Monkeys on the run

Scott and Carly awaken to the sounds of the children chasing monkeys on the BV grounds.  The adults put a stop to it and engage them in a safer activity involving a soccer ball.  Breakfast is enjoyed by the kids, although it is uncharacteristically disorganized by BV standards.

Susan attempts to organize breakfast

The swimming pools are a stronger attraction to the kids than the soccer ball, so we give in and allow them another swimming session while Alan and Scott set up for a photo shoot.  The children mostly prove to be enthusiastic models as we obtain individual and family portraits.

portrait sessions

the Kulikayo group

Saleh in his hoodie

Cutie

Finally come the sad farewells as this group of beautiful and talented children climb into the van with Jackie and Majid, and Davis takes them away.  There is a very touching moment when Charlotte leans out of the van window to take Alan's face in both her hands and tells him she will miss him.

huge Solomon smile

farewell hugs

Saleh needs one last hug

Alan and Susan walk over to Bright Kids and deliver some soothers to Rose, in the hopes that George will get some comfort from them.  She is feeding him a mixture of mashed potato and nutritional supplement as they leave and walk to Victoria's house to wish her happy birthday.  She proudly shows off the new mattresses, blankets, sheets and other supplies purchased with the Kulikayo donation.  Arnold is thrilled to receive the photograph that Alicia has sent him, and Justine likewise receives a photograph of herself.  Victoria is given printed photos of other BKU kids from our last visit.

Janet holds matron's baby while Ivan cuddles a suspicious Angel

Arnold shows off his photo

Victoria & Sue show off the goods bought with Kulikayo donations

Junior admires Arnold's photo

hugs for Justine

Carly and Scott walk to the BKU dorms while Alan & Sue retire for a nap.  They donate a soccer ball but are disappointed to see there are only a few children on the grounds.  Fortunately, they meet many more BKU kids on the road back to Victoria's house.  They stop to check in on George and Rose before going to offer their birthday wishes to the matriarch.

Harry arrives at BV in the later afternoon and settles into his room adjoining Sue & Alan.  He is a grizzled elderly American man with a big heart who is a friend of Jackie's and who befriended Carly during her internship in Uganda.

We enjoy chatting with him while waiting for Davis.  We have arranged dinner at Garetti's, an Entebbe restaurant located on the sandy shore of Lake Victoria.  Davis delivers us just at the time of night which features the lake fly invasion.  These insects gather as dense funnel clouds over the lake surface, and will come to shore during a 15 to 30 minute period during the evenings.  They do not bite, but it's mildly annoying to have the insects bumping into one's head and ankles while we settle into our table.

tribal drummers at Garetti's

dancers join in

Scott joins in to give the dancers some lessons

We order a number of pizzas and enjoy the performers who enact traditional Ugandan tribal dances for over an hour.  Everyone is tired as we land back at BV, and we retire early.