(actually tonight's blog posting is a joint effort between Rob and Allan .... just so you know ... )
I will now bring us up to yesterday. There is no way to get through everything we have seen ... even if we had posted daily, or even twice daily. So there will be plenty to hear at the sharing evening.
First thing in the morning .... lo and behold after the team talked about the new electricity in the village and having many questions about it, Kenneth, a local electrician was introduced to us by Moses. I'm profiling him below.
In the morning the team made two home visits. Sandy who Jenny Ruim sponsors and Rachel who Arnold and Shirley Urbonas sponsor.
During the afternoon we were honored to visit the home of an amazingly active and outgoing lady. Susan, along with her precious children, Joshua and Violet, welcomed us all with huge smile.
One of the first students to the sewing program, Susan proudly shared the clothing she's made. She also shared with us the crocheting she's completed. Susan is selling these in the community (and now beyond ... opportunity will be given to buy clothes from her as part of the fundraising for next year's team.)
(Rob speaking ... I'm reading back on my post of a few days ago and I hope that I have not been creating too grand an image by describing Deborah's situation. Therefore I am drawing attention here to Susan's. Susan's home is also very much a success story ... but of the more gradual and subtle success that perhaps is more typical)
Despite being instrumental with making bricks for the community, Susan's home is a humble construction of mud and sticks.
At first it might look like stereotypical poverty. Look again. Susan proudly points out three things;
- the new metal roof that she was able to save for
- the pile of bricks she's made for her future kitchen addition.
- her pedal sewing machine.
A few of the team members were able to visit a small group of mothers from the community. Some of the positives and challenges they share were:
Susan - there were no roads with proper access. Thankfulness abounded for the transformation of how women are perceived in the community and how empowered they feel.
Alice - happy for our partnership who was able to partake in the diary project, as well as helping with the school garden.
Rachel - very thankful for the Adult Literacy group as she has learned to read and write. She says she's still dreaming and very grateful.
Ellen - has seen the school move from temporary shelters to the permanent buildings which has encouraged parents to no longer send their children to other schools.
Marare People Profiles #2 - Kenneth
Kenneth is a young (24) man who is a proud product of Marare.
After taking four years of secondary school (it sounds like there is an option to do an abbreviated verson of the normal 6 year secondary program) he entered into a electrician training program. After two years he started work in his field. At first he was working with the power authority as a lineman, and also worked in western Uganda and even Congo for an electrical contractor, but he wanted to come closer to home. Work was a bit hard to find, but he persisted, working his contacts, and eventually was taken on by a local electrical contracting firm.
He is not married, but it sounds like that is coming. He currently gets around by boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis) but hopes to buy a motorcycle of his own soon.
We had a good chat about various technical matters. Perhaps I will talk about electricity in Uganda ... the good, the bad and the ugly ... at the sharing evening.
Final bit ... For the geography nuts out there...here are a few co-ordinates for your Google Maps pleasure ...
St. James Marare School 1.051880, 34.166573
New St James Marare church (under construction) 1.053035, 34.166958
Deborah's House 1.049116, 34.163656
Susan's House 1.052736, 34.168823
Farmer Abraham's House 1.051039, 34.167782
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