Adventures with Julia

August 14, 2016 at Mahogany Springs Lodge

Continuing with the 11th:  From Bishop’s school, we visited another school, Kitariro (pronounced Chitario), sponsored by the Batwa Development Program, which is under the Kellermann Foundation umbrella.  Sadly, the school is not doing well and there was much discussion about transferring the school, which is kindergarten through 3rd grade,  to the Diocese for management.  I totally agree with that assessment.

The group of us, divided into two vans, finally headed back to Buhoma, where our various accommodations are located.  It had been a long day that was not yet over.  After a quick shower, we all reconvened at the home of Levi, the assistant head of BDP.   He and his family put on a huge meal for at least 40 people in their garden.  It was all traditional foods that we mostly do not care for, but eat to be polite.  There was matoke (steamed plantain), cassava (a flavorless root starch), millet (a sticky paste like starch), old goat chopped up in undefinable and inedible pieces, beans, lots of rice, flavorful gravy that covered a multitude of unpleasant textures and a large pot of pasta, ostensibly for the several American kids in the group, but eaten largely by the adult Americans.   Desert was pineapple and papaya, which provided a welcomely pleasant aftertaste.  No alcohol in this African Anglican crowd, but lots of ministers.  In this culture it is appropriate for the host to thank everyone for gracing his home with their presence.  That takes a good bit of time, followed by most guests, especially the ministers, expressing their thanks for the fine repast and hospitality and wishing many blessings on the host and all the guests.  The speeches went on late into the evening, but it would have been impolite to walk out.  Finally, the speeches ended and we then had to bid our host many thanks for a wonderful evening before heading for home and bed.

Scenery at Mpungo

On the 12th, in the same 2 vans, a number of our board and family members drove 45 minutes to the small Batwa village of Mpungu to help mud a house.  This was a fun experience for everyone.

Mudding a bamboo hut for a Batwa family

The wooden  frame had been webbed with split bamboo prior to our arrival and much water and dirt had been gathered to make into mud.  Within a short time of arrival at the very scenic hilltop sight, we were all up to our elbows in mud, stuffing it into and between the webbing.  We worked about three hours and completed about 2/3rds of the job, when the host family told us to stop, clean up and have lunch.  We did our best to get clean in the dirty water, but our nails were totally black and mud clung to our arms and clothes.  Still we managed to eat the same traditional foods I described from the day before.  Only no pasta this time.  I ate a lot of rice and gravy.  Have totally given up on the goat.  I thought we would go back to finishing mudding, instead we took a group photo and headed back to Bahoma so we could all be ready for the dedication of the new wing at 4pm.

The mudders–KF Board, family members and Batwa

Knowing this was a big deal, Mark and I dressed in the best clothes we brought-linen pants for him and a long dress for me.  It was 4:30 when people began to arrive, African style, and 5pm before the program got underway.

Unveiling the plaque on the new post surgery ward

There was much wonderful singing and praying before the speeches began.  The speakers included, a minister, Dr Birungi, ED of BCH, a regional government official, Lana Valenta, President of the board of KF, Dr Scott Kellermann, founder of BCH,  Pastor Michael of Dallas and me.  We all spoke in thanksgiving for all the blessings God has provided including the new hospital wing that Mark and I have funded.  After the speeches we unveiled the plaque, cut the ribbon and toured the building.  Once everyone was crowded inside, singing reverberated around the walls.  It is a major addition to the hospital and a most awesome dedication.  Mark and I are both humbled by the experience.

Inspecting the new ward complete with private baths in some of the rooms

After the formal activities concluded, a number of us went for celebratory cocktails at a nearby lodge.  After dark we finally went for dinner at the home of one of the hospital staff who knew how to plan for tardy guests.  Nothing happens quickly here and my hunger pangs and patience were sorely tried, but I kept smiling.  Once I had eaten a hearty burrito, my personality returned.  Mark loved his burrito and ate it with gusto.  So nice to eat familiar food.  Although it was passed Mark’s and my bedtime, we were encouraged (read “told”) to attend the party happening behind the Nursing School.  So off we went.  Many people were already there, seated and waiting for us.  It was a bit embarrassing, but the instant we sat down Levy, the MC of the dedication and this party too, made many more thanksgiving comments and introduced more……yep……speeches.  The most important being thank you and farewell comments and gifts for Sally Stillings, the current KF ED who retires the first of September. After 6 years of hard organizational work, she has put the Foundation on a solid footing.

Finally, canned music blared from a loudspeaker and dancing began.   We danced as long as seemed appropriate and then slipped away into the night.  It was quite a day to remember.