Hakuna Matata

Gino

Today, the 30th of September is the 19th birthday of my youngest son, Gino. Again, I cannot give him the usual bear hug, but let me dedicate this post to him - The children of Africa, and the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, We are the World, composed by Michael Jackson.

He must be thirsty

There comes a time when we hear a certain call.  When the world must come together as one.  There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand of life. The greatest gift of all.

They dress very smart

We can't go on pretending day by day. That someone, somewhere will soon make a change.  We are all part of God's great big family, and the truth, you know, Love is all we need.

Sharing very little

We are the world, we are the children.  We are the ones who make a brighter day.  So let's start giving.  There's a choice we're making.  We're saving our own lives.  It's true we'll make a better day.  Just you and me.

Giving them opportunity

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares.  And their lives will be stronger and free.  As God has shown us by turning stones to bread.  So we all must lend a helping hand.

They learn to care

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all.  But if you just believe there's no way we can fall.  Let us realize that a change can only come.  When we stand together as one.

Mike, the knitter and his brother

What will the future bring?

Joanne and her brother cooking cassava

Enjoy your teens, Gin... but don't forget how we enjoyed watching Lion King and humming....

Hakuna matata........
It means no worries for the rest of your days.

Getting an education

The secrets of doing the laundry

Here in Gulu, a lot of common people wash their dirty linen in public.

Notice how they do the laundry? They bend...... not squat.  I guess squatting, particularly for women is considered undignified here. 

Although our houses do not have outdoor plumbing, we are able to wash our clothes in private because of our green gate.

Liz has her way of doing her laundry.  She has a bench outdoor where she puts her basin, sits beside the basin and does her washing sidewise.  At the end of the task, she not only gets a tan, but a stiff neck as well.

In my case, I would have done the washing using the bathroom or kitchen sink so I can do my act while standing.  But the thing is, the sink is too small that even a dinner plate will hardly fit. So I devised a way.  I put my wastebasket on top of the toilet seat, then place the washbasin on top of the wastebasket.


That way, I do not have to break my back.  I drain the water into the toilet bowl to avoid flooding the bathroom.

I don't know how Angie and Judith do their laundry.  They could be standing up or squatting or bending.  Who knows?

Volunteers learn to be creative

At Okele Road, no number, we have to be self-reliant.  For example, we have to think of how to dispose of our garbage.  Since there is no regular collection, we feel that we should not add to the ever-present heap in our vicinity.....and we want to give a good example to the neighbors. 

Compost

So we practice segregation, and the system of disposal was Mike's creation.  For bio-degradable items, he constructed a compost made of empty plastic bottles.
Mike saved our empty bottles, cut them at the bottom so he can put one over the other until he can form a receptacle that stands on the ground.  To keep the bottles in place and steady, he tied them together.  He says there is no need to turn the compost periodically since the structure provides space for air to circulate.
When the compost is ready, we will use it to fertilize our plants.

The incinerator

For non-bio-degradable, Mike built a makeshift incinerator.  This is made of empty paint tin cans piled and tied with wires on top of the other.... and the whole assembly sits on the wheel burrow.  The purpose of the tin cans is to contain the flames so that the debris do not get blown away.  The ashes are then used to fertilize our plants.

The loose side is tied to bounce the heat

Mike also built a solar-powered stove.  It is made of a box with one side slit open.  Then he lined all four sides with aluminum foil.  The principle is that the foil absorbs the heat from the sun.  He has actually used it to boil water in that saucepan.

Liz, on the other hand, has baked cakes by steaming.  We don't have electrical appliances here for cooking as power is consistently irregular.  What she does is put the batter in a small saucepan, place the saucepan in a plastic food container then submerge the plastic container in that tall saucepan half-filled with water.  She will then let the water boil in the gas stove until the batter is done.

When Mike and Liz recently left for the U.K. for a holiday, I told Mike that I will take care of the compost and incinerator.  My housemates asked, why not the baking?

Didn't they not know that in the Garden of Eden, Eve took care of the garden, and Adam baked apple pies?

Rainy days don't bring me down

I hardly notice the long walk in the morning because I always try to observe the people and their activities.  I take pictures whenever I find anything interesting.  The weather is also cool.

I wear my backpack in front so it does not get wet

I use my umbrella rain or shine, and I could sense that the whole main road is scandalized at the sight of me - as umbrellas or parasols, as the British call them are rarely seen here.  When it is raining, people and boda-bodas are not just out on the streets - except me or Angie with an umbrella.
 

The fashionable Angie

The streets are empty when it rains

How do I avoid making my pants wet?  I tuck-in the hemline under my socks.  I realized that is how policemen/women here look like in their high boots.  I think we have the same purpose.

My Sketcher from U.K. - Anonas

Using an umbrella, rain or shine, or walking with socks out,  I guess,  is tolerated here because I am a mazungo.  That's how "white people" are commonly called here - although in the local dialect in Gulu, the correct term is munu.

The locals simply stare with amusement.

My path to work

Daily, I walk for 30 minutes to work, and another 30 minutes back.

From the green gate of Okele Road, no number, I turn left when it is sunny or right when it is raining.  It is always a decision to make each morning based on the weather condition. 

Muddier

Muddy

Muddiest

Taking the right (although this is a sunny day), there are six landmarks that I have to pass to reach the office.  First is the road that is muddier, then the 2nd road that is muddy, and then the 3rd road that is the muddiest.

main road

Whether it is the left or the right of the green gate, I will reach the main road where the landmark is the roundabout.  This is the heart of the town.

As far as the eyes can see

From this point, I need to reach the end of the road - that one in the background where the farthest trees can be seen.  Upon reaching that, I will then turn left to reach my place of work.

Access road to my work place

On this route, I have to contend with the boda-bodas (see those passenger carrying motorcycles on the main road) behind my back.  I am hoping that their brakes are well maintained because the pedestrians compete with the boda-bodas to be on the paved road.  Pedestrians cannot use the shoulder because they are littered with rubbish and potholes.

But I am not complaining because Charlie says that this walking is good for the health.