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
Saturday, 30 July 2011
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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