Food shopping and the dorms

Tuesday was scheduled to be our day to visit 3 of the homes of children we support.  However, being uncertain whether or not the suitcases with supplies for these homes would arrive by midnight the previous night, and having to book the driver in advance, we made the decision early to postpone the home visits until Wednesday.

We have once again agreed to channel some of our Kulikayo funds to support the children of Bright Kids, and we discuss with Victoria how best to use these resources.  A big portion of it goes to help sponsor Daniel, a very bright 8 year old boy who suffers with some anger issues probably resulting from his trauma history.  Victoria has identified an urgent need for new mattresses, blankets and covers for many of the children.  In addition, some of the kids heading off to boarding school require a metal case to store all their supplies.  After some discussion, we agree to fund these needs.

Scott can't believe how baby Praise has grown

Susan has spent a great deal of time gathering, sorting, and assigning the clothing and supplies we have brought, and she once again sorts through the five suitcases containing supplies to ensure everyone is properly covered.  We bring two large suitcases of the supplies to the Bright Kids van and drop them off on our way to go shopping.

sorting...

Once again, Carly and Scott have decided to personally donate food supplies to Bright Kids.  Shopping list in hand, we head out to the local marketplace in the BKU van.  Our first stop is for potatoes, but we are dumbfounded to get a price quote which seems far out of line for Ugandan pricing, so we move on to our next stop for the dry goods (rice, ground nuts, poshu, etc.).  Things go much better there, but Alan has no luck finding an appropriate men's shirt or shorts in the local shops.  He does manage, however, to find appropriate replacements for his medications which, fortunately, do not require a doctor's prescription in this country.  This should help keep him going until his luggage arrives.

Janet, a very nice recently-hired BKU employee, accompanies us and has brought along Angel, the daughter of nurse Rose who is just a toddler and very leary of mzungus.  We all try to get her to warm up to us, and Scott wins the title of "baby whisperer" by getting Angel to let him hold her hand.

Angel is a little more relaxed in her Mom's clinic room

Hoping not to have to travel too far away, we stop once again at the vegetable stand in "Kabona" (the local small village) and discuss the pricing.  Either the shopkeeper realized she would lose the sale by standing firm on mzungu pricing, or there was some miscommunication when we originally approached her, because now the price quoted is much more in line with what we expected.  The huge bag of "Irish" (as they're known in Uganda) is far too heavy for the van, so Carly pays and we leave, with promises the goods will be delivered later in the day.

With that accomplished, it's time for some poolside cooling and relaxation.  Carly enjoys frolicking with some young Ugandan girls and helps enhance their confidence in the water.

Sue and Alan take a stroll to the dormitories.  It's amazing how much building and development is proceeding on the properties they pass.  They get a bit lost without Bosch as a guide, but finally get there in time to catch the young kids just rising from their afternoon naps.  It's a bit strange but nice to see the kids sitting so quietly at first, but they soon shake off the cobwebs and start engaging in more raucous play.

New BKU kid

Daniel works on his percussion skills

Jovan is as beautiful as ever

They are pleased to meet with Daniel and Olivia, who were not there for the KFC party.  They chat with Maggie and, satisfied that the kids are doing very well, make their way back to BV.

Sandra (R) with two new BKU kids

Sarah

Olivia is growing to be a fine young woman

Everyone is peckish, having missed lunch, and we head off to Kabona for a cool drink and a rolex.  Once again, electricity has been out most of the day, so only lukewarm beers are available, but the rolex's are just as hot and tasty as we remember.

Kabona kids pose for the photo

Angel looks warily at the mzungus

Yo! Dan! Got Rolex.