Flying out of South Africa on 31st November 2015 I was heading for Uganda. I was flying Ethiopian Airways which took me via Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia with a connecting flight to Entebbe, Uganda. On my first leg of the journey I was fortunate to have an aisle seat three rows back from the entrance. I hadn’t realised I would be offered a meal on the flights so had taken my own leftovers from a meal with Yvonne which I ate just after take-off at 4pm. Within an hour in-service was wheeled around with a choice of chicken or fish. I took the fish dish, well I had paid for it I might as well eat it, well some of it at least! The flight took just over 5hrs to arrive in Addis Ababa were I joined the throngs bustling around the airport trying to find our connecting flights. I was very relieved that I didn’t have to collect my bag, they were being transferred for me. While I waited I chatted to a lady 
beside me who told me she was a born again Christian going home to Kampala. She also gave me her card and mentioned that she was a lawyer, I thought oh that’s handy to know, I just pray I don’t need her services. I had also sat next to a guy who had just come back from Melbourne where he had been coaching the Ugandan Badminton team.
Addis Ababa to Entebbe was a short hour and a half flight landing us at 1am. I breezed through immigration where the officer mentioned how close we were to Christmas. I had nearly interned the wrong date on my entry card but remembered just in time it was now the first of December. I was very disappointed the officer never asked for my new vaccination card with proof of Yellow Fever immunisation nor proof of available finance. I hadn’t even entered the address where I was to stay, mainly because I didn’t know nor did I need to know as I was being picked up. I stopped to ask it I needed to declare the coffee I was bringing in, I couldn’t think of anything else that might need to be declared at customs so walked pass the nothing to declare without incident.
Walking out of the airport I was greeted with the usual line of people waiting for family, friends and others holding name cards of those they did not know. I searched for my name amongst them then walking towards the g
entleman I knew to be Sisson I stopped in front of the row and said ‘hmmmm let me see which one shall I choose?’ then plucked my name from Sisson who was smiling back at me. I’m sure I disappointed the others as I heard some of them had been waiting since 11pm as one of the flights had been delayed.
Sisson took my case and carry bag and lead the way to the car before returning to pay for his parking ticket. We chatted all the way to Kampala, Sisson explaining and pointing out some of the things along the way. It took us an hour to arrive at Vivian’s home where I was to stay in her little guest house. I felt terrible as she woke up especially to greet and welcome me and to give me the key to the little house. Sisson and her night guard Michael unpacked the car, putting my things inside the house before leaving. I unpacked enough to have a hot shower and jump into bed at 3:30am. I was exhausted!
Unfortunately I’m not one for sleeping in even with earplugs and eye pads on. My body clock said it was 6am so I was up. Actually there was a time difference of an hour so it was 7am here in Uganda.
I spent most of the morning unpacking and rearranging my things. It was a quaint little house with a bedroom at one end and kitchen at the oth
er. In between was the endurance area with both bathroom and separate toilet leading off it. I had a large single bed with mosquito net, desk, chair and wardrobe. The kitchen was a similar size with a gas stove and cylinder against one wall next to this was a box covered with cloth on which a small plastic drying rack stood. Under a double window on the wall beside this was the sink with running water and two draining boards. Against the wall adjacent to the door were two chairs and a square kitchen table with a tray with plates and dining utensils. Beside the door on the right hand side as you entered was a stool on which sat a small electric hotplate, under a smaller window which looked out over an entry path between Vivian’s home and the guest house. Also against this wall was a large bar fridge and a free standing set of shelves, which sat on the floor, held a few pots and cutlery. Vivian had also stocked the fridge with milk, eggs, apples, butter and drinking water. She had also provided tea, instant coffee, sugar and biscuits. I had really been made to feel very welcome.
V
ivian greeted when I emerged from my morning activities and introduced me to her family before she headed for Wakisa Ministries to start her day at 8am. I followed at 9:30am, Dorcas, Vivian’s adopted daughter took me the long way along on the road so that I would know how to get there on my own. I was quite surprised when I walked beside her up the hill that I was puffing and panting. I thought after all the jogging I had done at White River I’d be quite fit. I met most of the staff while being shown around and asked if I would like to help out with the Infant Care program which Harriet usually took. Not knowing what had already been covered I first asked the girls to tell me what they had learnt thus far. I then covered some of the thing I taught my clients about baby’s routine and sleep cycle. It was a fun class which we all enjoyed.
At one o’clock I joined the girls for a typical lunch of beans, rice and veg which was prepared and cooked by the girls as part of their course of learning to care for themselves. A typical daily routine for the girls started with a 5am wake up before starting general cleaning at 6am. Breakfast is at 6:30am followed by devotions at 8:20am, physical exercises at nine for fifteen mins before classes start at 9:30pm and finish at 5pm with a two hour lunch break from 1-3pm. Classes are between 1-2 hours and include Agriculture – how to grow your own vegetables, crafts – from which they can make a living such as; 
tailoring, candle and bead making and knitting; they also have life skills which includes teach skills for dealing with everyday problems, saving, micro business, communications. The girls also assist with everyday general cleaning as well as kitchen duties where they learn to cook and prepare meals. There are Bible studies, praise and worship, devotional life skills classes as well as infant care which helps them prepare for motherhood.
That first afternoon Henry, Vivian’s driver took me shopping and helped me purchase a SIM card before dropping me back home at 5pm. Vivian arrived a little later and invited me in for a chat and some dinner. I had hoped to get to bed early but it was after 10pm when I finally fell into bed this time remembering to tuck in the mosquito net. Henry had asked if I was taking any Malaria prevention medication. I had said no because no one had suggested it. He thought I should see a doctor the following day to see which one was recommended, but in the meantime I should use the net. Opps! I hadn’t bothered to use it on my first night as I hadn’t heard or seen any mosquitoes although on my shopping list I had remembered to buy an electrical mosquito repellent which I plugged in just in case and prayed the malaria carrying mosquitoes were kept at bay.
My second day in Uganda began with me sleeping in again till 7:00am. I wanted to join the girls to help out with their exercise class but by the time I was ready it was too late. So instead Dorcas showed me around the house garden before showing me the short cut up the hill past the Methodist Cathedral where Vivian fellowships. We walk past Wakisa to the Wakisa vegetable garden which is just down the road from the Wakisa buildings. Here they have avocado and orange trees they also grow bananas, carrots, beans, cassava and other vegetables. They are hoping one day to have enough to sell to help support the ministry.
T
hat afternoon Henry drove me to the Nigerian High Commission to inquire about a visa. On the way the heavens opened and the rain come down in buckets! The road, which is full of potholes (and now I know why) was now a torrent of water! Henry pulled over so as to avoid branches of trees falling on the vehicle. When it was light enough for us to continue we headed up a hill where the water was literally gushing down the gutters in waves! We saw two vehicles which had driven off the road into huge holes. There was also a motorbike in the middle of the road and a helmet rolling around but no driver in site. I prayed he had survived the accident and had been taken to hospital. Henry as well as Vivian had told me how dangerous the motorbike taxis were and due to competition, how recklessly they drove.
The Nigerian High Commission was closed but the guard informed us that it would be open tomorrow between 10-12pm and again from Monday bu
t closed every Friday. We then stopped to buy a new mattress for my bed as the one I had was definitely worn and sagging in the centre. The mattress was an unusual size of 43” (109 cm) across. The shop assistant insisted that they only came in 42” but when he measured the one he had brought to show us it was 43”. Perfect! I was asked if it was ok as it was very firm/hard, than asked to try it out. With a smile on my face, I told them I didn’t need a soft one as I wasn’t a princess. I then took my sandals off, lay on the mattress before asking for a pillow as I was ready to sleep now! They laughed and brought me a pillow. Oh no! I exclaimed, this one is far too hard! Maybe I was a princess after all! We all laughed. I think I got a bargain for $68.00. The mattress was paid for, tied up and bundled into the car.
Next stop the doctor. The Surgery is a clinic where several western doctors are practising. I was able to just walk in, fill in the forms and see a doctor all within 15mins. The doctor I saw was Korean, when I told him I had not been taking Malaria tablets he said never mind he had been in Kampala for four years and had not been taking them either. As long as I remained in Kampala I would be ok but if I planned to go elsewhere then it would be wise to take something. H
e suggested I take a tablet the day before I leave and one every day I was out of Kampala and then for a week when I returned. If I was to stay a long time outside of Kampala I could take one every second day I was away. This was a great relief for me as I don’t like taking tablets of any kind unless necessary. He told me if I ever had a severe fever with headaches, shivering and possible backache then I should test myself for Malaria and if it was positive I should immediately return to him for treatment. If caught early, the kind of Malaria in Uganda is easily treated. He also said because Kampala is at quite a high altitude were oxygen is scarce. I may suffer a little from altitude sickness which can cause headaches and shortness of breath. Hmmmm that explains why I was so out of breath climbing the hill on my first day!
I came away with 30 Malaria prevention tablets, two Malaria self-testing kits and a consultation all for less than $50. I felt a lot happier with more information and happy to have prevention medication on hand for when I accompany Vivian out of Kampala.
Wednesday I slept in again! This time I was 
determined to get to Wakisa by 9am for the exercise classes. After my usual morning habits – warm water and apple cider, exercises instead of jogging, breaky and checking my online communications I was ready and out the door by 8:50am. It only took me 7 mins on the short cut through the back of Vivian’s property. The girls were just finishing there morning devotions with the visiting minister and Harriet who usually takes the exercise classes was busy all day taking girls for their medical check-ups. Perfect timing of the Lord, I was able to step in to help out. Actually one of the girls knew all the moves and took us through them with humour and vigour, I was asked if I would like to add something more before the fifteen mins were up. I talked about pelvic floor exercises, the girls all looked blank suggesting they had never heard of such exercises. I explained they were very helpful especially after the baby was born to keep these little muscles strong to help support their uterus.
Because Harriet also takes Infant Care I took this class too. There were two girls who had been in my class the previous day so I asked them what they had learnt and followed on with a similar lesson showing the girls how to wrap their babies. One of the girls asked where they could sleep their babies as Wakisa has a cot but they couldn’t afford to buy one. I suggested they could sleep their baby’s in a box which they could get from any supermarket. They could also make holes in the sides of the box for ventilation, place a folded blanket at the bottom of the box as a mattress and cover the box with a light mosquito net tucked in tightly under the box so it didn’t fall on the baby. As the baby grew or if the box was soiled they could change it or replace it with a larger one. Sleeping their baby in a box would help to keep them safe and prevent them from rolling off the mother’s bed or around on the dirt floors.
One of the mothers was loo
king after her baby in the class, it woke towards the end of the lesson so I was able to show the girls how to wrap her and settle her. A few days later I notice another baby being wrapped in the same manner.
It was nearly 11am and Henry was still not back from his other duties so it looked like my visit to the Nigerian High Commission was off till Monday.
Wakisa Ministries has produced a 2016 calendar anyone wanting to order one please send an email. All proceeds excluding postage will go to the Wakisa Ministries.
Photos: 1. Agricultural class 2. Vivian introducing me to the girls 3. Bible class 4. Knitting class 5. Girls at Wakisa 6. Michael the guard helping make chapattis 7. Downpour 8. Taxi bus ran off the road 9. Sewing class 10. Candle making 11. Samosa’s the girls made 12. Infant Care class with me teaching
Prayer & Praise Points:
Our God is truly gracious. I feel so at home here amongst the girls and staff of Wakisa. Vivian has welcomed me in and made me feel like family. Thank you Lord.
Praise Him for His continual provision, protection and health.
Praise the Lord for the 10 years Wakisa Ministries has assisted young pregnant girls in need. Praise Him for all the workers and support for this much needed ministry.
Praise Him for souls being won into His Kingdom through the work here in Uganda.
Please keep Vivian in your prayers as she and the Wakisa Ministries have been falsely accused by officers from the Ministry for Gender for selling babies for adoption. Pray also that all the official papers that are needed for officially registering the organisation will be completed without complications or penalty.
Please also pray for the success of Wakisa Ministries 10th year anniversary this Saturday.
Please continue to pray for my safety and health.
Pray also that my mother will remain in good health.