Children - and other Short-ages

Most people who live in this part of Uganda do not enjoy electricity or water to their houses – and we almost felt like we joined them this week.

On Sunday we experienced another of our regular power cuts – but this time instead of a few hours it lasted for over 2 days. 

We understood that the problem was caused by a fire at the distribution plant in Rwanda, (which supplies electricity to Kisoro), which destroyed the meter.

So we had to get used to life without light, hot water and our fridge for a couple of days.

One problem with no power is that it also affects the water supply as the pumps needed to distribute the water don’t work. Fortunately our storage tank had just enough to see us through. Most people here don’t have piped water, If they are lucky they take a jerry can to kiosks run by the Water Company where they can fill up for about 6p a can. One enterprising lad took advantage of a storm to fill up his can from a gutter of a local shop.

Another child with limited ‘power’ at present is Isaac, the 1 year old baby who was admitted a month ago to Potter’s Village Home for Vulnerable Children. He is getting stronger and now weighs just over 6 kg. Jeremiah, who is about the same size, is just 1 month old.

Children continue to ask Malcolm for photos. Here is one group dressed up for church on Sunday who were very keen to have their photo taken, as long as they could have a print afterwards.

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria: “Rain may beat a leopard's skin, but it won't wash out the spots”

Gone, but she's not forgotten!

You ay have noticed last wee that the blog was posted several days late. Malcolm had written it on time, but forgot to ‘Publish’. The problem was that Irene wasn’t around to keep an eye on him. She had gone with Jenny and Jojo to Kampala for a week and had to point out when she returned that the blog hadn’t been published.

The road to Kampala crosses the equator as we travel from south to north. There is no great ceremony at the crossing, but there is a marker so you can tell when you become ‘northerners’ again.



The road to Kampala has some other interesting sights. There doesn’t seem to be any law on weight limits, so lorries can be loaded up, and then you pile people on top and charge them a fare. 'Room for one more on top!'



It was also Irene’s birthday. As 'usual' she was abroad on her birthday again. However, she wasn’t forgotten and received presents from several friends and family.





That evening we went to celebrate at Traveller’s Rest Hotel. ‘Conveniently’ there was another regular power cut which meant we dined by candle light – very romantic.



On the Kampala road, Irene did see a sign which she particularly enjoyed. The sign writer clearly forgot his dictionary.



This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Ghana:

"When your grandmother tells you something, don’t run to your mother to ask if it's the truth”

Oh Malcolm, give me some relief!!!!

What a week!!!


All Canon Baker wanted was for Malcolm to take some photos at the UN Refugee camp for people fleeing the civil war in the Congo.The Diocese were giving clothes, soap and other relief items. Nothing complicated you would have thought. Except Malcolm forgot to check that the camera battery was charged. When they got to the camp, the battery was flat. All he had to take photos was his cheap mobile phone. What do you think?



This was typical of the week, I’m afraid.

Helen (Malcolm’s sister) and Chris had thought the worst journey they’d had here was when they went to Bwindi Impenetrable forest to trek Gorillas. And then Malcolm drove to Mgahinga National Park! He had the unnerving skill of finding all the deepest pot-holes and lumpy bits. It was an enormous relief to get there. Fortunately, for Malcolm, one of the guards escorting us into the park had a rifle and was able to keep the peace. But we still had to face the return journey.






Helen and Chris were able to ease their aching limbs when they got back to Travellers Rest Hotel and could relax over a glass of wine – if only they had enough strength to pick the glass up.



Rosie was able to escape all this. She returned to England for a well earned 5 week break and to celebrate her father’s 80th birthday.



This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Sierra Leone:

“The cheapest way to improve your looks is to wear a smile”

Refreshing waters?

It has been a fun week with Helen and Chris visiting from South Africa. It has meant we have been getting out and about with them rather than working – apart for the day they trekked gorillas.

Chris made quite an impact at Potter’s Village but seemed to worry some of the children.

Malcolm took them for a walk up a nearby hill with views over Lake Mutanda.

Having survived that we went on an outing to Bushara Island on Lake Bunyoni.

On the way we enjoyed some of the breath-taking views, though unfortunately it was a bit cloudy.

Irene, Helen and Chris took the opportunity to get some refreshing swimming in the few lakes which are Bilharzia free (a rather nasty fresh water parasite.)

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from South Sudan:

“Do not complain about the lack of wind, just learn to sail”