Day 17 and 18

Ok......so somehow I (Becs) have escaped writing this blog so far....as my way with words is most definitely not one of my strongest points. As always Uganda has been such a challenge and a humbling experience. I have felt overwhelmed at times....and I have to admit at times have been very heavy hearted at what I have seen. But again God has been teaching me, that it is not up to me to solve all of Uganda’s problems.....it is our responsibility to examine our own lives under Gods word and see what He requires of us.....to bring these people before God and leave it to Him.

Yesterday, we visited the school for the blind at Salaama and the visually impaired unit at the associated secondary school. Programmes were delivered to the children at both schools and it was encouraging to see all the excellent work being done with these disadvantaged children.

Many of the cases of blindness that we saw, in the west would simply not have occurred. Some became blind after getting measles because of lack of immunisations and others from living in unhygienic conditions, with conditions being carried on household flies, and through dietary deficiency of Vitamin A. It seems so unfair that things we take for granted like immunisations, diet and hygiene, so deeply affect people here. However, it was encouraging to be at this school and see children in education as the blind in society here are not sent to school as it is seen as pointless to educate the blind. They were such joyful children, despite not being able to experience the amazing beauty within their own school grounds.

Close to this school we stopped the bus to watch a troop of monkeys do their stuff above the trees at the side of the road and got some pictures of workers harvesting tea in a field at the road side.

Today another six of our team left on an early flight this morning, leaving twelve of us still remaining. We went to a primary school within a prison compound, that had been scheduled for earlier in the week but was cancelled due to the death of a teacher from HIV related causes. The primary school was massive, with a total of about 1700 pupils. It was very difficult to begin with.....as all of us were extremely tired. The pupils were divided into two groups, primary 1 – primary 3 and primary 4 – primary 7. Wenford and Andrew worked extremely hard on concreting in the swings at the school, in extremely hot weather.

However, nothing could have prepared us for the mass number of pupils we met. We tried first of all to do the kids club with all 700 primary one – primary 3 (each year group has at least 3 classes of 80 pupils-with one teacher to each class) but it was just not possible as the children were too excited. We tried again delivering the programme three times to each individual year group. This worked and the programme was well received. The Love for Life programme was delivered by Ruth and David with the dramas being acted out by Bethany and Sarah in the packed prison church to over 1000 senior primary pupils – what a challenge. After the pupil programme input we addressed the teachers and left the pupil resources with them. What a difference teaching is in Uganda to what is the N Ireland experience.

Tonight Daniel, the headmaster of Shammah joined us for dinner. He told us of the ongoing impact in the little community near his school that we had visited two days earlier. We were able to provide him with more basic resources for his very needy community. Dad also got an opportunity to talk to Ian Clarke from International Hospital and Rory Wilson from Kiwoko Hospital (Denise and Rory had just arrived back in Kampala this afternoon). Both meetings occurred within 1 hour of each other in two separate places (total God incidence). He had the opportunity to chat around some of the medical situations we had encountered over the last two weeks. As I write this we have just receiveda text from the other six team members to say they have arrived safely in Belfast.

Well I better go here and get some much needed beauty sleep. Thanx for continuing to follow. God Bless...xo

Day 16

Yet another early start albeit a slightly shorter journey to Ebeneezer Junior School, Kawempe. Despite a population of over 300students and very cramped conditions, we found both the children and all the staff members enthusiastic and ready to get involved in the day’s programmes. Again, we found the children extremely well mannered and able to concentrate throughout the day despite the sweltering heat, with all morning programmes being delivered outside under the blazing sun.

We were challenged again at how some children manage to cope with severe physical disabilities. One the young girls in upper primary was missing both hands. We can only surmise as to how this horrendous disability had occurred, but such atrocities were unfortunately typical of the warfare tactics employed by Kony in northern Uganda of recent years.

After lunch, the parents programme got underway as per usual whilst the rest of the team attempted to amuse the children.

We rounded off the day with a lovely dinner in the guesthouse, and treated ourselves to a wee ice-cream – John Haw jumped with glee!

Devotions allowed us an opportunity to reflect upon the activities of the past two weeks, and spend some time in encouraging one another. We were very happy to hear that the first two members of the team to leave, Basil and Nan, had reached the UK safely after a long day of travelling.

Any yet again as we sit here writing this, we are serenaded with the melodious cries of Natalie as she encounters another of Africa’s numerous beasties!

Day 15

On the bus on the way to school - another early rise and sleepyheads on the bus.

The welcome at school today included an incredible display of Ugandan dance. Some of the team attempted to emulate the Ugandan children - Basil in particular displayed a hidden talent. We have a copy of this on video - this can be seen on request - despite Basils protestations of confidentiality within the team!

Both Kids Club and I'm Special, You're Special were presented to the 350 children in Kiwoko Primary School this morning. The parents received programme input. As in other schools teachers were very pleased with all the programmes delivered and with the resources, gifts and books left with the school.

As always the little team of workers put both swing and goal posts in place for the Primary children . It is not an easy task in the 40 degree sunshine. Afterwards they got into conversation with a teacher around the war in the area and the situation about so many orphans. He also pointed out a witch doctor in the vicinity of school and the guys got to meet the Bishop of Luweero.

In the afternoon some of the team headed to Kiwoko Secondary where they presented to over 800 young people. Afterwards they had many individual conversations with young people and questions ranged from ones around sexual infections to situations about friends who were being offered money for sex to allow them to pay for school fees.

Some of the team headed to Shammah to see Daniel the Head Teacher, planning to deliver some gifts in the little church community near the school. As is typical of Daniel, he immediately welcomed us, even though our visit was unannouncd, immediately saying he knew of an even more needy community, not far from school. Arriving at the little scattered community, need was everywhere as the team members were surrounded by nearly 100 small children and women with babies in arms. We were shown the little church and the community wanted to have an impromtu church service to celebrate the arrival of their visitors. It was so noticeable that virtually all the community were women and children with very few men to be seen anywhere. As gifts were distributed house to house some comments were so humbling; "We never thought white people would visit our little commuinty and bring gifts to us all". As we got inot the bus and got ready to leave we watched as the women got the little children in line to give them a little piece of the bread and sweets that we had brought. It was obvious as the children eagerly devoured the meagre offering, that they were very hungry. One of the men who said he did not believe in God said - "Today I am going to church to thank God for your visit to our community". Daniel encouraged us by saying that our visit would support the owrk he and the pastors were trying to do in this very needy community. He pointed out to us that the village folk were already heading to their little one room church to give thanks to God for what they had received. Again as has been so often the case over the last two weeks we all acknowledged that we had so much to learn from our Ugandan neighbours.

Day 13

Hello everybody,
Today was another busy day, but very different from the rest. It started off tough when we heard that one of the teachers in the prison school that we were to go to had passed away the night before so therefore the school was closed. We therefore would really appreciate all of your prayers for the school and also the teacher's family, friends and community as the funeral is tomorrow and it will effect the whole community.

When we found out we weren't going to the school due to the circumstances we decided to visit an organisation called Waakisa. There we saw Sharon and Stuart Hamill who had just arrived in Uganda on the Friday. It is a very good organisation which helps young girls who get pregnant at a young age and are abandoned or don't know where to go or what to do, some of them were also girls who wanted abortions. Waakisa took these girls in and counselled them throughout their pregnancy and when it became time took them to the local hospital and cared for them. These girls who had wanted to have abortions learnt to love their babies and look after them. Waakisa then tries to get them back enrolled into there families and homes and then they follow up a couple of months after to see how they were getting on. We heard one awful story of a young 13 year old girl who was raped by family members and she became pregnant and came to Waakisa for help. Some of these girls find it hard to open up at first but through Waakisa counselling they finally do. There are some situations when the families won't accept their daughters back into the family because they blame the girls. In these situations these girls are given a new home and are allowed to run a small business. It is a very good organisation which could do with a lot of prayers.

After our visit we then went back to the school we were at on Friday to leave the football team a kit and two balls. They were so happy and thankful and it was lovely to see all there smiling faces again and hear them sing the songs we taught them on Friday.

We then ate our lunch looking out onto Lake Victoria in the warm sunshine. It was a beautiful sight and it was very peaceful. After that we took off and went to a small viillage where Arnold lives with his mom, Joy and his brother. We collected them and took them onto our bus. We then went into his small village and gave out small gifts like goodie bags and knitted teddies and blankets to the children. It was lovely seeing there smiling faces as we gave out the gifts and we got many good photos.

We then went back to the guest house and some of us rested and some of us made more bracelets while Ruth, Keith and Jessica went with Joy and Arnold to the hospital. This was to decide what was to be done with Arnold. As he is not too well as he needs two valves in his heart repaired. His situation is being talked over with a surgeon tomorrow so a lot of prayer will be needed tomorrow for Arnold and his family. They then returned and ate dinner with us which was a lovely experience. Also joining us at dinner was Ribena and Robert, two teenagers Rebecca had got to know on a previous Uganda trip. They are originally from Rwanda and tragically lost both parents to the genocide. They have struggled to stay in school being unable to afford the necessary school fees.

The outlook looks good regarding Charlenes project. The project which will see a school built in Uganda is part of Charlenes to allow some children in Uganda to be able to go to school, something she currently cannot do as a result of failing health. We think we have identified a school pending further research by Fields of Life.

See you soon, Bethany and Serena.

Teacher Death

Just a small update.

The school we were to attend to day has had an unforseen tragic incident. A teacher at the school (A prison school) has passed away. This has shocked the whole team and we ask for your prayers for the school and for the family.

Day 12: Fellowship, Food and Football...

Greetings to you all from the whole Uganda team!

Today was the last day of our fairly relaxed weekend, with the hope that by now we are all well rested and prepared for another week of hard work in and around Kampala. This morning, we had the privilege to join in fellowship and worship with a local church in Kampala that was based within the largest prison in Uganda. The church itself was for the wardens and their families who work within the prison and is led by Pastor Nathan, who we met on day 7. It was he who had the vision of opening the schools in the war-torn area of Uganda, giving homes and support to many children who had lost their parents during this war. He is truly an amazing man, who finds time to dedicate himself to the work within these schools along within the prison. The service itself was truly inspiring, with lively and enthusiastic worship, as seems to be the custom in Ugandan churches. We were treated to a sermon looking at women within the New Testament, and in particular, Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The Kid’s Club team were asked by surprise to lead the Sunday School Children’s services, but stepped up to the task with a very high standard as always, forming great relationships with the children. This will prove a true blessing as we shall be visiting the schools within the prison tomorrow to deliver our programs, and it was great to be able to say ‘See you all tomorrow’ to the children as we left, along with ‘What about ya?’ and ‘What’s the craic?’, courtesy of Tracey teaching this to the children.

After the service, we had a quick(ish) pit stop for food in a local restaurant. We had quite a long wait (David’s was much longer than the rest), but it was well worth it, and everyone was well fed, all be it, under the watchful eyes of the local scavenger birds (see left!).

After this, the team split in two, with a group of the ladies (and Wenford) returning to Shalom for a relaxing afternoon sunbathing and reading. The rest of the team departed to watch the ex-players of Uganda take on a Brazil Legends team in a charity football match, to raise money for Bulrushes orphanage, which we had visited yesterday. This proved to be a highly entertaining afternoon for all of us. We somehow ended up in the royal box (or the Ugandan equivalent) seated in the row behind the Brazilian ambassador and along with other past players of the Ugandan national team. As we began our first chorus of ‘We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland’, we drew peculiar glances from the Brazilian ambassador, but soon after, the Ugandan supporters were appreciating our support of their country. It was a highly entertaining game, with Brazil edging it 2-1. Afterwards, we descending to the pitch side and had some photos taken with the Brazilian players, (if anybody can put names to faces it would be much appreciated!), followed by some more chants of ‘We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland, which was then recorded by the Brazilian players as they left on their team bus.

In the evening, we were once again well fed by the wonderful staff at Shalom Guest House. Afterwards, John led us in a truly challenging devotion, to follow God’s guidance, whether it is where we are at the moment, or to move on to something new. After this, we discovered John’s hidden talent for bracelet manufacture as he joined the rest of the ladies in making bracelets for the children that we meet every day. As I sign off, I’d like to leave you with the verse that John spoke to us during the devotion as food for thought for you all....

Numbers 9 v23

Thank you all for your continued support through prayer and God’s richest blessings from all the team in Uganda

Day 11: Relaxation at Last

Day 11

Day 11 was the first "slow day" of the trip all week. We were woken shortly after 8 O'clock so it was a late start for us. We stumbled outside glad that we had no need for the generator or sound system to lug about.

Our first stop was Watoto Church (Formerly KPC) to pick up our guide for the day. He took us to Baby Watoto, also known as The Bulrush's because the first baby taken in was called Moses. This was a beautiful house that previously belonged to a wealthy Asian. The building was converted to accommodate the orphans. There were 70 orphans at the place to take care of and the staff did a brilliant job in looking after the kids.

We left for The Watoto Village of Bbire which was to a very high standard. Our guide was really enthusiastic about the work being done. The surroundings were idyllic and the accommodation incomparable to what was seen in the slums where much of the children came from.

We then proceeded to the Craft Market where some damage was done. All the people at home can look forward to seeing our purchases.

Overall its been a tiring day and we'll all be glad of a good rest.

Moley (very tired)