Farming Skills

Hey! I hope the blogs are coming across ok.. sorry for the delay of photo's on the previous blog.. as I mentioned, dodgy internet connection!

Over the past two days we have been at the Dewe Project, near Entebbe. We visited Dewe a few years back and the boys loved it so they were very excited about going back! I really believe that it is important for the boys to learn skills which they can use for their future; to become less reliant on charity and more self sufficient. The boys therefore learned agricultural skills, such as how to grow their own crops in poor soils and during dry seasons. They layered big sacks full of dry grass and twigs, limestone and clay, sandy soil, lime and then good soil mixed with compost on the top. This would enable seeds to grow well and would be a great way to grow food even if there is little land, as it would all be contained in the sack.

They also learned the importance of surveying the land before planting crops and how to organise energy efficient ways to farm. There was a water tank which collected and filtered rain water and even a compost toilet/long drop! - They believe in recycling EVERYTHING!

Matt did a great job in keeping all the boys focussed and motivating them. There were a group of boys in particular who were doing really well. He told me how hard working they were, which is giving me an insight into who I can trust to be in charge of such agricultural things in the future. The two days were packed with both theory and practical, ending with them all planting their own vegetables!

Meanwhile, I was working with the girls on making baskets from banana plants. It was a very interesting technique of weaving which produced lovely baskets. They don't cost much to make as banana plants are everywhere and they can sell them for a good price, especially if they are sold at gift shops. The girls, plus young Francis, were so dedicated to their basket making - it was quite addictive once you got going! I spoke to them about using this skill for their own money making and they agreed that was a very useful skill to have.

The staff at Dewe treated us very well. We were fed by the food they grow in their 2 acres of farming land. After farming, they boys were able to play football, against the staff at Dewe, which they loved, especially as they won! Dewe is in the middle of no-where, near a little village. It was so relaxing and makes a great break from all the choas of Kampala. It was great for the boys to see a different pace of life and realise that there are places of peace in Uganda.

In the evening we had all sat around the camp fire and the boys entertained us with their singing. Peter played a jeri can as a drum to keep the rhythm and they used some phones with songs on to play as they called someone into the middle to dance, one by one. 'Mr Matt' 'Mr Matt', they chanted! Matt got up, without much hesitation (!), and gave his best moves as they whooped and clapped in time. I also danced in the middle and they called me Shakira! I was loving that! Haha! There was a lot of fun and banter between the boys and it was a great way to end the day.

Most of the boys slept in tents! They have never seen or slept in a tent before so they were very excited! The remaining lot of us slept inside the Dewe building, on the hall floor (full of bats, mosquitoes and lizards - oh, and snakes were in the farming land too!). It was an interesting night; sleeping like sardines on the blow up mattresses with the kids! We didn't sleep too well but it was a good to experience what they have been used to for all these years.

Tomorrow we begin teaching rugby and dance and I also plan to talk to the nurse about getting a box of medication for the home sorted.

A huuuge Thank You to Brislington Church for funding the Dewe Project! The boys are eternally grateful. xxxx