Ilula Nursing School Dedication

Today was an eventful day at Ilula Lutheran Hospital, unlike any other day.  It was beautiful, like so many other day here.  Gary and I went walking in the fog.  He ran on as I walked back.  By the time I returned from the forty minutes total of out and back, the sun was up and the fog was burning off nicely.

Last night the troops watched a good movie, “The Last King of Scotland,” the story of a Scottish doctor who became the personal physician of Idi Amin, known to my generation, represented in this case by Gary and me, as the ruthless dictator of Uganda and the antihero of the “Raid at Entebbe.”  I think they were surprised that I grouped him with Hitler.

Everyone was a on alert because we were expecting guests by 8:30 AM.  The guesthouse was spiffed up and presentable by the time they arrived.  And kept arriving.  There were a lot of guests.  Anna fed them all and of course there was enough to go around, I think five loaves and fishes, metaphorically speaking.

Dr. Saga had made a detailed schedule.  Mwamoody sensed the ensuing need for more sodas and went for them and we were glad he did!  We would have been pronounced poor hosts had we run out.  The doings were supposed to begin at 9:00 AM.  Remarkably, Bishop Mdegella arrived on time, something he is not known for.  Even he was sensitive to our honored and charming guests, Andrea and Russell King, representing the Peter J. King Family Foundation the generous donors who have supported Ilula’s Medical Education Buildings and other buildings built specifically for the Ilula Nursing School.

Somewhere around 9:30 AM or after, we strolled to the area of the education building where the hospital had put up as many chairs as could be found and the Ilula Nursing School Dedication kicked off.  First came several numbers from the combined Ilula Lutheran Church choirs.  I only wish everyone reading this could hear them.  I will try to get one number from Radio Furaha, even if the recording is not ups to the finest quality.  After the choir, the sealing of the time capsule and the blessing and dedication of the Nursing School processed.  There were several speeches, mostly way too long, but of course my opinion might be tainted by the fact that I do not understand Swahili.  The hit of all the speeches was one of which I did not understand a word and in Kihehe, by my esteemed colleague Mwamoody.  He is nearly legendary here as the mzungu who speaks Kihehe.  People he does not know call him by name and he often has a conversation with them.  People laughed delightedly as he spoke to them.  Richard Lubawa could hardly contain his own laughter as he translated for us wazungu.

Russell and Andrea received gifts from community members and showed off the new shirt and Katanga (or whatever they are called).   The speeches eventually concluded and once again the choir sang.  It was one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard, full of the loss and sadness and pain caused by HIV/AIDS.  To add emphasis, the women covered themselves and their heads and all sang sitting on the ground.  It was startlingly beautiful and mournful. 

Going on from this evocative song hardly seems fitting, but just as those of us left behind by HIV/AIDS and other ordinary losses, the dedication did go on.  I can only say how privileged and honored I felt to have been present for this wonderful dedication.

The last item on the dedication service schedule was a tour of the three buildings.  They are very fine, indeed.  Now to fill the dorm with students and teach them excellent nursing skills (then build a second dorm for the next class, of course)!

It’s funny how a long dedication service stimulates the appetite.  Anna and her crew did themselves proud.  The rabble ate by the administration building and the honored ate at the guesthouse.  I am sure I only got to eat at the guesthouse because I live here.  Actually, we did have two eating stations to accommodate the big crowd.  The food was excellent and there was plenty.  Anna should have a bonus!

But for me and Mwamoody, the rest of the wazungu crew took off for a jaunt in Iringa about noon.  Most will return tonight and we are off to Image (pronounced Ee-mah’-gee, not im’-ij) for dedication of the new library, also funded by the King Family Foundation.  I am looking forward to the students and faculty dancing for us, always a treat.

Now I sit looking out over one of my favorite views in the world, looking across the savannah at Mount Celebu, with a few birds nearby and cowbells off in the distance.  There are clouds rolling in and we have had a bit of rain but no drenching downpours.  It is peaceful and I feel reverent as I look out over this stark and beautiful land.  

Bwana asifiwe!  

 Amen.