Tanks A Bunch

This morning we awoke to a deluge of ‘blessings’, shorter dresses and waterproof sandals were definitely the order of the day. When it rains here it does so with real conviction, and we wondered if our plans for the day would be disrupted. Fortunately, by the time we had eaten breakfast the rain had stopped, and Patrick arrived right on time as always.

Today has been a day of contrasts. First stop today was Kabwami where the school has been renovated, bibles and hymn books have been provided to the school and church, and funds have been sent to provide the roof, doors and windows for the pastor’s house, after discovering on our last visit that the pastor lived in a village some distance from the church and only came to the parish on Sundays because the house, which was being constructed by the community, had come to a halt due to a lack of funds. We felt this community could really benefit from some livestock and/or an income generation project, however, this would never be successful without a pastor in situ.

Today we were delighted to be welcomed into a beautiful home, not quite complete but already feeling welcoming.

The pit latrine is not quite complete but the new pastor, Moses, who is lodging nearby is looking forward to moving in with his wife and three children very soon.   We were stunned to learn that the pit is 50 feet deep, now we know why it is called a long drop!!!

After sharing a breakfast of eggs and bananas with the parish team, we learnt of Rev Moses plans to have a chicken project and grow coffee for income generation. We discussed a community livestock project and our expectations of how that would work.

We also spoke with Flavia, the head teacher about the reasons for children dropping out of school. The biggest cause for girls as they reach primary 4/5 is a lack of sanitary products, which causes them to remain at home for several days every month. As they gradually fall behind in their classwork the drop out as they do not think they can catch up again.  We had a very productive conversation about teaching the primary 4 girls how to make reusable pads, which are relatively inexpensive to make, thus equipping themselves and avoiding the need to remain at home. There is a great need for these products and if successful this could also be an income generation project for the school. The biggest challenge is sourcing the correct materials, so we have put the best Archdeacon in West Buganda Diocese on the case. There are a number of locations where this project could work, and we pray we can get this off the ground very quickly.

We were very encouraged by all that has been achieved in Kabwami Parish and feel encouraged that further work here will be implemented and well supported by Moses and his team.

Next stop was Kimwanyi where the clinic is supported with medicine, equipment and through the Nurse+ Project. We were delighted to meet Eleazar the new nurse, and Nurse Grace with her 8 month old baby.

The medicine store was a joy to see, well stocked thanks to CHI supporters.

Lab technician Godfrey was very informative, telling us about the tests he was able to carry out in the small lab, and about the Malaria vaccination.

Sadly, the old baby incubator which has served well since before I first visited Kimwanyi in 2013, has finally reached the end of its life. We continue to pray for funds to replace it with a new modern incubator.

The maternity clinic was well attended, with babies being weighed and vaccinated. We were amazed at the range of vaccinations now being given to the babies and young children, including Malaria. This will be a real game changer in Africa.

Having concluded our tour of the clinic we saw the three new water tanks recently provided for the clinic, church and school, all full after last nights rain, and learned that water is no longer a problem for the clinic. Praise God.

Sadly, following a number of different pastors in quick succession in this parish, the school which was the first school renovation project some years ago, has not been well maintained and the floors and inside walls need some attention. The play equipment has deteriorated beyond repair, and the eucalyptus tree plantation, which had been provided as an income generation project to support the school and clinic has been neglected and is no longer providing an income.

Rev Emmanuel, the new pastor, is planning on remaining here long term and has already planted a coffee plantation which will in time provide a good income.

Please pray that he can motivate this community to maintain the school and restore it to its former glory.

A short stop at Kikonge school found the best behaved and disciplined students we have ever met, working diligently despite the absence of their teacher. We also met Jovin, Brenda and Danielle, three of our sponsored students, Patrick cares for these children as if they were his own, and they all so obviously adore him.

Visit over we headed into town to meet up with Rev Amos and hand over the sponsor’s letters for their children in Rakai which we had failed to leave with him on Monday. How fortuitous that he was in Masaka today, this meeting also provided an opportunity to stop for coffee and cake. God’s plans are perfect.

We were happy to return to Banda early to write up the blog, reports and sort photos.

On what will be our last evening at Banda, we enjoyed sharing a meal with our very dear friends; Patrick and his wife Cathy, David and Harriett who oversee the sponsorship project, and of course Eriab, who will always be the best driver in Uganda (in our eyes anyway). Prayers said and plans made, fun and laughter was the order of the evening, what a privilege and a joy to spend time in their company.

Patrick practising to be an English gentleman