Suubi: the hope house
Here are the stories of two beautiful, courageous children of God that I got to spend the last few weeks with:
The Banana Boy: Charles is 11 years old. He is from a small village in the mountains of Uganda. When He was 9, both of his parents died suddenly. He moved in with an aunt but she was unable to care for him. A woman came to the village and said that Charles could come live with her in the city of Kampala, that she would take care of him and send him to school. However, this woman already had 2 kids of her own and 7 nieces and nephews living with her who are much more valued to her. Charles is forced to walk over 2 miles, with no shoes, to sell bananas for the family, while all of the other children attend school. If he doesn't sell all of his bananas, he doesn't get dinner when he comes home nor is he allowed to bathe or change clothes. It is the same cycle every day. Charles is 11. Our contact, Sarah Mae, met charles a few days before we came. Charles came to Suubi house, where we lived, everyday this month where he was able to play soccer, watch kids movies, and fed a snack. Without making Charles completely reliant on us, we bought a LOT of bananas this month and gave him shoes to make his journey a little more bearable. When I was 11, I was traveling for select soccer games every weekend, spent my summer days in the pool or at the beach, stayed up way too late during sleepovers with my friends, had a different pair of shoes for every activity, and 6 years of school under my belt. I can't help but think of my little brother who just turned 12 every time I see Charles and my heart breaks.This month Charles was able to be a kid for a few hours every afternoon as he played, had homemade snacks, and was cared for as he deserves.
The Brave Girl: Norah is 15. She is the 4th out of 5 children. Her mom has a tiny restaurant up the street from Sarah Mae's house. Her dad left when she was little and they haven't heard from him in years. Her mom barely makes enough money to feed them. She can no longer afford to pay Norah's school fees, which are $30 for the entire year. Norah is ranked 8 in her class of 200. A few weeks ago she came to Suubi house, shaking because she was so nervous, but faithful enough to show up anyway. She sobbed as she poured our her heart and story to Sarah Mae, and asked if there is anyway she could help her with school fee's. Sarah Mae told us Norah's story and I felt convicted that if I was willing to spend $100 to raft the nile, I could spend $30 to make this sweet, courageous girls dreams come true. Going to school has never been a question for me, I never had to worry about whether or not I could afford it… it's certainly not something I grew up being thankful for. Norah's dream is to go to school so that she can become well educated. Norah's dream is to become a judge and fight for those in poverty in her corrupt country. This month Norah is one step closer to that dream, she doesn't have to worry about paying for school this year.
Sarah Mae moved to Uganda two years ago because of people like Norah and Charles that God put on her heart. As long as she can remember, her nickname from home has been Suubi. In Lugandian, Suubi means hope. She wants to create a house of Hope in her community. A place where street children can come to be fed and learn to be kids again. Where high school girls can have a bible study and help get school fee's. She wants to help create jobs for people who are desperate to work just to put food on the table for their children. She wants to empower her community, to help other village communities in need. To take ownership for the need around them, and serve each other. That is the vision for Suubi house: a community house. It has been such a blessing seeing the beginning stages of this dream come together, she got the house 3 days before we arrived in Uganda! Join us in praying and fighting for Suubi house, as she hears stories and changes lives like Charles and Norah daily.
Check out the Suubi FB page & a video is coming soon!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suubi-House/320166901368666?fref=ts
