The equator

On the way home from seeing the gorillas we drove back across Uganda and it was very scenic mountains bush and loads of Banana trees. We dropped in on the equator, the real North - South Divide

Saw this Crocodile somewhere near Lake Victoria. We also dropped in on Lake Victoria which is ENORMOUS it links Uganda with Tanzania and Kenya, fery boats go across it. It is very green as it is full of algae at the moment

I borrowed this russian rifle off of a security guard. Uganda was full of security guards weilding pump action shotguns AK47s, M16s and an assortment of rifles including this russian rifle circa
1942 still in very good nick

Cathy at Lake Victoria

Traditional accomadation the 1 bedroom detached bungalow

We saw the experiment where water is poured down a drainage pipe and North it goes anti clockwise, South it goes anti-clockwise and on the equator it goes straight down. It's just a line that goes diagonally across the main road but of course the is as a row of tacky good shops selling carved animals masks and other curious objects. they also do a very coffee and a very large muffin.

As you have to do on these occasions we managed to restrain our selves to only 4 items from the shops. Your always taken in by the; well that looks different ...... or that would look good on the...... or do you think .... would like that?

If you go down in the rain forest tonight.........

We made it out of the Kampala region to go to the mountains in the south and see the gorillas. The trip took us 3 days in total. It was fantastic to see some of Uganda. It is truly one of the most beautiful and diverse countries we've ever been to.

There are only about 700 mountain gorillas left and the Ugandan wildlife authority allows a small number of people to go and track the gorillas in the forests with the rangers everyday. Due to a small amount of wheeling and dealing, I suspect, on the part of our travel guides, we managed to get a private tour with 2 of the rangers. We stayed overnight in a tent on a wooden platform overlooking the park and the mountains. The scenery was just spectacular. Have never woken up to a better view....

Seeing the gorrillas in their own habitat was pretty exciting. And the forest was just beautiful.
Below is a female gorilla. Mother to the 3 year old youngster pictured above.

The experience was slightly marred for Catherine by the fact that she was charged and knocked flying by the gorilla below. He came running down the hill at full pelt and barged into her. He was allegedly only playing.

The Gorilla below weighing aroun half a ton, ran at her in the playful nudging sort of way Gorillas do to other Gorillas but when about half a tonne of endangered species decides to 'play' with you, you can't help but wonder which of you is the most endangered!!

This primate playtime came as quite a shock to Cathy, being half the size of your average male Gorilla. Cathy was battered, bruised and a bit shaken, the camera which she had around her neck was unscathed, allowing me to take a photo of the culprit below as he tried to make his escape

A description has been distibuted, the assailant was about 6 feet tall, heavy build and dark haired if you see him do not approach...

So Uncle Frank, above, was apparently pleased to see us. Not sure the feeling was mutual for Cath! Now nursing some bruises and a very stiff neck... Lucky nothing more serious.

Off to see gorillas...

We are almost at the end of our time in Uganda. The last few days have been spent preparing materials on drugs and alcohol and on speech and language assessment to leave with pastor Steve and the teachers respectively.

We've had a couple of trips into Kampala, which seems busier every time. On one occasion, Andy got knocked down by Mutata (small minibus). He rolled well and was not badly injuerd, apart from a very bruised elbow. We didn't encounter any bystander apathy. Just about everyone stopped to say sorry, one man came eagerly to ask "did you get his registration number?" When we said no, he said, "I did! I've written it down for you!" Several other people chased the driver, stopped him in his vehicle and brought him back to us, asking what we wanted done with him!!!

We did some training on working with drug and alcohol users for the church this week.

our last few days in uganda will be spent going to see gorillas in the Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest. We were told we needed some gloves for this expedition. Pastor Steve kindly agreed to have some bought for us. Much to our amusement, we now own 2 pairs of industrial strength leather workers gloves, that reach almost to the elbows!! There won't be many thorns that get through those!

Pizza under fire....!

The last few days in Uganda have been pretty quiet for us. Although not for Uganda. There have been a couple of days of political unrest, with rioting in the capital, Kampala. Apparently the king had been planning to visit part of his kingdom and the government objected and said he couldn't. And then the supporters of the king became somewhat irate and began rioting. So the government brought in the army, closed a couple of radio stations and arrested some journalists.

We are about 5k (I think) from Kampala. And some of the rioting had spread to centres beyond the capital. We could hear gunfire from here for a couple of days. Apparently, the rioters, or the police, or both, were shooting into the air. Quite a number of people have been shot and the shops in the village were unable to get supplies. Everything has calmed down again now and all is back to normal. Except for the families who have lost loved ones in some rather pointless violence.

The school here was shut on Friday. (I guess getting a day off feels the same when you're seven, whether it's for snow or polling or political unrest). Which left us with not a great deal to do. So Andy and I were drinking tea and playing cards with the sound of occasional gunfire in the background. Really slightly surreal.

On Friday evening, we had planned to go out for pizza. And then decided this was probably not a good idea, given that there were riots in Kampala. Then the couple we were going with turned up and announced that pizza was 'on after all'. Assuming they had local knowledge and had carefully assessed the situation, we went with them.

It became clear that our companions had perhaps not engaged in quite the sobre assessment we had assumed they had. Certainly no one else had thought it was a good idea to go to Kampala. It was almost completely deserted. They assured us that the gunfire we could hear on the way into the city was 'on the other side'. There was no one else in the pizza restaurant and the waiters, though very courteous were obviously in a hurry to get home. The man who served the ice creams was not there. He'd gone home because his brother had been arrested. It occurred to me that this was possibly one of the least sensible things we'd done, as we watched the armoured vehicle pass the restaurant.

The pizza was excellent. If you're ever in Kampala, I thoroughly recommend Mommamias....

Comments....

Hi Everyone!

Several people have told us that they've had problems leaving us comments. I have just discovered a blog setting that should sort that out. I've basically allowed anyone to make comments who wants to. wasn't aware that wasn't the case before, but still!

so comment away!

Incubators and Uganda

Hi Everyone!

We are now in sunny Uganda. We've been here just over a week. We are staying with Pastor Stephen and his family, in Lungujja, near Kampala. They have 7 children and 5 nieces and nephews who they look after since their parents died. We have really enjoyed being part of this busy, children full household. they are looking after us very well.

Uganda is a very green place. Feels much more like home than the other places we've been. I think because it is so green. It has rained a couple of times since we've been here. Ugandan rain makes British rain look like a mere amateur! 20 minutes, and the road outside the house is more like a river than a road.

We're doing all sorts of things here. Catherine has done some training in speech and language for the teachers, Andy has done some drugs work with some teenagers, as well as some training of one of the teachers in how to teach some science topics and some science teaching with kids.

We have also been building an incubator!!! The plan is to hatch their own chicks. Pastor Stephen told us when we arrived that one of his plans was to buy an incubator. he told us how much it would cost and we said we didn't see why it shouldn't be possible to build one for far less. So some internet research and a bit of basic science later, and we have an incubator. Getting the fertilised eggs is proving more tricky. The roosters we put with some hens were seriously hen pecked. By this morning, they were hiding in the rafters of the chicken house, trying to escape the hens!!!! Pastor Stephen is planning to buy a real... rooster this week.

hopefully some piccies

The internet here is slower than a slug with a limp, however I will try and get some piccies of various stuff above feeding kids in miezie

Kids just love trucks. our Luxurious mode of transport

Children look after kids and often act as mothers at an early age

cathy feeding worming pills to kids to make sure that their meagre meals aren't shared with other abdominal dinner time guests

More beans please could you resist her?

Plumbing...... Ha ha ha!

Today, every tap we have turned on, here at Iris Pemba, has had water coming out of it!!! How amazing is that! What a miracle! How blessed are we! Hmm. You might not be as impressed as us at this news. However, given that we went for about 5 days when there was almost no running water, the last 2 days of non-stop working taps has been quite wonderful.

During this lack of plumbing technology, running water was provided by pouring it over yourself out of a bucket or bottle or jug. Or whatever. Toilet facilities became very basic. Pemba is very used to lack of water, so there are some luxury latrines for these eventualities, which are home to multiple hoardes of some of the largest cockroaches to walk the earth. Catherine was most distressed to discover that these creatures not only scuttle but can also fly. Book reading in the bog became obselete as a pass time.

Insects are generally bigger over here. Some of the ants are particularly huge. We quite like the lizards and geckos that hang about in the bathrooms.

Last Thursday, we visited the local jail to chat and pray with some of the inmates. We are hopefully going to the main jail tomorrow morning. This will probably be more secure than the local jail which had three rather sleepy looking guards and very little security. Most of the prisoners seemed fairly content not to escape.

The internet, fairly typically for here, is being somewhat temperamental. So this will probably be a pictureless post. I am currently sitting in an air conditioned internet room at the Pemba Beach Hotel. The Pemba beach hotel is a slightly surreal place to be. An oasis of luxury that is quite incongruous compared to the area around.

Yesterday Andy and I spent 4 hours with some of the Korean team, putting about two and a half metric tonnes of food into bags for the disribution of food to widows, which they do here every 2 weeks. Catering at Iris is on a truly industrial scale. They feed 70,000 people every day at their 19 bases in Africa. On Saturday, we went to a villlage called Meize, where they now have an orphanage and a church. About 450 children from the village had come for a church service and for lunch. We gave worming tablets to all the children who had come and then lunch both for them and the children from the orphanage. The 60 children in the orphanage are children from the village who quite literally have no relatives left to look after them.

Last week we got to spend a night in the bush, taking part in an outreach to a village. We got there on the back of a truck. Which seems to be how most people in Africa travel. At the outreach, they showed a copy of the Jesus film, dubbed into Makhua, the local language. then they offer people the opportunity to become Christians and get prayer for healing. As the visitting people, we were tasked with the job of providing said prayer. The whole thing was somewhat bewildering. Lots of people seemed to get healed though. Including a man andy and I prayed for, who went to the front to say that he had regained the sight in his left eye. It had certainly looked better, but as he'd shown absolutely no reaction at all, we were really slightly stunned to hear him claiming to be better.

today we are chilling out mainly. And sweating. it rained this morning so humidity is really high.

Update...

We were able to visit a number of schools with YFC during our last couple of days. YFC runs something called a peer education programme. A number of teenagers volunteer to become peer educators. They then stay behind some days after school to learn leadership skills and to campaign and learn about healthy lifestyles , abstinence etc.
When we saw the young people they were finding out about resources in their local communities and campaigning for change on various issues in their communities.
We were really impressed by the passion and commitment of these young people. And the intelligent debate and discussion they were having.
…………………………………………………..

We flew from Nelspruit, via a stop over in Jo burg, to Mozambique. Our journey was not uneventful. First our luggage did a trip to goodness knows where, whilst we were in Jo burg without it. We stayed at a fantastic guest house, where we were plied with beer and steak. And sampled biltong made from game shot by our hosts. Biltong, for those of you who don’t know, is a dried, cured meat. Beloved by South Africans and regarded with suspicion by others. Particularly Cathy, who has not enjoyed it at all previously. It’s a bit like chewing boot leather. This, however, was really very nice biltong. Made mainly from impala (see previous entry for illustration).
Our luggage was found before we left for Mozambique, and met us in Pemba.
Just as we were having the safety announcement on the tarmac in Johannesburg, one of the passengers shouted out “hey! Wait! Something just fell off the engine!” Apparently it was the exhaust cover. We were delayed a short time whilst the engineers fixed it. Not a comforting start to the trip – but quite amusing.
……………………………………………..
Mozambique is hot. Really really hot…. And humid. We are staying in a compound opposite Pemba beach. The beach is beautiful. Our accommodation is basic. There is water some of the time and electricity most of the time. Food is usually rice and beans. Great for the constitution. Although yesterday, rather excitingly, we had creamed spinach and beans. There was also a party of Koreans who had a range of bizarre but interesting local foods with them. Which they invited us to sample. Andy did so with great gusto. I was a little more cautious. The chilli sauce was tasty but vicious.
About 200 orphans live here. They feed people from the village most days, usually feeding 1800 people a day in total. There is also a school for about 800 children, a training school for pastors and a sewing school for local women. They also have a mechanical workshop, carpentry and do well digging. So far we have mainly been getting used to the weather and playing with the children, who are delighted to have some attention and someone new whose hair they can braid. Not a gentle process!!!We were able to visit a number of schools with YFC during our last couple of days. YFC runs something called a peer education programme. A number of teenagers volunteer to become peer educators. They then stay behind some days after school to learn leadership skills and to campaign and learn about healthy lifestyles , abstinence etc.
When we saw the young people they were finding out about resources in their local communities and campaigning for change on various issues in their communities.
We were really impressed by the passion and commitment of these young people. And the intelligent debate and discussion they were having.
…………………………………………………..

We flew from Nelspruit, via a stop over in Jo burg, to Mozambique. Our journey was not uneventful. First our luggage did a trip to goodness knows where, whilst we were in Jo burg without it. We stayed at a fantastic guest house, where we were plied with beer and steak. And sampled biltong made from game shot by our hosts. Biltong, for those of you who don’t know, is a dried, cured meat. Beloved by South Africans and regarded with suspicion by others. Particularly Cathy, who has not enjoyed it at all previously. It’s a bit like chewing boot leather. This, however, was really very nice biltong. Made mainly from impala (see previous entry for illustration).
Our luggage was found before we left for Mozambique, and met us in Pemba.
Just as we were having the safety announcement on the tarmac in Johannesburg, one of the passengers shouted out “hey! Wait! Something just fell off the engine!” Apparently it was the exhaust cover. We were delayed a short time whilst the engineers fixed it. Not a comforting start to the trip – but quite amusing.
……………………………………………..
Mozambique is hot. Really really hot…. And humid. We are staying in a compound opposite Pemba beach. The beach is beautiful. Our accommodation is basic. There is water some of the time and electricity most of the time. Food is usually rice and beans. Great for the constitution. Although yesterday, rather excitingly, we had creamed spinach and beans. There was also a party of Koreans who had a range of bizarre but interesting local foods with them. Which they invited us to sample. Andy did so with great gusto. I was a little more cautious. The chilli sauce was tasty but vicious.
About 200 orphans live here. They feed people from the village most days, usually feeding 1800 people a day in total. There is also a school for about 800 children, a training school for pastors and a sewing school for local women. They also have a mechanical workshop, carpentry and do well digging. So far we have mainly been getting used to the weather and playing with the children, who are delighted to have some attention and someone new whose hair they can braid. Not a gentle process!!!We were able to visit a number of schools with YFC during our last couple of days. YFC runs something called a peer education programme. A number of teenagers volunteer to become peer educators. They then stay behind some days after school to learn leadership skills and to campaign and learn about healthy lifestyles , abstinence etc.
When we saw the young people they were finding out about resources in their local communities and campaigning for change on various issues in their communities.
We were really impressed by the passion and commitment of these young people. And the intelligent debate and discussion they were having.
…………………………………………………..

We flew from Nelspruit, via a stop over in Jo burg, to Mozambique. Our journey was not uneventful. First our luggage did a trip to goodness knows where, whilst we were in Jo burg without it. We stayed at a fantastic guest house, where we were plied with beer and steak. And sampled biltong made from game shot by our hosts. Biltong, for those of you who don’t know, is a dried, cured meat. Beloved by South Africans and regarded with suspicion by others. Particularly Cathy, who has not enjoyed it at all previously. It’s a bit like chewing boot leather. This, however, was really very nice biltong. Made mainly from impala (see previous entry for illustration).
Our luggage was found before we left for Mozambique, and met us in Pemba.
Just as we were having the safety announcement on the tarmac in Johannesburg, one of the passengers shouted out “hey! Wait! Something just fell off the engine!” Apparently it was the exhaust cover. We were delayed a short time whilst the engineers fixed it. Not a comforting start to the trip – but quite amusing.
……………………………………………..
Mozambique is hot. Really really hot…. And humid. We are staying in a compound opposite Pemba beach. The beach is beautiful. Our accommodation is basic. There is water some of the time and electricity most of the time. Food is usually rice and beans. Great for the constitution. Although yesterday, rather excitingly, we had creamed spinach and beans. There was also a party of Koreans who had a range of bizarre but interesting local foods with them. Which they invited us to sample. Andy did so with great gusto. I was a little more cautious. The chilli sauce was tasty but vicious.
About 200 orphans live here. They feed people from the village most days, usually feeding 1800 people a day in total. There is also a school for about 800 children, a training school for pastors and a sewing school for local women. They also have a mechanical workshop, carpentry and do well digging. So far we have mainly been getting used to the weather and playing with the children, who are delighted to have some attention and someone new whose hair they can braid. Not a gentle process!!!

Kruger National Park

Last Saturday, Pastor Solly lent us his toyota truck and we headed for the Kruger. We had a fantastic time!!! The Kruger is an amazing place. Really huge. The size of Wales. So we only saw a tiny bit. Just a few of our pictures to give you an idea...

Or not... the internet is not loading our piccies today.

Hosanna Church Friday and Saturday

We were back at Hosanna church Friday 17th and Saturday18th July.

Friday we made soup, spinach and Pap for the orphan kids and Andy went on a drive round with the Pastor Soli's son Covenant to look for a starter motor (a boys and cars thing) for the Toyota pick up that would be piled high with food blankets and clothes on Saturday.

On Saturday we spent the day with Pastor Soli. The plan for the day was to distribute blankets, fruit and clothes to orphans and other people in need in the community. We piled pick-up trucks and cars with bananas, oranges, blankets and clothes. Getting away from the church was not easy. The children who were not supposed to be coming for food on Saturday kept turning up anyway. We didn't have much to give them, but handed out bread and fruit. Then just as we were about to leave, someone would turn up in a car wanting to take some things to the community to distribute. We would help them load up and then another group of kids would turn up. So we would feed them. Then just as we were about to go.....

Eventually we went to a number of communities to distribute things. It was interesting to see the various villages. We were also able to sit in on a meeting between Soli and the local community police. They are working together to support some of the young people in the community.

By the end of the day, we were most grateful to be able to relax with a beer before heading back to ASM.

Friday Night Out

On friday we had the opportunity to escape the college. Hendry was after something to do on Friday night and we saw a ministry opportunity where we could use our gift of socialising, so after lengthy debate about the local high spots Hendry said he'd take us to a resturaunt called the loose mongoose. Porsha, on of the other students, also came.

Just Photos of africa and the people that have made an impact on me

African Smiles. One of many!

Tokhu helps look after children despite the fact that her husband can't work because he has had a stroke. Her son and daughter cannot get work because jobs are hard to get. They go to people who know people or those who have money to bribe the right people.

Stanley was an orphan himself and has dedicated his life to working with kids. He worked voluntarily for 5 years before getting employment working in a youth centre. He writes poetry and is fiercely passionate about his work with kids.

Elliott acts a father to about 8 children in the community.

Students from workshops

We've done quite a few workshops about drugs and alcohol over the last 2 weeks. Here are some of the students

Some of the kids chilling

Maggie is very clever self determined. She wants to be a police detective. She writes songs and poems and sings at church. She is really talented and I hope has a great future ahead of her. She is an orphan and lives with her uncle.

Thulin, the joker in the pack and always the centre of attention. Loads of front but not agressive at all. He comes from the roughest area in Mpumalanga. Thulin is a really great guy and fun to be around

Some guys did a poster about drugs and this is 2 of them presenting it.

We would have games every day and this team had just won.

Our last workshop: Caption competition!

We did our last drugs workshop this morning.

No idea what we'll be doing after this.

A Night Out

Yesterday evening we got chance to go to the cinema. A dutch student was going with a friend and we blagged an invite and a lift. This may not sound like a big event, but I was very excited as it was our first evening out.

The night life has been quiet. Most of the students here are on vacation, and even if they weren't I have a suspicion that being at a Bible College, wild partying is unlikely to be a common occurence. It gets dark here by 6pm and the dining room area and common room, which has a pool table and a chess set, has been locked up by 8pm. We've had lots of games of cards and plenty of sleep!

So the cinema was a big event for us! We saw a fairly average film called 'The Knowing'. Sort of Horror movie meets Apocalypse meets American moral tale.

Sunday School

We did Sunday School yesterday. An interesting prospect as despite our best efforts we were unable to ascertain much information before the event. Such as how many kids there would be, for how long, where, with what equipment.

There was a party of about 20 Netherlanders here for a week, who were doing part of the service, including some slightly odd dance numbers. They requested that the kids should see the 'play' they were doing. So we actually had about 20 minutes with 40 kids, aged between about 3 and 14, an interpreter, some wooden benches, assorted Dutch persons and a box of about 160 bananas. We'd taken along some felt tips and paper. Sounds a bit like Ready Steady Cook, doesn't it? What would you have made???!!!!

Had T-bone steak for tea. Found it very cheap in the local supermarket. Ah the joys of self catering!

Saturday in Town

We spent most of Saturday in town, finding a decent internet connection, trying out a recommended local bar, where Andy enjoyed a beer, and doing a bit of shopping.

We bought some veg from some street stalls and met a couple of kids, who enjoyed being photographed.

Octavia.

Octavia's picture of us.

Adorable. Yes, that really is his name!

Playing games with various kids. And kids chilling.

Kids walking home and local housing

After dinner, balloons!

After dinner, Catherine made balloon models whilst Andy took lots of photos and played with the kids.

Cooking at Hosanna

Friday we spent at Hosanna church, helping out with the feeding programme for vulnerable kids. We helped with the cooking and made and sampled pap for the first time.

All the cooking was done in cauldron style pots on a wood fire in the kitchen area.
Pap is a sort of porridge made with maize meal and water. It's fairly tasteless, but filling.

We also made the world's largest pot of scrambled egg!

And vegetable soup to make the pap taste better.