Day 16 Thursday 29th

UThursday has been a day of many experiences. This evening we ate the most excellent of suppers by candle light as the first power cut of the trip descended on Kampala City. 

I have travelled here many times. The first time the lights went out every night. And we sat in candle light or by paraffin lamps. These days since the second damn over the river Nile was finished it is a rarity but I was still reminded that this is Uganda what else should I expect. 

We started at Kiwoi this morning as Helen and Abbi started work for real. They spent the morning doing computer training with the girls. It was the first time that they had ever touched the computer. As an example Florence (14) has never touched a computer mouse before. She had no concept as to what to do and struggles to coordinate hand movement and cursors. Our children in the UK have grown up with computers and most techy gadgets and even for the youngest child are a way of life. Christine one of our. Girls from the village had come to visit Benedicta and brought her school report for me to see and to be chastised by me for such a poor report. I asked what had happened and why this term was so bad. They test both mid term and at the end and then average the results for an overall mark. Christine explained that she hadn't an exercise book and had therefore been refused the lesson. She gained 10% in computers. She explained that the school only has 4 computers and you can only go on them if you pay each term. She can barely afford the uniform and if it weren't for possibilities wouldn't be in school anyway. So paying the equivalent of £5 per term to use the computers is impossible. Ridiculous. We will pay. 

The volunteers offered a gift to Benedicta and she immediately asked if Simeon could go and buy food with it. I refused and bought the food anyway.Their gift will be a plus later in their trip. Sim, Angie and I left for Spau's offices. We had a meeting about the future of the Malangata Project. It was most interesting. After a short while we left to collect the new signs from the sign maker. They are of a good Ugandan standard. They will look great in their new situation. Then we went to Paul and Juliet's for dinner. The food as always was excellent. Even though some of the meal was in darkness.