This week I have been involved in visiting various schools in the surrounding area for the ongoing health assessment. The majority of schools have children boarding as so many of them have to travel huge distances. The school day starts at 6.30am and doesn't finish till around 4.30pm!! Despite the long day, all the children and young people I met are extremely friendly and seem very committed to gaining an education. As one headmaster said to me "A father will often sell his last cow if it will provide education for his child". What a lot we take for granted in the UK!
As one drives along the very rough dirt tracks, one passes scores of children walking sometimes miles to and from school. No one thinks anything of walking 10 miles with a baby on their back to access basic health care. At home (UK) I have had parents reluctant to take the trouble to catch a 5 minute bus to their local child health clinic!
On Sunday I was invited to preach at "All Saints" Bushenyi during the 8am English speaking service. (My Ankole isn't sufficiently fluent as yet!)
This was quite a challenge as I had brought no commentaries with me other than my bible but with God's help, spoke on "Jesus the light of the world" and how we, regardless of where we are from, need to be light and salt in the world. In the afternoon I was invited to attend the confirmation service for the children from Bweranyangi Primary School, presided over by the Bishop Yona of West Ankole diocese. Approximately 80 young people were confirmed and the service also involved dedicating all the Year 7 children (top primary) who were about to undertake their final exams prior to secondary school. Following the service (2+ hours) I was invited to join other guests for a celebration meal at the school. Once the meal was over, the music started and I went across to some of the children and suggested dancing. At first they were shy but within minutes we were "bopping" away as if we had known each other for a lifetime. I think of all the experiences and people that I have met, it will be the children who will remain with me forever.
Tomorrow I'm of to Lake Mburu National Park for a few days where I will endeavour to complete my report for the bishop. Then back to Bushenyi for a day before returning to Mukono Christian University in Kampala prior to flight home.
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Daphne on safari
What a wonderful day on Saturday! Geoffrey, one of the drivers for the West Ankole Diocese and I set off at 5am before the sun was up from Bushenyi and took the road west toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. We were no sooner in the vicinity than Geoffrey pulled over to the side of the road and said "Look! lion!". There in the long grass was a lioness and as I endeavored to steady my camera, she stood and I realised that it was not just one lion but two lionesses with cubs. Within minutes another shape ambled out of the early morning light and it was a male complete with a full mane. We noticed that they had perhaps the previous day made a kill of a buffalo and were obviously staying within the vicinity to have what remained. Within minutes, a hyena crossed in front of our vehicle and approached the carcass but realising that the lions were still there kept its' distance.
I could spend the rest of this update listing the animals which I was fortunate to see these included lots of elephant, hippos, buffalo and amazing bird life along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Albert and Edward.
On Monday I enjoyed a wonderful day at a local primary school who will be twinning or linking with Christ Church School in Hanham. The children were delightful and made me so very welcome. I spent the time speaking with the children, recording their songs and taking lots of photographs which I will be sharing with Christ Church children on my return.
My days have been very full as I continue collecting peoples' views and information toward the health assessment and my final report. Please continue to pray for me. I am so grateful for the experience which I know will remain with me for ever. May God bless you as he continues to bless me.
Daphne:)
I could spend the rest of this update listing the animals which I was fortunate to see these included lots of elephant, hippos, buffalo and amazing bird life along the Kazinga Channel which links Lakes Albert and Edward.
On Monday I enjoyed a wonderful day at a local primary school who will be twinning or linking with Christ Church School in Hanham. The children were delightful and made me so very welcome. I spent the time speaking with the children, recording their songs and taking lots of photographs which I will be sharing with Christ Church children on my return.
My days have been very full as I continue collecting peoples' views and information toward the health assessment and my final report. Please continue to pray for me. I am so grateful for the experience which I know will remain with me for ever. May God bless you as he continues to bless me.
Daphne:)
Friday 16 October 2009
Uganda update
Despite intermittent internet access due to rainy season and subsequent power cuts, life continues to fascinate and thrill!
This week having met with Bishop Yona Katoneene, I started visiting various outlying villages and met with people to conduct the health needs assessment. Thanks to having the excellent digital recorder loaned to me by Chris, I have been able to conduct some semi structured interviews with the assistance of an interpreter (unfortunately I'm not sufficiently fluent in Ankole!!!)
Everyone I have spoken with have made me feel extremely welcome and despite having so little in material goods are anxious to share what they have with me.
Yesterday I visited two hospitals and was made aware of how busy they were. Beds are crowded in the rooms and in the Children's Ward, some were having to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The majority of the children are suffering from malaria and one little girl of about 3 years was having a cannula (needle into vein for a drip) inserted as I arrived. She was obviously upset and crying despite her mother trying to comfort her. Fortunately the strange appearance of an old white woman (Musunga) speaking and smiling at her seemed to distract sufficiently. A visit to the maternity wing was also extremely interesting and I had the great pleasure of being introduced to twin girls who had been born just 1/2 an hour before our arrival.
Tomorrow, Saturday I'm off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The intention is to leave at about 5am as then we will have a good chance of seeing lions!!!
God Bless,
Daphne
This week having met with Bishop Yona Katoneene, I started visiting various outlying villages and met with people to conduct the health needs assessment. Thanks to having the excellent digital recorder loaned to me by Chris, I have been able to conduct some semi structured interviews with the assistance of an interpreter (unfortunately I'm not sufficiently fluent in Ankole!!!)
Everyone I have spoken with have made me feel extremely welcome and despite having so little in material goods are anxious to share what they have with me.
Yesterday I visited two hospitals and was made aware of how busy they were. Beds are crowded in the rooms and in the Children's Ward, some were having to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The majority of the children are suffering from malaria and one little girl of about 3 years was having a cannula (needle into vein for a drip) inserted as I arrived. She was obviously upset and crying despite her mother trying to comfort her. Fortunately the strange appearance of an old white woman (Musunga) speaking and smiling at her seemed to distract sufficiently. A visit to the maternity wing was also extremely interesting and I had the great pleasure of being introduced to twin girls who had been born just 1/2 an hour before our arrival.
Tomorrow, Saturday I'm off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The intention is to leave at about 5am as then we will have a good chance of seeing lions!!!
God Bless,
Daphne
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Update from Daphne
Apologies for the long silence but being the wet season there has been a number of power cuts and therefore no net connection. I arrived here in West Ankole last Wednesday having crossed the Equator en route. I'm afraid I did the "touristy" thing and had a photo taken with my feet in each hemisphere.
Received a very warm welcome from those at the Mothers' Union Centre which is my home for the next three weeks. On Independence Day (Friday) I met Edidah Mary (MU Provincial President) who took me to visit her home in the village. This involved a long drive on a very bumpy dirt road through a number of villages and banana plantations. We eventually arrived high in the mountains to the north of Bushyeni with spectacular views. It was good to renew our acquaintance as we had met in June when she was in the UK and I collected her from Swindon station and took her to her hosts near Malmesbury.
On Sunday I attended the English service in Bushenyi. Needless to say the singing was wonderfully uplifting, amazing harmonies and everyone so joyful. I was asked to give an address and although I was totally unprepared, God as usual came to the rescue and found some words to say which appeared to be appreciated. In the afternoon I was invited to join a prayer meeting at the local prison. This was a truly humbling experience as we were met by at least 100 Christian prisoners sitting on the floor of the 3 sided building about a further 100 were standing outside.
The meeting consisted of wonderful singing of gospel songs accompanied by a single drummer. I was asked again to speak and with the help of an interpreter was led to speak on Psalm 139. Having never expected to give unprepared addresses before this was indeed a learning experience which I will not forget.
Yesterday I met with Bishop Yona who sends his Christian greetings to everyone in Bristol and after a rather slow start I think I will now be starting to do what I had come to do....Well hopefully!! I'm certainly learning to slow down to Africa time!!
God bless,
Daphne
Received a very warm welcome from those at the Mothers' Union Centre which is my home for the next three weeks. On Independence Day (Friday) I met Edidah Mary (MU Provincial President) who took me to visit her home in the village. This involved a long drive on a very bumpy dirt road through a number of villages and banana plantations. We eventually arrived high in the mountains to the north of Bushyeni with spectacular views. It was good to renew our acquaintance as we had met in June when she was in the UK and I collected her from Swindon station and took her to her hosts near Malmesbury.
On Sunday I attended the English service in Bushenyi. Needless to say the singing was wonderfully uplifting, amazing harmonies and everyone so joyful. I was asked to give an address and although I was totally unprepared, God as usual came to the rescue and found some words to say which appeared to be appreciated. In the afternoon I was invited to join a prayer meeting at the local prison. This was a truly humbling experience as we were met by at least 100 Christian prisoners sitting on the floor of the 3 sided building about a further 100 were standing outside.
The meeting consisted of wonderful singing of gospel songs accompanied by a single drummer. I was asked again to speak and with the help of an interpreter was led to speak on Psalm 139. Having never expected to give unprepared addresses before this was indeed a learning experience which I will not forget.
Yesterday I met with Bishop Yona who sends his Christian greetings to everyone in Bristol and after a rather slow start I think I will now be starting to do what I had come to do....Well hopefully!! I'm certainly learning to slow down to Africa time!!
God bless,
Daphne
Saturday 10 October 2009
Ki Kali or Hello! from Daphne's Ugandan Trip
Ki Kali or Hello!
What an amazing day! Arrived safely this morning to glorious sunshine and was met by a Patrick the driver from Mukono Christian University. Once he had helped me to exchange money and buy a local SIM card we set off, but not before we had prayed for our journey and thanked God for my safe arrival. We passed throught Entebbe and Kampala, including some shanty towns on the outskirts where many refugees from the north of the country have settled to avoid the troubles with the "Lord's Resistance Army".
Met at the university guest house by charming housekeeper, Rebecca who made me feel extremely welcome. There is also an Australian couple staying who have been spending a year in the country teaching at a local school and the husband advising on maintainance at the university. They then introduced me to a delightful elderly Bishop from the North of Uganda (Bishop Tim). They are helping him to write his memoirs of the time when many of his fellow bishops including Archbishop Luwum, were killed by the Amin regime. He excaped to Kenya where he lived in exile for a number of years.
I have also spoken to a number of very interesting people at the university, including the administator for the "Safer Motherhood" program.
Then this evening some hymn singing by William, a school teacher, visiting the Australians. He played the "Thumb piano" an amazing local instument with quite an evocative sound, especially as he continued playing as he left us. I could hear the sound fading into the night as he made his way across the surrounding lawn.
So a very tired, but delightfully happy and blessed English Lay Minister is on her way to bed. Must remember to tuck the mossie net under the blanket!
Much love and God bless,
Daphne
What an amazing day! Arrived safely this morning to glorious sunshine and was met by a Patrick the driver from Mukono Christian University. Once he had helped me to exchange money and buy a local SIM card we set off, but not before we had prayed for our journey and thanked God for my safe arrival. We passed throught Entebbe and Kampala, including some shanty towns on the outskirts where many refugees from the north of the country have settled to avoid the troubles with the "Lord's Resistance Army".
Met at the university guest house by charming housekeeper, Rebecca who made me feel extremely welcome. There is also an Australian couple staying who have been spending a year in the country teaching at a local school and the husband advising on maintainance at the university. They then introduced me to a delightful elderly Bishop from the North of Uganda (Bishop Tim). They are helping him to write his memoirs of the time when many of his fellow bishops including Archbishop Luwum, were killed by the Amin regime. He excaped to Kenya where he lived in exile for a number of years.
I have also spoken to a number of very interesting people at the university, including the administator for the "Safer Motherhood" program.
Then this evening some hymn singing by William, a school teacher, visiting the Australians. He played the "Thumb piano" an amazing local instument with quite an evocative sound, especially as he continued playing as he left us. I could hear the sound fading into the night as he made his way across the surrounding lawn.
So a very tired, but delightfully happy and blessed English Lay Minister is on her way to bed. Must remember to tuck the mossie net under the blanket!
Much love and God bless,
Daphne
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