This past week has been a fun one!

On Monday I went to the market down by the Lake with one of the teachers.  He had never been there before, and I wanted someone to help me so if I decided to buy anything.  Most of the people who vend down by the lake speak some English, but not always the best.  I found a scarf that I really liked, and it was 12,000.  He was able to talk them down to 10,000, which is about $3.50.  It is green! I brought it back to the seminary and was showing it to one of the priests.  He said I could put it on and become Muslim.  Another priest thought that was a great idea, so he took my picture to send to my mom.  Mom thought I was turning into a nun.  When Father Michael was told this story he laughed and asked, “What all goes on when I am not around!?”  I also bought a cucumber at the market.  I had told a few teachers that I really missed pickles from the states.  They didn’t know what a cucumber was or a pickle. They tried it, most didn’t love it, some tolerated it.  Later in the week I found some pickles at a store.  A few teachers tried them, but were not impressed.  We also talked about cheese.  Most teachers either have not had cheese, or do not like it.  I am starting to miss cheese too now that I think about it.

Yesterday was amazing.  I went with the group from Omaha to visit Father Michael’s village.  First we stopped at ate breakfast at a parish with some priests.  It took a picture of a beautiful avocado tree.  Then we followed another priest to a site where a school was being built, but ran out of funding.  He was looking to see if Educate Uganda would be able to help him.  It was interesting seeing the site.  We walked through the rooms, and I was thinking about how many students would be crammed in each one to learn.  Next stop was the school where Father Michael went to school.  It was rebuilt and dedicated last year.  There are about 760 students in attendance, and about 220 are orphans.  That was a much bigger number than I would have ever guessed.  Educate Uganda helps set these orphans up with sponsors to help pay school fees, buy shoes, and even uniforms.  The kids were so excited to see us.  They waited by the road.  They sang, danced, and even through flowers.  It was amazing to see.  We took a tour of the school.  The building that was built gave 7 classrooms that are beautiful for the students to use.  There are 2 remaining rooms from the previous buildings.  Of the 7 new rooms, 2 are being used as sleeping rooms to board P7 students, even though it is a day school, and one was being used to store a motorcycle and some boxes.  The older rooms that were falling apart were filled with desks and were in use.  This was not using the rooms as they were intended.  The woman in charge of Educate Uganda was not pleased with this situate.  She talked to the head master, and Father is to follow up. There are 12 teachers at the school, so it does make teaching difficult at times.

After the tour the kids had a performance for us.  Educate Uganda gave gifts to the school.  It was balls, backpacks and school supplies.  The kids then presented gifts of produce, eggs, bowls, and even a few coins.  It was beautiful. We got up and danced with the kids.  Father joined in and even some of the teachers.  After the performances, we got down to business.  We needed to photograph all of the orphans to keep records of them for sponsorship.  This proved to be much more chaotic that I thought it could be with 9 adults helping.  Many of the younger kids did not speak English, so as we directed them to the line they should go to, they would get lost.  We then escorted them to their line for pictures, but the other students were so excited to see pictures being taken there were crowds.  We number all the kids and have them hold their number so we can match the picture up with the name.  One kid who was not an orphan was able to sneak in, but we got it figured out. 

At the end of our time at the school, the students stood in a circle, and a few of us danced/sang in the middle, trying to get the kids to join in.  Vincent, one of the boys who came with Educate Uganda, decided to teach the kids to yell, “GOOOOOOOO BIIIIIGGGGG REDDDDDD!!! GO BIG RED!”  The kids loved it.  Dad, I took video for you to be proud!

When everything was done at school, we went to Father Michael’s home.  We ate with his mother and father.  He showed us where he used to play when he was younger.  He also showed us the banana plantation.  It was huge.  It was a long, but very amazing day.

Today I went with Noah to buy stuff for the school.  Rita sent another $100 with the group from Omaha.  We bought large paper, for making posters, lined paper, pens, paperclips, crayons, thumb tacks, glue, notebooks, white paper, markers, and tape.  It came to 314,000.  That is about $130.  A pretty good price for the amount of stuff we got.  As she was bagging it, I realized, “Well, this is great. We have to lug all of this, hope to find a taxi to squish into, and then lug it some more to get it back up to the school.” Today was the first day that I wish I had my car.  I have enjoyed walking or taking the taxis until I had to do that.  When we got back to the school, there were a few teachers there.  I was hungry since I missed lunch to go on our shopping trip.  I really wanted chapatti and an avocado.  The chapatti are 400 each (about 16 cents).  I got 9.  Then I bought 2 pops, the Stoney ones that I posted a picture of.  They were 1500 each.  I also 2 avocados from one of the students in P5, they were 500 each.  My overall bill came to under $4.00.  We took it all up to the school and shared it between 5 of us.  It was a wonderful meal!  Carol sliced and peeled the avocado faster and more beautifully than I think anyone else I know ever could.  I am always amazed when watching people cut things. (my mom can agree with that as I watch her cut apples and potatoes with grace and ability)

During one of my chats with Martin he made a remark about, “Isn’t it amazing, that most people are living their ordinary day, letting life pass them, while other are having a life changing and eye opening day?”  I do not think an ordinary day has gone by for me.  Even if my only activity is going to school and teaching, everyday I am here I learn something or observe something.  The number of days left here is now smaller than the number of days I have been here.

My thought for the day, while organizing my money… there are too many 0’s in the money here. Kept throwing me off while trying to buy the supplies for the school.