Week 38 (8 – 14 Apr 2007)
Easter Sunday started with a service that was not much different from usual. The visiting preacher was one of the students from the Uganda Christian University (UCU) that the students beat at football yesterday! I completed my last stint as Teacher on Duty by sitting in the staffroom in a cool breeze with very few interruptions. Being half way through the term, the afternoon was designated “Visiting Day” for parents to see their children. I got the task of writing a welcome notice and times with a reminder “Please do bring boiled food for your children to eat later” on a chalk board. John was a little surprised when I asked for coloured chalk and then started ruling faint lines (with a ruler) before drafting the words and spacing on the board. I got the impression that he expected me just to write and a normal person would with no planning. But I was pleased with result and I think he was too. I’m not a perfectionist, but I like things to be done well. I slept in the afternoon while Andrea went on duty. Or rather, she took her knitting and sat near where the parents and students were sitting and was joined by a group of girls and they had a pleasant chat for a couple of hours. Jeremy (a boy) also joined them having been taught by one of the girls who had attended previous knitting sessions. It may seem obvious that Jeremy is a boy, but another student is ill at present. Her name is Kevin. During the early evening one the guardians joined us for tea at our house. David Akello has sponsored a girl, who was formerly his home help, thorough primary school and is now in Senior 1. He told us some amazing stories of his time as a missionary with the Karamajong, a very remote tribe in north-west Uganda with similar customs to the Masai of Kenya. He trained as a teacher but thought it was too hard. Now he works for KOA in conflict resolution and peacemaking in areas such as Moyo with boarders with Sudan.
We had intended to have a quiet Easter Monday morning but even before we were dressed there was a knock at the door. One of our neighbours, Lillian, was unwell and needed to go to the hospital. After waiting for an hour, we found out that as there was no power at the hospital they were collecting the blood samples until there were enough to make it worthwhile turning the generator on. So we returned home only to get a call at about 1pm that the test had been completed and Lillian and Ronald needed a lift back – but due to the time factor I went the shorter, and much rougher, road. Lillian has malaria and bilharzias. Not nice. Even though we were very tired (and hot) we still decided to go to the Goat Roast at the Asikis. It was worth going to meet up with some of our new friends, including the Bishop and some folk who have been in Arua for less time than us. We’re not the newcomers any more! And the goat was recognisable but very tasty – it had been roasted whole for about 4 hours. Everyone brought a dish so there was a mixture of local and western food from a number of countries. We were especially glad to see Sherry. And not just because she brought the four flavours of ice cream!
Perhaps Tuesday will be a quieter day. The water level has dropped considerably – hence the restrictions of power at the hospital – but it has made it more difficult to get water from the pump by our house so the students use it more vigorously (and noisier) for longer periods. Bit of a pain really. Talking of pain. While doing one of my chores this morning (washing the undies) I moved one of the water containers and hurt my back. Not enough for any sympathy but painful when I sit in one position or try to move. I slept for a while this afternoon but had great difficulty getting off the bed again. So I don’t think I’ll be up early tomorrow. The school debates were due to start yesterday and I found out that I was put down as a judge today – I declined the invitation as I couldn’t have sat for 2hrs, even if the temperature had dropped a little. I’ve been put down to be the chairperson at another session but have no idea what that involves. I still have great difficulty hearing what the students say when they speak at these sorts of occasions, let alone understanding their “arguments”. We’ll see what happens.
I’ve no idea what happened on Wednesday – probably spent the time tidying the house in preparation for the influx of visitors tomorrow.
Thursday was an exciting day for us! After teaching for Periods 1 & 2 we set off for town and the airport to meet the 9.30am flight (which arrived at 11am!) and greeted the Bishop on his arrival from Kampala via Gulu. Laura, Matt and Lisa also arrived and were introduced to Bishop Joel. It was great to see them after waiting for what seems to be a long time – it’s hard to believe that they’ve actually arrived. Understandably, they’re a bit weary and meeting so many new people is very tiring. Our neighbours came to greet and welcome them to Ushindi and made them feel very welcome. Laura is an Arsenal supporter which pleased Ronald and fortunately Lisa is a Man U supporter so Victor is happy too!. We did little other than chat and show them around briefly. The logistics of the eating and sleeping arrangements were as much as we could manage.
I cooked breakfast on Friday morning! What’s more, Lisa and Matt even ate the porridge. Laura has more sense and made her own toast. Andrea was teaching early and left us to it. We didn’t attempt to do too much today to allow Laura, Lisa and Matt to recover from the rafting and their journey. On the other hand, we may have gone into town for lunch and to visit the market. But the senility has set in again and I can’t remember. No doubt I will be corrected in due course when one of the participants reminds me. That’s if any of them get around to reading this! There was the usual assembly in the afternoon and it was a pleasure to introduce Laura and friends to the school. Each spoke briefly to say what they were doing.
On Saturday we didn’t do much in the morning but in the afternoon the others walked to Kuluva Hospital while I went into town to buy paint for the school hall. We met at the hospital football ground where we watched Ushindi loose 1-3 to another school. It was rumoured that the opposition had imported some ringers. Matt was due to take devotions in the evening but as the students were late back from Kuluva it was cancelled – or at least it didn’t happen.
We had intended to have a quiet Easter Monday morning but even before we were dressed there was a knock at the door. One of our neighbours, Lillian, was unwell and needed to go to the hospital. After waiting for an hour, we found out that as there was no power at the hospital they were collecting the blood samples until there were enough to make it worthwhile turning the generator on. So we returned home only to get a call at about 1pm that the test had been completed and Lillian and Ronald needed a lift back – but due to the time factor I went the shorter, and much rougher, road. Lillian has malaria and bilharzias. Not nice. Even though we were very tired (and hot) we still decided to go to the Goat Roast at the Asikis. It was worth going to meet up with some of our new friends, including the Bishop and some folk who have been in Arua for less time than us. We’re not the newcomers any more! And the goat was recognisable but very tasty – it had been roasted whole for about 4 hours. Everyone brought a dish so there was a mixture of local and western food from a number of countries. We were especially glad to see Sherry. And not just because she brought the four flavours of ice cream!
Perhaps Tuesday will be a quieter day. The water level has dropped considerably – hence the restrictions of power at the hospital – but it has made it more difficult to get water from the pump by our house so the students use it more vigorously (and noisier) for longer periods. Bit of a pain really. Talking of pain. While doing one of my chores this morning (washing the undies) I moved one of the water containers and hurt my back. Not enough for any sympathy but painful when I sit in one position or try to move. I slept for a while this afternoon but had great difficulty getting off the bed again. So I don’t think I’ll be up early tomorrow. The school debates were due to start yesterday and I found out that I was put down as a judge today – I declined the invitation as I couldn’t have sat for 2hrs, even if the temperature had dropped a little. I’ve been put down to be the chairperson at another session but have no idea what that involves. I still have great difficulty hearing what the students say when they speak at these sorts of occasions, let alone understanding their “arguments”. We’ll see what happens.
I’ve no idea what happened on Wednesday – probably spent the time tidying the house in preparation for the influx of visitors tomorrow.
Thursday was an exciting day for us! After teaching for Periods 1 & 2 we set off for town and the airport to meet the 9.30am flight (which arrived at 11am!) and greeted the Bishop on his arrival from Kampala via Gulu. Laura, Matt and Lisa also arrived and were introduced to Bishop Joel. It was great to see them after waiting for what seems to be a long time – it’s hard to believe that they’ve actually arrived. Understandably, they’re a bit weary and meeting so many new people is very tiring. Our neighbours came to greet and welcome them to Ushindi and made them feel very welcome. Laura is an Arsenal supporter which pleased Ronald and fortunately Lisa is a Man U supporter so Victor is happy too!. We did little other than chat and show them around briefly. The logistics of the eating and sleeping arrangements were as much as we could manage.
I cooked breakfast on Friday morning! What’s more, Lisa and Matt even ate the porridge. Laura has more sense and made her own toast. Andrea was teaching early and left us to it. We didn’t attempt to do too much today to allow Laura, Lisa and Matt to recover from the rafting and their journey. On the other hand, we may have gone into town for lunch and to visit the market. But the senility has set in again and I can’t remember. No doubt I will be corrected in due course when one of the participants reminds me. That’s if any of them get around to reading this! There was the usual assembly in the afternoon and it was a pleasure to introduce Laura and friends to the school. Each spoke briefly to say what they were doing.
On Saturday we didn’t do much in the morning but in the afternoon the others walked to Kuluva Hospital while I went into town to buy paint for the school hall. We met at the hospital football ground where we watched Ushindi loose 1-3 to another school. It was rumoured that the opposition had imported some ringers. Matt was due to take devotions in the evening but as the students were late back from Kuluva it was cancelled – or at least it didn’t happen.
posted by J & A McAdam at 9:45 PM
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