A week of learning

December 8^th 2011

This morning I was awoke by howls of animals, and children already at work; I think 5am is a little early for children to be at work. But, this is Uganda so I am sure things are done different here. Today is a rest day for me so that is what I will be doing. Some very small children have passed by my door several times this morning; I am sure they are just very curious about who has come to visit them. I am so very grateful for what I have back home in the USA. This morning I bathed in a wash basin, with rainwater. So much in our life is taken for granted.

Later today the children began introducing themselves to me, there is Brenda, and Bridgette they are sisters. Sauda, and Aisha they are also sisters. William, Charles, and Christopher they are brothers. Then there is Sylvia, Swagilia, Akiam, Seth, and Rasis. Each of them have many questions about the united states. They don't really have much understanding of what is real, and what is pretend. Questions about X-men, president Obama (they thought I knew him), Cowboys, and snow were at the top of their list. I tried to satisfy there curiosity and answer all their questions.

The pace of life is very slow here, it takes a lot of patience for that. They don't live by a clock, but rather by the sun. When the sun rises they wake up and get to work, and when their belly growls they eat; not on any schedule at all.  

I went on a walk through the village this evening, it is very overwhelming to see how others live. There are so many children everywhere; the average African family has 7.5 children and they live in very poor conditions. Muzunga is the word they use for white person. It's not a negative thing, just what they holler; and then everyone comes running to take a look at the white lady. The road through the village is so very erosion ridden, yet they still manage to drive a car through the village at speeds that don't seem safe at all. Everyone in the village is selling something, each person has their little store of some kind with breads, and produce being the most common.

I am very humbled by this experience; I had a bit of a meltdown tonight. I want so much for the children here, yet there really is so little I can do. Things as basic as food, and clean water are a luxury here. There is very minimal electricity, no phone service or internet, and no indoor plumbing. I hope I can help the children here even in my small ways.

December, 9^th 2011

Today we went to Kampala for errands and to get to see the big city. I needed to go exchange some money for Shillings, and look into getting a cell phone. Going to Kampala turned into an adventure of a lifetime. First you take a small van filled with about twice as many people as it should be, on a very bumpy road, diving way to fast. I think I felt every single bump on the way there, my kidneys really took a beating on this trip. When we arrived there were boda, bodas (motorcycles) taxis and small buses everywhere. You could not imagine an entire city with so many vehicles could exist with no stop signs, or traffic signals. There was so much traffic congestion at the taxi park so we decided to get off the bus on a different street.

We walked probably 4 miles to get to the bank so I could exchange my money. Then Ben, the founder told me he had people to go see and he would pick me up at the post office in about 3 hours. I was confused, and quite frightened at the prospect of being on my own in such a big, and scary place. The other volunteer thought she knew her way around a little bit, so we began walking towards what she thought was the craft park. We met a very nice man who has been in Uganda off and on for 9 years. Working with a village in northern Uganda. He had a very inspiring story, which was helpful as my time here so far has been a bit difficult. We did find the craft market; it was fun just looking at some of the things they had there. They really like to barter with you and you can get things quite cheap. I bought a beautiful walking stick for only 4.00; it seemed crazy. Walking back to the place we were to meet Ben, we got a little lost, not a good thing. But we eventually got directions and were able to find our way to the post office building.

The walk back to the taxi park was very eye opening; we were in a area that isn't very safe so I didn't take any pictures, but what I saw will stay with me forever. Small children one who was even blind sitting on the sidewalk begging. They were street children who live on the street in groups, they have no one to care for them. Its difficult to think of children 3 and 4 years old having no home, and no family to care for them. Some of the other images of this area, were huge 5 and 6 story buildings in disrepair, and dirty. With people everywhere, trying to sell something. I guarded my possessions very carefully as we made our way through this area. We finally made our way to the taxi park, and found the bus staging area for our village, on our way back to the village. This turned into a 9 hour trip just to get money. Quite the adventure.  

December 10^th 2011

Today we held school for the first time since my arrival. We spent time on Math mainly multiplication; and some reading comprehension. For free time the children spent time signing, and dancing. A very good school day ☺ Then were served our lunch which consisted of cooked shredded cabbage, and carrots, and potatoes. The children took us on an evening walk to a pond, where they collected clay for a art project they wanted to do. The view was really quite nice, and the children were all having a very good time. Jumping over the banks trying not to fall into the water.

Brenda, Sauda, Aisha, Bridgette, and Sylvia

Supper was served very late tonight, around 9 pm. This seems to be normal though. I am beginning to understand the people here really have no sense of time schedules around here.

I continue to be so very grateful for all God has blessed me with in my life. I live in a land where basic needs are not luxuries, and I don't have to struggle for even the basic of needs. I was given a good education, and had all the tools needed for learning. The people of Uganda struggle so much, and the poverty here is so very extreme. 

December 11^th, 2011

Today I did my laundry which can be quite time consuming as everything needs to be done by hand in a wash basin. With the weather so nice here 95 it doesn’t take long to dry my laundry. Today the children made crafts for decorating for Christmas.

Today, like practically everyday since my arrival I have questioned how much I can really help these people. It is often very difficult to live right in the middle of the poverty. You would never imagine in your life places like this really exist, and the only way to understand it is to come here and see it for yourselves. This situation here is so very sad and sometimes hard to deal with.