Hi everyone. sorry for the delayed updates.... we have been withought electricity for a few days and have finally found an internet cafe wioth a generator.
So Tuesday, June 5, we drove out to Gulu. The roads... were interesting. i think LAuren compared the driving to playing mario kart. There are so many potholes at places that for much of the time we drove on the shoulder. It was so cool to see all the beautiful scenery! We also got to take pictures of monkeys, bamboos, and the amaing waterfalls. (FYI, if you're ever in Gulu, don't take pictures around the bridges.) Along the way we picked up some bananas and pineapples and then realized none of us reallu knoew how to tell when a pineapple is ripe... When we reached Gulu, our room at Collins' apt com-lex wasnt quite ready so wqe stayed at a hotel. Collins and his friends and relatives all took us out to dinner at a place they said was made for "mzungos." We could tell that it was made for foreigners b/c it had electricity at night. =)
Wednesday we went to the offfice and met some of the kids. I guess some things are universal as one of the boys said he had a headahce so he could stay home from school to hang out with us. We also moved into our one room apartment; all four of us are sharing it and it has become quite cozy, in a sense =)
The kids love cameras and we took lots of pictures of them! We def. have some characters among them!
Thursday we spent the day at the office as well as had a meeting at the NGO Forum. We are almost there to becoming an Non-Governmental Organization... we're just waiting for some more people to approve our constitutiuon and work p;lan. We're keeping our fingers crossed it happens soon! We also have our first experence on the "boda-bodas;" their "taxi" motorcycles.
We also gave grace all of the sruff we brought for the kids: art supploes, cameras, beads, white boards, flip flops, t-shirts; and they loved all of it and were so grateful! The staff was especially amazed by the white boards!
Thursday night we were able to go to Lacor hospital as Collins was getting soem tests done. We then met some people for dinner who were from Iowa. They were workiung with Child Voice International, another NGO and we met to talk about a possible collaboration. It was a medical group who had opened up a clinic north of gulu near one of the IDP camps. Lauren and Monica were able to arrange for them to help out at the clinic on Friday while Dave and i were gone.
Friday Dave and I ventured back to Kampala with Collins to collect more of our luggage. Our hotel in Kampala had running water... I don't think i enjoyed a shower so much in my life! (Our apartment in Gulu doesn't have running water, our "showers" are taken in a plastic container by pouring waer frrom jugs. All of us girls have kind of given up on washing our hair as it is quite difficult. It's trange how quickly one adjusts to stuff like this!)
Saturday night we returned to Gulu.
Sunday Monica and i walked to the Catholic curch that is down the street from us. We thought we were arrivin in time for the wenglish service but found it was in Lou (the local language). We never-the-less enjoyed it very much, especially the music!! One thing i have especially enjoyed while in Uganda is that there is music everywhere!
After mass we went to our office for the official opening ceremony of Dwon Madiki. The kids danced the bwola (sp?) dance for us which is the acholi royal dance. They then led us up to the doors of our office where dave cut the ribbon, lauren cut the sign, i unlocked the door, and monica opened the door. It was all very exciting. The LC1, the local leader, came as well.
After the openeing of the doors we were entertained by the kids and everyone was asked to give brief speeches. The kids have amazing talents and energy! It was truly inspiring. We were able to capture if on tape and i can';t wait to show everyone. It still amazes me how much talent all the kids have, even the really little ones.
After a wonderful traditional acholi meal the kids danced for us some more and sang some songs and recited poems. One little girl, who could't have been more than 5 years old sang us the Uganda national anthem.
As the dancing progressed, we decided tpo attempt some of it. It is hard! =) Dave entertanined the kids by trying out the "calypso" dance while Lauren, Monica, and i joined the girls in their traditional dancing. The girls were amused out our "mzungo" dancing. It was so much fun and i'm, sure we provided everyone with lots of enyertainment as we tried to follow the girls. Hopefully I'll learn how to dacne acholi-style by the time i get home! Oh, and Dave learned, after much laughter frm the kids, that ohnly women make the high pitched yelling/calling noise.
The night progressed with lots more dancing and speaches and when it got dark, we ended the day by dancing with all the kids to Shakira. Lauren and i taught them how to "twirl." The whole day was just incredibly amazing.
I have truly loved every moment here in Uganda, especially the time spent with the kids. I has been an incredible experience. Everyone we have met has been so friendly and grateful. It is amazing how much these people have suffered and all the difficulties that they continue to face with such strength and resielance. one of the boys, eric, who comes to dwon madiki after school, but is not beng sponsored by us, is an orpan as well as has HIV. Meeting all of these children reminds us of the responsibility that we carry as well as inspires me to work hard so that we will be able to sponsor more of the kids. Thgese kids literally rely on us for so much; last week, becauyse of some mishap with the banks, our wire transfer didnt go through so the kids went without lunch at school.
Many of the older children and adults we have met have very vivid memoris of the war. Collins, who comes from a fgamily of 6, had 3 siblings abducted during the war; 2 sisters and 1 brother.
Despite all of this suffering and difficulties this war has caused the Acholi community, i have never met a more positive peoples! It really is true that, through providing some monetary assistance to the kids, we are learning and receibing as much fromn the Acholi people; perhpaps we are learning even more from them.
One thing that really struck me as i have spent more time at the office is the sense of cvommunity among everyone. There are so many kids that come tothe after-school program; maybe about 40 com e every night. When thge kids dance, adults from the suyrrounding community come out as well to watch. Many of hthe young girls have to take care of younger siblings and little babies and toddlers are passed around and taken care by everyone.
I think thatt;s abot it... agian, sorry for all of the spelling mistakes! The keyboard sticks al ot.
If anyone wants to talk, to call it is: 011-256-77-3232-906
Love,
Amy
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