GENERAL UPDATES (room and kids)

UPDATE 1: "Lira" the rooster is still alive and doing well at the Monastery. They were threatening to put him on the dinner table since he was fighting with the resident rooster. The Brothers told me that Lira is a "Village" rooster and though smaller, is tougher and meaner than the large, docile resident "City" rooster! I had a chat with Lira and he is now remaining better behaved and as a result ALIVE! He is growing and guarding his hens well.

Lira, now cautious of me after having memories of being hung
upside down! 

UPDATE 2: Patricia Corell, the PT who was here before me, came to Busega last Friday to help with the boys. We managed to put together a quick hands on training video for the Brothers to refer to when working with the boys. It was fun and the kids always love when she comes to see them! They also love being on Video!

UPDATE 3: Nicholas and Dan (the artists) dropped off the sculpture that will hang on the back wall of the private treatment room. It was made from pieces of the broken mirror (which broke during installation and nearly gave me a fit). The sculpture will reflect the mural from the opposite wall!

Nicholas and Dan putting in the saved pieces of glass 

Dan doing the finishing touches to the sculpture

UPDATE 4: We received the funding for Phillip's MRI/spinal X-Rays so we can get him into surgery to fix his spine! We managed to complete this yesterday!

Waiting for transport home after the MRI's and X-Rays
Douglass hiding 

The old MRI that needed to be re-done

watching movies and TV at the same time
(can you guess the movie? I don't think Phillip was into it) 

UPDATE 5: I met with the producers of the music video for the boys. It has been a slow process We met to renegotiate the video and the ideas. We came up with a happy solution and hopefully, GOD WILLING, will have a complete music video just in time for the concert they will be putting on!

UPDATE 6: Peter (the new scholar volunteer), Douglass and I went to see the source of the Nile. The Brothers arranged this for us. I had passed on other opportunities to go with volunteers in the past as I was much to busy. I figured, "NOW OR NEVER". I am GLAD I did. We had a lot of fun and it was a good mental break. Medson drove one of the cars belonging to an associate of the MOP. That was very generous of her to loan her car for this outing!

The start of the NILE. 60% from Lake Victoria
and 30% from an underground spring

Walking down to check it out

The source sits between these 2 man made islands

The required posing (though we didn't catch the "source"
in the background) 

Medson our driver (left) and Peter the scholar
volunteer (right)

heading out by boat

a "bird"...have no idea so don't ask 

More birds

Douglass and Medson at the actual "source" 

We had to try the "meat on a stick" on the way back
they were shoved in the windows by at least
30 vendors

DAY 3 IN LIRA

The night was not quite as quiet given the near constant thunderstorms that raged outside. Despite this, I was warm and dry and quite cozy. I woke to rain which did not turn into drizzle until mid day. Robine and I and his brother spent some time chatting in the hut until the rain subsided. I found out Benard is a wiz at setting up anything electrical. He somehow managed to hook up a solar panel to a car battery (enough to run a tiny stereo with a remote control) Can you say Gadget Geek? Pretty smart guy if you ask me! Ingenious!

Benard posing by the only power source in the compound
(the solar powered stereo) 

Finally, the rain slowed enough to allow us to walk out the 4 KM to the road (to wet and soupy to use a boda) Robine's Mother walked with us as the church was on the way. Since the Catholic church had to roof (yet...they are waiting for donations), all the locals know to wait until the rain stops before going.

Saying goodbye

My parting gift...Lira the rooster! 

I am going to miss the family 

It was time for goodbyes....so sad to be leaving such a beautiful place and such kind and beautiful people. I had never felt so welcomed in a far away town before. I was even presented with a parting gift (a live rooster). I named him Lira to remind me of my time. He managed the ride home quite well despite being upside down for much of it.

Not one spot of mud on her 

Me on the otherhand....

The walk out was a mess (for me only mind you) I was told " Carol, you do not know how to walk in mud" I argued...."It just shows up on me more!" I know it was an excuse as Robine's Mother had absolutely no mud on her feet or nice dress while I was somehow covered in it!

Robine and I stopped off to greet one of his uncles and 11 kids. We had to stay and chat for some time so Robine's Mother continued on to church. It was fun passing out sweets to the children. Again, what a lovely family!

Passing out goodies

Robine's Aunt, sister in law, nephew and uncle

and their kids! 

 We finally made it to the Catholic church sans roof. Following services, we "had" to say hello to the congregation. I am not fond of standing out in a crowd but I certainly did...muddy feet and all. The women would look at me, tsk and shake their heads looking at my feet and legs...then reprimand Robine for not taking me by boda.

The Catholic Church

The congregation saying services outside 

Then it was off on the remaining 1.5 KM to the road. We passed another Uncle on our way out. The child caught our eye. One toddler had fallen into the cooking coals sustaining a pretty severe burn. The burn was a few days old by that time. They had no access to medication or bandages so held the little girl all day long consoling her when her pain became severe.

Robine's heart as well as mine were breaking. Between the 2 of us, we were able to give them money for transport to the hospital and treatment. I pray she is doing better and in less pain now.

Robine's cousin, uncle, friend (Nelson) and brother (Moses) 

Cousins

More family (I told you his family was HUGE!) 

I swear they were giggling a second before when looking
at their snaps! 

Such trusting eyes 

The toddler with the burns whom we sent to the hospital 

We left so late that we missed our bus back home. Instead, we caught a boda ride 10 min away to the main road. From there, we hoped to catch a bus back to Kampala. Our luck was with us as a passing UN vehicle picked us up and carried us back! What amazing luck! Otherwise it would have been near midnight before our return. 

We arrived home safe and sound and in traffic, dust, noise and loud music...ahhh the sounds of Kampala....did not miss them a bit! Just so you know, Lira the rooster is happily chasing hens at the monastery....unfortunately he is also beating up on the "city rooster" and winning...if he is not careful, he will end up on the dinner plate...the brothers find it odd that I have named him....I hope he remains with us for some time. He is a nice reminder of an absolutely AMAZING trip! 

DAY 2 IN LIRA

I slept in....LATE...it was 7:30 AM before I "rose from the literal dead". Living at the Monastery means no sleeping in....except for Holidays, so sleeping in means 6 AM instead of 5 AM. It was a treat to be able to sleep in and rise rested and refreshed. I was greeted with sweet black tea and we breakfasted on the cookies and bananas.

Benard's hut (the one I stayed in)

These huts are surprisingly cool in the heat and warm in the cold
The roof does not leak! 

A wild garden right outside my door! 

I then decided to practice the small amount of Luo (the local language) I had been learning. I went up to Robine's Mother and said what I thought was "Thank you". She looked at me with a quizzical smile, glanced at the bicycle next to her and then back at me. I heard Robine ask from across the compound "What were you trying to say?!". I told him I was thanking his Mother for the tea. Lets just say intense laughter filled the entire compound. I stood there (now getting fairly used to being the source of everyone's entertainment) waiting for the outcome of all this. Robine finally replied "You didn't say THANK YOU, you told her that is a good tire". OK...at this point, I started laughing...HARD. Let's just say my nickname is now "tire".

The locals hanging out

The Riff Raff next door

We headed off for a tour of the town on Benard's boda. Robine took me to see his old high school, the local trading center, the cathedral and then to the local hospital. The Hospital is run by Catholic missionaries and is staffed primarily with Italian volunteers. Dr Bruno, a long time resident of Africa, is now stationed here in Lira. We arrived in time to see him giving a tour to a group of Italians.

The path to town

Robine's high school 

Robine knew Dr Bruno as he had helped care for his brother who had been admitted for treatment of injuries sustained in a boda accident. Dr Bruno then introduced us to Patrick, who is program director for COMBRID Friends of Disability. He just happened to be taking a group of Italians to see the various sites for the organization in hopes to help them assess the best way to serve. Patrick is an extremely energetic and charismatic director who helps organize Physio training in the rural villages via volunteers and intensive training for the local people. I do not believe this was pure coincidence that we met. I forsee a possible future doing this type of work....from the way Patrick talks, we are as good as coworkers!

The Cathedral 

Patrick, myself and Robine at the local
hospital (a chance meeting with a disabilities expert)

The hospital grounds 

Robine and Patrick (the director of COMBRID (friends of disability) 

We then took time to visit Robine's Aunt Flo, another dynamic personality with a BIG heart! She has a way of making all her visitors feel like they are the most important people in the whole world. I fell in love with this hard working woman almost immediately!

Aunt Flo talking with Robine

An absolutely wonderful woman! 

 It was then off to shop for supper....we were barraged by men selling chickens...I only wish I got a picture when there were 10 chickens being held to may face to choose!

One had to "feel the legs" to see how well they would
fit on the dinner table

 Then it was back home to rest. Robine's Mother (like most mothers) does not know the meaning of rest. Between cooking and cleaning, she was out beating the soy bean pods to release the soy nuts. Neither Robine nor I could sit there any longer and we both arose to help her. They did NOT want me to participate for fear of "hurting" myself. I grabbed the stick away from Robine determined to show them that I was not a weak white chick. Again, I was only subjected to more laughter. Seems nothing I did was "quite right". Robine was trying to show me the correct way to hold the stick to beat the pods while his Mother stood there laughing and saying in Luo that I looked like I was trying to beat a snake.

Beating soy bean pods 

Carol! Put that stick down! You'll hurt yourself! 

Seriously, how could there be a right or wrong way
to beat a bunch of beans! 

Robine's Mother laughing at me in the background 

Then it was peeling potatoes....The question I was asked..."Are you sure you have done this before?" I am beginning to think that these guys think white people must be completely incapable of any amount of housework or cooking at all. GEEZE...as if we have someone wipe our butts for us!!!

Robine and Moses (his older brother) showing
me how to peel sweet potatoes

Robine's Mother in the kitchen 

We had another stream of guests including neighbors and family. We were also greeted by the family elder Tommy who is the leader of the immediately family. He has to be present for any marriage or major function in order to give approval and blessings. He was most gracious as well. 

A neighbor holding her baby brother

Such a beautiful smile! 

Tommy (the family elder), Moses and Robine 

It was another GOOD day....every day is good in Lira...my mind and heart were both quiet...for once!