Friends From Mitsiko Children's Choir

Last night we were blessed to mingle with some new friends from Uganda. It was so fun for the kids and Shawn to get to meet people like the ones I have fallen in love with in Uganda.

Random Pictures of My Beautiful Friends

I sometimes ache physically when I think about Africa. I am so anxious to get back in June that I feel like a child anticipating Christmas morning everyday. Ever since I have been home I have had trouble sleeping. It's been hard to stop replaying the images I saw. I think the memories help me stay focused and motivated to do something more. I need Africa more than Africa needs me!

A Must See Video

The Longing Is Painful

I don't know how to describe it. But, in a rudimentary way, I'll try. There isn't a day that I don't think about the children I met in Uganda. Sometimes, I can close my eyes and smell the dirt, feel the humidity, hear the giggles, and feel the children touching my skin. I know it's hard for others to understand.........but, I could really live there. What a better way to live my life then serving God's most vulnerable people. It' not realistic, I know..............but by doing the things I'm trying to do with work in Uganda, I at least hope that I can have an impact. On a happy note, I have had a few friends who have recently been successful in adoption in Uganda. I've also enjoyed following a blog about the Penner family who brought home two children. One step at a time..............we can all change the direction of the world.

Uganda Or Bust! It's Official

Yipee, It's official. Through something I consider divine intervention I met a gal named Jackie Skinner. We got to talking about soccer and I told her of my dream to go back to Uganda with a girls soccer team and she said, that's my dream and I think I have a team. It's now official! Timpview High School girls soccer team from Provo, Utah will be making the first journey as an American girls soccer team to Uganda in the history of time. (That is, of course, as far as we know. So Jackie and I teamed up and we're making it happen. The trip is in June of 2009 and it's a lot of work, but boy, am I ever excited! Here is a photo at our introductory meeting back in Utah. Suzy, Left, Jackie, Middle, Jenny, Right. Jenny is our fundraising gal and she thought of an inspirational phrase and made t-shirts out of them. That is what we are all wearing. They say on the front, "If no 1 can make a difference.................. and the back says.......................then I am no 1"
Think about it......it's a beautiful concept. That's really exactly how I feel about all of this!

Memories of a Special Boy

Although my trip to Uganda was five months ago, the images that fill my mind are still so vivid. This is one face that stays in my mind. Patrick. A little boy orphan who lives in the Nsambya Babies Home. I saw so much potential in this boy, yet, in reality he has no chance at a good life. I wake up every morning and feed my kids a good breakfast, scurry them off to school and then meet them in the afternoon, usually with some kind of homebaked goody, fix them a hot homecooked dinner, read to them, snuggle them and kiss them goodnight I can't help to think of the injustice of it all. This boy is just as loved by my Father in Heaven as my own boys. Why then, is he so unlucky? I don't know. It's a question I haven't been able to find the answer to yet. Maybe I never will. But what am I left with? A hole in my heart longing for this boy to be my own. What is he left with? Well, nothing really. Hope that he'll be fed tomorrow, fear, abandonment, deprivation, anger, hunger.. I love you Patrick.............................if you could be mine I would make it happen. Until then, all I can do is pray for you that you will find some peace in your life.

Angela and Her Cousins in Their New Clothes

Good News!

Written by my Sister Holly! We visited Rainbow together when we were in Uganda.
I am so excited for this new post! One of the places we spent lots of time at in Uganda was the Rainbow House of Hope in Kampala. It helps orphaned and disadvantaged children. One of the kids we met was a ten year old girl named Angela. She was orphaned when her parents died of AIDS. Each day we went there, I was drawn to her. I didn't know at first that she was HIV positive but when I found out that she was, I knew that I could do something to help her. One of the directors was this young guy named Timothy. I loved him the minute I met him. You just knew that he was someone special as soon as he spoke. He takes care of all these abandoned, disadvantaged kids. He makes sure the kids have food, medicine, clothing and whatever they need. He runs the programs that they have in place and sleeps there with the kids that have no where else to go. He teaches the kids how to play the trumpet and has a brass band that played for us each time we came to visit.
I spent some special time with little Angela where I learned more about her. Each day we went there, she had the same dress on and it was pretty ragged. I asked Timothy what she needed and he said money for food and medicine would be much appreciated. I gave him $200 and told him to go and buy her some new clothes and shoes and get her whatever she needed. He also said that there were some others who needed clothes as well so I told him to use the money to get whatever he needed for these kids.
When he told Angela that I had given him some money for new clothes, she dropped to her knees and kissed my hands and said thank you over and over again. It was very heart wrenching and made me cry!
Here is a photo of my sweet Angela in her ragged yellow dress. I showed her and her cousin how to color and she made me a picture to bring home to my family.
I was so excited when I opened my email today and Timothy had sent me a photo of the kids he helped with the money I gave him dressed in their new clothes. I was so happy to see them with their big smiles and new, clean clothes on! The other kids are cousins of Angela's. Angela is the girl on the right standing in front of the RHH.

Salli and me. He is wearing a shirt my parents gave him when they were both in Europe. He was so cute and loved American girls. I didn't qualify!

Can't Wait to Get Back to Uganda!

I still bear the remnants of the Ugandan soil on my toenails. The red dirt seemed to stain them. That's o.k. with me because it's one more reminder that I was really there. I am anticipating my next adventure and hoping to get as many people involved as I can. The journey has begun...........my step-brother-in-law leaves for a mission in Sierra Leone this week.....................I can hardly wait to hear about his adventures.

A Post From An Amazing Woman, Annie

About a week ago I received information about an single American woman in her twenties who is caring for triplets from Uganda and after living with them for a few years in the US went back to Uganda and is helping to run an orphanage for babies. What follows is her first newsletter and then a list of opportunities to help. I'd appreciate anyone forwarding this info. on to folks who might be able to help.
Annie and Moses
Annie and her girls
Newsletter February 2008Hi Friends and Family, I often find myself wondering how someone is doing and wanting to send an email, but I’ve lost touch with so many of you that I didn’t know where to start. So in order to play catch-up, here’s an explanation of why I now call a messed-up East African country home.
I frequently get asked by visiting foreigners why I’m here and doing what I do. I find it difficult to answer, largely due to the fact that I never really ‘decided’ to do any of this. Rather, the last 5 years of my life has taken shape by just taking the next most logical step. I guess really that’s what happens to most people in their 20’s. They graduate with a degree in the field they studied, and so of course will look for a job in that area. They’re in love with a great person and so they marry them. They have a couple kids, so they get a bigger house and vehicle.
For me, the next most logical steps just took me on a road less traveled. I left college when I realized my get-me-through-college job was something I loved. Working with preemie multiples (twins, triplets, etc) gave me travel opportunities, freedom in my schedule, good income, and most of all was something I loved doing. A few years later, with good savings in the bank, a short jaunt to volunteer in an African orphanage seemed to make sense. When faced with dying twins who would only survive if I took them home with me, of course I did just that. When their medical and care added up to over $50,000 my only option was to keep them in the US while trying to pay it off. Four years later when they could no longer legally stay in the US, we got on a plane back to Africa. When bound to Africa by beurocracy and red tape, the logical thing was to accept one of the first jobs offered to me.
And that’s the short version of how I’ve ended up living in Uganda looking after 3 little girls and 83 abandoned infants. I’ve been here for well over a year now and most days I still wonder what the heck happened to my semi-normal life. While most days are ridiculously exhausting and frustrating, I’m thrilled to be on this ride. Boring it never is! I opened the orphanage for abandoned infants on Jan 15 and after getting 7 the first week, arrivals were slow and steady giving us about 30 babies by last summer. Must be something about 9 months after drunken Christmas parties, but the babies started pouring in August and haven’t stopped since. I reset the original capacity of 60 to 75, but recent newborn arrivals Katie, Daisy, Charlie, Jack, Anthony, Emmanuel, and twins Ethan and Ellie didn’t seem to care that we were full. My babies are left in third world hospitals or found in dumpsters, pit latrines, cemeteries, on the side of the road, and in buckets of water. They come in as 2 lb preemies, barely breathing newborns with untied umbilical cords, malnourished 8 month olds, and terrified 18 month twins. They struggle with cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, club feet, burns, hernias, and broken bones. A rare one is healthy and happy and we wonder what caused someone to abandon an obviously well looked after baby. Sometimes babies come to us when it is too late and while we do everything we can, they don’t make it. Others succumb to third world diseases with third world medical care. Our local drive through coffin shop has had our business more than I’d like. However, when they are faced with life as an African orphan with AIDS, I’m sometimes happy to see an early end to their struggle and take comfort in the fact that they died warm, fed, clean, and very much loved.
Anyway, I’ll probably be sending random updates now that I’ve given a little background to my crazy life. Let me know if you have no clue who I am, or don’t want to receive emails for any reason and I’ll remove you from my list. Thanks so much to those of you who have supported me with emails, prayers, and financial support and I’m so sorry I rarely have the time to tell you what a difference it makes! Better close now, just got a phone call that newborn baby 84 is waiting to be picked up. The fun never ends.
Annie
Preemie Baby Daisy
Several of the children on the lawn at the orphanage
Email from February 21, 2008
Ok so my last email was the story behind why I'm here. Now comes thereality...:)Reality is that I now have 88 infants I'm responsible for.Reality is that at least 6 of those should be admitted in a neonatal or pediatric ICU.Reality is that we have a staff of 70ish that come with more problems than the babies and have to be handled like 5 year olds.Reality is that two of my babies just had surgery and both came home with double casts on their legs.Reality is that my car is in the shop and I'm walking everywhere.Reality is that there was a baby snake in the laundry and I'm wondering where the mother is.Reality is that I wonder daily if there is any hope for these people.Reality is that we do 372 laundry loads, 12,648 bottle feeds, and 16,368 diaper changes per month Reality is that both my laptops have crashed.Reality is that I've been asked by the government and the organization I work for to open two more baby orphanages.Reality is that I'm really tired, really stressed, and really overwhelmed.I lost a little friend this morning. He was born one month and 7 days ago, a preemie. His mother is dying of HIV and is admitted in the hospital. He was fed only when she was strong enough and felt like feeding him, about once every 24 hours. We found this out after about two weeks when he had lost almost half of his body weight. When we could spare a nanny or when my friend Nicola or I had the time, we would go and feed him. He never had any diapers and would be laying in a filthy stinky incubator. He LOVED a bath and lotion massage and being wrapped in clean blankets and clothes. His incubator didn't work and his body temp was usually 32C (88F) so we would fill gloves with warm water and lay them next to him. He had meningitis that required once daily IV drugs. The nurses would only give him this every 2-3 days when we put pressure on them. He was so stiff from the meningitis and so skinny from starvation that he developed bedsores on his hips. The doctors notes yesterday said 'Baby looks stable. PLEASE GIVE THE IV DRUGS'. Last night I meant to go check on him, but was too tired. I arrived at the hospital to bathe and feed him this morning, 1 hour after his body was moved from his incubator to 'the bucket'. His death certificate said he died from meningitis. It should have said he died from lack of drugs, warmth, food, and love. He didn't have a name.Reality is I feel guilty.Annie
Annie's Little Friend
Annie's List of Ways You Can Help….1) You can send a one time financial donation to the babies home. This is best sent to Watoto’s office in the country you live in. I have a list of needed items/projects that are outside of what sponsorship covers or are items that cannot be purchased in Uganda. This is currently being updated, but I can send it through if anyone is interested as soon as I’m finished. Then you can pick an item off the list or if you tell me a dollar amount, I can tell you our biggest need at the time. People tend to like this option because they know exactly what their money went to. If you do this, please let me know, so I can be in touch with the country office to tell them whether to send the money (if it is an item that can be bought here) or to keep it at their office if it is an item I need to purchase there and have sent.2) You can sponsor the babies home at http://www.watoto.com/ and send support monthly.3) You can send a physical donation to the babies home. I also have a list of physical items we use and need here that you can purchase and send, or send if you already have them. If you contact the local office for your country (http://www.watoto.com/) they can tell you an address of someone coming over here in the near future and you can ship them items, rather than shipping them to Uganda (expensive and unreliable).4) You can support me and my girls. I am employed by Watoto to direct the babies home which means I receive a fair local salary. Initially this was sufficient to cover our very basic needs, however I couldn’t afford to send the girls to school or hire a quality teacher/nanny, let alone any extra activities, car repairs, etc. Thanks to a corrupt new tax law put in place in September, I now loose over half my salary to this lovely government. This means that I’m actually going into more and more debt every month I stay and am having to reconsider my future here. We are moving into a cheaper flat and cutting corners where we can, but still struggling. So I could pretty desperately use any help in this area. This can be sent to my parents at:Annie Duguid6416 Latta Springs CircleHuntersville NC 28078
5) You can send an ‘anything’ donation to my parents at the above address and I can designate it where appropriate. I’m surrounded by great and genuine need. Often I encounter a situation that doesn’t fit our organization and have really appreciated having a bit on hand to help out. For example, I’ll be told that there are preemie triplets in the hospital, but they have a mother who wants them, so we can’t take them. However this mother will have been abandoned by the husband/boyfriend and will have no money for food, which means she has no breast milk to feed her babies. I’ll buy her some meals in the hospital, so she can feed her babies and take them back to the village.I used to and still do, REALLY struggle with asking for financial help. Growing up, I often heard missionary types asking for money and thought ‘They are off doing the fun stuff and they want us to work our boring jobs and support them???’ However, I’ve learned a couple important things in the last couple years.1)Most of it is NOT fun stuff.2)Even the stuff I find enjoyable, most other people don’t. I’ve finally realized that there are people who want to help, but actually don’t want to be stuck in Africa. If you are one of those, I’m happy to be the hands doing the work if you want to be the fuel behind them!Thanks so much…!!

I'm Home, Yet Somehow I'm NOt

I arrived after 22 hours of flying. It took two days to make it back to Utah. I was so excited to see the kids and Shawn, but after I got them back, I immediately felt a longing for the sea of black faces yelling Mazungu, Mazungu! How I miss them. It's almost a physical pain. I will go back. There is no question. Africa is in my blood and I will do whatever I can not only to go back to Uganda's children, but to bring Uganda to those around me right here in the good old U.S. I'm hosting a screening for Inivisible Children's latest documentary in American Fork on April 12th at 1pm. Please come! Bring your friends.

Gecko's in my Room!

Two nights ago, I was just about to hop in bed and I looked on my wall only to see a lizard climbing on my wall. For those of you who know me well, this was a serious problem seeing as I was about to get into bed. I made my sister Holly get a long umbrella and poke at it, but instead of getting the gecko, she knocked down a box and it crashed to the floor. Still, no gecko. I was a little freaked out, so I zipped all my bags up and when I went to bed we still hadn't found it, so I tucked my mosquito net in so tightly that I new nothing could get in. The only problem was, I had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and I had to hold it because I was too scared to get out! Next morning there was another one hiding behind the toilet. I've resorted to hiding out away from my room, keeping my bags zipped tight, and tucking myself in like a wee little babe. I can't wait to get home. I am very homesick.

Gulu, Post Conflict Zone

The last few days have been very interesting. We left the game park and drove another few hours to Gulu. This is where much of the northern conflict took place. We drove by a school where close to 3,000 children slept during the conflict. They would walk up to 5 hours each way from their villages and "commute"to the school in the town so that they would be safe and not be kidnapped in the night. At one point there were 22,000 children commuting, thus the name "Night Commuter". We slept at the Acholi Inn, once occupied by the rebels. It was not a very nice place, but the nicest place in Gulu. There was no electricity for much of the time, a problem that we've dealt withmost of the trip. I was frightened in the night because I was dreaming of the rebels and two times someone tried to open our door. I was freaked out. We enjoyed the first night in Gulu by going to a soccer field and watching a match put on by The Kids League in our honor. Very few had soccer shoes and the field was dirt and concrete. They asked me to play, which I did in flip-flops because there was glass and dung on the field. The Kids'League Directore said it would make a huge impact if I played because it would show the girls that they can play just like the boys. Aside from the teams, about 100 children came from the surrounding village to get a look at us. Two women walked by with large loads on their heads and my dad, ever the photographer, had been dreaming of taking a picture. As you can see fromt he above photo, Holly and I got in on the act. Everyone was laughing so hard. As you can also see from the photo,it is always a mob seen wherever we go. We had a great night. The next day was the day we visited the IDP camp. Again, several sporting matches were played in our honor and Holly and I joined in the football, (soccer) game. There were 576 kids surrounding us looking at us like we were from Mars. These kids were much more reserved and skittish around us, but all followed us and then scurried when we talked to them. They all warmed up though. Some of that is because of the fear they''ve dealt with in their life. We then had a rather formal presentation with all 576 students sitting on the ground in front of us(pictured above). We were thanked for coming and then all of us made presentations of the items we brought as donations. I had a large duffle bag full of the things Beau's school donated as well as the donations from my friends. I could hardly speak. I talked about Renassiance Academy and told them about the students there who brought 1 dollar to help provide the health and hygeine kits we brought. It was extremely moving and a highlight of my life. We then got a t0ur of the school and it was very humble. The supplies we brought are all they have. We took tours of the classes and the average teacher student ratio is 1 to 100. There were only a handful of teachers. It was an amazing experience. No one had shoes, those who were lucky enough to have uniforms were torn and tattered. We went into the staff room and there was a sign on the wall depicting how many students have disabilities, HIV etc. Almost 20% of the students there have experienced trauma. Some were captured by the LRA and are now back. It's my opinion that all of them experienced trauma as they were all night commuters and lived in fear of being taken everyday. As my journey ends I will continue to tell some of my experiences and add pictures. I hope those who have enjoyed my experiences will be moved to get involved as well. I've got a lot of work ahead of me this next year and will need a lot of help! Thanks for your comments and support!

This Is a Recap of the Last few days written by my mom in case I don't have time to write!

WE SPENT THREE DAYS AT THE GULU REFUGEE CAMPS WHERE WE PASSED OUT GIFTS AND BAGS WITH SUPPLIES OF TOOTHPASTE, BRUSH, NOTEBOOK, PEN AND PENCIL. WE PUT ALL OF SUZY AND HOLLY'S DONATED MONEY TOGETHER WITH OURS AND WERE ABLE TO PRESENT 576 KITS TO THE KIDS. YOU WILL DIE WHEN YOU SEE WHAT THE KIDS HAD FOR SOCCER SHOES...THAT WOULD BE NONE...ONE BOY HAD ONLY ONE SOCCER SHOE. WE HAVE PICTURES OF THE SQUAD AND THEIR FIELDS. THERE WAS GOAT AND COW DUNG ALL OVER THE FIELD...VERY UNLEVEL AND FULL OF TERMITE HILLS AND YES, THOSE KIDS COULD PLAY SOCCER! AT EACH OF OUR VISITS, THEY PUT ON TWO SOCCER MATCHES AND A NET BALL GAME FOR US TO WATCH. THE HEADMASTER AND SPORTS COACHES HAD US TOUR THEIR SCHOOLS AND THEIR SPORTS FACILITIES. THE KIDS WERE SO LOVING AND FRIENDLY. THE UNGANDANS ARE NOT STANDOFFISHISH BUT VERY WARM AND FRIENDLY. ON OUR TRIP NORTH, WE DID MANAGE A SAFARI IN TREVOR'S FOUR WHEEL VEHICLE AND DAD WAS THRILLED TO SEE A MALE AND FEMALE LION IN THE OPEN ABOUT 50 YARDS FROM THE CAR. THE LION POSED AND STRUTTED FOR US. WE ALSO SAW LOTS OT GIRAFFES, ELEPHANTS, ANTELOPE WITH ODD NAMES, NILE BUFFALO, MONKEYS, AND THE GIRLS AND MY FAVORITE...THE HEDGEHOGS! WE TOOK AN AFTERNOON CRUISE ON THE NILE UPSTREAM WHERE WE SAW ABOUT 500 HIPPOS PLUS COOL BIRDS, ETC. IT WAS HOT, HUMID.....FELT LIKE I WAS ON THE OLD AFRICAN QUEEN, A MOVIE STARRING HUMPHERY BOGART AND K. HEPBURN FILMED AT THIS SPOT IN THE 1950'S. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU...NOT JUST TOURISTY STUFF BUT THINGS OF THE HEART.

Some of the Awesome Animals we Saw

A Long Day

Today we set out early am on a game drive. We were lucky enough to see lions, elephants, giraffe and lots me. We were able to get close.....................We also went on a boat cruise on the Nile River and saw tons of Hippo, Crocs and Elephants. The baboons are everywhere around the lodge and they can be vicious. We are so very tired..........................It's been pretty hectic and we're all exhausted. I'm still worried about the geckos getting in bed with me.......................cross my fingers that they won't. We'll do another game drive in the morning and then it's off for another 3 hour drive to Gulu. I learned that we will be staying in the nicest hotel in Gulu and that it was once occupied by the rebels. Trevor said that Joseph Kony, the LRA leader def. slept in the bed I will be sleeping in. That gives me the creeps as he is an evil, evil man. I'm off. Thanks for the comments. It helps keep my spirits up.

The Neverending Journey

Yesterday we left Kampala and drove North to go to Parra Lodge on the Nile River. The drive realistically should take 3 1/2 hours but it took 8. We loaded up in the back of Trevor's truck, the 3 ladies squished like sardines and set out. You can't believe the roads. There were potholes the whole way, we're talking 1 foot deep and hundreds of them all over. It was like driving through a maze. We drove all over the road and then when the big buses came head on you moved out of the way. Meanwhile, people and bikes are also navigating the road. We were so worried about missing the ferry that we didn't stop once. I had not gone potty since 8 am and I finally went at 7pm. I was dying.......................We made it though and it is beautiful. Right on the Nile. Tomorrow we go to Gulu to deliver our kits. I'm so excited. Hope I don't see any rebels.

Random Photos

Holly and my dad while walking through the slums pose in front of a bananna stand. Another photo shows some children in front of their home.

A baby lays in a crib in the babies orphanage.

We bought our meat for dinner at the half price butchery. Just kidding.

Baby Martina at potty time. She was a special girl to me. I would have loved to take her home.

Poor Children From the Rainbow House of Hope

Several of the kids today were dressed like this

Kits Being Assembled for 576 Kids. Thanks Renaissance Academy

Potty Time At the Baby Home, A Most Unpleasant Experience

The children in the orphanage do not wear diapers. Therefore, about once or twice a day they bring them in, strip them of clothes and have them all sit on potty's. This is when they are supposed to have a bowel movement. Otherwise, throughout the day, the wet themselves. There are puddles of urine throughout the place and then they use a wet mop to wipe up the urine, mind you they don't rinse it off between clean up. The two boys standing are old enough that during potty time, they come in here. It was an awful experience.

Rainbow House of Hope

Today we spent more time at the Rainbow House of Hope. The children run to us whenever we come and start hugging and touching us. I had a two dollar makeup kit with me and I put make-up on the girls and boys. The boys got warrior make-up. My mom did finger nail polish and it was so fun because the kids gathered around us and acted like it was all the most exciting thing they had ever done. The children were very ragged and most of them were dirty with ripped clothing, yet with all they go through they are still the happiest kids I have ever seen. We found out that some of the kids that we really took a liking to are not going to school because their family does not have enough money. Their father is an alcholic and tried to kill their mother, now he is not around. Holly gave some money to the director and asked him to buy Angela, an aids orphan a new dress. Timothy, the director, whispered into Angela's ear that she was going to get a new dress and she fell to her knees and grabbed Holly's hand and said thank you. Some of the kids clothes were so bad today and I had an extra very large t-shirt and I gave it to Timothy and said pick someone who needs this the most. The sad thing is, they all looked like they needed it and I didn't have enough. Another cool thing today was when I was in a market the bagger asked where I was from and I said Salt Lake City, Utah and he said have you heard of my church? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I said, I'm a member and we hugged. It was so cool. I was also impressed because I gave the cashier way to much money and he told me it was too much, so I had been thanking him for being honest. When I found out he was a church member I was so proud of him! Tomorrow we are going to church. I think Holly and I are going to sing. Momar Khadaffi is coming into town and so things are really crazy in the city. The are "cleaning"it, if that's what you call it. This is the dirtiest place I have ever been. The pollution is horrendous. We also ran into some mormon missionaries the other day. It was a couple and I was so excited to see them so I ran up and hugged the women. You feel so different here. Everyone looks at you either in a funny way or they smile and shout Mazoongu. The kids are so amazed by how different we are. You feel so very dirty when you are done spending time with them because they touch you everywhere. It's worth it though. I've never felt so overwhelmed, sad, and happy at the same time.

What Do You Do With All Your Goats

We made friends with a church member named Jane. The other day she and my sister Holly were talking and Jane mentioned that a big meat here is goat. Holly said we don't eat goat in america and Jane replied, "Well what do you do with all of you goats". It was pretty funny. At the "mall"yesterday we went to eat and one of the menu items was goat and chips. Yummy!

My Sister Holly Holding Some Children. These kids go to the school our host owns.

Kids Crowding around wanting their picture taken. Rainbow House of Hope

Some of the Kids from Rainbow Hope Center

My Sister Holly With Angela, an Aids Orphan

Look How Far the Money Went

I am so excited. We found out today the The Kids League has made arrangements for us to pass out health and hygiene kids to 576 students in Gulu. We bought the kits with money we raised and today we assembled all of the kits. Each kits cost $1.60. The school is going to have an assembly and we will get to pass out the kits. Most of these children are former child soldiers and are still living in IDP camps, or Internally Displaced People Camps. I can't believe how far the money went. Thank you to Rennasiance Academy for your generous donations. You can see exactly how a little money makes a huge impact on so many kids.

Mother Nature

Waking up in Africa feels like God pushes a button and mother nature comes alive. Every morning at 6:15 the birds start to sing so loudly that you wake up. I have never heard so many birds. It is so beautiful here.

Mazoongu

Everywhere we go we hear shouts of Mazoongu. This means white person. It's like we are from Mars. The kids are so excited to see us everywhere we go. We saw our first street children last night and it broke my heart. It's so fun walking around everwhere. The streets are so crowded. it's like another world here. Millions of people walking everywhere. The driving is by far still the scariest thing.

Another Good Day

Well, the last few days have flown by. Yesterday we spent another day at the orphanage. One of the worst things that happened was when my sister Holly saw a little girl pee on the floor and lick it up. These poor children! We were just as horrified as we were the day before. Later in the afternoon we went to the Rainbow House of Hope again and spent time with the older children. Holly, my sister had a chance to spend some time with Angela, an aids orphan who also has aids herself. She is ten years old. I will try to post her picture another time. We danced and sang with the children. They were so obsessed with our fair hair and skin that they kept touching us all over and feeling our hair. They were wonderful kids and tomorrow we are going to spend time with them!

In front of sign for the babies home

An Example of Children Fighting over Us

The Orphange

Today we spent time at two orphanages. In the Morning we visited a baby home. The minute we walked into a crowded room with all of the babies, they literally attacked us. By this, I mean that tackled us. They grabbed, pulled and jumped on us. I was so overwhelmed....................the children would actually push, bite and pull one another to fight their way to us. The top picture is shown for a reason. Notice that I am holding two children and a 3 wants to come on board. In the morning at the baby home the women had us carry firewood to the cooks. It was interesting because most of the baby workers were sitting in the play yard watching us work while they sat and did nothing. They hardly interacted with the children and when they did many of them were abusive. The children did not wear diapers, so within 5 minutes of being there one of them peed on my mom's lap. When the children wet themselves they get a clean pair of pants and put them on them. That means that there is urine all over and you just mop it up. Mid morning the children were filthy from snot, urine and the red dirt that they play in. So, after a mid-morning snack they were all stripped and put on potty's. This is the time of day that they are supposed to have a bowel movement. When they do that they are put into a large sink and washed then they walk outside, are rubbed down with oil and put in clean clothes. I participated in all of this. Well, by lunch, they were filthy again, but we went into a room and they age maise (porridge) with some kind of gravy. This is the only time that I saw them drink water, now mindyou it is hot! After lunch they whole routine of cleaning them and changing clothes happens again. Then they all go for a nap. The food is cooked on an open fire and I put a picture at the top. The thing about the orphanage is that there are no toys. I mean, not even 1. The children play in the yard in the dirt, find bags, toilet paper rolls or whatever waste is on the ground and play with it. They are severely deprived of things that we in the states take for grante, yet they seemed to have a few decent meals which was comforting. Today there was little boy named Patrick and he wanted my attention so badly that he began beating, and biting another child. The problem was that I had two children in my arms and one on my back so I proceeded to ask Betty a worker for some help, boy was that a mistake. She took poor little Patrick, pulled down his pants an beat his bum very hard. He was crushed and wouldn't look me in the eye for 5 minutes no matter how hard I tried to engage him. I felt terrible. The children were absolutely filthy and so by the end of the afternoon we were so dirty! It was a mixture of many undesirable things all over us. But, you figured out quickly that you just have to get over it! Anyway, it was a very difficult thing to see, but I'm glad I can play a part in stimulating these children if only for a short time.

I've Arrived

Well after 22 hours on a plane and 40 hours later we finally arrived. The first thing I noticed was the humidity. It feels like Chicago in the summer. On the road to our hosts home there were homes "shacks" on either side of the road. Women cooking outside and people everywhere carrying large yellow containers to hold their water. The other thing I've noticed, is that no matter how poor everone is, they manage to all look "dressed up". The men wear dress shirts and the women where beautiful dresses. There are children running everywhere dressed in matching school uniforms. They are beautiful to see. It really is like stepping out into a different world that only in your wildest imagination can you make up. Everything is lush, green and there is the sound of birds everywhere. We saw a monkey up in a tree right outside of the airport. Our host has a lovely home. It feels like it's old and maybe a British colonizer would have lived here. I'm a bit worried about drinking the water anywhere in Africa, but our host assures us that their water won't harm us. We have to conserve the water as it is collected by an elaborate system Trevor designed that collects the rainwater, and that is what we are living off of. The shower water is very brown, but they boil and filter the other rain water for drinking. Trevors home has a beautiful garden. This place looks like God personally designed it. It is magnificent. Tonight Jane, a local church member is coming over and we are going to plan out our service work. I am seriously pinching myself...............................I am extatic. Let's just pray no one gets sick. Best wishes to all!

I'm On My Way

What a Gift

These are some of the beautiful wall hangings that a friend at my church made for me to take and give to an orphanage. They are so beautiful! What a gift!

Saturday's the Day

Well, with much anticipation I leave tomorrow. The older kids school ended up raising $470.00 and Beau brought home enough school supplies to fill my second suitcase. I am also grateful for the other donations that came from friends and neighbors totaling $450.00. I feel so blessed. What a miracle...............................I can't wait to spread the goodness around when I get there!

Interesting News

Our host sent me this e-mail, thought it was very interesting. For those of you who gave me money to take and buy things when I get there, this should make you feel pretty excited.

ANOTHER THING. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR DAUGHTER WILL BE TAKEN AROUND AND HELPING WITH MISSIONARY WORK IN SCHOOLS AND ORPHANGES IN KAMPALA. THIS IS FINE. BUT REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE BEING GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO PLACES THAT NO OTHER TOURISTS GET TO GO. I WILL BE TAKING YOU TO THE IDP CAMPS (REFUGEE CAMPS) IN GULU DISTRICT. THERE YOU WILL SEE AFRICAN LIFE AS AFFECTED BY CONFLICT (DONT WORRY ITS NOW POST CONFLICT!!) AS COMPARED TO THE POVERTY IN KAMPALA AREA WHICH IS URBAN POVERTY CAUSED BY TOO MANY PEOPLE CROWDING INTO A CITY WITH TOO FEW JOBS. THERE IS A FAR MORE PRESSING NEED FOR HELP IN THE NORTH THAN IN KAMPALA WHICH ONLY ENCOURAGES URBAN DRIFT. SO CAN I SUGGEST YOU PLEASE SAVE MOST OF YOUR DONATIONS FOR THE NORTH.

Santa Claus

I've been having a nightly dream for the last week. It comes half way between being asleep and awake. I have been given donations of candy, small toys, clothing, money and school supplies by many friends and strangers alike. The dream is this. I want to be like Santa Claus. I want to carry a pack (backpack) everywhere I go in Uganda, and when I see a child that is on the streets begging for whatever it is that he/she needs I will be able to open that pack and deliver great joy. I can actually visualize it. It's a wonderful dream.

Awesome Kids

Last night I showed the kids something on T.V. about the World Food Program. When the show was over I talked to them about how the kids in the show want two things, 1 meal/day and to go to school. This really hit them hard and before the night was over they had collected all of the money between them and given me $70.00 to use for orphans. I was so proud. I cried and cried and hugged them. Benson gave me $50.00 and he had been saving that so he could go to Alaska with Grandpa B. I'll def. have to help him figure out a way to go when I get back. Beau and Peanut began cleaning out their closets asking me to take things for them. I hope I can fit all of it!

The Kids Collecting Money At the AM Carpool. It was cold!

When You Know Better, You Do Better

Anyone who knows me or meets me knows that if you ask me a question about Africa, then you will get an answer. I am sad that when I tell people about the children of Uganda that 99% of them have know idea what has been going on. If it were your child and this were happening to them, think of how helpless you would feel in the world. But, I believe most people want to help, they just don't know how. So when I did a lesson at church for the young children I wasn't suprised that so many wanted to help with my trip. So, I sent out a letter to the families and invited the children to donate school supplies. My own children wanted to help, so Benson and Brinlee have been working at their school to raise money. Their school has been very supportive and they are trying to collect $1.00 from every student, faculty and staff member. Today they stood outside of school where the carpool lane is and held up signs they made reminding everyone to donate a dollar. I'm so proud of them for helping. Beau didn't want to be left out, so he is collecting school supplies at his school. I'm not packing much for myself so that I can bring all of the donations with me. It makes me so happy to see everyone get on board. Now that they know, they too want to act.

Why Uganda

Several years ago I learned about the plight of the children in Northern Uganda. War has been raging in the north for over 20 years. Until recently, children who live in villages were in danger of being kidnapped by a rebel group called the LRA. If kidnapped the children were forced to become child soldiers. Rape, torture, drugs and horrible things happened to the children. In order to stay safe thousands of children would leave their homes before nightfall and walk to towns where they would take refuge in front of police stations, hospitals and other safe buildings. They would sleep there, and in the morning walk back to their villages. They were given the name "Night Commuters" or "Night Walkers". Recently peace has come to northern Uganda. The rebels are in the final phases of signing a peace agreement with the government. Less than 2,000 children are now commuting. Now the big problem is all of the internally displaced people. Over a million are still living in these IDP camps waiting to go back home. I was captivated by Uganda primarily because of the children. How could this take place and we not know about it? Do we live our lives in a tunnell not wanting to know about things that are to painful for us? Or, does the media pick and choose what it feels is important to tell us about? If this were Turkey or Spain would we know about it? Would we act? Does Africa have so many problems that we don't even want to think about it? For me the conclusion was................now that I know, I must do something. For me, going and seeing the children myself is something I must do. I must act, because I know I must.

How It Began

My passion for Africa began many years ago, but my quest to go there and see what I can do began 3 years ago when I saw first hand how deplorable the conditions for the children of Africa can be. I had the opportunity to work with a family of Somali Bantu refugees who came to the Chicago area after spending much of their lives in refugee camps in Kenya. I became fixed on the idea of, "What can I do if I go to Africa"? Can one person really make a difference. I believe the answer is yes and I now set out on a journey to prove myself right!