Let It Rock

There was a Rock Concert at the Hospital last week.

Some of the staff are musicians, and with a group of friends put on a concert to raise money to pay for a mission to schools and for the treatment of a sick child.

There were rappers, rockers, comedians…………and Irene.

And who got the loudest applause……………

The Rock Opera Chick.

How do you follow that?

Simple. At the end of the week the ‘marrieds’ were tasked with organising morning chapel. As the most experienced and wise (viz oldest) marrieds we were involved. The dress code was the traditional Bugandan outfits – Kansu and Gomesi. (NB These are not to be confused with the Muppets –  Gonzo and Fozzie, though you might see a resemblence).

 

Irene sang a duet with Mugisha Paul – and they again got the loudest applause.

 

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria: “He who pelts another with pebbles asks for rocks in return”

The Bishop, and the Bishop's Wife

You wait 6 months for a wedding, and the two come along together!

 

 

This week we were thrice ‘Graced’.

Another couple from the hospital, Paul and Grace, got married at the local Cathedral. Malcolm went to the service which was conducted by his Grace the Bishop of Luweero.

 

The reception, as is usual, was held outdoors under tents.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

On the same day Irene was off to see his Grace the Bishop’s wife. As the Bishop retires this year the Mother’s Union held a special event to thank his wife for being their President.

Everyone was expected to wear the tribal dress – a ‘Gomez’. Even better if it was in the colours of the Mothers’ Union – blue and white

 

  

 

  

 

This week’s proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria: “When an old woman falls down twice, people should check what is in her basket”.

A Day for International Women

Last Saturday, 8^th March, was International Women’s day. This week we will look at how some International Women celebrated.

It was a good day for relaxing in the swimming pool. Dr Corrie thought a refreshing drink would be he best way to toast the day.

Always enjoying any opportunity to dress up, Corrie and Irene tried on some local dresses. Dr Corrie looks particularly fetching in a ‘Gomez’ which is the traditional costume of the Lugandan tribe.

Meanwhile a couple of Ugandan girls were enjoying themselves trying out a new, oversized, hand bag.

Mairead has been working at the Hospital for the last 6 months but it was time to return home to Ireland. She has spent some time teaching computers to the Nursing School students, who thanked her by presenting a gift.

Last week we talked about buying meat in a local market. This week we enjoyed a meal with Corrie of beef stew, roast potatoes, beans and carrots. Lovely!

The bug of the week are a ‘flutter’ of tiny butterflies which we spotted trying to cool off in the baking sun.

This week’s Proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Nigeria: “A woman is never old when it comes to the dance she knows”

Overwhelmed by Blessing

A few weeks ago we were told that if it rains at a wedding it’s a sign of God’s Blessing.

 

Last weekend we went to the wedding of one of the Hospital Board members. Livingstone, a sprightly 80+ year old marrying a young bride of about 60.

 

 

For the event women had new outfits made. Irene made a suit from local material while Joyce made traditional tribal dresses, called Gomez, for Denise and Mairaed.

 

 

The wedding was held in the St Marks Cathedral, and the reception in its grounds.

 It was a delight to see the (not so) young couple so happy.

 

One of the local traditions is for the bride and groom to enter the reception through a decorated arch – a sign of honour.

 

At the end of the formal speeches the blessings came - in bucket loads.

 

 

 

The wedding breakfast was a traditional Ugandan meal - rice, matoke, potato, meat and a pink groundnut sauce

 

 

 

Irene found another serving area in a tent

 

 

 

However, getting served was not straightforward.

 

 

Fortunately there was enough shelter around the Cathedral and in tents for the wedding food to be eaten.

 

 

This week’s African proverb from the BBC Africa web-site is from Uganda:  “A tree that does not give shade when the sun is hot cannot give shade when it rains”