final final day

I forgot to mention a mystery which I will first give you,drawing it out as long as I can then when you can't stand it anymore and are fearful you will have horrible dreams about it as well as cursing me and threatening to kill me I will give you the answer. So this is the way it begins: the first day I have breakfast--no mystery yet we all have breakfasts or at least we should--when suddenly the roof begins to echo and re-echo with a loud noise. It is as if someone is bowling on the roof. Several times the loud booming is repeated. On the second day-notice how I am prolonging the mystery-the bowling continues. Now Judy is caught up in the mystery as no doubt you are as well. Could large coconuts be falling on the roof and if they are could they someday fall on our heads? But there are no coconut trees near by. Now,like you, we are becoming desperate. What is the source of the loud noise? Could there really be somebody bowling up there? Then Judy comes up with a bright idea. let us ask someone. Can you now guess the answer? Can you? Can you? No you can't. Tiny beans dropping down on our metal. andc you thought it was somone bowling. Bob

Sadness and Joy

Our last day. It was less strenuous this year because we worked 8-12:30 only and did notn come back 4 times a week for the Peace and Justice club. So, less tired. I will miss these kids dreadfully. I feel Iv gotten to know then very well in this little time. We had a small party for the kids,who sit in rapt silence, as goodies are distributed.Almost painful to watch, as we know why.They are hungry. We also brought in small treats for the teacher recess. So ,make what you will of this: I did NOT attend a meeting of the Young Socialist Club, headed by Nyka G., because I represent the literacy project, and in a sense L.O.V.E.I wanted badly to go. They meet Sundays at 6:30. We were there, nodded, and left as G and friends came in.. Then, today, there were many prayers, thanking the 2 teachas from Canada , when , on an impiulse I taught the 45 assemled children and 2 teachers " ,Baruch atta Adonai, Elohainu Malech Ha Olam, ha Motzi lechem min ha arets" Joyce says she will review this prayer with them... We have seen big changes in the children. Mutebe Julius is now very controllable and learning! Charles is speedy. Asaba learns. Shamim is smart. Teddy is stolid and curious. I hope the videos that James took come out! Goodbye wond a ful St. Hentry's and TNP! Tomorrow we will pack and then go to enjoy the pool at La Forest,nearby. Sunday, off to Zanzibar , a film festival, and beaches. TNP is a WONDERFUL project.!! Support us! J

The final day

After we met the children for the last time both of us felt very sad. Such nice kids. So very cute. We had two parties: one for the teachers,one for the students Our students,and the other students from the kindergarden Our students got cereal,popcorn,dried dates so did the other students. Images of Uganda: hardworking people(passing by restaurant door before seven A.M bound for work,the woman at the hotel hard at work on the restaurant floor at 6:30 A.M.).; People of Kampala not standing for any wrong. They will beat-up those they feel have done wrong from thievery to murder(Hannah who lives here has seen mobs attack thieves,has been told of drivers of motorcycles,cars fleeing accidents because they are fearful of the vengeance of mobs.) Nice people,friendly,polite. Now its off to Zanzibar. See you people soon.

Bob

Almost Over!!!

If you stood motionless, even on a quiet road, within 3 hours your clothes and body would be covered with red dust.If you are careful, you are never truly clean, as after a shower you put on deet, to add a step against Malaria. Molly, at school, got Malaria. So did a doctor friend of Roz Labow's.... We are careful: bottled water,only cooked vegetables, and fruit one can peel.So far, so good. Tomorrow is our last day! Bob was upset today when the teacher left the children to their own devices while she and i tried to figure out words to a lovely Raffi song. The kids are taking exams! Imagine! We can use samples in our JGH nursery and kdg. I did 90% of the teaching today. It went well, and altogether Im very pleased at how our time has gone. I learned from the experience of the 2 previous volunteers, Ellen and Doreen. By the way, some In Need home kids, now sponsored, were CHEERING when they heard HOW AHD is coming next. TO ALL TEACHERS and OT s etc: for the experience of your life, work with us in Namuwongo! J

tid and bits

Whew, ya gotta live with it.ya gotta ....Its been one half hour and Ive gotten this far. Here are some tids and bits: is someone sponsoring Pamela? wHO? Next: Gaby , we used your lovely Bingo cards. We had to cover the number combinations past ten, and the new concept was very hard, but i do believe Joyce will continue with this!Later. I introduced the balance with concepts of heavier, lighter, equal....moved on to equalities with bottle caps. This is for Linda shecter...they were using YOUR parquetry designs, pegboards, blocks, saved from the garbage by our present kdg teacher who knew I could use ALL. And the children were loving every minute.It gives me the shivers. At supper( yoghurt, an apple, and 3 cookies) spoke with a young Belgian girl staying with an African family, disturbed by their display of wealth. For lunch, lest you consider us deprived, we shlep on the beautiful path, as described by Bob, but then eat at an Indian restaurant, giving us a break before the rest of the hill. Hearing of your weather, i am happy to be inIUganda,where it is a balmy 30 degrees.Bob is nervous. Dark approaching.Bonsoir tout le monde! J

Tests

After taking our walk to the school(one of the most beautiful walks I have ever taken:away from traffic and congesti0n. Red buildings,red roadway,relatively flat,few people,how peaceful,no fear of motorcyclists steering into you thinking you are a rock) we arrived at the school. We were then told that the students were to be given a test(Judy found the test as good as any she's seen in Canada). The result: I did not teach the students subtraction. I then wrote a memo to the teacher where I pointed out how one could use the counters for subtraction,multiplication,division. At the school I took videos of the children,their teacher,and Judy dancing(pretty graceful for her age which I will not mention only pointing out that she's no longer a spring chicken). Then we returned by the same path taking some more videos. And now here I am in a very talkative internet place trying to get out of here as fast as possible

our Adventure Continues

one high light was Gadafi' visit. He writes a not, thanking me , mummy, for helping him continue his education. Says he wants to be an engineer. Sister Milka also slips us a note. They want to be remembered to Jessica and Melanie.. The day in our classroom went smoothly. While teacha Bob cultivates advanced maths, Im counting bottle caps with the middles and bebbies.My lessons wnt well,.... because Joyce was in the room. Without her...? It is hot Power going out daily.The children continue continue to amaze me. Met with headmaster and found a way to cut our budget thus enabling us to add 5 more children. a primary school teacher earns about 1100$US yearly... Ti aad... a good ,but fairly intense day. I love the new path to school, and look forward to tomorrow.

Miracles

Well,after another power failure which left computers malfunctioning here I am again. We went to the school a new flatter quieter more beautiful route,a faster route as well Most of my students can really add now. Tomorrow we play counting Bingo and the day after I teach subtraction

Bob

Sunday

We were supposed to go to a pool, but its overcast, so we are moving slowly. We went to the Italian Supermarket. Bob got ice cream, and I, tea, with masala. Before continuing: the vicious rumour that Howard corrects my blogs IS A LIE!!! He corrects my SPELLING< only!!!Anyway, we met 2 people who had finished a stint in CONGO. He was there for 3 months, a logicien, from France, and she, a nurse from the midwest.They had been with Medecins Sans Frontier......wow.They are having de briefing in Geneva. Thats all for today. Bob will work on Moishe's math problem....

The Rest

Today we rested like God.i.e, if He is Jewish. After an exhausting Friday where my students,tired of doing addition began to trade the counters or simply take ones from others, we today took it easy,spending our time at an African art gallery where we bought a couple of paintings. How I love African art. In the morning we bought necklaces for Canadians, Well,Moish, I can only say that my students can probably add better than you. Lets see you add 5 million,seven hundred and fifty thousand,l nine hundred and sixty-seven, five trillion sixty-five billion,nine million seven hundred thousand twenty nine in five seconds. You still haven't gotten it? And I did not even give you one of the additions my students were able to work out. Suppose you now were asked to add five and one,what would be your answer? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Bob

Kisugu

Saturday: no work. Bob went out, the intrepid explorer, to find a more direct, shorter route to the school. He did!!!Just after he returned, triumphant, Sophia came with about 100 necklaces. I picked 60. Unfortunately, there were only smaller ones in red. Not really small, but not huge!!!After transacting business, we went to an art gallery in town, where I helped the artistic community by buying two pieces... one ,a gift, the other for me. We came back via Kisugu. You want to close your eyes, and pretend not to see ,because if you see, you weep. Judy

We had an easy day! Friday is "fre activity", and wow, when the 2 classes got together,did they ever sing and dance!!! We also met Godfrey, who we have sponsored since 2005. H is doing very He remembers Jessica and Melanie. According to his teacha he is a strong student

Doreen , another child we sponsor,is having trouble with Math. The power went out for a couple of hours,but we were back at the Kenrock, and didnt mind. Doreen and Ellen, the 2 kids that "graduated" are Yasin and Christine. There s a new baby , Teddy. We thought she was a boy. But she is a squat,chubby girl,3 years old, who watches bob and me with a discerning eye. Bob will write tomorroe. love, Judy

A Wonderful Day

I find it almost electrifying to watch and think of this tiny literacy program. As Bob mentioned, 2 kids left today, filled with pride. Susanna and Linda have sponsored, each one child. The ones who left are the brightest of the lot. It will not be an easy jump,but Joyce had equipped them well. Bob and I each did good work today. It was brilliant (if I say so myself) to arrive prepared with lessons, ready with the equipment, work sheets etc.We met with Peter to discuss finances, and were pleased We also met with James and Molly, who were last years mentors of the Peace Club. Molly has malaria,but was working nonetheless. James is special, and I like talking to him...Last evening we had dinner with George, the son of Sophia, who runs a coop, and provides us with beads. George is articulate,bright, incisive,and the head of a small Socialist club. We turned down the invitation to meet the group. as we are here representing LOVE and our Literacy project...After work we took a "hire" downtown, to Uganda Air to get our tickets to Zanzibar. Though this is not easy work, it is overwhelmingly exciting and gratifying. Small as it is,it is a powerful tool. Thank you to family, friends and our supporters...