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Published: June 28th 2008
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Wow, what a week. I went shopping in Kampala for the computers. Uncle Paul sent me to town with a student, Joseph, he is a senior 4, so he has 2 more years before university, and he is 21. Its amazing here, you are never to old to still be in highschool. American highschoolers could learn something. Simon, the computer teacher went with us. THe two guys I felt so bad for, I was just awed and amazed at everything. I stopped and watched a lady doing hair in the mall. Way cool. She told me should could do my hair in a couple of hours. IT was fine, I passed. I aslo stopped and looked at the skirts. Gorgeous. Of course I didn't buy anything and so the men running the vendor complained that those UGandians talked her out of buying. Simon translated. I told him it wasn't his fault. He then told me if I had bought they would have still complained that those ugandians didn't let her pay more. You just can't win. I saw a Buddihist temple and a Hindu temple. Kampala is amazing. about 3 million in Kampala and the surrounding metro. There are no words
to accurately describe it. there are people and vendors all over the place. where ever they can fit. On the side walk, in the allys. And the street are packed they drive on the oppisite side of the road, so that is a shock but there are no lights and it appears no rules of conduct. I didn't understand how people crossed the street, but as you can see me in the street, I made it.
I learned all about negotiating. I found a wonderful man who was very honest with us. I had him write down all the specs so I could bring it around and compare. That was helpful because then I just went around and showed the paper and saw what they could do. We ended up going back to him. He sold us two computers, pentium 4's which is huge here. He installed microsoft office for us. THat was about 900,000 ugandian shillings, or about $550. I also bought some ram for the existing computers and a mouse. SO, praise God and thank you everyone who sent money. I was sure to let them all know I didn't pay for them, but others have. It is
important for two reasons. One so they don't look at me as a money pit, and the other is that, I wanted them to realize God uses many people to do his work.
When I got back to the school, the headmaster for the primary schoo, was doing a cerimony and giving out the clothes to the girls who's dormitory burnt. I was so moved by these girls. They were grateful and the girls who didn't get any clothes were confident God would provide for them.
I am very intellegent here. I cant believe it. the Microscope I brought burnt out because of the currency difference. SO I started by opening the bottom of the micro scope to see what was wrong. I decided it was the transformer. So mr. Armstrong the High school principle called an elecrician. He said he could fix it for 40,000 shillings, $26. Mr.Armstrong and Bruce the biology teacher thought that was to much. So we agreed he fix it, then we would see. After he left I asked how much was good. 30,000 shillings is good. But when he brought it back "fixed" I knew it wasn't the transformer still got hot and you
Kampala Car park.
I am not still sure how cars get out of this place. could feel the base of the microscope vibrating because there was to much electricity still. and the light buld still didn't work. So Armstrong told him to take it back and try again. When he brought it back it worked great, he redid the lightbulb socket completely so we ended up paying him the 40000.
The teacher told me after, you must be a very good scientist to be able to talk to the electrician so he could understand me, protons, neutrons, input, output. I laughed. No, its basic information. then I realized, the electric microscope was completely new to them. They were amazed that they could see the butterfly wing.
I also am a computer wizard. They come and find me to fix their computer. Also laughable. Maybe years of marriage to Garry, and it has rubbed off. I have set up the internet for them, fixed viruses for them, and made the cd rom work. I have also replaced harddrives. Its amazing. So next week I will be straightening out the computer lab and then, samaritan's purse will be here on Monday, way exciting.
Me and Betty went shopping. I experienced a 2.5hr traffic jam. Amazing.
I saw
Simon and Me with the new computers
the monitor is old, the two computers are new. a lady with a baby on her back begging for money. I wanted to give her money but Betty told me no. Finaly between me and the lady begging her she let me give her 500 shilling, maybe 40cents.
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