A Few of My Favorite Things

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad...”

“Emuly! Emury!” chilren’s voices yell from beyond the camp’s fence.  I recognized my name even though it can vary greatly around here.  I look up and see several children perched on the large black coils of plastic water pipe. They wave and I wave back; I can see their contagious grins even at this distance.  These are the neighbor children, some of my favourite and most beautiful. They often call for me to “bring my ball” so we can play, and sometimes I do.

Michael and Willis (our cook's boys) and neighborhood children. Usa is in the pink shirt. He's got my favorite smile. (Photo by Ray Pang)

This morning as I sat at my computer I heard my name again, but with a phrase I never heard before. “Emily, I have mango!” I admit, sometimes I ignore their calls, but this time the oldest boy (maybe 8) was holding a small yellow mango in the air.  He called again, “Emily, I have mango!” I decided to go see what they wanted.  I went to the gate and they came running. The oldest boy handed me the mango – it was a gift for me!  Then the younger ones timidly added two more.  I thanked them sincerely – “Wasingya kutsibu.” I was left speechless, my heart stolen by their smiles, thoughtfulness and generosity. They were giving me what they had, and they had brought them just for me. 

This was one of my favorite things. And when I remember these things, missing home doesn’t seem quite so bad.

Rain, Waiting and Presentations

A torrential downpour pounded on the tin roof, its noise echoing between the cement walls and floors of the nearly empty classroom.   The only light came in through the open door and a few barred windows.  Besides the ACTS health team, only a few people occupied the rows of desk/chair “pews”.  The health team was supposed to be presenting on water health and sanitation, but the rain had “disturbed” the villagers, preventing them from coming.  So we sat and waited.  I studied some Runyankole words and admired an acacia tree that looked particularly stunning in the rain.  Was I bothered by the delay? Nope.  I expect to sit around and wait for some reason or another, and rain is as good of a reason as any here because all activity stops for the frequent but short cloudbursts. 

Eventually, the rain passed and people slowly trickled in. We started with 10 adults in attendance.  The newly trained ACTS health volunteers (from the local community) facilitated a lively, interactive teaching session complete with an entertaining yet poignant skit.   I couldn’t understand what was said, but attendees eagerly answered questions and interjected opinions.  I could see that they understood the message and cared about keeping their families and community healthy.  When the presentation ended, the attendance sheet indicated that 41 adults had come, plus many children (see photo above). 

This was the first of many such presentations the health team will give over the next several months.  The environment team will also be teaching on environmental stewardship and various agricultural methods.

 

The environment team (L to R): Jovanice, John, Phineas, January, Dorris, Sadayo.

It is rewarding to see our work as ACTS staff change from collecting information (the survey, data entry and report writing is finally finished!) to training local volunteers and watching them teach their neighbours.  Right now, the volunteers come three days/week for either a training session or to present what they’ve already learned to the community.   When trainings finish next month, we’ll be presenting three times per week.  This training and education of the community is one major way ACTS makes its impact extend beyond the “project” timeline.

Our first meeting with the health and environment volunteers. The ACTS camp is in the background.

Rose and Rachel teach health volunteers beside the neighboring church.  The large black coils are sections of pipe that will be used for the water pipeline. 

When I'm Not Working

Responsibilites with ACTS keeps me busy here, but it's not my entire life. Here are a few favorite non-work moments:

Baking Christmas cookies with Judah and Samuel on my previous weekend in town. Nothing like the messy joy of cut-outs with young friends! :-)

Laundry and tent-cleaning! Seriously, I actually enjoy this. I listen to music and create a bit of order an otherwise unpredictable existence. I don't understand how so much dust and clutter can accumulate in a small space so quickly. Oh, and of course washing clothes takes a bit longer here. :-)

Sometimes I sit in my tent and read or study language. When that happens I'm often joined by Michael, and I let him play with whatever he won't harm.


A Frisbee, a football and soccer ball are good tools for building relationships with the children around here. Today a few of us from ACTS scrimmaged a local soccer club.

The one day I took my camera to the field. The kids totally swarmed it and wanted to see themselves in the display.


I'm glad I brought my guitar, which provides another option for free moments. Faith enjoys singing with me and modeling the guitar too.


At the beginning of November I saw what has to be the cleanest city in the world - Kigali, Rwanda. One Saturday each month all the shops close and everyone is required to go out and clean the streets. Amazing! I think our cities need to learn a few things.

A view of normally-crowded Kigali streets. They have just been cleaned, and only tourists are allowed to be moving around in the city until 1pm.

Four of us Westerners decided to go find the edge of the Rwenzori Mountains national park. After two hours of fast hiking we saw the park (the dark color in the photo is the tree line of the park edge), but didn't have time to make it there. We climbed to the top of the highest hill instead, and topped out at 6500ft.

The beauty of this place is incredible.


Last week a spontaneous party emerged at camp. It included roasting maize (corn), a rousing game of cards, loud Christmas music, and dancing by Willis & Michael who were being watched intently by the village children through the camp gate.