A busy month for Aid Africa

A farewell dinner for Kyla.  She has graced our lives for almost two months as a volunteer at Aid Africa.  She reminds me so much of my own daughter Kayla.  I have enjoyed her friendship in a place that can be so isolating and hope she returns again soon. Kyla, you touched many lives while you were here, and I know you were changed by the experience as well.  Wat Ma Beh.

Standing: Lilly, Priscilla, Julie (Board Member in CA), Freda, Rhona and Gloria

Sitting: Peter Keller (Executive Director), Issa, Xavier, George

With the exception of our visitors, Peter and Julie, these are the people I work with on a daily basis at Aid Africa.  Lilly is over the tree nursury.  Freda handles the daily cash expenditures, Issa is manager.  Xavier is the stove project manager.  George is our human resource manager and oversees the water projects. We are missing Jenna, our Peace Corp Volunteer, in the picture. 

After working all day long, it is sometimes a good idea to share some swallowship and fellowship!  We were able to convince Peter to come to BJZ with us for Quiz Night.  Because of him, our team scored very well. Our Team Name was "Bad Ass Stove Makers", and it is a fitting name! Top row is Kyla and Jenna.  Sitting is George, me and Peter.  Peter came the end of April for a month and he brought Kyla, a recent college graduate, with him.  She stayed an extra three weeks. 

Shamz, Jenna and Okello

When Jenna's boyfriend Naimat, known here as Okello, came to Gulu for the first time in January, his heart was touched by the lack of acess to clean water for the people of Gulu.  He returned in May with the pumps and technology that are used in Pakistan.  He believes that drilling a borehole shouldn't cost the $8-$10,000 it currently costs to drill here.  He believes that his pump, from beginning to end, can be drilled and installed for around $500.  I saw it happen.  Now he has to convince the community leaders, private investors and NGOs to bring more pumps from Pakistan.  I believe his dream will come true. 

Most of Aid Africa staff, including Peter Keller, Executive Director, are celebrating the installation of the first Pakistan pump in the village Loyoboo. Notice how the handle is much smaller than the traditional pumps here.  With just a little push, a LOT of water gushes out. 

The first pump is installed and operating.  It still needs the cement base and water catchment area. All the parts for maintenance are above ground for this pump.  It is very easy and low cost to maintain.  There are no casing pipes to remove or replace underground.  This village child is enjoying how EASY it is to get a great amount of water! 

The drilling was done by hand with the help of this pulley.  No large trucks or machines were used.  Okello and Shams had the drill bit designed and made in Gulu.  It pounds right through rock, sand, and the dark red clay.  It runs on man power. 

This is some of the "man power" I was talking about.  Except one thing.  See that person in the green tank with mud all over her pants?  That is our Kyla.  She worked right there next to the men and was never afraid of hard work, sweat, mud and heat.  She was able to save a few frogs here and there.  So I need to correct my comment.  The drill bit works on "man and woman power". Go Kyla!  Now some of you might be asking, "Where is Rhona in this picture?"  Remember, I am the accountant.  I was accounting for things. :) LOL

Meet Openj Innocent

I dont think I have ever met a brighter or happier kid in my life!  Innocent is 7 years old and is Primary 1 at Negri Elementary.  He was born without arms and has a lame left foot, but you wouldn't know it after you meet him.  He can do EVERYTHING for himself.  He feeds himself, clothes himself, and has even learned to write with his foot.  He can do all his exams, homework, and reports in school and is VERY bright!  It seems to me that God gave him an extra helping of brains and talent to help him overcome his physical disabilities. 

 

 Innocent is drawing me a beautiful picture with his foot!  This young boy will be famous someday for his talent and his sheer determination to lead a normal life!  He is supported by the Sisters of St Monica.  They pay his school fees and take care of him during the school breaks.  He makes people laugh and he has an awesome spirit about him.

Here is a picture he drew for me.   

 I am so thankful to have met Innocent.  What an amazing boy! And I think I have problems? Hmm!

Another picture he drew for me of a bus.  Look at the detail!  It's almost 3D! 

The Days Go Marching By....

This is the third picture of me at the Nile.  The first one last year was in Jinja, Uganda at the source of the Nile.  The second picture in my previous blog was taken at the Nile River in Abjumani.  This picture is taken just about an hour away from where I live.  This is the Nile River at Karuma Falls.

On April 14th, I attended a Friendship Rotary Meeting consisting of 5 area clubs; Gulu, Kitgum, Lira, Arua, and Kampala.  It was the first one ever. The meeting was great and informative.  We shared fellowship, swallowship, food, music, dance, some hiking, and lots of fun. 

Some of the attendees to the Rotary Fellowship.

On May 3rd, Rotarian Peter Keller, Executive Director of Aid Africa, presented his Rotary Club's flag to Past President Grace Amono of the Gulu Rotary Club.  Peter has been in Gulu for the last month working hard with the staff of Aid Africa.  The work he is doing is a blessing to so many.  Thank you Peter for all the personal sacrifices, in so many ways, you make so that Aid Africa grows and changes lives.  It is rare to meet such a generous man.  Truly rare.

On one of my visits to St Jude Orphanage, I came across this scene.  I couldn't help but think how this young man looked like Jesus surrounded by all these orphans.  He is so relaxed and happy.  I wish I could remember his real name.  His next stop is South Sudan. 

This little guy is Simon Peter.  He lives at St Jude's Orphanage.  Such a cutie!

Kyla and I at BJZ Night Club.  Kyla is from CA, USA and came with Peter Keller.  She has been working hard with the staff of Aid Africa.  She has come to love Gulu and is already making plans to return again for a much longer time.  What is it about Gulu that makes people love it so much? I really enjoyed hanging out with her.  She reminds me of my own daughter, Kayla, who I miss so much.  

Jenna and Naimat (Okelo).  Jenna is our Peace Corp Volunteer at Aid Africa.  They are both exhausted in this picture after a long day of work in the field, but they joined us for Quiz Night at BJZ.  Okelo and his friend from Pakistan, Shamz, has brought new pump technology to Gulu.  His dream is to make drilling boreholes a much cheaper process.  These two kids are going to change the world! 

Abjumani with the Sisters

Abjumani is the pale yellow place at the top left of this map of Uganda. South Sudan is above Uganda. Now you can see Abjumani in relationship to Gulu and South Sudan.  To the left of Uganda is the Congo.


I had the opportunity to travel to Abjumani with the Sisters of St Monica's on the day after Easter.  It is their ONE day of rest and relaxation all year.  I felt very honored to be asked to share this special day with them.  I have only seen them in their work attire and constant service to others.  It was so fun for me to see them kick back their heels, laugh, talk story, share their stories, eat great food, rest, dance, and did I mention that we laughed alot?  What fun they have in each other's company in true friendship.

Sister Rosemary and volunteers Hannah and Elizabeth are enjoying some of the first of the season Mangos.  It was about a 3 hour bumpy ride to Abjumani.  We are staying with the Sisters who run a primary school for about 1,200 children.  It's a day of resting and enjoying company with each other.

A few short minutes drive and we were at the Nile River.

The papyrus along the river bank is so beautiful.

The children of the school sang for us beautiful songs of Easter and appreciation for coming.

We are sitting on the porch listening to the beautiful voices sing.

There are only 111 kids in this one classroom.  It is not the highest either.  Another classroom we visited has 150 children in ONE classroom.  Can you imagine being the teacher for 150 kids all day for all subjects?  Think of the papers and tests you would have to grade every night.

This is what 111 kids in one classroom looks like :)

The Sisters work so hard everyday to care for all of these little kids and provide them with an education.  One day, they hope to be able to board some of the poorer ones.  I am SURE their prayers will be answered....they are some powerful women...and my new friends!  How lucky am I?

Siser Margaret is the Head Sister of the school.  She is standing in front of the daily roll call board. The first column is the grade (P1 is 1st, P2 is 2nd).  The next two columns are the number boys (543) and girls (502).  The last column has the total in the class for Tuesday, April 10th (1045). The largest class has 136 kids in it on this day.  

Sister Rosemary and St. Monica's

I have met an amazing new friend;  Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe of St. Monica. Sister Rosemary won the 2007 CNN Hero of the year for her work with disadvantaged young women in pursuit of self fullfillment and social justice for them.  Young women who were kidnapped by the LRA and taken into the bush as wives, sex slaves and child soldiers find a home and future at St Monica's.



Jenna and Erica are with Sister Rosemary.  We are having a tour of St Monica's and meeting some of the girls.  When a young woman comes to live at St Monica's, they have several different subjects to choose from for their studies.  There are seven vocations taught on campus; tailoring, catering, agriculture, hair dressing, design stitching, weaving, and secretarial skills.  The school also pays school fees for secondary school (high school) if the gir excels academically. The Sisters also teach the young mothers how to care for their babies and young children.

These girls are enrolled in the 6 month agriculture program.  Their skills, when finished, are very useful and in demand.  They are learning about soil health, composting, plant cycles and seasons, chicken farming (egg layers and broilers), animal husbandry, and many other valuable skills.

This is the tailoring class.  It is a one year or three year course.  When finished, these young ladies are ready to open their own tailoring shops and can make clothes that look like they were bought in designer shop.  They are using a peddle sew machine.

These girls are learning the art of hair braiding and plaiting. They can open their own hair salon or find work easily when they are done with this 6 month program.

The first time I met Sister Rosemary, she asked me if I had any funds left over to sponsor a couple of girls.  I told her that I was very sorry, but my funds were finished. Then guess what?  The VERY next day, my friend Sonya, sent me an email that said that our Well of Hope Foundation had just received a new $1,000 donation for school fees!  Now, there is no doubt in my mind that Sister Rosemary's prayers were behind that donation!  I called her up and told her the good news and she said, "I knew it would come."  Next, you will meet our two new girls, Monica and Christine.

AUMA MONICA

Born 1996 Age 16 (One Year Tailoring School)

I was kidnapped and taken into the bush by the LRA Rebels in 2005 when I was 9 years old. They gave us heavy loads to carry on our head and made us cook for them. They sent us to destroy people’s property and to steal chickens. We tried to run away from the rebels but by bad luck they caught us again. They beat us and said they would kill us if we tried running away again. They shot at us with guns, but they only killed one of us.  I did escape eventually and a UG Soldier brought me home, but I was wild. My father had been killed in the war.  My mother was taking care of me and my 5 siblings, but for her, the school fees were too much.  I want to give thanks to Sister Rosemary for bringing me to St Monica’s vocational school.  I would like the Almighty Father to bless both Sister Rosemary and my Sponsor forever and ever, Amen.

AWINO CHRISTINE

Born 1996 Age 16 (One yer Tailoring School)

My father died when I was just a baby.  I stayed with my mother, five brothers and two sisters.  My mother and last sister are both HIV Positive. I was staying at home without studies because my mother had no money for school fees. In 2008, when I was 12, I met Sister Rosemary. I explained to her my difficulties and she invited me to come to St Monica’s Vocational School. I finished Primary School P7 and sat for my PLE exams. In 2011 I started Secondary School, but failed to excel, so Sister Rosemary enrolled me in the St Monica’s Tailoring Course. I am grateful to have a sponsor.  May Almighty God bless my sponsor and Sister Rosemary.

St Monica's has a nursery for the babies of the girls who live and go to school.  There is also a pre-school with hundreds of little ones running around.

A free medical clinic is on the grounds and is run by rotating volunteer doctors and nurses from Gulu Hospital.

One of many projects that St Monica's is involved in is the building of these recycled bottle huts.  They are used for guests and can be rented out as well, and are BEAUTIFUL on the inside.  There are many recycle friendly projects at St Monica's.  They make purses, jewelry, vests, and skirts out of aluminum can tabs.  They also melt black plastic bags together to form a leather like material for IPAD cases sold on the internet in the US.

 

Here is a picture of the recycled bottles in the wall of the hut.

 

One Sunday, I went with the Sisters to Gulu Women's Prison.  There are 54 female inmates and 5 babies (They get to keep their baby with them until the age of 3 years).  We brought them jerri cans, basins, cups, washing soap, bread and butter.  We are in the process of getting underwear donated to the (they have none) and yeast medication to them (they all need it but it is not provided).  They sang us beautiful songs and expressed their gratitude for the things we brought to them.  It was a very touching and special experience. The Sisters of St Monica's are always engaged in such heartfelt and wonderful service projects. 

Goat Roasting

Children playing in a stream on our way to Cet Kana.

Recently, Aid Africa completed the construction of a sheltered spring in the village Cet Kana.  Tradition called for a celebration.  Aid Africa bought the goat, and the village women cooked us a feast.  This sheltered spring was funded by Erika's hair salon and her friends and family in Germany.  Erica is second on my left.  She has just recently returned to Germany, and we all miss her greatly.

When we first arrived to Cet Kana, there was some distress in the village.  The previous night, a man had come through their village and burned a hut occupied by three young children. Their mother (the man's ex-wife) and the father were out for the evening. The burning grass thatch roof collapsed and all three children burned to death.  He was caught and put in jail, but everyone near and far was upset.  It took awhile to get the food and festivities going.  

This is the goat BEFORE the roasting. 

This is another picture of the same goat.

And again, this is another picture of the same goat, but cooked.  It's actually very tasty. :)

Another day, another adventure with friends.

It's Not Always Easy

It's not an easy thing to live in a foreign country.  I usually try to stay upbeat and blog about positive experiences.  I would be untrue to myself if I didn't write about some of my challenges.  This is a blog that is documenting my life and travels; the good and the bad.  So today, I am writing about some issues I have been facing.

I have been a bit disheartened lately.  April is a hard month for me.  I am missing my family. I missed my son's (David) birthday, my daughter, (Kayla's) birthday, and Easter.  I have been gone for 4 months.  I feel isolated.

Living in Gulu presents some real physical challenges.  There is lack of electricity.  We can go for 4 or 5 days without it.  There is often a lack of running water.  Hot water is a rare luxury.  There is mud, rain, heat, cold, constant mosquitos, fear of malaria (I am not on preventative medicine), hookworms, parasites, typhoid, infections, fungus, injury, HIV, etc. Sanitation is deplorable.  Pollution fills the ditches and streets; used condoms, human waste, garbage. bags, water bottles. Sometimes after a rain, when it all piles up, the sun comes out and bakes the whole mess and the smell is horrible. Air pollution can be a problem.  Open garbage fires mar the horizon.  Tires burn black smoke in the air. Dust is in your nose and eyes. As for safety, I have been told to be careful after dark and NEVER to ride a boda home after nightfall (I live in the country). If I do, I risk rape or robbery.

There are also emotional issues to deal with.  First, I am alone.  I have no family to go home to and vent with or share my problems of the day with.  Hence, friends have become very important for me. Uganda is a male dominated society. I have dealt with disrespect.. African women are very strong emotionally;  I think they only cry when someone dies, really.  American women are a bit more emotional and sharing.  This is confusing to many. I am very isolated from my own kind here.  It is amazing to me that we speak the same language, but we don't understand each other.

I am exposed to the sadness of extreme poverty, health issues, and sick people.   I am expected to always have a solution.  There is a constant neediness for money, medicine, school fees, etc.  Death is accepted so readily; "It happens".  Will I ever get used to riding my bike down the road and have children, young and old, say "Munu Munu" (foreigner)?  If I reversed the situation and we were in America, and when this young black person crosses my path everyday I say, "black black", over and over, would he get irritated, or would he continue to smile and say, "Hello :)"?  How can I teach them it isn't polite?

There are many things I am learning by living here.  First and foremost is PATIENCE and TOLERANCE.  Patience with my tongue, my thoughts, and my actions.  I need to always THINK before I react in ANY way. That is a new thing for me to learn.  Difficult too. I have a GREAT appreciation for my health.  I appreciate simple living necessities such as electricty, water and basic sanitation.  I have better health here and always lose wieght.  There is simply no snacking for me. It is difficult to waste money on candy and cookies when surrounded by such poverty. I don't drink much soda and instead drink LOTS of boiled water.  I don't have meals from boxes or cans.  Everything cooked is freshly killed or harvested.

Just living here has caused the size of my heart to expand.  To survive here, one needs lots of compassion and love and a charitable spirit.  Yes, I am learning many things here and experiencing the good and the bad. Would I change a thing about my experience?  No way.  There is a lesson I need to learn in every new day that I live in Gulu.