Thu, 24 Mar 2011

We are finally back in Uganda. It’s been wonderful, interesting and exhausting since we arrived Tuesday night. We had many people offer to pick us up at the airport, and considering that we had many bags, well, it was good that three people showed up with two cars. It was so good to see Simon, who is graduating university in May and going on to law school- the last time we were here he had never stepped into a hotel and meeting us and having  something to eat in our hotel was the most memorable night of his life. He brought along his soon to be brother-in-law who is a delightful young man, warm and intelligent. Then of course there was Abby- our dear friend- who first brought us to Jinja and started the ball rolling for Pearl Children ( he didn’t even realize the part he played in that until last night). There was much hugging and excitement and then we managed to load our five 50 pound bags, plus two carry on suitcases into the cars for our drive to Kampala. The first time we were here, we were with another Canadian and when we got off the plane, the first thing he said was “ah, the smell of Africa”. We thought him a bit crazy at first, but every trip after that we understood. Driving with the windows down, the smell of Africa in the air, it was something like coming home.

We arrived at our hotel and as usual, the staff was very gracious and put our duffel bags in storage until we could travel to Jinja.   It was nice to settle down- having left Ottawa for Montreal by bus at 3:00pm on Monday- flying out of Montreal at 8pm for a 6 hour flight, then a three hour layover in Amsterdam followed by an 8 hour flight to Entebbe.

Wednesday morning we were up bright and early to meet the Minister of Health and his permanent secretary where we were assured that the donations of ARVs would be handled properly. Then my agent Bernard and I were off to the freight company to see the huge shipping container of donations. Thank you everyone who donated so generously. These medications are so vital in this country. Afterward we visited the children of his organization and headed back to Kampala City.   Some of our boys from the Jewish village of Putti came to meet us at the hotel shortly after our return. It was a fun and interesting experience. They’d never been in a hotel before and were excited and amazed. The hotel sent up a complimentary fruit basket and they polished it off. Then I took them down to the mall. They’d never been to a shopping mall before. They stood and stared at the escalator in utter awe. They turned to me and one said “ we are watching people drive themselves up and down”. I told them that we should go and try it and see the stores upstairs. We went up and they were wild with joy and then wanted to go right down. Then Moshe wanted to go again. I took a video of him- can any of us in Canada or the United States imagine never having seen an escalator? After the excitement I took them for ice cream- soft ice cream- a first for them too- and of course we had to get a picture of that too.

The boys found somewhere to stay in town and this morning after buying candy for the children, we all left for Jinja. We arrived at the hotel which is very beautiful, very African and nothing like the city that we are used to. Bossa ( Pearl Children director)met us here and we had a great talk and gave him the computers, toothbrushes, medicine and other things that people so generously donated. He and the primary school headmaster will pick me up in the morning to visit the children.  I came back to the room, where just was already resting and began to write this email. There is no air conditioning and although we are facing the Nile river, it is very warm.  I left the door ajar to get some air and while I was typing a baby monkey came up close to the door. I jumped up with the camera and tried to get a picture. Of course I scared it away, but when I went outside there were monkeys everywhere. I took as many pictures as I could and a bit of video.  We are inn a little cabin facing the Nile- and I was even able to capture the sunset.  I left the door open and a baby frog came in to visit- but then I had to gently push him out with the door, since as it gets dark, the mosquitos come out.

Well, we’re off for a quick bite and an early night – tomorrow promises to be another busy day.

Warm Regards,

Dvora