Uganda Day 10

Today Lucy pulled some strings and we were able to get into the Prison. It was a humbling experience to see so many women with their babies.  They were all so nice and excited to greet us. The guards were a little cold at first but when they realized why we were there they warmed up and were very friendly and even taking pictures. We only had around 125 kits left and there were 100 prisoners plus the guards and warden. We were a few short so Kuganda gave his wife and daughters' kits away.  He is one of the best men I know.  He didn't even hesitate.  The kits had been made by some church groups in Idaho and they had added their picture and a note.  We were able to take pictures of the ladies holding the photos and being so happy to know someone in the outside world cares about them! It was my favorite distribution and the last of the trip.  After the distribution the inmates sang and dances for us! Suzy and Fredrick got right in and played the instruments.  They sent us off with a lot of whooping and yayayaings!  God bless those women.
Bruce, Ginney, Alex, and Steve were invited to Paul's home today. They had a great experience. Seeing Paul go straight to his brothers grave, who had died just a year ago of MD was a special thing to see.  Alex had a tender conversation with him about life and death as they both sat by the graveside.  Paul's father and Uncle were so pleased with Bruce that to show their appreciation they gave them 5 chickens.  It started out as 3 but by the time they left there were 5 in the truck.  Bruce gave them all to St Judes except for 1.  We ended naming it Bruce! The hotel offered to kill and cook Bruce for us but we opted out and Suzy had a great idea to give it the the head beader, Kristine. So now we have had 2 people offer to kill a goat for us and been given 5 chickens! We were given some pineapples and mangos, which we ate right away! The generosity of these beautiful people is amazing!

One Good Thing

Becky: Coke Zero! Holding babies at the prison. Seeing the women brush off their seats and giving her the best part of the mat to sit on.

Steve:  Feeling how grateful Paul's family was even though we didn't speak the same language, but you could feel it.  Learning about how Samuel was abused by the rebels and how he was being shot at.  Interesting to learn the struggles and how triumphant the Ugandan people are. Seeing how the people are moving forward with hope.

Uganda Day 8

Today we went shopping at the market in the morning and then off to distribute kits to one of the local schools.  They were a little more shy but asked great questions. The boys had a great experience talking with the male students. They had a good soccer game with them also. Then we were off to do another kits distribution at a rock quarry.  This was by far the most humbling distributions we have done.  These women sit in the hot sun crushing boulders into 1 inch rocks. Then they only get paid if someone shows up and needs the rock.  One women had been blinded by the rock chipping off and hitting her eyes.  Some of the women had young children with them.  They greeted us with smiles and yelling! It didn't matter what circumstances they were in, they were happy. We handed out over 200 kits!  Bruce took pictures of the women and then returned a few days later with the photos in hand to give to them.  A woman even asked for his hand in marriage! Go Bruce, you hottie!  It's a good thing Steve went to keep Bruce an honest man. Haha!
On our way back to the hotel we passed someone hauling 2 goats on their motorbike. ha Who needs a truck!
We freshened up then went to dinner with Fredrick, Morris, and Lucy.  These people are remarkable. They donate so much of their time to helping lift their people.
After dinner we went out for ice cream at a really inefficient restaurant.  But it was good enough food we went back for the next 2 nights. Then we went dancing at a local night club.  Only the masunga's danced. Well not true, Alex and Fredrick joined us also.  Even Steve broke out some dance moves!

Uganda Day 7

Today we went shopping at the market in the morning and then off to distribute kits to one of the local schools.  They were a little more shy but asked great questions. The boys had a great experience talking with the male students. They had a good soccer game with them also. Then we were off to do another kits distribution at a rock quarry.  This was by far the most humbling distributions we have done.  These women sit in the hot sun crushing boulders into 1 inch rocks. Then they only get paid if someone shows up and needs the rock.  One women had been blinded by the rock chipping off and hitting her eyes.  Some of the women had young children with them.  They greeted us with smiles and yelling! It didn't matter what circumstances they were in, they were happy. We handed out over 200 kits!  Bruce took pictures of the women and then returned a few days later with the photos in hand to give to them.  A woman even asked for his hand in marriage! Go Bruce, you hottie!  It's a good thing Steve went to keep Bruce an honest man. Haha!
On our way back to the hotel we passed someone hauling 2 goats on their motorbike. ha Who needs a truck!
We freshened up then went to dinner with Fredrick, Morris, and Lucy.  These people are remarkable. They donate so much of their time to helping lift their people.
After dinner we went out for ice cream at a really inefficient restaurant.  But it was good enough food we went back for the next 2 nights. Then we went dancing at a local night club.  Only the masunga's danced. Well not true, Alex and Fredrick joined us also.  Even Steve broke out some dance moves!

Day 6

After breakfast we headed over to the Aid Africa office. We met the great people there who are doing awesome projects for the people of Africa.  They educated us on grafting seedlings, birthing kits, rocket stoves, and many other amazing things they do. Then we headed off to the village of Nen Ki Tyena to dig a well . The village leaders greeted us warmly.  Suzy explained to them where a lot of the money to fund the well was coming from. Joel Alldredge, a 5 year old boy passed away a few months ago and in lieu of flowers the family asked people to donate to something that would help make other peoples lives better. Several family members and friends donated to APF to help make life better for the people in Uganda.  I wish they could have all come and see the gratitude in those peoples eyes.  Suzy presented them with a plaque to attach to the well with the Joel's picture on it. The village leaders then walked us through some fields to show us their current source of water. Which was a spring that came out of the ground with a gray hue to it. After seeing this we were even more excited to see this well going in for these people.  We didn't have the pully system yet so we couldn't start digging yet. Some of the village men cleared an area where we were going to put the well.  Isaac from Aid Africa then said he couldn't get a hold of the man who was supposed to bring out the pully system so we wouldn't be able to start digging until later. We were on a tight schedule so we couldn't stay to see it through but a few days later Isaac called Suzy and let her know the well was almost finished and they would be getting the concrete finished soon.  Aid Africa finished a project when they start one! Good job Aid Africa.   It was still nice to visit with the village people. One women invited us into her kitchen. It was dark and smokey. Isaac said they were going to be bringing rocket stoves to the village next time! We also were able to stop and see Benson Gillies well he had started a year ago.  It was good to see it still working.

We then stopped and toured an old slave fort which was a beautiful and solemn place. 

Then back to Gulu for some African Pizza. It was pretty food.

One Good Thing

Stacie: peeling casava with the village women.

Kara: carrying water on her head with the village women, dancing for her village friends.

Hannah: Isaac talking and explaining things on the bus

Heather:  talking with Isaac on the bus and respecting others views.

Alex; the village women welcoming and singing to us. The young girls hauling water with the village women.

Brin: seeing cute baby goats and seeing Benson's well finished.

Suzy:  seeing Benson's well finished and still working.

Maddy: seeing the village we were digging a well for benefit after seeing them drink from the current source.

Steve: giving a soccer ball to the PE teacher. He brought out 2 chairs for Bruce and I to sit and visit with him.  Hearing and seeing the history of Gulu.

Ginnie: I like the way Kuganda drives and watching the fast, rude toyota get stuck, seeing Benson's well, watching the village people all walking out to the site for the new well.

Amber: spending time with Aid Africa sharing their knowledge.

Bruce: passing out soccer balls

Becky: seeing the people of the village benefit from a well after seeing the water source.

Fredrick: visiting the old slave site, telling the story of the Ukulele or Riggie Riggie.

Uganda Day 5 by Suzy

Today started off with many sad goodbyes as we had to leave the AHI staff. To say we were welcomed is an understatement. The hospitality didn't get any better than AHI! We stirred by the side of the road and picked up since balls made out of garbage sacks that we had pre ordered from and young boy. The journey to Gulu was promising at first, that is until we hit the construction. As I currently write, we have several hours to go and a journey that should be two to three hours looks like it may be 5-7 hours. It is dusty and hot. The volunteers are ask getting to experience roughing it fur the first time. In contrast, our roughing it in a comfortable bus doesn't compare to the hundreds of people we see walking with heavy loads and no shoes in the hot, dusty weather. We are on our way to St Jude to deliver Paul's wheelchair. He doesn't know we are coming so it should be really exciting for him! Update! What an experience we had!! We arrived at St Jude children's home in the late afternoon. The road to Gulu is usually 3 hours when the road is good. Unfortunately, the road was bad and there was a lot of construction so the normally short drive took about 8 hours. After arriving, Suzy and the group went to say hello to Paul. He didn't know we were coming or that Bruce was there. It had been 4 years since the last time Paul had seen Bruce. after distracting Paul for a minute, Bruce Road the electric wheelchair around the corner and pulled it up next to Paul. At this point, a large group of rowdy children gathered around and it became difficult to hear what Bruce was saying. He said to Paul that four years ago he made a promise to him when Paul said his dream was to have an electric wheelchair. He told Paul that he kept his promise and that the wheelchair he was driving was actually for him. What took place, was so intense and beautiful that words are not adequate to describe. Paul was transferred into the wheelchair and with his very weak hand began maneuvering the device and for the first time in many years have the ability to control his destiny. It didn't take long for him to figure out how to maneuver the wheelchair throughout the compound. After Paul received his wheelchair, the headteacher made a decision to distribute the second electric wheelchair to Paul's brother Vincent who also has muscular dystrophy. We had a special surprise when we found out that the boys have a biological mother and that she was at the compound. Her joy was very great as was Paul and his brother. I think words escaped them, but the tears that fell from Paul eyes were enough to let us know he was very happy. It was a very beautiful experience, and there were not many dry eyes.

One Good Thing:

Kara: Baboons on the side of the road, singing to Brigdet at the St Jude's.

Hannah: Lady on the side of the road with the goat head. 

Steve: Talking to Kuganda about all things Uganda.

Heather:  Paul getting his chair

Brin: catching the moment with Paul getting his chair on camera.

Alex: Tears of joy from Paul as he received his chair. Seeing Kara sing to the little girl. Being in the North for the first time.

Becky: Seeing Bruce and Ginny giving each other a hug after delivering Paul's chair. They had finally delivered a promise!

Bruce: To see Paul and his mom. To be able to give her some money from his grandson to help with her family.

Ginnie: Seeing Paul received his chair and knowing how long of a road it was. Thinking of the 'Go Fund Me' page her family had all helped out with. They stepped up to the plate and made it possible.

Suzie: Watching Hannah step in human pooh and then stepping in it herself later. CARMA! 

Proud of her parents for the task of getting Paul a new chair, Giving Paul $5 from Peanut to start his own bank account.

Amber: Paul receiving his chair, Alex playing the ukulele for the children, Ginnie spilling the salt on her food.

Maddy: Seeing the how the countryside change as we went from the south to the North.  Baboons on the road and the falls on the Nile River.

Stacie: Seeing Paul get his chair and realizing he had a younger brother with MD also and we just happen to have brought another chair! What a tender mercy.  Good job Bruce and Ginnie!