I want to tell you about Samuel, Sissy & Shelter from the rain......
I taught Samuel 2 years ago at St Matthews. I don't see him much now just a quick 'hello' when we pass in the corridor. But last week Samuel came up to me before school began and gave me three pots. Samuel unbeknown to me had been saving his coppers and 5ps for me to use in Uganda. I was overwhelmed and promised to take the money with me to Uganda and tell him how I used it. I've told you how everyday, everyday without fail, the children at the school we've been working at have a maize/porridge meal. Well not today!! Today on our way we bought melons, pineapple and bananas with Samuels exchanged coppers and 5ps. After their porridge today the children lined up and ate fruit! They loved it - I have pictures to prove they loved it! Samuel you are a star! When you see Mr Garnham, please pat him on the back, hug him, tell him that today, because he bothered to do something, he made the world of difference in the day of many, many disadvantaged African children. Priceless.
Today, I joined those that got water to mix the cement for the building work. This involved trekking down a hill to a water hole at the bottom where water collects, filling containers and bringing it up again. We are often joined by local children who can't afford to be in school. Today they helped as we gathered water. These children are so resourceful - I love my pictures of them carrying the water up the hill for us. As John collected water there was a girl from a home nearby watching. Charles, our driver, was pitching in with the work and was able to translate for John as he asked why she wasn't at school. Sissy's story is that her father died and her mother couldn't afford to look after her so sent her to live with her grandmother in her mud hut by the school. Her grandmother gets by by digging up root vegetables. These people have nothing. Just like Samuel had given me his pennies, John had been given money by a friend. He used it today. Today he went back to Sissy's 'home' and met her grandmother and offered to pay for her schooling for the next year. This will cost.....wait for it..... about thirty five pounds a term! That little girls life is about to change, is about to have hope, because somebody bothered to do something.
After the introduction of the football kit yesterady a 'match' was organised today. This was Uganda (again looking like Witnesham Wasps!) V UK. In true African style (I'm learning to be chilled with it!) we didn't quite understand where this was happening or when...... It happened late afternoon and we all, the entire school, followed the team to a field. I walked hand in hand with Grace. We walked through trees where there were scattered about, primitive brick buildings and huts, homes. It struck me that it reminded me of Centre Parks and how odd it is that we, for our relaxation and leisure, attempt to recreate this primitive setting - only we don't, not like I saw today. The match was fun. The UK did good!! But we weren't far into it when there were rumbles of thunder and suddenly the heavens opened! It was a good 10 minute walk back to the school but hand in unfamiliar hand we hurried, past the homes we'd seen earlier. These children are amazing, not one moaned or cried or asked for any help, they simply kept going. As the rain became torrential I stopped under a tree with the group around me. We heard calls of 'come, come'. We were being offered shelter in a small brick building, someones home. We ran! I stood inside a room, as small as my hall as home, with ten African children around me, and my own daughter holding Moses who couldn't walk as quickly as the others. The mother cleared a space for us and then continued making her basket whilst her own children stared at the unusual sight. The room was so very dark, the floor was so very hard and the conditions so very cramped. I thought of my lovely home, my beautiful lounge and my comfortable furniture and I was glad that it was raining, because I knew the children wouldn't realise that it wasn't rain running down my cheeks......
Tough stuff today. But in the diversity that is life, tonight I have sat in the hostel bar, with my fantastic children and this wonderful group of fellow volunteers, I've laughed a lot, drunk red wine and listened to Sim play his guitar. I'm loving my African Adventure. Thanks for 'travelling' with me. xx
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Yesterday.....
It seems that sometimes in Africa there is electricity and sometimes there is none - yesterday there was none....so no blog! Here's what happened for us yesterday.....
It wasn't the birds that woke me, it was the dogs!!! But regardless, another day and we headed back to the school for more building work. Our two mimi buses took different routes, the one I was travelling, was going to stop off for some more trowels to lay bricks with. As we left 'Red Chilli' we turned left the other mini bus turned right. The houses and homes that line the roads and are everywhere you look resemble farm outbuildings at best, dilapidated sheds as worst. However, having turned left this morning we suddenly were staring at not sheds or huts but grand buildings with high gates and guards. It was an uncomfortable contrast that these two extremes stood almost literally side by side, at the end, literally not metaphorically, at the end of each others street. What a land of contrast. We called at a supermarket which would match any in the UK and were told this is where the rich shop. I chatted to Rob about this leter in the and explained to him that I was trying not to be judgemental but questioned how some could live with so much right next to those that have so little? We wondered how much we are guilty of it in other ways within our own country, within our own culture. The difference here is that there is no mixing of the rich and poor - in the UK the divide is less defined? For these families living in mud huts, in shanty towns there is no way out. What Rob and Possibilites are striving to do and are acheiving, is to bring hope, to make a difference.
At the school we moved bricks again. One brick at a time, along a conveyor belt of humans! It was all about the throwing and catching (good job we have two PE teachers here for guidance!). So many lessons to be learnt in that one task, a mountain of bricks was moved one brick at a time, by working together and keeping our eye on the task in hand - you can work out the analogy for yourself!
African organisiation is frustrating!! There were times today when the list makers and task oriented amongst us (you know who they are!) wanted to take charge and come up with a plan! But we (yes, I'm one of them!) are learnign to adopt African timings, Africam thinking, and African planning....on going!
For lunch we were prepared Kasava & Stew - it was a little grim, but when faced with the 'porridge' dish that the children have day in and day out, we were grateful. After lunch as the children played I was able to give the Headmaster a football kit that Sally at work had given me - Witnesham Wasps old kit! They were thrilled and immediately many of the boys donned the yellow and black shirts and began playing. Just as had happened the day beforem even though we'd worked hard in the hot sun the lads amongst us found new energy when a football came out. Jack was in his element!! I have pistures of Uganda, looking like Witnesham Wasps V England! Priceless. At one moment to day I stood back and watched Zoe sitting on a wall surrounded by African children, playing with them and making them laugh and behind the wall Jack playing football with more African chilren. They were both doing what they do so well. At that moment I was immensely proud of my children and so grateful to God for them.
And finally last night we expereienced an African Cultural show! I tasted food I didn't recognise which was delicious. I smelt the interesting fusion of cooked banana, beef, rice & beans. I heard the sound of African drums, voices that sang from the soul and instruments I'd never seen before. And I saw dancers moving in vibrant colours. What a treat for the senses!!
Today has raised many questions but the one most on my mind at the end of that day was 'How do African women manage to make their bottoms move like that?!?!' I'm gonna practice!!
Well that was yesterday and today has been another day......after some food I'll tell you about it......
It wasn't the birds that woke me, it was the dogs!!! But regardless, another day and we headed back to the school for more building work. Our two mimi buses took different routes, the one I was travelling, was going to stop off for some more trowels to lay bricks with. As we left 'Red Chilli' we turned left the other mini bus turned right. The houses and homes that line the roads and are everywhere you look resemble farm outbuildings at best, dilapidated sheds as worst. However, having turned left this morning we suddenly were staring at not sheds or huts but grand buildings with high gates and guards. It was an uncomfortable contrast that these two extremes stood almost literally side by side, at the end, literally not metaphorically, at the end of each others street. What a land of contrast. We called at a supermarket which would match any in the UK and were told this is where the rich shop. I chatted to Rob about this leter in the and explained to him that I was trying not to be judgemental but questioned how some could live with so much right next to those that have so little? We wondered how much we are guilty of it in other ways within our own country, within our own culture. The difference here is that there is no mixing of the rich and poor - in the UK the divide is less defined? For these families living in mud huts, in shanty towns there is no way out. What Rob and Possibilites are striving to do and are acheiving, is to bring hope, to make a difference.
At the school we moved bricks again. One brick at a time, along a conveyor belt of humans! It was all about the throwing and catching (good job we have two PE teachers here for guidance!). So many lessons to be learnt in that one task, a mountain of bricks was moved one brick at a time, by working together and keeping our eye on the task in hand - you can work out the analogy for yourself!
African organisiation is frustrating!! There were times today when the list makers and task oriented amongst us (you know who they are!) wanted to take charge and come up with a plan! But we (yes, I'm one of them!) are learnign to adopt African timings, Africam thinking, and African planning....on going!
For lunch we were prepared Kasava & Stew - it was a little grim, but when faced with the 'porridge' dish that the children have day in and day out, we were grateful. After lunch as the children played I was able to give the Headmaster a football kit that Sally at work had given me - Witnesham Wasps old kit! They were thrilled and immediately many of the boys donned the yellow and black shirts and began playing. Just as had happened the day beforem even though we'd worked hard in the hot sun the lads amongst us found new energy when a football came out. Jack was in his element!! I have pistures of Uganda, looking like Witnesham Wasps V England! Priceless. At one moment to day I stood back and watched Zoe sitting on a wall surrounded by African children, playing with them and making them laugh and behind the wall Jack playing football with more African chilren. They were both doing what they do so well. At that moment I was immensely proud of my children and so grateful to God for them.
And finally last night we expereienced an African Cultural show! I tasted food I didn't recognise which was delicious. I smelt the interesting fusion of cooked banana, beef, rice & beans. I heard the sound of African drums, voices that sang from the soul and instruments I'd never seen before. And I saw dancers moving in vibrant colours. What a treat for the senses!!
Today has raised many questions but the one most on my mind at the end of that day was 'How do African women manage to make their bottoms move like that?!?!' I'm gonna practice!!
Well that was yesterday and today has been another day......after some food I'll tell you about it......
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