Police, pesky dust & planning

Yesterday Deb had a real boost – she was stopped by the traffic police! If you recall, this wasn’t the first time, back in early September she was randomly stopped and the whole experience seriously knocked her confidence. However, yesterday, even ‘though she was driving alone, it was not such an ordeal. The police woman checked the insurance sticker, indicated to open the window, leaned in and said “Happy New Year” to which Deb responded “Kulika omwaka” (Luganda New Year greeting – which strictly speaking means ‘congratulations on surviving the year’). The police woman laughed and then Deb stole a swift look at the clock to check whether it was morning or afternoon and threw in “Osibye otyano nnabo” good afternoon madam. Well by this time the officer was really giggling – although it appeared more out of surprise. She indicated to her two colleagues to come and see this wonder! A larger and more stern looking officer pushed her head through the window “Ogende wa?”. Deb – gulp – “Ngende Kalerwe, mbeera Kalerwe….ne ngende Wandegaye, nkola Baptist Union, mu Wandegaye”. I’m going to Kalerwe, I live in Kalerwe, then I’m going to Wandegaye, I work at the Baptist Union in Wandegaye. After a short silence, the officer indicated with a nod of the head and a raise of the eyebrows that Deb could go. So she did – waved off by three large women in white uniforms shaking their heads incredulously as she went! Deb does not claim in anyway to be good at Luganda – her accent is appalling – and she recognises that she was very fortunate that she was asked a simple question, that she could answer (ish). However, what an indictment of the mzungu that it should cause such a distraction that someone living in the central region of Uganda should be attempting to use the language of that area. Having that experience was a real encouragement to continue to practise our Luganda and not to allow ourselves to be too self conscious.

The dry season is definitely upon us now, the ground on our walk to work is so dry it’s like walking on a dirty beach rather than a road. In addition to the seasonal dust there is the dust coming off the Gyaza Road where the work continues. The road is closed – although of course the bodas manage to get through – there are huge piles of stones where there used to be huge piles of earth. So we are seeing progress, but there are no clues as to when the road will be completed. The taxi-buses (unlike the bodas) are unable to access the Gyaza Road, the most direct route into the city centre. Therefore, the narrow, bumpy, dusty road we walk to work is nose to tail taxi-buses in the morning. The people living along this road have an even dirtier and noisier start to their day than they used to have. The Gyaza Road being unusable at the moment is an irritation for us but with the hope of a much improved access to main road routes. However, the effect on the people in that shanty is much more than an irritation and the only benefit will be that the weight of traffic will eventually return to what it was. The difference between the haves and the have nots here leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.

Work wise, the Children’s Department has started the New Year with energy and anticipation. Last weekend we visited another Sunday School to observe practice and speak to teachers. Reviewing this and other visits and conversations has been so helpful in starting to plan training. Grace, a local Baptist pastor’s wife who has been actively involved in children’s work in Baptist churches in Kampala for a number of years, is now voluntarily working with us to formulate a training package. We’re excited and grateful to have Grace on board and are meeting with her again tomorrow to work on the content of the first training session, planned for end of February. The venue’s booked and letters written inviting people to come! The BUU AGM is at the end of January/beginning of February. The Secretariat organise this so there is  a lot of practical stuff for us to be involved in such as putting out chairs and making sure the food arrives. This will be the first AGM since the  Children’s Department was formed so it’s important we have a definite presence and will be requesting the opportunity to present the Child Protection statement for adoption by the BUU executive (well we’ll be supporting Chris, he’ll do the presentation, we’ll just help him get it together). We shall be giving out questionnaires to Pastors to collect more information about children’s ministry nationally. We also want to have a ‘desk’ so that we can be readily accessible to people who may want to meet up with us. We’re also hoping to meet the newly formed Children’s Board for the first time.

Today we were both taken clothes shopping by colleagues – well Dug bought something ready to wear, Deb just got the materials! We have been invited to a Kwanjula (introduction – the traditional customary marriage ceremony) in three weeks time. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a journey – about 5 hours away – however it’s a great opportunity to see village life and experience something more of Ugandan culture. Dug will wear a kanzu (a very long shirt) under which he wears suit trousers, over which he wears a suit jacket. Deb will have a gomesi or gomez – a dress cum wrap with high pointy sleeves with a large heavy belt (similar to one worn with a Japanese kimono but tied differently). We shall melt! We promise that photos will be made available! The kwanjula is taking place outside of the Luganda speaking area, therefore sadly we won’t have a clue what is being said but we’re looking forward to the experience!