Riana and I spent a couple of days visiting with mums in the Imuka program and seeing the progress their businesses are making. Day one we drove as far as we could, then shared a boda (motorbike taxi) to get through the muddy roads that the van wouldn’t make it through. More on that later!
It was awesome to see just how far these mums have come in the time they’ve been with us. Most have already been able to reinvest profit to expand their businesses, some have been able to put their children in school for the first time and others move into safer homes. 
Pauline dries and sells mukene (small fish). She’s been able to buy supplies to start making craftwork to sell for extra income as well as build a small three room home which is much more secure and larger than the tiny room they used to live in and she can also rent one room out which adds to her income. She’s got an amazing head for business and is doing great!
She prepared a treat of mukene for me which I couldn’t refuse. Riana got it on all video, insisting that she video while I eat! So very kind of her. Little eyes, brains and all. A protein packed tick off my bucket list.
The problem with travelling through our villages potholed roads after the rain is that you have to pick your ‘hole’ but you don’t know how deep it is til you’re going through it. The other little problem is the mud. It’s slippery. And you slide. A lot. And if you’re on the back of the boda you naturally ask if you should get off and walk to be told “yes” by your driver who then carries on riding and sliding with you both on the back while you hold onto your phone, daughter and handbag in that order. For fear of losing them. Or landing in a compromising position with the driver. Great conditions for ducks though. Who did.not.even.move out of our way. 
So halfway back, our driver pulls over with a sheepish look on his face. We’d run out of fuel. There are NO fuel stations anywhere near where we are. Not to worry. We just tip the bike over to move the remnants of fuel into the right part of the tank. Blow into the gas hole (as demonstrated by our ‘determined not to leave us stranded’ driver above), and carry on. Making sure to turn the ignition off whenever enough speed to cruise has accumulated. We made it home with a few bonus laughs on the way!
Thankful for screen lit laptops and thirty minutes of battery power while trying to put together an Imuka promo video.
Day two of our visits – and it was such a joy to see Barbara and hear how far she’s come. A little of her story is included in the Imuka video which you can watch here. Gods redemptive power at work.
One of our favourite visits was to this mum of six also looking after a grandchild and supporting her own mother. Her mum is an absolute gem and could be a stunt double for my grandmother. And that’s the truth. Except for the small difference in skin colour. In such an unexpected way, it did my heart good to spend time with her, holding hands and talking in broken sentences that I’m sure she struggled to understand just as much as I struggled to put together. From the softness of her hands, to her facial features, to the colour of her dress. This would be my Nan had she been born in Uganda. As we were about to leave she wanted to lock Riana in her room to keep her – again, something it wouldn’t seem strange for my own grandmother to do! God knew I needed that!
A little mishap with the office keys and the need for another key from a bag inside the office meant a break in was absolutely necessary. Not to worry. Joe, Drew and Kennedy were totally onto it.
First step. Try opening the window latch with some wire.
When that fails, try softening the putty with kerosene and chipping away at it to remove the glass in one piece.
When you realise the putty is too old to soften anytime this year, use a glass cutter to cut a hole – just like on the movies. Except it doesn’t go quite as smoothly as they make out, so just smash the window any way you can and get that latch undone. Find a fishing rod and long piece of wood to retrieve the bag as of course it’s on the opposite side of the room to the window. 
Gently pull bag through security bars (which we found out are actually very secure!) and waa-la! Success. Go to local hardware and buy more glass and putty. Replace window and that’s a rap. As well as an afternoons entertainment.
Baby Cathy. melt.my.heart.
End of year staff outing to the zoo. Deciding what they’re looking at. Not sure if it was the dried elephant dung or the crocodile remains. Their faces crack me up! Above and below!
We literally, just found a baby elephant walking around. How cool is that!!
Some of our team, just going for a walk with an elephant. No big deal. We walk with elephants all the time.
Sometimes you just gotta dance. And when the music’s playing there’s no better time! Or backdrop!
We did some exploring in an old construction site built out onto Lake Victoria at the zoo. It had filled up with water from the mornings rain making it an awesome place for an impromtu photo shoot of all the families.
Learning the fine art of skimming stones.
Love. his. smile! So thankful for Kennedy who helps keep our place safe and is so fun to have around!
