Another night of little sleep. The African Cup frivolities went on all night and into the wee hours this morning. It is not the first time I haven’t slept while in Uganda and for some reason I don’t mind much. The room, which definitely wasn’t European standard, was quite comfortable. Water is only turned on when the hotel feels there will be a need for it so that it doesn’t get wasted.
Water is a precious item in Africa since there are only one or two rainy seasons. Rain from roofs is captured in large tanks and then used throughout homes. When these tanks, which may be metal cans, plastic tanks or sealed concrete, run dry, a tanker may be called to refill the tanks. Villages get water from either a local pump or nearby streams. It is common to see children and women carrying plastic water jugs on their heads.
We went to two community centers that are sponsored by CARE today. Both centers were located in relocation camps. I heard more today about soldiers from Sudan surrounding villages during the night and kidnapping anyone who could serve as a soldier and killing the rest. Those kidnapped were set on a forced march during the night carrying heavy loads of provisions. The lucky ones are those who escaped and are in the relocation camps.
The children we saw in the camps all have big smiles. That is the good news. They also have extended stomachs (worms or malnutrition) and tatters for clothes. I wanted to take them all to a shower and then let them jump into a swimming pool for relief from the intense heat.
Water is a precious item in Africa since there are only one or two rainy seasons. Rain from roofs is captured in large tanks and then used throughout homes. When these tanks, which may be metal cans, plastic tanks or sealed concrete, run dry, a tanker may be called to refill the tanks. Villages get water from either a local pump or nearby streams. It is common to see children and women carrying plastic water jugs on their heads.
We went to two community centers that are sponsored by CARE today. Both centers were located in relocation camps. I heard more today about soldiers from Sudan surrounding villages during the night and kidnapping anyone who could serve as a soldier and killing the rest. Those kidnapped were set on a forced march during the night carrying heavy loads of provisions. The lucky ones are those who escaped and are in the relocation camps.
The children we saw in the camps all have big smiles. That is the good news. They also have extended stomachs (worms or malnutrition) and tatters for clothes. I wanted to take them all to a shower and then let them jump into a swimming pool for relief from the intense heat.
2 comments:
"soldiers" "kidnapped" "forced march"
I think it's time for you to come home! I have a goat stew simmering in the crock pot. The source of the meat is a secret.
I'm with Jack on your coming home but for the purely selfish reason that I miss you. I think it will be hard for you to leave something that has touched you so deeply, Katie. Please know that your blogs have touched many others and brought us to a greater understanding of the very small part of Africa and Uganda that you have lived in.
Our best to Jolly and all whom you have met; they are now in my prayers with you.
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