Smiles & Tears part 2

After a short ride we arrive at Sofia's house.  We are happy to learn that the children live in the same neighbourhood and see each other often.

Sofia is mom to Shatura (10), Saleh (8), Charlotte (6), and Sasha (2). The limited space and poverty of the other families still has not prepared us for what we find when we enter Sofia's home.

There is barely space for the seven of us and Sofia to visit in her single room dwelling.  Sofia has rolled up their mattresses to make room, but we can still see the condition of them and her need for replacements. She borrows a mat for us to sit down on the concrete floor, and with no power we struggle to take notes.

we gather outside Sofia's entrance

mattresses have been rolled to make room for guests

we have very tight quarters for meeting

Sofia explains to us that she has a small vegetable stand not too far from home.  It is not enough to make ends meet, and she expresses that a storefront with expanded inventory could improve her situation. However,  when we ask her if she has any other ideas she lights up when shares with us that she is interested in having a mobile money stand.

Mobile money is the most common means of exchanging currency in Uganda.  While it seems strange that in a third world country almost everyone has a cell phone,  it becomes more understandable when we learn that you can use them to send and receive money.  One can go to a mobile money stand, give cash to the attendant,  and then he/she sends a code to the receivers cell phone.  The receiver can then go to any mobile money stand in the country,  provide the code, and receive their cash from the attendant. Every little village has several such vendors, some of them attached to retail stores, some in a dedicated kiosk, and others on their own with simply a folding table and umbrella.

mobile money stand (centre)

Sofia has previous experience working at someone else's mobile money stand and feels that this is a career she would most like to pursue, which would provide  much greater monthly income. Jackie agrees to take on the task of more in depth research into the idea and we start getting ready to leave.

We go back outside to find the young girls in utter glee playing with their new dolls from their sponsors.  We decide to end Saleh's torture by telling him that yes, the bike on the roof of the van belongs to him. He is also reserved but this time we are a bit more prepared.

Our driver, Abraham, is kind enough to give Saleh a quick riding lesson and explain to him about the bike lock in Lugandan.  We are grateful not only for the translation, but also that he was willing to perform what would likely have been Saleh's father's duty if only he were around.

Abraham gives instruction

the side yard is a rough training ground for a new rider

Watching Shatura's interest in the bike is both surprising and delightful. It is clear that she can't wait for her turn to ride. This is very uncommon in Uganda as another cultural difference is that here, women do not ride bikes. When asked,  she expresses interest in having her own bike and we are impressed.  Girl power!

What happened in the next moment was a welcome relief from the emotional visit we just had.  There is a sudden commotion and out of nowhere Moses and Cutie come bombing up the driveway on their new bikes like 2 bats out of Hell, smiles the size of the African sun. They were surprised when coming to show off their new toys to Saleh and Shatura to find that Saleh also had one and they could go riding together.

As usual in the Ugandan villages, the local kids come to have a look at the exotic mzungus. We hand out sweeties (candies) and Carly does her tribal affluent dancing to delight of the kids.  They shriek hysterically.

Everyone is amazed when Cutie and Moses pull up

Dan helps Shatura take a spin

Sofia - one very strong lady - and her great kids

After some family photos, we depart and make our way through the more affluent part of Kampala to Speke Hotel for Susan's birthday dinner.

They rush us around the security entrance at the hotel because we are interrupting a movie shoot.  Susan quickly learns that there is a Ugandan Sambuca called Zappa that comes in 3 different colours - green, red, and blue.  Alan decides that since it's her birthday, she should try them all. We are asked nicely a couple of times to keep it down by the film crew.

We have a lovely dinner, breaking only a few times to check the score of the Uganda / Ghana football match. We may have been overtaken buy the crowd had Uganda won.

With our bellies full we venture back to Joggies for a well earned sleep.

Sula bulungi - good night.