Slums,shopping and shoebill!

Today Thursday  is our last day in Uganda and we packed a lot in. We started by seeing the Hope for Life project  in Katanga slum in Kampala run by Frances our driver. It was both fascinating  and shocking to see conditions in this slum, over 20 000 people crowded in a small area with just 4 public toilets. The narrow alleyways had dirty water  flowing down them, made worse by sewers and occasional flooding. It was encouraging  though to see how the project is bringing hope by supporting families and training young girls in hairdressing. 

Some of the group went shopping next in a craft market and came back with lots of colourful clothes, jewellery  and other things.
In  the afternoon  some of us went on a wonderful boat trip across part of Lake Victoria  to the Mabanba swamp. On the search for the elusive shoebill, we found one kindly posing for numerous  photos, a large, rare strange looking bird. It then took off and flew right over our dugout canoes .Finally a gentle sail through the swamp admiring the varied birdlife, like jacanas ( Jesus birds) as they seem to walk on water.The waterlilies were gorgeous  too.
Back to the hotel, a final meal and off to the airport.

Praying for a safe smooth journey home.
Janet

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