During my entire trip God was in control and I was truly blessed!
When I left Boston my luggage weighed as much as I did. My flight though long was uneventful. When I arrived at the airport in Entebbe I was greeted by my Ugandan Family -Hope, Andrian, Lydia, Rose, Julie, Nickolas,Isaac,Steven, Phiona, Agnes and Warren. They surrounded me and cared for me the entire week. Rose, Julie and Steven stayed with me at the apartment. I consider myself an early riser, I wake up at 6:00 am every day. When I woke up they were already up and my breakfast was ready for me.
Rose and Agnes would make sure Steven was ready for school. He is in the first grade. School starts at 7:00 am and ends at 4:30.
The first morning is one of 2 times that I was afraid. A bug the size of a mouse ran across my foot. It scurried into the girls bed room so I went running in to tell them that a big bug was in their room. They laughed and said "Oh Mommy Sandy that is not a big bug." I knew I did not want to see a big bug.
Wednesday we were off to the Orphanage bringing with us a big bag of candy and biscuit's and several bags of school supplies for the teachers.
When we arrived there was a sea of children with purple back packs that the Sunday School children from TCC had provided the children. The children were lined up forming a path for us to walk through. They were cheering and chanting my name Mommy Sandy. I can't begin to describe the emotions that I was feeling. For as far as I could see there were desperately needy children without shoes, worn out clothes, skin disease, extended bellies cheering. I felt intense joy at the same time intense sadness. At the end of the path of children there was a ribbon for me to cut a dedication ceremony for the school.
We started the greetings and the rain started. 240 children teachers and our team all crammed into a classroom that could hold 50 students comfortably. The joy did not fade. We greeted the children then they went to their classrooms where we visited each classroom and passed out candy and biscuit's. Each child bowed and thanked us when they were given a small piece of candy.
At 3:00 the children enjoyed a special meal rice and beans. We then had another assembly where we presented the Director and the teachers with the school supplies.
Day 2
Thursday- On our way to the Orphanage we stopped to do some shopping for the special meal they would have on Friday, 25 pounds of rice and tomatoes to cook the beef in.
Thursday was the day were doing home visits for the Sponsored children. It started raining as we were heading to the school. The roads are red clay that wash away and becomes very slippery and filled with pot holes when it rains.
When we arrive at the school the sponsored children are all gathered into the office. It is very cramped, wet and dark. The village has no electricity the office is in the old building and the roof leaks and it was very dark. I passed out the gifts the sponsors sent and let the children know how much they are loved by their sponsoring families. (Consider sponsoring a child)
The rain is washing out the roads so the decision is made to visit the children's homes that are closest to the school. 6 Sponsored children The Head Mistress Maurine and Esther all get in the van. After driving for 20 minutes we are close to the first child's home Alice, but the road is washed out so the van can't make it. Alice gets out and walks home.
The next stop is another 20 minutes we visit Miracles home. Miracles Aunt is there to greet us. Miracle is very excited about showing us her hog she received as a gift. There are several babies in the care of Miracles Aunt and it is obvious that it is a sacrifice for Miracle to attend school.
Next visit Gregory, when we arrive his siblings are washing their uniform and dishes out side. His guardian is taking care of the baby. Everything is done very manually and it is obvious again that it is a sacrifice allowing Geofrey to attend school.
The rain is coming down really hard as we are heading to the next stop Olivias, again the road leading to Olivias is washed out so Olivia gets out to walk home.
Next stop is Nasani another 20 minute ride over very rutty slippery roads. (I was glad I was not in the Van when it turned around.) We arrive at Nasanis home he is now living with a gurdian. After the visit I found out that Nasani has been sickly and has been sent home from school several times. We are arranging a Doctors visit for Nasani.
The rain is coming down and the roads are very rutty and washed out a decision needs to be made bring the teachers and the last student back to the school or go to Masitulas home. Masitula really wanted us to visit her home. Maurine and Esther agreed to take a Boda Boda back to the school so we could do the final home visit. Boda Boda is a motor scooter which both would get on the back of and travel back to the school on the washed out slippery roads in the rain. The Head Mistress and teachers are AMAZING!
We visited Masitulas home, she is very excited about her visitors and gathers her step mother and sisters. Masitula is absolutely a joy, she sings in the Choir, was serving us, caring for the younger children and always has a smile on her face. Out of all the Orphans Masitula has the saddest story, too evil to even post, this little girl is an inspiration to me.
After we dropped off Masitula, the roads were very BAD, I truly thought we would end up in a ditch or stuck. Jesus took the wheel, and we made it out of the village safely.
Day 3
When we arrived at the orphanage a special program was planned for us. PLUS a surprise! One of the sponsored children was no longer at the school many times children are trades for slaves. She was found and returned to the school. That was one of the highlights of the week. Jesus gave us an example that the Shepard would leave 99 sheep to find one lost sheep. Ritah was found!
Parents Teachers and members of the church were all present for the special program.
The School choir sang, I was in the presence of Heavens Angels! There faces were radiant as they sang. They danced traditional tribal dances. It was one of the most memorable moments of the week.
The church choir also sang and danced it was very special. They put so much energy an enthusiasm into their traditional dancing it was impressive. After the program Hope and I spoke with the Parents and staff. I praise them for the changes made.
I am VERY impressed with the Head Mistress Maurine and the changes she made at the school. The children are happy attendance is better the children are involved with the school, they have a school Netball team for the girls, that made it to the tournament, a football team for the boys, school choir, parents committees, the school is use by a church many of the children attend.
THE BIGGEST accomplishment is the first 4 graduating students. The students, teachers and parents have all worked very hard to achieve this goal. I promised them that I would do everything I can to provide the students scholarships. Without a scholarship their education would end at the 7th grade. (Please pray God provides a way).
We then went to the water tank to take a picture. The teachers, students and cooks are all very excited about, this gift that will make their lives so much easier! Thank you to the Burlington Cricket Club and Trinity Covenant Church members for making a dream come true.
We then met with the teachers to find out what their greatest needs are.
Number 1 Closing in the classrooms, currently they have to carry the chairs and desks into the storage area at the end of everyday and set them up again in the morning. The windows and doors are being put in this week.
Number 2 Enough desks and chairs for all of the students. Being built this week.
Number 3 A new building the school has out grown the 2 buildings that they have and are still using the old school which is falling down.
They are coming up with a plan for a building that has class rooms that can be converted into an assembly area, Office, medical room and library.
To end the visit and the week the children were all provided a special meal rice, beans and beef.
Leaving the school was sad, I wished my stay was longer so I could get to know more of the teachers, students and their families.
