CASSO Orphanage; Widows Co-operative at Koutulai; Safari at Murchisson Falls Game Park

Wednesday 2^nd Feb: CASSO Orphanage

I really enjoyed visiting the orphanage and meeting Susan who is the manager. At present there are 37 boys and girls but they have the capacity for 80. They have limited budget at the moment but when they received more money they will give more boys and girls a home. All the buildings are brightly coloured and there is a really friendly atmosphere there. I made lots of new friends and they really wanted me to stay and thought that I had come to live with them permanently.

They sleep two people to a room but when more children come to stay that will increase to four children to a room. The bedrooms feel nice and cool and spacious because of the high ceilings and the beds are nice and big and comfortable.

The latrines are really clever and are called ECOsan toilets. They have solar panels that heat up and dry the solid waste and this makes it safe and clean like a compost. They spread this on their vegetable garden and they grow eggplant (aubergines), onions, tomatoes and greens.

I gave some toys to Susan as gifts for the boys and girls.

Thursday 3^rd February: Widows Co-operative at Koutulai

We made a trip south to Koutulai to visit the widows and orphans at this village which is on the road to Mbale. They have a new sustainable development which is a great example of how we need to live in the future by using less energy and materials. They use the mill to grind cassava and other crops and are able to produce a little extra to sell. They also have latrines with the Ecosan system which means that they have a good supply of fertiliser to grow their crops.

At the ceremony there was singing and dancing, prayers and speeches. The musicians played locally made instruments made of timber, goatskin and strings which looked a bit like harps. They served up a delicious lunch of beans, chicken, rice, matoki and goat stew.

We took gifts of beautiful scarves to give to the widows and they were really happy to receive them; they really appreciated us dancing and celebrating with them.

Saturday 5^th Feb: Murchisson Falls Safari Park

We have seen hippo, buffalo, giraffes, elephants, snakes and antelope. The tracks are very bumpy and long but the scenery is stunning. Paraa Lodge is an amazing game lodge where the food is wonderful and we can see the river Nile form our bedroom balcony. I sat gazing at the night sky last night and could hear the cicadas and frogs calling. I could see thousands more stars than back at home in Aberdare and even saw a shooting star. Can’t wait for the boat trip this afternoon and the trek to see the rhinos tomorrow.

I have sent you a postcard so hope you get that before I get back. It is a long journey home again. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends back at home but am reluctant to leave Uganda because it is such a friendly welcoming country and the weather is sunny and hot.