Jinja

I woke late to those coo coo cooing birds that I hear only in Jinja. Helen thinks they may be some kind of dove, but I haven’t been able to really get her to hear what I’m hearing so we’re not sure.

In so many ways today was like old home week, all rolled into one day. Moses appeared at The Nile Hotel a little after 9:00 am. This wiry little man is full of energy and purpose. I was happy to see him again. We made a quick plan for the day and then set off stopping first  at the new clinic that is being built in a village not far from Kagoma Gate. It was fun to watch the crew mixing cement and to see the work completed so far. It will be a useful building with lots of possibilities for growth. So far there will be several examination rooms and a large waiting area. A playground will be out in front for children passing time while others get seen to by doctors and nurses.

Kogoma Gate Village

Kagoma Gate was a sort of going home for me as it’s one of the first places I visited in Uganda. Children came running from everywhere and once we got out of the car, they grabbed our hands and shouted hellos. Almost immediately we taught a room filled with 83 girls. Phoebe was working her magic and I just stood by and smiled. I was by an open window and I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around I found Emma, our friend from forever, who had found bananas for us to give to the children at lunch along with their beans and porridge. Maureen arranged all this before we came and it worked out perfectly. The kids don’t usually get fruit, so this was a special treat for them and really fun for me to be able to help.

Phoebe teaching the MoonCatcher curriculum in Kogoma.

We taught a boys class and then went off to Bosoga School to see Kuddu, a little deaf boy with spina bifida who is the sponsor child of my friend Helen from back home in Scotia. He loved the gifts she sent and wrote in my notebook next to a picture he drew three years ago. He seemed surprised and thrilled to see his old drawing. We saw our friend Rose and her  three-year-old boy who had been an infant when I saw him last. Bosoga school has grown. The buildings have been restored and enlarged. There are new classrooms and a big new dormitory complete with yoga studio and sun deck. It’s so different from the small place we first saw many years ago. Lots of happy energetic children were running around smiling and laughing. Nelson the headmaster gave us a tour and showed us all the chess trophies that the students have won.

Kaddu

After dinner we sat with a group called Ring of Hope that help children who struggle with alcoholic parents. I had met one of the group at breakfast and after hearing what we do he asked if he could introduce us to the director of his program. We had such fun talking about their work and ours and laughing while I tried our MoonCatcher pad on in the dining room with other guests about. We will partner to get his girl students our kits and curriculum.

That’s it for today. I’m tired and have another full day tomorrow.