Closer & closer

Gosh - is it really over 2 weeks since my last post. Well, I've been off having fun, while noticing that it's getting closer & closer to "Z day". I've put jam making on hold for the moment - I've around 70 jars waiting for me to take to work and the Abbey, which I should think is enough. I've had 2 out of 3 rabies jabs (live vaccine, and I managed to come out of that without foaming at the mouth or scared of water) with the final one in a couple of weeks. And I've discovered that I really can take 3 suitcases each weighing 23 kilos - at the orientation day I was sure that we were told we could only use one of our 3, with MD taking the other 2, so I am delighted to know this because the "to pack" heap is still growing. Today I discovered that Poundland (wonderful place!) has some head sets suitable for skyping (other brands are available) so got one for myself (I might even be able to use it when I'm away) and one for each of the schools that we're working in. But I've discovered I might need a cholera jab - I must investigate & get sorted.

Word of the Week

At the orientation day we were given a handbook with useful info, including some phrases so I am trying to have a "word of the week" beginning with

Muli bwanji?                 Bwino
Hello/how are you?      OK/fine

No doubt I will pronounce it quirkily, but it'll be good to have some local words to say.

Sensible shoes

Yesterday I have a visit from 2 little girls with their mother and grandmother - they came so they could give me several bags of really lovely clothes, all neatly ironed and folded, and another full of sensible shoes (startright shoes don't seem to have changed since I was their age!) to take with me. I showed them photos in the MD handbook of some children so they get an idea of where their gifts are going, but the pictures are quite small so when I get back I'll hopefully have some more clear ones to give them a better idea of who will be wearing them.

Time flies

Yesterday evening I had a lovely phone call with David (the trigger for me going on this project) who goes on his Uganda project in about 10 days time. It's come around so quickly, and I'm sure my departure date will be here sooner than it feels right now. The heap to be packed is getting bigger each week, and I'm hoping it'll all fit in my suitcase!