Hello family and friends!
For the month of January my team was in Lira, Uganda, working with LightForce International at their children’s home. When George, our host, started the Lira base, he asked the community what they wanted. Out of that he built a nursery, primary school, health clinic, a children’s home and most recently, an agricultural school set to open this month. He also built a lodge, where we slept for the month. His goal is to see the site fully self-sustained one day and to empower the community to take ownership of the development.
Each morning we’d set out on a 25-minute walk to the children’s home. We walked through the dust roads of the bush, waving to locals and taking in the scenery of goats, cows and people going about their daily lives. People were working in fields, making bricks, retrieving water, washing clothes and sweeping, going to the convenience store, riding bikes to work or enjoying the cool morning weather before the afternoon heat hit.
At the children’s home we would help them with morning chores, tutor the kids for about 2 hours, have lunch followed by rest time, then an afternoon indoor activity and finally we’d play outside for about an hour before heading back to the compound. Our days were full, sometimes tiring, but most often a lot of fun being with the kids.
On Wednesday and Saturday evenings, we would help lead a sports outreach for up to 80 kids. We’d organize games with the parachute or relays, and conclude with one of our team members sharing a bible message.
New experiences can foster a range of emotions – excitement, fear, wonder, humility. Most of the race has been like this for me, but this month was special in that there were a lot firstsh, for both the children and for me.
- The first week there we brought a laptop to the children’s home to show The Lion King. For most, it was their first time ever seeing a movie.
- It was my first time going to a well for water. We’d take a bike down to the water every day and fill up about 6 or more 10-liter jerry cans. Then we’d take turns biking or carrying them back to the house.
- It was the kids’ first time seeing a contact lens. With it being dry season, I got dust in my eye one day and had to take my contact out to clean it. The kids looked at me like I was crazy, that that thing came out of my eye and was about to go back in. I got some very skeptical looks the rest of the day and the days to follow, even after explaining how it helps me see.
- It was my first time using a motorcycle (aka: boda boda) for public transportation. It was also my first time using a squatty potty on a daily basis and my first time getting a weave.
I came to learn that when the kids first arrived at the children’s home less than a year ago, they had many new experiences. For some, it was the first time having regular meals or feeling full. For others, it was the first time being cared for instead of caring for someone else. Sadly, for too many (including the older kids) it was their first time being able to attending school.
There were many others who helped make Uganda a memorable month:
– Bruno, his wife, Mary, and their son, Divine George, have made us feel like part of the family and very welcome at LightForce. One night while talking to Bruno, he said, “God decorated us all differently. Although we look different, we are created in God’s image and we remember that when we see how we are united in Spirit. It’s not what’s outside, but what’s inside of us”.
– Prisca was with us most of the month and helped as a translator and friend. She worked at a radio station, helping to speak on behalf of the community and promote LightForce. Even when she caught malaria and typhoid while we were there, she didn’t let it stop her drive and passion for the children and school.
– Hamida was a lady who helped cook our meals. While she was a proclaimed Muslim the first day we arrived, she accepted Jesus as her savior on one of our last days. She had been studying in the South Sudan and had to evacuate on foot while running from bombs and gunfire.
– Margret, the lady from my last blog, consistently comes to my mind, because of the pure joy and welcoming presence I felt every time we visited her and Justina.
While this month was was trying at times, joy and interactions filled my heart and reminded me there is purpose in this journey.
*** Check out my facebook if you’d like to see pictures. Unfortunately they weren’t able to load here. ***
Some other updates:
- We sent the last few days of January with our whole squad in Jinga, Uganda for debrief and had team changes. Our new team name is “Team Seetaram Sandwich”.
- We had an adventure day and I went white water rafting on the Nile River. I felt like I almost died few times going through the water, but it was an amazing experience.
- We are currently in Rwanda and fly out to Albania on Sunday. Can’t believe we are ending out month 5 of the race, 6 more months to go!
- I am just a few hundred dollars short of being fully funded!
Thank you, thank you, thank you again for all your support 🙂
Much love!
