Painting the Pictures

 A sampling of the roads I take on my daily walk to TAFCOM.

This is the best of the roads.

 Local Water Station

The road in front of TAFCOM

Circle for the Balloon game

Child popping Balloon 
(Notice teacher covering her ears)

Bowling with water bottles as the pins
(recycling also!)

Strike!

Water tank with Leni, the volunteer
who raised the funds.

Amina, my TAFCOM neighbor

Nie with Sewing Supplies

This is the cooking area. Construction could not be
completed due to lack of funds.

 With your donated funds the kitchen
is under construction and should be
completed very soon.

Neema with one of my favorite treats,
Grilled Corn with Lime Juice

Minnesota Academy 

Jonas pulling water from the well. 

TAFCOM Pictures

The building on the right is the original TAFCOM Center. The building on the left was completed in 2013 and houses the 2 pre-school classrooms. Much of the landscaping is new since 2012.

Another view of the newest building. Volunteers painted the murals on the building.

This is the classroom for the older (5-6 yr olds) children. This is the first year any of the children had desks. 

Upendo & Grace teach the 34 older children.

This is the younger children's classroom. There are 2 teachers, Mary & Grace.

This is the other half of the younger classroom. 47 students are taught by the 2 teachers.

This playground equipment was installed in the last 2 years.

The vegetable garden is across from the pre-school building. Beans and pumpkins are currently being grown.

This is the cooking area. The children are served porridge each day. We are using donated funds to complete this kitchen. The Tailoring women will then be trained and sell food items.

This is my running "track". It is very busy in the late afternoon with schoolchildren walking home and locals returning from work.

One of the landmarks I mentioned. On my way home from TAFCOM I turn right past the butcher shop and am on the road to my home. 

Another landmark. Doesn't this make you think of Good & Plenty?

Bisura (left) and Neema (right) preparing dinner for the volunteers at Nie and Jonas' house.

Current TAFCOM Volunteers

Change is Good

MAY 15 - Thursday

It rained during my first night which was a very soothing sound. However, not so soothing is being awakened in the middle of the night to roosters and barking dogs followed at 5am by the Muslim Call to Prayer. Fortunately, these sounds are in the distance and I will soon be able to sleep through them. I fell asleep again and woke later to the chirping sounds of birds which were far more pleasant.

Jonas picked me up to go to TAFCOM. The first person I saw was Bisura. What a greeting! Hugs and laughter. Bisura has worked for TAFCOM for about 3 years. It is amazing all the progress that has been made at TAFCOM. It started as a small plot of land purchased by Nie and Jonas in 2005 through the sale of their only car. TAFCOM now has 2 pre-school classrooms educating 81 children, a playground, a thriving Tailoring school and a garden. (See pics) An additional plot of land was purchased in 2013 and construction of a primary school has begun. TAFCOM conducts community programs on HIV/AIDS, Family Planning and Micro Loans. All of their work is focused in Pasua and dedicated to families and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The majority of the programming is sustained through donations and grants.

Electricity has finally come to Pasua! Over a year ago TAFCOM began the application process for electricity to be run to the Center. Paperwork and a fee of approximately $300 were submitted to TANESCO (Tanzanian Electric Supply Company), a government-owned electric company. I can only assume that part of the delay is related to the need for a certain number of requests for electric service in the same area so that the return on investment is justifiable. Moreover, utility poles had to be built and installed and then wiring added. Upon completion, families and businesses buy vouchers and replenish them as needed. In other words, if you can afford the fees and expense of the vouchers you can purchase electricity. Pasua, being the 2^nd poorest area of Moshi, is still an area where most cannot afford and, therefore, do not have electricity.

As always I was greeted by the children with “Hello madam, how are you?” Each classroom now has 2 teachers. Volunteers also assist as classes are taught in English. I met several volunteers –Nele, Marcelle and Sigrid from Germany, and Leni from Denmark.

Leni raised money to purchase a water tank which should be completed next week.

During 2012 we had discussed building a kitchen area so the tailoring women could also cook items for sale. The initial site had to be changed, increasing the cost. To complete the project will cost $500. THANK YOU to so many of you for your donations. This will be the first project using donated funds. (See pic) Other donated funds were designated for a Micro Loan program which will be another priority project.

I am taking the donated supplies to TAFCOM in small amounts so we can sort and organize them. Today I brought general office supplies including a battery operated pencil sharpener. In the past staff has had to sharpen pencils by hand with small plastic sharpeners. A very generous amount of pencils were donated. The wonderful staff at the Orange Branch of the Delaware Library allowed me to use their electric pencil sharpener. To give you some perspective, it took close to 30 minutes to sharpen all the pencils. Can you imagine sharpening this quantity by hand?

Nie had never heard of nor seen a battery operated pencil sharpener. With the awe and innocence of a child receiving a new toy, Nie sharpened pencils whether they needed it or not.

I spent the afternoon in town with Jonas and Bisura going to the ATM, getting my phone set up and accessing internet. Jonas had other business so Bisura and I went to the open market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. This is one of my favorite places because of the sights, sounds and smells. The market buzzes with business. It is colorful not only because of the many varieties of food but also the traditional clothing worn by the women.

A taxi was waiting to take us home when we finished at the market. I was so surprised to see Eddi and he remembered me. Nie and Jonas have used him for years whenever there is a need for a taxi.

I arrived home, ate lunch, fell into a deep sleep and woke up in time for dinner. I am still encountering the effects of jet lag. I was able to go to bed at a decent hour. My lullaby music was performed by Celine Dion. There is a bar nearby and each evening I hear music. Sometimes it is African music but tonight I was treated to a medley of songs by Celine Dion who remains a favorite in Tanzania.

MAY 16 - Friday

Nie and Jonas picked me up to go to center. I slept well and am feeling energized. I brought a list of things to go over, plus more supplies including books for both the teachers and students. The volunteers were meeting with Nie and Jonas about expectations and concerns. I was asked to sit in and share my experience as a volunteer. Before leaving for home I arranged with Bisura to come over in the afternoon so we could walk around the area and I could get my bearings.

I came home to a mosquito convention in the bathroom, most notably around the squatty potty. They love standing water. This made for a most interesting bathroom experience. I spoke with Neema and she will spray when I go with Bisura. I am not one that likes to kill the creatures of the earth but in this case I can rationalize that I am helping the medical community in their efforts to eradicate malaria.

Neema prepared another amazing lunch followed by a Swahili lesson. I am making an effort to study Swahili every day. It is slowly coming back and easier to learn since I understand some of the basics. Neema is a great resource and my cheerleader. She has a strong knowledge of English which is of immense benefit to me.

Bisura and I spent the latter part of the afternoon walking around Pasua. I am now comfortable finding my way to TAFCOM and the daladala stand (this is where all the VW bus style transportation picks up people). She also directed me to a road along the train tracks where I can run. I live in the section of Pasua called Relini which means railway. It is no longer a working track.

My criteria for a decent running road includes the least amount of potholes and motorcycle traffic. There are no marked lanes on dirt roads and the goal is to cause minimal damage to one’s vehicle. Therefore, all vehicles drive the best part of the road no matter the side or how close to the edge. There are no street signs so it is curious what I use as landmarks. The most distinctive markers include a butcher shop, water station, palm tree and a gate with black rimmed pink circles that remind me of Good & Plenty candy. (See pics)

Oh my, I am not sure which is worse, the mosquito convention or the penetratingly strong and toxic smell of the bug spray I encountered when I came back to my room. Neither malaria nor lung issues are on my agenda for this trip.

Nie and Jonas paid a surprise visit before dinner. Joan came too. She won’t let me hold her yet and is definitely mama’s girl.

The electric went out for a short while before dinner. I gave my headlamp to Neema so she could continue with dinner preparations. Fortunately, the outage was short-lived.

I was able to contact both Mussa and Ibrah so will visit them tomorrow as I am spending the day in Moshi. Mussa was Lee Ann’s (my daughter) guide when she climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in 2008 and we have been friends since my first visit in 2009. I stayed with Ibrah and his family during my visit in 2012. It is difficult to put into words how incredible it is to reconnect with my friends here. I remember the overwhelming emotions of gratitude and joy I felt when I returned home and reunited with friends in 2012 after 7+ months of being away.

Tonight the local music included a tuba player. I cannot tell if he is practicing or actually performing at the bar. Lala salama (peaceful sleep)

MAY 17 - Saturday

Mary, the teacher who lives here, her friend and I walked to the daladala stand and headed to Moshi. Riding the daladala is one of my favorite experiences. The daladala is reminiscent of a delapidated VW bus from the 60’s (and possibly as old). A ride to town costs about $.25. I am convinced that the goal is to cram as many people on the bus with absolutely no regard for personal space or safety. There are several stops along the way with people climbing over each other to get on and off. If you have any inkling towards claustrophobia this is not the way to travel. During this ride I enjoyed the company of over 20 other passengers.

I made my way to the ATM. An armed guard is always positioned close by. After taking care of my banking I ventured down a few streets looking for some plastic shelves to house all the sewing supplies that were donated. I walked in the direction of Soweto which is where Mussa and Ibrah live. It is about a 40 minute walk from town. Having taken this route every day in 2012, my memory did not fail me and I easily followed the route I knew so well.

I visited with Mussa and his sister. They run a small shop selling food items. I learned that Mussa got married in February and I will meet his wife on a future visit. Visiting Debra & Ibrah was fun as always. I brought some books for the kids and they were totally engrossed. Rahim, their 3 year old, did not remember me but he used to come to the door of my room on a regular basis and call out “bibi” (grandmother) and then come in to play. Nasri is their 1 year old and is cute as a button.

Ibrah has moved the family from the volunteer house to a place just a few doors down. They have begun construction on a house. Building something in Tanzania is an interesting process. As funds are available, the work gets done. Then the building sits until more money is saved for the next building phase. This cycle continues and can take several years to reach completion.

Debra thanked me for the cakes and notes. I forgot that when I left in 2012 I had arranged with one of the volunteers to buy Debra a bakery treat every week for a period of time. I also wrote notes to go with them. We became very close during my 2012 visit and she holds a special place in my heart. We all agreed to get together for a night of making pizza and playing Spoons. This was a favorite pastime from my previous trip.

Ibrah and I went to the volunteer house. I had left a box marked “Save for bibi-2014” before I left in 2012. It was a lot of personal items that made for more room for donated items this trip. The box, although worn and dusty was still intact and I was able to retrieve most of its contents.

I also met Jen. She is a volunteer from Canada who has been in Tz one month and is staying for 2 more. She is teaching English at a Moshi vocational school and doing some work with an organization that helps street children. She was not doing anything so walked into Moshi with me. We clicked right away and are planning to get together again soon.

MAY 18 - Sunday

I ran for the first time and didn’t get lost or fall into a pothole. Running is not the sport here like it is in Kenya and Ethiopia. So to see someone running is quite unusual. I am also the only muzungu (white person) living in this area of Pasua. I very much feel like a novelty. It is not a bad thing as I am adjusted to it.  It is mostly a humbling reminder of what it might feel like for someone in a minority situation.

The children are especially fascinated not only by my white skin but also my hair texture. It is not uncommon for a child I have never seen to come up to me and touch my skin. The younger children often call out “Good morning, Muzungu”, no matter what time of day it might be. It is fun to speak Swahili and English with the children as they are eager to learn. They often join me on my runs, laughing and chattering as though I understand everything they say.

The people are welcoming and kindhearted. I often hear the sounds of laughter coming from the houses. The Tanzanians like to practice their English as much as I like to practice my Swahili. I am frequently approached by someone asking me where I am from and if I volunteer. When I tell them I am from the US they will say “Obamaland” and “Welcome to Tanzania”. It is out of respect for these people that I am in a habit of studying Swahili. I sense their appreciation in how they respond with patience and goodwill. It is also extremely important that I present a courteous and pleasant image of people from the US.

My evening was spent at Nie and Jonas’ house. They invited all the current volunteers over for a wonderful traditional meal. (See pics) While there, Nie pointed to the framed embroidery I had given her from my last trip. It was given to me and I felt it appropriate to pass it on. It says, “Love Lightens the Load”.

My Home in Pictures

This is the front of our unit. The buildings are cement. The roof is a corrugated tin.
 Shoes are always removed before entering.
A water tank is to the left. The top is often used for drying clothes. There is also a clothesline.

We have 2 gates like this. This is the inner gate. A car could be parked between the inner and outer gates. It is metal with a small entry door to the left (gold latch).

This is the main gate and wall that surrounds the compound.

The spear-like ornaments on tape of the gate are not only decorative but sharp.

Along the top of the wall you can see embedded broken glass.

This is additional security. However, I feel very safe here.

Another look at the wall.
Most of the glass is from bottles - Coke & Konyagi bottles being the most prominent.
Konyagi is a very popular local alcohol similar to gin.

This is our kitchen. Neema is an amazing cook.
I have told her I have no need to eat at any restaurants
because her meals are so delicious. She uses a small
cookstove (top of table on right). There is also a
sandwich maker for toast and egg sandwiches.

This is our sitting room and eating area.
The kitchen nook is behind the chair on the left.

This is all my luggage.
Most of the contents will be donated before I leave.

This is my room. It is quite large (approx 10 x 14). The 2 large windows provide plenty of light. The double bed has a 5 inch foam mattress (typical). I am tucked in each night by my mosquito net which is a necessity. The rains have been very heavy this year plus there is a rice field not far away. I have noticed far more mosquitoes than in previous visits.  The table and chair serve as my desk.

This is the other part of the room. I have lots of hooks on the door plus the 2 plastic shelves (hot pink) for clothes. I even have a laundry basket (yellow in right corner). The door leads to the bathroom/shower.

                                     

The bathroom is about 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. I love squatty potties! I actually find them to be more natural and sanitary (in most places). Training for squatty potty use includes serious workouts on the quads. This one has a flusher. Those that don't are flushed with water manually. We have a septic system here.

This is the shower. The water drains into the squatty potty. The water from both the shower head and spigot is unheated. Neema boils water for me and fills the bucket about half way. I then add the cooler water from the spigot and use a cup to dump the water. I am challenging myself to see how little water I can use.                                

This is the end of the bathroom with my sink. I do not drink the water even for brushing my teeth. Getting sick is not on my agenda.

       

So this is a glimpse into how I will be living for the next 2 months. I have been continuously moving towards a minimalist lifestyle for the last several years. I welcome the challenge of being resourceful and getting by on as little as possible. For me this is temporary.

HOMECOMING

MAY 13 - MAY 14

There is already so much to write about and brevity is not one of my strengths. I will divide my first week into several postings. I want you to know that while writing this I am enjoying a wonderful glass of watermelon juice!

I flew out of Columbus around noon on May 13^th. The total trip time to Tanzania was 25 hours including a 5 hour layover in Boston. I was able to take 2 - 50 pound bags plus a carry-on. Thanks to so many donations the 2 duffle bags were crammed full. The night before I left I was picking up a few last minute things. Hand sanitizer is a highly desired commodity in Tanzania. Visiting Big Lots I found a 12 ounce bottle for $2. Not thinking I stuffed it in my carry on. So, as you can guess, the security folks at the Columbus airport pulled me aside. I had arrived at the airport several hours ahead of my flight so was not feeling rushed. The gentleman I dealt with was very kind and suggested I check in my carry on as he recognized the importance of hand sanitizer in a developing country. 

I took out a small back pack, packed a few basic necessities and returned to the check in counter. I was told it would be at least $35 (First 2 bags are free). I explained my dilemma and the kind Delta Airlines woman offered to bring up one of the large bags so I could squeeze in the hand sanitizer. I was very impressed with how accommodating everyone was. All this for a $2 purchase! I am quite sure that my efforts will be appreciated as hand sanitizer is a necessity when water is scarce and in situations where there is no plumbing.

The flight from Boston to Amsterdam was 7+ hours. We left Boston at 7pm EST arriving in Amsterdam at 8:30am their time (2:30am EST). This is where jet lag sets in. I flew KLM which is a great airline with very good meals. I watched Saving Mr. Banks and 2 TED talks. I am including the link to one of the TED talks because it gives a wonderful perspective on Africa. (Mandela’s Lesson – Ubuntu by Boyd Varty)  http://www.ted.com/talks/boyd_varty_what_i_learned_from_nelson_mandela

The Amsterdam airport has a meditation center, kids play area, and a library. Sadly I did not have extra time to explore any of these. I did meet a group of students from Georgia State who were on their way to Tanzania for 2.5 weeks to study skin bleaching and the history of slave trade. I was not aware of skin bleaching as a problem in Tanzania and will research this topic and share what I find.

The flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro, my final destination, was 8.5 hours. I slept on and off most of this flight and when I arrived in Tanzania I felt pretty refreshed and, obviously, very excited. It was May 14^th at 9 pm (2pm EST). Immigration was uneventful and my bags arrived safely.

I had been trying to get so much done in preparation for my trip that the fact I was returning to Tanzania felt surreal until I was standing in the queue at Boston to board the flight to Amsterdam. It then became real and the anxiety that I felt during the weeks of planning and packing gave way to authentic, raw excitement. I saw Jonas first. Nie was at the car with Joan who just turned one last week. Seeing Nie and Jonas (TAFCOM founders) at the airport filled me with an overwhelming feeling of coming home. I could have kissed the earth.

The drive from the airport to Pasua was about 45 minutes. Pasua is the village where TAFCOM is located and where I am staying. It is the 2^nd poorest village outside of Moshi. Moshi is a town of about 200,000 (more on this later). Even thought it was dark, the ride flooded me with memories as I saw the familiar sites of 2 years ago….people driving on the other side of the road; people walking at all hours on any kind of road; the smells of rain, wood burning, food cooking - all mixed together to awaken the senses.

We passed Soweto where I stayed in 2012. As we entered Moshi so many sights I remembered, the roundabout, stores, restaurants, hotels.

The highway we traveled on is paved. When we turned out of Moshi to go to Pasua we traveled on dirt roads that are uneven and full of pot holes, many made worse by all the rains. It is the end of the rainy season and this year there has seen an abundance of rain. I learned to appreciate rain in 2012 because for these people rain means the crops grow and they will have food to eat.

The house where I stay is part of a gated compound with multiple units. Along with one of the TAFCOM teachers (Mary) and the young woman who takes care of our unit (Neema), I am the only volunteer staying here. We are the first residents. It is extremely clean and freshly painted. Our unit has a sitting room that also doubles as the kitchen. There is no stove or refrigerator. A small cook stove and a sandwich maker serve as cooking utensils.

My bedroom is wonderful. I have a double bed, desk and my own bathroom with a squatty potty, small sink and shower (no mirror). (A separate posting has pictures and more details.) 

After saying good night to Nie and Jonas I was too wound up to sleep so I did some organizing. Before bed Neema said, “Jisikia nyumbani” which means “Feel at home.” Such an understatement!

Stress Free Living

September 5 – September 15

View of Pasture

Two weeks of absolutely no stress or contact with the outside world - I wish this for everyone. It is peaceful and solitary. Some days I have many hours to fill but I am not bored. With no internet I can only be on my computer as long as the battery lasts. Reading or journaling outside near the pasture or on my bed looking out the window at the banana trees and cows has become a favorite pastime. I pay more attention to my surroundings, soaking in the beauty of this place and attempting to experience what it is like to live off the land. Embracing the energy of the people, I detect that they innately understand that feeling unhappy or negative does absolutely no good and changes nothing. I will return to the memory of this place when I get caught up in the complications and frenzy of western life.

Life could not be simpler here… yet life is tougher than anything we know. It is difficult in a way that might be reminiscent of pioneer days in the US. The hard and laborious daily chores never seem to end. Everyone goes about their day working hard but also laughing and joking with one another. Only the most basic of needs really matter. No one cares about aesthetics. It is all about practicality and usefulness. Our 2 biggest luxuries include a generator that runs 3 hours each night, and a black & white TV with a 12 inch screen and a fuzzy picture.

Ronald & Paul
Chopping Onions & Tomatoes

The crowing roosters and the clanking of dishes being washed often wake me between 5 and 6 in the morning. Gloria and Carmy wash the previous night’s dishes before leaving for school around 7:00 am. Anita and Betty are up sweeping and wiping down the floors. Everyone works from the crack of dawn until dark and the women don’t stop until bedtime, usually around 10 when the generator is turned off. The children do chores before and after school. No one complains; the workload is shared; and, from all appearances, everyone gets along very well.

My day begins with an hour walk/run. It took several days to find a route that allowed me some peace of mind. One day I caused quite a ruckus as I came upon a primary school. The children had just been dismissed and were scampering out to the road. As soon as I was spotted shouts of “mzungu” could be heard from many directions. Students joined me on my run despite wearing no shoes. The bolder children kept pace with me; the shyer ones held back only to squeal and run away when I turned back to try and involve them. My feelings vacillated between that of the Pied Piper and a celebrity being hounded by paparazzi.

Another morning I passed a school that was in session and some of the kids yelled from the windows. I was worried that they would be hit for being disruptive. I finally found a great side road for running with no schools for me to disrupt; just families going about their daily chores, shouting out greetings and encouragement.

“Good Morning, Sir” is a common greeting. Most of the locals have minimal English skills. Because the language has no personal pronouns it is difficult to differentiate “he” and “she”. Greetings often include “Sir” or “Madam” and I have been greeted with “Good Morning, Sir” as many times as with “Madam”. The cows and goats are even friendly, meandering across the road looking for the greener grass. I always give them the right of way because they are bigger than me and some of the bulls have huge intimidating horns.

Running on my last day I added “Goodbye” to my regular greeting. They will realize in a few days that I am gone. I hope they will remember the friendly muzungu if I am able to return in a few years and run on the same roads.

When I return from running, Anita has a bucket of hot water ready for me to shower with. Breakfast follows my shower, usually including tea, bread and fruit. I have acquired a taste for tea with milk. The tea is made with freshly picked leaves boiled in water. I like dipping my bread in the tea and one morning shared a dipped piece with Vina, the 13 month old. She loved it and circled the table each time returning for another piece. We now have a morning ritual. Whenever I sit down for breakfast Vina is by my side to see what I will share.

Some days I am able to catch a nap. One of my first days at the House/Farm I thought it had rained but discovered that the wind blowing thru the banana trees sounds like a soft rain. I would like to capture this on tape and use it for a sleep aid. When it does rain, the pounding of the rain on the metal roof drowns out all other noises. I find its constancy to be very soothing.

The farmers are concerned about their yields for this year due to the lack of rain. The planting of seeds and crops occur during the rainy season. I have participated in some of the planting. The physical activity and sore muscles feel great. Locals stop just to watch a mzungu work and a few have asked if I might also come help on their farms!

Cutting Cassava Branches
 for Planting

I planted cassava, a root vegetable which, whether eaten raw or cooked, tastes like our baking potatoes. The process of planting cassava involves cutting the tree branches and chopping them in 10-12 inch pieces. One piece is laid sideways in a hole and covered with dirt. It rained for a short while during planting but nothing stops because of rain. The leaves from the cut branches are then gathered and fed to the pigs.

Digging the Hole

Planting the Branch

We have also planted corn. First dried for about a week, the kernels are then plucked off the cob by hand. It was harder than I expected and my fingers got quite the workout. Most vegetables are planted among the banana trees which mean more of the land can be used. Not being a shade tree, the banana trees allow plenty of sunshine for other crops to grow.

Me Planting Peanuts

Betty Planting Peanuts

Betty and I spent a large part of one day planting peanuts. Tedious and monotonous work, we used a hoe to make a hole then dropped the seed and covered the hole. This process was repeated for two hours before we took a break around 10 am for breakfast. We returned to our planting after breakfast for another two hours and finished before the rains came. Doing this on a daily basis is hard to imagine.

Ground Nuts

Many varieties of nuts grow in Uganda but I am only familiar with the peanuts. I peeled nuts from a shell that looked like a flattened quarter-size pea. For lunch we boiled and chopped the nuts mixing them into a sauce to be added to cooked greens. A mixture of pineapple, tea leaves and ginger was brewed over a wood fire for our drink. Both were delicious.

Maria Mashing Nuts

Peeling Ground Nuts

Anita, Betty and I peel bananas and cassava most days. We also cut up pumpkin which is steamed and quite good. I told Betty and Anita about pumpkin pie. Betty asked if someone helped me with cooking at home. She was also curious if anyone did my laundry. I explained about washing machines. I later shared our conversation with Mami who revealed that she had only ever seen pictures of a washing machine. I then described a dishwasher but added that when living by myself I rarely used it. I feel embarrassed talking about the machinery and technology we have that does our work for us when it may never be something these people experience.

Mama with newborn Piglets

Both the women and men are involved in planting. However, it is the men who take care of the animals. One evening Adrian from the Go Farm called with news that one of the pigs was giving birth. After dinner Uncle Peter drove Mami and me over on his motorcycle. Arriving, we found that mama pig had delivered 7 piglets, one was stillborn. Of course, they were all adorable. They were walking and falling over each other in their attempts to breastfeed. We stayed over an hour and when it looked like mama was starting to deliver the placenta we decided to head home. We got to the road when we were called back. Mama was delivering another piglet. Sadly it was another stillborn birth.

A couple nights we ate dinner in the dark because the generator was acting up. Gloria and I worked on her homework using the flashlight on my cell phone. She wrote a composition about how she spent her recent school break and included a part on my visit and the games we made. It had to be at least 100 words and we were the last ones to bed. Another part of my daily routine is to help Gloria with her homework. She appears to be a pretty smart child and often receives a “Good” on her assignments.

I feel a special closeness to Gloria and when I told her that I would be leaving she said she was sad and might cry. I told her I would miss her but would stay in touch thru Peter and Mami. I asked the date of her birthday but she did not know. I told her how we celebrated in the US and that we would find out her birthdate so I could send her a card.

As in Tanzania, the Uganda culture is very respectful of those who are older. The traditions in Uganda are very different than Tanzania in that people will kneel on bended knee or bow. The first time I observed this, a woman selling ground nuts lowered herself to the ground as Peter approached to purchase the nuts. My initial reaction was shock as it seemed like an act of submission. At the House/Farm the children, both boys and girls, bow to their knee when addressing an adult. Maria and Vina (3 yo & 13 mos)are also learning and bow to Mami. I had a very enlightening conversation with Mami who clarified that the tradition has nothing to do with submission, explaining that bowing or kneeling is a gesture of respect. Adults will also greet each other this way regardless of age. I must admit that the respect shown by the children is refreshing. I doubt they ever think about talking back or refusing to do something asked of them.

Also similar to Tanzania is the importance of music in the Uganda culture. One evening, several children gathered to sing and dance for me. Betty joined in singing and drumming on a plastic jug. I tried to videotape them but it was dark so the quality was poor. The kids still enjoyed watching and listening to themselves when I replayed the video.

Drummers

The tailoring women have started their own drumming and dancing group. The performers include the tailoring women, some of their children, and other local youth. Watching them perform, an energy of joy fills the room. The pride in their traditions and country is expressed so jubilantly thru their music. Here is a video of a few segments (less than one minute) 
http://youtu.be/6fjiRuq2MVM

Timothy with Jackfruit

Religion also plays a significant role in the daily lives of the Ugandan people. Most of the villagers are Catholic including Peter and the others at the House/Farm. Both children and adults commonly wear rosaries as necklaces. Because people farm, Sunday is still a work day. However, a large meal is prepared for lunch. My first Sunday at the House/Farm was a meal of firsts. We ate chicken and chapati plus jackfruit which may be my new favorite food.

Cooking Chicken

Chapati

 As my time in Uganda draws to a close I find that I need to lighten my load again. I gave away clothing, a flashlight and a rain poncho to Anita, Betty, Gloria, Paul, Ronald and Uncle Peter. Betty and Anita modeled their new skirts and the kids were excited to each have a new shirt. I apologized to Mami because I had nothing left to give her. She replied that her gift is seeing others receive.

Bingo, the kitten Mami brought from Kampala, is missing. She was last seen a few days ago before a thunderstorm and no one has seen her since. Bingo is the 2^nd cat that has been brought to the farm. The first one also disappeared. I suggested that maybe the 3^rd try would be the charm and they could name the cat “Charm” for good luck!

Mami and I were driven back to Peter’s house in Kampala on the 15^th. I would fly to Ireland on the 18^th.  The Ireland trip will help my transition back to the “ways of the western world”. I am not going to dwell on “how hard it might be to readjust” when I return to the states. I have been adjusting to so many changes in the last 7 months, my return to the US will be one more. I have also adopted the attitude that everything I do is temporary. This always gives me something new to look forward to!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Everyone has been so kind. Mami is obviously loved and respected by everyone at both farms. She is a very kind soul and made my stay comfortable and relaxing. She reminds me of Nie, in that being around her brings out the best in a person. Spending time with people who are so genuine and kind cannot help but make one a better person. We can all learn from their simplistic and practical way of living. The difficult side of this lifestyle is, of course, the poverty. The work ethic is beyond comparison. When they work they work hard and when they have free time it is filled with stories, music and laughter. In their simple world, they make the most of life.

Me & Uganda Family

One of My Favorite Pics

Pasture