ANOTHER BUSY DAY IN PARADISE…
This morning started with us returning to Bulubandi to finish up pictures and to have the children who got gifts from their sponsored families to write thank you letters. This was such a neat image… actually both pieces were. Judy was sitting with Julie under a tree with the kids who were writing their sponsors thank you letters for the gifts of goats and chickens. They were all so focused on what to say and their handwriting was perfect. Penmanship was one of the few subjects I use to excel in, and they really put me to shame. They were so thankful for all that you had done. Meanwhile Jaimie, Liz and I were in search of the Nursery kids so we could complete all the school class pictures. Bridget, who is the head English teacher (and speaks better English than we do) walked with us. As we walked into the classroom the entire class stood up and greeted us. Bridget then led them in song; Old McDonald Had a Farm, and one other nursery rhyme. Then she asked us to introduce ourselves and do a dance. So being the first to introduce myself, I did just that. I boogied my little heart off which started the whole class laughing hysterically. Then it was Jaimie's turn and she cheated. She asked the class to show her how to dance. She literally wimped out. And then Liz just tried to ignore the instructions. But I called her out and she politely declined so we started singing "Mary had a little lamb". Imagine my surprise when they knew all the words. A few refrains of that and I think they realized we couldn't carry a tune in a bucket and decided we should begin with what we had originally set out to do. So all the kiddos filed out and we started to take pictures. Jaimie, Liz and Bridget have this down to a fine art. I just sat and enjoyed the kids handing each one a letter that one of the second grade classes I visited had written to the kids.
Judy stayed at the school to finish up there while the three of us went into town to eat lunch at the Sol Café, a restaurant managed by Musana. I had the best chicken I've had since I've been here – good 'ole grilled white meat! Then we went to a grocery store where Liz graciously bought brooms and mops for Kakombo, both for the nurses who live out there and the clinic. After watching them clean their rooms we are hoping this will make it easier for them all. We also bought Bibles for all the kids we did the interviews with for future sponsorships. As I mentioned earlier we had them read their favorite passage. After reading they were asked if they had a Bible. They all said no. When asked if they would like to have one, and if they did would they read it, they all enthusiastically answered yes. And so today we bought each of those children one that we will give them before we leave. It was a clear example of lack of communication today however. We kept asking Haji where we could find a mop. He kept telling us in the Bible store. We knew this wasn't right and he was adamant he knew he was correct. We finally figured out he thought we were saying map. A light went off with all of us and we all had a good laugh. We had a really good conversation with him today about his background and his faith. He is such a good man, and so good to us that we want to make sure we honor him in the same way. We asked him if it was hard driving all our teams of Christian groups. He said that no. God was good and we all got along. We asked if he had time to do his prayers and he said yes that when working God allowed him to save those prayers for a later time. He is so open to anything we ask. Which makes for really good conversation.
After leaving there we went by Phil's kid's house to pick up Aloko Paul to bring him to Jinja to see the doctor. We arrived early and had a chance to run by some of the shops again and then came to the medical center. This was an interesting adventure. Jaimie was confident she knew the way. Haji was sure she didn't and kept stopping to ask people along the way. He finally gave in and followed her directions, which to his surprise led right to the front door. Sadly, when we got here the doctor had already left so we were left to see his nurse. After asking a series of questions and quickly examining his ears she called Dr. Charles and gave a brief report. Based on her analysis he said he would come back and see him if we could wait 30-45 minutes. Paul reported that his ears had been hurting, and draining on and off since 2008. When the ears drained drops obtained over the counter would be put in. He said he has lost some of his hearing and that when they are draining he is in pain. Paul is so shy and bashful. I had an earache a few months ago and I can tell you they hurt. So now we are in the doctors office waiting for him to arrive. I am so praying that he will have a solution to resolve the problem. No child should suffer for so long without anything substantial being done. He is such a sweet child and it really breaks my heart. So we are patiently waiting. Aloki is eating beef jerky, Liz is sitting on the floor.
Dr. Charles came and saw Aloko. He examined him and then asked if any of us were nurses. When we all said no he explained it in really simple layman's terms, "One ear is sicker than the other". The good news – we all understood. He put him on Augmenton (?), a fungus medicine and Tylenol to be taken for the next seven days. The total bill was 45,000 shillings which is less than $25.00. Amazing! He was so gentle and so good. So we will return next Thursday to see how he is doing. Afterwards we ate at the Source Café and watching Aloko eat something other than posho and beans was pure joy. We then dropped him back off at the kid's house and came back – getting back to the Mum around 8! Another full day. I'm sad to report that we missed trivia night but then again that might have been a blessing. None of us have had a single moment to keep up with a single world event in the last few weeks so we probably would have embarrassed ourselves to no end! Besides taking care of this child was much more important. Unless they asked us what room we are staying in at the Mum we probably would have failed! And so another day ends. Sleep will be in short supply and then another wonderful day will begin.
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