The Flying Scot - A Ferry Flight from Uganda to South Africa

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to fly one of our Caravans, 5X-SCO,  or more affectionately known as “Scotty”, from Kampala to Nelspruit, South Africa. Scotty earned this name as it was paid for by the funds raised by the Womens Guild of Scotland. The aircraft was scheduled for a re-paint in the new MAF paint scheme which had to be done in South Africa, and fellow pilot Simon Wunderli and I volunteered to fly the plane down.

Scotty delivering Mercy Corps staff on a recent flight.

Why all this trouble and expense for a paint job, you might ask? MAF takes our roles as good stewards of what God has provided us to heart. This airplane is the tool He has provided to do His work and we will take care of that tool as long as it is entrusted to us. 

The paint protects the aircraft surface from corrosion, which will increase it’s service life. Also, the smoother, freshly painted surfaces are more aerodynamic - this reduces fuel  consumption and increases airspeed - and although these changes are very small, given how much we fly it certainly adds up over time!  

Last, but definitely not least, the people we serve recognize the MAF name (and our intentions).  Simon Wunderli has experienced this on several occasions, especially in South Sudan when the arduous customs and immigration process has been expedited by the customs officer. One day, when Simon asked why, the officer said upon seeing the MAF name, “ We know you people are here to help.”

Simon and I departing Kajjansi Airfield, Uganda  (photo by Dallas Derksen)

Pre-flight checks before takeoff.

We left Kajjansi Airfield on March 21st with a quick stop in Entebbe to clear immigration - Simon flying the first leg of our 5 country, half continent journey!  Our first day was 5 1/2 hours into Lilongwe, Malawi. We flew across lake Victoria to Rwanda, staying close to shore as our aircraft is required to stay within gliding distance from land and then headed for Lilongwe, crossing over several islands on Lake Victoria before reaching mainland Tanzania. The weather was perfect.

Flying over Lake Victoria

Some of the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria

We made our way south, contently watching large swaths of Tanzania and Malawi pass by underneath, and chatted about everything from parenting, settling in Uganda, and BBQing steaks, while frequently pausing to talk to Air Traffic Control and jot down checkpoint crossing times. Simon’s bladder was the first shrink but fortunately we had a large “washroom” in the back as all the seats had been removed  and he made good re-use of some empty water bottles. 

Huge mountain seen from above Mozambique.

Crossing a mountain range towards Mbea, Tanzania.

Beautiful Tanzania.

We arrived in Lilongwe at the same time as a couple of airliners but aside from that the airport was very quiet. We cleared customs without a hitch, refuelled and secured the aircraft for the night. Lilongwe is a quiet and laid-back city and was a wonderful break from bustling Kampala. At the hotel we discovered a single queen size bed in our room. I asked Simon how he felt about snuggling and his hesitation prompted me to ask for a second bed :)

Landing in Llilongwe, Malawi.

5X-SCO Safe and sound for a night in Malawi.

First thing the next morning, we departed for our final leg down to South Africa with me at the controls. It was a little cloudier this time so the countryside wasn’t as visible as it had been the day before. With our route with map in hand, we could identify various mountain ranges, lakes and rivers; such as the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; before crossing into South Africa from Mozambique. This time it was my bladder that shrunk first and had to make use of our empty bottles. 

Next stop, South Africa!

Me at the controls.

We landed at the beautiful Kruger International Airport and cleared customs. It looked more like a safari lodge than an airport terminal with thatched roof, varnished wooden beams and gazelle lining the driveway.  Simon then flew the quick 5 minute flight over the hills to the other side of Nelspruit to land at the smaller Nelspruit airport as I drove the rental car there to pick him up.  We were met by Stephen, the son of the owner of Leading Edge Aviation. He helped us unload and push the plane into the paint hanger, all while we kept an eye on the opportunistic monkeys clambering around.

Outside of the beautiful Kruger International Airport.

Simon Wunderli and myself outside of Leading Edge Technologies - Scotty's home for the next 6 weeks!

After a good nights sleep we were on our way back to Kampala with South African Airways while Scotty stays in South Africa for the next 6 weeks. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to do this flight, it really was a once in a lifetime experience!

A video update on our time in Uganda so far... enjoy!

Chaundra's First MAF flight!

What an incredible experience...  I was offered the chance to ride along with one of our pilots (Matt was on Daddy duty) to be able to understand what Matt does everyday, meet the people on the flights and on the airstrips, and I made it (barely!) back to Kajjansi without using my airsick bag!

Sunrise over the planes at Kajjansi Airfield, approximately 7am.

Early morning over the Nile river - you can see one of the airstrips we use just off the river.  The rapids were impressive, even from above.

My pilot for the day, Dave Forney.

Our day started by flying a Dutch missionary from Kampala to Moyo.  She has been making the commute every 3 weeks or so as she visits her teenage sons in boarding school in the city.  Along with her husband, they help run an orphanage in Kajo-Keji, South Sudan.  From Moyo, it's about 3 kilometres to the South Sudan border, where she will have to cross the Nile by boat before continuing on to go through immigration.  I admired her strength in being able to do the trip so often, and it was so apparent that she loved her work in South Sudan, so much so that the commute was nothing to her.  She was amazing!

Landing in Moyo, 3kms from the South Sudanese border.  You can see our Caravan's shadow over the fields :)

Unloading in Moyo, and picking up two more passengers for another destination.

The Moyo terminal and bathrooms.

From here we took off again, flying about an hour east to the Karamoja region.  We flew along the South Sudanese border, so for a while I had South Sudan on my left and Uganda on my right.  What a cool feeling!  The terrain became desolate and dry so quickly, I couldn't believe it!  This area of Uganda hasn't had a drop of rain since November.  The riverbeds were completely empty and there was hardly a speck of green to be seen.  In Karamoja, we dropped off some World Vision staff who will be working in the region for the next while and were met by some boys from the Karamoja tribe.  They had been herding their cattle but like to meet the planes to collect empty water bottles from the passengers :)

The villages in the Karomoja region almost look like alien formations from far above.  So beautiful!

The Karamojong people are a herding tribe in northern Uganda.  These boys all wear the traditional dress and carry long pointed sticks that they use to control and defend their herd, and also use them as makeshift tools for numerous other things - kind of like a Leatherman.  They love to have any extra water bottles from the aircraft.

The boys loved having their pictures taken and then laughing at themselves when they could see them after.  I'm sure they were arguing over who was the most handsome!

The World Vision truck was waiting for us at the airstrip as well.

Our welcoming committee!

The herders have started to dig down into the dry river beds to find moist soil or water for their herds.  They cover them with brush when they're done to try to keep other animals from taking advantage.  You can see a few of the makeshift wells in the picture above.

A closer view of one of the intricate villages in the region.

Last October, this river was full and the land was lush and green!  We are all praying for the rainy season to come soon.

From Karamoja, we headed even further east, to Moroto.  Moroto is about 2 kms from the Kenyan border, and the winds coming in from Kenya were intense!  I guess this is just all part of the dry season here.  The mountain behind the airstrip had a red haze around it from the blowing dust.  Here we dropped off two workers with Concern Worldwide Uganda.  These guys are helping people produce sustainable livelihoods, like proper farming and irrigation techniques, and how to sell their harvests at fair market price.  The winds created quite a few bumps on the way in here, and I think we were all pretty happy to be on solid ground for a few minutes!

The Concern Worldwide vehicles waiting for their passengers in Moroto.

The layer of dust lingering just above everything - even making it hard to breathe in the heat and wind!

Ladies in Moroto carrying jerry cans of water on their heads.

And then we were off!  Bumping our way back to Kampala, crossing over the Nile a few more times and spotting parts of Lake Victoria, turquoise and green swamps, mountains, valleys and deserts.  Uganada is such a beautiful and diverse country, and I know the people living here are as enchanting as the landscapes.  

As we were coming into Kampala (feeling pretty squeamish by this point!) Dave was willing to fly me over the kids school, Rainbow International School and our house before arriving safely back in Kajjansi.  I managed to snap a couple of pics while grasping my airsick bag!

Co-Pilot for the day.

Rainbow International School - You can see the three long buildings, parking lot, soccer field and pools.

Our house is in this picture...  from the bottom centre it is the second house in from the main road!  I wish I had a way to mark it for you.  

I've always had a respect for what the pilots do here - but it was great to see all the work that goes into one trip on one of our planes.  Not only do they keep us all safe in the air, deliver the passengers and cargo; they are in and out of the plane more times than I can count all day.  Checking fuel levels, loading bags, installing the tail stand and many, many other things, and they do it all with a word of prayer to start the day and a smile on their faces.  

Thanks Guys!  

And thanks to the endless teams that make these flights happen:  our aircraft engineers who keep our aircraft safe and reliable, we couldn't do it without you!  To our flight followers at the office here in Makindye, who volunteer their time to keep track of us and make sure we are safe.  To our ops teams who make our bookings and weigh our cargo, and many, many others here and at home who make these amazing flights possible.  

Homesick

Uganda is breathtakingly beautiful.  Usually, after the kids go to school, I sit on my front steps and listen to the birds chirp, the palm leaves rustle in the wind, whilst the hustle of Makindye Hill goes on outside my gate.  The weather is great - neither too hot or too cold, and recently after a long dry season, we’ve had a few refreshing and rejuvenating rains.  I have banana trees in the back of the yard which yield lots of good eating.  Leftovers go into many different forms of cakes, breads and pancakes, with some still around to give away.  My husband is doing what he loves and what God has called him to do.  My children are thriving here, each one growing in leaps and bounds and understanding more Luganda everyday.  I have to admit, life is really sweet.

Our kids in the Mpigi Forest, Uganda

But today has just been one of those days…  maybe jumpstarted by a boy up and sick to his stomach all night - but all of a sudden the rustling palms sound like crumpling cardboard and the hustle outside the gate sounds like a riot, and I swear to you, if I ever see another banana again, I may just scream.  

Beam me up, Scotty!  I’m homesick.

I’m homesick for family.  For sleepovers with grandparents and coffees and ice creams with friends.  The moments in the summer where we stay up late around the fire and time stands still.  That first magical snow of winter when i want to just linger outside until my fingers are too cold to feel. 

I’m homesick for walks to the grocery store, and the bus stop and for raking leaves and sharing treats with neighbours.  Roadtrips to the rocky beach (my favourite) and tomatoes from my garden.  I’m homesick for Nana’s biscuits, with baked beans and ham and heck, even lobster.  

Friends in our treehouse in Canada

I fear the moments my kids are missing are those magical moments of childhood that we can’t get back - so I’m homesick for those, too.  

But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I will focus on the here and now, and the things that are nearest and dearest to me, Matt and my three beautiful children.  All I can say, is that You are all  I need, and I trust Your plans for us.

You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. psalms 16:9

Before this, I have never felt such happiness and sadness, joy and frustration, independence and loneliness, adventure and fear all coming at me at once.  But I do know that never before this very moment have I felt that I am exactly where I am supposed to be…  living in the palm of God’s hand.  

Us! - Summer 2013 on my favourite beach in Saint John, NB

Charlee - Doing what she does best, inspecting babies!  Uganda, 2015

Fred - Doing what he does best. finding treasure wherever he goes!  Uganda, 2015

Theo - A little bit of mischief :)  Fredericton, NB Summer 2014

A Brighter Future for Uganda

Just recently, I was honoured to have a flight carrying a UNICEF sponsored project of midwives travelling into Moroto, Uganda to run a series of clinics and workshops that teach women about prenatal care and safe child birthing practices.  

The group of midwives and UNICEF staff.

These ladies rely on MAF as they travel from Eastern to Western Uganda quite frequently.  Eastern Uganda has the highest infant and maternal death rates in the entire country which sees at least 17 mothers and 106 newborns die here every day! Most of these deaths are preventable and largely because there is no care available to these women during pregnancy, childbirth and after.

                                           Some of the isolated villages in Eastern Uganda.

                                                            The airstrip in Moroto.

Also on this flight were staff members of Save the Children - Uganda. These folks are building and overseeing over 11 education centres for approximately 800 students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford an education. 

I feel very privileged to be a part of what MAF is helping to do in this country -  together, we are investing in a brighter future for Uganda!

The Save the Children vehicle arrives to collect the passengers at the airstrip

 - thanks for partnering with us!

The pilot :)

Eastern Ugandan villages.

The mist on some of the hills of Kampala on our flight home.