Kate & Will leaving from Adelaide Airport on 15th December bound for Uganda.
Ian Windebank of Padthaway, Dr Joseph Odeke of Keith and Keith Goodall from Coonalpyn had a very successful trip to Uganda
Ian Windebank is pictured with a group of Ugandan farmers and a heartfelt letter of thanks to Australians who are giving them a helping hand
“Congratulatory Message. Dear Visitors, We are grateful for the knowledge skills and guidance offered to us. We also deeply happy with wonderful support rendered to us. When you go back send our regards to your home people and our dear friends all at Australia. May the Lord Almighty escort you back home. We wish you safe journey. Goodbye goodbye.”
Ian Windebank teaching a Ugandan farmer how to drive the tractor and use the implements
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Christmas letter - Kate & Will |
Christmas was yesterday Sorry didn’t get to talk long we were running very late for church, seem to run late everywhere here. We did get there too late we missed the first mass and had to wait for the second. The service was so big we sat outside. Will and I got asked up to the front at the end to introduce ourselves. We threw in a few local language words which they all loved. The service was really good, couldn’t understand a word ,probably made it much more enjoyable! The traditional singing and dancing was excellent. I had a traditional African girl dress made for the occasion so you will laugh when you see the photos. Not sure the colour was right for my white skin. Will and I gave some small presents we found in the local supermarket, thought we did pretty well with what we had, and it was a very funny ceremony giving them out.
It is amazing their perceptions of us. We have realised they must think we have maids and machines do absolutely everything. They are amazed we know how to ride a push bike and are still trying to believe we can ride motorbikes. Will and I made a quick and conscious effort to prove ourselves useful. We get up each morning with everybody else and help sweep the compound, collect the water and do the dishes. Helen first told me I would not manage doing the dishes!! Was nearly tempting to take her up on that, but I quickly told her we do wash dishes at home too. They are always shocked if I sit straight on the ground without a chair or when we hand washed our clothes they asked “you know how to wash?”!!
Will and I made 100 mud bricks for Andrew’s (Joseph uncle) kitchen which is now going to be called Kate’s Kitchen, because I am going down in history as the first woman in Africa to make mud bricks!! Apparently women fear that work and men fear the kitchen. I said it was much better for me doing that work than preparing the food. So we constantly amaze them with our work ethic and ability. Another example when there are too many people for the car we are the first to get in the boot, but we have to be quick and very stubborn or they will not let us, once again believing we cannot handle the back or the bumpy roads.
Definitely found my favourite child, Charles son, Bosco. They all call him stubborn, think it would be more so extra personality mixed with mis-behaviour. He certainly knows how to get his own way but he has the cheekiest smile and will come to be picked up by Will or I everytime he sees us. As soon as we take a seat he comes and makes himself comfortable in our laps. He loves the car and you cannot get him out. He is about 3 and half years and chats away to us flat out I’m not sure he realises we can't understand his language.
Still loving the food, trying lots of things we have never had before or would not usually eat. Cow intestine, millet porridge, bushall, atap, etc.
Loving our outside bathing, if it is dark there are many frogs that come to bath with us. Will had a pet hedgehog for one night before it escaped the brick/tree enclosure. Would have escaped earlier except it was in a bucket over night.
Watched Helen slaughter and prepare a chook which we are about to eat for lunch. The next one Will and I will be preparing.
Will has just got me a soda from the fridge – which is a clay pot in the shade with water – very effective.
Aanyunos (see u later) Kate & Will