Day 6 - smile on the Nile

Davis has advised we'd better depart early for Jinja to avoid the worst of the Kampala traffic, so the alarm is set for 5:30 and we stumble to the BV parking lot.  Uganda seems to have no Tim Horton's or Starbucks, so I have to suffer the journey to Kampala without a caffeine fix.  Fortunately, the new multi-lane bypass makes the kilometers fly by, and the convenience store attached to the gas station where Davis refuels does offer some semblance of North American coffee.

We pick up Jackie who directs us to her very nice home, where we connect with Hasifa, Jonathan & Abe.  We have the pleasure of meeting Jackie's younger brother, then pick up Jonathan and depart for Jinja.  We've promised some of the kids we would try to stop enroute at their school, Homelands, which is located in Lugazi.  We had mentioned we were kind of hungry, so Davis pulls in to a restaurant stop which is VERY north American looking, offering wood-fired pizza and other goodies.  We are impressed, but actually hankering for Rolex's (low maintenance folks that we are), so we get away with a pee stop and a couple of sodas.

This rest stop would not be out of place in Canada or the USA

give me a rolex any day

Lugazi Homelands school is Jackie's alma mater, and we are very impressed by the physical attributes and the professionalism of the teachers and administrators whom we encounter.  Brenda appears just inside the gates, and we wish her happy birthday.  We're also glad to connect with Hassan and Sarah who accompany us on our tour of the facility.  There is no swimming pool, but overall we're very impressed with the school itself.  It certainly is located in a quiet, pastoral setting amid tea & sugar plantations in this part of the country.

Brenda shows off her leadership top

Hassan shows me around one of the classrooms

Sarah says she needs a black sweater or sweatshirt for morning classes, as she rises at 3:30 am some days to complete chores (scrubbing the dorm floors, tidying up) then starting classes by 5 am.  We had sent a black hoodie, but they are not allowed to wear tops with a hood, we learn.

Hassan, Sue, Brenda & Sarah

Alan, Jackie, Hassan, Sue, Brenda, Sarah & Jonathan in front

In Jinja we visit Jackie's in-laws and drop off Jonathan who attends day school there.  Jackie's partner died young of sickle cell disease, and relations with her in-laws have been strained at times, but they share a mutual desire to see the best for Jonathan.

Sue and I have booked a room at "The Source of the Smile" hotel in Jinja, which proves to be very comfortable.  Unfortunately, they do not offer accommodation for guides/drivers (which a lot of resorts do).  We have booked a last minute sunset cruise on the Nile, but first we check out accommodation for Davis in central Jinja, which proves not to be satisfactory.  He does, however get a couple of leads on alternative arrangements.

We find the base camp for the cruise with a bit of difficulty and are unsuccessful in negotiating a discounted rate because we are the only 4 passengers on the double deck pontoon boat departing that evening!  The cruise itself is very peaceful and scenic, and the food & beverages included are quite satisfactory.  We feel quite spoiled.

think you'd get me up on that bungi platform... not a chance!

enjoying a Nile on the Nile (served with a smile)

the fishermen keep busy

some of the American kids awaiting us have been in Uganda half their lives

Davis is counting the lifejackets as we march to our vessel

Afterwards, we return to Jinja, and accompany Davis while he spends about 90 minutes securing accommodation for tonight and tomorrow.  He feels badly about our wait, and we feel badly for his trouble.

Next, it's off to Jinja's current hot spot nightclub (according to Jackie) which is practically abandoned on a Monday night.  Our food and drink orders take forever to arrive, and we remind ourselves, TIA (this is Africa, as per our friends, Wayne & Marina).

We arrive back to our beds quite exhausted.

Day 5 - Rainshowers

We awaken to the sound of thunder, and face moderately heavy rain as we trudge off to breakfast.  The deluge, fortunately, eases off by mid-morning.  Jackie has kids to deliver to schools, so she rushes off early.

Rose heads out to attend a family luncheon celebrating the university graduation of her brother.  We are most concerned, but she doesn't seem daunted in the least by crowding herself and the kids onto a boda for the journey.  Most of the adults we know have 1 or 2 boda drivers whom they trust to be very careful, and they will call them rather than take a chance on anyone passing by offering a lift.  I am torn by fears of the possible outcomes and the understanding that such risks are necessitated by the rampant poverty and limited infrastructure.

Anthony

Joel's workers strap his cooking oven on a boda

Angel

a beautiful family

the boda driver really seems to care for Rose's family

we wave them off, fingers crossed

Maggie's phone has a broken screen, and she is happy to take Sue's old phone which we have brought along from Canada.  It will need to be unlocked, but we have been reassured that someone in Uganda can do that for her at a reasonable cost.  We have a great visit with her and Ian while awaiting arrival of her boda driver.  Very sad to see them all leave.

I can't believe how exhausted we both are, and Sue and I lay down for a couple of hours nap but awaken to sunny skies and warmer temperatures.  We settle up with Jemima for the cost of our stay and meals, and head to the pool for one last dip and dinner.  Baker requests a photo of the 3 of us, then melts our hearts by presenting a painting he has created and a letter expressing his gratitude for our friendship and the chance to have a meal with us the previous night.  We have met SO many genuine, warm, beautiful souls on our visits to this country.

We retire early, anticipating our 6 am start on tomorrow's journey to Jinja.

Day 4 - Friends old & new

Saturday starts off quiet.  Sue and I venture out for another walk in the neighbourhood, this time down to Sky Beach - a rather posh area which fronts on to a bay off Lake Victoria.  Some of the locals are very happy to pose for photos, and we pass an enterprising vendor reminiscent of the ice cream trucks back home.  He is a young lad on a bicycle with large plastic canister attached, and a small megaphone sending a musical summons to the adjoining yards.  Kids come running, and he doles out some shaved ice with flavouring (similar to snow cones back home).  Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of that curiosity.  We wonder where in heck he sources the ice, as we had a terrible time doing so in our previous visit.

sign announcing the BV party

a cow on the path to sky beach

one of the locals insists I get a photo of his pooch

We pass many, many children carrying jerry cans down towards the water, hauling it back to their homes in the intense heat.  This must be a daunting daily chore.  The grand estate homes at Sky Beach are all walled like fortresses, and appear quite out of place in this neighbourhood.  Jemima at Banana Village has organized a talent show with music, dancing, and comedic acts on the expansive lawn adjacent to the swimming pool.  There are dozens of chairs set up, and we pray that she gets the crowd which she anticipates.

bit of a phallic bloom on a plantain tree

we wonder how often these kids have to make the trip to haul water

a new fortress under construction on Sky Beach

Across the lawn from our cottage, some fellows are setting up a couple of grills to produce meat on skewers for the talent show attendees.  We wander over to check it out and we're amazed to recognize Joel, the former BV employee with whom we were very friendly.  He now cooks and sells the skewers as his business, and says he's doing quite well.

our old buddy Joel

meat on a stick - eat your heart out, Dan Fran!

Jackie arrives and settles in to her accommodation, then we are thrilled to greet Rose, who has made a 5 hour journey by motorcycle and van taxis with her 2 young kids.  She appears very well, and is obviously enjoying the challenges of her new job, which involves travel to remote hospitals in her district to monitor compliance with follow-up of newborns and new moms.

Anthony & Angel

Jackie enjoys some Anthony cuddles

 Angel, now 3 1/2, is as bright and beautiful as always.  She quickly warms to us again, much to Sue's delight.  Anthony is just over a year old and is inquisitive and busy.   Despite the weather turning cool-ish, we head to the pool.  I take Angel in for dips - she is originally wary but becomes braver as time goes by.  Meanwhile, Jackie continues her swimming practice and lessons.  BV has a new 20-yr old pool attendant by the name of Batte Baker, with whom we have become very friendly.  He gave assistance to many of our kids over the previous 2 days, and today coaches Jackie.

Jackie looks on while I help Angel enjoy the pool

Sue in her element

Baker gives Jackie some tips

everyone needs ice cream after a dip in the pool

Meanwhile, we are treated to views of dance and acrobatic acts, all to loudly broadcast recorded music.  This is followed by an animated pair of comedians who do a great job of engaging the audience.

BV gets quite a good turnout to their even

some visiting kids come to join us at the pool

the acrobat/dance troup pose with Jemima and VIPs for photos

the comedians are entertaining, even to those of us who don't understand Lugandan

There is a large religious group having a meeting in the dining hall, so we are served dinner in the smaller conference room.  Maggie, the former Bright Kids' social worker, arrives just in time for dinner with her son, Ian, who will turn 4 in April.  You may recall that Ian was previously terrified of us (someone had told him that mzungus will eat small children), and we are very happy to discover that he is no longer afraid.  Maggie has been raising pigs while still putting out resumes for social work jobs.

Baker from the pool has joined us for dinner at our invitation, and Joshua and Nelson (another BV employee) sit down after dinner to share some drinks and stories.  We are lucky enough to connect with our daughter, Sarah, by video chat, and everyone gushes over our sweet grandkids, Ellie & Jack.

Baker

By the time the conversation turns to religion, we realize it is probably time for bed, but we can't help sharing one last beverage with Jackie on our hut doorstep while she opens up about some of her family of origin hardships.  We all retire to bed very tired.

Day 3: Monkey Pee & other adventures

Some of the younger kids are up by 7:30, watching the monkeys frolic from the steps of their hut.  Fortunately, they have taken our advice not to chase the primates, for fear of being bitten.  The adolescents sleep in, and arrive only 15 minutes late for the 9am breakfast, still a bit bleary-eyed.  We distribute photos from last year and letters from the sponsors as well as some gifts and clothing brought from Canada.

Abe & Daniel review some photos

the kids cannot resist playing with the BV statues

the boys' table at breakfast

After a group photo, everyone gets back into swim costumes despite the cooler temperatures, and we spend a fun morning poolside.  The kids create some artwork and letters to their sponsors while Jackie and I drive to Entebbe to pick up KFC buckets and fries (the kids' favourite - but this is more KFC than Sue and I have had in the past year!).  Jackie and I have a health-related talk with the older kids regarding sexual health and precautions/pitfalls.  It's a sensitive subject, since there is a lot of cultural bias against the use of contraception and condoms, but the younger generation is starting to come around, and we want our children to feel comfortable coming to Jackie for advice, information, or other assistance.

group photos are always a fun challenge

Sasha works on some art for her sponsor, Helen Buffee

Sarah & Shakira - it's wonderful to see the love between these kids

Brenda, Gloria, Marjorie & Sandra enjoy Ludo (similar to Sorry!)

Jonathan looks for artistic inspiration

Walking back to our hut, some of us are sprinkled with a sunshower.  We look up at the tree branch overhead to see a monkey urinating.  Such are the hazards of spending time in Africa!

Since we have arrived late in January, some of the older kids will be headed back to school in the next couple of days, so there are some very heartfelt good-byes as the kids are loaded into Jackie's overcrowded van.

Susan and I enjoy some quiet time then walk down the road a couple of km. towards the BKU dorms.  We exchange friendly greetings with a number of the locals, but Alan is roundly chastised by some man for taking a photo of a brightly coloured rooster standing on a pile of dirt.  You can't please everyone, I guess!

one of the many newer neighbourhood homes

cute friends requested a photo

overall, the Ugandan people are very happy

infamous rooster photo

After a pleasant meal by the pool, we retire early to bed, quite exhausted.