Day Four in Uganda

It has been a difficult day for St Berna's.  I took a boda-boda to school.  This is the name for the Ugandan motorbike taxis, and derives from the words 'border to border'.  You have to sit side saddle, just as in Bolivia.  And it is advisable to hold on tight along the impossible mud tracks that lie between home and the school!  It was fun, and I think this will be my preferred mode of transport from now on... much to everyone's amused astonishment.

On arrival at school I knew something was very wrong.  Teacher Simon came to meet me.  He looked awful and told me that his wife had gone into labour last night and the baby boy did not live.  His wife is also critically ill because of complications.  When somebody falls pregnant in Uganda, the world prays for them because childbirth is such a dangerous thing out here.  Teacher Simon soon departed for his hometown and the day went on.

I taught English in Primary 2.  The children like getting their books marked by me because I write a comment and if it is really good I draw them a cat.  This sends them into fits of giggles and they've realised themselves that it has to be a really good piece of work to warrant a cat.  I will graduate to a lion if there is anything outstanding!  I better start practising.

We had Mass at midday.  The moment the 600 children had squeezed into the church, the valley was cast in an extraordinary darkness.  It felt still and strange.  And throughout the service the most almighty thunder, lightning and rain storm engulfed us.  The children were shocked.  The candles on the altar blew out.  The world seemed to be having the most beautiful outburst of anger.  And then, as quickly as it came, the sun said hello and the steam rose off the land like a giant sauna.

Beans for lunch.

I taught more English in the afternoon.  Some of them have written 'Teacher Anne' on the front covers of their books.  The headteacher is Sr. Lucy and they have automatically given me 'Teacher Anne' instead... which is fine with me.  And now I am back early because the government have declared that all schools shut until Wednesday of next week.  It has not yet been disclosed as to why, but I will let you know when I find out.  It slightly puts the spanner in the works for the children's examination timetable next week, but I am sure St. Berna's can pick up from where they left off on Wednesday.  The children will be very sad to miss their learning, and the teachers are also upset that they cannot come in to teach.  Somehow I think it might be a somewhat different reaction in the UK!

It feels so good to keep in touch with home!

Beans for supper.