The song and dance man

Today David commented, ‘Ah, now you have walked in the village!’. We were in the Soroti bush navigating flooded countryside to visit income generating projects run by the Abeko Disability Support Group (DSG). We set off this morning in our trusty Super Custom, heading for a village school and a DSG meeting, but as soon as we left the main road there was debate about which roads would be passable after recent heavy rains. Charles usually drives fast down tracks, only slowing for cows and occasionally people, bicycles and goats. Today he was unusually quiet as he negotiated deep ruts and water-logged potholes. David received a call to say a river bridge had been washed away so we had to find another route. We eventually arrived at the school and after the expected lengthy introductions were delighted to be sung to by Didymus who accompanied himself on the thumb piano and foot stamping. It was pure joy! Don’t think I’ve smiled so much for ages. The DSG Chairperson said it was important to realise that people with disability are not limited and are as able as anyone to entertain and sing beautifully. Didymus is blind – so what?

The DSG was established nearly 2 years ago and we were there to see how their various projects are developing. We piled into the SC again, this time with several of the DSG Exec and set off to visit their Tailoring Workshop. It was great to see sewing machines that our church purchased several years ago still being used – now in a new location and after a fair amount of repairs. This project has many challenges if it is to succeed, but the first students only started last week so it’s very early days. Next we were to visit the poultry project – but it was soon clear that the rural village roads were in very poor condition after unexpectedly heavy rains - we abandoned the car. We walked on vey muddy footpaths (wore the wrong sandals, slid about a bit), shocked by flooded fields and whole maize crops completely destroyed by heavy rains. David and Fred told us many families have lost their whole harvest and have no source of food. It was a very sad reminder that the people most badly affected by climate change are the people whose lives are reliant on the weather –  like subsistence farmers.

Somewhat subdued, and starting to have filthy feet and legs, we arrived at the compound housing the henhouse. A healthy flock of chickens squawked and scrabbled while the males in our group managed to occupy 15 minutes standing and talking hens. I went to talk to cute children! It’s a great little project. Eggs will provide food for the children at the DSG Playscheme and eventually they hope to be able to rear chicks for sale. We tramped back down the path managing to avoid the biggest puddles and our guides decided we’d better walk to the next place ‘on the other side’. More trudging, more mud, more dead crops, more staring children… Then we arrived at the Apiary. A less successful project as the DSG are lacking some of the skills needed to colonise hives and harvest and process honey. However, they’re being supported by Global Care’s resident trained beekeepers Michael and Sam, so we’re hopeful that eventually they’ll have honey to sell – but maybe not even next year. We also met some of the goats the DSG bought. The value of goats here is huge. Goats are a kind of currency. If you buy a goat your money is relatively safe – you sell it in an emergency – but the main hope is for kids which can be sold. Obviously its more complicated than that but it seems this project is working, and the Bank of Goats is going to be a good way of generating income. We went back to the school and I played with some of the Playscheme children while the others discussed finances and accounts.

We were supposed to be attending a DSG meeting next. Local dignitaries were invited to meet us and hear from the DSG to help them understand what the DSG is doing and what it hopes to achieve. We all sat down to chicken and rice for lunch… and grey clouds began to gather. Then our eating was interrupted by bangs and crashes of thunder. Fred became anxious that we’d be stranded if it rained heavily. The rain started and a decision was made - lunch was abandoned and we left for home.

We’ve just finished writing a draft report of our findings today. We’re very encouraged. The DSG has challenges, but it remains totally focussed on improving the lives of disabled children, removing stigma, building self-worth and hope, and breaking the cycle of poverty. Abeko is a tough place to live. The tailoring school has problems accessing water – bore-holes are far apart, and many disabled people struggle to carry a jerry-can or walk a long distance. Latrines are an issue – disabled children need handrails and plinths to sit on, and if they have to sit on the floor the latrine needs to be clean, not likely in latrines shared by a whole community. How are they going to manage if weather patterns continue to change in a way that stops them growing food? Once again we are reminded of our complacency and acceptance of basics like sanitation, clean water, electricity.

This morning I watched the ladies at the Global Care centre prepare the fire to boil the water for our tea. Remember that the next time you press a switch for your kettle, I know I will.