Adventures with Julia

September 24, 2018

Buhoma, SW Uganda

The ficus tree under which Dr Scott and Carol Kellermann administered IVs to malaria patients.

The day was full of unexpected changes, but it all turned out well.   Anivious had left us after dinner the night we arrived in Mahogany Springs and Juliana, Mark’s and my godchild, had joined us for dinner at the Gorilla Forest Camp on the 23rd and was due to meet me at Mahogany Springs at 9am.  I had not planned to join the group on their Batwa Experience hike. However, Scott thought I should go and take Juliana with me, so that is what we did.

Morning assembly at Mukono School near the ficus tree

Levi, our guide on the hike, started his Batwa Experience talk under the huge ficus tree where Scott and Carol first cared for malaria patients in 2002-4 on blankets spread on the ground around the tree with IVs hung from it. I remembered because Mark and I experienced it.

Batwa entertain us as we hike the Batwa Experience

The hike up the mountain to the pigmy encampment was steeper and farther than expected and about half way there the group decided it was too steep and hot to go the rest of the way.

A Batwa woman beside the trail

We turned around and went back to a small ledge where the Batwa did a modified version of their performance for us.

A mother suckers her baby while singing with the dancers.

The frightening figure chases evil spirits away

Their thoughtful gesture was appreciated.  They sang, drummed, danced, called their spirit creature to drive away evil and made fire using only sticks.

Marlene and Mimi looking over the Batwa products

On the way down the hill we came upon displays of hand made products that attracted buyers in our group.  Juliana did really well and had no problem with the hike.  Levi, whose home was nearby, had loaned her a pair of shoes his daughter wears that were exactly Juliana’s size.

Al kicks a ball to the Mukono school kids

Back at the bottom of the hill we visited the Mukuno village school where Levi taught classes.  There we gave crayons to the teachers and kicked out soccer balls to the children. The kids went crazy with the 3 new balls.

Al kicks a ball to the Mukono school kids

Mukono School kids playing with the balls

Back at Mahogany Springs, Juliana tried on the clothing I had brought for her.  Fortunately it all fit, although she is growing like a weed and it may not fit for long. Then I walked her home and met with her parents, Gino and Victor, who showed off their new son, who was born in December.  Now there are 3 girls and a boy.   I stayed only a short time and left.

Juliana shows off her new clothes

Juliana and her godparents

Juliana with her parents and new brother

After lunch, most of the group crashed.  Only Marlene, Larry, Phil, Mark and I went to visit Victory School in Buhoma.  It is a private school with a focus on music.

The owners of the Victory School

Surrounded by happy kids.

We met the owners of the school and the music director.  I asked if they would be interested in having some recorders and he said yes very enthusiastically.  He would love to have 65 of them.  Happily, he knew how to play the instrument and promised not to let the recorders leave the school.  We handed out a few soccer balls and Frisbees and the children were jubilant.  They were all dressed in clean, well-made uniforms and did a spontaneous performance for us that included: choreographed dancing, singing and drumming with an older girl doing the leading.

Marlene, Larry, me and Phil watching the students perform, while the smallest kids sit on our laps.  Easy to love them all.

All of us were invited to dance and happily got into the mood.   I was sorry the whole group had not been there to share the experience.  Finally, the music stopped and we departed amid much thankfulness all around.  We agreed to return the next day with the recorders.

Everyone appeared for dinner at the lodge and went to bed early. I was exhausted.