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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Lynda's story |
KATAKWI, UGANDA VISIT SEPTEMBER 2009
By Lynda Henderson
To reflect on my visit to Katakwi one thought immediately comes to mind: What a privilege!
I first heard of Doctor Odeke and his Three Wishes Foundation through Mig Brookman, and articles in The Lakelander – the community paper of Meningie. At the time I was planning a trip to Tanzania and wondered whether being so close to Uganda, would it be possible to visit this village.
Mig introduced me to Doctor Odeke at a fundraising function in Meningie and he was enthusiastically supportive of the idea and explained that he would be able to help with a guide from Kampala and accommodation at Katakwi.
I also spoke in length to Kate Brookman on her return and heard about Jacinta Okiror and her school. Jacinta is the head teacher at Katakwi primary School and a friend of Dr Odeke. Jacinta is a remarkable woman.
Before leaving Australia Dr Odeke gave me the phone number for Michael – a young man who would meet us in Kampala and escort us to Katakwi and the phone number for Jacinta who had agreed to accommodate my friend Fiona and me.
We duly arrived in Kampala and stayed the first night in a hotel which had been pre booked in Australia. The next morning Michael arrived at the hotel and by taxi we travelled to the bus park to take the 8 hour bus trip north to Seroti.
This experience was quite horrendous. The first bus we boardered from the busy, bustling overcrowded bus park broke down. The second bus which we had to walk some distance to and jostle with the crowd to board was the wrong bus. By the time we attempted to board the third bus tempers in the bus park were becoming frayed as tickets had been collected on the first bus and passengers were arguing their rights for a seat.
What should have been a day time trip turned into an evening one and the bus driver drove like what seemed like a mad man. We were speeding past villages and towns with a constant beeping of the horn and passing within a whisker of oncoming traffic.
Finally we arrived in Seroti to be met by Jacinta and John Knox. John was to be our driver for the length of our stay. Another drive, not quite so hairy, to Katakwi.
We arrived at the school compound to be met at the gate by Francis and then to Jacinta’s house, a small brick school house with walls not reaching the ceiling, so neither conversation nor sounds were private.
We were shown the toilet block – long drop we could handle but the cockroaches were a little off putting. These came out at night and we soon learnt to use the garden patch behind the toilet block when the sun set.
Mosquito nets were a necessity for sleeping – so much malaria and yellow fever in this part of the world. Several children in the school houses had symptoms of these diseases.
Jacinta was the perfect hostess – we were introduced to anyone who held an official position in the district and all formalities were consistent. We were greeted warmly with effusive appreciation for visiting the district.
Fiona and I had decided prior to leaving Australia to donate to the school. Kate Brookman had told me of the shops in Seroti which carried most things we would need. We visited Amusia school where Dr. Odeke had been a student. The head mistress was Florence, another amazing woman. Florence showed us around and we were able to have four blackboards re-cemented prior to painting and to repaint another four blackboards. In addition we gave a soccer ball and skipping ropes, some exercise books, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners and chalk to Florence for the students. It was necessary to employ three workmen to do this work and the need for extra cement meant another trip into Seroti for more supplies.
Florence and her fellow teachers expressed their appreciation when we shared a lunch with them in a traditional hut near the school buildings. The students danced and sang their appreciation and in all it was an uplifting experience. At Katakwi Primary School we were able to donate school necessities as well. Again we donated exercise books, pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers and chalk, soccer balls and several skipping ropes.
In appreciation the students danced and sang traditional dances and songs and played an exhibition soccer match which was keenly fought. We were called upon to talk at school assemblies where we tried to encourage students to do their best and to live healthy lives with plenty of exercise.
Jacinta took us to the Katakwi Independence Day celebration where an MP, Oleny Ojak, Vice Chair, Finance Committee, spoke along with other invited guests. Fiona and I were warmly welcomed on this occasion and formally acknowledged as guests in Katakwi from Australia This MP was originally from Katakwi and the next day we were passing his home and called in for a cup of tea. The Independence Day was celebrating forty seven years of independence from Britain and police, prison guards and school children all marched past the officials.
I knew of the farming equipment which had been sent from around the Keith/Padthaway area and kept an eye out for it. I did see the tractor off the side of the road one day. The next time we travelled that road it had gone. I asked who was using it – where it had gone, but Jacinta didn’t seem to know or show much interest. I didn’t see it again so am unable to give details of its use.
One day we went visiting (yet again). This time to the home of Dr Odeke’s uncle. We walked from the school compound some distance for this visit. To my surprise, at the back door, was this huge red coloured container. Wow!! Next to the container was a blue piece of machinery, a scarifier.
We sat with the women preparing vegetables for the evening meal and when our host turned up from working it was time for us to leave. Again I was unable to get any further details of the machinery.
During this visit I was able to give to one older lady a photo taken by Kate Brookman. This lady appeared to have difficulty seeing the photo until I offered the use of my glasses. The excitement which followed clearly indicated the lady would benefit from reading glasses. I was able to give Jacinta two pairs of cheap reading glasses which I had taken as a back up for my travels. Jacinta immediately acknowledged that they made a huge difference to her reading especially the numbers on her mobile phone. Yes! Mobile phones had definitely reached Katakwi, an essential form of communication. A simple gift of glasses, yet what a difference they could make.
Jacinta’s school had 1600 students from grades 1-7. We joined a grade 2 class – 200 students in one room all keenly seeking the teacher’s attention. The overcrowding in these classrooms is unbelievable but the students, even as young as 5-6 years of age, believe that knowledge will be the foundation for a better life.
The standard of knowledge was impressive. I would imagine on a par if not higher than your typical Australian primary school.
Many were boarders living in overcrowded dormitories some with, some without mosquito nets – those without flirting with malaria and yellow fever.
We visited the local health centre which came with the associated sadness and grief one would expect from any hospital. This was a busy place with people showing both hope and despair.
Transport for the people was overcrowded utility trays, motorbikes or bicycles – very few owned cars. The roads were dirt with too many pot holes.
Living with Jacinta was quite an experience. No electricity, no running water, no niceties of life we expect in Australia. However kindness, friendship and lots of laughter were in abundance. The food was simple but healthy. Loud chook noises which suddenly stopped meant chicken was the next meal. Dishes washed outside and food cooked in an out building made for a different daily routine. Washing in a bucket filled from a 20l container carried from the water well was another novelty. Sleeping under a mosquito net listening to the ever present zzzzz reminded us we were not at home.
Each day was filled with a new experience. We visited the local market on market day, had a picnic on the shores of Lake Biswan where herds of cattle, sheep and goats were brought to drink. We climbed nearby Abela Rock to see the baboons and visited extended family in small compounds. We were presented with numerous chickens with legs tied together as parting gifts from those we visited – gifts indeed.
John Knox, our driver, was not local to Katakwi although he had family members living nearby. He was kind, thoughtful, patient and extremely reliable and trustworthy. Fiona and I held him in high esteem.
Michael, the young man who met us in Kampala and was with us each day did an admirable job ensuring our safety. More than once he asked to be sponsored to Australia saying he would work for us. He did seem keen to lead a life outside the limitations he felt in Uganda.
We left Katakwi in the early hours to catch the bus at Seroti back to Kampala – a journey not unlike the trip from Kampala to Seroti.
Our time in Katakwi had been explosive in its impact. We saw, heard, smelt and touched a very different culture yet the hearts and minds of people are universal.
To anyone thinking of visiting Dr Odeke’s extended family, I would say ‘Take the opportunity and run with it.’ This experience is one I am the richer for. My very special thanks to Dr Odeke , Mig Brookman and those who helped make it happen. I believe the sharing of experiences and goodwill between the people of the Katakwi district in Uganda and the people of the Keith and surrounding districts we call home is infinite.
Lynda Henderson
MENINGIE 5264