Christmas inspires people (4): the photographer

Freddy has sent me pictures of the Christmas happening. I want to share them with you.

Christmas workshop for children organized by Annie

Merry Christmas!

Christmas inspires people (3): free concerts

This edition was special because of free concerts by a harp musician and a choir. 
The harper and his daughter Katrijn performed a South American repertoire, while the choir sang Flemish Christmas songs.

Harpist Rik Couvreur performing Latin music

     

Volonteers from Lokeren singing popular Christmas songs

Christmas inpires people (2): volonteers

Norbert and Herman creating Christmas atmosphere

A group of volunteers, members of the wider family and others, helps Willy and Kathrien to carry out activities and offer drinks and snacks to the visitors of our Christmas happening. 

There is also a Christmas shop with items produced by volonteers like Stefaan, Kathrien, Naomi and others.
Some family members like M. Christine and Lucy show flower arrangements at the spot.

And Annie invited the children for crafts (for a picture see 'Christmas inspires people' 4).

Ellen runs the Christmas shop

Lucie makes flower arrangements

Christmas inspires people (1): Willy and Kathrien

Since 3 years The village invites neighbours and friends for a Christmas happening. The period of Christmas still inspires people world wide to show their love and care for the vulnerable.

This takes different forms. Willy and Kathrien put their farm at disposition of our association to set up the happening and they are busy during months to make sure everything will be organised well.

Kathrien 

Big friends: Willy, president of The village (left) and Aaron

Construction of unit 2: office and kitchen

After finishing unit 1 -classes and sanitation- we started building the first part of unit 2: office and kitchen. Elsewhere you could read how Kiki and Pele purchased building materials. For now we show you images of the construction activities. They are mainly erecting the walls and putting the roof on a building of 15 meter by 6.
The building consists of 2 parts. The kitchen (6x6) will be used before it will be finished; therefore we have already put the windows and the door.
The office is also 6mx6m and there is an annex restroom and shower-toilet of 6x3.
For more pictures look at the page 'construction'.

Written by Pele

Trump

Trump

He is really bad

We are not happy. He is really bad. He has 5 children in 3 woman.

After Obama

If you have voted Clinton you would have given Obama the third term. After Obama at least somebody else would come, but not Trump. I wanted change, but not Trump. You're not supporting Clinton because she is a woman.

Is that man going to have jobs for those people in America? All of them?

Bribes

Do they give bribes for votes in your country? No? That is only in Uganda. They give you 2000 for your vote.

I fear

He said he is going to chase the black people of America. Every time he was quarreling.

He is ever abusing. He is going to abuse on his first day. Now I fear also those people may come and kill us.

By unknown woman in Kabale town the morning after Trump was elected.

Jacky's salon

Kiki and Jacky

Jacky's salon is located at Kekubo cell Southern division Kabale town.
Jacky's salons deals in all styles of hair plaiting like twisting, pencil, weave plaiting and making retouch to make hair soft and straight.

Written by Kiki

How Ugandan children go to school

In Uganda most schools open at 8:00 am and close at 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday. Different children come from different families with different backgrounds and this is a great factor on how these children go to their respective schools in the morning and back to their homes in the evening.

Children from well off families are dropped and picked by their parents in their own transport means such as vehicles, motorcycles etc.

Children from middel income families are dropped and picked by boda boda or an affordable fee can be paid to the school in order for these children to be dropped and picked by the school van/vehicle but this depends on the parents' will and acceptability.

There are also children from low income families where their daily income cannot afford to cater for transportation charges. This situation therefore forces children to walk (foot) to and from school and for the case of young children, their parents are forced to accompany their children in the morning and come to collect them in the evening.

So no matter what, all children come to school in the morning and go home in the evening.

Written by Annet Namara

Graduation at Kabale University

Kiki on graduation day

Hello I am Kiki. I study at Kabale University. On 4th of November 2016 Kabale University was celebrating the 10th graduation at Kikungiri hill.

The graduates were very smart whereby they put on graduation gowns.

Many people came to witness the graduation especially the parents and relatives of the graduates.

The president of Uganda His Excellence Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also came to witness the function. Security officers did not allow Pele to picture the president. So you will be satisfied with a picture of Kiki who expects to graduate in 2018!

Kiki and Pele buying construction materials

To start construction of unit two Kiki and Pele went to buy materials.

Loading bricks

People loading bricks into the truck

Kiki and Pele purchases bricks from Konyo in Kabale District. These bricks made in Konyo are good and cannot easily break because the soil is clay.

When the truck reaches the place where the bricks are, many people who make the bricks rash to load them into the truck and start fighting each other to load.

Sand holes

Kiki and Pele purchasing sand

Kiki and Pele purchases sand from Katuna.The place is so interesting with deep holes where people extract sand from. When Kiki reached there she was amazed to see people in holes. But the place was also nice to pose for special pictures.

Kiki posing

Buying timber

Kiki and Pele always buys timbers from Bugongi. There are several people who work in timber and carpentry. Kiki bought 6” by 2” which means timbers of 6 inches broad and 2 inches thick.

   

Adults and children at work

Child labour

Pele went with Justus to buy hardcore as Kiki was at the university. Mothers and their small children were busy to make aggregates out of the rock. Children brought the aggregates down from the hill carrying them in old jerrycans on their heads. They had to work on a rather high speed and they looked tired. We call it 'child labour' and that is an abuse.

Written by Kiki and Pele

Daphine's Primary Leaving

Daphine

I am Niwagaba Daphine. I study at Kabale Primary School. I am in P7 but I am completing my primary education on 3rd of November 2016. Now I am hoping to join senior one next year 2017.

My friends and all well wishers please wish me success in my Primary Leaving Examinations.

Written by Daphine

In the mean time Daphine finished her exams, but she is still waiting for the final result. Kiki wishes if Daphine can get the first grade.

Donation from FINCA BANK

Finca Bank (Kabale)

On Friday 14th oct 2016 we got visitors from Finca Bank (Kabale) where they explained to us what they do and how they operate in the bank and they told us that we were the lucky ones among many special schools to be visited. Where we also told them what we do and they appreciated the work we are doing and they promised that they will always come to help us with what they have for the children.

Posho, beans and soap

They gave us 4 sacks of posho each weighing 10 kilograms that means they gave us 40 kilogram of posho and 15 kilograms of beans plus 5 bars of soap. We were so greatful for that donation that comes from the humbled hearts; may God reward them always and bless them.

PROUD children and staff posing with the visitors from Finca Bank

Written by Marselina Mbabazi

Laptop donated by Home Computer Repair

Marselina working with the laptop donated by Home Computer Repair Laarne

It was on Monday 3rd oct 2016 when the Director of Proud Uganda Mr. Leon Peeters gave the computer to the manager of Proud Uganda Mbabazi Marselina. The laptop Lenovo T520 is a donation from Mr. Frank De Clerck, Home Computer Repair (Laarne, Belgium). Marselina appreciated because the computer leads to a great development in the project. This is where by everyone in the project has to practice computer. The internet is also going to be simple. Reports will be made quickly minus going to type from other places, hence saving time and money. Thank you. And God bless you.

Written by Marselina Mbabazi

At the same time vzw The village equipped the team with a smartphone Moto G 3rd Gen.

Kiki handling the new smartphone

Finishing Unit 1: classes and sanitation

Those days we were giving a final touch to Unit 1 -classes and sanitation.  Before the end of the year the children from PROUD UG will shift to their own site "PROUD Village". To make it possible we have to paint the premisses, to put glasses, to bring water and power and we need to secure the place. 

The father of Elizabeth is preparing the forgings in his workplace.

On the page 'infrastructure' you find more pictures about finishing Unit 1.

Money-pots

Ignatious explaining me about the money pots

Ahabwe Ignatious decided to make clay materials after failing to get a job as a journalist. I come from Kamwengye district working in Kabale district he explains. I sell these money-pots a bit cheap (at 3000 shillings) so that people continue to buy them as they have to break them.

I thought money-pots were a traditional product, but now I find that everyone who sees them in my room asks what they are about. They are to save money. To take the money out you have to first break them.

Prepared by Pele

Ainebabazi Faith

I tested pregnant in December 2015. From then I started to care for myself as antinatal. Everything went well with me and my developing baby. Nothing was said to be wrong according to the scan results until the time I delivered.
  

Teacher Patience and Faith

It was at night when I went through labour pains like other women and rushed to Rugarama hospital where I spent a night and the following day which was Tuesday at around 3:00 am (the date was 7/9/2016). The labour was so painful as contractions were increasing to the extent that I had to bite my mouth during pushing but finally I had to deliver abouncing baby girl.

From her first time on earth she cried and when I gave her breasts she sucked breast milk as if she was used. Every body in the hospital room got surprised and she would not allow me to sleep because she was every minute on breasts sucking.

She doesn't like to cry a lot when she is breastfed. She feels well and asleep when bathed, smeared jelly and clothed well. She likes to see me direct in my eyes when I am breastfeeding her. She feels well when put on the back.

Above all she is called Ainebabazi Faith.

Written by Patience

Some days in Kampala

How Kiki became a Muslim

Kiki dressing like a Muslim

When Kiki reached at Gaddafi mosque she dressed like a muslim where by she put a long dress that reaches on the toes and covered her head. She had to remove her shoes when she reached at the entrance of the mosque.

How Pele feared to climb to the top of the mosque

Kiki at the top of the mosque viewing the hills of Kampala

Pele feared to climb on top of the mosque after he had taken a short distance and went back. Kiki climbed up to the top of the mosque where she viewed all seven hills of Kampala like Makereere hill, Muyenga hill.

How Kiki was interested to visit the independence monument

Kiki visiting the Independence monument

Kiki was happy to visit the independence monument for her first time and she was amazed when she saw an old person tied and a young person untied and very free.

Written by Kiki

Sponsoring by Atelier Kubiek

New offices and logo of Atelier Kubiek

Jan De Bie Architects became Atelier Kubiek. Jan De Bie, Wouter De Koninck and Ans De Vlieger opened their new offices in Zele with a reception. They asked visitors not to bring presents, but to support the PROUD project of The village. Visitors responded positively to their request. By 21 of September they had donated already 1.630 Euro. As you can see the new offices look splendid. We wish Atelier Kubiek a fabulous career!

Written by Pele

The Embassy of Uganda in Brussels

Coat of Arms of Uganda

A trip to Uganda usually starts at the Embassy of Uganda in Brussels where I go to pick my visa. The Embassy is at Tervurenlaan in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, one of the richest communes of Brussels. Buildings at the Tervurenlaan are prestigious. The Embassy is equipped with the Ugandan flag and the Coat of Arms. One day Kiki will explain you what they are about.

Written by Pele

The latest news from PROUD Village

Soon Kiki and Pele will tell you the latest news from PROUD Village. PROUD Village is a facility for mentally retarded youth in Kabale.

Look at the different pages to start to know our children, the team, the activities and PROUD Village. Enjoy more news about Uganda and Africa on the pages Mirror and The Africa experience. Till soon!

Hello, I'm Kiki. Welcome to my blog!

Dear Flemish friends: push the button 'Selecteer een taal' and select 'Nederlands'. Thank you!

Written by Kiki and Pele