"TEACHER.....WE ARE HERE TO LEARN!"

My "slow burn" has evaporated .............because we had our first, real class today. Boy did we luck out with Rona and Lillian. They are really wonderful teachers, and great with the kids. The teachers were so excited with all the material that they finally had in their possession, saying that they wished we could start a 'real' school. They certainly did have enough teaching material and school supplies. Our students were absolutely delightful! The first two, in their eagerness, arrived 1 hour too early. "Teacher, we are here to learn!", they shouted as they walked through the gate of the In-Need Home. There was a little bit of shyness and reluctance to talk on this first day, but they soon warmed up under the guidance of the 2 Ugandan teachers,myself AND Adrian. Today was more of a get acquainted day, where we tried to learn even more about the children and their skill levels. We introduced them to the building and the most amazing spot that some of them had ever seen......the bathroom with its toilet. The majority of the children are more familiar with the pit/latrine in the back of their homes. Many had to try out the flush a number of times! You should have seen their eyes when we brought out their schoolbags to present to them at the end of the day. And then when we showed them what we had put inside....... - a pencil, a notebook, a comb, crayons, a sharpener, an eraser, and stickers.........the smiles on their faces indicated that every penny we raised, every school & student that contributed material, whatever trials and tribulations and costs we went through here until today was worth everything! The teachers explained that these items were a gift from Canadian children and their schools. Many of the children have never received a gift before. You could see how special they felt! They had schoolbags and supplies! In many families these children are cared for by relatives with children of their own. The relatives' children may go to school, but the families do not have the fees for these children for whom they are caring. They remain at home watching the other children, in their school uniforms, leave with schoolbags and return later in the day.They left the In-Need Home proudly today, trudging down the dirt road with schoolbags on their backs. For the next hour, many of them returned with friends to proudly show them 'their' school!

As far as the shipment goes.....the story continues! Talk about contrasts! Yesterday Awel (our G.F.I.C/host) brought us along on a lunch that we were all invited to, in Jinga, at the home (mansion - pictures above) of the Ugandan Consul General to the United States, She is a born and bred Ugandan of Indian heritage. Her family owns the Kakira Sugar Cane plantation and the makers of Kakira sugar....among many other things they own. The home and grounds were absolutely magnificent. Truly, I have never seen a home so beautiful. When we arrived we were each presented with a tall, chilled glass of home made sugar cane juice, heavily spiced with ginger. Later, we were served, by the house staff, a traditional Indian lunch on the patio (while the peacocks strutted right next to our chairs. I couldn't help myself but bring up my Friday's frustration with the $'s we were charged for storage and taxes. The consul general was also shocked.....but not surprised! She felt that the taxes should have been forgiven on this first occassion. However, she explained that the Cargo is run by a private company and they set their own rules. However, she agreed that she would bring up the issue with those in the government who might make a difference. We can only hope, but we have learned valuable lessons for next time!