Football Crazy!

Many of the deaf men at Neema Crafts have formed a football team which go out, with one of the Diocese Priests, to villages for the Sunday Church Service and to play the local team. Last weekend Malcolm decided to travel with them.

The 50 mile journey took about 3 hours. This was partly because of the state of the dirt road, but also included a delay of about half an hour due to the only road to the village being flooded. Although it had not rained much this area is prone to flooding as the rainwater comes off the surrounding hills into the valley. 

 

After many of the team waded into the flood to test the depth and waiting for the water to subside the driver risked driving across the 50 yard gap – leaving Malcolm behind to take the photo, and then to wade across himself. Fortunately there were no crocodiles!

The church was packed, and the sun very hot. For many this meant sitting out in the sun as the church is only partly constructed, not having any roof. Fortunately for us we had the shade of a thatched canopy.

 

During the service one of the team, Ally talked about the work of Neema Crafts in proving how productive and useful to society disabled people can be.

 

After lunch the teams prepared to clash. Malcolm lead a large group of children in cheering for Neema Crafts (which you may think was a waste of time as our team was deaf …..  but the opposition weren’t!!!!). After a hard fought much, including a penalty, Neema won 3 – 1.  Now just a 3 hour journey home!

Following on from last week, window frames have now been put into Julius’s house. Malcolm visited again to meet the family, and to see their old home which is a mud-brick hut.