The bananas have washed away!
Trip Start
Apr 30, 2006
1
8
31
Trip End
??? ??, 2006
Jinja, Uganda
Thursday, May 18, 2006
I was so exhausted from being on site and at a meeting with Parents of the children that i went to bed at 8.30pm and fell asleep straight away! However i was soon aware that the tap dancers were back on the roof and didn't stop until this morning!
Yesterday was a good day!
In the morning i met with 18 of the children's parents and about 30 children (i love seeing them at these events - I'll see them every school day come Monday - each time i meet new children - some who are good signers others with no language just yet!).. the parents are becoming so active and as a result are setting up their own Association. I met with them yesterday to discuss further what they're Aim and objectives, their plan for the next few months and then on a longer basis, membership of the Assoc, committee members, projects.... oh the meeting went on for hours! Thankfully i had the use of Magadelene (the Units teacher) as my interpreter - she was translating everything in to L'soga (the language used in this area)and vice versa for me.
I have asked the group to do a number of things before we meet again:
1. List of Committee members names and positions
2. Aim and Objectives of the Assoc (i don't expect them to have this fully completed and have offered to do this with them)
3. Name of the Assoc
4. Membership paid
5. Bank Account opened
6. Have discussed possible projects
Ive agreed to meet them again the second week of June, this should give everyone enough time to complete the above.
I really like what these parents are doing... they need to take more of an interest in their childrens welfare, education and long term future (employment etc). I'll keep you up to date with what happens at the next meeting.
After the meeting i headed to site... all of the men had just finished lunch but were sitting seperately, not talking and laughing as normal.. i just thought that they had a big Posho lunch and therefore were exhausted (I can only eat the smallest amount of Posho it fills me up so quickly but our builders can put away mountains of the stuff)
But as it turns out they were annoyed that they hadnt been paid (Rightly so!) They are supposed to get paid on Tuesdays or Wednesday morning at the latest... it was now 2pm! I phoned Dirk who was at the bank getting the wages explaining that i needed smiling builders so come quick! Thankfully we paid the men and once again restored harmony and smiles! Guess how much last weeks builders wages were ??? Well it was 98,000 Ugandan Shillings - thats less than 30 pounds! Amazing how far money goes here! So all contributions to build do make a difference!
School starts back on Monday, so lifes about to get really hectic! Apparently we have a load of new children and 4 new teachers with Madaglene being the head of the unit. It will be an interesting week... Im keen to see how it works out... especially with only one class room available to us! I will let you know how it goes!
I have a phone interview with Lisburn Rotary Club for a bursary to help cover some of the costs of my time here - thats tonight at 6pm my time (4pm yours) keep your fingers crossed for me!
My family are very amused that im actually getting my hands dirty on site - I cant blame them! Its exhausting but very enjoyable. I love the fact that im seeing every single stage of Bells House and as my Auntie Iso says Bell's watching over me - I know it!
Im able to update you so frequently because PK and Shirray have a PC with internet connection - Thankfully they are so kind to let me use it! If i have to go back into Jinja to upload pictures and email to you - well that takes so long and therefore the updates wont be as quick coming!
Ok everyone - going to do some online study and revision of Rotary.
Love
Sheila
xoxo
