It’s so good to be back in Uganda.
The new route to Jinja is a breeze—just about three hours from Entebbe. There’s so much to take in along the way: the sights, the sounds, the smells. This time, we’re staying somewhere with a beautiful view over Lake Victoria.
First stop: Gabula Road, of course—to see how things are going at Mama Jane’s! It still feels a bit strange not to find Agnes behind the big desk in “the office,” but instead, it’s Seith, greeting us with a big warm smile. It’s quiet for now—the nursery classes have already finished for the day, and the primary school kids haven’t come home yet. They start trickling in, peeking around the corner to say hello.
It’s amazing how much this place feels like home.
We’ve got the whole week to catch up with Seith. We talk about the kids we know who’ve now moved out or are living with foster families—how they’re doing, what their lives look like now. Seith tells us how happy everyone is with the new car and the working solar panels. He also shares how local taxes suddenly increased a lot more than expected.
Since last year, a social worker named Florence has joined the team. She’s a strong woman, clearly committed to doing her job thoroughly and with care. She visits children who’ve been placed in the region, and at Mama Jane’s, she supports both the staff and kids with any issues that come up. We think she’s a fantastic addition to the team.
In Mpumudde, four of the older boys from Mama Jane’s are now living together. Douglas is running the farm—someone I’ve known since 2004, back when he was still in primary school. He takes us on a tour of the vocational school, which is nearly finished (named the Agnes Nabawanga Vocational School).
One classroom is already set up with sewing machines, where Olivia teaches young women from the community. Next door, a few computer towers are ready to go—the computer classes will be starting soon. The land is being used to grow vegetables, and a few cows and goats wander around. I give Douglas my chessboard so he and Davis can practice together.
The boys also came to the party we had later that week at Mama Jane’s. There was plenty of food, soda, and cake! Lots of dancing and laughter—especially during musical chairs.
What I really loved was that, for once, we weren’t seated at a separate table, and the women on staff were taking more photos and videos than we were. It felt so relaxed and fun.
This week really showed us how well things are going at Mama Jane’s. Challenges come and go, as they always do, but the energy is good. We talked about future plans, and how each project is reviewed for sustainability—and adjusted where needed. Seith will discuss everything with the board and the accountant.
I also gave a mini-workshop on communication for the staff, which was so much fun—and a learning experience for all of us.
Visits to Tina at the hospice, to Peterson and his lovely family, our coffee moments, a waragi-tonic by the Nile, fresh tilapia, the best Indian food, the peanut butter lady, and of course, Main Street—those little things really made the week complete.
It’s hard to leave again. But we’ll stay in touch and promise to be back as soon as we can.
Mariska en Esther