Friday we awaken to overcast skies and cool temperatures,
and we fear our planned pool day with the kids my be spoiled. Davis arrives with a minibus and we pick up
some pop and other supplies for the kids at the mall. By the time we make our first stop to pick up
Sandra & Marjorie, the weather is back to sunny & warm. Altogether, we have 17 kids on board heading
into Banana Village by early afternoon.
These include Sandra, Marjorie, Shakirah, Jonathan, Abraham, Hasifa,
Sarah, Hassan, Moses, Cutie, Shaturah, Saleh, Charlotte, Maurice, Solomon,
Jackson & Brenda.
Jackie & Nick jump off in Kabona (the little village
outside Banana Village) to order fresh-cooked Rolexes (egg & veggies cooked
& rolled in a chapati), then walk the short distance to deliver them, still
hot, to the eager kids who by now have checked into their dorm rooms and
settled poolside in their bathing costumes.
We’re amazed and very pleased to see how comfortable our kids have
become in the water now. Jackson is a
strong swimmer, and Shakirah is also very comfortable. All the older girls practice their strokes at
the shallow end, and the younger kids frolic in the kiddy pool. Solomon and Charlotte stay in the water until
their teeth are chattering and they’re well waterlogged.
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| Marjorie & Sarah tend to Alicia's hairstyle |
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| Solomon |
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| Jonathan |
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| Charlotte |
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| Sue engages in deep discussion with Jemimah, owner of BV |
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| Shaturah |
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| Solomon |
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| Saleh in his new jacket |
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| Moses |
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| Marjorie fixes Sandra's hair for dinner |
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| Shaturah & Hasifa |
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| Hassan |
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| Maurice |
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| Cutie & Hassan |
Joshua & the BV kitchen staff have prepared a delicious
feast of roasted chicken, rice, potatoes, sauce, pineapple, tomatoes, and a
veggie dish including ocra. The kids are
delighted with everything except the veggies, and everyone’s tummy is full by
the time we retire to the small conference room. The kids seem totally engrossed in the second
Harry Potter movie, and the only sound to be heard is the munching of popcorn.
Saturday morning we all enjoy a warm breakfast of omelets
and sausages, following which, Alan submits all the kids to vision
screening. Hassan is discovered to be
significantly nearsighted, and a couple of the others have milder deficiency of
distant vision, so Jackie promises to take those three to an eye clinic. After some lawn gymnastics, the kids persuade
us to delay Davis’ pick-up in favour of another dip in the pool.
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| The boys await the girls' arrival for breakfast |
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| re-energized for some crazy frolicking on the BV lawn |
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| Abraham looking pensive |
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| Cutie |
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| Alicia does some spotting |
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| Jackson |
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| Nick joins in on a football match |
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| Saleh back in the water |
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| getting more comfortable in the big pool |
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| Saleh |
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| Brenda gives Charlotte a ride |
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| Solomon |
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| Sue's idea of bringing a Jenga game turns out to be brilliant |
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| Alexandrai enjoys a sucker |
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| Davis' neice, Maria, also joins for the zoo visit |
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| Sarah works to mesmerize young Alexandria |
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| Charlotte |
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| Abraham |
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| Hasifa |
Davis has brought along his young daughter, Alexandria, with whom
Sarah quickly bonds. The two are
inseparable for the remainder of the day.
The drive to the zoo takes us by some elegant new hotels and malls in
Entebbe. A kind guide provides
information about the animals including chimpanzees, baboons, elephant,
giraffes, zebras, hyenas, buffaloes, parrots, cheetahs, crocodiles, otters,
snakes, and, of course, lions. We decide
to shell out 5,000 shillings for each of the younger children to romp in the
zoo playground, and they burn off tons of energy on the swings, climbing
apparatus, slides, trampoline, and bouncy slide. Nick advises us of his decision to sponsor
young Hassan, who is overjoyed to the point of tears. It’s incredibly endearing to know how this
generous action will transform this boy’s life.
Rose and Maggie arrive to join us with Angel and Ian in tow. Sue & Alicia fight over who will be
privileged to hold dear baby Anthony.
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| our invasion force unloads at the zoo |
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| Shaturah checks out the donation box |
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| all those crazy animal bones |
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| it seems strange to see a camel in such a lush environment |
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| looking for lions |
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| Sandra |
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| Marjorie |
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| the girls hang out in the shade |
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| Solomon |
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| nurse Rose |
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| beautiful Angel |
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| Alicia temporarily wins the battle for baby Anthony |
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| Jackie & Rose |
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| Sarah & Alexandria |
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| Hassan is overjoyed to have Nick as his sponsor |
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| Angel |
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| Moses doing backflips |
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| Saleh |
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| Hassan & Nick |
Next we stop at Victoria Mall and retire to the lower level
with buckets of chicken, boxes of fries and some large sodas. The kids enjoy their first elevator ride!
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| feasting at Victoria Mall |
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| bittersweet final hugs |
With heavy hearts we hug and say our last good-byes to each
of these beautiful children as they board the bus. True to form, Charlotte has given up her
stubborn reticence over the course of our visit and once again attached herself
to Dr. Alan, and she happily rides on his lap for the short drive to BV where
the Canadians are dropped off, blowing kisses and waving farewell as the bus
departs to return the children to their homes.
We spend many hours debriefing over beers, Bailey’s and
chips. This has once again been a
tremendously emotional and satisfying visit.
Joshua insists he will meet us at the dining hall at 6:30 the next
morning to prepare breakfast before our early start to our safari excursion.
