Well and 'Gifts' for Kyampisi

Last Monday saw us working on the new well in Kyampisi - to be more accurate, it's more of a water treatment and water catchment system than a well. The 'well' or 'reservoir' is located within a natural water course (a stream) and is fed from a large pipe that runs along the bottom of the stream. Water enters the pipe after being filtered slightly upstream of the system.

We added large stones to the centre of the stream (in the water). We them added smaller stones to fill in the gaps. On top of the stones we added a reasonably thick layer of clay (which we dug from a low lying area about 2km from the well) to seal the stones. On top of the clay we added soil.

I understand the water passes through this material prior to being channeled into the well where it is stored for future use. As the water settles in the large well, excess sediment settles to the bottom.

While we didn't quite finish the well project, there isn't much left to be done.

After returning from the well, I was asked to take a photo of little Allan Mukasa for the Daily Monitor, who are running a general story on the practice of child sacrificing and a feature story on Allan's pending visit to Australia for reconstructive surgery following a failed attempt on his life in late 2009.

Allan attends the Edmon Nursery and Primary School in Kyabakadde, a neighbouring township to Kyampisi. I enjoyed meeting Simon Opakasi, the head teacher. We organised a return visit to the school for a fuller and deeper conversation in two weeks.

Monday afternoon also saw Sonia, Lydia and me deliver some 'special blessings' to the community of Kyampisi.

Ja Ja Margaret, Justine and Ja Ja Nalongo each received substantial amounts of rice, beans and maize flour as they had very limited food for a variety of reasons.

Ja Ja Margaret also received a bed, which we had promised her some time ago when we bought her a mattress and bedding.

While we were at Ja Ja Margaret's home, her good friend Lydia brought a mother and her sick child to us. The little girl had a hernia and sores all over her bottom. We felt moved to donate money to the mother of the child to fund the required medical treatment. We took some photos and mentioned that we'd be back in a few weeks to see the progress of the child.

After finalising these arrangements we delivered Angel (our KCM Sponsor Child) and Rita (one of the Kyampisi school teachers we're thinking seriously about sponsoring through University) a double bunk bed, a mosquito net, another mattress and a blanket. They were previously sharing a single mattress in their one bedroom home. We're now looking for a study desk for them to share as they currently have nowhere to work from at home.

Speaking of Angel, we also drove to St Peter's Secondary School in Kalagi (the next town on the main highway north from Kyampisi) to pay her outstanding school fees - 230,000 shillings to be exact. As these were unpaid, Angel wasn't allowed to sit her end of year exams - which she can now do! (It didn't seem right to us that the authorities would allow her to sit in classes throughout the term but fail to allow her to sit her exams - and get credit for her hard work)!

I enjoyed making the connection with Grace Nakito, head teacher of St Peter's SS and chatting with her about principal matters. We agreed that we would try to meet again prior to our return to Australia.

An interesting twist to the afternoon came when Justine gave us a chicken as a gift. We brought 'Henny Penny' (Lydia's name for the chicken) back to the Jesus House where she now lives 'happily' with Nagawa, the pet monkey. I'm not sure who's the boss - watch this space.

On our way home to the Jesus House we were delighted to be able to meet the family of our delivery driver - Fred. His father is a local Pastor and his family were very welcoming.

Praise the Lord for another wonderful day!