The last post. As anticipated from my spare room.
We arrived at our motel near the airport last night to discover......it had been shut down?! There was a strange message on the gate about being fully booked for the foreseeable future?! It was all very odd. It also meant we had to find somewhere else to stay! Being near the airport meant there were lots of motels about and the first one we tried could take us - brilliant. We booked in and had some time to kill before meeting to eat. Perfect - time for a shower!
Jack and I went down for a drink before dinner. Some of the team had had the same idea, gradually in dribs and drabs everyone arrived. There was a chilled feel to the evening, we were done. You know a team has gelled well together when they are able to laugh at themselves, and each other - we did plenty of that!. We ordered our food and some time later went in to eat. The meal became a comedy of errors - they were clearly not geared up for the unexpected 15 English! They brought food we'd ordered and food we hadn't! They brought the wrong combinations of food on the plate and some food they simply never brought! Some food arrived 3 hours late - suffice to say we paid half the bill. It wasn't quite the 'last supper' we'd intended but it was fun and good to all be together. It was also an early farewell to Kev and Jess who, unlike us, weren't getting up at 5.30am because they were flying later on a flight bound for Tanzania. Nice.
If there were Awards for the team, this is what they'd get:
Rob - Unassuming Leader Award + Best Ugandan Accent Award!
Denise - 'Behind every great man there has to be a great woman' Award. She is that woman.
Alice - Sweetest Nicest Girl Award - she could join my family any day.
Sim - Memory Maker Award - songs in the bar, in the bus & at Bula - priceless
Jess P - Compassionate Carer Award - demonstrates such love for the children we met
Mike - Hard Grafter Award - don't mention the fence....
Jess F - Works Hard, Plays Hard Award - every team should have a Jess - such fun!
Kev - Bit of a Softie really Award - despite the rumours he's not scary + Eat for England Award!
John - Anchor Man Award - this man is a rock, I've known him 2 weeks and trust him implicitly.
Julie - Mary Poppins Award - whatever you need she has it in her bag!
Josh - Most likely to be Famous Award - creative and ever so slightly enigmatic!
Jacob - Happy Snapper Award - his camera is like a third hand
Jack - Barefooted, Hat wearing, Footballer Award - often with sunglasses too!
Zoe - Sleepy Giver Award - she didn't bring home any of the shoes she took. Needed more sleep though!
Me? I'm just the blogger!
It's been a fabulous team to be part of.
Our flight was late taking off so we finally arrived back home at 8.15 tonight. We were all separated on the flight so lots of time for book reading and film watching. I watched 'Water for Elephants' the final line of which said "I'm not running away, I'm coming home" ...... and Arthur. The two characters from Naomi's book say 'We walk a little taller and shine a little brighter because we have shared the adventure together'. I get that.
So that's it then. I'm all blogged out. I have loved writing of our adventure and getting it down in words for myself but I have loved sharing it with you too and have been overwhelmed by the number of people reading it. Thank you for sharing our journey - it really has meant a lot to me. Sharing the experience with Jack and Zoe has been brilliant. At the craft market yesterday I bought each of us an elephant - a reminder of this adventure we had together. So will we return? Jack & Zoe think so, I'd love to because I left something behind........ a piece of my heart.
Helen hopes and dreams. xx
For me the experience was more than I had hoped and dreamed off
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Football, Frustration & Family
Ah, so I got the football thing a bit wrong! This won't surprise those of you that know me!! The team that Jack & Sim had a training session with are equivalent to say....Colchester. That said the boys had a fab time. A training session with a Ugandan team, coached by a man that used to play for Uganda. Jack held his own and looked brill out there - I was so proud of him! He was dripping by the end of it, imagine playing in this heat!!! It was the icing on the cake for him and made him keen to get home for friendlies and pre-season training. The coach would have taken Jack & Sim to his academy for a day today but we just couldn't make it work - next time? This is what Rob is so brilliant at - meeting people on each trip, like Charles our driver who manages the team, then linking up with them and making things happen. He will maintain the link and re-establish the contact next year. As always with these folk, at the end of the session there were speeches of thanks. Rob gave the team a kit for which they were so very grateful - Stow Falcons are now represented in Uganda! Their appreciation for such a simple act of generosity was humbling.
This country has its frustrations. At dinner yesterday I chatted to Alex (I'm not always sure who people are or where they've appeared from?!) he talked of his country's corruption, its president who is in his 6th term of power (each being 5 years), and of the frustration of all that goes with this. These people have no alternative but to accept that this is how life is. Frustrating. Charles the football manager and our driver, Jack tells me, gets approached weekly to play professionally, but it doesn't pay enough and he wants to pay for his daughter, Lucky, to be educated. Frustration.
Last night we had dinner at BULA, with no electricity!! Afterwards the children sang and danced for us. Songs of pride about their country, songs of welcome to us, songs about working hard and having goals and......those amazing bottom moving dances!!! They obviously learn it from an early age?! I chatted to a couple of the boys, one who will work hard to try to be a dentist and one who wanted to know about where I live and my family. I spoke fondly of my brothers in Wales & London and my mum nearby. I wasn't sure if it was ok to ask him about brothers and sisters, I did. He told me he is a twin and he last saw his twin in 2010, he couldn't remember when he last saw his sister.......... I couldn't imagine. I asked him if this was sad. "Sad? Noooo!" he said as if I'd asked something strange. Again, an acceptance that this is just how life is. I'll see both my brothers and of course, my mum over the next month. I will hug them all for just a little longer than usual.
As we walked back to the hostel Jack was giving a small boy a piggy back. They were chatting, then Jack realised the boy had stopped talking, Jack felt tears running down his neck. The boy was crying, perhaps life like this isn't always easy to accept.
So my norm seems to be waking at 4.30am! Singing again at 5.30!! Today we have been to a craft market - oh my!!! We spent all our money and borrowed more besides!! It was wonderful!! We're just having lunch (Red Chilli!) before we leave for Entebbe where we'll stay overnight before catching the plane tomorrow, we're nearly home! I think my last blog will be from my spare room at home - one last one xx
This country has its frustrations. At dinner yesterday I chatted to Alex (I'm not always sure who people are or where they've appeared from?!) he talked of his country's corruption, its president who is in his 6th term of power (each being 5 years), and of the frustration of all that goes with this. These people have no alternative but to accept that this is how life is. Frustrating. Charles the football manager and our driver, Jack tells me, gets approached weekly to play professionally, but it doesn't pay enough and he wants to pay for his daughter, Lucky, to be educated. Frustration.
Last night we had dinner at BULA, with no electricity!! Afterwards the children sang and danced for us. Songs of pride about their country, songs of welcome to us, songs about working hard and having goals and......those amazing bottom moving dances!!! They obviously learn it from an early age?! I chatted to a couple of the boys, one who will work hard to try to be a dentist and one who wanted to know about where I live and my family. I spoke fondly of my brothers in Wales & London and my mum nearby. I wasn't sure if it was ok to ask him about brothers and sisters, I did. He told me he is a twin and he last saw his twin in 2010, he couldn't remember when he last saw his sister.......... I couldn't imagine. I asked him if this was sad. "Sad? Noooo!" he said as if I'd asked something strange. Again, an acceptance that this is just how life is. I'll see both my brothers and of course, my mum over the next month. I will hug them all for just a little longer than usual.
As we walked back to the hostel Jack was giving a small boy a piggy back. They were chatting, then Jack realised the boy had stopped talking, Jack felt tears running down his neck. The boy was crying, perhaps life like this isn't always easy to accept.
So my norm seems to be waking at 4.30am! Singing again at 5.30!! Today we have been to a craft market - oh my!!! We spent all our money and borrowed more besides!! It was wonderful!! We're just having lunch (Red Chilli!) before we leave for Entebbe where we'll stay overnight before catching the plane tomorrow, we're nearly home! I think my last blog will be from my spare room at home - one last one xx
Friday, 5 August 2011
Never Lose Hope
Well, the epic journey was completed in 9 hours - 3 hours quicker than our journey there! We left our heavenly lodge after breakfast with beautiful birds collecting crumbs from the table, mongoose by our feet and a family of wart hogs near by! Our journey was broken up by a quick stop off at the equator again, a stop for our packed lunch and another flat tyre!! Interesting that we all adopted our stereotypical roles for the flat tyre episode. The men jumped into action like a formula 1 pit stop team, the boys threw stones at targets and the girls........chatted!!
I spent all morning watching Africa. I considered this Ugandan life compared to mine. Lots to think about. They bring up their children to be fiercely independent. I've seen children that look no older than 6 or 7 looking after their younger siblings, walking with them beside busy roads, carrying them on their backs if necessary. They bring up their children to work hard, I've lost count of the number of times I've seen children collecting water and carrying the heavy load home. The girls at Kiwi come home from school and do the washing and cook dinner. Imagine me coming home from work and the dinner being cooked and the washing done!! A more likely scenario is facebook, x box and "what times dinner?" !!
Perhaps what has struck me the most though is their pace of life, they do life slowly. They watch the world go by. The men sit by the road on bikes of mopeds and chat and watch. The women gather in groups with the young children and chat and watch. They don't text, email, facebook or msn, just simply chat! they model this to their children. Perhaps some parts of their lives are enviable?
One town we passed through seemed like 'Coffin City'!! There were coffins for sale everywhere! It was a stark reminder that whoever we are, whatever our circumstances, what ever we have, 2 things are certain we live, we die and the wheels on the bus go round and round. There's a start date and and end date and of course the bit in the middle. This trip reminds me that how we do the bit in the middle that's important; the things we do, the choices we make, the relationships we build and for me, may be not you, our response to God. My friend died at 33, my dad at 61, lives cut too short. I am resolved to live mine with hopes and dreams but most importantly I am resolved to take steps to make those hopes and dreams a reality! Nothing happens unless you make it....
As we passed towns and villages we often saw slogans on buildins or cars, things like God is Able, but the one that stuck out for me today was "Never Lose Hope" (actually it said never loose hope - but we're surely all allowed a typo or two?!?!). Never lose hope. There have been times when I've thought the situation here is without hope, that this country and even this continent are with out hope and yet I've met people that have hope and are bringing hope. People like Benedicta, bring hope to orphaned children, people like 'coach' bringing hope in the face of corruption, theft and poverty to a community, people like Rob & Denise who are bringing hope. Hope to the orphans, the under priveledged, the poor and the needy. These are people that have hope, have dreams and are choosing to take steps to make their hopes and dreams a reality.
Never lose hope.
We arrived at our hostel last night....oh my!! It's basic! Having left the comfort of the lodge this morning this was a jolt back to reality. In another circumstance I may have protested! But I have over these last two weeks seen how folk live day in and day out, I could live like this for two nights - it's all part of the adventure!! We ate out then slept. Our accomodation is a hostel for girls who are in school or college. At 5am they began singing - like singing I've never heard before. If I could set my alarm to wake me to that sound every day I would, beautiful.
This morning we have visted Bula, the orphanage I hadn't yet seen. We were shown around and then played with the few children that were't in school, simple ball games. I have yet to see any toys anywhere? I even saw a child today playing with a stick and a hoop....We had lots of fun with piggy in the middle and blamed Jess & Kev entirely (as Zoe's middle school PE teachers) for her lack of ball skills!! Fun times.
And now? Now we have just been spolit with lunch at Pauls and as has become the norm I've managed to borrow a laptop & internet! It feels a bit like we're done and have almost begun our journey home, a few more bits to do, another visit to Kiwi, a craft market and tonight! Tonight the boys are joining Charles' (one of our drivers) football team for training. Apparently this team are just below the Ugandan national side (if I've understood correctly?!) Jack doesn't even have trainers!!!
The story's nearly over....thanks for reading it xx
I spent all morning watching Africa. I considered this Ugandan life compared to mine. Lots to think about. They bring up their children to be fiercely independent. I've seen children that look no older than 6 or 7 looking after their younger siblings, walking with them beside busy roads, carrying them on their backs if necessary. They bring up their children to work hard, I've lost count of the number of times I've seen children collecting water and carrying the heavy load home. The girls at Kiwi come home from school and do the washing and cook dinner. Imagine me coming home from work and the dinner being cooked and the washing done!! A more likely scenario is facebook, x box and "what times dinner?" !!
Perhaps what has struck me the most though is their pace of life, they do life slowly. They watch the world go by. The men sit by the road on bikes of mopeds and chat and watch. The women gather in groups with the young children and chat and watch. They don't text, email, facebook or msn, just simply chat! they model this to their children. Perhaps some parts of their lives are enviable?
One town we passed through seemed like 'Coffin City'!! There were coffins for sale everywhere! It was a stark reminder that whoever we are, whatever our circumstances, what ever we have, 2 things are certain we live, we die and the wheels on the bus go round and round. There's a start date and and end date and of course the bit in the middle. This trip reminds me that how we do the bit in the middle that's important; the things we do, the choices we make, the relationships we build and for me, may be not you, our response to God. My friend died at 33, my dad at 61, lives cut too short. I am resolved to live mine with hopes and dreams but most importantly I am resolved to take steps to make those hopes and dreams a reality! Nothing happens unless you make it....
As we passed towns and villages we often saw slogans on buildins or cars, things like God is Able, but the one that stuck out for me today was "Never Lose Hope" (actually it said never loose hope - but we're surely all allowed a typo or two?!?!). Never lose hope. There have been times when I've thought the situation here is without hope, that this country and even this continent are with out hope and yet I've met people that have hope and are bringing hope. People like Benedicta, bring hope to orphaned children, people like 'coach' bringing hope in the face of corruption, theft and poverty to a community, people like Rob & Denise who are bringing hope. Hope to the orphans, the under priveledged, the poor and the needy. These are people that have hope, have dreams and are choosing to take steps to make their hopes and dreams a reality.
Never lose hope.
We arrived at our hostel last night....oh my!! It's basic! Having left the comfort of the lodge this morning this was a jolt back to reality. In another circumstance I may have protested! But I have over these last two weeks seen how folk live day in and day out, I could live like this for two nights - it's all part of the adventure!! We ate out then slept. Our accomodation is a hostel for girls who are in school or college. At 5am they began singing - like singing I've never heard before. If I could set my alarm to wake me to that sound every day I would, beautiful.
This morning we have visted Bula, the orphanage I hadn't yet seen. We were shown around and then played with the few children that were't in school, simple ball games. I have yet to see any toys anywhere? I even saw a child today playing with a stick and a hoop....We had lots of fun with piggy in the middle and blamed Jess & Kev entirely (as Zoe's middle school PE teachers) for her lack of ball skills!! Fun times.
And now? Now we have just been spolit with lunch at Pauls and as has become the norm I've managed to borrow a laptop & internet! It feels a bit like we're done and have almost begun our journey home, a few more bits to do, another visit to Kiwi, a craft market and tonight! Tonight the boys are joining Charles' (one of our drivers) football team for training. Apparently this team are just below the Ugandan national side (if I've understood correctly?!) Jack doesn't even have trainers!!!
The story's nearly over....thanks for reading it xx
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
The lion sleeps tonight.......
After breakfast yesterday we swam and layed in the sun whilst over looking the vast lake - quite, quite heavenly!
At 3pm some off us took a boat ride on the lake. It was beautiful. We drew along side water buffalo resting at the waters edge, elephants grazing on the lush graze growing by the lake, birds of every description, lizards large enough to see from 50m away and hippos as near as 5 metres away. Hippos have instantly become my favourite animal - they lay in the water sun bathing all day - idylic!! There are 11 villages within the reserve all of which fish to make a living. As we passed one, the men were heading out for the night in their boats to fish. I wondered if their work, their life, were less stressful than mine?! It certainly looked like it as they paddled off over the horizon........until we were told hippos are their greatest threat. If a mother feels her baby is in danger she will attack and literally drown the occupants of the boat. Perhaps our stresses are just different. Having seen some difficult scenes during the week, this trip today reminded me that this also is an amazing, beautiful country - we try to recreate its beauty and wonder in the UK with our wild life parks etc - we miss by a mile!!
It was an immediate turn around as we headed off on our lion hunt, we searched and search for hours..... all in vain :-( I secretly hoped that as we returned to our lodge that we'd have a repeat of our elephant experience and come across a huge pride.....not so. I'll just have to come again some time........
So to today...... the epic journey back! We're heading back for a few days to revisit both orphanages, have a meal with Paul who we worked with at the school in the first week and then head home. I'm not sure how much blogging I'll manage from now........ xx
At 3pm some off us took a boat ride on the lake. It was beautiful. We drew along side water buffalo resting at the waters edge, elephants grazing on the lush graze growing by the lake, birds of every description, lizards large enough to see from 50m away and hippos as near as 5 metres away. Hippos have instantly become my favourite animal - they lay in the water sun bathing all day - idylic!! There are 11 villages within the reserve all of which fish to make a living. As we passed one, the men were heading out for the night in their boats to fish. I wondered if their work, their life, were less stressful than mine?! It certainly looked like it as they paddled off over the horizon........until we were told hippos are their greatest threat. If a mother feels her baby is in danger she will attack and literally drown the occupants of the boat. Perhaps our stresses are just different. Having seen some difficult scenes during the week, this trip today reminded me that this also is an amazing, beautiful country - we try to recreate its beauty and wonder in the UK with our wild life parks etc - we miss by a mile!!
It was an immediate turn around as we headed off on our lion hunt, we searched and search for hours..... all in vain :-( I secretly hoped that as we returned to our lodge that we'd have a repeat of our elephant experience and come across a huge pride.....not so. I'll just have to come again some time........
So to today...... the epic journey back! We're heading back for a few days to revisit both orphanages, have a meal with Paul who we worked with at the school in the first week and then head home. I'm not sure how much blogging I'll manage from now........ xx
Are we nearly there yet?
Well, we managed to leave yesterday morning at 7.15. I hope I get to stay at Red Chilli again sometime. I think we traveled for about an hour before the roads became slightly less pot holed, just slightly! We passed through town after town, village after village all looking the same. Folks selling there goods along the road side and behind them ram shackled houses of rough brick or mud and tin roofs.We traveled for hours and hours and the story was the same. This trip has opened my eyes to the enormity of this country, to Africa and to its poverty in a way that my friends experiences, documentaries and relief programmes never have. Seeing is believing.
After a few hours we stopped for breakfast...........at the equator!! How cool is that!! We took the obligatory photos! Then we were back in the mini bus for more of the journey.
"One of the pleasantest things in the world is going on a journey" - William Hazitt. Not sure who William is, but I agree. The long journey today gave loads of time for reflection, reading, listening to ipods and Sims guitar playing! There's been so much to take in over the last week or so. I'm also very much enjoying just being the passenger, not being responsible! The biggest decision I've had to make all day is what to eat - perfect!
Our journey took much longer than anticipated with food stops, photo stops & flat tyres! We arrived at our destination in Queen Elizabeth Park at 7.30 - 12 hours after leaving Red Chilli!! We were shown to our beautiful, rustic lodges before dinner. Ah, a shower that is more than a dribble. Ah, mosquito nets around the room not the bed. Ah, silence........... I slept well!!
Til........5.30 and our early morning call!! We were off on our game drive with Musa at 6.30. Jack, Zoe & I sat in the back of the bus. The excitement in the bus was palpable!! What would we see?
Very soon we saw 2 elephants grazing by some bushes, they were slightly hidden but what a fantastic sight. We drove, I guess, for 3 hours and saw buffalo, hyena, cob (sp?), & wart hog. We so wanted to see lions but they evaded us today. There was a sense of disappointment in the van as we headed back to Mweya Lodge for breakfast - we hadn't had a really impressive sighting. Then....we spotted another elephant, and another, and another.........we'd stumbled across an entire family! There must have been 25-30 of them all right beside the road and in the road!! it was so incredibly exciting. There were all sorts of sizes, one tiny one - Musa said he'd only be about a week old!! How many times have I see elephants in zoos, wild life parks, circuses even and yet nothing compared to this experience - seeing them together in their herd in the wild, right there in front of me!! It was amazing. And I was sharing it with Jack & Zoe at the back of the bus - this moment was precious, this moment we'd lived together and could never, ever be taken away - priceless.
Everyone was on such a high as we came in for breakfast. As I sat at the table, still elated from the elephant experience, with bright yellow birds in the greenery above me, blue lizards climbing around me, the vast lake stretching out before me and my children beside me I nearly, for the millionth time, cried! This time because I am so incredibly happy.
There's more to come - a river boat trip at 3pm and another game drive tonight - I'll keep you posted!! xx
After a few hours we stopped for breakfast...........at the equator!! How cool is that!! We took the obligatory photos! Then we were back in the mini bus for more of the journey.
"One of the pleasantest things in the world is going on a journey" - William Hazitt. Not sure who William is, but I agree. The long journey today gave loads of time for reflection, reading, listening to ipods and Sims guitar playing! There's been so much to take in over the last week or so. I'm also very much enjoying just being the passenger, not being responsible! The biggest decision I've had to make all day is what to eat - perfect!
Our journey took much longer than anticipated with food stops, photo stops & flat tyres! We arrived at our destination in Queen Elizabeth Park at 7.30 - 12 hours after leaving Red Chilli!! We were shown to our beautiful, rustic lodges before dinner. Ah, a shower that is more than a dribble. Ah, mosquito nets around the room not the bed. Ah, silence........... I slept well!!
Til........5.30 and our early morning call!! We were off on our game drive with Musa at 6.30. Jack, Zoe & I sat in the back of the bus. The excitement in the bus was palpable!! What would we see?
Very soon we saw 2 elephants grazing by some bushes, they were slightly hidden but what a fantastic sight. We drove, I guess, for 3 hours and saw buffalo, hyena, cob (sp?), & wart hog. We so wanted to see lions but they evaded us today. There was a sense of disappointment in the van as we headed back to Mweya Lodge for breakfast - we hadn't had a really impressive sighting. Then....we spotted another elephant, and another, and another.........we'd stumbled across an entire family! There must have been 25-30 of them all right beside the road and in the road!! it was so incredibly exciting. There were all sorts of sizes, one tiny one - Musa said he'd only be about a week old!! How many times have I see elephants in zoos, wild life parks, circuses even and yet nothing compared to this experience - seeing them together in their herd in the wild, right there in front of me!! It was amazing. And I was sharing it with Jack & Zoe at the back of the bus - this moment was precious, this moment we'd lived together and could never, ever be taken away - priceless.
Everyone was on such a high as we came in for breakfast. As I sat at the table, still elated from the elephant experience, with bright yellow birds in the greenery above me, blue lizards climbing around me, the vast lake stretching out before me and my children beside me I nearly, for the millionth time, cried! This time because I am so incredibly happy.
There's more to come - a river boat trip at 3pm and another game drive tonight - I'll keep you posted!! xx
Monday, 1 August 2011
So, so tired!!
I'm soooooooo tired! The combination of not sleeping, getting up early and manual work has caught up with me today! We managed to leave by 8.20 this morning. Some of us headed out to Kiwi orphanage and others went to Bula, the orphanage Jack visited yesterday. He went there again today and Zoe and I went back to Kiwi.
When we arrived some of the girls were ready to leave for school. They walk there by themselves. Today Jess, Jess, Zoe and I walked hand in hand with them, We walked through the slum where homes are mud huts or shed like buildings with corragated iron roofs. We jumped trenches, crossed a small rickety bridge, walked passed a dump and then dropped the younger girls at nursery and the older girls at school. This is a million miles away from home. Us four white girls felt conspicuous and more vulnerable without the children with us on the return journey.
Once back at Kiwi we set to work decorating. My last three decorating experiences at home were my lovely lounge 2 years ago, with its fancy feature papered wall and new lights, Jacks bedroom last year and Kev & Alis house during a work party one evening. This decorating experience bears absolutely no resemblance. Here we are decorating 'rooms' with crumbling walls, lizards jumping out when we moved furniture, a light bulb hangs precariously, the rafters are all exposed, these are more like out buildings. However, we worked together and gave Benedictas (think I called her Bernadeta before?!) room a coat of paint. Josh & Zo painted Minnie Mouse & Pluto on the wall in the wall in the girls room! We also tackled the boys room. I know lots of farmers that really do have out buildings in better condition than this 'room'. But you know, once we'd painted, stencilled stars and planets & Josh added a fantastic rocket we had some how turned it into a boys room! He loved it, as did the girls with theirs. Zoe painted flowers and butterflies around Benny's door frame - she cried!!
Some of the lads spent much of the day erecting a fence for Benny. They dug holes, and used posts made of tree branches/trunks. They worked incredibly hard with basic tools and in very hot conditions. Africa it appears can be frustrating. The fence looked brilliant and served its purpose but when Benny returned (hours after having to go out for 5 minutes!) she said a water pipe had to be moved to the other side of the fence and half the fence had to be removed. It was disheartening and dimoralising. Communication across the cultures is tricky!
This afternoon, Zoe, Jess, Jess & I took another walk in search of a baby!! The knitting club at school had made squares which had been sewn into a blanket. They gave it to me in assembly at the end of term and asked me to pass it on to a baby in Uganda. We didn't have to go far. We tried to explain and showed the mum a picture of the group who'd made it. She was so very grateful and I was very proud of some children in England who had given their time to make this small difference to a family in the heart of Africa - Well done you lot! I have pictures to show you!!
I flagged by mid afternoon and am sure I'll sleep well tonight?!
Tomorrow we have a couple of days off. Many, many years ago my friend Janet bought me a book called "These things I will do" - in it you write down things you want to do or accomplish and the date on which you decide. Theres a place to fill in when you've done it too - like an official Bucket List! I love my book. In it there are things that are relatively easy to do, like take my kids to see Lion King - that got ticked off 6 years ago. Some are harder and have taken a long time to achieve like "Become a teacher" but got ticked off in 2008. Some aren't yet acheived like "Buy an old cottage"! But tomorrow I get to tick off "Go on Safari" - Yahhhh!! I am soooooooooo excited! This is the bit I have saved up for myself. Musa who has been linked with Possibilites for a few years and who is Robs 'man on the ground' here in Uganda has been driving us around all week in his taxi bus. He is also a Safari Driver and so he is taking us!!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this and of course about sharing it with Jack & Zoe........ Will try to post.
So thats us for now all up to date - thanks for reading. Please excuse the awful spelling, grammar & punctuation - I have to do this quickly as others are always waiting!! A final thought today......"Your life loses its true meaning when material possessions become the content of your life" xx
When we arrived some of the girls were ready to leave for school. They walk there by themselves. Today Jess, Jess, Zoe and I walked hand in hand with them, We walked through the slum where homes are mud huts or shed like buildings with corragated iron roofs. We jumped trenches, crossed a small rickety bridge, walked passed a dump and then dropped the younger girls at nursery and the older girls at school. This is a million miles away from home. Us four white girls felt conspicuous and more vulnerable without the children with us on the return journey.
Once back at Kiwi we set to work decorating. My last three decorating experiences at home were my lovely lounge 2 years ago, with its fancy feature papered wall and new lights, Jacks bedroom last year and Kev & Alis house during a work party one evening. This decorating experience bears absolutely no resemblance. Here we are decorating 'rooms' with crumbling walls, lizards jumping out when we moved furniture, a light bulb hangs precariously, the rafters are all exposed, these are more like out buildings. However, we worked together and gave Benedictas (think I called her Bernadeta before?!) room a coat of paint. Josh & Zo painted Minnie Mouse & Pluto on the wall in the wall in the girls room! We also tackled the boys room. I know lots of farmers that really do have out buildings in better condition than this 'room'. But you know, once we'd painted, stencilled stars and planets & Josh added a fantastic rocket we had some how turned it into a boys room! He loved it, as did the girls with theirs. Zoe painted flowers and butterflies around Benny's door frame - she cried!!
Some of the lads spent much of the day erecting a fence for Benny. They dug holes, and used posts made of tree branches/trunks. They worked incredibly hard with basic tools and in very hot conditions. Africa it appears can be frustrating. The fence looked brilliant and served its purpose but when Benny returned (hours after having to go out for 5 minutes!) she said a water pipe had to be moved to the other side of the fence and half the fence had to be removed. It was disheartening and dimoralising. Communication across the cultures is tricky!
This afternoon, Zoe, Jess, Jess & I took another walk in search of a baby!! The knitting club at school had made squares which had been sewn into a blanket. They gave it to me in assembly at the end of term and asked me to pass it on to a baby in Uganda. We didn't have to go far. We tried to explain and showed the mum a picture of the group who'd made it. She was so very grateful and I was very proud of some children in England who had given their time to make this small difference to a family in the heart of Africa - Well done you lot! I have pictures to show you!!
I flagged by mid afternoon and am sure I'll sleep well tonight?!
Tomorrow we have a couple of days off. Many, many years ago my friend Janet bought me a book called "These things I will do" - in it you write down things you want to do or accomplish and the date on which you decide. Theres a place to fill in when you've done it too - like an official Bucket List! I love my book. In it there are things that are relatively easy to do, like take my kids to see Lion King - that got ticked off 6 years ago. Some are harder and have taken a long time to achieve like "Become a teacher" but got ticked off in 2008. Some aren't yet acheived like "Buy an old cottage"! But tomorrow I get to tick off "Go on Safari" - Yahhhh!! I am soooooooooo excited! This is the bit I have saved up for myself. Musa who has been linked with Possibilites for a few years and who is Robs 'man on the ground' here in Uganda has been driving us around all week in his taxi bus. He is also a Safari Driver and so he is taking us!!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this and of course about sharing it with Jack & Zoe........ Will try to post.
So thats us for now all up to date - thanks for reading. Please excuse the awful spelling, grammar & punctuation - I have to do this quickly as others are always waiting!! A final thought today......"Your life loses its true meaning when material possessions become the content of your life" xx
6 days shall you labour and on the 7th........
Ah, I get it, there’s no electricity every other day!! No internet last night….this is yesterday…..
And on the seventh day God rested! Great idea God, a day of rest – we’ll take that! Today was a lovely chilled day.
First thing some of us went to church. My two actually got up at 7.30am in order to go to church!! What’s that all about?! Church was great. We queued outside to get in, and when the doors opened hundreds and hundreds of us filed into the auditorium. It must have held 2000 people. I loved the fact that here in the middle of Africa, in the heart of Uganda we were worshiping the same God that my church at home would be worshipping – even with some of the same songs. I missed my home church family a little bit and remembered my small group praying for me before this trip. They prayed we’d stay well – check! They prayed that this group of volunteers would gel well together and be effective during our time together – check! They prayed that I wouldn’t feel lonely in a crowd – check, not once – envious occaisionally maybe, life should be done holding hands with someone….. I’m so grateful to God for so much. As my mind wondered during the 45 minute sermon(!!) my mind went back to the slum school I’d visited yesterday. I think that if Jesus walked on earth today, that’s where he’s be, walking amongst the slums, reaching out to those in need, making a difference to those he came across…… That’s what Possibilities is endeavouring to do.
The rest of the day was lovely, chilled and restful. Jack headed off to another orphanage with Rob & Sim for a couple of hours. Rob wanted to see how the children were doing. They took the local taxi system – boda boda!! This is a moped! I have seen one of these with a mum and her two children in front of her and then another child in front of the driver!! 5 people on a moped!! At the orphanage Jack and Sim played football once again with the children…..on concrete in bare feet!
Zoe and I spent a good few hours chatting together, no subject untouched. Precious moments. I ‘interviewed’ her for the blog!! Here goes…..
Me: How’s Africa Zo?
Zoe: Oh no I’m not very good at interviews! Hot
Me: mmmmmmmmm anything else?
Zoe: What are you writing I only said HOT!
Me: Best bit so far?
Zoe: People keep asking me that! I don’t know, some bits have got to me more than others. Best bit? I don’t know – it’s all so different.
Me: Is there one moment you would keep hold of forever?
Zoe: What from Africa?
Me: Yes from Africa!!! I’m putting that down!!
Zoe: When we were at the community school and little Moses fell asleep on my lap and all the other kids were crowding round and poking my white skin or..
Me: hang on!
Zoe: Just after the girls at the orphanage had seen their newly decorated room and the others had left but one girl was left in the room. She was dancing and singing ‘Thank you, Thank you’
Me: Nice food?
Zoe: Sometimes. The red Chilli food is nice. The food the ladies cook isn’t! My chicken yesterday was hair and bone!!
Me: Nice! In 7 words describe your experience so far
Zoe: Very different from how I was expecting.
Me: How?
Zoe: Dunno!
And that was Sunday. Apparently we are to be out by 8am tomorrow in order for some of us to go back to Kiwi to decorate again and put up a fence whilst the others go to the orphanage Jack visited yesterday to do some cleaning. 8am!!!!
xx
And on the seventh day God rested! Great idea God, a day of rest – we’ll take that! Today was a lovely chilled day.
First thing some of us went to church. My two actually got up at 7.30am in order to go to church!! What’s that all about?! Church was great. We queued outside to get in, and when the doors opened hundreds and hundreds of us filed into the auditorium. It must have held 2000 people. I loved the fact that here in the middle of Africa, in the heart of Uganda we were worshiping the same God that my church at home would be worshipping – even with some of the same songs. I missed my home church family a little bit and remembered my small group praying for me before this trip. They prayed we’d stay well – check! They prayed that this group of volunteers would gel well together and be effective during our time together – check! They prayed that I wouldn’t feel lonely in a crowd – check, not once – envious occaisionally maybe, life should be done holding hands with someone….. I’m so grateful to God for so much. As my mind wondered during the 45 minute sermon(!!) my mind went back to the slum school I’d visited yesterday. I think that if Jesus walked on earth today, that’s where he’s be, walking amongst the slums, reaching out to those in need, making a difference to those he came across…… That’s what Possibilities is endeavouring to do.
The rest of the day was lovely, chilled and restful. Jack headed off to another orphanage with Rob & Sim for a couple of hours. Rob wanted to see how the children were doing. They took the local taxi system – boda boda!! This is a moped! I have seen one of these with a mum and her two children in front of her and then another child in front of the driver!! 5 people on a moped!! At the orphanage Jack and Sim played football once again with the children…..on concrete in bare feet!
Zoe and I spent a good few hours chatting together, no subject untouched. Precious moments. I ‘interviewed’ her for the blog!! Here goes…..
Me: How’s Africa Zo?
Zoe: Oh no I’m not very good at interviews! Hot
Me: mmmmmmmmm anything else?
Zoe: What are you writing I only said HOT!
Me: Best bit so far?
Zoe: People keep asking me that! I don’t know, some bits have got to me more than others. Best bit? I don’t know – it’s all so different.
Me: Is there one moment you would keep hold of forever?
Zoe: What from Africa?
Me: Yes from Africa!!! I’m putting that down!!
Zoe: When we were at the community school and little Moses fell asleep on my lap and all the other kids were crowding round and poking my white skin or..
Me: hang on!
Zoe: Just after the girls at the orphanage had seen their newly decorated room and the others had left but one girl was left in the room. She was dancing and singing ‘Thank you, Thank you’
Me: Nice food?
Zoe: Sometimes. The red Chilli food is nice. The food the ladies cook isn’t! My chicken yesterday was hair and bone!!
Me: Nice! In 7 words describe your experience so far
Zoe: Very different from how I was expecting.
Me: How?
Zoe: Dunno!
And that was Sunday. Apparently we are to be out by 8am tomorrow in order for some of us to go back to Kiwi to decorate again and put up a fence whilst the others go to the orphanage Jack visited yesterday to do some cleaning. 8am!!!!
xx
Saturday, 30 July 2011
A hard working, happy day!
Oh I forgot to tell you about the party bags yesterday!!! Well, after the school fair a few weeks ago there were lots and lots of bits and pieces left over so I asked Julie, who heads up the PTA, if I could take some of them to Uganda - she said yes!! So having added a few sweets to the mix, on Saturday morning before we left we made up 70 party bags full of small gifts and goodness anticipating that we'd give them away in Uganda. Whilst in the remote village yesterday we did just that. The children were bemused and simply held their bags! They needed encouraging to look inside and take out what was in there. They gradually got the idea and began to investigate and then play with the contents. It was lovely. Its so apparent these children expect nothing.
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today.....after yet another bad night, (I'm sure someone shot one of the birds last night!) we got up. I opened the curtains and a lizard landed on me!!!
We headed back to the orphanage this morning to decorate the bedroom. We worked hard, rubbing down then painting. We were working in a tight space amongst the bunks. Once the new paint had dried we stencilled stars and planets, fairy castles and unicorns. The stencils had been left after the school fair and I popped them in my suitcase wondering if they could be used. they were perfect. This was more like it. It was a fab day of working hard, working together, and working with a common purpose. Job done. The girls were thrilled and danced with excitement. This room is still grim but less so. At one point when I was painting behind a door, I accidently painted a cockroach! He didn't seem to mind?! John gets 'top man' of the day award for staying in the toilet (think hole in the ground used by 20 + children) long enough to rub down and paint!! He is to be applauded!
We had chicken for lunch, we chose which ones and then watched them be beheaded and bled before being cooked! Oh my!!
The girls at the orphanage work so hard!! They helped prepare food and they worked on the straw bag manufacture. Later on they sang to us, songs of appreciation and of determination to work hard in order to succeed in life. We have a lot to learn from these children. We handed out more party bags and enjoyed sharing the contents with the children - we gave what we could to onlookers from nearby who were watching us. The hardest thing is you can't give to every child. At the end of the afternoon, Margaret, a new comer to Kiwi, sat on my lap and fell asleep. As I rocked this beautiful 3 year old, I held her tight and considered that she would never again be held by her mum or dad......
Never have I been so glad of a shower, even the pathetic trickle that is this one!! It was so good to wash away the dust and dirt of the day and get ready for our night out at Khana Khazana - Indian restaurant. It was fun and delicious. I thought of Mr Cox and the curries he has cooked for me to raise funds for this trip, and the fabulous Christmas cake, thank you Mr Cox for helping to make this possible, I raised a glass to you tonight!!
Tomorrow.........African church. I'm hoping for gospel singing and Oh Happy Day!!!
XX
Anyway, that was yesterday. Today.....after yet another bad night, (I'm sure someone shot one of the birds last night!) we got up. I opened the curtains and a lizard landed on me!!!
We headed back to the orphanage this morning to decorate the bedroom. We worked hard, rubbing down then painting. We were working in a tight space amongst the bunks. Once the new paint had dried we stencilled stars and planets, fairy castles and unicorns. The stencils had been left after the school fair and I popped them in my suitcase wondering if they could be used. they were perfect. This was more like it. It was a fab day of working hard, working together, and working with a common purpose. Job done. The girls were thrilled and danced with excitement. This room is still grim but less so. At one point when I was painting behind a door, I accidently painted a cockroach! He didn't seem to mind?! John gets 'top man' of the day award for staying in the toilet (think hole in the ground used by 20 + children) long enough to rub down and paint!! He is to be applauded!
We had chicken for lunch, we chose which ones and then watched them be beheaded and bled before being cooked! Oh my!!
The girls at the orphanage work so hard!! They helped prepare food and they worked on the straw bag manufacture. Later on they sang to us, songs of appreciation and of determination to work hard in order to succeed in life. We have a lot to learn from these children. We handed out more party bags and enjoyed sharing the contents with the children - we gave what we could to onlookers from nearby who were watching us. The hardest thing is you can't give to every child. At the end of the afternoon, Margaret, a new comer to Kiwi, sat on my lap and fell asleep. As I rocked this beautiful 3 year old, I held her tight and considered that she would never again be held by her mum or dad......
Never have I been so glad of a shower, even the pathetic trickle that is this one!! It was so good to wash away the dust and dirt of the day and get ready for our night out at Khana Khazana - Indian restaurant. It was fun and delicious. I thought of Mr Cox and the curries he has cooked for me to raise funds for this trip, and the fabulous Christmas cake, thank you Mr Cox for helping to make this possible, I raised a glass to you tonight!!
Tomorrow.........African church. I'm hoping for gospel singing and Oh Happy Day!!!
XX
High on a hill......
No electricity last night....no blog! Here's what I wrote but couldn't post yesterday......
If I'd had a gun I'd have shot those birds last night!! What a rough night: Zoe clambered into bed with me feeling unwell, thunderstorms overhead & those pesky birds!!
But 9.30 (a half hour lie in today!) and we boarded the buses and headed for Kiwi - this is the orphanage that Possibilities primarily supports, I'd heard so much about it over the years and today we would see it. The children would be at school but we'd be able to look around and assess what work we'd do tomorrow. I hadn't realised I had an image already in my mind of what it's be - it wasn't. We met Bernadeta, the amazing woman who at 63 is running the orphanage. She welcomed us like long lost friends. She took us into the home. We wandered through and straight outside to talk about work she'd really like done to the wall outside. In the very small space she has a cow, a calf and chickens. We also discussed decorating the boys and girls bedrooms. We couldn't get into the boys room as it was locked; this wasn't a room this was a shed attached to the house. However, we could see the girls room. As I stood in the bedroom as it keeps doing, my mind shot back home. Home to my children's nursery which they slept in as babies, then to Zoe's 'big girls room' with its big bed and pink and pastel colours and stencilled flowers on the wall and ivy climbing over her archway, then to her most recently decorated room in its dark purples. I saw her beds, she's had three, including a high sleeper with a desk and now her mid sleeper. My mind came back to this room, only a little bigger than Zoes. Here the room contains 4 three tier bunks where 20 girls sleep. There is just room to move between the bunks. There walls are bare. I knew these people didn't want my pity, I knew they have achieved so much and are so proud of what they've accomplished. I knew that this is good, its very good comparably. I therefore knew I shouldn't do it, mustn't do it, I tried really hard not to but I just couldn't stop myself and I stood and cried.
Tomorrow we will decorate their room.
Attached to the orphanage is a small business run by Bernadeta, they make bags and mats out of recycled straws. These people are so resourceful, so determined and so brave. This is a quality product they are producing - you should see them, you should buy one!!
After deciding what needed doing tomorrow we headed out to visit some goats in a small community. The goats are sponsored by Possibilities and on some land that belonged to Benny's family. It was a long way from the orphanage! I felt like we'd driven half way across Uganda!! We bought food on the way which we were told the ladies of the community would cook for us. We had such an African day!! We picked maize and prepared leaves for cooking. We watched as the ladies with babies on their backs prepared food, wrapped vegetables in banana leaves and steamed them over an open fire. Only the pictures will do this justice. We were in the heart of Africa, in the heart of a rural community, cooking on open fires just sitting and watching and waiting. This surely is Africa. When the children returned from school - we all ate the feast together. After the meal, Benny called a community meeting where she stressed the need to work together to look after the goats that possibilities have provided - that these goats are helping to provide hope and a future. The community are in desperate need of a bore hole, they must provide some money in order for the government to provide one. Possibilities agreed there and then to match anything the community could raise - the community leader cried.
Arrrrggggghhh I'm out of time - I have to catch the bus to the orphanage........ that'll have to do for now!!
I
If I'd had a gun I'd have shot those birds last night!! What a rough night: Zoe clambered into bed with me feeling unwell, thunderstorms overhead & those pesky birds!!
But 9.30 (a half hour lie in today!) and we boarded the buses and headed for Kiwi - this is the orphanage that Possibilities primarily supports, I'd heard so much about it over the years and today we would see it. The children would be at school but we'd be able to look around and assess what work we'd do tomorrow. I hadn't realised I had an image already in my mind of what it's be - it wasn't. We met Bernadeta, the amazing woman who at 63 is running the orphanage. She welcomed us like long lost friends. She took us into the home. We wandered through and straight outside to talk about work she'd really like done to the wall outside. In the very small space she has a cow, a calf and chickens. We also discussed decorating the boys and girls bedrooms. We couldn't get into the boys room as it was locked; this wasn't a room this was a shed attached to the house. However, we could see the girls room. As I stood in the bedroom as it keeps doing, my mind shot back home. Home to my children's nursery which they slept in as babies, then to Zoe's 'big girls room' with its big bed and pink and pastel colours and stencilled flowers on the wall and ivy climbing over her archway, then to her most recently decorated room in its dark purples. I saw her beds, she's had three, including a high sleeper with a desk and now her mid sleeper. My mind came back to this room, only a little bigger than Zoes. Here the room contains 4 three tier bunks where 20 girls sleep. There is just room to move between the bunks. There walls are bare. I knew these people didn't want my pity, I knew they have achieved so much and are so proud of what they've accomplished. I knew that this is good, its very good comparably. I therefore knew I shouldn't do it, mustn't do it, I tried really hard not to but I just couldn't stop myself and I stood and cried.
Tomorrow we will decorate their room.
Attached to the orphanage is a small business run by Bernadeta, they make bags and mats out of recycled straws. These people are so resourceful, so determined and so brave. This is a quality product they are producing - you should see them, you should buy one!!
After deciding what needed doing tomorrow we headed out to visit some goats in a small community. The goats are sponsored by Possibilities and on some land that belonged to Benny's family. It was a long way from the orphanage! I felt like we'd driven half way across Uganda!! We bought food on the way which we were told the ladies of the community would cook for us. We had such an African day!! We picked maize and prepared leaves for cooking. We watched as the ladies with babies on their backs prepared food, wrapped vegetables in banana leaves and steamed them over an open fire. Only the pictures will do this justice. We were in the heart of Africa, in the heart of a rural community, cooking on open fires just sitting and watching and waiting. This surely is Africa. When the children returned from school - we all ate the feast together. After the meal, Benny called a community meeting where she stressed the need to work together to look after the goats that possibilities have provided - that these goats are helping to provide hope and a future. The community are in desperate need of a bore hole, they must provide some money in order for the government to provide one. Possibilities agreed there and then to match anything the community could raise - the community leader cried.
Arrrrggggghhh I'm out of time - I have to catch the bus to the orphanage........ that'll have to do for now!!
I
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Samuel, Sissy & Shelter from the rain
I want to tell you about Samuel, Sissy & Shelter from the rain......
I taught Samuel 2 years ago at St Matthews. I don't see him much now just a quick 'hello' when we pass in the corridor. But last week Samuel came up to me before school began and gave me three pots. Samuel unbeknown to me had been saving his coppers and 5ps for me to use in Uganda. I was overwhelmed and promised to take the money with me to Uganda and tell him how I used it. I've told you how everyday, everyday without fail, the children at the school we've been working at have a maize/porridge meal. Well not today!! Today on our way we bought melons, pineapple and bananas with Samuels exchanged coppers and 5ps. After their porridge today the children lined up and ate fruit! They loved it - I have pictures to prove they loved it! Samuel you are a star! When you see Mr Garnham, please pat him on the back, hug him, tell him that today, because he bothered to do something, he made the world of difference in the day of many, many disadvantaged African children. Priceless.
Today, I joined those that got water to mix the cement for the building work. This involved trekking down a hill to a water hole at the bottom where water collects, filling containers and bringing it up again. We are often joined by local children who can't afford to be in school. Today they helped as we gathered water. These children are so resourceful - I love my pictures of them carrying the water up the hill for us. As John collected water there was a girl from a home nearby watching. Charles, our driver, was pitching in with the work and was able to translate for John as he asked why she wasn't at school. Sissy's story is that her father died and her mother couldn't afford to look after her so sent her to live with her grandmother in her mud hut by the school. Her grandmother gets by by digging up root vegetables. These people have nothing. Just like Samuel had given me his pennies, John had been given money by a friend. He used it today. Today he went back to Sissy's 'home' and met her grandmother and offered to pay for her schooling for the next year. This will cost.....wait for it..... about thirty five pounds a term! That little girls life is about to change, is about to have hope, because somebody bothered to do something.
After the introduction of the football kit yesterady a 'match' was organised today. This was Uganda (again looking like Witnesham Wasps!) V UK. In true African style (I'm learning to be chilled with it!) we didn't quite understand where this was happening or when...... It happened late afternoon and we all, the entire school, followed the team to a field. I walked hand in hand with Grace. We walked through trees where there were scattered about, primitive brick buildings and huts, homes. It struck me that it reminded me of Centre Parks and how odd it is that we, for our relaxation and leisure, attempt to recreate this primitive setting - only we don't, not like I saw today. The match was fun. The UK did good!! But we weren't far into it when there were rumbles of thunder and suddenly the heavens opened! It was a good 10 minute walk back to the school but hand in unfamiliar hand we hurried, past the homes we'd seen earlier. These children are amazing, not one moaned or cried or asked for any help, they simply kept going. As the rain became torrential I stopped under a tree with the group around me. We heard calls of 'come, come'. We were being offered shelter in a small brick building, someones home. We ran! I stood inside a room, as small as my hall as home, with ten African children around me, and my own daughter holding Moses who couldn't walk as quickly as the others. The mother cleared a space for us and then continued making her basket whilst her own children stared at the unusual sight. The room was so very dark, the floor was so very hard and the conditions so very cramped. I thought of my lovely home, my beautiful lounge and my comfortable furniture and I was glad that it was raining, because I knew the children wouldn't realise that it wasn't rain running down my cheeks......
Tough stuff today. But in the diversity that is life, tonight I have sat in the hostel bar, with my fantastic children and this wonderful group of fellow volunteers, I've laughed a lot, drunk red wine and listened to Sim play his guitar. I'm loving my African Adventure. Thanks for 'travelling' with me. xx
I taught Samuel 2 years ago at St Matthews. I don't see him much now just a quick 'hello' when we pass in the corridor. But last week Samuel came up to me before school began and gave me three pots. Samuel unbeknown to me had been saving his coppers and 5ps for me to use in Uganda. I was overwhelmed and promised to take the money with me to Uganda and tell him how I used it. I've told you how everyday, everyday without fail, the children at the school we've been working at have a maize/porridge meal. Well not today!! Today on our way we bought melons, pineapple and bananas with Samuels exchanged coppers and 5ps. After their porridge today the children lined up and ate fruit! They loved it - I have pictures to prove they loved it! Samuel you are a star! When you see Mr Garnham, please pat him on the back, hug him, tell him that today, because he bothered to do something, he made the world of difference in the day of many, many disadvantaged African children. Priceless.
Today, I joined those that got water to mix the cement for the building work. This involved trekking down a hill to a water hole at the bottom where water collects, filling containers and bringing it up again. We are often joined by local children who can't afford to be in school. Today they helped as we gathered water. These children are so resourceful - I love my pictures of them carrying the water up the hill for us. As John collected water there was a girl from a home nearby watching. Charles, our driver, was pitching in with the work and was able to translate for John as he asked why she wasn't at school. Sissy's story is that her father died and her mother couldn't afford to look after her so sent her to live with her grandmother in her mud hut by the school. Her grandmother gets by by digging up root vegetables. These people have nothing. Just like Samuel had given me his pennies, John had been given money by a friend. He used it today. Today he went back to Sissy's 'home' and met her grandmother and offered to pay for her schooling for the next year. This will cost.....wait for it..... about thirty five pounds a term! That little girls life is about to change, is about to have hope, because somebody bothered to do something.
After the introduction of the football kit yesterady a 'match' was organised today. This was Uganda (again looking like Witnesham Wasps!) V UK. In true African style (I'm learning to be chilled with it!) we didn't quite understand where this was happening or when...... It happened late afternoon and we all, the entire school, followed the team to a field. I walked hand in hand with Grace. We walked through trees where there were scattered about, primitive brick buildings and huts, homes. It struck me that it reminded me of Centre Parks and how odd it is that we, for our relaxation and leisure, attempt to recreate this primitive setting - only we don't, not like I saw today. The match was fun. The UK did good!! But we weren't far into it when there were rumbles of thunder and suddenly the heavens opened! It was a good 10 minute walk back to the school but hand in unfamiliar hand we hurried, past the homes we'd seen earlier. These children are amazing, not one moaned or cried or asked for any help, they simply kept going. As the rain became torrential I stopped under a tree with the group around me. We heard calls of 'come, come'. We were being offered shelter in a small brick building, someones home. We ran! I stood inside a room, as small as my hall as home, with ten African children around me, and my own daughter holding Moses who couldn't walk as quickly as the others. The mother cleared a space for us and then continued making her basket whilst her own children stared at the unusual sight. The room was so very dark, the floor was so very hard and the conditions so very cramped. I thought of my lovely home, my beautiful lounge and my comfortable furniture and I was glad that it was raining, because I knew the children wouldn't realise that it wasn't rain running down my cheeks......
Tough stuff today. But in the diversity that is life, tonight I have sat in the hostel bar, with my fantastic children and this wonderful group of fellow volunteers, I've laughed a lot, drunk red wine and listened to Sim play his guitar. I'm loving my African Adventure. Thanks for 'travelling' with me. xx
Yesterday.....
It seems that sometimes in Africa there is electricity and sometimes there is none - yesterday there was none....so no blog! Here's what happened for us yesterday.....
It wasn't the birds that woke me, it was the dogs!!! But regardless, another day and we headed back to the school for more building work. Our two mimi buses took different routes, the one I was travelling, was going to stop off for some more trowels to lay bricks with. As we left 'Red Chilli' we turned left the other mini bus turned right. The houses and homes that line the roads and are everywhere you look resemble farm outbuildings at best, dilapidated sheds as worst. However, having turned left this morning we suddenly were staring at not sheds or huts but grand buildings with high gates and guards. It was an uncomfortable contrast that these two extremes stood almost literally side by side, at the end, literally not metaphorically, at the end of each others street. What a land of contrast. We called at a supermarket which would match any in the UK and were told this is where the rich shop. I chatted to Rob about this leter in the and explained to him that I was trying not to be judgemental but questioned how some could live with so much right next to those that have so little? We wondered how much we are guilty of it in other ways within our own country, within our own culture. The difference here is that there is no mixing of the rich and poor - in the UK the divide is less defined? For these families living in mud huts, in shanty towns there is no way out. What Rob and Possibilites are striving to do and are acheiving, is to bring hope, to make a difference.
At the school we moved bricks again. One brick at a time, along a conveyor belt of humans! It was all about the throwing and catching (good job we have two PE teachers here for guidance!). So many lessons to be learnt in that one task, a mountain of bricks was moved one brick at a time, by working together and keeping our eye on the task in hand - you can work out the analogy for yourself!
African organisiation is frustrating!! There were times today when the list makers and task oriented amongst us (you know who they are!) wanted to take charge and come up with a plan! But we (yes, I'm one of them!) are learnign to adopt African timings, Africam thinking, and African planning....on going!
For lunch we were prepared Kasava & Stew - it was a little grim, but when faced with the 'porridge' dish that the children have day in and day out, we were grateful. After lunch as the children played I was able to give the Headmaster a football kit that Sally at work had given me - Witnesham Wasps old kit! They were thrilled and immediately many of the boys donned the yellow and black shirts and began playing. Just as had happened the day beforem even though we'd worked hard in the hot sun the lads amongst us found new energy when a football came out. Jack was in his element!! I have pistures of Uganda, looking like Witnesham Wasps V England! Priceless. At one moment to day I stood back and watched Zoe sitting on a wall surrounded by African children, playing with them and making them laugh and behind the wall Jack playing football with more African chilren. They were both doing what they do so well. At that moment I was immensely proud of my children and so grateful to God for them.
And finally last night we expereienced an African Cultural show! I tasted food I didn't recognise which was delicious. I smelt the interesting fusion of cooked banana, beef, rice & beans. I heard the sound of African drums, voices that sang from the soul and instruments I'd never seen before. And I saw dancers moving in vibrant colours. What a treat for the senses!!
Today has raised many questions but the one most on my mind at the end of that day was 'How do African women manage to make their bottoms move like that?!?!' I'm gonna practice!!
Well that was yesterday and today has been another day......after some food I'll tell you about it......
It wasn't the birds that woke me, it was the dogs!!! But regardless, another day and we headed back to the school for more building work. Our two mimi buses took different routes, the one I was travelling, was going to stop off for some more trowels to lay bricks with. As we left 'Red Chilli' we turned left the other mini bus turned right. The houses and homes that line the roads and are everywhere you look resemble farm outbuildings at best, dilapidated sheds as worst. However, having turned left this morning we suddenly were staring at not sheds or huts but grand buildings with high gates and guards. It was an uncomfortable contrast that these two extremes stood almost literally side by side, at the end, literally not metaphorically, at the end of each others street. What a land of contrast. We called at a supermarket which would match any in the UK and were told this is where the rich shop. I chatted to Rob about this leter in the and explained to him that I was trying not to be judgemental but questioned how some could live with so much right next to those that have so little? We wondered how much we are guilty of it in other ways within our own country, within our own culture. The difference here is that there is no mixing of the rich and poor - in the UK the divide is less defined? For these families living in mud huts, in shanty towns there is no way out. What Rob and Possibilites are striving to do and are acheiving, is to bring hope, to make a difference.
At the school we moved bricks again. One brick at a time, along a conveyor belt of humans! It was all about the throwing and catching (good job we have two PE teachers here for guidance!). So many lessons to be learnt in that one task, a mountain of bricks was moved one brick at a time, by working together and keeping our eye on the task in hand - you can work out the analogy for yourself!
African organisiation is frustrating!! There were times today when the list makers and task oriented amongst us (you know who they are!) wanted to take charge and come up with a plan! But we (yes, I'm one of them!) are learnign to adopt African timings, Africam thinking, and African planning....on going!
For lunch we were prepared Kasava & Stew - it was a little grim, but when faced with the 'porridge' dish that the children have day in and day out, we were grateful. After lunch as the children played I was able to give the Headmaster a football kit that Sally at work had given me - Witnesham Wasps old kit! They were thrilled and immediately many of the boys donned the yellow and black shirts and began playing. Just as had happened the day beforem even though we'd worked hard in the hot sun the lads amongst us found new energy when a football came out. Jack was in his element!! I have pistures of Uganda, looking like Witnesham Wasps V England! Priceless. At one moment to day I stood back and watched Zoe sitting on a wall surrounded by African children, playing with them and making them laugh and behind the wall Jack playing football with more African chilren. They were both doing what they do so well. At that moment I was immensely proud of my children and so grateful to God for them.
And finally last night we expereienced an African Cultural show! I tasted food I didn't recognise which was delicious. I smelt the interesting fusion of cooked banana, beef, rice & beans. I heard the sound of African drums, voices that sang from the soul and instruments I'd never seen before. And I saw dancers moving in vibrant colours. What a treat for the senses!!
Today has raised many questions but the one most on my mind at the end of that day was 'How do African women manage to make their bottoms move like that?!?!' I'm gonna practice!!
Well that was yesterday and today has been another day......after some food I'll tell you about it......
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Lucky?
I slept like a log last night........until 3am when it sounded like something was being murdered outside!! It was some African bird?! Are they going to do that every night?!
Today was our first day of work. We travelled out to a local school that have acquired some land to build a nursery. Again, as we arrived at the school, it was like being part of a scene I have seen played out so many times on my tv screen. A team of white folk arriving at a school or an orphanage much to the excitement of the children who gather round and cheer and wave. Some were bemused by us, others immediately stood by us and took our hands. We were welcomed warmly by the staff who then showed us around their school. Classrooms with benches, a black board, a few torn posters on the wall. No colourful trays, no smart boards, no visual displays. This place is a million miles away from my class, my classroom and my school.
All day we moved bricks. We formed human conveyor belts in order to place bricks ready for cementing. In the heat of the day it was exhausting but rewarding and exhilarating and fun. There's something incredibly satisfying about working together as a team; making a difference.
Jess, Zoe and I helped prepare lunch. We shelled beans and peeled sweet potato which we later ate, Ugandan style, with our fingers! The children ate porridge from their mug; the meal they eat every day.
We left at 4pm and returned to the hostel which was buzzing tonight, lots of travellers in, on their way through. Tonight was pizza night, cooked outside in the kiln - delicious!
As we travel about we are driven by Charles, a local driver and we are able to gain an insight into his life and his country. We asked him how much the lady sweeping the road earns. Twenty five pounds a month for sweeping the road all day every day. Charles has a daughter, 'Lucky'. As we travelled I wondered why he would choose to call his daughter Lucky. I considered that my children should have been called Lucky, not his. Mine who have grown up with so much, not his.
Later on as we passed through one of the villagers a womans voice could be heard making an announcement. We asked Charles what she was saying. He went on to explain that she was telling the village to look out for a child who'd disappeared. When pressed, Charles explained that children are taken for sacrifice. Wealthy Ugandans use a witchdoctor to bring about prosperity by sacrificing a child. I was speechless - whilst somewhere else in the world I am teaching 7 & 8 year olds, here they are being taken, up to 10 children month go missing here, to be sacrificed by a witch doctor. There's something very wrong with this world. And Charles chooses to call his daughter Lucky......
Today was our first day of work. We travelled out to a local school that have acquired some land to build a nursery. Again, as we arrived at the school, it was like being part of a scene I have seen played out so many times on my tv screen. A team of white folk arriving at a school or an orphanage much to the excitement of the children who gather round and cheer and wave. Some were bemused by us, others immediately stood by us and took our hands. We were welcomed warmly by the staff who then showed us around their school. Classrooms with benches, a black board, a few torn posters on the wall. No colourful trays, no smart boards, no visual displays. This place is a million miles away from my class, my classroom and my school.
All day we moved bricks. We formed human conveyor belts in order to place bricks ready for cementing. In the heat of the day it was exhausting but rewarding and exhilarating and fun. There's something incredibly satisfying about working together as a team; making a difference.
Jess, Zoe and I helped prepare lunch. We shelled beans and peeled sweet potato which we later ate, Ugandan style, with our fingers! The children ate porridge from their mug; the meal they eat every day.
We left at 4pm and returned to the hostel which was buzzing tonight, lots of travellers in, on their way through. Tonight was pizza night, cooked outside in the kiln - delicious!
As we travel about we are driven by Charles, a local driver and we are able to gain an insight into his life and his country. We asked him how much the lady sweeping the road earns. Twenty five pounds a month for sweeping the road all day every day. Charles has a daughter, 'Lucky'. As we travelled I wondered why he would choose to call his daughter Lucky. I considered that my children should have been called Lucky, not his. Mine who have grown up with so much, not his.
Later on as we passed through one of the villagers a womans voice could be heard making an announcement. We asked Charles what she was saying. He went on to explain that she was telling the village to look out for a child who'd disappeared. When pressed, Charles explained that children are taken for sacrifice. Wealthy Ugandans use a witchdoctor to bring about prosperity by sacrificing a child. I was speechless - whilst somewhere else in the world I am teaching 7 & 8 year olds, here they are being taken, up to 10 children month go missing here, to be sacrificed by a witch doctor. There's something very wrong with this world. And Charles chooses to call his daughter Lucky......
Monday, 25 July 2011
So this is Africa!
I feel like I've been here before, strangely so, because I haven't. I guess it's the power of media and how small and accessible it now makes our world that I, in some way, feel that I've walked these paths before. Consequently, today I've found Uganda as I expected it to be, because of the images I've regularly had pumped into my lounge, because of the journeys we've been on with Lenny Henry and because of the experiences of our friends and family.
After very little sleep on our night flight (!) we left Entebbe Airport for our first stay in Uganda. We drove through Kampala with its heat and busyness, its chaotic road system and its dusty, red tracks. We dove past folk selling their wares by the roadside, by women carrying their heavy loads on their heads and men eye-ing us curiously. It was just like I'd seen in a million documentaries, the odd thing was I was here, in it, not just observing it from a distance. This is no longer an image on a tv screen or my friends facebook page, this is suddenly reality, real life. I am now part of the story.
We've taken up residence at 'Red Chilli', a backpackers and travellers haven. This is home for tonight and the next 7 nights. We've unpacked and settled in and sampled, of course, the chilli and beer. We've experienced a little Ugandan humour and I'm perfecting my Ugandan handshake! It's going to be a wonderful, simple home for the next week.
Today has been about finding our feet and carefully placing them on this dusty, red soil for the next few weeks. Tonight before dinner some of us took a walk through town. Within 'Red Chilli' we are travellers and holiday makers along with others doing the same thing. On the streets we were outsiders, we were different, we were conspicuous and uncomfortable. Locals wanted to engage us in conversation, children called out demonstrating their English and toddlers, knowing no social restraints, pointed and stared at our white faces and unfamiliar clothes, presumably for the first time. So today I get to feel like a foreigner, a stranger in a strange land and yet alongside that, I feel welcome and excited about what the next 2 weeks hold for us.
Our group of volunteers is strangely noticeable in the bar tonight, we are the group clearly in need of sleep! So, although only 7.30 many of us are heading off to bed! I can't remember the last time I slept well, the last week of term was such a busy one and the social calendar meant there was something on every night before doing a turn around and preparing for this adventure. We didn't really sleep on the plane so my hopes and dreams for tonight are pinned on the best nights sleep for a few weeks! And we need it for tomorrow........tomorrow we are building!!
XX
After very little sleep on our night flight (!) we left Entebbe Airport for our first stay in Uganda. We drove through Kampala with its heat and busyness, its chaotic road system and its dusty, red tracks. We dove past folk selling their wares by the roadside, by women carrying their heavy loads on their heads and men eye-ing us curiously. It was just like I'd seen in a million documentaries, the odd thing was I was here, in it, not just observing it from a distance. This is no longer an image on a tv screen or my friends facebook page, this is suddenly reality, real life. I am now part of the story.
We've taken up residence at 'Red Chilli', a backpackers and travellers haven. This is home for tonight and the next 7 nights. We've unpacked and settled in and sampled, of course, the chilli and beer. We've experienced a little Ugandan humour and I'm perfecting my Ugandan handshake! It's going to be a wonderful, simple home for the next week.
Today has been about finding our feet and carefully placing them on this dusty, red soil for the next few weeks. Tonight before dinner some of us took a walk through town. Within 'Red Chilli' we are travellers and holiday makers along with others doing the same thing. On the streets we were outsiders, we were different, we were conspicuous and uncomfortable. Locals wanted to engage us in conversation, children called out demonstrating their English and toddlers, knowing no social restraints, pointed and stared at our white faces and unfamiliar clothes, presumably for the first time. So today I get to feel like a foreigner, a stranger in a strange land and yet alongside that, I feel welcome and excited about what the next 2 weeks hold for us.
Our group of volunteers is strangely noticeable in the bar tonight, we are the group clearly in need of sleep! So, although only 7.30 many of us are heading off to bed! I can't remember the last time I slept well, the last week of term was such a busy one and the social calendar meant there was something on every night before doing a turn around and preparing for this adventure. We didn't really sleep on the plane so my hopes and dreams for tonight are pinned on the best nights sleep for a few weeks! And we need it for tomorrow........tomorrow we are building!!
XX
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Leaving on a jet plane......
Well the day has finally arrived, we have sorted and packed. (Is it just me or does everyone feel the need to tidy and sort before the packing can begin?) The extensive ‘to-do’ list has been accomplished and all that remains now is to see if the three of us, each with our huge suitcase, plus two extra bags of football kits and ‘stuff’ to leave in Africa will actually fit in Ian’s car?!
Over recent years the flights I’ve taken have always been to very familiar places, taken with people I know very well. This trip could not be more different, I am unable to picture the location, I’ve never experienced the climate, I know very little about the folk I’m spending this fortnight with and although there’s an itinerary, I can’t visualise how it all works out. Anyone that knows me well, or even just a little, will know that this is ‘out of my comfort zone’! I like to know and be in control!! So I begin the journey by choosing to adopt an attitude of allowing myself to be led into an unknown, and go with the flow..... I’m sure it will be good for me, in fact I’m already beginning to quite like it!
Thanks for reading, I hope the technology works out and I’m able to write regular updates, I’ve even managed to now change the settings on my blog to allow you to comment !! – do, we’d love to hear from you. We’ve had so many lovely texts and messages from folk wishing us well on our adventure that I leave England, as always, feeling incredibly loved and supported and so very grateful for all the lovely, lovely people in my life.
I wonder when is a good time to tell the team (that I don’t know very well) that I usually cry with fear on a plane?! Perhaps it’ll help the team building?!
To Africa........... x
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Everybody's doing it!!
Everybody's doing it!! Blogging that is. So I'm jumping on the Blogging Band Wagon and am writing a blog to share my African Adventure.
The story so far......During Easter 2010 I read a newsletter from 'Possibilities' (http://www.possibilities.org.uk), a charity based here in Needham Market. Rob, the charity Director, had just returned from Uganda where Possibilities supports an orphanage. As usual I read the report and was moved by all that this small charity was achieving. But as I read of Rob's intention to take a team out in July 2011, something stirred inside me. I knew this was for me! Conversations followed and to cut a long story short on Sunday 24th July, Jack, Zoe and I are flying to Uganda with a team of volunteers representing 'Possibilities'.
Over the last year we have raised funds in order to make this trip possible. So to those of you who 'Paid2Party' or even who paid but didn't party, or who bought raffle tickets, or who cooked and baked, or who gave up their Sunday roast for my 'take away', or gave anonymously, Thank You! I consider it a privilege to be surrounded by so many supportive friends and family. It is so much with you in mind I am planning to write during our trip so that, should you wish to, you can follow our adventure. I'd love you to.
Whilst I am nervous about what the next few weeks holds I am also so excited that I am sharing and living this experience with Jack & Zoe. Since booking the trip I have anticipated one, if not both (!), of them losing interest or changing their mind about wanting to come. Not so! Their enthusiasm and interest hasn't waivered, not once! They remain as keen today as they were on the day we decided to go - which has confirmed to me that this is right for us, right now!
So, I'll leave it there for today. There's so much to be done before stepping on the plane, there are lists about lists in this house at the moment! Packing hasn't begun, clothes still need to be bought, the grass needs cutting, the rabbit run needs fixing, term needs finishing but as always, I know it'll get done and I have a feeling that this is going to be quite, quite something. Something about Hopes and something about Dreams.
Helen x
The story so far......During Easter 2010 I read a newsletter from 'Possibilities' (http://www.possibilities.org.uk), a charity based here in Needham Market. Rob, the charity Director, had just returned from Uganda where Possibilities supports an orphanage. As usual I read the report and was moved by all that this small charity was achieving. But as I read of Rob's intention to take a team out in July 2011, something stirred inside me. I knew this was for me! Conversations followed and to cut a long story short on Sunday 24th July, Jack, Zoe and I are flying to Uganda with a team of volunteers representing 'Possibilities'.
Over the last year we have raised funds in order to make this trip possible. So to those of you who 'Paid2Party' or even who paid but didn't party, or who bought raffle tickets, or who cooked and baked, or who gave up their Sunday roast for my 'take away', or gave anonymously, Thank You! I consider it a privilege to be surrounded by so many supportive friends and family. It is so much with you in mind I am planning to write during our trip so that, should you wish to, you can follow our adventure. I'd love you to.
Whilst I am nervous about what the next few weeks holds I am also so excited that I am sharing and living this experience with Jack & Zoe. Since booking the trip I have anticipated one, if not both (!), of them losing interest or changing their mind about wanting to come. Not so! Their enthusiasm and interest hasn't waivered, not once! They remain as keen today as they were on the day we decided to go - which has confirmed to me that this is right for us, right now!
So, I'll leave it there for today. There's so much to be done before stepping on the plane, there are lists about lists in this house at the moment! Packing hasn't begun, clothes still need to be bought, the grass needs cutting, the rabbit run needs fixing, term needs finishing but as always, I know it'll get done and I have a feeling that this is going to be quite, quite something. Something about Hopes and something about Dreams.
Helen x
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