Uganda's Independence Day In Kajjansi--Oct. 9, 2013

Wednesday, we had the opportunity to attend and cover the events of the 13th Anniversary celebration of the Kajjansi Branch.  They were celebrating having been a branch since 2000, celebrating the service of their first branch president who was released after serving for 13 years

and hoping to help the missionary effort in their branch.  It also was Independence Day in Uganda, so most people were off work.  We arrived before the events began and were followed by the arrival of a Brass Band from an orphanage that had been hired to play for the event.  The kids in the band are all orphans and ranged from age 8-18.  The orphanage houses over 100 children in ages from 3-18.  60 children are members of the band but only 24 came to perform.  They all arrived in one taxi (a mini van designed to hold 12.)  That morning the taxi arrived with 24 band members, 4 adult teachers, and all the instruments.  They only had about 20 old, old instruments and so they took turns playing.      

 

 

 

 

Ray snapped these pictures of a couple of cute kids in the band.  We do not remember the boy's name, but the girl pictured right above is Rose.  She is 14 and wants to be a musician and a lawyer when she grows up.  The children seemed happy and loved and treated each other like best friends.

It is a requirement in all the schools in the country that if you attend you must come with your head shaved.  So sometimes it is hard to tell the boys from the girls. I also wonder how they all have perfectly straight teeth and never need braces. 

 

You should have heard them play "When the Saints Go Marching In."  They had the crowd dancing and clapping their hands.  They sounded amazing!

 

The Branch had hired a local restaurant to cater the event.  They were set up in front of the church

and had fires going and pots filled with food were cooking.

 

This is a pot of beans cooking with tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

 

These ladies are slicing big heads of cabbage to make coleslaw.  They just did it with a knife and

it was shredded so perfect.  Then they add a little shredded carrot, green pepper, and a vinegar type dressing.

  

 

This is one of our handsome missionaries serving in Uganda. 

 

This was the banner the Branch had made.  Two young men held this up and followed the police escort as they marched up the hill from the church and then around the town of Kajjansi.  They followed the dirt road that circled through the town...passed the shops, the homes, school, etc.

The members of the Branch followed behind and invited those they passed to follow them and join the celebration.

   

These kids marched and played for 3 miles through the town.

 

Many people paused and watched.  The pictures that follow are ones that Ray snapped as he followed the band.  Can you tell that he loves taking photos of the kids?

 

Cute little girl with typical African hair-do.

 

Another sweet little girl...

 

Here we are back at the Branch building helping with an orientation they had for the investigators that attended.  They took them through the rooms of the Church and explained what types of meetings we hold, who attends, and what we teach.  They explained many of the programs of the church and answered any questions.

Over 200 attended the event and 40 were investigators.  The missionaries received 23 referrals.

 

Four cute children from the Branch.

 

 

This little girl was Ray's friend for the entire day and followed him everywhere.  She is a member of the Branch.

 More cute boys from the Branch.  There were so many children at the event.  Some where members and others were just off the street.  They were so well behaved and never loud.  They obeyed extremely well.  They were so tired of waiting for the tour for the investigators to end.  They sat quietly on the lawn and one older lady from the Branch made sure they were quiet and behaved.  I could see that they were restless and hungry and so while we waited for lunch I asked if I could teach them a song.  I had them all stand up and I taught them the "Hokey Pokey".  They sang with me after the first couple of verses and big smiles were spread ear to ear on their faces.  Then we sang "If You're Happy and You Know It" and more of them knew that song and sang right along.

  

This young gal is a member of the Branch and a returned missionary. 

  

This sister is a member of the Branch and was the one keeping all the kids under control.  I asked if she was the Primary President and she said no.  She is dressed in a typical African dress that they would wear when they dress up for church or a special occasion.  



Lunch was served!  It consisted of matooke (baked green bananas-- is yellow, looks like squash but has no taste.)  This is a staple for them.  Then they served beans, Irish potatoes, rice, pumpkin they bake(it is not orange but green outside and yellow inside, tastes like squash), chicken, pork, sweet potatoes, G nut sauce ( looks and tastes like a peanut but they mash it so it looks like refried beans), a flat bread like a tortilla, green beans, coleslaw, watermelon and pineapple.