Rewards

When we describe our work here in Uganda to friends at home in Canada, they often say, “That must be very rewarding work.”  Yes, it is.  And I was reminded of that fact yesterday when I stopped in to visit Judith and her two children at her home not far from the Timothy Centre. 

I first met Judith about 15 years ago when she came to work as the “matron” at Kibaale Children’s Centre.  She was an orphan herself, 18 years old.  Her job was to care for the dozen or so children who were still living full time at the centre and she worked with amazing dedication and a motherly heart.  She soon became one of our nursery school teachers as well, working both in the classroom and supervising, counselling, bathing, feeding and nurturing the children in her care.  She had no teacher training, so was one of the many teachers that benefited from our teacher development program in Kibaale.

Her two children are bright, healthy children with potential for a full, vibrant life.

 

At a recent workshop in Kibaale for our nursery teachers we brought in two of our former students who are now in university and teachers’ college because we wanted them to give testimony to the difference that a nursery teacher can make in a child’s life.  Both of them told our teachers that the one teacher who stood out in their minds as making a significant difference in their lives and learning was Judith.  Judith also served as our Special Unit teacher for two years, working with children who are hearing impaired and have other learning difficulties.  Again, she tackled this job with great determination and gentle patience, even though she had to learn sign language ‘from scratch’ on the job and had no training in special needs education.  It was challenging to help her learn skills to work in this classroom, but the rewards were great. 

When she married about 5 years ago, we were sorry to see her leave Kibaale, but she has now started her own nursery/primary school in a small village near the Timothy Centre and serves on an education committee for the sub-county.  Many teachers are now coming to her for mentoring and training, and she has arranged for us to provide training to neighbouring schools as well.  She has also assisted us in conducting community surveys to help us in planning for early childhood teacher training programs. 

Working with people like Judith is indeed very rewarding!

Man With A Hoe

Since Karl has been training others in Farming God’s Way, he’s been dubbed with the name Najanakumbi – “He came with a hoe”.

This last week he was asked to present a two day workshop at Eagle’s Wings Children’s Village near Lukaya – a town about 30 minutes north of Masaka.

Classroom instruction was combined with practical field training in Farming God’s Way principles.

Participants were shown how to make terran ropes (measuring lines).

       A skit was presented contrasting Farming God’s Way with conventional methods of farming.          

The workshop concluded with a field implementation.

The field was laid out and squared off.

Holes were dug for planting maize and beans.

  

Both organic and inorganic fertilizers were applied.

  

Seeds were then planted.

 

Once the holes were covered…

…the garden was watered…

 

…and God’s blanket was applied.

After the garden was complete, this man danced around rejoicing!

The man on the right approached me and said, “Uncle Karl,  you have not given us fish, but taught us how to fish. Thank you very much”.

     

To Blanket or Not To Blanket?

I met with a young man, Emma, this morning who had participated in one of my Farming God’s Way workshops a few months ago.  When the rains began, he planted this field field of maize, but did not use a blanket to cover the soil.

Look at the next photo.  He planted this field few weeks later but used “God’s blanket”.  Emma is amazed at the results, and is looking to fully implement Farming God’s Way next season.

Joy In The Harvest

Back towards the end of August, land preparation began for our fourth season of gardening using Farming God’s Way principles.  Through all the effort you anticipate the joy of the harvest.

Applying God’s blanket of mulch to the planted field

I planted towards the end of August…most farmers delayed for a month before preparing their fields and planting.  The maize and beans at the Timothy Centre are the healthiest of anyone’s in the community.

 

After the harvest, in January, we’ll start training in the community again using Farming God’s Way principles to help others achieve these results, as they prepare their fields for the March planting season.

Wild African Bees - Beekeeping Workshop

Last week we hosted another beekeeping workshop – 6 days of intensive training with Lesster Leow.  Participants came from Kirandongo (near Masindi), Rakai, Lwengo, and Wakiso districts, with 2 others coming from as far as Rwanda. 

Most of the training was done in the field where workshop participants were instructed in the safe handling of bees and proper apiary management.

It didn’t take long for participants to become comfortable in handling the bees.

 

Training also included how to establish a new apiary and baiting of hives.

A mixture of wax and propolis is applied to the hives.

  A spot in the apiary is chosen and the hives are set up.

  

The hives are now ready to be colonized.

Several of the participants, like Mrs. Mutebi had never handled the aggressive African bee prior to the training. 

The workshop concluded on day 6 with everyone having an opportunity to make a traditional Ugandan hive.

Congratulations to all the participants who successfully completed the 6 day course!

Our next workshop will be held in March 2011 at the Timothy Centre near Masaka, Uganda.