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.

Day 2 - Luggage & Kids

A large 2-storey school is in the final stages of construction adjacent to the pool of BV.  It's strange to see a building towering next door.  Overall, there has been considerable development in this neighbourhood just in the past year.

Impressive new school beside Banana Village

We received notification from the airport that our luggage did come in on the Brussels Air flight last night, and Davis is kind enough to get one of his co-workers to pick it up at the airport.  It arrives just in time, as Jackie pulls up with a rented van and about 10 of our kids.  Banana Village is rather empty today, so Jemima has kindly arranged to put the kids up in guest huts rather than the large dorm building.

Sarah with an EnviroThreads sachel which Nadine had sent last year

Shatra

Sasha is adorable in her braids

We have brought 4 soccer balls which the kids are thrilled to receive.  Davis and Joshua had commented last year on Moses' advanced skills in football, and Jackie has by now enrolled him with a team, so he is getting some actual coaching, although he needs to travel 6 km each way for practices.  Everyone gets changed into swimming costumes.  The kids enjoy Jenga games that we have brought.

Charlotte is very focused

Crash!

It's wonderful to see how comfortable the children are now with swimming, compared to the first year when we had to work hard to coax some of them into the water.  Ian's sponsor, Mindy, sent along an entire box of figurines and the kids spend a good hour trying to work out how to get them all assembled.

miss Charlotte models her swim costume

Cutie in a moment of contemplation

Hassan has a lovely smile

Jovan

Saleh looking cool

Charlotte & Sasha work on assemblies

Brenda is first to complete her figurine

The remainder of our Kulikayo group arrive in dribs and drabs over the course of the day.  Olivia, Gloria, Daniel and Jovan have come from Kampala.  Shakira had a very long journey.  Rose, the former nurse at Bright Kids, is now doing community nursing in Nakaseke, which is on the other side of Kampala.  Shakira has been spending her school break being nanny to Rose's children, Angel & Anthony, so she had probably 5 or 6 hours of transport via van buses and motorcycle taxis to reach BV.  Hasifa had a meeting at school which held her up until late afternoon.

Susan arranging snacks

Hassan works on his Jenga skills

Olivia looking beautiful

Marjorie being cool

Daniel staying cool

Shakira arrives to hugs as Shatra looks on

school construction overlooks the pool

Charlotte

Hasifa

Moses

Sarah with her sponsor

dinner time

the kids try their hands at Twister

Late afternoon in Uganda corresponds with morning in Canada, and we're very happy to have many of our children enjoy video chats with their sponsors.  Shakira in particular, has a very long exchange with Paul and Mary Ellen in Nanaimo.

Joshua and the BV staff do a great job serving BBQ chicken, chips, rice & vegetables to our crew, topped off with a small tub of ice cream.  We then retire to the conference centre, where we are treated to viewing a couple of Jackson's music video productions before watching the feature film, "Up".

Day 1 - relaxation

Despite being dog tired and falling asleep quickly, I awaken early to the cries of roosters and song from some of the myriad Ugandan birds.  On my way to the "internet cafe", I am amused by the monkeys who seem more populous this year and take over the Banana Village trees and lawns every morning and evening.

Joshua greets us in the dining hall and we recall with pleasure the BV omelets.  Their coffee actually isn't too bad this morning, and Sue enjoys some African tea.  Jackie arrives just after breakfast, but unfortunately we are unable to be productive sorting goods and toys brought for the kids with our bags still in transit.  Davis picks us all up and transports us to Victoria Mall in Entebbe where I get a sim card and we indulge in some KFC.  After picking up water, some Bailey's (improves the coffee 100%) and a few other items, it's apparent that my cell phone connection still is not active.

We return to the Airtel office and have a bit of an ordeal wherein the helpful employee again completes my full application, including a headshot, thumbprint scan and photo of the entry stamp on my passport.  All the information is sent to Airtel head office with the expectation the sim card will be activated within 5 minutes.  After 3 attempts, the girl reaches someone at head office who states I was rejected because the stamp on my passport slightly overlapped a previous stamp!  We complete another full application in Sue's name, which fortunately passes muster.  At least the cost is reasonable:  38,000 shillings (about $15 CAD) buys us the sim card, 9GB of data over 30 days, and the government tax of 6,000 shillings/month for using social media (?).

We note the road construction between BV and Entebbe has been mostly completed, and the addition of functioning traffic lights is a complete novelty!

traffic lights!

After that, we have some down time poolside before heading out to Malakai Eco Lodge, a 25 minute drive away towards Kampala.  This is a very swank resort with water features, LED lighting illuminating paths through lush greenery, fancy 2-story cottages for rent, and an expansive dining hall.  We explore some of our ideas for getting a Kulikayo school up and running, while waiting almost 2 hours for our pizza orders to arrive!  Jackie discovers the potency of a Long Island Iced Tea while the rest of us chuckle.

Sue & Jackie

Malakai lodge restaurant

January 2020 - A Whole New Decade!

Jan. 19, 2020 - tight connections

As we plan our (now annual) trip to Uganda this year, it becomes apparent that Susan & I will be the only travelers from the Kulikayo group of friends and supporters. This will give the adventure a different flavour. Flight options quickly disappear or become terribly expensive by mid-autumn, so we settle on Brussels Air itinerary with stops in Montreal & Brussels, leaving later in January than would be our wish.

Ontario gets a fair bit of snow on January 18, but the 19th proves to be pretty clear, so we are not so concerned about the tight connection time of 1h 40 min in Montreal. By the time we arrive at Pearson, our flight shows a delay of 20 mins with most of the other Montreal flights on the board showing delays also. After getting a bite to eat and arriving very early at the gate, we see the flight now shows 1h 20 m delayed. Fortunately, we speak with an Air Canada agent at the gate who very helpfully puts us on standby for the 1500h flight which is now just starting to board at 1730. We are the last 2 standbys called for the full flight, and have to quickly hustle to the gate in Montreal to catch the Brussels flight, realizing the chances of our checked bags accompanying us is very slim.

Happily, the flights are smooth but sleep does not come easily. I reflect on how far this journey has taken us and the amazing love and support from our friends in Uganda, our fantastic friends and family in Canada, and the many terrific people we have connected with along the way.

The agent in the lost luggage office in Entebbe confirms that our checked bags are still in Canada. Brussels air does not fly to Entebbe the next day, so we realize with some dread that it will be at least 48h before we see our luggage. Thankfully, Sue had the foresight to insist we pack one change of clothes and a bathing suit in our carry-ons plus a couple of single-use toothbrushes.

Joshua, a favourite employee from Banana Village (BV), has now started his own transport company, and he picks us up in a van borrowed from his brother. We arrive tired but happy at BV. Thankfully, there is no chanting from the cult to keep us up tonight.