Pearls of Africa Children's Home

Aid Africa supports an orphanage in Jinja, Uganda.  This was my first time to visit it.  It is called "The Pearls of Africa Children's Home", and I met some real pearls of Africa.  The children were so well kept.  The home was organized and clean.  Everyone was happy and well fed and clothed. Jinja is a lovely tourist town famous for being the source of the River Nile. 

Kyla is teaching the kids how to play jacks. 

These beautiful faces loved having their picture taken, then looking at the results!  

We played football with their new soccer ball.  Peter is in the background taking a picture of every child for documentation purposes. 

Kyla brought some clothes to hand out to everyone.  Her suitcase is now a bit lighter. 

Rossette, on the far right of the group is the lady that started this orphanage many years ago.  She is responsible for the well being of all of these kids.  She has a big family to take care of! 

Rosette, the founder of the orphanage. 

This is probably the amount of laundry she does every day!

This little girl is trying to figure out how this new toy works. 

Kyla's hair is so long she can share it with others!  What a cute photo!  This made the children laugh and laugh.  Everyone wanted to see what they looked like with mzungu hair on their head! 

After a great day in Jinja, we had a wonderful dinner at an Indian Restaurant in Kampala. 

Murchison Falls, Uganda

A trip to Uganda is not complete without a game drive through Murchson Falls.  It is exactly two hours from Gulu.  The giraffes are my favorite; so graceful and beautiful.

This is a water buffalo. I didnt take many picutres because I have been here many times.  We didn't see a lion, and the elephants were far away. 

You can almost cross the Nile on the back of these hippos! 

Most tourists stay at the expensive $189/night Paraa Lodge. They dont know that across the river is a great hide away called "The Red Chili" for $25/night.  It was my first time at the Red Chili, and I loved it. 

This was very brave of Kyla because these warthogs can be VERY aggressive. 

This is the only picutre I have of Peter in Murchison Falls.  We were on the ferry crossing the Nile River on our way to the early morning game drive, after which we headed to Jinja.

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.