OK, so I am nearing the end of a four day set of meetings in Singapore, and my brain is full for the week. I was thinking about being far away from everyone I love and care about and remembered that I actually have a blog that I used to use to share my thoughts (whether or not anyone actually reads it)! I haven't used it since I was in Uganda, but sure enough, it is still here. I am thinking maybe I will start blogging ramdom thoughts again. So here is mine for today.
How weird is it to leave Singapore first thing Friday morning and arrive in San Francisco first thing Friday morning? I get the international dateline thing, but still...
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Friday, June 11, 2010
Randomness on a Saturday in Uganda
Self Check In?
I nearly automatically checked myself in at the health clinic yesterday. The door frame between the 'lab' and the 'ward' is made of iron and is just about 6' tall. I am about 6' 1/2". Everyone was startled by the noise and my abrupt stop. Sure enough I drew blood, but at least it is under the hairline so I am not having to explain.
Why Don't We Have These?
How simple, two buttons, one for, um, light flush, two for heavy flush! I guess water is more precious here than even in California.
I thought these T Rex guys were from North America?
Birds eye view?
And yes, they are alive, check the second picture...
The two pictures I missed today.
Well actually there were tons of pictures that I missed today (hard to take good pictures from a moving car), like the chunks of raw meat hanging from the roadside shacks, the naked two year old running circles around his Mom, the rows of 'shops' between Kampala and Jinja selling piles of everything from furniture (bed frames, chairs, tables, cabinets...), to scaffolding (long wooden poles), to iron window covers (accessories?), to fresh planed lumber (planing machines on site), and that was just in the basic home supply miles of road.
No, the two pictures I missed, and will really miss, are the two little monkeys playing on the side of the road and the crocodile in the Nile.
I will post some of the ones I didn't miss soon.
First Visit
I am not sure I can really describe today in words. I am still processing what I saw and experienced. Let me share a little commentary and try to let the pictures do most of the 'talking'.
The street kids are offered a cubby in the container to store their entire earthly possessions.
You know when in science fiction movies there is a clear point when you enter an alien world? There is usually some sort of dramatic transition, but it is abundantly clear that you are 'no longer in Kansas...'. Well, this afternoon we drove from the hotel, through very busy streets (shared by cars, trucks, bikes and people), through downtown, past the University, turned left down a side road, then left again and off the pavement (transition) immediately into the slums. It is a fairly narrow section of town (this slum) between the University and some hotels, etc., but it may as well have been on another planet.
The 'main' 'street' of the slum from both directions:
I found it hard to believe an auto or SUV would even fit or be able to traverse the 1 1/2 to 2 foot or more, dips, bumps, drainage trenches, etc., let alone not run over something or someone.
I found it hard to believe an auto or SUV would even fit or be able to traverse the 1 1/2 to 2 foot or more, dips, bumps, drainage trenches, etc., let alone not run over something or someone.
We first toured the clinic. Here are four shots:
the doctor's exam room
the 'ward' (a mom with her two kids, the one on the left has Typhoid, the one on the right Malaria)
the 'lab',
and the pharmacy:
Through the back door is a boys home (more on that later) and the primary school (babies, then levels that roughly equate to our K - 8)
Here is a shot of the school's 'Pit' toilet.
We then moved to the other end of the slum to where Pastor Nelson has a small office, and the church grounds and the high school are located. this is a high shot of the church area; You can see the foundation and partial walls for the future church building (yes, quite large):
The structure (roof) on the right is where the church currently meets. The orange shipping container is the 'base' for the street kids (more later also).
A while ago, Grace Fellowship started feeding and offering a weekly shower to true street kids. Volunteers that were working with these kids eventually found their way to the location as well and it has turned into a real program. Now Grace tries to feed the kids 4-5 times a week if possible, give them literacy classes, language and hygiene/health classes. There are on average 40-50 kids who hang around during the day (this picture was late afternoon on a Friday and many had taken off, many to return later), and sleep on the concrete floor of the covered area during the night.
Grace Fellowship and the volunteers do offer other activities like bead stringing that can be sold for a few dollars (look to see Mike and I sporting them when we return). Here a little guy ties a bead necklace on Josh, a street kid volunteer and an intern at an EMI (Engineering Ministries) branch office located in a suburb of Kampala. By the way, Ryan's professor that I mentioned in an earlier blog has been on the board of EMI and still consults with them.
The street kids are offered a cubby in the container to store their entire earthly possessions.
Here is a shot of one of the high school classrooms. (more on the high school later also).
Along the back of the property runs a stream/drain. Just before I took the second picture below, a boy took a shower in the water from the broken pipe.
On a final note for this entry, after seeing the conditions people here live in every day, I was struck by how nearly every child we encountered either ran up and shook our hand, wanted their picture taken (and to see it and laugh), and I don't recall anyone not breaking out into a huge, beautiful smile at some point. If you have been tempted to tie riches to happiness, or joy, or contentment,.... you should come here for even an afternoon and you will encounter something extraordinary. Having someone care for them, feed them, help them, share the hope of the gospel with them has put a smile on their face in the middle of abject poverty.
It is amazing to me that while I walked away this afternoon overwhelmed by the circumstances, and I am still trying to absorb it, I also walked away with my spirit lifted by people who have so little, yet show more joy than I encounter in most people back in 'our world'. I look forward to going back over the next few days.
Video
I have been trying to upload a couple of videos all evening but just not happening so far. I will keep tying, since video give such a richer feel for this place, but will stick with some photos for now.
Getting settled
Well, after a night of no sleep, or NOT adjusting to the local time (for me anyway, Mike was able to sleep), we had a great breakfast and went for a walk. We picked up a pay as you go cell phone so we don't have to pay $3.50 a minute to talk, and an 'internet everywhere' usb key - basically internet through the local cell phone network (so I am actually able to effectively go on line!). Basically haven't started our trip other than getting settled. Nelson is picking us up shortly. He had a meeting this morning with a local planning board. Someone bought property behind the orphanage and wants a road put in through the orphanage property. Not good.
I thought I would share a couple pictures. First one is Pastor Nelson and his wife, Sarah, and me as we arrived at the hotel last night.
This second one is of a HUGE bird. He (or she) is out on the golf course on our walk. It's wingspan is at least 8 foot across, probably more... 'go ahead, play through I'll wait...'
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Arrival!
We started in the morning and flew through the day and through the night and through the day and into the next night! 32 hours from front door to hotel. San Francisco - Chicago - Brussels (made the connection with 0 minutes to spare) - Kigali, Rwanda - and finally Entebbe! Pastor Nelson and his Sarah were gracious enough to pick us up at the airport (an hour late) and drive us to the hotel.
The night ride up to Kampala very much reminded me of times in India. A lot of smoking diesel trucks and a lot of burning garbage fires make it smokey with strong, pervasive smells. Shops, bars and restaurants that lined the road nearly the whole way (I think it was about 30-40 kilometers) still open after midnight with a lot of people milling about. Also a lot of people walking, something that you don't see very much in the States, at least not like this, and certainly not this late. It seems at times there are more people walking than riding (cars, trucks, and motorcycles). Day time traffic should prove interesting (I hear).
Well off to attempt sleep. Internet connections all down this evening other that this one computer in the business center of the hotel. Working on and off, so I will make this short and add more tomorrow.
The night ride up to Kampala very much reminded me of times in India. A lot of smoking diesel trucks and a lot of burning garbage fires make it smokey with strong, pervasive smells. Shops, bars and restaurants that lined the road nearly the whole way (I think it was about 30-40 kilometers) still open after midnight with a lot of people milling about. Also a lot of people walking, something that you don't see very much in the States, at least not like this, and certainly not this late. It seems at times there are more people walking than riding (cars, trucks, and motorcycles). Day time traffic should prove interesting (I hear).
Well off to attempt sleep. Internet connections all down this evening other that this one computer in the business center of the hotel. Working on and off, so I will make this short and add more tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
It's Time to Go
Well, first thing in the morning it is time to fly. San Francisco, Chicago, Rwanda, Uganda. Scheduled to arrive there Thursday night local time. Packed. Inoculated. Prepared as I ever will be.
I thought I would share a few facts about Uganda and Kampala the capital. Mostly to share a picture of the basic need that I think has drawn me in. I am sure similar or maybe even worse circumstances are present in other countries or parts of the world, but this is where my heart is being pulled at the moment.
In 1999 it was estimated that there were about 5000 street kids in Uganda, (it is estimated that 16 new kids hit the streets every day) about half with no parents, the other half with a parent, but one unable to care, feed, etc. children. This is primarily a result of disease (extensive HIV/AIDS), war, and poverty or near poverty in many parts of the country. I read one story of a lady who lost all 11 kids to AIDS and is now trying to raise something like 37 grand kids. (How do you do that without a broken heart?) Over 1/4th of families in Uganda have at least one adopted child.
The average age of the entire population is 15. 51% of the population live just below the poverty line of $1.25/day income (although that is hard to translate since the economy, condition, etc. are so different from ours. still...). Many children are victims of violence and abuse. Many die of curable diseases as I said before. I guess I could go on, but suspect you get the idea. When I spoke with Pastor Nelson, he shared that many of the children will not come off the streets, even if housing is offered, based on their distrust of 'grown ups' that have taken advantage of them in the past.
I struggle to imagine what life is like for these kids. If the do survive, how do the learn life skills, moral principles, heck, even hygiene...? How do you adjust? Who are their role models? I understand that some are sadly 'wise' beyond their years. (Four Corners Ministry is starting a new ministry with a great approach - establish real homes that can teach these things, help develop the next generation to help the next generation....'teach them to fish rather than giving them fish'. Having said that, Grace Fellowship is overwhelmed with the basics. Save them. Feed them (two meals most days). Give them a medical check up. A shower (once a week). Basic schooling. And the opportunity to share the good news and hope of the Gospel. No doubt they would like to go beyond that.
I guess that is why I am going. How can I help? Help with the basics, like raising funds to feed them? or building a health care facility to give them the chance to survive and go on? We'll see.
I don't know the Internet connection situation there, although I am staying at a place that supposedly has good connections. I will find a way to keep you updated.
Jeff (Pops)(Bid Daddio)
I thought I would share a few facts about Uganda and Kampala the capital. Mostly to share a picture of the basic need that I think has drawn me in. I am sure similar or maybe even worse circumstances are present in other countries or parts of the world, but this is where my heart is being pulled at the moment.
In 1999 it was estimated that there were about 5000 street kids in Uganda, (it is estimated that 16 new kids hit the streets every day) about half with no parents, the other half with a parent, but one unable to care, feed, etc. children. This is primarily a result of disease (extensive HIV/AIDS), war, and poverty or near poverty in many parts of the country. I read one story of a lady who lost all 11 kids to AIDS and is now trying to raise something like 37 grand kids. (How do you do that without a broken heart?) Over 1/4th of families in Uganda have at least one adopted child.
The average age of the entire population is 15. 51% of the population live just below the poverty line of $1.25/day income (although that is hard to translate since the economy, condition, etc. are so different from ours. still...). Many children are victims of violence and abuse. Many die of curable diseases as I said before. I guess I could go on, but suspect you get the idea. When I spoke with Pastor Nelson, he shared that many of the children will not come off the streets, even if housing is offered, based on their distrust of 'grown ups' that have taken advantage of them in the past.
I struggle to imagine what life is like for these kids. If the do survive, how do the learn life skills, moral principles, heck, even hygiene...? How do you adjust? Who are their role models? I understand that some are sadly 'wise' beyond their years. (Four Corners Ministry is starting a new ministry with a great approach - establish real homes that can teach these things, help develop the next generation to help the next generation....'teach them to fish rather than giving them fish'. Having said that, Grace Fellowship is overwhelmed with the basics. Save them. Feed them (two meals most days). Give them a medical check up. A shower (once a week). Basic schooling. And the opportunity to share the good news and hope of the Gospel. No doubt they would like to go beyond that.
I guess that is why I am going. How can I help? Help with the basics, like raising funds to feed them? or building a health care facility to give them the chance to survive and go on? We'll see.
I don't know the Internet connection situation there, although I am staying at a place that supposedly has good connections. I will find a way to keep you updated.
Jeff (Pops)(Bid Daddio)
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