Christmas Day at Potters

Christmas Day started bright & early at PV.

The laundry staff began at 6am in order to get through the mounds and be away in good time to cook for their families. I went round the site and gave every adult a lollipop and a Rufumbira Christmas greeting. It was amusing to see people wandering everywhere with bulging cheeks and sticks coming out of their mouths. You would walk on the ward and a sea of mouths and sticks would turn to look. Some of the children on the ward were well enough to have one too which was nice.

At 9.30 we went to the Cathedral English service. The Sunday School enacted the nativity story with their appropriate cultural clothing and bursts of familiar carols. Joseph got a laugh when he went to the Inn and said Mary was REALLY pregnant ie) about to deliver now.

Back on site Rosie made us her delicious coffee to help us gear up for cooking. Meanwhile the staff had their communion service led by our Chaplain, Rev Florence.

The singing was glorious and the service ended with enthusiastic dancing.

 

 

 

Lunch for the staff was brought in by a local cafe. Due to a delay in timing of the service...surprise, surprise...it was necessary to feed the children before they could eat themselves.

Their meal was posho, careb (millet posho), rice, potato, beef with bones and sauce.

 

 

 

Ours was very close to the British traditional fare. A joint effort in 3 kitchens.

 

 

 

 

 

We ate out on the veranda even though there was a thunder storm and it was pouring with rain.

The premature baby unit had a record breaking 11 babies housed there. Fortunately our son Zemian managed to get the third incubator working again. The ward was also busy and the staff were kept occupied.

It was lovely to celebrate Christmas without all the commercialism. A time of religious celebration followed by a meal shared together is all that is needed to get the focus correct.

...I can't lie, a large packet of sage and onion stuffing and a jar of Cranberry sauce made all the difference!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noheri Nziza

At last we can connect to the Internet in our house and I no longer need to take my iPad to town in search of wi-fi.

We are in the final preparations for Christmas Day here.

 

 

 

Sam and Emily came out to do their nursing elective with us. As well as nursing they repaired and repainted the car to make it safe for the Community Support children to play on at their party.

 

At the party we decided to fit each child with shoes. Previously the sizes had been guessed. It was extremely chaotic but we only failed to find shoes for one child - Sarah, an older girl. Her Foster family had recently bought her shoes so she was contented with a football instead...way more street cred in that!

 

 

Sam and Emily left for the airport as the party was ending. The children had a great time playing with them. We were very grateful for their work while here and enjoyed their company.

 

The previous day Sarah arrived from the UK. She arrived but not her luggage. She took photos of the Community Support children for their sponsors then left with Sam & Emily to go back to Kigali Airport. They would not give out information without her being there with her passport. Fortunately her luggage had arrived and she returned with 2 German girls staying in KIsoro. Thank you to everyone who sent out things for PV with her.

 

Christmas day in the Medical Centre looks set to be busy. After a quiet spell in the neonatal ward, it is now overflowing with 2 babies in each of the two working incubators. Altogether there are 8 prem babies in the unit. Two are very sick.

 

 

Also joining us for Christmas are two of our children, Zemian and Naomi. Naomi carried out a scanner/ printer/ photocopier as her hand luggage. Zemian has set it up so we are a very efficient office. He has sorted several computer related problems for us and without them cooking for us, particularly Naomi, I'm not sure we would have eaten some nights.

 

 

 

 

Prossy is the latest arrival into the village. She came yesterday and is 2 weeks old. A beautiful and very alert girl. Her Grandmother was full of kisses for her as she left. Even the father gave her a kiss which is the first time I have seen such display of affection from a Ugandan father. Clearly there will be no problem resettling her with the family.

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas or NOHERI NZIZA as is said here.