Ntara

We went to an even smaller town than Kamwenge, called Ntara, for a week of testing filters that have been used by beneficiaries for a few years.  We lived somewhat of the "village life."  We ate matoke (a special type of green bananas that you cook) and other local foods, stayed in a tiny room, used a pit latrine, had no electricity, no cell reception, no internet, no running water and no cold Coca-Cola. However, we were the major attraction of the area, more on that later.  It was actually really fresh to "go without" to appreciate what we have in Kamwenge: unreliable power, but power, unreliable cold water, but water, and a flush toilet (i finally fixed the flusher lever since it broke 3 weeks ago, and the only place to get a new one was Fort Portal, and so we had to put our hand in the tank and pull on the thingy to get it to flush).

So, what happened there?  Quite a bit actually.  As i already said, we were the major attraction.  This is the kinda small town that is the "big center" for the locals.  But it is not on the way to anything, so there is very little reason for Muzungos to go there, and they are therefore very rare.  Rare enough that people will stare.  Not like stare in passing, i mean that they will get a chair, sit down, and stare at you, for a long time.  One evening we were watching the sun set over Lake George, and a 14 year old boy stopped on the road between us and the sunset, and started staring at us.  I was kinda annoyed, and decided to have a staring contest.  He was a serious opponent, but eventually my obvious staring and arms folded on my chest worked.  He looked away, left, and then came back.  I kept staring, but i was missing the sunset.  Eventually i gave up.

Other than that, we had a really interesting opportunity to help a family.  There was a sick kid at one of the households where Sarah was testing the filter.  We had been going there for 3 days, and he was totally not looking good.  An 8 year old kid should not be lying down, inside, at 11AM.  We just couldn't come and test their filter, ask how it is helping their families health, and tell them that we hope their son gets better.  They went to the free government clinic, but they had no medicine.  So, we took him into town, and payed for the lab test.   He had Malaria.  Then we went to the Doctor.  I asked how bad it was.  I don't know what the rating system means, but she said he had +++++ and that if he had only 2 pluses, he would be admitted.  So, the lab test for malaria cost $1.50 and the hospital fee: medication, doctor consult, shot to lower his temperature, 2 nights stay, iv with 2 bags of "drip"  and everything else, was $20.00.  And what do you know, 2 days later he was doing ok.
On the last day, his brother let me know that another one in the family was also not well.  He had a testicular hernia.  Ouch!  So i asked how much that would cost to fix.  He said $10.00.  At this point though i was really struggling.  I really dont want to have the white man equals handouts mentality reinforced.  I had already done something huge that they couldn't afford, and now i was just gonna keep handing out cash.  We have kids we have never met asking us for candy every day.  But then i gave my head a shake.  Am i actually considering not helping this kid get healthy, and possibly save his life, because i dont want to perpetuate a stereotype?  And they never actually asked me for money.  So, i made the older brother promise not to tell anyone that i gave them the money, and i gave him the cash using one of those sketchy drug dealer handshakes.

PS:  If you want to read a really good blog about more stuff like this (medical stuff, but much more, well, more everything) i recommend you read our friends Kevin and Ang's blog, specifically the most current post: http://kadeane.wordpress.com

The boy on the left is the older brother, the little guy is the one who had malaria.  Maybe that look on his face is because i was responsible for getting him stuck with a bunch of needles, and now im taking his photo.

Lake George and the Renzoris

Our lab in Ntara.

I took this photo from our room.  This is our hosts granddaughter.  She was shelling beans all by herself.  She is one year old.

Finished beans go in the pot.

This area was super fertile and lush.  This is a coffee tree.

Banana leaf.

This is a Pineapple.  I never knew how they grew.

This is one of the filter owners pineapple patch.

One of the households we visited.

Sarah at work.

This is the Family of the boy who had Malaria.  They gave us a chicken and some sugar cane.

Sarah, the proud owner of a chicken.

Go Jets!!!

Kids in Ntara.  I have a new favorite month.  It is between March and May.  

(You may need to zoom in to see the white tshirt, the green shirt is ok too)

This is the biggest bug i have ever seen!!  It was almost dead, that is why i got so close.  But then it popped up its shell things on its back, and goodness me... it has wings.  I think it started to fly, but i cant tell for sure, because i was flying myself.  For those of you who know my fear of flying bugs, that i have gotten over, mostly... well, it all came back in one instant.  It is really hard to sprint in cheap flip flops.