer Conference in June - people from our group have been wonderful about volunteering (or I'm intimidating)!!! Watched a local soccer match at the town pitch w. the Duke students - fun day also! In the evening I got to see the video Bert and Naomi sent of Riley's BD party and the St. Cloud family trip with Holly and Shari - so fun to see the little ones! Quite the characters!

Monday there was no school, but I walked around seeing what trouble I could make! Sr. Ambrose from the Hospital asked me to give a tour to the 3 Korean Doctors who are there (they are from North Korea!!! - staying for 3 months and maybe 3 years....I'd like to know their story). One is a neurosurgeon and was very interested in the kids at Providence - did a lot of prodding and checking reflexes, etc. He recommended acupuncture for some, but I need to clarify that - they don't speak good English and I wasn't sure if "puncture" was brain surgery or acupuncture (think the later).

Tuesday we had another HUGE rainstorm mid-day - effectivelly stops everything - slow day at CBR, but we planned a trip w. some kids to CoRSU orthopedic hospital for next week. Gave a tour to the Duke students. The man who made the stove stopped by to see about repairs - our cook has been jamming big logs into the openings and has damaged the front w. the hot fires and generally not using the stove correctly (has not wanted to chop the wood). We'll get it fixed but I warned him that next time, if it happens again, the cost of repairs will be deducted from his salary.

Wednesday I went to Kampala for a re-test of my urine test - and it was perfect, but had to see the Doctor anyway - sort of a waste, but nice to know that the PC nurses are really cautious. Having good medical coverage is priceless here!! My blood pressure was 110/65 - I'm SO healthy!

Went on to Mulogo Hospital to see Justine but she can't leave till next week - ugh! They are waiting for some blood work - mom had to go out to a lab in town and pay for it to be done! I'm hoping we can get her discharged on Tusday when we are in town - they really don't have any idea what her "problem" is - they keep saying she's "weak and malnourished" - well, she's been in the hospital for 3 months and food there is expensive! She looks much better than when she first started after Nkokonjeru Hospital, but I want her to see Dr. Antonio and then go home for awhile and fatten up.

Thursday was our Teacher Meeting - I really dread those. Everyone has to talk endlessly about everything - Ugandans feel they HAVE to say something in order to be recognized and recognition is very important, esp. to the men! No such thing as a quick meeting! But we got the schedule done and think I got them to look at "outcome based" curriculum - what do these kids really need to know to be successful? Let's be practical!

Didas (the shoemaking teacher) is back after his stay in Mbale to repair his house(feel down in the rainstorms there) - his wife is back in it now and a little happier - and he's working very hard to get the shoe order filled for Stella Maris - it's fun to watch he and Simon in the workshop - they are very focused!!! I hope to do some clearing of rooms next week and get rid of some old, really not fixable sewing machines. Will use the treadle tables for the new machines and at least have things look better. We're rehabbing two old cabinets for use by the sewers - nothing fancy, but servicable! So progress is being made!!!

Hope you are all well - enjoy the summer! Thanks for everything - you all have been a great comfort and inspiration to me!!!! I'm going to Jinja this weekend - Jinja is really a tourist town (Source of the Nile, rafting, etc.) so will get some good Muzungu food!!!! And Holly is running in the 1/2 Marathon there on Sudnay - the real reason for the trip! Hope it goes well!

Hope you all have a great weekend and nice weather! I'm at the PC office in Kampala today - we have a meeting to continue to plan the All Volunteer Conference in May. Took the early matatu and got off at the mall and walked up - but I thought I'd try a new route - bad idea. I didn't realize that the streets in Kololo (ritzy community on a hill) loop up and down and don't connect!!! Had to go up and down and back up again!! It's all walled and gated so you can't even walk through - lots of embassies and UN type places - very lovely but steep!

Got a CD from Bert and Naomi of Riley's BD party and the family stay (minus Jean and Kody) at St. Cloud Holiday Inn in April - can't wait to watch it!!! I'm really starting to get excited about my visit in August and the trip to Lake Vermillion!!!

Satuday was our trip to the zoo - we actually got off on time (nearly), but the girls had to hire another matatu to add to the bus - too many people and wheelchairs. There were 53 people and 6 wheelchairs on the bus (capacity 40) and 16 people and 5 wheelchairs in the matatu (capacity unlimited)! The kids love the trip through Kampala and the traffic jam. The zoo is small but very nicely kept and they have enough animals - kids really liked the monkeys running all over! It was BIG day for them (and me). The don't have a giraffe or elephant but have most of the other big animals and nice spaces for them. Ostrich was another big hit! The trip was a gift from the girls from Germany who are OT students in Holland and have been working here for 3 months! They have been a fabulous addition to Providence and we'll all miss them a LOT!

Two Sisters in the elderly wing died - one Friday and one Sat. and at Sunday Mass both coffins were in the church (simple wood boxes). Sunday was a slow day - I'm starting to like the slow days! I went up to RASD to use the internet; it wasn't working but found out they are housing two new volunteers from Florida. They are here as part of Real Uganda - an organization that of arranges private volunteer work. It's a mom and daughter - mom grew up in Puerto Rico and this is a lot like there she said!

The Sisters in the chapel sang all nite for the deceased nuns - I woke up at 3:30 a.m. and they were singing Amazing Grace...that was the one song my mom requested and Jessica sang at her funeral. Got to thinking that her funeral was exactly 5 years ago to the day (it was the 18th here, but May 17th in Minnesota). Thought a lot about that day.

Monday a.m. the Florida people came to PH and I gave the tour....the girl wants to work w. children and I'm hoping she can help w. the afternoon classes the Holland girls set up - they trained a young resident who's going to try to continue the groups, but think it will be hard for one person and I don't have time to help. Moses and I went out to see Baby Nakato (the malnourished baby)...she looks good tho' I don't know if she's gaining. I bought some fortified infant porridge, powdered milk and sugar for them and told them we'd pick them up on June 2nd to take her to the Nkokonjeru Hospital to be weighed - hope she's at least at the 4.8 kg. she left Mulago as!

Monday nite was the celebration for the Holland girls. Josephine planned it all and it was really nice. Lots of singing and dancing and the handicapped kids (who they mostly worked with) joined in several numbers - well done!!! Late dinner at the convent after that!

Been reading Between Here and April by Deborah Kogan - strange book about a mother who killed herself and her two daughters - and a lady who knew one of the girls in elementary school and who was writing about it and about hormonal depression - very scary book!!! Now am reading the 2nd book in the Golden Compass series...fantasy is way safer than reality.

Tuesday was CBR and then the Holland girls had a "give-away" - they gave the kids numbers and as they were called they gave them clothes, shoes, towels...whatever. They have bought a lot of souveniers and need to cut weight in their luggage! Pretty exciting afternoon. The girls (Annika, Catharina and Verena) also left me w. some money to use and Nelson (our OT) and I have already decided on more low tables for the wheelchair kids, a nice set of adjustable parallel bars and some local laying hens to train some of the kids in Nelson's class about how to raise layers for income....it's fun to plan! Shopping here is not as much fun, tho'....always a project!

Wednesday I went to Mukono to use the internet, go to the PO, supermarket and bank. Actually, I was avoiding the final goodbye for the Holland girls I think! I also went to the NAADS District office (National Agricultural Advisory Service) hoping it would be like a US Extension Office, but it was a huge disappointment - have no information and really don't want any! They did suggest I try some local NAADS farmers - they are supposed to have demonstration farms, but get no funding and little help from the government, but I'll try. Some of Holly's Project Hope volunteers have NAADS signs by their places - signs even look bad. Guess the funding has been not used well for the department and money goes to already wealthy people instead of the guys out in the villages!

I had some other stops to make, but people weren't around so I was back by noon and did go with the girls and Sr. Juliet to Kampala for a last goodbye. We started 2 hours late because one of the older boys "forgot" to return one of their MP3 players and we had to track him down....Sisters were embarrassed and angry!!!

While we were making our stops w. them in Kampala I got a call from PC and my grant was approved!! YEA - but now the "work" begins....have to wait till it goes through Washington and I get the check but part of the program is to do some market research and see what we should make that would actually sell, some training, if we can find some "experts", to learn best practices in farming and marketing, lots of record keeping to do! And, we really need a new tailoring teacher too....Didas can handle the paperwork, but Matovu is just too undependable for me.

Fred and Vincent settled on 3 female pigs - from a local farmer but he has a bigger operation and they said the piglets are nice. 40,000 shillings each ($20) but only 1 month.....they planned to spray the house yesterday and maybe buy them and move them in today!!! YIKES! Things are moving. The cow purchase is just waiting for us to go "shopping" at a few places but first Sr. Juliet has to sell the old cow and she's either not getting the price she wants or they don't have the money or some other problem....should be soon tho'.

So, lots of projects upcoming and school starts next week - the kids won't actually arrive till the week after (or another week) so I'm not really ready but I'm working on it. Will have a teachers' meeting next week and I'm going to ask for more accountability and timliness!!! Also, will introduce the grant - we will be purchasing some new sewing machines and fixing up the shoe ones, but FIRST is the planning, research phase - that will be hard!!! And the bookkeeping teacher has to teach how to keep simple books. Everyone just wants to spend the money!!!! (so do I, but that's not how I wrote the proposal).

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and the weather cooperates!!! Life here is good - will be getting busier when school starts but it's been a nice break. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!!!

This should be short - since I blogged on Monday, but I want to get back to my weekend schedule. I'm up at RASD (Shari's site) and the internet is working great....I haven't been here in awhile - going well!!

I have been wondering if anyone could recommend (send?) a book about the effects of poverty on people's thought processes...esp. in undeveloped countries. I struggle to understand the lack of initiative and the difficulties getting things done when they seem like something so obvious, or the problem planning ahead! I read Nickeled and Dimed which was GOOD - and it talked about the brain chemistry a bit, but I wondered if there was something about Africa or Central America and poverty (send ideas to kathywesterman@hotmail.com or mail to Kathy Westerman P.O. Box 788, Mukono Uganda). THANKS.

On to the blog....lots of trips to Kampala this week which means I don't get much done here and sort of lose momentum! Tuesday it rained a lot in the a.m. CBR was very quiet - Moses and I had hoped to go see the babies back from the hospital but decided the roads would be too bad because of the heavy rain.

Sister Veronica had invited me to dinner at the convent - she was bringing four former PCVs who had been evacuated from Madagascar recently and were in Uganda staying w. a priest she knows. They were delightful! Three girls and one guy - and he's from Lakeville and a graduate of the U of M (and to Holly's surprise, also a registered dietician). Because of political unrest they were gathered and then had to go home suddenly - they were almost done but their stuff is still there and they didn't get to say goodbye's - really a bummer!!! Not a good way to go. We seldom hear much about Madagascar - they said Uganda is much more developed and LOTS more muzungus and Aid agencies.

Weds. Moses and I took three epilepsy clients to Butabika Hospital (the psychiatric hospital in Uganda) to get the baby pigs! Started late, (surprise?) but it was fun - pigs are small (2 mos), but look healthy! The hospital is BIG (1,000+ patients) but looked very nice and the people looked clean and healthy....the pigs are part of a project they are starting to help people w. mental illness get some income generated, but they are having a problem w. knowing how to follow up on distribution to see if they are cared for, so they are experimenting w. us!

Thursday the Madagascar Group was leaving and Sr. Vero sent me along as a "guide".....they wanted to go to the Bead for Life Village by Mukono and we got directions for Sula! I've wanted to go there and had the number on a scrap of paper! They have built 132 homes for women who have qualified and made enough beads and for long enough to be able to pay for them. Very nice brick homes with land for a garden by them! They also provide training in business practices and help them get started w. something else. It was odd having a village of just houses - very artifical...sort of like a suburb! We also went to the office in Kampala to learn more about their program...they have women make the beads, bring them in for approval and sale and then ship them to Boulder, CO for distribution (you can check them out at Beads for Life).

Dropped them off at the Annex Hotel and Shari was there!!! Small world. Then Sula and I went on to pick up signs for the truck and pick up Sr. Juliet. I got a call that one of the patients at CoRSU Hospital was ready to go home so we went out there and stopped in Mukono to get some more blocks for the driveway project - got back at 9 p.m.!

There are BIG problems w. the driveway the Holland girls are donating. The contractor (who seemed competent) told them the price using 3500 blocks, but it should have been 3500 sq. meters!!! The "correction" doubled the price - they were SO angry. Katrina argued w. him for an hour and he finally admitted his mistake and will pay himself to get the road to the gate but not do the connecting parts. He said his mother was sick and he was distracted!!! They really did well sticking to their guns - and Sister was right in there!

Shoe making is not progressing - Didas went home for a funeral (grandfather) and found lots of problems w. his home - it collapsed in the heavy rains in April - so he's still gone. Said he'll be back next week (I hope). Things just never seem to run smoothly - but at least we are moving sort of forward! Hope to get the pigs next week - but Fred has to convince our builder to come back and fix the gutters first (for no cost)....the water doesn't go into them - it just pours into the stalls!! Builder's mistake - we'll see if we are successful (Fred is local and not as forceful as Katrina)! No pigs till it's fixed! The cow shopping is waiting for Sr. Juliet to sell the old cow and she's been busy.....O.K. it has been over a month but I'm trying to be patient!

We have had a LOT of rain this week - mainly at night. Really bringing the "critters" into my house. Last nite I had a small snake (Shari insisted it was a big worm), and a giant slug, plus I heard cockroaches under the bed again.

This a.m. it was raining and I sat and read (re-reading Shell Seekers and really enjoying it - the main character is 64) - did some wash and cleaned - but was late for a meeting w. the Holland girls (actually I forgot - scary). They went over their project report. They did a GREAT job....they developed a form for screening the disabled kids' abilities and then created an afternoon program for them with the younger non-disabled children - movement group, creative group and games group - very nicely done! They made up a workbook for the OT to continue w. one of the boys who has been helping them. They are hard workers and really nice girls! They go home on Wednesday and we will all miss them a lot! Tomorrow they are taking everyone to the zoo in Entebbe!!! They rented a bus for 40 (and we'll take 60 plus wheelchairs). Really an event for the kids - they never see "African" animals and can't even identify them! Anyone seen the Disney movie "Earth"...sounds like it has some good animal stories?

Hope you all are well and enjoying Spring - can't believe it's mid-May. Was thinking about happy events to occupy my mind on the was home last nite - dark and quiet - and was remembering the 1999 State Baseball Tournament - so I can still remember some things - just not what I'm supposed to do today!

Hope you all had a Happy Mother's Day. I came to Kampala to have dinner w. my friend Maria and some other PCVs and now am at the PC office (again) hoping to complete the Small Project Assistance Grant forms and submit today (it's for some equipment for the vocational school). The committee meets on Thursday and I'll probably have to re-write (again),but am willing to do one more round. Lots of work (or at least a lot of thinking about working on it) for a small grant.

We have now been at site for 13 months - on the down side. Lots of COSers (Close of Service) people here today - fun to listen to them.

I was glad to get back to Nkokonjeru on Wednesday last week - hot, tired and dirty, but got a great bunch of mail - almost like Christmas!!! Did my laundry and went down to PH to check in!

Thursday was the Epilepsy Clinic - the nurses were having problems getting the meds. and didn't get there till 1:00 - lots of people waiting! But we were done by 4:00 - 60 people seen!

I wasn't at the last two - March was the eye clinic and April was Dr. Antonio's clinic so I felt a bit disorganized but it went well. Butabika Hospital has some piglets to give to clients so we took names and will go next Weds. w. four people to pick piglets up for them (and one for the kids at PH). We are requiring them to have 7,000 sh. to help defray the cost of transportation which limited the number who could go by this week, but also makes them have some investment in the process! Hopefully, we can get more another time! It was a project funded by people in the UK, but the original site they were supposed to go to isn't working out and the pigs are eating and multiplying!

The Holland Girls are having problems w. the driveway project - after the builder saying the estimate was complete (and he had letterhead!), and Sister J putting in 600,000 sh. for the increased price of stones, he said he's out of money about 1/2 way through! It's really sad, tho' it made me feel a little better w. my piggery issues! They are taking the kids (and me) to the zoo in Entebbe on Satuday for their parting gift....it's a long trip but should be fun. They are renting a bus! I'll miss them - they are really hard workers and great people!

Friday was a busy day and lots of learning....I started grumpy knowing it was a day to take peole to Kampala, assuming they'd be late and not feeling the best (I ate a whole small pineapple the night before - bad idea). One girl didn't show, but the other was on time!!! We dropped her off at CoRSU Hospital in Entebbe (she has a hunchback which requires surgery). On the way in I got a call from a Social Worker at CoRSU saying Justine (the girl w. leg surgery and osteomyletis) had been transferred to Mulago Hospital in Kampala because she was retaining fluids.....we were hoping to take her home that day!

On to Katelemwa Rehab center to pick up a wheel chair we took in weeks ago for repairs - it was ready (amazing) after many phone calls. Got a call from Sr. J - the mom or the two girls at Mulago called her and said they were discharged Thursday.

Sula (driver) and I stopped at Mulago then to see if they had left (they had) and to see Justine...what an experience! They had dropped her at the "Casualty Dept"...our ER...on Thursday afternoon and she was still there on Friday afternoon - the nurse thought she'd been moved to a ward....they just lost track of her! The ER ward was really amazing - big city stuff. A little boy died while we were there, and a man came in who'd been hit by a car dripping blood....a staff member was slopping some water on the blood on the floor and pushing it around w. a squeezie!!! Just big, busy and understaffed! Justine and her mom had no money, no phone (and no numbers) and hadn't eaten since Thursday! (you have to buy food there). They had given her Lasix and the swelling was down, but they wanted to do some liver and kidney tests - not sure what the outcome will be. I'll stop today and see how they are. We gave her some money to pay for the tests and food and left them there w. assurances they would be moved to a ward! After my grumpiness about the trip it was an eye opener that if we hadn't come that day they would have been very hungry!!! I felt so sorry for the mom - been at the hospital w. Justine for over 2 months! She looked haggard.

Sula said that we got quicker answers at the ER since I'm a muzungu and asked if he'd get better treatment if he went to America - had to admit, not unless he was wearing a suit and tie!!!

Long day - lots of other side trips - saw a lot of very sick people. Again, a lesson in gratefulness for all our good health.

Saturday Holly and I went to the 25th wedding anniversary celebration for Kinene (CBR volunteer)...Mass was supposed to be at 10 - started at 12 - lasted 3 hours - and then 2 1/2 hours of speeches - we ate at 5:30!!! TOO LONG!!!! Plus when we got back a shirt had been stolen from the clothes line on my veranda.....bummer. I think it's a couple of really dirty, skinny boys I see sometime in the compound. They took the blue t-shirt, but not the skirt - maybe they think they can wear it! Now I'm worrying about hanging out my laundry - darn!!!

Sunday a.m. got some calls - was up and started to review my grant stuff and realized I'd made an arithmetic error - good think I caught it!!! Got all the paperwork filled out I can - by hand, which I know will upset PC but it's impossible to do it by e-mail ( no internet at the bakery)....was getting upset again, but went to 8 a.m. Mass at the Chapel....I was spending most of the service "fussing in my head" about stuff, when at Communion time, one of our new residents, Edward (18) came crawling down the aisle to Communion. (the church has no ramps so they can't bring wheelchairs in). He's paralyzed below the waist, has damage to his optic nerve and has very poor vision and has never been to school. He didn't get picked up for the Holiday either. He was having a hard time w. his pants coming down as he crawled, but he was determined and smiled when he saw me! How can I complain? Every time I get down or bitter, I look at the kids at PH and their determination and cheerfullness and I feel pretty small!

So, life goes on - today in Kampala, tomorrow is CBR and I want to go out w. Moses to see the home of the two little girls who just got back from Mulago (Sr. Mulgawai from the hospital went Saturday and said there was no food at the home) - we will bring them in in 3 weeks to the hospial and weigh them - Barbara (the 2 year old) was 4.8 kg. when they were discharged (went in at 2.6), but I'm concerned about what will happen now!

Again, hope you all had a good Mother's Day. I'm excited that next year I'll be home for Mother's Day - still enjoying my time here, but I'm getting homesick!

Thanks again for all the thoughts, letters, prayers - they mean a lot!!!

I'm in Kampala for my PC mid-service physial and decided to update the blog in case I don't get it done this weekend...but have to do w/o my notes! The only big plans for the weeknd are to attend a 25th wedding anniversary Mass/party for Kinene, an outreach volunteer on Saturday. Also, I really want to force myself to update the grant I'm writing and get it to PC office next Monday - the next review date for Small Project Assistance Grants is 5/14....it's a small grant for some new equipment and materials for the vocational school and I'm not even sure it's appropriate for "small project" but will try - may have to re-write again - I'm not good at rejection tho'.

After last week's conference I went back to Nkokonjeu Friday a.m. and pretty much hibernated for a few hours! I really enjoy solitude after lots of social time. Went down to PH and we had visitors - one was the MP (Member of Paliament) from our district - really nice young man (39)who's only been in office a year. The other group was from Bake for Life in Holland....they were doing the bakery tour and breaking ground for the new bakery in Sorroti....really nice people! The made some whole wheat bread that was great. It is fun to come back - everyone seems so happy to see you!

Friday was a holiday - Ugandan Labor Day - Interesting statistics in the paper - 70% of Ugandans work for themselves in agriculture; 13% have their own business (mainly small shops), 11% are temporarily employed and only 6% have full time jobs!!! The unemployment rate is only 3.5% but that's because so many are shown as subsistance farmers. 50% of university graduates ae unemployed! 25% of the urban youth workforce is unemployed (scary). Of the employed 16% have no schooling, 63% have some primary, 13% have some secondary and 6% have further education. Lots of rural, unskilled labor. The really prized jobs are with the government because there are usually "perks".

Satuday I went to Mukono to get the mail - got the jackpot. We've had trouble with the new Postmaster - he's never there but won't give the guy who does work the keys so he can't get or sort the mail, so it backs up!! It's the "big man" syndrome so popular here - if you have the keys you're the big man!

Read a good book sent me by one of the UlK. Optical people - Wizard of the Nile by Matthew Greene about Joseph Kony and the long running (over 20 years) upheaval in no. Uganda....lots of political dealing and tribal rivalries involved. Am now reading Smilla's Sense of Snow - read it years ago, but I'm really enjoying it this time.

Sat. afternoon I finally took my bike out and went out to see Moses and see what's up and plan for this week. Having the bike at PH makes it more difficult to use because when I get it all the boys want to ride it! Moses took me to see a neighbor w. a malnourished 2 year old (the bush is full of them).....father apparently got the child back from the mom in bad shape(she'd had run away with the child) . Moses stopped to see a neighbor w. a cow (someone from his church) and we gave her some money to give the child a cup of milk a day for a month (about $.13 a day).....hope we see an improvement in a month!

Sunday was a slow day - was planning to work on the grant but one of the sisters had the key to the office in her room and they all were napping (and I was undermotivated)....so I brought down the coloring stuff and had a coloring day w. the little kids - it's been a long time!!! Fred and I met and finished planning the pig food sore - we have to add a % of fish, cotten seed cake, salt, premix and whatever to the wheat and maize bran we have. Now to get the pigs and then moniter the feeding ....lots of people say they have "good" pigs for sale, but I'm going to be picky!

Lots of PC volunteers still in Kampala - physicals, people leaving, some illnesses, one got robbed, the lounge w. the computers is always busy! My physical is progressing well - had to stay till today (Weds.) to get my Mantoux read - my blood pressure was 117/70!!! Test results won't be back for awhile (pap smear test goes to the the US!!). Dental exam was just a cleaning - no cavities, but also no X-rays. So, I'm O.K. for another year it appears!

Thanks to Gail for putting up the pictures...for some reason I started deleting pictures (editing) AFTER I wrote out the list w. labels and corresponding numbers, so it was a project!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms!!! Next year I'll be home for Mother's Day - doesn't that sound neat. One of the boys from our group was just in the lounge and is going home to Portland today for 3 weeks....has a stop in Mpls. I'm jealous, but my time will come

Thanks to all for your letters, and your thoughts and prayers.

Go Mallards!!! (Bert is still playing)....I miss baseball.

I got a CD with some more pictures today and have uploaded them to the flickr site. I'm working on getting some of the video Cork took while he was there uploaded but haven't had any luck yet. Who doesn't want to see crocodiles eating a dead hippo!?!?

-Gail