The last week has been has moved at a slower and more relaxed pace compared to the first six weeks of this trip. After the initial shock of seeing things in 'real life' Browny has settled in well. Having only seen the centres development via photos David had been sending to Australia over the last couple of years he found it quite surreal to be actually standing amongst the structures, and more importantly the people at Suubi. It is wonderfully to finally be able to share it all with him!
Browny soon got to know Shamira and many other people at Suubi.
On Sunday we were thrilled to have Jackie Pithie and her friend Naomi arrive. Jackie was a cast member in HUGfest 2008, which was one of the major fundraising events that helped to kick start the building of Suubi. Coincidently their arrival was timed perfectly as we had scheduled a visit to Regional College for the schools open day. Similarly to Australia, the school uses these days to showcase the students talent to parents. This meant we had the opportunity to watch a mime, drama and traditional dancing competition which had been organised for the day - right up Jackie's ally!!
Ritah and her friends performed beautifully in the traditional dance section of the competition.
We were also treated to lunch at the school. This gave Jackie and Naomi a real introduction to traditional Ugandan life style as they 'tried' to eat rice, matooke and meat with the fingers!! I think they were pretty cool with everything until their trip back through the school court yard from the pit latrine. The whole squatting thing and the over whelming smell was an experience on it's own, but seeing the cows head they had just eaten leaning against a tree almost tipped them over the edge!! Welcome to Africa girls!!!!
"Check out what we just had for lunch!"
After a good nights rest, Monday morning found us touring some of the ladies mushroom house and the local Lubanda Primary School. Both Jackie and Naomi are teachers back home so they were blown away by what they saw at the school. They were stunned at the class sizes, lack of teaching resources, pitiful teacher wages, but mostly by the children's enthusiasm to want to learn.
The Lubanda school children and teachers were thrilled to show Jackie and Naomi around.
Back at Suubi in the afternoon the girls put their painting skill to work as they figured out the best way to vanish the locally made chairs which had just been bought for the bandas. Then after an impromptu sing along from Jackie during the sewing session we were all treated to a fabulous performance by the Suubl ladies group. It absolutely amazes me each time I watch the ladies perform as I can see their confidence growing in leaps and bounds. When I think of how shy they were when we first started coming here, and I can now see them filled with confidence and happily enjoying each others company it makes me soooooooooooooo proud of them all.
Jackie convinced Naomi that a systematic way of painting the chairs was better than the slap it on approach!
The Suubi Ladies encouraged Jackie, Browny, Naomi and myself to join in with their singing and dancing.
On Tuesday we set off to visit two of Suubi's partner schools to check on their gardens. We also wanted to inform them about the various trainings which are now available at the centre and how their schools can be more actively involved in the opportunities we are offering. At Kysonko Primary School Jackie and Naomi took the chance to chat with the entire school staff while David and I conducted a school assembly to tell students about the new computer courses. The girls found this very enlightening and loved the tour around the classrooms. They even both got the chance to sit in on a class; Jackie with the primary 1 kids, just like hers, and Naomi in a maths class.
Amazingly David and I found that not one child out of over 500 at the school had 'ever' used a computer before. Hopefully that is about to change soon!
All of these students at Kysonko in primary 5 and 6 showed an interest in taking the computer class at Suubi.
Next it was onto Busuubi Primary School. This school is very actively involved at Suubi. They are already sending both their teachers and students to participate in computer classes and they always keen to take part in our various events, such as World Environment Day. While we were there we toured the school gardens, shared lunch and were lucky enough to see the students perform.
On Tuesday we set off to visit two of Suubi's partner schools to check on their gardens. We also wanted to inform them about the various trainings which are now available at the centre and how their schools can be more actively involved in the opportunities we are offering. At Kysonko Primary School Jackie and Naomi took the chance to chat with the entire school staff while David and I conducted a school assembly to tell students about the new computer courses. The girls found this very enlightening and loved the tour around the classrooms. They even both got the chance to sit in on a class; Jackie with the primary 1 kids, just like hers, and Naomi in a maths class.
Amazingly David and I found that not one child out of over 500 at the school had 'ever' used a computer before. Hopefully that is about to change soon!
Next it was onto Busuubi Primary School. This school is very actively involved at Suubi. They are already sending both their teachers and students to participate in computer classes and they always keen to take part in our various events, such as World Environment Day. While we were there we toured the school gardens, shared lunch and were lucky enough to see the students perform.
We were surrounded by students and teachers as we watched the children perform.
By lunch time on Wednesday it was time for Jackie and Naomi to set off back to Kampala. They had a flight to Kenya early the next so after just three short days they were waving us goodbye. I'm sure they will long remember their time hear though and Jackie is very keen to tell other HUGfest members about all the amazing things that have been achieved at Suubi in such a short amount of time. Hopefully more of them will come and check it out for themselves soon!!
Not long after they had left the students from Sharon Primary School arrived for their computer class. As I have told you in an earlier blog they walk three hours each way from their school so they can take part in these classes.(yes that's six hours in total!!) Having seen their enormous commitment before they left Terry and Sue offered to pay to have maize prepared for the children each week. Of course this will help them to concentrate better during their time in class and give them the energy to walk home at the end of the day. So Terry and Sue these photos are for you to enjoy, they speak for themselves...............the children say a huge thank you!
Joseph watched over the lunches being served.
That smile says it all!
After a rest in the training hall and something in their belly in children were ready to learn lots.
That smile says it all!
And while all that has been happening Browny has already put his mark on the place. New signs have gone up on the training hall, resource centre, toilets and the community project board.
Browny in action Ugandan style.
By the next blog we will have all six Browns here at Suubi so look out for some real action!
Until then, beera bulungi.
HUGs from Helen
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