Heading to the Farm

HEADING TO THE FARM

By Maggie Weber

On Saturday, our crew took on the task of heading to 'The Farm'. We were told that the farm was going to be wonderful, it would provide solice and rejuvination. The group was very much looking forward to this after a long day working on Island Mission. But before we could do such a thing we had a few tasks to accomplish in Kampala. We had to pick up fabric for our vocational tailoring school to make orders.

Shopping for fabric in Uganda is far different from fabric shopping in any other place. Richard took us deep into the city where the buildings were tall and the markets were numerous. The group headed into the cloth markets and had a great time. There were tons of people and so much fabric. We then headed across the city, down through the plethora of taxi-vans (where each taxi driver was selling goods from the back of his van), and into yet another market of fabrics.

Eventually, after we picked up groceries, we headed on our long drive to the farm. We made a short stop at a fruit and vegetable market. It was a great stop and every vendor wanted us to purchase something from them. We tried to support many of them and continued on.

The road progressed from well paved two lanes, to well paved one and a half lanes and three inch drop offs to dirt paths, to two lane dirt roads with many pot holes, and finally our last road which was just barely a one lane dirt road. Rogers, our driver, manuevered each road better than any other driver I know.

When we got close to the farm we started to hear drumming. Then the bus lights reached a large gathering of people. They were dancing, singing, whooping, drumming. It was the most amazing welcome I have ever received. We got off the bus and were welcomed by each person and the dancing and singing continued.

Once the welcoming had finished we unloaded and had dinner. We ate dinner in the kitchen area, a concrete platfrom with bamboo half-walls and a tin roof. There was a building connected, brick walls with plaster and window holes without window panes. Food was cooked out behind this building on fires. It was unlike anything I have ever seen and simply fantastic.