New Friends

New Friends

Vennie: (aka vivacious Vennie) She’s the hired tutor here at the Learning Centre. Next week when school and university semesters begin again after their long holidays, she will be beginning her last year of studies. She’s finishing a teaching degree with geography as a major. She’s 22 and full of energy and laughter. We’ve been having a good time with her. She asks many questions about Canada and helps us a lot to understand customs and traditions in Uganda. She is a valuable resource for us.

Barbara: (aka beautiful Barbara) She is a single mother who lives here at the centre in the little security hut. She is quiet and has a most beautiful smile. Purity is her daughter who is around 12 years old and Joann is the other girl she cares for who I think is 10. These last couple of days, her friend’s daughter Doreen was here too. Dynamic Doreen. Doreen ended up hanging out with me this afternoon and Joshua, who had come by to visit. They enjoyed seeing my pictures. And then I taught the girls 10-er Ball which I played endlessly when I was there age. They played it all evening. Barbara and the girls take care of the compound and prepare meals in the kitchen lean-to. They always welcome us warmly when we come back from somewhere. I love how Ugandas say “You are welcome” when you enter their home or their event. It sounds so sincere.

Halima: (aka happy Halima) She is the librarian at the centre though at the moments the books are all stacked in the security hut, hopefully only because we’re here and have taken over the library room. Halima is Muslim. She helps students and signs them in. She also helps with chores around the compound. She is soft-spoken and isn’t around all day like Vennie and Barbara so we haven’t gotten to know her as well.

Betty: (aka big Betty) though she isn’t particularly big, she does have a big heart. Betty is Vennie’s mother and has sort of become our mother figure too. She’s our cook though Vennie does a lot of it herself. Betty has many other things to do too. She prepared all the food for the kaski last Saturday and is preparing the food for the wedding this weekend too. She is warm and heartfelt and her spirit is welcome in our little community.
Cosmas: (aka Mr. Lubega) He is Betty’s husband and Vennie’s father and the chief of the subcounty and our personal chauffeur and he’s on the local committee for the centre and he’s on the Board and he runs his own farm and and and….The more we get to know him the more astounded we are. Every day we learn a little more. He is humble and gracious and hospitable. We keep trying to invite him to stay and eat with us but he won’t hear of it. He has invited me to stay with his family after Kristine, Steve and Anne head back home. I am very glad.