As we leave Kampala today, we have to take a detour courtesy of road construction on the main highway towards Namyoya. The ‘detour’ resembles a BMX racetrack. There is no marked route, just a lot of paths. Ahead of us we can see several vehicles that have come to a dead end and are having to back up to try another path. It reminds me of rats in a maze. We get to a point where we have to unload the bus and walk. Our walk takes us by a garbage dump – a lovely bouquet of smells – not. The vehicles following us are not happy with the MZUNGUs walking and slowing them down.
We end up walking past a brick factory. It is interesting to see how they make the bricks, let them dry and then fire them in a very large kiln. The workers stop and watch us go by. A few greet us and wave. In all, we end up walking about half a mile. The bus has to negotiate a 15 foot embankment at a 30 degree angle. We have to get someone at the top of the hill to watch for traffic. The bus needs a running start to get up the hill.
We brought a couple of soccer balls with us today. Yesterday we had noticed a school on the way to Namyoya where the children were playing with another home-made soccer ball. We stop at the school but no one is outside. Luke, Gene and Jerome head up to the school with the ball and get met about halfway by several of the children who enthusiastically accept the ball. I’m too sure that the teacher appreciated the interruption but the children are certainly happy.
We are greeted enthusiastically
Easier to walk than ride
We arrive at the road to the village and get out. The roads are too bad to try and drive while the bus is loaded. The children know that we are coming and are there to greet us. The walk to the church is always much shorter and more enjoyable in their company. The people are already gathered at the church and we receive the hugs and greeting that we have grown to appreciate so much. I think back to the first day in Busia when this all seemed so strange and unusual. I was thinking – what have I gotten myself into – these are strangers, you don’t just hug people you’ve never seen before. Now it does not seem natural not to greet people this way.
Gene and I have a goal – we want to help with building the walls of the parsonage. It is not practical as we find out so we settle for what is most needed. Our project for the day is to back fill the main room of the house with dirt. If we were in the States, we would back the bobcat up and move the dirt in about 30 minutes – not an option. Like everything else we have seen, we will do this by hand.
No - it is not Gunga Din - Just me trying to keep from over-heating.
Robert showed up at the church. Gene really enjoyed working with him.
Gene and I struggled with the hoe. It was too short for us. I'm sure we amused the locals.
The line
Moving dirt - one pan at a time
A good view the of dirt pile and the line.
Gene and I alternate between using the hoe (looks more like an axe) and filling the wheelbarrow with dirt. A line is formed to pass dirt. The women of the village and several of our team members form the line. It soon becomes apparent that they can move the dirt faster than we can load the wheelbarrow and the containers. A couple of men appear to man the hoes and Gene and I become full time shovel users. It is remarkable how fast the room is back filled.
One wall done, one to go
The almost finished product - it considerably brightened the inside of the church.
Here is the picture of the church when we arrived. The mason is just getting started.
Here is the finished wall. I wonder if the scaffold is OSHA approved?
Not everyone can be a part of the dirt moving project. Some of our team helps put yet another coat of paint on the inside walls. One of the masons is applying stucco to the outside of the church. The rest of the team heads for the school. They are planning on working with the children during school.
The teacher at the school was glad to see the team.
See any possibilities for school supplies?
The project of the day was art.
The day passes all too quickly and it is time to go. No one is ready to go but we have an early day tomorrow. The girls have started another PB&J session with the children and today the adults join in. We run out of bread and start applying peanut butter directly to fingers.
It may not look like much but this is the result of our day. We have moved about 2 foot of dirt into the whole room. Before we started, you would have only seen Debbie from the neck up.
I am exhausted but happy. It is a day that I have thoroughly enjoyed.
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