It feels like we've been traveling for weeks. I think I've only slept about 7 hours in the past 3 nights. Planes are so hard to sleep on.
Uganda is beautiful. We flew in over Lake Victoria. It looked like we were going to land right there in the water, but suddenly there was land below us and we touched down. Three girls from HELP were there to greet us. We rode for about an hour and a half back to our house. It made me want to cry, watching the brightly colored houses, all the people, the animals, and the crazy traffic. It reminded me so much of India, and I feel so good about being here. It's weird, but I feel like this is where we're supposed to be right now. And I don't usually feel things like that.
We are literally staying in a concrete shed behind the main house. There's a huge gate around the complex and a guard. It feels safe. Don't worry. And we're being very careful. Still, I can't believe the living conditions. It's much worse than our house in India. Here we pump water in front to bathe or wash our hands. We use an outhouse. It's shocking--more so to Taylor than to me.
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Town Center
This is the center of Lugazi. The top left office is the "Youth Outreach Program" It consists of about 15 ugandan college students. They were born in Lugazi, and were able to earn enough money to go to college in Kampala. They have decided to return to Lugazi and build up the community by starting a non-profit group that focuses on orphans, street children, and widows. They are an amazing group of people. I want to be more like them. I am currently working closely with them to write a business plan, and letters to governmental agencies and NGO's to help them raise enough funds for their projects. It's amazing how a little money can do so much good. We are hoping to raise $5,000 to build a carpentry shop and bakery to teach the children viable skills. I hope I can help them succeed.
Village Hut
Mandy went into the rural jungle villages to deliver baby kits to new mothers. Entire families live in this small huts. Sometimes 10+ people per hut.
Our Room
After sewing several mosquito nets together we managed to cocoon our bed in the safety of mesh. We sleep comfortably and the geckos, spiders and roaches thankfully stay on the floor and the walls.
Not Exactly the Marriott but it's Home Sweet Home
This is our room in the back of the main house. We are the middle door. The left door is the charcoal room, the right door is Sam's room, our day time guard
The Well
This is where we get our water. (Drinking water comes from a bottling company) We use this water to clean, shower, laundry and dishes. We add bleach and soap to kill the algae
My Best Invention So Far
I managed to rig a spout to a jerry can and attach a tube to the end. There were a few bricks lying around which makes for a perfect stand and "tiled floor". Now we can stand up, shower, and rinse. Who needs indoor plumbing?
Our walk home
We walk this street everyday to get home. The children run out of their houses, yelling and laughing.; They grab your arms and hug your legs. They have nothing, but are so happy. I want to take them all home.
Boda Driver Wanna Be
These are the "Boda Boda" Taxis. We pile on 1, 2, 3, maybe 4 people. I have seen 4 people and 2 chairs strapped to the back going down the highway. Classic
This is a typical store front.
Businesses here are extremely small. Most of them sell the same things and have way too much inventory. I am teaching a series of business classes to various groups to help them with book keeping and inventory management.
Mandy Sleeping in the Airport Next to Her Friend Ronald
Fortunately we were able to catch some shut eye in the Amsterdam airport. Mandy was able to fall asleep knowing that she was being watched by the family guardian
Mandy In Amsterdam
On our flight over here we were able to spend a day in Amsterdam. Neither of us had ever been there so it was fun to figure things out. Here we are in the subway station heading out into the city. I love subways
I wasn't able to view your blog until we arrived home. Dad forgot the password to my email account so I couldn't check it in Italy. Mandy, you sound happy which I am grateful to hear. Looking forward to the next post. Did you send this blog link to Grammy? I'm exhausted from our 22 hour plane ordeal. I can't imagine how you must have felt after 57. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it safely! Crazy about the living conditions... but still I guess it could be worse.. at least you have an outhouse :)
ReplyDeleteWow! I just found out about your trip yesterday. What an adventure. I think it might even be more exciting than your trip to the Grand Ole Opry. ...Suzie
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