Festo and Godfrey from MDCO then took us up to their center and showed us the lodging they have. We then drove to Lake Mutanda where the MDCO has a school, center and lodging. I saw an otter (add another mammal species to my list) bobbing along the surface, and of course I collected some sand for my collection back at school (my 4th Uganda sand). When I explained to Festo I collect sand from around the world- he said he would give me some he collected in Congo only a few miles away!! So now I can add another country to my sand collection, and while going to Congo isn’t generally a good idea...I can stick my hand in the sand and say I have “been there’!
Plans with MDCO were made for next year’s service trip: teaching in the school, tree planting, mushroom farming, basket weaving lessons, cooking together and staying up in the lodging on the mountain. While we had hoped to find another animal concervation project to work on in the south rather than the rhino sanctuary in the north, working with MDCO is a sustainability in action. Environmentally restoring the forest while supporting eco-friendly farming. Socially supporting the community through schooling, healthcare and fighting discrimination of minorities especially the marginalized Batwa people. Ecomically supporting farmers, teachers, lodgeworker and the whole community. I can’t think of a better place to immerse ourselves in sustainability!! And as luck would have it, one of the people who has worked with MDCO is currently a grad student in Boston. A great opportunity to connect with the 2016 travelers.
Today, we returned to Grace’s women’s center and nursery school. Since our visit last year, she has managed to finish building the bathrooms, started women’s sewing and basket weaving programs, and begun a whole gardening enterprise for the women. We toured everything and along the way...children sang, women sewed, corn was picked fresh (the Golden Monkey Guesthouse roasted it for us for dinner), children sang some more, a cake in our honor was cut, children sang again, and shoes donated by Wat faculty were given to the children.
Seeing gently used Crocs being fitted to the children and their faces light up when a pair of sparkly sneakers fit was amazing.
Then the toys we brought were taken outside. I can safely say there will be a highly competitive Ultimate Frisbee team at the school by the time we return next year! The women also used the soccer ball we brought to play a version of volleyball. They are learning to play and have challenged the 2016 traveler to a volleyball match next year! Add volleyball practice to the list to pre-trip planning.
Upon leaving the center and school, we were gifted with baskets made by the women. We were also asked to drive a few teachers and students home on our way out of town. Before you knew it, Tony’s Land Cruiser had become a school bus filled to capacity with small children. The Ugandan version of the Wat school vans bounced down the bumpy rural Uganda roads, stopping to let off a few children at a time. The only thing was that my seat was near the only back door, so I had to tumble out of the car each time, much to the amazement of other children and a few adults- seeing a “Muzungu**” depositing children gently on the ground from a giant tourist truck. Eventually, we had dropped everyone off and headed back to town and the Golden Monkey.
Tomorrow, we head over the Katarara Primary school to reconnect with the school where we taught computer lessons last year. We are hoping for less singing, ceremony and cake with this school visit.
**Muzungu is a term from foreigners, particularly white ones. With no negative connotation, children gleefully yell “Muzungu” everytime we drive throughout the countryside.
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