THE PEARL OF AFRICA
Our first formal visit was to Kisiizi Hospital, near the town of Kabale, reached by an unsurfaced, very bumpy road, providing what our driver described as, “Free massage”! The hospital buildings are set in a lush valley, surmounted by a spectacular waterfall which provides hydro-power for most of the hospital needs. We were greeted by our CMS mission partner, the redoubtable Ann Moore. Now a practising Senior Sister she has served in the hospital for seventeen years. She conducted us round the several wards which include, of course a Maternity wing, helping to address one of Uganda’s many problems – a high death-rate in and soon after birth. In another ward we came across little Alex, looking very poorly after having been bitten by a cobra in his bed at home. The hospital had used all their serum and needed money to obtain more which was immediately supplied by one of our group. We later learned that it worked and Alex is now back at home.
Next day was school day and we were to be received by Kamwezi secondary school and a nearby primary school. This was an opportunity to experience how welcoming the Ugandans can be with their energetic singing and dancing. We found ourselves trying individually to explain who we were and what life was like back in Ickenham. The Director proudly demonstrated the solar powered electrics and computers supplied through CLICK Rukiga (CR).
The infants’ greeting was overwhelming! They seemed overjoyed to meet us (and touch us). It was pointed out that they would not have seen so many white people together before and they too sang and danced with the natural rhythm with which they are born.
That night we were honoured by Bishop George and his wife, Chris, joining us for dinner when we talked about Uganda and the church in general.
Florence is the supreme extrovert! Not only has she raised single-handed her five children but she has also led the formation and development of what is called Kamwezi Women in Development (KWID). This is an organisation, partially supported by CR, which looks after poor and vulnerable women and children. Florence is now the Executive Director of KWID which embodies six units, where her charges live in the vicinity of Kabale. We were due to call on three of these units, each housing over a hundred women and children.
Again accessed by a bumpy track the first port of call was deep in the forest of banana trees and tropical bushes. In a clearing was the unit, alongside a piggery which had been started by CR funds and now provided a useful contribution to the running costs. More vibrant dancing and singing welcomed us with Florence herself joining in. We purchased a few woven baskets – one of the handicraft products of this unit. The second unit, a few miles further on, was the local headquarters. After another impressive welcome, Florence proudly showed us the new library and solar power supplied with the CR charity. Later we were invited to share a buffet with the residents.
Before the meal, however, a short trip was made to unit number three. This proved to be the most moving of all. The warmth and love of the children’s greeting and the sheer pleasure and originality of their entertainment left some of us in actual tears and it was difficult to tear ourselves away.
And so, on Sunday, to church. We had been invited to meet and worship with the congregation of St James’ Church, another beneficiary of CR. The service lasted for two hours, which were packed with happiness and enthusiasm. The all-age congregation sang, clapped and danced with great gusto, and listened intently to the prayers. Brian Reid, one of our group, had been invited to present the sermon, which he did commendably, standing in the pulpit alongside interpreter Cannon Stephen. Afterwards, Brian said, “I felt quite humble preaching to a congregation of 500 people whom I am sure are closer to God than me.” We presented gifts including a banner, chalice and plate and tiny tots’ clothes, made by our Mothers Union. After the service we gathered in the church hall to give presents to the 21 children who had been sponsored by Ickenham individuals. Another generous buffet preceded visits to some of the homes where these children lived. Shirley Gledhill later said, “It was wonderful to actually meet all the children who had directly benefited from the sponsorship scheme and to know that our contributions had not gone astray.”
These days had been moving and somewhat tiring. However, Liz Wadland and Wendy Williams, our attentive leaders, had arranged a couple of day’s relaxation in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. There we viewed and photographed a wondrous variety of animals and birds from elephants and hippos to fish eagles and weaver birds, reminding us what a wonderful world God had intended us to enjoy.
Time to hit the road again (during our eleven days we had travelled about 800 miles on roads varying from reasonable to terrible) and head for Kampala and its nightmare traffic. Our Anglican guest house backed onto St Paul’s Anglican cathedral – a lovely building, built under British rule in 1922, positioned on top of the highest of Kampala’s seven hills. After a conducted tour, we moved on to the shrines to The Martyrs, commemorating the awful story of the forty six men who had suffered a terrible death for refusing to deny their Christian beliefs.
On the road back to Entebbe airport, on the shores of the vast Lake Victoria, is situated the Botanical Gardens. This was not just a chance to see an amazing variety of trees and flowers but also exotic birds and monkeys, several bearing their new-born babies.
Back to dreary Heathrow, a striking contrast to the sunshine and smiles we left behind but will dwell forever in our memories. Our prayers, which we had shared regularly during the trip, had been
