What a full day. We were picked up by Dale, our driver, at 7am, and we went into Entebbe to meet Pastor Moses and his team. We were greeted by little monkeys when we arrived! We then went a short distance down the road to the department of education. We met with him for about an hour. He was very nice. We discussed lots of ideas about how to expand the program, and how we can meet specific challenges. The challenges mainly concern the "gaps." One gap is that parents who don't receive the same training cannot reinforce and may perhaps undermine the training given to the children. Another gap is the commute for kids from home to school and back. On the way, young girls may be seduced by a specific threat - men on motorcycles. These bike are everywhere, and it sounds like the group that pilots them are especially a threat. We also discussed a few areas of especially high risk for AIDS. On some of the islands of Lake Victoria, HIV infection rates are at 47%! Also the fishing ports and villages on the mainland have much higher infections. Those three hotspots present special dangers to the girls especially. We discussed possible solutions to expand the program and mitigate the specific risks mentioned, but that it all comes down to the ability to have funding to do it. The director of education agreed that Ugandans must take ownership of this problem - they cannot rely exclusively or even primarily on foreign aid in the long term. He also described the current situation where much or most of their humanitarian funding has been withdrawn as Uganda is in a political battle concerning the legality of homosexuality, as a result of their stance. He even jokingly said that Beacon of Hope may be the last hope in light of these cuts. If that is true it is very sad indeed.
The director of education then took us upstairs to meet with "His Worship the Mayor" of Entebbe. That was a shorter meeting, but the mayor expressed his appreciation to us and our support back home for our willingness to help with the problem. He was also on the same page in terms of Ugandans owning the problem - learning how to fish instead of just eating the fish they have been given, so to speak. At least at the leadership level, there is a willingness to take responsibility. Whether that spirit also exists among the general population is probably less likely.
We left there and had local Ugandan cuisine at a nearby restaurant. Ugandans love the banana family. My lunch was chicken soup and three kinds of banana - type dishes. Motooke, a bland cooked preparation that is mashed - not sweet at all. Then there were smaller Matooke in the skin which reminded me of plantain, and a traditional banana in the skin.
After lunch we went to a large Primary School in Entebbe. Hundreds of kids gathered in one long room (see pictures and video). After having technical difficulties with the generator, power was routed from another building with power, and we began teaching sections 1, 2 and part of 3 (of 6). The primary purpose today was to observe Pastor Moses and his local team, as this is Glynn's first visit to Uganda - so the local team did most of the teaching. I led only one game. I don't think Bianca led a section today. It was very hot and very crowded. I ended up walking around the building and hanging out with kids that could not participate in the teaching due to space. They were very interested in me, and my smartphone, and basically mobbed me and Bianca as we took pictures. They loved seeing themselves. I guess preoccupation with self runs deep in every culture. They asked me to tell stories and sing songs and dance. I humored them the best I could. Several of the girls (about 12 years old) were very giggly around me and were asking me about America. A couple even asked if I would be Facebook friends with them! After being there about 4 hours (normally would have been 2 except for our difficulties) we left. We will return on Wednesday and Thursday to complete the program at that school.
Will post more as I am able.
Kevin Krusiewicz
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