Visit to Gulu School (Watoto)

Following the church service at Watoto Central I met up with 6 members of the Watoto Education team and we drove to Gulu.

We drove north via the 'cattle corridor', a flatter landscape with relatively poor soil in comparison to the rest of Uganda (but as its name suggests, lots of cattle).

As we drove north it became increasingly hotter and drier. I understand the north of Uganda enjoys longer dry seasons and shorter wet seasons. The sun certainly had more heat in it the further north we travelled.

I also noticed a decreasing number of Ugandan taxis and an increasing number of buses as we headed north. I understand that many of these buses are actually converted trucks (with an extension at both the front and rear). This is a cheaper option for bus companies, but the converted truck isn't as safe as a purpose-built bus. Isn't it amazing how profits come before safety!

Increasingly the settlements become poorer the further north one travels. Semi-permanent round huts are cheaper to build than conventional brick homes. These huts have a grass roof and are constructed from either mud bricks (upmarket) or stones covered in mud (cheaper). They are also covered with cow manure mixed with cement and painted for decoration. The floor is also made of mud with a cow manure and cement covering, which I'm told is cooler and cheaper than concrete and keeps away the insects (including Jiggers).

In the northern part of Uganda families often build a larger open-style hut (with bigger windows) at the front of their sleeping and cooking huts (which often have no windows and only a door), which acts as a meeting area and communal lounge room.

Interestingly, unlike most of the people of Uganda, Northern Ugandans bury their deceased in the front yard. For the record, families in Kyampisi bury their loved ones in the back yard amongst the fruit trees and coffee trees.

About an hour south of Gulu we came across Karina Falls and Rapids - an amazing feature of the Nile River. Many monkeys and baboons walk along the roadside looking for tourists willing to share their food.

About the same place there is a turnoff to Chobe Lodge, another resort owned by the same people who operate Paraa Resort.

An interesting aside came when Ivan (currently Head Teacher of Bbira Secondary but recently appointed as Head Teacher of Gulu Secondary) told me about the war between the LRA rebels and the Government between 1987-2007.

Apparently when driving up to Gulu during this period one would need to join an army convoy (with army guards at the front, back and middle of the convoy) for security. Further to this, when walking one needed to watch out for land mines scattered throughout the District up until early late 2009 when they were systematically cleared by the Government.

When arriving in Gulu one can't miss the Muvule trees - apparently one of the world's hardest timbers - slow germinating and slow growing. Interestingly, one can't miss the Eucalyptus plantations either - planted because they are fast growing and the government wants to maintain the native Muvule trees.

On arrival in Gulu (a little under 6 hours drive) we settled into the Watoto Guest House. Following a short walk we enjoyed dinner - rice, spaghetti, mince and coleslaw.

Not long after dinner a building team from Immanuel College on the Sunshine Coast arrived at the guest house. They are building a house at the Watoto Children's Village near Gulu, Laminadera.

Interestingly one of the leaders was Lyndal Meyer (nee Seawright), classmate of my older brother John.

Given that I was quite tired, I opted for an early evening.

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast the Education Team departed for Laminadera Children's village - about 40km from Gulu town. We had a delay of about an hour due to there being no petrol at the petrol station - it was sitting in a fuel tanker parked at the petrol station.

On arrival at Laminadera Children's village we sat through the Primary Awards Ceremony. This included many class presentations - each amazingly creative and well rehearsed. Following speeches from the Head Teacher (Sylvester), the Acting Director of Education (Winnie) and the Senior Pastor of the Watoto church in Gulu (Ivan) we enjoyed the awarding of gifts and certificates to the prize winning students. Following lunch (rice, matoke and meat) we went for a walk to the Secondary campus currently under construction. I enjoyed looking over the Master Plan and discussing with Ivan which blocks would be used for which purpose.

We drove back to the Gulu guest house to have a break before the staff dinner. Ivan decided to take me to Baby Watoto, but as we didn't have an appointment, we were refused a tour. We walked home instead.

While walking home I was thrilled to come across an outdoor choir rehearsal at the local Catholic Church. The choir master was playing an adungu (like a guitar harp).

The staff dinner was good. I had ordered fresh vegetables which proved to be coleslaw, tomato and onion. Following a few speeches (including one from me) we drove back to the guest house.

Tuesday morning saw us drop into Watoto church in Gulu for staff devotions. We then drove to Baby Watoto for a quick look followed by Living Hope. We then drove home to Kampala.

When driving through Nwoya and Kiryadongo Districts Murchison Falls National Park runs up to the roadside on the western side while the eastern side is used for farming.

As we drove to Kampala it became increasingly closer settled. It was also much greener and noticeably cooler as we drove south.