Bubbles!

This morning started like the others with breakfast at 7, a general moan about us all being tired and having swollen feet, followed by the excitement and anticipation for the day. Unlike the other mornings I had had to share my shower with 15 sensory bottles which I had bought back to the hotel to fill for the delegates following our sensory play training yesterday. Obviously, the only one I knocked over was the one without a lid and sequins decorated the wetroom floor, this made for an interesting clean up job! That was only trumped by Collette informing us that her mosquito net had fallen down on her in the night and we all shared the joy of imagining poor Collette trapped in a web trying to fight her way out!

 

We headed to the Ark for devotions which today was led by Ella-Sophia. She spoke to us about the Lost Sheep and how we are answering a call to follow that lost sheep, not to leave him behind, and to bring him back to the flock. It was relevant and poignant and we thank her for the faith she has in us and our colleagues from across Uganda. As training got underway with Laura and Linzi, Collette and I went to collect the children from their homes. The journey takes about an hour driving down many rough tracks, being bumped about whilst the bus' suspension squeaked away. 

This was an experience. You can watch documentraries and news reports as much as you like but being thrown into the actual terrain hits home like nothing else. Huts are constructed with bricks made from clay taken from the roadside with bundled thatched roofs that may seem quaint (and honestly I love them! I'm determined we should build one in the grounds of Two Rivers) but the reality is these houses are no bigger than a tent and sleep a whole family. The one child we collected lives in a hut with his parents and 6 sibings no bigger than 4 metres in diameter. Across the fields small communes of these huts could be seen where some families had a hut for the parents and then their adult children built homes next door.

We drove past the Soroti prison, where men and women dressed in bright yellow worked off their sentences digging huge holes presumably for drainage and were being marched down the streets to complete community service. We asked what sort of crimes may a person commit to be sent to that prison. Fred told us most of the women were there for neglecting their children. He explained that if a wife leaves her husband and does not take their children she will likely be prosecuted for neglecting them even though they are left with their Dad. However, it is still not an acceptable role in Uganda for Fathers to 'take care' of the children. This concept we found very difficult to understand, firstly, because by imprisoning that person the child is still being 'neglected' and secondly beacuse 3 of us had all left our young children safely back home with their Dads in the UK. At this point we wondered if we were going to be arrested, and it certainly explained the strange looks Laura had when she told the delegates her husband would be looking after the kids!

This mornings training consisted of disabilities and conditions, most of which the delegates had never heard of. We introduced them to autism and communication difficulties, spina bifida,  cerebral palsy, clubfoot and global developmental delay. They were full of interest and able to recognise characteristics in the children they work with. Following on from that we looked at assessment. A tricky concept to get their heads around but with expert explanation they had a go at baselining a child that they know. It was amazing having them understand that even their lowest ability children are able and have potential to progress. They were able to use the Performance scales to identify next steps for the child and were excited to see what they could do now to help them develop. 

Some of the sensory toys made by the delegates

Manual handling training was next, a favourite amongst staff in England 😉 however in Uganda they were truly amazed. After the last couple of days we had witnessed a different approach to lifting and all of the delegates said they suffered with bad backs, knees and necks. They had never before been taught how to lift the children correctly and were scribbling away making notes. They particularly enjoyed watching Collette and Laura lifting Linzi, and just as some of them took out their phones to record the movements, they almost dropped her on to the concrete floor... if ever there was a you've been framed moment! 

The trainees returned from lunch to discover a box of toys on their tables. PECS (picture exchange communication systems) by far produced the most laughter and exhilaration so far. We began with phase 1 asking one person (playing the child) to choose a photograph. In this instance it was bubbles! These put the fear of God in to them! None of them had ever seen a bubble before; men and women were dodging bubbles left and right concerned it may hurt them. However, once they saw the joy of popping them and watching them dance through the air they were aghast. They thought it was hilarious to hear me squeal "bubbles!" and quickly followed suit each time their partner passed them the card. They were fascinated by the array of toys in the box; they pulled out different sensory balls, rattles and hooters. They marvelled at windmills and cars, many of them not knowing what a train was. The toy snake sparked a divide in the room, half being terrified and the other half thinking it was the best thing they'd ever seen. All enjoyment aside they also saw the value of using PECS and visual aids. I asked the groups to write visual prompts to help children complete a task independently. Some groups chose brushing teeth, one getting dressed and another making tea. We had a little giggle and a shake of reality as they wrote how you sweep the kitchen, clean the utensils, build the fire, fill the saucepan.... all to make a 'cup of tea' not the dinner!

We we're a little anxious that story massage may be met with some cultural stigma, however after some inital hesitation they broke down their barriers and fully participated. There was some nervous laughter but soon they were completly in to the relaxation and singing twinkle twinkle... a couple of them may even have dropped off! Despite that this session was the one that ellicited the most positive response as something they would use in their settings.  

A much needed coffee break then led to a session on sensory story telling. In the heat of the day we decided it would be worth taking the story outside. We sat on the parachute in the shade of a tree and a chilled to "Wow! said the Owl" They were totally engaged in the colourful scarves and sequins that I sprinkled over them, they found smelling lavender in a bag rather strange but once again loved the bubbles. They expressed how engaging the story was and how they were able to understand the story, and recall details, despite the language barrier. We had some fabulous feedback from the day and although everyone was menatlly shatterd they were full of enthusiasm. They even managed to muster just enough energy to share some parachute games with us. 

At this point Michael, the Ark's caretaker, appeared as if he heard the parachute calling. Known as Uncle, he entertains a 100 local children every Sunday in front of the church playing parachute games. Equally the children answer the call; they approached with caution as the Mazungu's beckoned them to come and join. They taught us a Swahili nursery rhyme about an entire family who were eaten by a lion, the only survivor was a child! This was followed by 'Row, Row the Boat' which the Uganda's were thrilled to discover we knew. We blew their minds when we introdued another verse about a lion and a crocodile!

On return to the hotel, ready to jump in the shower and ravinous we were met by some UN officails who invited us to come and do aerobics! The diplomats were holding a conference to encouarge equality for women in Uganda. Following a seminar on well being they were all going to do some keep fit. As Laura and Collette headed off for a lie down, mysef, Linzi and Ella-Sophia decided to go for a mooch. Before we knew it we were running laps and jumping over cones... in bare feet and maxi dresses! I can only imagine what an impression we are leaving on this nation... hopefully a good one!!!