A One Munzungu Show

After the children’s performance, it was our turn to perform.  The children received us warmly.  They especially loved it when Ken played his Native American flutes for them.  When we finished, the children were dismissed for lunch.  We had a few moments to visit with some of the stragglers before we settled in for a brief meeting.  I had been sitting next to one little girl, around 4 years of age, before our performance and she was among the stragglers.  She came right up to me, clasped my fore arm between her hands, and told me very softly, “You are mine.”  I.wanted.to.die.  How could I leave this place and not take her with me?!?! I learned that her name was Precious, how apropos...  She lingered through our meeting with her sidekick, Isaac.  (She loved to tease that kid!) and at one point they made themselves at home in Ken's lap, wearing his glasses and hat!

We washed our hands over a plastic basin while someone poured water from a recycled jug before entering the classroom where our lunch was being served.  The amount and variety of food was very generous.  We sat down with the teachers and I was blessed to have James sitting next to me.  He really is a remarkable man, incredibly humble, and has a great love for all the children.  He told me that when people ask him how many children he has, he responds, “two hundred and sixty-eight”.  In other words,  his own four children, plus the two hundred and sixty-four orphans in his care.  All the children at the orphanage call him “dad”.  What a legacy.

When lunch was over we brought in the books, and toys we had brought with us to present to the teachers.  They were incredibly grateful. I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the teachers about education and they were very interested to hear about homeschooling.  We talked about how children learn, how to motivate them, and the challenges of keeping their attention. Their task at the orphanage is enormous and I have a great deal of respect for these teachers.

After returning to the assembly hall for a brief meeting, a few of the kids came back to check on what we were doing.   Among them were three girls that had performed for us earlier.  I asked them if they wanted to take a picture with me, using my iPad. I had them sit behind me on some chairs and I squatted in front of them and explained what a “selfie” is.  Then I let them have a turn.  Our meeting was about to begin so I told the girls they were welcome to take my iPad and go take more pictures.  They jumped at the opportunity.  What they captured on my iPad was amazing (watch their progression):

During the meeting we discussed future projects at the orphanage such as building showers, more beds, mosquito netting, fencing, etc…   (At some point I may add a “donations” button for the projects I am mentioning here and elsewhere on my blog.)  When we were done with our meeting a group of 12-14 year olds were brought in to have a mini workshop with Ken on how to make Native American flutes using PVC pipe.  Sadly, the power was out (rolling black-outs are a regular occurrence) and his instruction was not only limited due to lack of power, but also for lack of time. Ken was extremely disappointed because he had brought tools and materials to donate.  Curt went to work scheduling a time for Ken to go back for an afternoon to finish the lesson.

We left the orphanage and our group was divided.  Marty insisted on meeting the the District Governor so she and Curt went to a fellowship in one direction, while Mary, John, Ken, and I went to an Interact fellowship.  It was such a fun time there!  The teens there were terrific.  It was a huge group!  They took us for a tour around their school campus showing us the projects they had done and telling us about others.  Once again, during our fellowship, we were honored by a performance. What a wonderful time!

Enid came for the meeting and I rode home with her. It was getting dark at this point and there was another rolling black-out. Funny thing is, the power company sells energy to Kenya, but they can’t keep their own lights on!  Somebody somewhere has got to making some pretty good money… As we got closer to home you could see all the little roadside shops lit up with candles, gas lights, and LED lights. We pulled up to a little row of shops so that Enid could get some fresh fish for our dinner.  As soon as she cut the engine, a small group of children swarmed the car shouting, “Minzungu, munzungu!!!”

As tired as I was, I got out to enjoy my newfound celebrity.  I walked to the front of the car and the children all gathered in front of me smiling.  The two oldest had to have been 9 or 10 years old, but all the rest of the kids were between 5 to 7 years of age with the youngest being 2 or 3.  I asked them, “How are you???”

“Fine!”, they responded in unison.

I asked, “Can you sing a song for me?”

“Yes!”

No song.  So I asked again,  “Can you sing a song for me?”

“Yes!”

Still, no song.  (Hmmm...maybe their english isn’t that good…let’s try a different angle...)

“Can I sing a song for you?”

“Yes!”

I stood there for 10 minutes singing every little kid song I could think of.  Some with hand and body motions, some with clapping, and they joined in the best they could.  Every time I would squat down to their level, the kids would squat too!  I held out my hands and they all wanted to touch my skin and I took my hair out of its ponytail to let them touch my hair.  Their mothers sat on stools outside their shops amused by this one munzungu show.  It was my best performance the entire time we were in Uganda...