Barbara K's

Africa » Uganda » Central Region » Kampala
July 4th 2009

Published: July 5th 2009

This morning was a little wild, with no one actually knowing what we were going to do. Once we figured it out, it was a rush to get out the door, since the taxi had already been waiting. We loaded up, without Jordan and Prossy, and headed to visit a friend from the Choir, Barbara K.

On the way to Nansana, where Barbara lives, we picked up Joshua Kityo, who was on tour with Base Choir before I got there. He is a kick in the pants! Reminds me a lot of Victor, especially since I could flirt with him and he’d flirt back unashamedly.

Barbara was a Choir child and now is helping teach children. She recently built a house, where we visited her, and also has adopted two small boys, Caleb (2) and Tyler (1). What she is most known to me for, though, is the fact that she houses dozens (the number grows depending on who tells the story) of former Choir kids on holidays who have no where else to go. She has an amazing heart. While the kids are in school, like now, she has several other people in her house, besides her and her children. Moses and Herbert are the only men, and both of them are in school. Kate is in S4 and is the sister of one of our Choir 31 kids, Joel. She’s a hoot. Fatima is at University, studying politics and economics. Farida was quiet, but quite the cook! Eve is also a brilliant cook and is studying procurement (business accounting) at University. The Froese family went in the taxi to see Jordan’s other land, and Sarah and I hung out and had great conversations, while we helped make chapatis.

One of my favorite things about going to Barbara’s house was that it wasn’t the normal things you see in African reports. It was someone, doing fairly well for herself, who had “enough” and shared it generously. Her house was beautiful, and everyone who she shared it with was grateful and pitched in. There was a set menu for the week, which only included meat on 2 meals, but no one was hungry. There was always enough to go around and a little extra to share with those in need. And it was a great contrast to the tiny children with swollen bellies drinking out of mud puddles that we usually see.

While we were making chapatis, one of the girls was sort of humming a song, and I started singing it. Then I confessed that I am, in fact, a bad singer, and Kate said, “You’re not that bad.” Herbert jumped in without missing a beat and said, “No, it is bad.” I guess I shouldn’t sing too lound when surrounded by people from the Choir with amazing pitch and rhythm and dancing skills.

The lunch the girls made us was amazing! The best food we’ve had so far. And the conversation was great. I look forward to seeing them, especially Kate, Eve, Fatima and Herbert, more over the next week. Oh, and Caleb walked up to me and let me hold him for a long time today. I also taught him how to do the “rock,” the fist bump, and he thought it was fun. Herbert taught me how to say “rock” in Luganda.

Once we got back to the house, Sarah and I were looking forward to getting some mid-day time on the internet, but Prossy surprised us by telling us we had to go into town and pick up our gomezis. I was pretty disappointed. But Harriet, our teacher from Base Choir, made up for it and was another fantastic guide. She’s staying here with us too. It was great to catch up with her! She was overwhelmed with gratitude when we showed her the entire suitcase of school supplies just for her and the kids she teaches! Thanks to everyone who gave. She also shared with us some of the stories of the kids we know, their background and things, and it broke my heart to know what they come from. But overall, they are doing well.

Two other Americans joined us for the 4th of July. Jodi and McKenzie came in for the wedding, and we know them from Raleigh.

When we returned from town, Sarah and I played Dutch Blitz, and then we taught Harriet and Annette to play Skip-Bo. Grace played too! Actually, we played because she wanted to- she asked when she got home from school if we could play cards. Annette is Morris’ girlfriend, who is also staying with us tonight. At the house tonight is the regular 12 of us, plus at least 4 more. It is full! We rode the boda bodas again tonight, even with the same driver. My rider, as he is called, is named Godfrey.

The power went out several times tonight, which is why we didn’t try to go get internet. The power in Kampala is rationed, and when it dims, the internet connection is dropped. It starts getting really sketchy after 7:30, because that’s when people get home and start turning on their appliances.

So many people here either physically look like people I know at home (besides skin color) or have personalities that remind me of friends. There was a woman in Morris’ village whose profile matched that of my mom and her sisters. She could have been one of them! And she had the same great laugh as all of them. I love meeting people like this because it reminds me that we’re not so different afterall.

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