TODAY in LIST FORM: 1. Dogs barking last night. 2. Ann played with children in church, which was not appreciated by the mamas. 3. Got a pineapple at the church auction and talked with people and their kids. 4. Edina sat in our pew. Her hair was so wavy and lovely. 5. I wore my new dress to church. Somehow that felt really good. 6. Steve Lay called from a safari on the other UST Uganda trip. Some jealousy. 7. Group talked about giving gifts to staff, schools, ELCT, friends. 8. Girl, Laura came to hotel and asked me for water. I wish I had said 'yes'. 9. Played toss the corncob with Edina and team. Way fun! 10. Went to dinner at the Bishop's. Frida and Rachel cooked for us. Wonderful. 11. General Secretary, Dean ... read more

Summary: Picked up dresses at shops, met George's lovely wife, Eunice who is a school inspector, and enjoyed our meals. With the solar pasteurizers built, it was pasteurizer testing day at KARASECO.This is it! Exciting. Let the testing begin! After lunch we waited four hours to greet President Kikwete who passed through Karagwe. Pasteurizer Testing The engineers assembled and mounted the solar panel and began the testing procedure. The valve would not stop leaking which frustrated the engineers. After tea, they tested some more and the valve continued to leak. I am no engineer but this does not seem good. They talked of the obvious problems with even the tiniest leak with something like a water pasteurizer. I hope they can work it out. Meanwhile Ann stayed in the sun too long and burned her hands ... read more

George, our driver and cultural liaison had suggested that the engineers allow the local crew to finish the tower at KARASECO and that we have a 'day off'. The team agreed so we had a late breakfast, shopping and exploring Kayanga. Breakfast at 9:00 - what a treat to sleep in. Shopped in Kayanga for gifts: Drums for my sons, Jordan and Erik. Apart from having good sound they were so beautiful to look at and feel. The shop clerk and I had some language difficulties but no problems whatsoever when it came to agreeing on money. Was embarrassed when the clerk ran with me through the rain to the hotel to deliver the drums. Bought Tanica Coffee, a 3-legged stool with African images carved into the leather, some carved rocks for my mom, and a ... read more

This is the first day of the second half of our program in Karagwe. Highlights of the day are: 1) Raining buckets; (2) Ann is sick and she I stay back from the build; (3) Visited Nyakahanga Hospital to check Ann. The chief of staff was at the Kayanga Hotel and insisted we bring Ann to the hospital, which is owned and operated by the ELCT. Our driver approached the hospital and we entered the gates which were opened for us. I was deeply saddened by all the people waiting outside the gates and wondered if they would be cared for in a timely way. Our driver escorted us through the hallways, past the moms and babies, pregnant people, elderly people - all on benches waiting to see a doctor. The driver let us in to ... read more

Rebecca's face look disappointed when Kaye told her last night we would need breakfast at 7:00. Normal breakfast then George and Vincent came early. Arrived on site at KARASECO and aggregate was not delivered yet. Watched the workers compact the soil. Ann shoveled sand while the hired local workers stood by. This must have been quite a sight for them. On the one hand we have a new picture of female work, and on the other we have a challenge to control. Half the school is now watching - ok- maybe the whole school. Some are in uniform. Kaye and George go into town to purchase aggregate. The engineering students and I sat under a tree and discussed tanks, pumps, the solar build, the project and life in general. Andrew started a reflection time and it ... read more