First free weekend

Another first. It is the first weekend we have free. So its washing and ironing and time to explore the Baptist Mission site. So after another shower and breakfast I asked Emmanuel direction to the church and he came with me and showed me around the place. First we walked to the church, passing many different buildings, some bigger houses that looked not dissimilar to those we lived in Kampala as well as the site carpentry and mechanics workshop. We also passed the primary school which Emmanuel attended. His intention is to become a Pastor. The church is very large and yes it does get full and sometimes people also stood outside. It is a very Christan society here in the North West and their belief is evident in all they say and do. On our way back we looked into the radio station, which broadcasts for the church and was in the process broadcasting the service currently underway and then on our return walked through the health centre. Here there is a dental service, promoting painless dentistry, i.e. tooth brushing and also an antenatal and child health clinic. There is a dispensary and consulting rooms. Payment has to be made before going to collect the drugs. There is also a clinic for HIV screening and monitoring, with lab services available at the centre. There is a shop that sells artifacts, necklaces, bracelets etc made at the missions, a book shop and a canteen that opens at lunchtime in the week. As we were walking up the steps I hear ‘Sister…’ a way to address a woman or catch her attention. It was an older man with a sack on his back. He did not look well but Emmanuel ushered me on warning me that he was a bad man who sells ‘drugs'. We moved on at the same pace and then returned back to the rest house, where I am staying. An interesting, and thankfully, uneventful walk around the site.

Weekend chores, I left my washing to be done, costing 1000 francs a load and later it was all dry and so I had to iron it all to make sure there were no Tumbo fly eggs. These can get transferred from clothes that have been out to dry to your skin, get settled and later hatch. One of the VSO volunteers gave a gruesome picture of what they are like before they hatch, you can see them moving under your skin. I do remember having something similar in Entebbe and they were safely removed in one go. Now I am more squeamish so yes I will be ironing everything!!

Sunday, after an early breakfast we accompanied Rose to her Church. It is a small Baptist church in Old town Bamenda. It was Fathers day here so it was a service for the men. An interesting, lively and interactive service during which time we had to stand and introduce ourselves to the congregation . We were made to feel very welcome. After the three hour service we walked back to the Mission and time to read and relax later. Later I met up with an American another volunteer, a well travelled person for an early evening meal. Broadening horizons ands experiewncing different cultures we do meet some interesting people here, both at the mission, through VSO and work.

Later I will take some photos to add to this posting...