August 11, 2016
Here are a few pix of Johnathan Wright’s home near Mukono, a village outside Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Veranda at Jonathan’s house
Inner courtyard at Jonathan’s home.
Mark, Julia and Jonathan
After leaving Jonathan, we flew south from Kampala to Kihihi in the SW corner of Uganda and were driven to our accommodations near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Within an hour of checking into the Mahogany Lodge, we joined our Kellermann team on an excursion to visit the Batwa, the people who were displaced from the forest where they had been hunter-gathers for unknown generations. When they start beating their drums and singing, the rhythm is infectious and you want to get up and dance with them….at least I did. (Sure wish one of you word tell me how to put videos in this blog. I have a super video of the dancing and singing.)
Batwas dancing and singing in their native clothes made from bark.
Batwa men dancing to the beat of drums and singing
I will admit that they smell pretty bad up close, especially when they start dancing. After one song I needed a break from the smell more than the exertion. They are friendly, charming people, however. Scott Kellermann has learned enough of their language that he is able to do a decent job of communicating with them. They all clearly love him for the time and effort he has put into their physical, spiritual and economic well being. In only 15 years, the results of his work are astounding. He has managed to get a top quality hospital in place to meet the needs of the Batwa and the other local people; he has set up an insurance plan that helps them feel empowered with only a little investment on their part; he has established a nursing school with about 100 students enrolled in three year programs that will allow the graduates to take care of most of the needs of the people in their own villages; he has set up primary schools for the Batwa to help them gain a foothold in the larger community; and he has organized scholarship programs to help those who show promise to attend better schools. There are now a handful of students who are graduating from high school and attending university. the list of accomplishments goes on and still the work is constant and the need for funding ever greater.
Julia joins in with the Batwa.
Julia stands near the Batwa to show how small they are.
It is late and we have another full day tomorrow. Good night.
Adventures with Julia 