Ugandan Hospitality

We can’t believe the time and effort the Learning Centre’s committee put into making the Centre ready for us to stay here.

The room at the centre that usually holds the shelves of books was cleared out for us, and the shelves were adjusted to make partitions for two bedrooms. Plywood doors were added and we were each given a bed frame and mattress with a bedspread and pillow. Of course there were mosquito nets, but two of them were different than the Guest House, with thin wooden frames that hold a square tent of netting over the bed. They added two small tables with tablecloths to the room, too.

A small room was built outside near the latrine with an overhead shower pipe for us to bathe. The water is not heated, of course, but is warmed by the sun so that it is refreshing, but not bracing. What a delight to shower under the light of the moon!

The food is served in huge portions and with such variety that we always seem to be full! They are quite surprised that we would prefer Ugandan (not Western) food, but everything they have cooked for us has been delicious (we note that not one of the team has suffered intestinal upset). And each time we begin a meal, there is warm water poured over our hands and we are offered a towel. Very biblical.

Having been served a few meals now, we are now trying to convince them to let us help. I have now helped to cut up vegetables and stirred the pot; Anne and Karen have both washed and dried the dishes. They seem surprised that we would know how to do such mundane things. Their understanding about North American people comes from Hollywood movies and is perhaps not altogether accurate.

Our cook is Cosmas’ wife Betty. She is very friendly and we hear she has a reputation for being an excellent baker. When I told her that I make pies at home, she promised she would teach me how she bakes cakes. Maybe I will come home with some new recipes!