Grace, Elda, Sigrid, Syprose, Adriana, Carla, Hermien, Ine, Christa, Chris, Nicky

International Exchange Program 6-20 th of January 2014 Participants

Adriana Riquena Brazil Carla van Thiel The Netherlands Chris de Leeuw The Netherlands Christa Werner Germany Elder Yenziwe Masuka South Africa Grace Kinyanjui Kenya Hermien van Sloten The Netherlands Ine van Emmerik The Netherlands Nicky Westrick U.S.A. Sigrid Richardson The Netherlands Syprose Atiena Oduor Kenya

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International Exchange Program Uganda. 6-20 th of January 2014

Morning Afternoon Evening 6th Mon Introductions. Information Optional: guided tour ; After supper some sharing personal side seeing/shopping 7th Tues See Grail Center and projects; see Social Center 4 pm Guided tour Hospital After supper some sharing 8th Wed Go to Nakirebe. Grave Elizabeth and new Lunch at Nakirebe After supper some sharing Center; 10 am Eucharist with Cardinal Wamala. 9th Thurs Visit Cecilia Ssentamu and family. Pass Kasubi Have lunch at Cecilia After supper some sharing tombs (graves of Kings of Buganda) 10 th Fri 9.30 leave for Kitovu Grail Center. Stop at Lunch at Kitovu. Visit Immaculate Kasendwa and After supper some sharing equator family 11 th Sat Go to Ggulama (Vocational Training School and Lunch at Nakasojjo After supper some sharing Nakasojjo (Health Unit) 12 th Sun 7 am Eucharist at Cathedral. Leave for Pass Mburu Park. Stay at Mushanga Social Center After supper some sharing Mushanga 13 th Mon See Health Unit and Social Center Sharing on different projects and Home Care Program After supper some sharing 14 th Tues To Kishabya St. Michael Grail Center. See Lunch at Kishabya. Share with some men + women After supper some sharing Center and grounds groups. Back to Mushanga 15 th Wed Tour around Mushanga Social Center Lunch in Mushanga. Walk up the hill (optional) After supper some sharing 16 th Thur Back to Rubaga Grail Center Lunch at Kitovu After supper some sharing 17 th Fri To Teo Nakibule. See her projects Lunch at Teo’s home After supper some sharing 18 th Sat To Jinja and source of the Nile Lunch in Jinja After supper some sharing 19 th Sun To Namugongo (Martyrs of Uganda) 10 am Lunch in Rubaga Grail Center After supper some sharing Eucharist in Basilica. 20 th Mon Packing and last shopping Packing and last shopping After supper some sharing

2 January 6, 2014, Hermien

All participants had already arrived between January 2 and 5, so instead of a travel day, this was the day of our first meeting. After breakfast we gathered in the dining room looking out over the lush garden with banana trees, avocado trees, organically grown vegetables, and the sounds of a variety of tropical birds (More about the center grounds tomorrow). January 6th is Epiphany, Syprose, Josephine and Elda and Christa reminded us of that with her opening words. Like the three kings who were looking for the star to find Jesus, we had been looking forward to this program in Uganda for a long time. We took turns to introduce ourselves: 11 women from 6 countries and 3 continents, all connected to the Grail for a short or a longer time (Chris wanted to join already in 1946). We were joined this morning by Prisca, Josephine, Connie and Regina from the Grail center Rubaga. Some of the shared interests are: education, health care, family planning, finance, management, agriculture, pastoral counseling, Grail formation, meditation, poetry, creative writing.

We also wrote down and shared our expectations and dreams for this program. The program was handed out and explained. It looks very promising. After lunch we got into two cars for a city tour of Kampala. The traffic was unbelievably heavy. Not only cars were crisscrossing on the road, sometimes trying to push each other away or gesturing that the other could go ahead, but when there was Connie, Adrinana, Prisca, Frances (almost) no moving forward possible for a while the boda bodas (motorbikes with a paying passenger on the back seat) would squeeze in between and pedestrians would cross in front of us. It was hard to breathe because of the air pollution, but fascinating to see so many people carrying so many loads on their bikes or on their head or just watching others do that and all the little shops along the street. We got out at the Anglican church and looked at the graveyard but our plan to go shopping on Kampala Road could not be realized because there was just no way to stop or park the car.

3 We saw the City Hall and the Parliament building and stopped at Garden City to buy some post cards and more. We were looking for a coffee pot but with the help of the driver only found a coffee machine. Then we stopped at an arts and crafts market where we could buy beautiful souvenirs. Connie did a very good job negotiating prices. After supper we met again to hear from Prisca and Josephine some history of Uganda. We learned about clans, tribes and kings, the artificial border with Tanzania, about the manipulations of the president and about the Ugandan Roman Catholic martyrs who were burned because of their faith.

January 7, Ine

The Grail center in Rubaga In 1951/52, two Grail women (Lydwine van Kersbergen from the Netherlands and Margriet van Gilse from Belgium) drove from South-Africa to Uganda, exploring how they could start working as Grail. There they made the first contacts with the Catholic Church. The bishops needed help for the management of the hospital in Rubaga; they wanted to stimulate the dignity of women. Dr. Magdalene Oberhoffer from Germany was the first one to take leadership of the hospital, later followed by Dr. Johny Storimans (Netherlands) and Dr. Rita Moser (Germany). At first the Grail women slept in the hospital, in small rooms. The Archdiocese provided land to build a Grail-Center. The main building with kitchen, living room and bedrooms was built in 1967. Elisabeth Namaganda, a student at that time, was one of the first who lived there. Now Grail women from Rubaga Grail live there: Prisca Nakitto i/c, Connie Nalwanga (Nurse and store keeper of UCMTI) 1, Frances Nassuuna (Public Health Nurse and trainer), Regina Bashaasha (senior counselor and trainer). Prisca takes care of daily management of the house. Rose Nayiga (Financial Director of UCMTI) and Patricia Nakityo (i/c of Nakirebe projects) live together in one of the staff houses of UCMTI. Josephine lives in a room in the social center, but all three have their evening prayers and supper at the Grail house. Later on, an annex to the house was built; the rooms are now rented to students who are trained in UCMTI. We see a lot of small projects during our walk through the Grail Center. The chickens provide for eggs for the house, but they are also sold to neighbors. We see the stables for the pigs, there were about 100 there, but due to pigs-disease they had to go, unfortunately for the second time already. There is a small biogas installation in the back of the garden. The gas is used for the cooking. The Grail started a training program around domestic violence. They invited local leaders to discuss this issue. Poverty is an important factor; not being able to feed the children heightens anxiety and alcohol abuse. With the help of a little bit of funding the women of the Grail started a program. Children were invited to participate in workshops at the center during the holidays; they were trained in organic farming. During the months dedicated to Maria (May and October) they visit people in the neighborhood. They pray the rosary together; it gives an opportunity to talk about daily life and problems. Afterwards, the center can be of help in many ways, there is a small fund for emergency cases. Patricia shows us her wine making project. She works step by step. She started making 10 liters, when that was sold, she went on. Income is also generated by teaching other people in the neighborhood. People bring money but also materials, like bottles. It turns out to be lucrative to make wine for weddings. Weddings are a big thing in Uganda. Patricia first sold big jerry cans with wine, now she is producing bottles with a special label for the occasion. She is already thinking about new developments, bigger cans, and a machine to put corks on the bottles.

1 Uganda Catholic Management and Training Institute

4 Uganda Catholic Management and Training Institute (formerly called Social Center) We visit the social center, the Uganda Catholic Management and Training Institute, and are welcomed by the director, Dr. Mereciane Nassuuna Musoke and by Rose (assistant director). Rose explains and gives us a tour through the center. This center, initially for women and girls, was founded by Joan Dilworth in 1965. Joan started teaching under a tree. Now the center is owned by the Episcopal Conference of Uganda. During the first visit of Pope Paul VI (1969) there was a Ugandan Episcopal Conference, funded by Miserior and the German government. After that the center became a national institute, still managed by the Grail. In 1971 Amin evicted many foreigners, which caused a national brain drain, but activities still went on. In 1979 the civil war started, Rose and Christa had to sleep in the storeroom in the hospital, many people came to seek refuge, many activities were postponed. After the war, in 1985/86, the school and training programs could start again with help of Auxilium and Cebemo funding. In 1986/87 they started diploma- courses that focused on different professional groups: Social development, hotel and catering, design and home decoration, secretarial work and accountancy. In 1994 the program was assessed by an external assessor from Germany to evaluate if the programs were still relevant. Because of the war AIDS/HIV had made a big impact. In 2006, during an evaluation by CODI, the vision and mission were updated; part of the program was certified by the university (Uganda Martyrs University). The center is now monitored by the Episcopal Conference of Uganda, the National Education and Training Commission from the government; (formerly this was the Social Commission) and is managed by the Grail. Afterwards, Christa told about her conversations with Elisabeth Namaganda in the last stage of her life. She told Christa she was glad to know that in every part of the country there are people who were educated by this center. Lubaga Hospital Later on we visited Lubaga Hospital, the Public Health Department, which exists since 1988. We were seated on benches under an open roof. We were given an introduction by Resty Ndagano, head of Public Health Department, which including herself consists of 38 staff members. Resty took over from Carla van Thiel in 1996, who started this department, together with Regina Bashaasha and others. It is offering preventive and curative services with an Ante-Natal Clinic, Childcare and Vaccination Clinic, AIDS clinics, TB Clinics and Community Based Health Care Programs with home visits to terminally ill patients. The ante-natal care is open from Monday till Friday and it is welcoming around 70 new young mothers per day. The acceptance rate is high, 97%. They work by a method of active counseling with community workers. Around 13% of the tests turn out to be HIV positive, and then they can start with medication immediately. The aim is to have patients delivering in the hospital. There is also the HIV/AIDS program, focusing on a related problem. Patients get counseling and advice and a test for HIV, the medicine is free. Then there is child care, children get 9 immunizations from birth until they are 9 months old, for free. This program is combined with health education, information and counseling. A next step will be to send text-messages on mobile phones to remind patients of appointments, medication etc. They want to implement that this year. The department also offers advice on family planning and offers tests on cervical cancer, for free. On top of that, they commit themselves to outreach to the community, because this department is a link between the hospital and the community. They also give education and information in schools and incoming patients are tested for malnutrition. Joseph introduces himself. He works voluntarily as counselor and experience expert about HIV treatment and prevention. He gets a lunch and his travel expenses are paid. Resty explains that it is essential to keep volunteers and ex-patients involved. When you don’t work as a team, you won’t fix it. There is still stigma and discrimination, but by encouragement of patients, sharing experiences, involving them it slowly changes. The outer image has changed too; it’s not instantly visible who has Aids. In the eighties it was their disease, now it is our disease. We have to continue helping and

5 encouraging patients. It is a government policy that employees should get time off for their treatment, so that there will be no discrimination. There are 16 doctors working in the hospital. The doctor of this department introduces himself. He tells us that there are now 3500 registered clients. They get free treatment for all kinds of opportunistic infections. The amount of patients keeps on growing (the hospital has a good reputation; there are more HIV-infections). All services, free of charge, are sponsored by UCMB. There are more women clients with HIV, also because of good ante-natal care. Most of them have no or low income. Men usually are reluctant to have themselves tested; women encourage them to do so. The hospital stimulates this by doing fast tests fast (no long waiting time to get the result) and by active outreach to the community. Counseling of couples, when only one of the partners is positive, is provided as well. There is a law under construction that will oblige partners to tell the other if they are HIV-positive.

January 8, Adriana

In today's program we have a visit to Nakirebe. The Grave of Elisabeth Namaganda Nakirebe is a village/farm located in Kadaba community about 25 km away from Kampala on Masaka road. This farm is being built as a new Grail Center and demonstration farm and is also the burial place of Elizabeth Namaganda, pioneer in the formation of the Grail in Uganda, who died in June 2012. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Wamala. He is extremely personable and has a great sense of humor. Congratulated all those present, especially Grail women for the initiative work in communities in Uganda, especially work in health care. After Mass we received some information about the buildings and grounds that will form the new center of the Grail. Women are responsible for the farm: Patricia Nakityo Planting trees with Rose Nayga. It was Rose who told us a little history of the construction of the center. The idea and the efforts of the new center began in 2008 when Elizabeth Namaganda was already sick. After her death, women have continued to work. The center at Nakirebe follows the same organization and forms of production and the sustainability as in Rubaga Grail center. The house will get people for training, education, various projects. Because women have few financial resources, they preferred to devote efforts to settle the purchase of all land (which has been done) and are now trying to complete the work. It is expected that in 2015

6 buildings will be completed. After this brief explanation we strolled through the lands. The plantation is fantastic. It has a banana plantation, sweet potatoes, peanuts, beans, vegetables and various fruits. A lot is already being harvested. In addition, there is raising local chickens and cows on a small scale. Returned to Rubaga around 4pm. Prayer at 6:30pm. Dinner at 7:30 pm.

January 9, Carla

Today a visit to the family of Mrs. Cecilia Ssentamu, a social worker and long time Grail member, was planned. After breakfast we had some time to go to the , check e-mails or do some laundry. At 11am we left with Connie as our guide. Cissy lives at Kasubi, an area of Kampala where the tombs of 4 former Kings of Buganda are, a historical place. But very sadly the main hut, where the Kings are buried, was burned last year and the place is closed. We were warmly welcomed by Cissy and her family members and also Bernadette and Margaret, two married Grail members from Kampala region, were present to help them with cooking the lunch. After greetings we drank fresh fruit juice and talked with friends, neighbors and family members. The lunch was delicious with a variety of different food and we enjoyed it. The three granddaughters, daughters of Hilda, performed a very nice song/speech which they had learned in school and Adriana could film it.

Lunch

Cecilia’s granddaughters: Melissa, Abiga il and Carla

We then went to see the green houses of Phiona, the youngest daughter, who got a bachelor in Mass Communication Skills but who did not find a job. She searched internet and found information on growing tomatoes and other vegetables in a protected way to get a rich harvest. New tomato plants are put in black soil in plastic bags. This good soil, mixed with manure, is first roasted over fire so as to kill all germs and insects. She first built one green house from wooden sticks and big plastic sheets and she harvested so many tomatoes that she could build the second green house with the money she earned. Both are on the compound of the house. She installed a good irrigation system that waters each plant separately. We were very impressed by her entrepreneurship and the way she became self-employed in a very different direction from the one she was trained for. After our tour we got more drinks and Cissy narrated to us how she became a widow in 1996 because her husband died of AIDS and she discovered that she herself is also HIV+. She tries to live in a positive way and receives treatment and she expressed her gratefulness to her family, her

7 sister in law and the Grail members for all their support and encouragement. Each one of us received a very nice bracelet with our names as a present and we bid farewell. We passed the home of one of the neighbors who was trained by Phiona and who had built her own green house and we admired her tomato plants. When we stopped at the entrance of a very nice man approached us, who gave us permission to enter. In fact he was a guide and a descendant of the Royal family and we got an excellent introduction and a tour around the place. Those of us who were having trousers received a kanga to wear as a skirt. Workmen were very busy with rebuilding the main Royal hut over de tombs of the 4 Kings. They hope that it will be finished by June 2014. Luckily there are still craftsmen who have the skills to build such a beautiful hut. All of us were very happy that we could visit this important side and hear the story of the Kingdom of Buganda.

January 10, Elda

On this date we went to Kitovu Center, which was built in 1979 as a formation and living center. Kitovu is the hill on which the Catholic Mission of Masaka Diocese is built. It is about 120 km from Kampala. In the fifties the Grail built a secondary school in Kalisizo (Masaka Diocese) as a request from the bishop. This school was handed over to sisters in the seventies. The Grail center was built because the number of Grail members was increasing in this area. There is a second house built with the purpose that people could go there for quiet days and reflection. It is called ‘Nzuno’ (Here I am). The center has a banana plantation, vegetable garden, cows and pigs. They have a biogas installation. We were welcomed with cool drinks in Nzuno and we were told where each one will sleep. In the afternoon we visited Grail member Immaculate Kasendwa and her family. She had invited some neighbors, women of a Women Group who showed us the handcraft they had made for sale and fresh vegetables. Mrs. Kasendwa introduced us to her daughters with their young babies. Her eldest son was ordained a priest in 2012. We saw the compound with the banana plantation, sweet potatoes, maize, paw paw and some chicks and prayed around the grave of her late husband Charles. After we received each a small packet with ground nuts (packed in banana leaf) we went home again.

Poem, written by Elda Nkonzo

Thank you God for taking me to the Grail. Thank you Father for loving me, in bad times with my family, in difficulties at my work. Thank you Lord for being my shield. Thank you for opening your hands towards me. I salute Gertrude Fester for taking me by the hand to the Grail. Yes, it was for consoling my wounded heart. May God bless her in Ruanda. I am committed to the Grail to its vision and its mission. May God bless the Grail internationally. I salute Carla and Christa for their work in Uganda. They are written in the sky where everybody can see their footsteps all over Uganda. We are lucky for having such teachers. They are from God Almighty. Praise the missionaries who planted their feet and come to dwell in your land. God bless the bishops and their teachings. You people know God through them. Thank you Carla and Christa, you are reaping the fruits of your work now. We can see the testimony of the community workers you created. We can see the spreading of the Grail, the hospitals, clinics, agriculture, and education with skills. Women are powerful, rich and poor. The hands and the minds are their tools. The world is changing slowly from battlefield to harmony. Thank you Florence Nightingales. To all the Grail members all over the world: thank you for taking risks: Anne and Sally, Emilia, Elizabeth, Josephine and Frances. I will never forget you, the open cup of the Grail. Burn your candles forever and attract more women and girls! THANK YOU!

8 January 11, Chris

Visit to Ggulama and Nakasojjo All night we heard drumming and singing and at Mass at 7 a.m. there were some 300 people, what on earth is happening??? We learned there was a novena for the canonization of Mgr. Aloysius, who died in 1986. With cars and busses people came from all over to spend the night waking, praying and singing (and drumming, which didn’t make it easy to sleep!) Our Frances also watched part of the night. Off we went to the Ggulama Social Training Center where in two years boys and girls from all denominations can follow a course either in Catering and Hotel Management, or in Tailoring and Designing, or in Sweater Knitting (including crocheting and embroidery). But next to that they all learn: computer, business communication, book keeping, public health, handicraft and of course agriculture in an ecological way. In their second year the students do practical work and often they are asked to come back and work there when they have their diploma. Nearly all students get a job! In this country most people have a larger or smaller garden, often with banana trees and here as in all Grail centers people learn how they can get good food from it. They get practical tips, e.g. putting old leaves from the banana tree on the soil to stop weeds from growing and to prevent the soil to become dry and hard. So all students learn that too. The exams are state exams and the feast of the graduation with cap and gown gives an opportunity to make the training center known. For nowadays it is difficult to get students. People are poor and can hardly pay the fees. Through devaluation and drought prices rise. It is like a downward spiral: many trees are cut and parts of swamps are cultivated because people want to feed their children, by doing so the climate changes, there is less rain, so they get fewer food from the land and need more land… We admired the great enthusiasm of the director Maria, the way she wholeheartedly works for the school and talks about the work. There just is no money for a salary for her and Margaret, therefore they make and sell wine for a living! For me it is incomprehensible that the government doesn’t support this school! We should send them a notice with the text Syprose from Kenya told us: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!” Our next visit was to the Naksojjo Health Center, where Clotilde also works. The Clinical Officer in charge has a three year medical education. The center looks very well cared for and efficient, though the rooms are small in our western eyes. The staff consists of the Clinical Officer (called ‘doctor’), 2 nurses, a midwife, a laboratory assistant, cashier and guard. Next to the normal clinical work here, staff hands out the monthly medicines for HIV patients, follows up with pregnant women regularly and helps women with more complicated deliveries. I wonder how these women get to the clinic, at the back of a boda boda over a road full of bumps and holes…. The house of the staff is the old building where many years ago the health center started – they really need a more suitable building but where do they find the money for it? A wonderful meal was cooked by the women’s group in the Ugandan way: not in pots but in banana leaves; it takes more time but it is much tastier. We felt very spoiled by the way they cared for us and thanked us for coming. For me it is the other way round: thank you for receiving us and giving us so much of your attention and care! Going back the driver showed again his great skill: the mud roads are full of holes and ledges, caused by the rain; with a speed of 3 km an hour he zigzagged along them, the car sometimes slanting up to 30 o, but we got safely at the center. It was an inspiring day, we learned so much, not only by head but also by heart – we were grateful.

9 January 12, Syprose

On this day we went to Masaka Catholic church (cathedral) for the first mass. We took our breakfast immediately after the mass, packed our luggage to the vehicle and took off. The journey from Masaka to Mushanga through Mburu National Park was a long one, about 170 km. We had to make a stop at Lyantonde before we reached the park. On our way to the park we saw some antelopes, zebras, baboons, warthogs and not forgetting the famous Banyankole herds of cattle. On reaching the park those at the gate said we should pay $ 200 (U.S. dollars) per person, which we could not manage. We had to return so that we could reach Mushanga in time. We managed to reach Mushanga by 3:45 PM. On reaching each person was taken to her room after which we were served the late lunch by Winnie Nyonyozi at the Mushanga Social Training Center. We cannot forget to thank our able driver Mr. Emmanuel from Entebbe, who has been with us from 10 th January onwards. He is a very good and careful driver.

January 13, Sigrid

Agenda: 11:00am Introductions 15:00am Visit to Medical center 17:00am Visit to Grail house 21:00am Sharing evaluation

Winnie, the director of the social center shared with us that the sister of Polly Nyangoma had passed away and for this reason some Grail members were absent. The members of our group and the Ugandan Grail members: Agrippina Byotariho, Demetria Kangyenyenka, Angelica Nsiimenta, Frances Nassuuna and Judith all introduced ourselves to each other.

Health Unit Joseph, Clinical Officer and i/c of the nursing staff gives us an introduction. We all receive a short report, composed by Sr. Polly Nyangoma, the Unit Administrator, who is absent, because of the recent death of her sister. There are 12 staff members and 6 support staff. They receive daily about 30 patients who come for consultation. There is a laboratory, maternity with a labor room, three wards for inpatients and a dispensary. Vaccinations as well as antenatal care are given at the Unit and in four outstations. The Health Unit belongs to Mbarara Archdiocese, and the Grail is the managing body. Challenges: lack of privacy for the inpatients, lack of sufficient resources to facilitate the necessary renovation of the building.

Grail house. This house is the home for those who work in the Health Unit and other Grail members. They have a vegetable garden, cows and pigs for self support. Until 1978 European nurses were i/c of the Health Unit; in the end of 1978 Carla handed the responsibility over to Polly Nyangoma, a registered nurse and midwife and she is still in charge.

After supper in the social center we had sharing/evaluation The red line of the sharing/evaluation was: good observations and challenging observations.

Good observations: 1) Engagement of the people practicing the job.

10 2) Having a young staff. 3) Open space in the wards. 4) The new road is not so steep. 5) The energy of the group. 6) The beautiful landscape. 7) Serving a large rural area at low cost. 8) The Grail house with as a multi-functional system. 9) Sharing without words but with dance. 10) The Grail starting a dispensary in the rural area. 11) The Clinical Officer was well prepared and gave us a professional report. 12) Very impressed by the effort to give good service and the hygiene/cleanliness of the places.

Challenges: 1) Lack of money and structural resources. 2) Poor facility of internet. 3) Lack of finance to support the nurses. 4) Lack of a qualified doctor. 5) The overload on impressions and stories. 6) Hearing that young girls do not want to work in the gardens. 7) The staff was not very busy on this visiting day. 8) It was difficult to stay focused. 9) The vegetable garden of the Grail house. 10) There is a need for more nurses and assistants. 11) To have a dispensary without a qualified doctor for major problems

Mushanga Moon, by Nicky

I flew over the Sahara Desert to get there Sand ground rippled. Nothingness I asked: “Where am I going?”

Clouds cast dark, long shadows. The desert gave way to rivers and rolling hills, I asked: “Who will be my guide?”

And there was the moon sitting in the sky like s spoon filled with light, feeding the world the sun’s reflection.

January 14, Grace

We started our journey from Mushanga to Kishabya in the morning, everybody strong and happy. Program of the day 1. Arrival of members 2. Arrival of visitors 3. Welcoming visitors 4. Visiting Grail house 5. Welcoming visitors to meeting hall

11 6. Prayer 7. Welcome songs - Tumanyane group - Grail community 8. Opening remarks by Sr. Marriet 9. Reports a. Tumanyane women group b. Kishabya gentlemen group c. Shuuku Delta group 10. Sharing of members 11. Prizes to visitors/Tumanyane song 12. Communication from visitors 13. Closing prayer and lunch

At Kishabya we were met by a group of young girls singing and we had a very warm welcome. Marriet Kobuyambi is in charge of the center. We had tea and the history of the Grail projects in Kishabya. St. Michael Grail center has a Grail formation program of one year. These holidays 9 young women joined us for the “Come and See” program. We have two schools: St. Charles Lwanga Parent Primary school down the hill and St. Kizito, a nursery here next doors. We have cows, goats, sheep and pigs. We have extended the banana plantation with 500 new banana stems. We also grow coffee, tea, pine apples and a vegetable garden. We make fluid soap. We have a number of different groups and besides monitoring these groups we also offer counseling services. Our challenges: - Prolonged drought due to climate change. - Banana wilt has also attacked our banana plantation and we have to fight it. - Living alone as Grail, with many different responsibilities. We then went to the hall in St. Kizito’s nursery where we met groups of men and women who introduced themselves to us plus their projects using written reports. Finally there was a very beautiful dance by the members. At one PM we had lunch with the group and closed the meeting with a prayer. We saw the grounds with banana, tea plantation and pineapple plantation. In the evening we all said something we were grateful for. Out of our remarks Ine made the following poem:

Little white potatoes accidently growing under Singing and dancing women the banana tree Nature, seeing. A few boys herding cows, a man A round toilet, with six doors working on the land An educated young girl, able to teach many Three women giving testimony others Do a big job with limited resources Top ranks come down to share with local people You always receive more than you give . It started giving lessons under a tree Hugs, big hugs

January 15, Carla

After Mass those who were present greeted the Parish Priest and we introduced ourselves and we explained the purpose of our visit. Today we met with all the different groups that have been trained by the staff of the social center (Winnie i/c) or by the trainers of the counseling and home care department of the health unit (Angelica i/c). The people came already early to prepare a very nice show of all their products, spread out on mats. First Winnie gave us a tour around the social center and we met the banana

12 plantations, sweet potato fields, the meadows with cows and goats and the vegetable gardens with the fruit trees. All these help to make the center self sustained for food. We then went to meet the different groups. The Group representatives with their products first one was the newly formed DELTA (Development Education Leadership Trained in Action) group of mostly political leaders who had been trained as TOT’s (Training Of Trainers) in December 2013. It is a mixed group of Protestant, Catholic and Muslim leaders. They gave us a report and showed us their products: wine, purses, bags and “tie and die” cloths. This program was sponsored by Mirembe Foundation, together with Impuls is , both are from the Netherlands. Also the other groups gave us reports: Giramatsiko, Abembabazi, Twinamatsiko, Tukwatanise, Tukundane Turibamwe and Mushanga Farmers group. Most groups are formed at village level (grass-root people) after members had been tested for HIV. They all reported about the long time drought, by which most of their vegetables had dried up. In 2013 all groups received skill enterprise training in liquid soap making, bar soap, chalk for schools and candles, by which even the elderly and sickly can be active. Also these groups were sponsored by Mirembe Foundation and some expressed their gratefulness to Carla who received some nice presents to be taken home for Mirembe. After the presentations some members gave a testimony of what they had endured and suffered and how they had overcome their suffering. These testimonies made a deep impression on us. One young man related that he was infected since early childhood, but his mother did not tell him that he was HIV+. He suffered from severe skin infections and was taken to the AIDS clinic for treatment. Because of his illness children did not want to play with him and avoided him and at P5 he decided to leave school. Now he receives treatment and his skin disease is cured with a lot of marks. He earns a living by repairing mobile phones and he is grateful that he is self supportive. Carla had visited some of these groups before when they had just started and she was very impressed by the progress of the groups, women who read the reports and exhibit proudly all they were able to produce, even some vegetables and mushrooms. After the show we were invited to buy some of their products. Then all of us were invited in the dining room for a delicious lunch. After the lunch some of us decided to climb the hill Kyangyenyi behind the Grail house and they were accompanied by William and Emmanuel. Some even made it until the top, though the path was very steep and slippery. Those who stayed home enjoyed a free afternoon or listened to the songs of a group of younger children and their leaders from Mushanga parish.

13 January 16, Carla

Today we had a long trip ahead of us. Emmanuel has now experience to put our entire luggage safely inside and on top of the small bus. We travelled from Mushanga to Mbarara, from Mbarara to Masaka via a short stop at Lyantonde, and we enjoyed a very tasteful and well prepared lunch with fruit juice and fruits in Kitovu Grail center. We arrived safely in Rubaga around 5 pm with not too many traffic jams in the last part. Tired but grateful we came ‘home’ again, a place where we had become used to already.

January 17, Christa

If one or the other member of the group showed some signs of tiredness on the evening of Thursday the 16 th , after the long trip from Mushanga via Kitovu to Kampala, where dust and rain had mingled to a special mixture on skin and clothes – on Friday it was gone totally. A new bright sunny day had risen over the Rubaga Hill and on the laundry lines were the dresses drying in no time. The little bus, now really part and parcel of our excursions, including Emmanuel, the most careful and reliable driver, waited at 11 o’clock to bring us to the home of Teopista Nakibule, living in Maya, about 20 km from Kampala on Masaka Road. She is a single, committed Grail member and served for decades on the leadership team until now, and works as lecturer in Rubaga Social Center (now: Uganda Catholic Management and Training Institute). It was already the third time we passed Nalukolongo, , and the round-about, the busy roads with the open shops, the swamps and the heavy machines on the road construction places, yet new things were discovered again: wheelbarrows loaded with ripe pineapples, birds flying in neat formations over the water or occupied houses still waiting for a next floor and a roof to be put on. Teo waited on the roadside of the small shopping center and brought us on a mud road to a new, unfinished building with rooms for shops in front and living quarters to the back. The friendly and solidly built construction turned out to be a project of Teopista erected to secure an income of rent for her old age. Pensions are still pretty poor in Uganda and those who have not cared for the future and especially those without own children, might have a miserable, even hunger filled time after retirement. The project was found good and reasonable. For the neighborhood: women selling their products, men working on crafts, an old lady with a manual sewing machine on a veranda, was our visit a welcome variety from the everyday tasks. Children followed our group in big curiosity and the taking of photos made them shout for joy. It was a short, narrow and bumpy road that led us down a slope to the living house of Nakibule. The sun was unusually hot and so the cool sitting room, where some of the representatives of the village groups were waiting, was most comfortable. In a nice welcome speech Teo explained her story – gave an outline of the heritage of her father, she used first in her own village and later in the present place for building a house and buying a plot of land ca 2 ½ acres (very unusual for a woman to own land). We got more and more silent in going round to see the achievements: a compound with cows and pigs, chicken, ducks and a ground filled with all plants and fruits like maize, sweet

14 potatoes, yam, matooke bananas, vegetables and herbs of all sorts – in admiration of a woman, professionally working, engaging in many local groups and activities and serving in the Grail constantly. Although not married she gives a home to nieces, grand nieces and nephews and shares work, time, food and roof with seven people. The house still needs the finishing touches for the water installations, painting, and floor covering – but that does not hinder the inhabitants to live a very happy life together. Also the served food made us silent, this time in enjoyment of all what slaughtered animals and garden could offer. Introduction, signing the obligatory visitors’ book, and an intensive report with discussion on the activities of the farmers-, choirs- and women’s groups, partly initiated and guided by Teopista, followed. A special impression gave the picture one of the group members was drawing on the situation and challenge of overcrowded schools in Uganda. As a professional teacher she knew what it means to serve in Government or private schools, to see the problems parents are facing in raising fees and provide money for uniforms, outings and scholar materials. Ignorance and false shame are still blocking the work for handicapped children to use the given chances and what effort it costs to implant values into the heart of the children. Another helpful insight into the life of Ugandans! As visitor one is culturally highly welcomes in the homes of people – guests come, see, hear, eat, drink . . . . and take home – we enjoyed the small parcels of banana fiber with peanuts we got to take home. And it was evening of another wonderful informative and warmhearted day in Uganda.

January 18, Nicky Trip to Jinja and source of the Nile

We woke to bird song again this morning. It’s cooler I think with cloudy skies behind the orange flowers draping over my window, beyond the barbed wire and brick wall up the terraced hill. I walked to breakfast a little late, 7:40am, but still no one was there, perhaps sleeping in today. The music and voices across the street went on until 4:30am I believe, though I am becoming conditioned. Last night there was more laughter I noticed. After breakfast, Elda from South Africa will share a sun meditation with us outside. Then, most of us will travel to Jinja, the source of the Nile. Chris, Carla, Christa, and Ine will spend time in Rubaga. We met in the gathering space on the red velvet chairs for instructions from Elda. She chose a ceremony of the sun starting with a song she sang to us. Then, we walked outside to the grass standing barefoot in a half moon with Elda in the center. We felt the sun’s warmth, breeze, took in the environment, bird song. Then, holding a common rope binding us together we made a circle and turned like the sun in silence. After returning inside, we shared our experience. Shortly after, piled into the van, Bernadette Namugema led us in prayer and song: Praise Him. We sang with windows open as boda-boda’s raced past, exhaust clouding the street. Bernadette studied in Jinja when she was younger. The drive was difficult due to huge traffic jams leaving the city. Our 1.5 hour trip took 3 hours! Cars, vans, trucks, as far as we could see. Pollution, smoke choking us, but lots to see on the street – a curtain seller draped with samples, a boda-boda loaded with a couch and two chairs. Practice in patience. Hungry, we had lunch at a restaurant called “The Office”. Fish and chips were on the menu, though they were out, made me realize how hungry I was for American food even though I LOVE Ugandan food. We sat in the upstairs and a few shared Nile Special beer. Some also enjoyed our first wifi in Uganda. The food took quite awhile, but we all enjoyed sitting together. Poor Bernadette got her food so late that the chicken was undercooked so she had to wait a little longer. Finally, we were all silent, sleepy, and satisfied. Time to get going to the Nile!

15 The White Nile flows from Lake Victoria to Egypt. We enjoyed the boats on the river bank and nice breeze. I bought a little doll for my daughter Audrey, and Sigrid danced with orphan children as a donation. We had to head home quickly though since we had been delayed by traffic and the restaurant. We enjoyed a typical dinner returning home with rice, fish, chicken, pork, baked bananas, peanut sauce (my favorite), pineapple, watermelon, beets, and incredible avocados. I will miss the food. After dinner Ine and Chris led us in writing, singing, and sacred dance. Ine shared one of her beautiful poems,

Weaving. Spun out of memory Weaving small pieces of thread Colored loose ends Given to me by life See what may emerge Searching for a connection Out of multicolored threads In unknown patterns Colored loose ends Given to me by life Search for a tissue Spun out of memory Out of multicolored threads In unknown patterns Weaving small pieces of thread See what may emerge

We ended the day with Chris’s sacred dance. With flowers and a candle in the middle we danced the Sun Dance holding hands, right hand open to the east to receive and left hand giving to another: -right back, left back, rock, rock -right front, left front, side, together Lastly, humming Ubi Caritas, we danced for St. Francis who wanted to extend love to the whole world: opening our hearts to the world, gathering the world into our hearts, and offering that love to the world.

Ine wrote this poem based on our creative writing papers:

Writing Weaving words Living inside you Connecting to the other Circle

Look mirroring God’s love and care working together for peace authenticity in combination with feelings.

I would like to bring my thoughts to be used as a weaving thread Fresh green papyrus fields seen by a car of sardines Love plus myself A continuous thread woven throughout our lives, linking together people, places, experiences Smile Confidence Diversity is such a rich source.

16 January 20, Hermien

Our driver is ready for us at 8.30am and the traffic is not too bad today, so we are early at the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs Shrine, built on the spot where 13 of the 22 Roman Catholic martyrs were burnt in 1886. Martyrs’ day is celebrated annually on June 3d. We hear that there used to be a small chapel on this spot, and that people decided to build a basilica at this site when Pope Paul VI announced he was going to visit Kampala in 1969. The basilica was not completed in time, so the Pope blessed the pillars and there was a Mass held outside at the lake. The pope was seated on a little island in the lake, the priests, monks and nuns on one side of the lake, the worldly leaders at the other side. A million people gathered on the lawns around them. The shrine is especially notable for its shape and architectural plan: the 22 copper pillars-over 100 feet long that support the shrine built in form of an African hut and its wooden doors that depict the history of the Martyrs. The killing took place because the king was misled by a witch doctor and felt threatened by the martyrs who said they believed in the kingdom of God. One of the martyrs was the king’s nephew and he refused to change his mind so he got killed as well. On a different spot 18 protestant Christians were killed. The lake is now believed to contain holy water and we see people fill their water bottles with it. We attend the Mass with a beautiful choir and texts projected on screens, otherwise hard to understand although it is English spoken. Seven babies were baptized. Children are present all the time. In the afternoon we had our final evaluation of the program. Christa presented us with 10 questions and we also compared our hopes, dreams, wishes and expectations as we wrote them down the first day with the reality we experienced during our time together. Summarizing the comments that were made it can be said that we all felt much enriched by meeting the Ugandan people and hearing their stories. The program exceeded our expectations in many ways. We were lucky that there was no sickness in our group and no accidents whatsoever. After dinner we started an evening of celebration and gift sharing. Eighteen Ugandan Grail women were present. Some came all the way from Mushanga and we know how far that is now. We enjoyed a story by Chris, and joined in African dance and song. Nicky had wrapped our gifts and explained the game: everyone pulled a number and number one had the first choice from the pile. The second and higher numbers had a choice to either take a new wrapped gift or to take the unpacked gift from one of the lower numbers. None of the women took a gift from someone else however, they all chose for a surprise. All participants then were surprised in their turn by a gift of African fabric which was offered with music and dance.

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