Last week

On Saturday, this is the girls at play. Emma Shae had us laughing a few weeks ago. Out of the blue, she said matter of factly, "where is my white, American baby doll?" As opposed to her black, Ugandan doll.

This was on Friday--the parent open house at school. This is P1--Emma Shae's class welcome.
Emma Shae's is the red pineapple.

Here are some examples of her work.
Emma Shae and Teacher Lydia.

Micah's P 4 class or third grade. The kids came in 3rd and last term of the year. Because we knew this would be hard to come in late, we had them repeat their former years to take some pressure off and to let them learn the system and culture of education. It is harder on Micah, being older and aware of low marks--of course, he has missed almost the whole year. They have December and January off, so we will supplement with U.S. culture, history, etc and try to make up some of the Ugandan work? It is emerging.

Micah at the back of the class showing me his books. It was an open house, so when parents came, the students are dismissed to show them their work.

Jesse went home sick this day and Micah was pretty miserable. So, I came and ate lunch with him--rice and beans. He is not fond of the lunches, but as you can see, Emma Shae is!
We have a tree that attracts these huge bees--we have 2 types of birds who eat the bees--here is one of them. I am working on getting the names....I tried to catch the hooked nature of this bird's beak, but it is hard to see in this picture. This guy is charcoal in color except for this hummingbird green streak on his neck area.

Here is the other bee catcher... a yellow songbird--he is always serenading us--I guess he is so happy with the bees?
Look at that bee!!!
Mallory was sick this day--strep throat. So, during the chapati lesson, Mallory was sitting with baby Jeremiah (Maureen's baby) and his sitter, Judith, a young girl, who helps Maureen. They were reading and writing together--very sweet. Prayed the other kids would not get strep! I had mixed feelings about this little play date.

Precious and Johnson

PreciousA chapati lesson by Maureen, who is pictured on the right. Precious is on the left on a phone call from the U.S. :). I have been looking for a rolling pen forever (didn't bring mine, too heavy), well, Maureen just had this and the round wooden board made to order from a carpenter. Leslie was telling me this--oh, like a chapati kit!!! ha! So, soon for about $2, I am going to get a rolling pen and round cutting board and I can make better tortillas, too! woo hoo!
Johnson in action! He uses a panga to cut (like a curved machete)

Johnson and the "girls"--the dog is a girl.

I have been wondering for years what it would be like to hire people to work for you in the developing world. It's just part of life and culturally expected--the Ugandans who can afford to have live in help. We were wishing for that this week-end--whew! But, I am not used to being an employer and have settled into a nice routine of some days on and some days off. There is no way I could do all of the work myself.

These two folks came recommended through friends who have lived here before us, but now moved. They are father and daughter, which is fun. They are both GREAT language teachers and such a blessing.

Precious is a student and a huge help. I cannot tell you how pleasant she is to have around and she is very gracious and generous to me and our family!

Johnson works in the yard and helping us with a garden. He also will work as a night watchman when people go out of town, but we have not gone out of town yet! It is common for people to have night watchman due to petty theft, but we have a dog that is working so far.

Here are some of the conversations we have enjoyed....

P: "what is that, a walking stick?"

Me: No, it's french bread (there is a bakery in town and we bought a loaf of gianormous french bread--made "subway" one night)

Me: "Johnson, I am going to take some cookies to the neighbors, do you think they'll like it?"

J: "It is good to have relationship with your neighbors. If you are attacked at night, you can do this (put your hand to your mouth and make the Native American war cry) and they will come running. Even Aaron could do this or you and in fact, they will come running, even if it is in the middle of the night."

Me: Precious, we got some cow manure today from our neighbor for the garden. I'm so excited!

P: What kind of cows-exotic or domestic?

Me: Oh, domestic--one was a black cow and the other a dairy cow.

P: what?

Me: what do you mean by domestic or exotic?

P: exotic are black and white and the domestic are the ones with the long horns

(Domestic depends on what country you live in--duh)

So, we are beginning to share our lives together--we could not make it without them, for sure. Johnson has also told us some amazing and sad stories of working in Rwanda when the war broke out. He shares with laughter how he rides his bike three hours to get to us from his village--it is near Kabale. Wow. Precious shares stories of going to school in the village and then continuing on in her studies for counseling and guidance training at the local university. It is still not common for girls and women to have schooling. We enjoy them so much, but I always wonder what life is like for them. I'm sure I have no idea!

Rugarama Hill

This is our hill... at the bottom. If you are facing this way, Kabale town is to the right and behind you. I am standing in front of the hospital--it's on my left.

This is a shot of a field and school that we cut through to get to town on foot. It seems to be a bit of a city park on the week-ends--lots of families and kids playing football.
A few houses behind the hospital.
The walking trail is on your right--pedestrian yield to bikes, motorcycles and cars, so this is an important path :).
A group of bicycle boda boda guys (bike taxi's) They are all over town--these are in front of the hospital and honestly, an intimidating group. I took this on zoom :). Hey, muzungu, I take you to town??? No, thanks, Bakiga, I love to walk...

Ok, so this is the point where the walking path goes on a short cut. There are short cuts all over town, but it has taken me a bit to recognize them :). to the left is walking, straight ahead, the road continues on to a steep curve.

OK, we made it up the path! Now, you see Rugarama Loop. It circles around and you would see houses, schools, church offices, the university and a few small shops and hotel.
I have turned around and am looking down the short cut.
One thing I love are the trees. This is a pine tree, but it looks like a weeping willow! Amazing. Also, did you know that banana trees sound like flags in the wind? I had no idea.

Loads of history in this area--from the ancient to the modern.

A construction sight. Loads and loads of rocks--actually, there are several rock quarries near us and people just tapping away and piling up rocks for building and such.
We have a bit of a driveway coming from our house and then it connects with the main road. This is the view from our driveway.
Our house sits on the gates of the university--if you look closely under the white sign, there is a boda boda--there is almost one or two waiting for students or faculty to transport.
Same shot, but now you can see our driveway and house on the right.
This is the scene. The hill is quite steep and the folks walk their bicycles up. Notice the motorcycle--they always coast down!!! We wondered if this would change the price since they cut the gas, but found out they charge for what it takes to come up the hill :)--no half price deals.
Here is a walking path along side our house--this is our fence to the left. I also found out this leads to another short cut to town, but according to my friend, she would never use it--too isolated. Hmm...
Here is the neighbor's house.
Neighbor's garden and hills beyond. If you are on the campus, you would get an amazing view, but we have a great forest to look at.
Another cool pine tree.
I thought these were weaver bird nests, but I discovered that they are the pine cones--funky!
Another endearing shot--the path that leads up to the library. Gorgeous trees that have these purple flowers that drape the ground--it's like a wedding.

It is more vivid in person, but I tried.
Another favorite shot on campus--lots of history.

Rugarama Hospital

You can read more about the hospital from their website here

Front of the hospital.

To the right as you come in--the parking lot. The Lions Club helped with the dental center, which also houses the x-ray and ultra sound rooms.
Reception.
Chapel--staff and patients begin the day 8-8:30am in chapel--yes, there is a drum!
Pharmacy.
For the babies.

Still learning names! One of the nurses in a patient room.

On the right are the men's wing and women's wing and this path leads out to the maternity and children's ward, which includes a program for malnourished children, as well as different counseling and education offices.

Families and friends come to take care of the patients--cooking meals and doing laundry, so they stay on the grounds and there are outdoor cooking. toliet and washing facilities.
There are several clinical officers and Aaron has been rounding with them as he starts. This is the preemie room with up to 3 little preemies per incubator.
Tiny baby!

Here is one of many of the young mothers in the room.

Bedding tucked away until the night.

The lab.
A new CBC machine! This was Aaron's first time to talk to the lab technicians--it was encouraging to hear their heart for what they love to do and how they love microbiology and a bit discouraging to hear of the lack of resources. The training is there, the facilities are not--yet!


There is a nursing school in town and this guy in rust/yellow is one of the nursing students--they have so many! We were encouraged to see them being trained--we love students!

Here are some of the moms and babies waiting for rounds--they empty out of the rooms and just go about their lives and then they come back in when the doctors come--like the freedom :).
Inside the dental--it's a great facility.