Karamoja

Karamoja is a district in north eastern Uganda, bordering Kenya. The people there are famous for their love of cattle and their tendency to keep to old ways rather than adapt to more modern styles of living working, etc. Most people in Uganda fear them, for they are fierce warriors, even the women, and believe that all cattle not yet in their control are just waiting to come home to them. So their reputation also includes cattle rustling. They have picked up and use modern rifles, which has added to their infamy. (The rest of Uganda has strict gun control laws which are enforced.)

The lady staying in one of Josephine's rooms is from Karamoja. She wears clothes, greets in the local language and is learning to dig. Josephine explained that the lady does not pay rent, nor will she be asked to pay rent. It is common knowledge, that if one asks a Karamajong to pay rent, the one asking will be murdered. Now, Karamajong usually sleep outside, with or near their cattle, so the concept of house/home, rent, utilities, etc really is foreign to them.

One day this lady had visitors, including this cute baby and his older brother. I was allowed to hold the baby for a while, then the mom came and took him for a feeding.

Healing

Thanks be to God for great medical care! Saturday I saw the doctor on-call for a sore on the back of my thigh that was getting sorer by the day. Turns out it wasn't a mango fly larva as I had assumed (not being able to see the spot at all), likely a spider bite that got infected.

Two days later, the area is improving, with twice daily antibiotics and wound care packing, even with honey!

Am so grateful that it happened when it did and should be all well before I begin my travels home.

PS The wound is only 4 mm deep and 7 mm wide!

Walking with Moses

One morning when Josephine had gone visiting, Moses, her 81 year old brother, came to take me to see some land. He was not comfortable with his English, but was willing to try. We passed the school I'd been to previously and kept walking. He greeted every one who passed us on the road, all the people working in the fields near the roads and the people in the houses and compounds along the road. Good thing he did or I would have been left far behind. He is a fast walker.

After the first set of greetings, he laughed and said people said he was strong. After the next set of people, he said they said he was tough. These same comments were made by most of the adults he spoke with.

After 45 minutes of walking, we entered near another primary school. I resisted going further. I was hot, tired, thirsty ( having not brought a hat, or water or being in reasonable physical shape). I told Moses I would wait for him under a tree near a small shop. He said he'd be gone 5 minutes to talk with the Head Master at the school. Half an hour later I was taking photos of some beautiful children who were just hanging around.















Later Moses appeared and we began the walk back home. Along the way we were joined by many of the older students from yesterday's school, who wanted to keep us company, wanted to see the photos and in genereal were making a good sized parade with us. I was so glad to get back and find Josephine there who explained to the students that the photos were already at the school and that I needed a rest after all the walking.

When I told her of our adventure, she broke out into peals of laughter. People were assuming that I was Moses' new wife....thus all the comments about “tough” and “strong”. Now, I had suspicion that perhaps that was what was happening. There is just something about Moses, even at 81 years, that would make it possible for him to take another wife. Not me!

Local schooling

A visit to the nearest elementary school was truly educational for me. The school, sponsored in part by World Vision and funded by the Ugandan government is an example of a free school. There is no tuition charged. However students have to buy the uniform, books and supplies, help with planting in the garden which supplies the food for the midday meal.

For grades P1 (age 5) to P7 (12+) there are 16 teachers, 1 head master, 1 asst head master and 1400 students!!!


They were in their last week of school before a 2 week break, so energy was high as was excitement over having a visitor with a camera. Prints were made later the same day and given to the Head Master to post. Not all students were in the photos as many were playing football in the field, or still taking exams in class.