Day 3 Update from Theresa and Sara in Uganda

Day 3 Update from Theresa and Sara in Uganda ... 

Today was a good day so far even though it’s only 2:00. We did not need to be at Sydney Paul until 11:00 so we had a chance to “sleep in” if that is possible in Uganda. The rooster was not aware of our lax schedule and still began crowing (inches from our window) at around 5:15 am. I understand that Joe and Kathy’s rooster crows every morning at 3:00 am for no reason so I’m thankful they are down the road. After a great Ugandan breakfast of banana and bread with Nutella, Sara went off to hang out with a bunch of the kids in the village and Greg worked on testing the water from the bore hole. Elaine and I got to have a great meeting with David where we could talk in person which is so much nicer than trying to do everything by email. 

Then we piled into Joe’s car and he drove us to Sydney Paul where both Sara and Greg taught their lessons for almost 2 hours. We all have a new appreciation for teachers – it’s exhausting. Sara taught about Skyscrapers and life as a teenager in the US. The kids all had great questions and it was great because Susan and Wilbur were in the class. We have made arrangements to take Susan out to dinner on Monday so I am so excited. We bumped into Rose who injured her leg so on the way back we added  one more person into Joe’s packed car so she could be seen at the clinic. We just had lunch of rice, potatoes and pasta (oh the carbs) and will be heading back to Sydney Paul to watch the students debate. 

Then we are off to another school, St. Bernard’s, where our scholar Mary attends. Last night we had some big action in Ddegeya – right before dinner there was word that a camel was up on the road. Everyone went running and yup, there was a camel. For 2,000 shillings you could ride the camel. There is a UAlbany MPH student here named Darryl and he rode the camel to everyone’s delight. They came right down to the clinic and walked around the grounds – and left a lot of camel shit too. You never know what is going to happen around here. This morning there was a monkey down the back so Sara and Greg got to hang out with the monkey this AM. Sara is pretty excited today because the kids in the village taught her how to do tire with a stick trick. She is bragging now so I will try to get a video of her.

Part 2 – This afternoon we headed back to Sydney Paul school for the debates which was really cool. All the students were in the auditorium and they choose to debate “Science did more harm than good.”  Sara and Greg were put on opposing teams without any preparation and had to stand up and also make a point for their side. Talk about being thrown right in but they did great. It was so funny/scary to hear some of the kid’s comments about why science is bad. Some included condoms are bad because they all have holes in them and getting your ears pierced will prevent you from being kidnapped. But they said everything with conviction and were very passionate. We got to see both Susan and Wilbur get up and state their cases which was incredible to see how far they have come. 

We left Sydney Paul around 5 PM and had to hire a “taxi” driver to take us to another school, St. Bernard’s which is very rural. One of our Scholars, Mary, goes there. Always an experience to put 4 of us in the backseat of a small car and travel over the crazy Ugandan roads but after a long, dusty ride – we made it. Sadly, we learned that Mary was visiting family back in Ddegeya. Just our luck. But we got a great tour of this incredible school which has the most AMAZING volunteer housing (oh man – flushing toilet, shower in the bathroom, kitchen, and the best view in Africa).I was ready to move in.  I am hoping to connect AMC or Siena students with this incredible program so it was not a wasted trip. 

We arrived back at Ddegeya to lots of cheers and celebration as the local Parliament seat election was decided. The whole time we have been here there has been a strong police presence due to the elections today. Nothing like what we saw with the Presidential Elections but still a lot of road blocks of police with guns. We have been stopped a few times but they always smile and pass us by without a bribe. No need to intimidate Muzungus since we can’t vote. 

We are now back at Engeye, filthy and tired but it was a great day. Sara and Greg are exhausted too but are both out back covered in kids.Greg is teaching the kids letters and numbers with the ipad and they are enthralled. Unfortunately, he taught them how to say “where are the suitcases” in Luganda which sounds very funny and now, no matter where you are at Engeye, you can hear little Jackie yelling “where are the suitcases” in Luganda. It’s one of the phrases that will follow us home this year.  It’s so different being here without a large medical team. The lines of patients don’t snake around the clinic building and there is a calmness and easy pace to the clinic.  

Tomorrow we head back to st. Gertrude’s where Sara and Greg will teach one more class and then we are off to SARARI BABY. Is it sad that we are most looking forward to toilets and showers? To wash my hair will be such a luxury and to not have to squat over a hole in the pitch dark will be incredible. I guess the safari will be cool too.  I’ve discovered that jumping crickets look like HUGE spiders and they like to hang out in the latrine after dark and they JUMP. O.M.F.G.     Mihingo Lodge – here I come!!!!

As I’m typing this in the dark (in the old clinic) I just realized there is a chicken in here with me and it scared the shit out of me. Holy Mother! I really hate chickens.