We were both at ISTM College in the morning. John was endeavouring to get the library administration programme working. He installed this programme in October 2010 and when he left it appeared to function well while being tested, booking books out to students and back in again but needed a lot of work entering all the book data before it could actually be used. Now the data is all entered but the booking out and in function does not seem to work. As it is over two years since he used the system it is difficult to remember how to operate it. Very frustrating!!
Janice was re-labelling in the library which was moved from the old building with all the bookcases and shelf units. Many of her labels from 2010, protected with strong sellotape are still in situ, but there were more to do!
In the afternoon she stayed at home with the children, who are at school every morning except Sunday [7.30 am to 1pm]. Once at home, after their lunch, they all scurry around doing various jobs.....carrying 5 gallon cans of water from the stand pipe to the store; helping in the kitchen and the garden; having a big washing-up session in the garden; taking a turn looking after the baby; laying the table for meals etc. They are always happy and busy and it almost seems like playing! They speak French and Swahili, so we have fun communicating! There are 13 of us, 8 adults and 5 children ages from 3 months to 12 years, in this large rambling old house, with 
outbuildings [which are boys bedrooms] but it never feels crowded because so much activity happens outdoors! Rose, Mele and their daughter Ruth are so pleased to be able to improve their English [and Janice is surprised at how much French she remembers from school days in this family situation].
The evening meal was Janice’s chicken!! Chopped into the usual bony chunks favoured for all meats and fish, in a delicious sauce......but it was a pretty tough bird!! [I did eat some, but I must admit I can’t quite stomach eating a bird I’ve just held alive and warm....it was difficult!!].
Saturday 26th January
John is at the college this morning with Mele [53: Directeur Generale], and Janice is busy at the house, sorting many gifts/ donations....and just waiting to take a turn of baby minding while his Mum[23 yr old Ruth] cooks the lunch!
Grandma Rose [a qualified Nurse age 49] is also out working. She has an important job in the Bunia Medical Health Insurance Company which, as well as providing health insurance, is undertaking a huge water and sanitation project in the area. Bad water causes so many serious health problems and deaths here, and there is a great surge to improve it in as many Villages as possible...a huge task, involving a lot of administrative as well as practical work; like building water towers and sinking wells, and installing pumps. Proreso School for the Deaf now has a well in its grounds, and a water tower is nearby under construction. Janice nearly had a fit when she saw all the many workmen without hard hats, and men at the top of the scaffolding throwing large boxes of [don’t know what!] into the middle of the ground workers!!! No problem! All happy and waving and cheering at us!
John continues to be frustrated by the library programme which would not work!!
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