While the shipment of clothes and blankets have finally arrived in Uganda, but not without an issue. The Uganda customs is trying to charge Pastor Frank $300.00 to receive the the boxes. I have contacted our shipping company to call the Uganda Customs agent to tell them that the clothes are not for resale. Pastor Frank is being charged daily for the boxes staying in customs.
Please pray that this is resolved without any cost to Pastor Frank. I will keep you posted.
Pastor Frank has updated me that they are working on the school but he did not send me what the cost of improvement is. The Uganda Ministry of Education will be inspecting the school on June 20th.
Thursday I spoke at the Waltham High School about the trip to Uganda. The children were a very good audience listened to me and they asked many great questions. I have been invited back in the fall and they want to plan a fund raiser.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Orphanage Update
Today Steven and Pastor Frank, transported people from the shoe store to measure the children for shoes. They need closed in shoes to prevent jiggers (insect that crawl inside there skin and lay eggs) They are very painful and distort the childrens feet. The shoes will provide protection.
A Contractor (my terminology) was also transported to the Orphanage to measure for windows, doors and floors. This will allow the teachers to leave their school supplies at school. (they have to carry them back a forth now). The floors will also help prevent the children from sitting in dirt while they are learning.
The next plan of action Pastor Frank is arranging a Doctor to come out to the school to check on the children. I will be provided a detailed report of each childs health needs. (I will be asking for support to meet these needs)
The children will also be measured for uniforms for school. (Many of the children are wearing the same outfit they had on last year when Pastor Doug, Todd and Dave visited them). We will also be providing them with draw string back packs to carry their supplies back and forth to school.
A BIG THANK YOU TO CHRISTINE FROM DANCE PLACE! She organized a fund raiser called Nourish the children which will be providing the orphans with a meal everyday for the next 30 days.
A Contractor (my terminology) was also transported to the Orphanage to measure for windows, doors and floors. This will allow the teachers to leave their school supplies at school. (they have to carry them back a forth now). The floors will also help prevent the children from sitting in dirt while they are learning.
The next plan of action Pastor Frank is arranging a Doctor to come out to the school to check on the children. I will be provided a detailed report of each childs health needs. (I will be asking for support to meet these needs)
The children will also be measured for uniforms for school. (Many of the children are wearing the same outfit they had on last year when Pastor Doug, Todd and Dave visited them). We will also be providing them with draw string back packs to carry their supplies back and forth to school.
A BIG THANK YOU TO CHRISTINE FROM DANCE PLACE! She organized a fund raiser called Nourish the children which will be providing the orphans with a meal everyday for the next 30 days.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Walking In the Village
When we walked in the village you would think that Hillary and I were celebrities. Children bowed to us, they wanted to touch us. They followed us calling Muzungo (White person).
Even little children barely able to walk would come up to touch us. We were the only white people in the village. We asked Esther why they wanted to touch us. She told us that our white skin looks so soft that the children want to feel the softness.
The streets were always crowed with many people walking around day and night.
Even little children barely able to walk would come up to touch us. We were the only white people in the village. We asked Esther why they wanted to touch us. She told us that our white skin looks so soft that the children want to feel the softness.
The streets were always crowed with many people walking around day and night.
Kampala Uganda
While in Uganda I kept a journal so I would remember what I experienced. I will share these expereinces with you.
The city of Kampala is very much like any big city big building and much traffic congestion. The contrast is there were no lights to control the traffic, but here was no visable road rage. They have vans and boda bodas (motor cycles) to transport people to and from their destinations. The boda bodas amazed me they defied all safety rules. The did not wear helmets sometime they were transporting large packages, produce and entire families. The roads have speed bumps (some very LARGE) and are full of pot holes. I did not see any accidents and amazingly felt very safe on the roads there. Pastor Frank is an amazing driver.
The city of Kampala is very much like any big city big building and much traffic congestion. The contrast is there were no lights to control the traffic, but here was no visable road rage. They have vans and boda bodas (motor cycles) to transport people to and from their destinations. The boda bodas amazed me they defied all safety rules. The did not wear helmets sometime they were transporting large packages, produce and entire families. The roads have speed bumps (some very LARGE) and are full of pot holes. I did not see any accidents and amazingly felt very safe on the roads there. Pastor Frank is an amazing driver.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Internet Cafe- and other business ideas
The Internet Cafe is a business being opened by the Jesus Power Church. The location is great.
If all goes well it will be opening this week. This business will provide employment for several people from the church. Michael is working on this project with Pastor Frank.
The Women's group from the church are exploring the opportunity of opening a catering business. This business idea would provide work for many of the women. The are in desperate need of income. I promised them that I would work to find them sponsors here in the US.
Saturday the women's group met to cook. We made potato sandwiches which were delicious. Potatoes boiled and mashed, sauteed chopped onions, scallions, shredded carrots. Mingled with the mashed potatoes and put on bread and then toasted. Hedega provided the guidance and recipe for this meal. She went to school for Hotel and Restaurant Management; her skills are a great match for the catering business. This wonderful meal was created with out any modern convenience's.
If all goes well it will be opening this week. This business will provide employment for several people from the church. Michael is working on this project with Pastor Frank.
The Women's group from the church are exploring the opportunity of opening a catering business. This business idea would provide work for many of the women. The are in desperate need of income. I promised them that I would work to find them sponsors here in the US.
Saturday the women's group met to cook. We made potato sandwiches which were delicious. Potatoes boiled and mashed, sauteed chopped onions, scallions, shredded carrots. Mingled with the mashed potatoes and put on bread and then toasted. Hedega provided the guidance and recipe for this meal. She went to school for Hotel and Restaurant Management; her skills are a great match for the catering business. This wonderful meal was created with out any modern convenience's.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Our Visit to the Orphanage
I have posted pictures on snapfish, if you would like the link to it send me an e-mail.
s-gannon@hotmail.com
My time in Uganda was wonderful, but my favorite was spending time at the Christian Academy Mission Program where the orphans go to school.
The orphans were beautiful they were filled with the spirit of the Lord. There bodies showed the neglect of the world. They had just returned from their school break. Pastor Frank asked them what they did during their vacation. Every child that was asked had the same answer digging on the land.
There heads are crooked from carrying water on their heads from an early age. They have skin disease, many have worms in their empty stomachs, there feet are full of jiggers (worms and insects) that have crawled in through the cracks in their feet, some of them battle many other diseases.
The meal they have daily looked like watered down cream of wheat. At Christmas and Easter they have a full meal of Rice, beans, meat and a bottle of soda. Every other day they have the watered down cream of wheat. Their clothes are falling apart and dirty.
On our first visit we brought the children pens, note books, candy, biscuts, soap and salt. They were very excited and happy with their gifts.
On our second visit we provided the children with a lunch of beans and rice. The older children served the younger children. They did not have enough plates so they also had to wait until someone finished eating before they could eat. The meal of beans and rice for 110 children was $18.00.We also brought them 2 balls a netball for the girls and a football for the boys. They were very excited. When we left the orphanage they ran behind the car for a long time. I am sure the teachers did not get them settled down to learn for the rest of the day.
I made a promise that I will do everything in my power to keep. I promised that they would have a meal like that at least 1 time per week. They would have shoes for their feet and a uniform to wear with a small back pack to carry their school supplies in. They would also have the medicine that they need to help end their suffering.
I talked one on one with 13 of the older children. I wanted to know their dreams it was incredibly painful when I realized that they did not know how to dream.
s-gannon@hotmail.com
My time in Uganda was wonderful, but my favorite was spending time at the Christian Academy Mission Program where the orphans go to school.
The orphans were beautiful they were filled with the spirit of the Lord. There bodies showed the neglect of the world. They had just returned from their school break. Pastor Frank asked them what they did during their vacation. Every child that was asked had the same answer digging on the land.
There heads are crooked from carrying water on their heads from an early age. They have skin disease, many have worms in their empty stomachs, there feet are full of jiggers (worms and insects) that have crawled in through the cracks in their feet, some of them battle many other diseases.
The meal they have daily looked like watered down cream of wheat. At Christmas and Easter they have a full meal of Rice, beans, meat and a bottle of soda. Every other day they have the watered down cream of wheat. Their clothes are falling apart and dirty.
On our first visit we brought the children pens, note books, candy, biscuts, soap and salt. They were very excited and happy with their gifts.
On our second visit we provided the children with a lunch of beans and rice. The older children served the younger children. They did not have enough plates so they also had to wait until someone finished eating before they could eat. The meal of beans and rice for 110 children was $18.00.We also brought them 2 balls a netball for the girls and a football for the boys. They were very excited. When we left the orphanage they ran behind the car for a long time. I am sure the teachers did not get them settled down to learn for the rest of the day.
I made a promise that I will do everything in my power to keep. I promised that they would have a meal like that at least 1 time per week. They would have shoes for their feet and a uniform to wear with a small back pack to carry their school supplies in. They would also have the medicine that they need to help end their suffering.
I talked one on one with 13 of the older children. I wanted to know their dreams it was incredibly painful when I realized that they did not know how to dream.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Returned today
I returned from Uganda today. I am tired after the the 18 hours of travel so my blog today will be short. I will post more tomorrow.
When we arrived in Uganda 24 people met us. Pastor Frank, his wife Lydia, his children Leah, Lincoln and Todd Douglas and 21 church members. Even though I only knew Pastor Frank, it was like meeting relatives that you do not get to see very often. There were 2 vans and a car.
The ride was quite an adventure, there are no street lights they drive on the left hand side of the road and there are many pot holes and speed bumps with MANY MANY people walking in the road. Over the week the people that met us plus many more have become my life long friends.
It was amazing to me that although the poverty was more than I imagined the beauty of the people was very powerful. I immediately felt like I belonged.
When we arrived in Uganda 24 people met us. Pastor Frank, his wife Lydia, his children Leah, Lincoln and Todd Douglas and 21 church members. Even though I only knew Pastor Frank, it was like meeting relatives that you do not get to see very often. There were 2 vans and a car.
The ride was quite an adventure, there are no street lights they drive on the left hand side of the road and there are many pot holes and speed bumps with MANY MANY people walking in the road. Over the week the people that met us plus many more have become my life long friends.
It was amazing to me that although the poverty was more than I imagined the beauty of the people was very powerful. I immediately felt like I belonged.
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