Well go, dont wait or think

I sit under the mango tree in the front yard of my Namuwongo home. Enchanted notes flow over my fence; I look up and follow it back. “happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you….”
Children are laughing merrily through the English then Lugandan version of the celebrated song and occasion. For this moment they are children, they are playing, they have security between themselves, their free and allowing the tune of this song be carried to where ever there rhythmical heart’s desire.
(Hand Raised)
I do solemnly swear to never again take for granted the following – hot water, electricity, gas, oven, microwave, washing machine, dishwashing machine and all other forms of easy living.
This week’s annoyance would be the lack of gas. Jade, (a close friend living here with me now) and I having been attempting to use the charcoal - small fire outside for our dinners. We got our 101 class from Felista the house girl and felt confident and proud that we were going to be sweet with this. Eating at 11:00pm that night after waiting hours and working up a sweat for pasta and some sauce however changed this confidence.
I still love being in Uganda, there is not a day that I don’t feel grateful for being here and my life. I am learning so much from the people here, as Africa’s Life Teachings student finding what matters most. I have seen poverty I cannot comprehend; yet these victims do not look at their situation as hopeless or walk around being sorry for themselves. They get on with life and work to have a better future for themselves and their children regardless of the situation.
Realizing that me being here isn’t about how I can help the vulnerable but how I can come alongside and support them in whatever way that means. Seeing them not as anything lower because of their wealth or ‘status’ but stronger than me. Looking at how much they can do with what is in their hands not how much is not. They are the bravest people I know.
Hands for Hope is such a genuine organization. Helping individuals, motivated by their hearts, hope and understanding of how they really help transform lives.
The tailoring program has certainly had some hick ups. At times seemed bleak and considered another path, like all things worth fighting for though. The easy thing would be to give up and flutter back to comfortable Oz. Sure I have these moments, when I do I walk back into the slum or talk to a child in the program and bamm! There’s my needed slap in the face. Regardless of some circumstances that have been, I don’t want to give up and I still see the potential of the program and women. This is Africa, so things aren’t going to flow the way I expect or would like always.
The big dilemma is finding a stable generating source of income and accommodating to the right market, long term sustainability for the women. Looking into a 4 month plan for the women to achieve all types of sewing items and at the end, they will graduate being deservingly rewarded with their own sewing machine. Then, after I leave they will hopefully have small business in the tailoring world.
Ive been working quite a lot on sorting through masses of donations and now figuring the best way and most needed to receive these general items. The other 2 crazies that make up with me our 3 Musketeer clan helped with this and also organizing and de-cluttering the teacher’s office – certainly not fun jobs. Especially when you discover ancient mice remains and then fear how many more you’re to find!
It feels very strange that im seeing people come into the org and leave and im staying on. Was very sad saying goodbye to my dear 2 friends that recently left and being an audience to the kids fare welling them. However small the act of what people do here, the huge significance and unforgettable, gratefulness from the children, amazes me.
I will never be able to try nor relate to children growing up here. Seeing a child pick and stare at a piece of pizza as if they were the first to find a mysterious treasure. Watching radiating joy and expressed squeals of excitement from young boys playing with a flat somewhat ‘soccer ball’ alongside rubbish humps. Or witnessing a child that just received their life changing news that they now have a sponsor. I was at the primary school this week and saw this child sitting in his unfamiliar new school chair. He was proudly wearing his uniform and a huge expecting, thankful smile. He is 12 and has finally been given the opportunity every child deserves to an education and meaning to a hopeful future.
Before I left for Egypt, I sold my car and am now experiencing life without this ease. There are positives in this lose, no more procedures of parking the car or having the kids standing on the side ledges as im trying to miss the ones running behind to park in the school. Then coming out of the school to find children taking the responsibility to ‘wash’ the large vehicle. (in other terms, painting and spreading the dirt around the car with clothes.) I can’t help but show them thankfulness for their willing care and thoughtfulness. They then nod delighted at the satisfaction of the work they have done.
With consent and recommendation from my parents, looks like im getting a motorbike : ) Maybe if I get short on cash ill take up being a boda boda driver….
I experienced my first visit to the downtown local markets with one of the teachers. This is where I now buy my fruit and vegetables for the wonderful local price. Whilst enjoying the new exciting surroundings and picking the food amidst the chaotic, bright crowds.
So you can help keep track of my mosquito attack war while writing this has just been updated to Brigitta -4. Mosquito – 0 booya!
It feels like I never left Kampala…I spent my first couple of days here settling in again and using the opportunity to soak up some hugs from the kids. I mean showing Jade all the projects…One of my favourite moments in my day is when I arrive at the office and stall outside the baby class. I can never hold in my excitement and I hear my voice bubbling with delight as I say hello to the precious faces gleaming with smiles. They respond in choir “good morning Brigitta, how are you?” it is the most delicate and treasurable moments.
I took Jade to visit the other school, I was also keen to see the missed children and the cook there has recently had a baby whom when I left was kept peacefully in an open suitcase during the day, he looked like a present. Ha… The children took their moments of fame out the front of the glistening expecting audience and sang songs. I love how much music is a part of life here! Of course, they had shown there talent and now the 2 Mzungu’s were to do the same. The girl I sat next to said with the straightest face of an old lady “well go, don’t wait or think, hurry you.” Ha The kids were in roars of laughter when Jade and I broke into a song with matching highly spectacular dance moves.
Days are quite unplanned at the moment till we have some more things in concrete with the tailoring so this week its been full of random times of paperwork, resuscitation classes, teaching, planning all things tailoring and the new job ive picked up of doing the Doc’s paper work….well im certainly not bored!
Till next time, stay in peace and love dear friends