Ugandans have laws...they just don't always enforce them

I'm back!!! Due to power outages, internet problems, and just pure exhaustion I was not able to post for a couple of days.  A week into my trip, I have discovered a few things about Uganda. Like for example, there is a seat belt law, however, nobody wears one.  I have no idea if there are any laws around Boda Boda's (sm motorcycles), but I can't imagine that riding 4 or 5 deep is legal.  You just wouldn't believe some of the things we see on Boda Bodas.  However, not everybody can afford a taxi or Boda Boda.  The sides of the roads are packed with people all hours of the day.  It doesn't really matter what time they arrive, because everybody here is on Uganda time.  Also, Uganda is definitely not for the hearing impaired or impatient. Ugandans speak very quiet and very slow.  Literally, pull up a chair, it is going to be a while.

Every day we have been to at least one school or orphanage.  At one of the schools, I had a student tell me that his parents have to pay for transportation to and from school each day.  If they do not have the money than he has to walk.  It takes him 2 1/2 hours each way to walk.  The Head Teacher told us that when students walk the long distance to school, they are exhausted by the time they get there.  Then, it is important that they leave school early enough to walk home, so they are not walking in the dark. 

The orphanage visit was incredibly hard, but not for the reasons I thought it would be.  I imagined it was going to be the babies that broke my heart, but surprisingly it was the high school boys.  They were such sweet boys and they really took care of the younger kids at the orphanage.  I opened my bag of stuff to give them, and they just wanted something to fit.  I took one look at the shirts that "The Mountain" gave me, and thought there was no way they were going to be big enough.  They didn't care.  Three of the boys couldn't put the shirts on fast enough.  They told us it was okay that they were tight, because it showed off their muscles.  We left with a closing song and prayer. That was the beginning of the end for me.  Their voices so beautiful, so full of hope, with no knowledge that soon their orphanage, their home, may be closed due to funding.  It was tough stuff, and we still have two more next weekend.  We were going to do two in one day, but there has been a sudden change in plans.  The team has decided to go to Jinja (the source of the nile) on Friday for a big re-fuel before the weekend.  Then we will visit one on Saturday and one on Sunday.  I wonder if my uncontrollable tears had anything to do with the change to the itinerary?

The kids went running to greet Uncle Terry and Uncle Michael.  They remembered them from  the previous years.  This was one of the highlights of my trip so far.

Uncle Michael!!! 

103.7 The Mountain, donated these t-shirts for the kids in the orphanage.  These boys were thrilled with their new shirts.

Just so happy about his new undies

Each school has prepared a presentation to do for us when we arrive.

Little flirts at Mukono Town Muslim School

The corner by our guest house.  This picture shows both the Boda Bodas and Taxis.  The taxis are so stuffed full, I'm surprised they can even move.

Terry said it best, there is no shortage for bananas in Uganda

This was a booth from one of the schools showing how Sister Schools has helped them with their education.

One adorable village child

Too cute, but can't go to school because his parents can't afford the $30 a term.

The children were showing us how  they make books out of the supplies that Sister Schools gives them.

The kids make their own balls out for bags and string.  The other thing is a musical instrument. When played by somebody who knows what they are doing, it makes a beautiful sound.

This is a very typical store front in the town that we are staying in

It is so common to the the older kids helping out the littles

Today and Yesterday were still very rich, but much lighter days.  At Mukono Bording School we were the guests of honor at a collaborative event, put on by all of the schools who receive Sister Schools supplies. They had booths to show us how they are using the supplies.  The schools are incredibly grateful to Sister Schools and do an amazing job showing their gratitude.

80 to 100 kids per class

Today was the first day that I rode in the front seat of the taxi to the schools.  I wouldn't highly recommend it.  I'm just saying....the view is just fine from the back seat.  Have I already mentioned how many kids are in this country?  It is unbelievable.  Today I found myself completely overwhelmed. My senses are definitely on overload.   

This school has over 1000 kids.  Classes have anywhere from 80 to 100 kids in them.

Bishop East has around140 kids that have Special Needs.  Most of them are deaf.   Today, was their last day of school for the term.  They will be at home with their families for the next 3 weeks.

Thank you Trina for taking this picture!

He didn't cry, and I was oh so happy to be holding him.

And today in my bag of tricks....bubbles!
I blew the bubbles and Trina shot this photo.

I think my picture said it best yesterday "Water  Is Life"

Students

Classrooms

The children prepared an amazing performance for us today with dancing and drums.  Such talented kids!

Last day of school.  All packed and ready to go home.

I loved capturing Trina in her element.  Sister Schools is lucky to have her for their new Executive Director.

Everybody gets Porridge

My first day at the schools was overwhelmingly beautiful.  Well except for my rookie move of brushing my teeth with tap water.

Everybody at school gets Porridge, but not everybody gets to go to school.  This village child is peering into the classroom from the outside.

A P-1 Classroom

These children do not get to go to school, because this school requires that you buy your own uniform.   We played with them until they got shooed away from the schools principal. 

t

This little girl held on tight to her stuffed animal.

My co-volunteer Janet with the village kids.  I brought bubble gum.  Janet and I were trying to teach the kids how to blow a bubble.  What a hoot.

BALLOONS They are a hit with every child in every country. I wish I would have brought more.

The kids love seeing their picture.  I made quite a game of this later in the day.

They sang us in, they sang us out.  I cried both times.  Lutengo school will forever be imprinted on my heart.

No words can describe what it feels like to be greeted in such a beautiful way.

Sex education is clearly very important in Uganda.

Everybody gets porridge.

Lunch time

 Kids that can afford it get to eat things like Matoke, a type of mashed plantain, lucky them.

The kids all patiently waited for their cup of porridge

We went and introduced ourselves in each classroom.  This little girl is in P1

I was so excited to hold this little boy.  He started screaming when I picked him up.  Who is this white monster and why is she holding me.

One of the teachers at Kiswala school.  Fiona...Just loved her.

Kiswala had a great source for water.

Fiona kept putting little girls in my lap to take home with me.  These two 4 year olds killed me with cuteness.

Playing the picture game.  They absolutely loved it.

The girls sleeping quarters at one of the schools. Girls of all ages sleep 3 high on these bunks. Over 100 girls sleep in this area.  Can you imagine?

A wall built at Mukono school to keep kids from being stolen out of the school.  This was a Sister Schools  project that was mostly funded by Harbor Point Middle School.

No explanation needed

Resource Center built by Sister Schools.  My kids school Fernwood Elementary were part of this funding.

The Resource Center started out as a big container and then turned into a magical learning environment.

Today Terry said to me, the true test of weather you can handle this or not is if you can eat the lunch they feed us at every stop.  He was not kidding.  The Ugandans love to pile it on and lets just say, you don't go to Uganda for the food.  

We made it!

After a 9hr flight to London, a 8hr stay in the airport, and another 8hr flight, all I can say is "holy swollen ankles".  They seriously look like a bad case of elephantiasis, and, my straps from my shoes are like little tourniquets on my feet. Also, due to the humidity, I some what resemble Ronnald McDonnald today.  Now you should have a pretty good picture what I look like.  I will pass on describing to you what I smell like today.

As we pulled away from the airport in two different vehicles, the first thing we saw were a couple of camels on the side of the road.  It was kind of the "Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore" feeling.
We drove through several towns on the way before eventually reaching Beatrice's Guest House in Mukono.  Her guest house is beautiful.  We all feel very safe and well taken care of here.

You wouldn't believe how many people are here.  I was just in shock as we drove through towns, and as you can imagine, there are not a lot of elderly here.  Most people get Malaria that live in Africa and it tends to take a toll on the body after several years of having it. I was told that the life expectancy of a Ugandan is 42 years old.  I will look for the AARP office tomorrow and see if I can't get any senior citizen discounts while I'm here.

Day 1 observations were; Ugandan's dress very nice.  Women all wearing dresses or skirts and men with suit pants and button up shirts. Nobody wears shorts.  They drive little motorcycles called Boda/Bodas and use them as we would a taxi.  It was not unusual to see a woman riding on the back of the bike, sitting side saddle, and holding on to her baby. aaaahhhhh When it rains here, which it does a lot, it doesn't mess around. Today I saw my first Ugandan thunder storm.  It was actually very cool.  It lasted about 30min and then it was done.  It is like the sky doing a great big sneeze.

Tomorrow....Our first school visit.

Checked In

Packing

Packing for this trip has been unlike any other trip I have prepared for.  You would think that the items I need would be simple to find.  Well, not so much.  It turns out that several of the stores do not have battery operated fans, due to the fact that they are not in season yet.  Also on my list, crispy $100 bills, because apparently they don't like old bills in Uganda.  Easy right? Wrong.  The banks only get crisp bills in for the holidays.

Back to packing I go.  On my list is 1 pair of underwear.  My friends gave me a pair from Exoffico that states I only need one for 6 weeks.  I will let you know how that turns out.