Posted on July 29, 2009 - by Larry

July 29, 2009 – Mbale, Uganda

July 29, 2009 – Mbale, Uganda
After breakfast we headed out to FDNC for our final day of work. I can’t believe the trip is coming to a close. Some people headed into the art room to finish their batiks (there are some really good ones) and others helped with more bricks for the porch (our final brick line) and begun digging some of the post holes for the fence that is to surround the special needs school. The fencing isn’t here yet so at least we can get some of the holes dug before we leave. Tomorrow we will return to FDNC in the afternoon for the “send-off” celebration with “the community.” I have no idea what that means…sounds kind of like the village is invited which will mean a big party and lots of speeches.

After a late lunch we headed off for our last community visit. We were going to visit the Baduda village in the foothills of Mount Elgon. On Sunday we drove by this village but today we were going to actually visit. We had to stop first at the town council to get permission and assurance of safe passage through the village. Then we headed to an orphanage/school. There the kids sang some incredible songs of welcome to us and danced. Even though I was about to melt, the sounds of these kids made the sweat stains worth it.

Following that village we headed a little higher into the mountains. At the next stop we greeted warmly by more of the village. They did the typical hand shaking and big welcoming. We heard about the mudslides that had been happening because of deforestation. The people here are cutting down their trees for firewood and removing the natural barriers to mudslides. They showed us the grasses that they are making people plant to help keep the soil from eroding. Then we followed them behind the main building to see the new project that they are creating as an alternative to using trees as firewood. What greeted us behind the building was one of the largest cows I can ever remember seeing and behind it the most gigantic pile of cow crap. The smell was gag-worthy. He then demonstrated how he takes a handful of manure (urrghglck) and mixed it with a handful of sawdust and this ball of sawdust/cow crap is what people are supposed to burn instead of trees. I watch this and am a little surprised and proud that the villagers have enough sense to create an alternative and sustainable fuel source.
Then it hits me, “Oh fantastic I think this is the guy that shook my hand first.” (urrghglck)
He picks up some more manure and makes another fuel ball.
Yup that is the guy. (urrghglck)
He then says the only problem with the fuel ball making is that there is a little worm in the manure that can give you tetanus. “Oh splendid,” I think, “of course there is.” I silently turn my back to the group and use Purell like never before.

Next we headed to another school that produces breads, beads, and other small goods and then sells them at its own little storefront. FDNC has partnered with this little community.

After a long and very bumpy ride back to the hotel we settled in for dinner. Habert and Fred visited us and it is great seeing those boys. I hope some day that they can make it to the US.

Goodnight.