Lookin Good!!

Hello All!!!

Im on top of the world Ma!

Well Im thinking that Ugandan is like the rest of the world.. yes gripped by football fever or as the cola advertising campaign here says - "we all speak football" ... I must say even i have been watching quite a few matches - well about 5 - that as much as ive probably watched in my whole life! Even thou Ireland or N Ireland didnt qualify Ive adopted the African Teams (or theyve adopted me??) - which are now down to Ghana - so COME ON GHANA!!!!!

I had a meeting today with Lydia, who is the District Education Officer. A beautiful Lady... this was the first time we've met despite hearing so much about each other. The first few minutes were spent telling each other how much we admired each other and how much good we'd heard about the other etc .. oh it was lovely!! The Mutal appreciation society!

Lydia - District Education Officer

You'll be happy to hear that we did continue working after our admirations... I requested a meeting with her to discuss the dorm and also suitable teachers for the unit.. I have had the idea of bringing some Deaf people - 2 in particular - to be teaching assistants at the school with the possiblity of helping to train them as teachers.. Well after i explained to Lydia the huge benefits to the children .... Language, culture, skills, positive role models - oh the list is endless. We've hatched a plan to get these two assistants at the school. Now i have to get a CV for each of them to Lydia and then we can see what happens next. Also we apparently have our 3 other teachers arriving this week

Mr Dirk is back .. with Rev Fred

1. The first is an amazing signer (Im told)

2. Has recently lost his sight and is learning to read Brail - very useful for our Blind and Deaf Blind children

3. Hasnt really got his skills up to date but is super keen to learn (I cited the Deaf

Teachers as a useful tool for this teacher and all the others)

I wanted some definate answers about feeding programs for the dorm but didnt get this... basically the govt pays for as little as possible - Thankfully they do pay for universal primary education.. but they still have long to go!

It was a productive meeting! I then headed to school to see the builders and catch up with Dirk who has just returned from his trip home. I was excited about him seeing the building considering it was just hard core when he left 4 weeks ago. He was pleased with the progress! We discussed further the height of the sleeping quarters windows - we need to raise them and the type of roof and doors we will have. The school wasnt happy with the type of roof choosen so we discussed further and made some suitable changes. We've decided on Metal doors for both safety, security and longivety - however the doors will be BIG - 4 feet wide (wheel chair access) So we do have some concerns about the weight etc but we will investigate more.

Ventilation bricks in - Lookin good!

Dirk and I stopped at a welders in the next village to look at the doors and windows they make - some beautiful windows. The schools normally have bars on the windows (a bit like a prison) but these were decorative - simply beautiful! I want these for the dorm - make the building even more like home!

I'll be watching the footie tonight again! - i might even get to like it!!

Hope you are all well!

Love

Sheila

xoxox