Banana Chips & Building Bricks

With Eriab at the wheel this morning we headed off once again on the long and dusty road to Rakai. We were looking forward to seeing Rev Amos and visiting the children at the primary school, and of course some C.H.I. This school has found a place in our hearts over the last few years and we are delighted to finally be moving forward.

We were ushered into the headmaster’s office for drinks and a snack, including the delicious banana crisps we had enjoyed yesterday. These are made by the youth bakery enterprise which started as a result of the donations made by our supporters. The training is obviously going well and as soon as Amos feels the product is up to scratch, they will sell them in the market. A trading name still has to be decided upon.

The children were waiting, sat outside at desks that had been moved out for the occasion.

Having the muzungu visit is something of an event, and we were entertained with song, dance, and memory verses recited by the sponsored children. This is a church school, and they are very proud of the spiritual learning that is so important for the development of the students.

Then it was time for some C.H.I. The tennis balls were thrown to the children, who caught them eagerly. Carmen was then asked “Could you show us how to play with them? We do not know”.  The children were quickly ushered into circles (almost), and we showed them how to throw the balls from one to the other. They soon got the hang of it, and as the circles broke down the usual chaos ensued.

Then it was time for the main business of the day, a tour of the school to determine exactly what renovations are required. Having partnered with him on renovating several schools Rev Canon Patrick is now something of an expert, and we were very grateful for his input as we toured this school.

The school consists of three blocks, nine classrooms in total. Generally, the walls are fairly sound and thankfully most of the roofs are good, but the verandas which protect the foundations are almost gone, all the floors need screeding, walls need replastering and painting, gutters need to be replaced, and extra water tanks added. The old wooden shutters and doors are in desperate need of replacing with secure metal doors and windows, which will also improve security in this fairly remote school.  This will not be a small project, but we will pray that the funds can be found to renovate this school, one block at a time. Every child, and teacher, deserves a conducive learning environment, and this really is not it.

We were delighted to meet the 8 students who have enrolled in the new Vocational Secondary School. Lessons are currently being held in the lower block of the primary school, once again we were entertained with memory verses and a song.  Amos has a wonderful vision of a new Vocational Secondary School on the church land, after all, they do have 53 acres!!!  We will continue to pray for the plans that are underway, and the income generation projects that Amos has already started.

From the school, looking down the hill you can see the lake. Swimming has not previously been taught in Uganda and beautiful as it may look, many children drown in this lake collecting water. Amazingly, Amos has secured a government donated swimming pool (the metal frame type), it is about 35 x 25 ft and the children will now have swimming lessons that may well save their lives.

Then it was time to serve the primary children lunch. We saw the kitchen where the posho and beans were cooking over an open fire and met Judith who caters for these children.

On our last visit only a few of the children took lunch, they were the ones who could afford it, so many others stood back watching on. Since then, CHI donors have enabled seeds to be purchased to enable the school to grow more of its own food, Eucalyptus trees have been planted for income generation for the school, and, while they wait for the harvest, school lunches have been funded. It was wonderful to see all the children receiving lunch today.

With time running out we headed down the hill for a quick look around the new pastor’s house that is being constructed for Amos, it has certainly progressed well since our last visit but windows and doors are expensive, hopefully the coffee crop currently drying in the sun will provide enough income to complete the next stage.

Amos inherited some challenges when he moved to this parish, but we are in awe of all he has achieved in 18 months, and his ambitious visions for the future development of this community.

As the sun goes down on another day our time here is running out, so much to do, so little time.