UGANDA Part II: Kanungu.

Kanungu is the name of the town and district where I taught for one year at Mother Care. Having travelled around most of Uganda (North, East, Central) in 2001/02, I have to say, without any bias whatsoever, that Kanungu is the most stunningly beautiful place in the world. At least in my world.

Dorcas aka "Mummy" aka "Aunt". There's a Dorcas in the Bible, (Acts 9) "who was always doing good and helping the poor". That pretty much sums up Dorcas; a woman of incredible strength of spirit and faith. She is so awesome. In addition to having Godwin and I live with her for a year, she also had about 12 or so other dependents under her care, none of which were her biological children (who were all schooling in Kampala).

Dorcas at Mother Care Primary School.

Kadia presenting me with gifts for me and my Mom (my Mom visited me for a month in 2002). Kadia was the one with the original idea of starting Mother Care Nursery/Primary School. Great lady.


The long building on the upper hill is the Primary section of Mother Care; below is the Nursery section. In the background behind the nursery section is Dorcas' house. The long smooth hill in the far background is called Kyentare.



Judah! Though now 29 years old with a family of his own, Judah continues to work for Dorcas taking care of the livestock as well as helping out with any chores that need to be done around the place. Dorcas took care of Judah since he was a teenager. Special note: when I visited in May 2004, my friend Ben Riche came with me (shout out to Ben!). Apparently Ben made a favourable impression on Judah because he has named his first-born son, Ben Riche! Not to take away from Ben's personality, but Ben Riche is at face value an awesome name, so....

Makiro Hill. Catholic church at the top with Catholic primary and secondary schools on the way up. Below is a piece of Kanungu town...

Mother Care class room...

The Masya Gang. Masya is probably Godwin's and my favourite place in Kanungu. Many of our favourite students live in Masya; the walk up to Masya is gorgeous, and there is always an open door with a soda waiting. The final destination when going to Masya is always Monday's place. Monday is the short smiling man in the back row; he taught in our nursery section, goes to the same church as Dorcas, and knows every song in the book.

On the road to Masya...

Brothers Genesis and Naboth sitting in Monday's living room. Whenever Godwin and I visit Monday, half the kids in Masya show up and we ALWAYS end up in a big singing, dancing jamfest, led by Monday. That's why we go!

The man, Monday Andrews.

UGANDA May 2004 - with Ben Riche. THE Ben W.C. Riche.
Since I'm putting up photos of Uganda, I might as well put up some that I took in 04.

This is at the top of Kyentare, that big hill. To get to Kyentare, one must walk through Masya and thus, we are never alone by the time we reach the peak. Here is Ben with two Masya kids... Ben was really ticked that his face looked the way it did because he swears he was happy at the time of this photo. Actually, he was quite moved by the experience. The first time you see this breath-taking view, and at that very moment a small child slips her hand into yours, it's a great moment in life.

The aforementioned Genesis, three years younger, strumming away while Ben chords. He was actually really good, even though he had never held a guitar before.... the famous innate sense of rhythm that most Africans seem to possess...

Charlotte, Monday's second daughter, on top of Kyentare.

Me, Hilda (a friend of Sarah, Dorcas' youngest daughter) and Masya kids on Kyentare.