Hi. I came into town to say goodbye to a few of my Ugandan friends, so I am using it also as a time to get out a last minute blog. After tomorrow I do not know how much internet access I will have, as I will be traveling.
I will go back to the guesthouse after this, and try to actually witness the slaughtering of our Thanksgiving Turkey and two chickens... yikes!!! However, there really is something peaceful about knowing where your Turkey and Chickens have come from. To see them riding upside down on your friend's bicycle hand bars and know that they have REALLY been free range and hormone free. Though I think seeing their neck's chopped off may make me vomit, I feel I need to have at least a bite of the meat to pay homage to my little friends and their lives. But we will see what really happens.
The other day when we had our friends over for dinner we made them a pizzookie! Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie with melted ice cream in the middle.... YUM!!! It was a new taste and sensation for the Ugandan's and Judith did her little praise God dance! It was very funny. Our friends are funny and the phrases that come out of their mouth are hilarious. My friend Peter was trying to listen to the ipod the other day, and the earphone kept falling from his ear. We told him to stick it in his ear better and his response was, "I am fearful it will pierce my drum!" Then we offered my friend Timothy Gobbstoppers that one girl from the team had left with us, and he went to bite it and almost broke his tooth and said, "I think these are stones. Can I have another stone please?" It is just funny how things are translated so different. Instead of saying, "can you move over, please" They get in a taxi and tell you to "extend that way". I will miss my friends here. And will really miss Fiona. I told her yesterday that I only had two more days here. She became very silent and I asked her if she was ok. Her response that almost broke my heart, "I am sad you will leave me." UGHH... can't I just put her in my suitcase?
Anyway... I am off now. Must get back to the house to cook and see the turkey off as he leaves his life here as he knows it.
Wish me luck that I can witness it. Hope all is well and I love you!
Thanks for the comments and notes. More when I can. Until then, you are all in my heart!
Peace & Blessings!
Heather
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!
I hope you day provides you with lots of laughter and love among those you share the holiday with. I hope on this day you are reminded of how much you are blessed to have and how many you are blessed to love and be loved by. I will celebrating the holiday on Saturday and will be thinking of you!
SENDING YOU ALL OF MY LOVE AND GOOD THOUGHTS!!
PS. I have updated my photo page. I hope they have come through!
PSS. It is very expensive for me to call out, though through skype (www.skype.com) you can get an account and also put money on it and call my cell phone here from your computer. I will not be traveling with my computer, so I will not be able to do it from mine. It is 15cents a minute, if anyone every gets the urge to call. We are 11 hours ahead of California. my cell number is Country code 256 and then cell number is 256779464973
XXXOOO
Peace & Blessings
Heather
I hope you day provides you with lots of laughter and love among those you share the holiday with. I hope on this day you are reminded of how much you are blessed to have and how many you are blessed to love and be loved by. I will celebrating the holiday on Saturday and will be thinking of you!
SENDING YOU ALL OF MY LOVE AND GOOD THOUGHTS!!
PS. I have updated my photo page. I hope they have come through!
PSS. It is very expensive for me to call out, though through skype (www.skype.com) you can get an account and also put money on it and call my cell phone here from your computer. I will not be traveling with my computer, so I will not be able to do it from mine. It is 15cents a minute, if anyone every gets the urge to call. We are 11 hours ahead of California. my cell number is Country code 256 and then cell number is 256779464973
XXXOOO
Peace & Blessings
Heather
Last few days in Tororo....
Well, I have my last few days in Tororo all planned out. I am sad my time is ending here, but there is no question in my mind whether or not I will be back. I have met some amazing people and have new friends. I was visiting with Fiona, the girl I sponsor, last night and she showed me the journal I gave her. Inside were some drawings that her, her sister and her best friend drew. Amazing and so sweet. Her friend Elizabeth drew a picture of Fiona and I holding hands. I will download that photo too. I was so proud of them. She is such a doll. They have had exams the last few days and they leave for holiday on Friday. I would like to say they will all go home, but many will just be going to a neighbors or extended family member’s home, as so many have lost their parents. Tomorrow we are going to have an activity day for all of the children here at True Vine. We will do arts and crafts, sport drills, and then a orphan vs. adult game of basketball. I hope I help my team and don’t hinder them! Thursday night I have invited some of my new local friends over for dinner. Most of them work in the orphan office, two of which have already had us over for dinner and I want to return the favor and enjoy what may be my last social gathering with them before I leave on Sunday. SAD!!!
On Friday I will go to Smile Africa for the last time. It is the hardest site for me to go to. The need of these children is so great and it is a place where you really see the neglect of children. I will be glad to see them one more time. After that I am going to take a visit to the Tororo City Hospital. I have heard that it has been remodeled, but that the degree of sickness is still really bad and many people wait to be seen that may never get the chance because they can not afford any of the medical care. I hope we can help them just by sitting with them and praying for them for a bit. Saturday will be our post Thanksgiving Day. All of the Peace Corps volunteers in the area will come to the guesthouse and we will make a huge Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of our Ugandan friends.
Sunday, it is off to begin our trip. Kristina and I (and Kendra will join us for the first night) will travel to Kisumu, Kenya and meet up with a friend from True Vine, Andrew. His family lives in Kisumu, which is about 7 hours outside of Nairobi. We will stay with his family and he will show us around the city and then accompany us to Nairobi so we do not have to go alone. From Nairobi we will go to the coast of Kenya for a few nights, then travel to Mt. Kiliminjaro. I need to see the Mt. that I know one day soon I WILL climb. I wish it could be this trip, but that is something I will have to save for and also be in a little better shape for. From there it is off to Zambia to see Dr. Cary and the work he is doing. I am looking forward to it all!
I am not sure whether or not I will have my laptop with me while I travel, as Andrew has been kind enough to let me keep a bag at his house so I do not have to travel with it. I will pick it up from him in Nairobi before my flight. Oh, my flight leaves Nairobi on CHRISTMAS DAY!!! Sad, but there were no other flight options. I asked them to look from Dec 20 to Jan 20 and Christmas day was the only day that had an available seat on all of the flights back to Phoenix. Please think of me on Christmas Day!
So, in brief that is what has been going on for me and what is about to happen for me. I miss you all and love you so much. Everyday has been so memorable, I am blessed to be surrounded by so many gracious and loving people.
I wish everybody a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and remember there is so much to be THANKFUL for. I hope you can speak of that around the dinner table as you enjoy your holiday meal. Be grateful and know you are blessed.
Until next time….. I am off to let the next stages of my journey unfold!
Peace, Love and MANY blessings,
Heather
On Friday I will go to Smile Africa for the last time. It is the hardest site for me to go to. The need of these children is so great and it is a place where you really see the neglect of children. I will be glad to see them one more time. After that I am going to take a visit to the Tororo City Hospital. I have heard that it has been remodeled, but that the degree of sickness is still really bad and many people wait to be seen that may never get the chance because they can not afford any of the medical care. I hope we can help them just by sitting with them and praying for them for a bit. Saturday will be our post Thanksgiving Day. All of the Peace Corps volunteers in the area will come to the guesthouse and we will make a huge Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of our Ugandan friends.
Sunday, it is off to begin our trip. Kristina and I (and Kendra will join us for the first night) will travel to Kisumu, Kenya and meet up with a friend from True Vine, Andrew. His family lives in Kisumu, which is about 7 hours outside of Nairobi. We will stay with his family and he will show us around the city and then accompany us to Nairobi so we do not have to go alone. From Nairobi we will go to the coast of Kenya for a few nights, then travel to Mt. Kiliminjaro. I need to see the Mt. that I know one day soon I WILL climb. I wish it could be this trip, but that is something I will have to save for and also be in a little better shape for. From there it is off to Zambia to see Dr. Cary and the work he is doing. I am looking forward to it all!
I am not sure whether or not I will have my laptop with me while I travel, as Andrew has been kind enough to let me keep a bag at his house so I do not have to travel with it. I will pick it up from him in Nairobi before my flight. Oh, my flight leaves Nairobi on CHRISTMAS DAY!!! Sad, but there were no other flight options. I asked them to look from Dec 20 to Jan 20 and Christmas day was the only day that had an available seat on all of the flights back to Phoenix. Please think of me on Christmas Day!
So, in brief that is what has been going on for me and what is about to happen for me. I miss you all and love you so much. Everyday has been so memorable, I am blessed to be surrounded by so many gracious and loving people.
I wish everybody a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and remember there is so much to be THANKFUL for. I hope you can speak of that around the dinner table as you enjoy your holiday meal. Be grateful and know you are blessed.
Until next time….. I am off to let the next stages of my journey unfold!
Peace, Love and MANY blessings,
Heather
Firsts!
Before I start... I just want to let you know that I changed the settings for the comments, you no longer have to have an account to leave a comments, so feel free to leave me a message. Thanks!
Ok , so here are some of my “Firsts”, aka, things I have experienced in the last week for the frist time here in Africa!
I have been very lucky in the past few weeks to not have to rely on public transport. With the team we always had our own personal driver, and when they left we had one driver helping us out for a little while. But, finally on Monday on our way back from Kampala (the “capital” of Uganda), I finally had my first taste of real public transport. Let’s just say I was thankful that this Taxi (Which I would best describe as a mini-van with 4 rows of seats that fit 3 people in a row, plus the driver and two passengers up front) followed the rules of three in a row, instead of trying to cram 4 to make more money! So we traveled 4.5 hours on bumpy, potholed, dirt roads all the way back to Tororo. My seat, at the end, was a little rocky and one pothole put my right into my neighbors lap. That was a special treat! Anyway, we made it back, numb bottom and all! The best part is it only cost us what would be equivalent to $8! As I leave Sunday for my travel trip towards Zambia, I know there will be many more crazy public transport experiences.
Another recent “first” was traveling back from town on a Motor Boda (motorcycle). That is the other transport option. It is either a taxi, motor Boda, Bicycle Boda, or private car, which is too expensive for one or two people. Kristina and I were in town and I really wanted to taste the motor boda. We thought that Kendra told us it was supposed to be 700 Shillings from town to True Vine, so when the drivers told us that it would cost us 1500 we argued with them for about 15 minutes. We didn’t want to be cheated, and we kept saying, “you are cheating us, we know it is 700. Do not give us the Mazungu price, we know how much it costs.” They would not budge and finally one agreed to take both of us on one boda for 2000. We finally agreed. I loved it. It was a good and fast way to travel from town. When we got back we told Kendra they tried to cheat us. It turns out, we bargained for 15 minutes for nothing. 1500 is the correct price for one passenger to True Vine; she was giving us the price for a bicycle boda! Oh, we felt awful! Lesson learned. But it usually is all about bargaining, and at least we got to practice our bargaining skills. I felt like I did a really great job!
Today I experienced a “first” for eating. Today was the only time I have been invited into someone’s house for a meal and didn’t know what I was going to do because I was afraid to eat it! We went to a village called Mumbatuma for a Disease Prevention, Nutrition, and Family Planning outreach. It was great and a really sweet village. More laid back than some of the others I have been too, but very nice. A church in Huntington Beach, CA sponsors this village and the church they built is simple but beautiful. They had some of the children in the church make them a homemade wall hanging out of squares with messages written on them. One child wrote, “I am sorry you are poor, but you are faithful”! How sweet is that? Sorry, I digress….. After our presentation, the Pastor of the church (Pastor Jessica), invited us to a meal. That is customary, and has been done in most of the villages we have visited. However, in most other villages there has been a large variety of food from beans to rice to tomatoes stew, to Matake (which is fried banana mush basically). So, I have been able to get away without eating the chicken or beef available. Well, at Jessica’s all that was offered was their customary Millet Bread, which is basically this big mound of dough millet that you pull apart and everyone pulls from (MORE than ONCE I may add, by hand, and that same hand is also used as a utensil!). And the other dish was PORK (In case you don’t remember, I barely eat CHICKEN!)! I looked at Kendra in horror, because I know you have to eat or it is rude. I whispered, “can I just pick out a potato?”, as it looked to be mixed with potatoes and a few stewed tomatoes. She whispered back, “those aren’t potatoes, its fat”! Are you kidding me? Thank goodness for the very few tomatoes, I went for the bowl as fast as I could to make sure I could grab the few and have something in my bowl. Jessica wished for me to eat more, but oh, I expressed how good what I had was and how easily I get full. It was a small white lie, as I NEVER get full, but it was my only option.
Hope to download some of the pictures soon! Oh, the other thing. Although my banana bread on the Sigiri did not turn out so well, the chocolate cookie pie I made on the Sigiri last night turned out fantastic! And I think my roommates love me for it.
xxoo
Peace & Love
Heather
Ok , so here are some of my “Firsts”, aka, things I have experienced in the last week for the frist time here in Africa!
I have been very lucky in the past few weeks to not have to rely on public transport. With the team we always had our own personal driver, and when they left we had one driver helping us out for a little while. But, finally on Monday on our way back from Kampala (the “capital” of Uganda), I finally had my first taste of real public transport. Let’s just say I was thankful that this Taxi (Which I would best describe as a mini-van with 4 rows of seats that fit 3 people in a row, plus the driver and two passengers up front) followed the rules of three in a row, instead of trying to cram 4 to make more money! So we traveled 4.5 hours on bumpy, potholed, dirt roads all the way back to Tororo. My seat, at the end, was a little rocky and one pothole put my right into my neighbors lap. That was a special treat! Anyway, we made it back, numb bottom and all! The best part is it only cost us what would be equivalent to $8! As I leave Sunday for my travel trip towards Zambia, I know there will be many more crazy public transport experiences.
Another recent “first” was traveling back from town on a Motor Boda (motorcycle). That is the other transport option. It is either a taxi, motor Boda, Bicycle Boda, or private car, which is too expensive for one or two people. Kristina and I were in town and I really wanted to taste the motor boda. We thought that Kendra told us it was supposed to be 700 Shillings from town to True Vine, so when the drivers told us that it would cost us 1500 we argued with them for about 15 minutes. We didn’t want to be cheated, and we kept saying, “you are cheating us, we know it is 700. Do not give us the Mazungu price, we know how much it costs.” They would not budge and finally one agreed to take both of us on one boda for 2000. We finally agreed. I loved it. It was a good and fast way to travel from town. When we got back we told Kendra they tried to cheat us. It turns out, we bargained for 15 minutes for nothing. 1500 is the correct price for one passenger to True Vine; she was giving us the price for a bicycle boda! Oh, we felt awful! Lesson learned. But it usually is all about bargaining, and at least we got to practice our bargaining skills. I felt like I did a really great job!
Today I experienced a “first” for eating. Today was the only time I have been invited into someone’s house for a meal and didn’t know what I was going to do because I was afraid to eat it! We went to a village called Mumbatuma for a Disease Prevention, Nutrition, and Family Planning outreach. It was great and a really sweet village. More laid back than some of the others I have been too, but very nice. A church in Huntington Beach, CA sponsors this village and the church they built is simple but beautiful. They had some of the children in the church make them a homemade wall hanging out of squares with messages written on them. One child wrote, “I am sorry you are poor, but you are faithful”! How sweet is that? Sorry, I digress….. After our presentation, the Pastor of the church (Pastor Jessica), invited us to a meal. That is customary, and has been done in most of the villages we have visited. However, in most other villages there has been a large variety of food from beans to rice to tomatoes stew, to Matake (which is fried banana mush basically). So, I have been able to get away without eating the chicken or beef available. Well, at Jessica’s all that was offered was their customary Millet Bread, which is basically this big mound of dough millet that you pull apart and everyone pulls from (MORE than ONCE I may add, by hand, and that same hand is also used as a utensil!). And the other dish was PORK (In case you don’t remember, I barely eat CHICKEN!)! I looked at Kendra in horror, because I know you have to eat or it is rude. I whispered, “can I just pick out a potato?”, as it looked to be mixed with potatoes and a few stewed tomatoes. She whispered back, “those aren’t potatoes, its fat”! Are you kidding me? Thank goodness for the very few tomatoes, I went for the bowl as fast as I could to make sure I could grab the few and have something in my bowl. Jessica wished for me to eat more, but oh, I expressed how good what I had was and how easily I get full. It was a small white lie, as I NEVER get full, but it was my only option.
Hope to download some of the pictures soon! Oh, the other thing. Although my banana bread on the Sigiri did not turn out so well, the chocolate cookie pie I made on the Sigiri last night turned out fantastic! And I think my roommates love me for it.
xxoo
Peace & Love
Heather
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Hi. It's me! I am in town tonight using the internet. My roommates and I were supposed to go to Kampala today, but one of them was sick yesterday with the stomach flu and I came down with something last night that I am trying to fight. Some kind of bad head and body ache. I am fine though and I know I will be ok. Hopefully we can go tomorrow. There are some things in the big city that you can not get here in town in Tororo. Life has been going well. On wed. we did an outreach clinic at the local market. It is interesting to set up immunizations and check-ups in the middle of a market, in the dirt, where children gather around to watch everything you are doing. The women that come with their babies are very grateful, and sit and listen closely as we speak to them about nutrition and health for their babies. It was a new experience and we will be doing more next week, one outreach will actually be at one of the far villages.
We have been completely out of water for the last 4 days. There is a man on site called "waterman" who brings us water from another village a few miles away. He is so kind and he loves his job. He comes to our house every day and calls out "sisters, is there anything i can do for you?" We try to find little jobs here and there for him to do so we can pay him. We now have another woman who is friends with the pastor and she has been assigned to us to do anything else we need. We have a hard time asking her to do things, but I will tell you it was extremly helpful to have her do our stacked up loads of wash. At first I felt bad, because its not like I couldn't do it myself, but I have been reminded that it is helpful and not rude, because she needs the money. (I digress as I am watching a HUGE lizard climb up the wall in the internet cafe next to me...). Yes, I am learning to live with all kinds of creatures. I am starting to understand that I will never be able to kill all of the fruitflies in our kitchen and that sharing my food with them and with ants really isnt that bad of thing.
We were invited over to one of our Ugandan friend's home for dinner the other night. His name is Klephas and him and his wife both work at True Vine and are so nice. My roommates and I are having a hard time with the fact that we live in this "mansion" and then we go to dinner at our friends and they live in small mud huts that are only 2-3 rooms, with no electricity or running water. But the wonderful thing is how welcomed you are. They put some much effort into making us feel comfortable. We use a keroseen lamp to see, and the 7 of us, minus Judith (Klefious' wife) played Hong Kong Rummie all night. And they were so funny playing a card game they have never played.Klephas kept saying, "Oh me Gosh" "oh, let me win, please". Judith was in the kitchen cooking for at least 2 hours. I felt awful, as I don't think I have ever spent a night in the kitchen cooking when company was over. It is not customary to help the woman cook if you are a guest. And it was nice to see that Judith was allowed to eat with us, as many wives are not allowed. One custom that I could NEVER get used to. Thank god for the freedom I have. Eating dinner there was really a reality check and has once again reminded me how blessed I am. How much I take for granted and I that I must be grateful everyday for all we are free to experience in the US.
But, the company was amazing. And the food was customary, Rice, Potatoes, Posho (a very fine corn grain), millet and beans. Oh and chicken, which I try really hard to stay away from here, ekk! And for dessert, bananas and watermelon. The one thing I was surprised that no one makes is banana bread. So I tried to make it the other night, and now I know why no one makes it. There are no ovens! So, I decided to use my roommates Sigiri, which is an outdoor coal burning oven and you use two big pots to stick the bread pan in, and hope it cooks. Well, last night we tasted the bread at our dinner party we hosted, and it tasted like Playdoo! Yes, banana Playdoo! So, no more banana bread here. I have added a photo of the baking process on the other site. Haha. Making dinner for 10 people is a challenge without an oven, but we pulled it off. We made American food, spaghetti, veg soup and chimichangas. The Ugandans dont enjoy our spices very much. Maybe I SHOULD live here as everything they eat is bland! Just the way I like it. It was a fun night though, card games and Cranium and many laughs.
Oh, I have to change my name to. NO one can pronounce Heather. It always comes out as Hezha with much hesitation. So now I introduce myself as Heatha. Still not that easy, but getting easier.
All for now, need to go. Much love! xxoo
Peace & BLessings
Heather
We have been completely out of water for the last 4 days. There is a man on site called "waterman" who brings us water from another village a few miles away. He is so kind and he loves his job. He comes to our house every day and calls out "sisters, is there anything i can do for you?" We try to find little jobs here and there for him to do so we can pay him. We now have another woman who is friends with the pastor and she has been assigned to us to do anything else we need. We have a hard time asking her to do things, but I will tell you it was extremly helpful to have her do our stacked up loads of wash. At first I felt bad, because its not like I couldn't do it myself, but I have been reminded that it is helpful and not rude, because she needs the money. (I digress as I am watching a HUGE lizard climb up the wall in the internet cafe next to me...). Yes, I am learning to live with all kinds of creatures. I am starting to understand that I will never be able to kill all of the fruitflies in our kitchen and that sharing my food with them and with ants really isnt that bad of thing.
We were invited over to one of our Ugandan friend's home for dinner the other night. His name is Klephas and him and his wife both work at True Vine and are so nice. My roommates and I are having a hard time with the fact that we live in this "mansion" and then we go to dinner at our friends and they live in small mud huts that are only 2-3 rooms, with no electricity or running water. But the wonderful thing is how welcomed you are. They put some much effort into making us feel comfortable. We use a keroseen lamp to see, and the 7 of us, minus Judith (Klefious' wife) played Hong Kong Rummie all night. And they were so funny playing a card game they have never played.Klephas kept saying, "Oh me Gosh" "oh, let me win, please". Judith was in the kitchen cooking for at least 2 hours. I felt awful, as I don't think I have ever spent a night in the kitchen cooking when company was over. It is not customary to help the woman cook if you are a guest. And it was nice to see that Judith was allowed to eat with us, as many wives are not allowed. One custom that I could NEVER get used to. Thank god for the freedom I have. Eating dinner there was really a reality check and has once again reminded me how blessed I am. How much I take for granted and I that I must be grateful everyday for all we are free to experience in the US.
But, the company was amazing. And the food was customary, Rice, Potatoes, Posho (a very fine corn grain), millet and beans. Oh and chicken, which I try really hard to stay away from here, ekk! And for dessert, bananas and watermelon. The one thing I was surprised that no one makes is banana bread. So I tried to make it the other night, and now I know why no one makes it. There are no ovens! So, I decided to use my roommates Sigiri, which is an outdoor coal burning oven and you use two big pots to stick the bread pan in, and hope it cooks. Well, last night we tasted the bread at our dinner party we hosted, and it tasted like Playdoo! Yes, banana Playdoo! So, no more banana bread here. I have added a photo of the baking process on the other site. Haha. Making dinner for 10 people is a challenge without an oven, but we pulled it off. We made American food, spaghetti, veg soup and chimichangas. The Ugandans dont enjoy our spices very much. Maybe I SHOULD live here as everything they eat is bland! Just the way I like it. It was a fun night though, card games and Cranium and many laughs.
Oh, I have to change my name to. NO one can pronounce Heather. It always comes out as Hezha with much hesitation. So now I introduce myself as Heatha. Still not that easy, but getting easier.
All for now, need to go. Much love! xxoo
Peace & BLessings
Heather
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A few photos!
Hi... I was able to download a few photos...
I will add here when I can:
http://gallery.me.com/heather13
Enjoy!
Peace & Blessings
Heather
I will add here when I can:
http://gallery.me.com/heather13
Enjoy!
Peace & Blessings
Heather
Living the Life
Hi Family and Friends!
Well it is the start of a new adventure for me. I am now living in Uganda, well probably just for the next two weeks, but it feels like living here. I am fortunate enough (along with another girl from the team and their Peace Corps rep) to be staying on the property of True Vine the church/boarding school that Hope 4 Kids supports that I have told you about. They built a guest house, and for Africa standards the guest house they built is a MANSION! A mansion with no running water that is! Yeah, they keep losing the water because instead of putting a large water tank in to feed into a small water tank, they have put in a small water tank to feed a large water tank, which leaves no pressure to push the water through and the WHOLE school, medical clinic and church use the water, so water is available for about 2 hours a day (if that). I have become a pro at Bucket Bathing! Yes, I do actually fill a basin with water, add some boiled water so it is not so cold, then stand in a bath and use a small cup to pour water over me. It is interesting to say the least and makes me feel like part of the culture. It actually isn’t that bad, but considering how much sweat comes off of my body everyday, it will be nice one day to come home and take a real shower. That being said, we really do live in luxury though. They have done everything they can to make our accommodation as “American” as possible. Which in a way makes me feel bad, as we do not need all that they are trying to provide us and I wish they were providing for themselves instead. The only other part of living on the boarding school property is that the orphans love to peek into our windows and bang on our door. You need to tell them, “you have bad manners and this is not okay.” But I feel bad and just smile and then I create a problem. So now, I must be stern. Good luck with that, right?
However, it is a blessing to be on the property and see where some of the money that everyone who supported me is going. To be able to see the children in the boarding school everyday, and see them smile knowing that they are being given a chance for education and decent living. I get to see my sponsored child, Fiona, everyday while I am here. She is a top student and that makes me feel proud. We see the clinic in operation and witness healing that may otherwise not have taken place. Yesterday I was helping Elizabeth (the H4K director of sponsorship) take pictures of the children and give out blankets and mattresses to those who do not have any and are not living at the boarding school. There were over 250 sponsored children here yesterday. Trying to get them all in line was quite the task, but we got it done and they were all smiles. They also held a workshop for the caregivers to teach them about Proper nutrition, hygiene, family planning and overall how to care for the orphans so they do not get sick and so they can continue to stay in the sponsorship program and receive education.
I also had the good fortune of being able to accompany a woman from H4K, who is still here with her husband, to go out into the jungle where she supports a 120-year-old woman. She met this woman a few years back on a trip when she was interviewing Ugandan women for a book she was writing. Wazimba (the 120-yr-old woman) lives in a very small hut and cannot walk. However, she is gracious and kind and was so happy for the visitors. She was full of joy when Rachel handed her a new dress and some food. The pictures will show you more detail (when I get them going… sorry!). The road to her home was like being on Mr. Toad’s Wild ride at Disneyland, though most of the trips to the villages are like that. Rachel is now going to be interviewing the teen girls who prostitute for a living and she hopes to begin fundraising for them and building them a community where they no longer have to prostitute and can be educated. Included in that cause she will hold workshops for their caregivers that will help to educate them on why they cannot sell their daughters. Things that we would never consider doing, the people here do because they have no choice in their minds. Rachel will help the girls to find projects they are good and with small macro loans they can hopefully begin their own businesses.
As I have said before there is much to do here in this country and at times I feel like I don’t know how to be of help. I am still just trying to figure out my place and try to understand how I can be of service in such a small period of time. I hope when I do leave here that I have made at least just one small difference in even one person’s day. It is hard to tell in such a small amount of time, what your purpose has been, but I hope someday, I will be able to come back and continue to help these people. In the meantime, when I am back in the states, I will continue to love Africa, the people and never forget what I have seen here.
The one thing that I have come to learn the most about is patience when it comes to time. There is no such thing as normal routine. Days are long and much of it is filled with sitting and waiting. And for me that is very difficult, as many of you may know my go, go, go personality! But, I have learned that if you need to get to town and someone takes you, you may spend hours there, and they will still be waiting in their van for you. Just sitting and talking to friends in the same spot and you will have had no idea that they were waiting. And you say, “I am so sorry to have had you waiting. I did not know that you wait for me” and they laugh and say “it’s okay, we just wait.” Can you imagine if we took someone to town and then waited for them? And didn’t mind? What a concept to be so kind and serving!
Next week I will go with Kendra (the Peace Corps volunteer) and Christina (the other H4K volunteer) to hold some workshops at the 7 villages that H4K sponsors. They each have a clinic and we will give lectures to the villagers on Health, Nutrition, Family Planning and also bring the women from the True Vine Clinic to do immunizations and de-worming. It will be interesting and I am really looking forward to that. I will keep you posted.
We are also going to have an American Thanksgiving with the other Peace Corps volunteers in the area on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Ah, we will make some real American food and we hope by then to have running water and enough electricity to make a turkey (that may I add will be killed ON OUR PROPERTY!!!) . HAHA one can always hope. Well there is always the Ugandan way, which is to build a fire pit INSIDE your HUT! I will be leaving Uganda probably on the 1st of December to do some traveling and then to Zambia to work with my cousin Cary. I will probably just spend a week in Zambia, as he may be off to a more populated part of the country to get materials that are not available in Mansa.
Once again, I have to say, there is SO much to do. So many who need help and aid, and who also want help. It would be my pleasure to be able to host some of these people I have come to know here in Uganda in my American home. I hope to have that opportunity. I also dream that one day I may be in a position to come here with my husband and find either a village, school, group of orphans or young women whom we can support and help create a more fruitful life. I know my time in Africa will not end after December and that I will be back and will continue to give in all the ways that I am blessed to do so.
If at anytime you feel a need to sponsor a child or lend financial support to a community or village or project, please let me know and I can help connect you to the right people or make sure your donation is being used for the correct purpose.
I look forward to the continuing adventure. Stay tuned. Please keep me posted on how things are in your neck of the woods. Remember one day for you is like a week for me. While your days still go on with your normal routine, my days are long and though you may not think I am missing anything, I feel like I am. I love you all and hope you know that your prayers and your financial support are all going to great causes.
PS. Sorry if my post are too long! I just have a lot to share ☺
Well it is the start of a new adventure for me. I am now living in Uganda, well probably just for the next two weeks, but it feels like living here. I am fortunate enough (along with another girl from the team and their Peace Corps rep) to be staying on the property of True Vine the church/boarding school that Hope 4 Kids supports that I have told you about. They built a guest house, and for Africa standards the guest house they built is a MANSION! A mansion with no running water that is! Yeah, they keep losing the water because instead of putting a large water tank in to feed into a small water tank, they have put in a small water tank to feed a large water tank, which leaves no pressure to push the water through and the WHOLE school, medical clinic and church use the water, so water is available for about 2 hours a day (if that). I have become a pro at Bucket Bathing! Yes, I do actually fill a basin with water, add some boiled water so it is not so cold, then stand in a bath and use a small cup to pour water over me. It is interesting to say the least and makes me feel like part of the culture. It actually isn’t that bad, but considering how much sweat comes off of my body everyday, it will be nice one day to come home and take a real shower. That being said, we really do live in luxury though. They have done everything they can to make our accommodation as “American” as possible. Which in a way makes me feel bad, as we do not need all that they are trying to provide us and I wish they were providing for themselves instead. The only other part of living on the boarding school property is that the orphans love to peek into our windows and bang on our door. You need to tell them, “you have bad manners and this is not okay.” But I feel bad and just smile and then I create a problem. So now, I must be stern. Good luck with that, right?
However, it is a blessing to be on the property and see where some of the money that everyone who supported me is going. To be able to see the children in the boarding school everyday, and see them smile knowing that they are being given a chance for education and decent living. I get to see my sponsored child, Fiona, everyday while I am here. She is a top student and that makes me feel proud. We see the clinic in operation and witness healing that may otherwise not have taken place. Yesterday I was helping Elizabeth (the H4K director of sponsorship) take pictures of the children and give out blankets and mattresses to those who do not have any and are not living at the boarding school. There were over 250 sponsored children here yesterday. Trying to get them all in line was quite the task, but we got it done and they were all smiles. They also held a workshop for the caregivers to teach them about Proper nutrition, hygiene, family planning and overall how to care for the orphans so they do not get sick and so they can continue to stay in the sponsorship program and receive education.
I also had the good fortune of being able to accompany a woman from H4K, who is still here with her husband, to go out into the jungle where she supports a 120-year-old woman. She met this woman a few years back on a trip when she was interviewing Ugandan women for a book she was writing. Wazimba (the 120-yr-old woman) lives in a very small hut and cannot walk. However, she is gracious and kind and was so happy for the visitors. She was full of joy when Rachel handed her a new dress and some food. The pictures will show you more detail (when I get them going… sorry!). The road to her home was like being on Mr. Toad’s Wild ride at Disneyland, though most of the trips to the villages are like that. Rachel is now going to be interviewing the teen girls who prostitute for a living and she hopes to begin fundraising for them and building them a community where they no longer have to prostitute and can be educated. Included in that cause she will hold workshops for their caregivers that will help to educate them on why they cannot sell their daughters. Things that we would never consider doing, the people here do because they have no choice in their minds. Rachel will help the girls to find projects they are good and with small macro loans they can hopefully begin their own businesses.
As I have said before there is much to do here in this country and at times I feel like I don’t know how to be of help. I am still just trying to figure out my place and try to understand how I can be of service in such a small period of time. I hope when I do leave here that I have made at least just one small difference in even one person’s day. It is hard to tell in such a small amount of time, what your purpose has been, but I hope someday, I will be able to come back and continue to help these people. In the meantime, when I am back in the states, I will continue to love Africa, the people and never forget what I have seen here.
The one thing that I have come to learn the most about is patience when it comes to time. There is no such thing as normal routine. Days are long and much of it is filled with sitting and waiting. And for me that is very difficult, as many of you may know my go, go, go personality! But, I have learned that if you need to get to town and someone takes you, you may spend hours there, and they will still be waiting in their van for you. Just sitting and talking to friends in the same spot and you will have had no idea that they were waiting. And you say, “I am so sorry to have had you waiting. I did not know that you wait for me” and they laugh and say “it’s okay, we just wait.” Can you imagine if we took someone to town and then waited for them? And didn’t mind? What a concept to be so kind and serving!
Next week I will go with Kendra (the Peace Corps volunteer) and Christina (the other H4K volunteer) to hold some workshops at the 7 villages that H4K sponsors. They each have a clinic and we will give lectures to the villagers on Health, Nutrition, Family Planning and also bring the women from the True Vine Clinic to do immunizations and de-worming. It will be interesting and I am really looking forward to that. I will keep you posted.
We are also going to have an American Thanksgiving with the other Peace Corps volunteers in the area on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Ah, we will make some real American food and we hope by then to have running water and enough electricity to make a turkey (that may I add will be killed ON OUR PROPERTY!!!) . HAHA one can always hope. Well there is always the Ugandan way, which is to build a fire pit INSIDE your HUT! I will be leaving Uganda probably on the 1st of December to do some traveling and then to Zambia to work with my cousin Cary. I will probably just spend a week in Zambia, as he may be off to a more populated part of the country to get materials that are not available in Mansa.
Once again, I have to say, there is SO much to do. So many who need help and aid, and who also want help. It would be my pleasure to be able to host some of these people I have come to know here in Uganda in my American home. I hope to have that opportunity. I also dream that one day I may be in a position to come here with my husband and find either a village, school, group of orphans or young women whom we can support and help create a more fruitful life. I know my time in Africa will not end after December and that I will be back and will continue to give in all the ways that I am blessed to do so.
If at anytime you feel a need to sponsor a child or lend financial support to a community or village or project, please let me know and I can help connect you to the right people or make sure your donation is being used for the correct purpose.
I look forward to the continuing adventure. Stay tuned. Please keep me posted on how things are in your neck of the woods. Remember one day for you is like a week for me. While your days still go on with your normal routine, my days are long and though you may not think I am missing anything, I feel like I am. I love you all and hope you know that your prayers and your financial support are all going to great causes.
PS. Sorry if my post are too long! I just have a lot to share ☺
Saturday, November 15, 2008
FYI
Hi. I have a second, and I thought I would let you all know that you can view some photos of our trip (not mine, but the ones that H4K has been taking) on the H4K website. www.hopeforkidsinternational.org
Just go to the website and look for the link that says something like Recent Trip Blog or Photos. You should be able to see some of what I have been doing and read about our journey. Hopefully I will get some of mine up soon! Much love!
Peace
Heather
Just go to the website and look for the link that says something like Recent Trip Blog or Photos. You should be able to see some of what I have been doing and read about our journey. Hopefully I will get some of mine up soon! Much love!
Peace
Heather
Friday, November 14, 2008
Some things CAN NOT be explained....
Hi. I am sending my love through this blog and asking for continued prayer. The days have gotten more difficult emotionally. And although there is so much I WANT to describe and express, I just can not. I have come to realize that Africa is not something that can be shared or told about, it is an experience that has to be witnessed by every individual. And I am so thankful that I am here to be a witness. And again, I have so many of you to thank. You are not only blessing me, but with your donations you have blessed so many that never would have had the chance they now have. H4K has enriched the lives of so many children and widows and entire villages. From providing water wells to villages that can serve more than 14, 000 and last up to 30 years to providing food and shelter for the children that other wise would be on the street or at home caring for their smaller siblings. These people have nothing and the government does not do anything to aid them. Please continue to say prayers.
I will give you a short run down of the last few days... because I do not have much time and the internet has been a little unreliable. But as they say here, TIA or This is Africa. Africa, where when you say, "Meet me at 2" it really means "Meet me at 4 or 5 or maybe 6". But no one cares, because really there is no place to go or get to. You learn you must just go with the flow.
And sorry this blog will not be as funny as the others. Its not that I have lost my sense of humor... I am definitely STILL funny (just ask my roommates)!
Ok, quick run down, before I have to run:
Day Four:
I went to visit True Vine Ministries, which is the main site that H4K hosts. It is beautiful and they have done so much with it. I toured the clinic and completely lost it... the people are just so sick and the clinic is just equipped with a few things, so the treatment is far from the highest level. The patients are SO grateful to see us when we come in. As are all the people all the time, mostly the children. As Tom (the founder of H4K) said to us today, "remember when you go back home to the states you are no longer a celebrity, so do not wave to people from the window as you drive down the street!" Anyway, I am excited to work at the clinic when the team leaves and I stay. I will do some massage and just help out where I can. Oh, yeah, I am staying on the True Vine Site when they leave on Sunday. They just finished building the guest house and it will be myself, another girl from the trip (Christina) and Kendra, their peace corp rep.
Ok, going on.... I also got to meet my sponsored child that day. What a DOLL!!! I can not wait until I can upload my photos and you can see here. Fiona is actually 9 years old, not 12 as I thought, and she is so sweet and so eager to learn and play and be loved! I am a lucky sponsor and now consider her family. She is in the boarding school program at true vine, so I will be blessed to see her everyday while I stay there on the property.
On to day five, just because I am short for time. It was the hardest day! We went to Smile Africa Ministries which is home to over 450 children. They are called the Karamojog Children and are basically the outcasts. They are mostly orphaned or live with aunts, neighbors or their widowed moms and have either no clothes or clothes that non of us would even use for rags. They are dirty and hungry and have sores and runny noses all the time. Some have extended bellies like you see in the tv commercials and some have hernias. The older siblings are for the younger ones and do so without asking. It is just a part of their life. When I upload the photos, you will not even believe and the photos do not even capture the truth. They are SO extremely happy when they see us coming. They sit on the cement of the outdoor classroom (only a roof, no walls, and dirt everywhere) and sing to us. Loudly singing... We are happy to see you!!! They come to you and want you at all times, hanging on you and pulling your hair, just so intrigued by the Muzungo (or white people). They want love and that is all. At Smile Africa they receive breakfast (hot porridge in a mug), a bath, bits and pieces of learning time, play time, lunch (rice and beans) and then more play time. There are few volunteers and Pastor Ruth is the one that finds all of the children and takes them in. I almost had no emotion because there was so much to be emotional about.
We did a clinic outreach that day as well. I worked alongside of the acupuncturist who is on our team this trip, and did massage as she worked on the women and men in the community who came for medical help. Some had regular problems, some had clubbed feet, one woman had elephantitis of the leg. Again, all things that I can not properly explain, and may never be able to.
On to day six. This was actually an amazing day. We went to a far off village to do an outreach. This particular village is sponsored by a couple who is with H4K. They paid for a well and for a church and the village is so honored and touched. It is far off in the mountains and is amazing. Beauty that I have not seen in the land since I was in Ireland. The people come to the church from the whole village and welcome us with song and bring us to the church and sing and dance and sing and dance. They gave us lunch, which I will explain more about the food on another day when I have more time, and just laughed and touched us. The children held every part of me that they could touch and walked with me and just wanted to be loved. No words were reallly exchanged because they do not speak english, but love was there and that was all that mattered. Wait till you see those photos. And the sky here, I digress, is amazing! Nothing like i have ever seen. Not even the arizona sunset can compare. It is mezmorizing and I love it!!!
Moving on.... Day seven.... today was also a day that brought me so much happiness...
We did a widows outreach. WOW. These women are just so happy that we are finding time to love them as well. We went to their homes (aka huts!!) and brought them flour, sugar, soap and kerosene. The gratitude that these women have is unbelievable. They sing and thank us as we leave and just can not believe that we would come to visit and bring them "gifts". It is a different world. We also had a widows tea party at True Vine. We got the 40 widows basins (wash tubs) and soaked their feet in them, and washed them, painted their nails, gave them lipstick and I did mini massages on them. This was one of the projects that the money I raised went to. Their parting gift was a bag with soap, toothpaste, lipstick, washcloth and shampoo. The love that you see is indescribable.
Well, tomorrow is another day. I wish I could better describe and also wish I could send photos, of what I am going through. I wish you could all experience it with me. I wish that you will decide to one day!
I look forward to my time in Zambia as well, when I get to see my cousin and see what life is like there. I can only imagine how much there is to do. How much we can work with his village and hopefully make some impact for those children.
Off I go for now. I need to head back to the hotel with the driver. More later. I promise. Thanks for taking the time to read this and send me comments. They make me happy and feel close to home. I miss you all! Peace and love always!
Blessings!
Heather
I will give you a short run down of the last few days... because I do not have much time and the internet has been a little unreliable. But as they say here, TIA or This is Africa. Africa, where when you say, "Meet me at 2" it really means "Meet me at 4 or 5 or maybe 6". But no one cares, because really there is no place to go or get to. You learn you must just go with the flow.
And sorry this blog will not be as funny as the others. Its not that I have lost my sense of humor... I am definitely STILL funny (just ask my roommates)!
Ok, quick run down, before I have to run:
Day Four:
I went to visit True Vine Ministries, which is the main site that H4K hosts. It is beautiful and they have done so much with it. I toured the clinic and completely lost it... the people are just so sick and the clinic is just equipped with a few things, so the treatment is far from the highest level. The patients are SO grateful to see us when we come in. As are all the people all the time, mostly the children. As Tom (the founder of H4K) said to us today, "remember when you go back home to the states you are no longer a celebrity, so do not wave to people from the window as you drive down the street!" Anyway, I am excited to work at the clinic when the team leaves and I stay. I will do some massage and just help out where I can. Oh, yeah, I am staying on the True Vine Site when they leave on Sunday. They just finished building the guest house and it will be myself, another girl from the trip (Christina) and Kendra, their peace corp rep.
Ok, going on.... I also got to meet my sponsored child that day. What a DOLL!!! I can not wait until I can upload my photos and you can see here. Fiona is actually 9 years old, not 12 as I thought, and she is so sweet and so eager to learn and play and be loved! I am a lucky sponsor and now consider her family. She is in the boarding school program at true vine, so I will be blessed to see her everyday while I stay there on the property.
On to day five, just because I am short for time. It was the hardest day! We went to Smile Africa Ministries which is home to over 450 children. They are called the Karamojog Children and are basically the outcasts. They are mostly orphaned or live with aunts, neighbors or their widowed moms and have either no clothes or clothes that non of us would even use for rags. They are dirty and hungry and have sores and runny noses all the time. Some have extended bellies like you see in the tv commercials and some have hernias. The older siblings are for the younger ones and do so without asking. It is just a part of their life. When I upload the photos, you will not even believe and the photos do not even capture the truth. They are SO extremely happy when they see us coming. They sit on the cement of the outdoor classroom (only a roof, no walls, and dirt everywhere) and sing to us. Loudly singing... We are happy to see you!!! They come to you and want you at all times, hanging on you and pulling your hair, just so intrigued by the Muzungo (or white people). They want love and that is all. At Smile Africa they receive breakfast (hot porridge in a mug), a bath, bits and pieces of learning time, play time, lunch (rice and beans) and then more play time. There are few volunteers and Pastor Ruth is the one that finds all of the children and takes them in. I almost had no emotion because there was so much to be emotional about.
We did a clinic outreach that day as well. I worked alongside of the acupuncturist who is on our team this trip, and did massage as she worked on the women and men in the community who came for medical help. Some had regular problems, some had clubbed feet, one woman had elephantitis of the leg. Again, all things that I can not properly explain, and may never be able to.
On to day six. This was actually an amazing day. We went to a far off village to do an outreach. This particular village is sponsored by a couple who is with H4K. They paid for a well and for a church and the village is so honored and touched. It is far off in the mountains and is amazing. Beauty that I have not seen in the land since I was in Ireland. The people come to the church from the whole village and welcome us with song and bring us to the church and sing and dance and sing and dance. They gave us lunch, which I will explain more about the food on another day when I have more time, and just laughed and touched us. The children held every part of me that they could touch and walked with me and just wanted to be loved. No words were reallly exchanged because they do not speak english, but love was there and that was all that mattered. Wait till you see those photos. And the sky here, I digress, is amazing! Nothing like i have ever seen. Not even the arizona sunset can compare. It is mezmorizing and I love it!!!
Moving on.... Day seven.... today was also a day that brought me so much happiness...
We did a widows outreach. WOW. These women are just so happy that we are finding time to love them as well. We went to their homes (aka huts!!) and brought them flour, sugar, soap and kerosene. The gratitude that these women have is unbelievable. They sing and thank us as we leave and just can not believe that we would come to visit and bring them "gifts". It is a different world. We also had a widows tea party at True Vine. We got the 40 widows basins (wash tubs) and soaked their feet in them, and washed them, painted their nails, gave them lipstick and I did mini massages on them. This was one of the projects that the money I raised went to. Their parting gift was a bag with soap, toothpaste, lipstick, washcloth and shampoo. The love that you see is indescribable.
Well, tomorrow is another day. I wish I could better describe and also wish I could send photos, of what I am going through. I wish you could all experience it with me. I wish that you will decide to one day!
I look forward to my time in Zambia as well, when I get to see my cousin and see what life is like there. I can only imagine how much there is to do. How much we can work with his village and hopefully make some impact for those children.
Off I go for now. I need to head back to the hotel with the driver. More later. I promise. Thanks for taking the time to read this and send me comments. They make me happy and feel close to home. I miss you all! Peace and love always!
Blessings!
Heather
Monday, November 10, 2008
The First Days on New Soil
Day one and two in Uganda
I have now been in Uganda for 72 hours. Most of it has been on buses. It takes a long time to get between places. Not because of traffic (you do not see many cars, mostly bicycles, walkers and mo-peds) but because of the roads. They have speed bumps in the most random places. You’ll be cruising along and then suddenly the bus comes to a halt.
There is so much fresh in my mind that I can tell you about. And all in just a few days. So please excuse my rambling or sudden change of topics as I write these blogs… though I guess that is not anything out of character.
Where to start? Day One? When we got into Uganda it was nighttime, so we just took a bus to the nearest hotel. Of course the mosquito net over the bed was a pleasant welcome. The next morning we woke to breakfast, which was actually not bad. They have really yummy bread, its dense and thick and sweet and REAL BUTTER. Yeah, so much for my hopes of dropping a few pounds. I think the first few weeks I am here with the group I will be eating quite a lot of BREAD. The coffee is also amazing. Rich and deep, AHHH, a good way to wake up. So on Saturday we started for an 8-hour bus ride to Fort Portal. Fort Portal is a town where H4K sponsors an Orphanage called Sunrise House. It was developed by one of the past Bishops of Fort Portal. At the moment H4K sponsors 37 children, but there are at least 100 more that are part of the program that need sponsorship. The children are amazing, so happy and joyful, even though many of their stories are heart breaking. The Bishop spoke to all of us and the children welcomed us with songs and dance. They showed us their rooms and took pride in what they had, which was basically a room with four walls, a few bunk beds with a barely there mattress, and two or three outfits. The Bishop’s son James is the director of the school. He heads all the development for the programs and he also is the main support of food for the House. He owns a 30 acre farm where he grows Banana, Avocados, Yams, Potatoes, Yams, Coffee, Goats, Cows and Chickens. He makes a trip twice a week to the Orphanage on his MOTORCYCLE to carry in supplies. Yes, Motorcycle. Speaking of which, it is crazy what you see people carrying on their regular bicycles. You can see people riding a bike with 2 mattresses, a goat and three 5 gallon jugs of water!! The idea of attaching a cart to their bikes just doesn’t occur to them.
We were fortunate enough to take a tour of James’ farm. It was beautiful. Rich with vegetation. We also met his family and they are so kind. They gave us a taste of the ripe bananas. Better than any I have had in the states in a long time. And the avocado tree… hello football size avocados. We could have a huge guacamole party at that house! Finally after a long bus journey and a day of playing with kids we got to our next hotel ate dinner and crashed hard. Oh, lunch; I forgot to mention the fact that GOAT is served EVERYWHERE… YUM!!! Maybe I will just change my diet from no-meat to ALL GOAT, are you kidding me? The crazy part is you see children walking their baby goats through town and you cant help but think that “pet” goat is going to be dinner one day. The other thing I haven’t yet mentioned is the “butcher” shops. Let me give you a visual.. shack type buildings all along the road, little market scene, potatoes, bananas, and then hanging in the open air off of one of the huts a BIG, HUGE, RED, SLAB of COW SIDE with rain coming down on it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? That is a butcher and they are in all the markets at the side of the road. But what keeps me from losing the insides of my stomach is the view when we pass the market area and continue driving. Uganda is gorgeous! Much more lush than I would have imagined. It is just overflowing with beautiful green vegetation. It is a land of poverty but rich in beauty. As we drive I hate taking my yeses off the road for even a moment, because of fewer of what I might miss. You just see richness everywhere and every few miles you see a group of children from babies to teens walking to school or to work and they just stop and wave and jump and down at the white people in the buses. It has only been a few days and I am in love with this country.
Sunday was our Safari day. We went to the Mweya National Park and took a boat safari. It was a perfect day. The sun was in and out and we would have patches of showers here and there to help keep us cool. This particular park is home to over 600 species, 125 of which are immigrant species. It homes over 3000 Elephants and 5000 hippos. We were grateful that day and saw a ton of elephants. It was awesome. I hope the photos do a little justice. There were the cutest baby hippos and a ton of water buffalo. And of course a ton of birds, making me come to face to face with my fear of the little creatures. Some of which were not so little. Heron birds, Egyptian geese African Red birds and weaverbirds. The wearverbirds are super cute little yellow humming-like-birds. From the boat we took the buses through the desert and looked for land animals. We saw Rhinos, Antelope and Wildebeest. The land is covered with these beautiful African trees that the natives call El Kukuro.
On our way back to Port Fortal we stopped at the Equator, which was kind of cool. At the Equator we did a “short” call, which I have yet to tell you about. Oh, the short calls. Another welcome to Africa that leads you to say TIA (This is Africa)! A short call is when you pull the bus over to the side of the road to pee. Yes, I have now experienced 4 short calls. The first of which I had stage fright, the others were a success. Picture this…. Three buses pulled over to the side of the road and a stream of White people fall out to go trek through the jungle for a short call. And yes there are “LONG” calls too., need I explain? Thank God I have yet to need one of those.
But again, I have to stress, Uganda is BEAUTIFUL. I already feel so blessed to be here. So let me take this time again to say Thank you to every single person who has helped to make this trip possible for me. After the rains come, the beauty is even more powerful. Uganda shines and radiates and the striking colors of the land become even more apparent. I have not seen beauty like this since my visit to Ireland and to Belize. In fact, this part of Africa greatly reminds me of Central America. Green, lush and full of spirit. Every single Ugandan that I have spoken with has had so much warmth radiate from their soul. Only one man has had a hard time expressing his thoughts to me in English. He is a pastor that has been traveling with us. He asked me my story and was a little shocked by the fact that I had been divorced and said I needed to be married. When I told him I was waiting patiently for the right person to come into my life, he said, “How do you know who is right person? (and then pointing to two of the girls on the trip with me, continued to say) How do you know if you should marry a tall man (pointing to the taller girl) or a fat man (pointing to the heavier girl). You just marry, maybe you marry here in Uganda.” The two girls and I just looked at each other and laughed. We now call them the tall and fat men. And I am obviously getting married in Uganda! Ha Ha. I think I will continue to save that search and journey for the states!
We are now driving for 10 hours to our final destination. To Tororo, where the main projects that H4K supports are located. One is called True Vine Boarding School, where we have built a church, a medical center and dental clinic, many mud huts for the local people, and a guest house for volunteers. Which I may be blessed to stay in for a few weeks when the group leaves. I know if that is in my plan, it will open up for me. The other project is called Smile Africa Ministries. Smile Africa is like a safe haven for the homeless street children. They provide two meals a day, a little education, a bath and medical treatment for those in need. I can not wait to get there!
So the low down comes to this:
Top reason three reasons why Heather SHOULD live in Uganda:
3) cost of living is pretty reasonable
2) People and land are beautiful and welcoming
1) THERE IS NO MCDONALDS!!!
Top reasons why Heather SHOULD NOT live in Uganda
3) I already miss my family and friends
2) LONG CALLS in the jungle
1) HANGING MEAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
I guess it’s a toss up for me which is worse Mickey D’s or raw hanging dead cow????
I tried to upload photos, but it is taking too long... so hopefully I can get them on a website soon. Sorry. If I get them on a website, I will put the link on my blog. Ok, goodnight, I am BEAT once again. More when time allows!
Lots of love! xxxxoooo
Peace!
I have now been in Uganda for 72 hours. Most of it has been on buses. It takes a long time to get between places. Not because of traffic (you do not see many cars, mostly bicycles, walkers and mo-peds) but because of the roads. They have speed bumps in the most random places. You’ll be cruising along and then suddenly the bus comes to a halt.
There is so much fresh in my mind that I can tell you about. And all in just a few days. So please excuse my rambling or sudden change of topics as I write these blogs… though I guess that is not anything out of character.
Where to start? Day One? When we got into Uganda it was nighttime, so we just took a bus to the nearest hotel. Of course the mosquito net over the bed was a pleasant welcome. The next morning we woke to breakfast, which was actually not bad. They have really yummy bread, its dense and thick and sweet and REAL BUTTER. Yeah, so much for my hopes of dropping a few pounds. I think the first few weeks I am here with the group I will be eating quite a lot of BREAD. The coffee is also amazing. Rich and deep, AHHH, a good way to wake up. So on Saturday we started for an 8-hour bus ride to Fort Portal. Fort Portal is a town where H4K sponsors an Orphanage called Sunrise House. It was developed by one of the past Bishops of Fort Portal. At the moment H4K sponsors 37 children, but there are at least 100 more that are part of the program that need sponsorship. The children are amazing, so happy and joyful, even though many of their stories are heart breaking. The Bishop spoke to all of us and the children welcomed us with songs and dance. They showed us their rooms and took pride in what they had, which was basically a room with four walls, a few bunk beds with a barely there mattress, and two or three outfits. The Bishop’s son James is the director of the school. He heads all the development for the programs and he also is the main support of food for the House. He owns a 30 acre farm where he grows Banana, Avocados, Yams, Potatoes, Yams, Coffee, Goats, Cows and Chickens. He makes a trip twice a week to the Orphanage on his MOTORCYCLE to carry in supplies. Yes, Motorcycle. Speaking of which, it is crazy what you see people carrying on their regular bicycles. You can see people riding a bike with 2 mattresses, a goat and three 5 gallon jugs of water!! The idea of attaching a cart to their bikes just doesn’t occur to them.
We were fortunate enough to take a tour of James’ farm. It was beautiful. Rich with vegetation. We also met his family and they are so kind. They gave us a taste of the ripe bananas. Better than any I have had in the states in a long time. And the avocado tree… hello football size avocados. We could have a huge guacamole party at that house! Finally after a long bus journey and a day of playing with kids we got to our next hotel ate dinner and crashed hard. Oh, lunch; I forgot to mention the fact that GOAT is served EVERYWHERE… YUM!!! Maybe I will just change my diet from no-meat to ALL GOAT, are you kidding me? The crazy part is you see children walking their baby goats through town and you cant help but think that “pet” goat is going to be dinner one day. The other thing I haven’t yet mentioned is the “butcher” shops. Let me give you a visual.. shack type buildings all along the road, little market scene, potatoes, bananas, and then hanging in the open air off of one of the huts a BIG, HUGE, RED, SLAB of COW SIDE with rain coming down on it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? That is a butcher and they are in all the markets at the side of the road. But what keeps me from losing the insides of my stomach is the view when we pass the market area and continue driving. Uganda is gorgeous! Much more lush than I would have imagined. It is just overflowing with beautiful green vegetation. It is a land of poverty but rich in beauty. As we drive I hate taking my yeses off the road for even a moment, because of fewer of what I might miss. You just see richness everywhere and every few miles you see a group of children from babies to teens walking to school or to work and they just stop and wave and jump and down at the white people in the buses. It has only been a few days and I am in love with this country.
Sunday was our Safari day. We went to the Mweya National Park and took a boat safari. It was a perfect day. The sun was in and out and we would have patches of showers here and there to help keep us cool. This particular park is home to over 600 species, 125 of which are immigrant species. It homes over 3000 Elephants and 5000 hippos. We were grateful that day and saw a ton of elephants. It was awesome. I hope the photos do a little justice. There were the cutest baby hippos and a ton of water buffalo. And of course a ton of birds, making me come to face to face with my fear of the little creatures. Some of which were not so little. Heron birds, Egyptian geese African Red birds and weaverbirds. The wearverbirds are super cute little yellow humming-like-birds. From the boat we took the buses through the desert and looked for land animals. We saw Rhinos, Antelope and Wildebeest. The land is covered with these beautiful African trees that the natives call El Kukuro.
On our way back to Port Fortal we stopped at the Equator, which was kind of cool. At the Equator we did a “short” call, which I have yet to tell you about. Oh, the short calls. Another welcome to Africa that leads you to say TIA (This is Africa)! A short call is when you pull the bus over to the side of the road to pee. Yes, I have now experienced 4 short calls. The first of which I had stage fright, the others were a success. Picture this…. Three buses pulled over to the side of the road and a stream of White people fall out to go trek through the jungle for a short call. And yes there are “LONG” calls too., need I explain? Thank God I have yet to need one of those.
But again, I have to stress, Uganda is BEAUTIFUL. I already feel so blessed to be here. So let me take this time again to say Thank you to every single person who has helped to make this trip possible for me. After the rains come, the beauty is even more powerful. Uganda shines and radiates and the striking colors of the land become even more apparent. I have not seen beauty like this since my visit to Ireland and to Belize. In fact, this part of Africa greatly reminds me of Central America. Green, lush and full of spirit. Every single Ugandan that I have spoken with has had so much warmth radiate from their soul. Only one man has had a hard time expressing his thoughts to me in English. He is a pastor that has been traveling with us. He asked me my story and was a little shocked by the fact that I had been divorced and said I needed to be married. When I told him I was waiting patiently for the right person to come into my life, he said, “How do you know who is right person? (and then pointing to two of the girls on the trip with me, continued to say) How do you know if you should marry a tall man (pointing to the taller girl) or a fat man (pointing to the heavier girl). You just marry, maybe you marry here in Uganda.” The two girls and I just looked at each other and laughed. We now call them the tall and fat men. And I am obviously getting married in Uganda! Ha Ha. I think I will continue to save that search and journey for the states!
We are now driving for 10 hours to our final destination. To Tororo, where the main projects that H4K supports are located. One is called True Vine Boarding School, where we have built a church, a medical center and dental clinic, many mud huts for the local people, and a guest house for volunteers. Which I may be blessed to stay in for a few weeks when the group leaves. I know if that is in my plan, it will open up for me. The other project is called Smile Africa Ministries. Smile Africa is like a safe haven for the homeless street children. They provide two meals a day, a little education, a bath and medical treatment for those in need. I can not wait to get there!
So the low down comes to this:
Top reason three reasons why Heather SHOULD live in Uganda:
3) cost of living is pretty reasonable
2) People and land are beautiful and welcoming
1) THERE IS NO MCDONALDS!!!
Top reasons why Heather SHOULD NOT live in Uganda
3) I already miss my family and friends
2) LONG CALLS in the jungle
1) HANGING MEAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
I guess it’s a toss up for me which is worse Mickey D’s or raw hanging dead cow????
I tried to upload photos, but it is taking too long... so hopefully I can get them on a website soon. Sorry. If I get them on a website, I will put the link on my blog. Ok, goodnight, I am BEAT once again. More when time allows!
Lots of love! xxxxoooo
Peace!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ummm... this could be interesting
Well, I am finally at my gate at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int. However, I hope my challenges getting here are not a sign of my solo journeys through Africa. I had my driver drop me off at Terminal 3 for my "Northwest" flight. It was a little shocking when the agent said, "I'm sorry miss, we do not have a flight to Uganda, nor do we even have a 9am flight to Seattle. Can I please see your paperwork?" My response of, "Ummm.... I do not have any paperwork, I couldn't seem to figure out how to print last night" seemed to surprise her just as much. We go on for a few minutes as I continue to not be able to answer any of the questions that might help her, help me. Finally we got to, well what is your name. AHhh! I CAN answer that one, which was not listed on my passport the same way. "Long story longer" (thanks for letting me steal that quote Joey)... we are all good and finally decide I need to be at terminal 2 on Alaska. I confirm this with my friend at Hope 4 Kids who was just about to call me to remind me, "dont forget, you are NOT on Northwest, you are on Alaska"... information I could have used 10 minutes ago. :-)
After trying to get my bags over to the new terminal, another bus ride away, I finally got my boarding passes, and even managed to get away without paying for the 7lbs that my bag was over. So, with my boarding passes and luggage tickets in hand, I headed to the security line. It was in the security line while I was taking my sunglasses off the top of my head, that I noticed something hanging from my hair in the back of my head. It was a chip clip..... oh yeah, for some reason I found one on the counter that morning (Marcy, i know have one of your chip clips in Uganda!) and stuck it on the end of my hair and never remembered to take it out. So I basically walked thru two airport terminals with a chip clip hanging off the back of my head! Nice!
The final event that caused me a little concern for my solo traveling was the fact that between the security line and the time I reached my gate I lost my boarding pass. Well obviously I got on board, because now I am in Amsterdam and will be in Uganda in 10 hours. I know I will have a lot to tell, and I can not wait!!!! Peace & Love Heather
After trying to get my bags over to the new terminal, another bus ride away, I finally got my boarding passes, and even managed to get away without paying for the 7lbs that my bag was over. So, with my boarding passes and luggage tickets in hand, I headed to the security line. It was in the security line while I was taking my sunglasses off the top of my head, that I noticed something hanging from my hair in the back of my head. It was a chip clip..... oh yeah, for some reason I found one on the counter that morning (Marcy, i know have one of your chip clips in Uganda!) and stuck it on the end of my hair and never remembered to take it out. So I basically walked thru two airport terminals with a chip clip hanging off the back of my head! Nice!
The final event that caused me a little concern for my solo traveling was the fact that between the security line and the time I reached my gate I lost my boarding pass. Well obviously I got on board, because now I am in Amsterdam and will be in Uganda in 10 hours. I know I will have a lot to tell, and I can not wait!!!! Peace & Love Heather
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Getting Ready
Two more days until I leave for my trip to Africa. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me in getting to this point. Whether it was in monetary form or in the form of prayer, your support has meant so much to me and will continue to be my strength as I go on this adventure. I am so grateful. Just know that whenever I am able to bring a smile to the face of a child, or caregiver or someone in ill health, you are behind that smile as well. Your support allows me to bring them hope and in return I know they will open our hearts to the power of love and unity.
Just to update you on my itinerary, I am heading first to Uganda with Hope 4 Kids International (H4KI), http://www.hope4kidsinternational.org/, and look forward to all the children I will be able to meet. I also will meet the young girl I sponsor. Her name is Fiona and she is about to turn 12 years old. Fiona lives in the Bugiri district of Uganda. Her parents both passed on from HIV/AIDS and now she lives with her aunt and five other kids. Her birthday is just a few days before I arrive. I will be sending photos when I finally meet her. I can not wait to share them with you.
From Uganda I will eventually find my way to Mansa, Zambia. Great story! During my fund raising efforts for H4KI, I found out a distant cousin of mine, Dr. Cary Rasof, was doing work in Zambia. He is a doctor and has been living in Zambia since 2007 to help create a communal farm village for orphaned AIDS children and their granny carers. You can read more about his efforts at this website: http://www.annejones.org/africa_zambia.html. I couldn't believe I had just decided to go to Uganda and now I have found a relative living and working in Zambia! If that is not a sign that I am on the right path, I don't know what is! I am so excited to meet Cary and see his progress and be in his presence. I am not yet sure, besides using my gift as a massage therapist, how I can be of service there, but I know the Universe will show me the way.
Although I do not have a concrete plan for anything past my volunteering in Uganda, I do know it will be an adventure. There is so much to see in Africa, so many possibilities. I am excited to see how my journey will unfold and I look forward to sharing it with you as it does.
Now, if I could only finish packing. I was supposed to be done last night.... but for those of you who know me, you know I will be snapping my backpack shut just seconds before I need to leave for the airport. I figure, if I don't have it in the bag, I won't even know it's missing. Right? Please keep me in your prayers! When I get the opportunity I will check in and send updates. In the meantime, if you need to reach me, please feel free to email me at peacelove213@gmail.com. I will return emails when I have the chance.
Again, my sincere "thank you" to all of my family and friends. I wouldn't be at this beautiful turning point in my life without your love and support. You really are the strength behind the difficult moments and the love inside my heart that I will pass on to everyone I meet.
Below are some recent photos sent to me from Dr. Cary in Mansa. Look at the smiles!
Until later...
Peace & Blessings
Heather
Just to update you on my itinerary, I am heading first to Uganda with Hope 4 Kids International (H4KI), http://www.hope4kidsinternational.org/, and look forward to all the children I will be able to meet. I also will meet the young girl I sponsor. Her name is Fiona and she is about to turn 12 years old. Fiona lives in the Bugiri district of Uganda. Her parents both passed on from HIV/AIDS and now she lives with her aunt and five other kids. Her birthday is just a few days before I arrive. I will be sending photos when I finally meet her. I can not wait to share them with you.
From Uganda I will eventually find my way to Mansa, Zambia. Great story! During my fund raising efforts for H4KI, I found out a distant cousin of mine, Dr. Cary Rasof, was doing work in Zambia. He is a doctor and has been living in Zambia since 2007 to help create a communal farm village for orphaned AIDS children and their granny carers. You can read more about his efforts at this website: http://www.annejones.org/africa_zambia.html. I couldn't believe I had just decided to go to Uganda and now I have found a relative living and working in Zambia! If that is not a sign that I am on the right path, I don't know what is! I am so excited to meet Cary and see his progress and be in his presence. I am not yet sure, besides using my gift as a massage therapist, how I can be of service there, but I know the Universe will show me the way.
Although I do not have a concrete plan for anything past my volunteering in Uganda, I do know it will be an adventure. There is so much to see in Africa, so many possibilities. I am excited to see how my journey will unfold and I look forward to sharing it with you as it does.
Now, if I could only finish packing. I was supposed to be done last night.... but for those of you who know me, you know I will be snapping my backpack shut just seconds before I need to leave for the airport. I figure, if I don't have it in the bag, I won't even know it's missing. Right? Please keep me in your prayers! When I get the opportunity I will check in and send updates. In the meantime, if you need to reach me, please feel free to email me at peacelove213@gmail.com. I will return emails when I have the chance.
Again, my sincere "thank you" to all of my family and friends. I wouldn't be at this beautiful turning point in my life without your love and support. You really are the strength behind the difficult moments and the love inside my heart that I will pass on to everyone I meet.
Below are some recent photos sent to me from Dr. Cary in Mansa. Look at the smiles!
Until later...
Peace & Blessings
Heather
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