An egg-cellent afternoon

This afternoon I (Jess) was able to spend time helping the Kampala Evangelical Free Church sunday school with their Easter preparations.  We painted eggs, sang songs and made easter cards.  I also presented the children with a banner from our own sunday school, Foundationstones.

The children from Uganda were very excited to see the children from England especially Benjamin and Angus who are related to members of the Uganda Team.

We will be giving out the t-shirts that Foundationstones designed tomorrow.

Tomorrow's lunch

Today a number of us went to see tomorrow's lunch being slaughtered. Be aware cow photos follow.

 

A very good Friday pt. 2

Whilst the other groups were out buying supplies and celebrating at the baptism service Chris; Marion and Philippa went to Kakumiru to visit the original CFH satelite site.

It takes approximately three hours to drive to Kakumiru and after the first two hours the road somewhat dissapears and you are driving along a either dusty or muddy track, thankfully we had fearless hands at the wheel even when a lorry was coming headlong at us.

 

 To my eyes the buildings of the school looked in serious disrepair but Marion was rather excited and started pointing out all the improvements the moment the 'complex' was in sight. we were warmly welcomed and introduced to the teachers, who were preparing for their Easter festivities.  

We were then shown around the school - starting in the library which had a reasonably impressive number and selection of textbooks.  In the science labs the materials and chemicals were organised on fairly rickety shelves, which was odd compared to the set provided by the government which came in two lockable metal chests which were placed on the floor next to these shelves. 
 

The dormitory rooms were exactly what I expected after having seen the dormitories at Muyenga with forty girls sharing a room.  

By this point children had taken the hands of the team and we were marching through the huge school garden to go and see the water pipe, the casava plants were well on their way and their team had turned over the ground ready for the next crop.  After the short walk we were informed that the pipe from the spring had been raised a few feet from what it was so that water cans could now fit under the flow. 

It was clear to see that the recently posted headteacher was a very innovative lady who had done a lot to develop the school 

It was useful to have this experience; allowing us to put in context the major asset that Buwama is to the project as a site to develop into a vocational centre much closer to the main site in Kampala.

Just a note also to mention that the drive back allowed the local team members to shop for the easter feast, this meant we travelled back with a boot full of avocados, pineapples, bananas for matoke and four large, rather alive chickens - which made for an exciting journey back.   

  

 

Saturday 4th April

Please pray for a day of fun and lots of energy for the whole team!

A very Good Friday

Another amazing day for the team, Trevor and part of the team had a wonderful time supporting those getting baptised at Lake Victoria.  Joyce got some amazing photos by wading in part way!

Meanwhile Jess, Abigail and Caroline went with Sophina and Sarah their sponsored sisters/daughter and some of the staff from Muyenga to buy text books and science equipment for the school.  A new literature syllabus was introduced this year but staff at the school did not have the set texts they needed.  Now with the books we bought they will be able to teach the lessons they need to.

With the science equipment purchased they can do experiments they have never been able to before. We have loved building a relationship with the science technician from the school and it was wonderful to see his joy sat surrounded by boxes of equipment!

Another small but significant purchase today was metal beakers for the nurse.  Many children come to her during the day for medication and water but with only one cup cross contamination between students was a real issue.  The dozen metal beakers we purchased will have a huge impact on health in the school.

In the evening the team visited Victory Christian Centre the church of Pastor Joseph Serwadda and finished off with late night worship at Kampala Evangelical Church.

Friday's Plans

Good morning from a much cooler Kampala.

Today our team will be splitting three ways: one team heading to the KEFC baptisms at Lake Victoria to celebrate with some of the children we have met the commitment they are making today. 

The second team are going to town to visit suppliers so they may purchase textbooks, science supplies, pencil sharpeners, medical supplies and other supplies we have seen a need for, from money raised in the UK, this team will then join the first team at the baptisms.

The third team will be traveling to Kakumiru to see the CFH's original satelite school, so they may see a part of the history of the project. This school is now still owned by CFH but it is government run and funded so that the team in Kampala can focus on the development of Buwama (the site our team visited yesterday).

Friday 3rd April

Please pray for the team  as they attend the school baptism service and the school prepares for its sports day.