This last Wednesday was the final day of school for the 2nd term (of 3) for Cornerstone School. The parents come and pick up the children's report forms, telling how their children did academically. Pastor Rogers was out of town, so I went to our 29 kids' classes (Moses isn't in school yet) and looked at each child's performance and talked with the teachers about their progress. As you might imagine, it takes a couple of hours. I also brought all their final exams home so I can look over them and see how we can help the kids during the holidays. Lisa, who is about 6 years old, has tuberculosis and has been quite sick, so came in 37th out of 37 children in her class. We will be working to get her up to par again for next term. She is feeling better, but is still weak. Our top performer this term was Natasha, who was #1 in her P5 class. We are proud of all our kids - they work hard in school.
This morning the children went home to their clans/families for a 5-day holiday (mandated by the district government here in Budaka). They were excited to go...and also these days are excited to return. Only Charity had not been picked up by the time Rogers and I left for our weekly meeting in Budaka.
The first picture today shows John and Brenda in the bakery. During these 4 weeks of holiday (except, of course, when they are at their family homes) we will be taking 2 children per baking day to learn and help in the bakery. John and Brenda made banana bread and Irish Soda bread with Abby and I. They loved being down there and getting to help make all the goodies.
The next 2 pictures are of, 1) Ronald washing jeans and 2) Ronald and Amos scrubbing those jeans. I will send another email with 3 more pics of the clothes washing routine. This particular day was the boys washing day. They wash 4-5 days per week. It takes them about 2 hours in the morning to wash all the clothes and sheets. The older boys help with the little ones who can't wash their own...or at least can't wash their things well.
Some of you have asked about ebola. There has been an outbreak in the far west of Uganda and it looks like it has been contained. At last count, I heard 18 people had died. One traveled to Kampala for help and so possibly infected more people on the way or there, but there have been no cases from there yet. We are in far eastern Uganda and have had no cases and they don't anticipate any. Ugandans do not travel often from their home communities, the schools in the ebola area have been closed (200 of them!) and no travel for school groups has been approved until the situation is over. Thank you all for your concern. Please pray for these families who have lost loved ones to this tragic disease.
On a much more mundane note - I had a mild concussion this week after raising up under a low hanging wooden bar. I cut my head, was disoriented for several hours, but by evening I was okay. The cut didn't require stitches and all is well now. Gotta watch those low bars!!
I trust all of you are doing well. Thanks to you who have been writing each week. I so enjoy hearing from you, and try to respond to each one, although my internet is quite slow in Budaka and sometimes I wait 5 minutes and the reply still doesn't send. Sorry for those of you who haven't had a response.
One more email coming your way...
Laurie
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