After a full day of concreting, which in Africa also means filling plastic jerry cans with water from a nearby stream, Hannah and I joined Peter and probably 500 people at the funeral and burial service of an 84 year old lady named Kate from the Kyampisi church. Kate was a foundation member of Peter's church and much loved by the congregation. Her grand-daughter's name is Juliet and she has become a good friend of Hannah's. Juliet is also a leader in the Kyampisi Children's Choir.
While the full service was conducted in Lugandan, it was very obvious that it was a Christian ceremony as the Bible featured prominently as did beautiful singing (or worship to God as Peter whispered to me).
The final part of the service saw the wrapped body placed in the coffin, the coffin nailed closed and us walk behind it to the burial plot - in the Kate's back yard (amongst the banana, coffee mango and pawpaw trees).
After the wrapped coffin (in a white sheet) was carefully lowered into the ground (probably about half as deep as in Australia) family members were invited to drop ash on the coffin. Following this, 5 strong trunks were placed over the pit followed by corrugated iron sheets. Above this was placed wire mesh reinforced with strips of steel. Above this was added a hand mixed concrete (mixed as we watched).
After about a week, I understand the burial site will be finished - a neat coating of concrete will be added over the rough mix and Kate's name, her dates of birth and death and a cross will be inscribed in the cement.
Following the service we returned to the building site for some more concreting. Fortunately the mixer broke down and so we had to stop - today was a big day (8am-8pm).
The mix was 24 shovels of aggregate, 24 shovels of river sand, 1/2 a bag of cement and the right measure of water.
I'll share more about the building in tomorrow's blog - after a shower and a good sleep.
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