Calm after the storm

It rained the mother of all storms on Sunday night and Monday morning. I lay in bed wondering about the people who we know whose homes are made of little more than mud and corregated iron, how do they cope with such an onslaught of water? For the majority of the time the sorching sun beats down with no relief. But then their homes and their lives dissolve each time it rains, their meagre shelters only provide minimal protection and yet they survive. Life here is often a matter of survival, the balance between life and death seems such a thin line, easily crossed and with no return.

By late Sunday night we were packed and ready to leave so Monday morning we headed of to Lungujja for last goodbyes. I also planned to take a few photographs of the schools new sportswear which The Kabanda Trust had paid for and which as yet is still in bags unused. A quick discussion with Pastor Steven about it and all of a sudden 200 children are crowding around him shouting, clapping and laughing with delight. He has told them about the sportswear (and the 150 pairs of pumps/plimsolls we brought with us) and that Friday will be sportsday. The children formed orderly lines and the bright new red, yellow, green and blus T-shirts were distributed. Each child held a t-shirt against himself and the excitment was tangible - their happy smiling faces thrilled by the new garments again brought tears to my eyes. It seems that something so simple can just lift their joy to another plain.

So hard to tear myself away. It feels as though this time I have made so many friends. From the lovely ladies, to Edward still smiling as he grasps my hand. Florence invites me to visit her home to say goodbye. There is bright sunlight outside and inside she proudly shows of the tiny, neat but dark home in which she brought up 10 children! Winter's small shed like dwelling is locked and empty - she has gone and Lovincer her neighbour, one of the teachers, hugs me like she will never let me go. Finally, after a tearful prayer and many goodbyes we head off up the muddy, bumpy (understatement!!) potholed track, back to life as we know it.