Welcome to the Zoo

We have got used to be some sort of exhibit in a zoo. We stick out when we walk through town to the glee of all the children “Mzungu! Mzungu!”. On occasions it can happen whilst in our house. Here only a few, more expensive houses have gardens or walls as most homes are next to footpaths. There is not the same sense of private space here as there is in England, which means that children see no problem in coming up to our windows sometimes and see what a strange way we live, even though our house is surrounded by a stone wall and a 10 foot high gate. Last Sunday was one such occasion when 4 children persisted in coming up to our window to watch Irene playing a computer game, and Malcolm reading.

They are not the only ones. This week a stray cockerel has wandered into our garden and spends a lot of time looking at our French windows – though we suspect he is more interested in his own reflection than what we are doing.

The Cathedral's vicar, Rev Habert and his wife Immaculate who live next door have also recently bought a small herd of 4 goats. The two young kids seem to prefer the grass on our side of the dividing wall, and have found a big enough gap to get through.

This is on top of the usual range of Ugandan wild life, which often seems to be on the larger than life size.

David and Sarah are settling into their role at Potter’s Village Home for Vulnerable Children. Last Sunday we introduced them to the Traveller’s Rest Hotel for lunch. Typically, even though this is meant to be the dry season there was one of the heavier, African thunderstorms which turned the garden into a lake, and forced, yes forced us to spend longer drinking in the bar.

To make sure they feel welcomed to the world of child-care they have been sharing with Ellie the full time care of a baby born last weekend. Doreen is the surviving twin of a couple who had been trying for 8 years to have children. Sadly not only did the twin die, but also the mother. There are no other women in the immediate family to care for Doreen and so on Monday, the day of the funerals, her Uncle brought her for admission to the Village. Fortunately she is a very healthy and contented baby which means that apart from 3 hourly feeds she sleeps peaceably during the night. However, David and Sarah are looking a little tired.