The Church Next Door

For the days when driving around town is not feasible [we own a 1996 Toyota Mark II, so the mechanic is our friend], we’ve discovered a great space just 15 minutes away, as Ayiko walks. Once upon a time, before the children came along, we visited Watoto Church in Ntinda and noticed that it has a large lawn and football field below the church buildings. I’d forgotten all about it until lockdown happened. Ayiko and I started a habit of walking around our village for at least an hour every day. Eventually, we brought Leritu along and strapped her onto my back as we wandered about and stared at our neighbours.

During one of these walks, Ayiko was intrigued by a flock of ducks [or were they geese] in a nearby stream. We followed the stream and found ourselves at the bottom of the Watoto Church lawn. Ayiko was hesitant to venture off our usual path. [He strongly distrusts anything new and unusual.] However, once he saw the space, climbed the little hills and run around the football field, he was converted.

Now, it’s his favourite non-car related adventure venue. There is the added advantage that every time we go there, I end up buying a soda and those little cheap plastic toy cars from a nearby duuka [see the kaveera he’s carrying]. So, what’s not to love?

I’m surprised there aren’t more people roaming around this space. Surely the football should entice the village to congregate [if not the church]. Nonetheless, it’s scarcely used by the community. Sometimes we’ll find the odd Christian sitting and praying under a tree. But it’s not thing like any other public spaces in the city. If you’re the kind that’s into bird watching, it could be an easy and quick excursion. There’s a little stream at the bottom of the valley which attracts some interesting creatures.

We shall definitely keep this one on our short list.