5 things that have influenced me this week from my place of 2%:
One
The kids at the school where we stay (all 800 of them) do get to eat, but it's nothing to blog about. The other night after preparing an interesting stir fry dish, we discarded a few remaining pieces of meat and some vegetables in the small trash can outside our door. Later, while cleaning up, 8 or 10 boys were digging through our scraps, just hoping to find "1 more piece of meat." I live in such abundance, taken for granted and often not given thanks for.
Two
Ali has the overwhelming task of taking update photos of all 315 children. These kids are scattered across some 20 different schools and several towns. On Tuesday we went to Hope secondary school in Lugazi town where about 40 of those kids had assembled for their photo and letter writing. We (mostly Ali, I spent much of my time with a child named Ruth), got to work. One boy, just before his photo, looked at Ali and said, "I remember you, do you remember me?" Ali said, "I remember you!" The boy replied, "What is my name?" To his surprise, Ali said, "your name is Jofrey." "Thank you for remembering me," Jofrey answered. Everyone wants to be known, to be remembered. And when we are, it makes a difference.
Three
Perez was able to spend some time with his Ugandan mom, Justine on Wednesday. Because of language, they struggle to communicate, but he loves to see her. For the past year Perez has been saving his money to give to his mom on this trip. After about an hour with Justine, he came to me and said, "Dad where is the money?" I gave him his money and he ran back to the office where she was waiting. Perez explained how he had been saving his money so he could help her because he loved her. When I entered the room, Perez, Justine, Ali and the translator were all crying. Perez told me, "Dad, its okay, these are happy tears!" At times you don't need words.
Four
Caning is the norm in Uganda. If a child needs to be "made straight" as they say, they are spanked, with a "cane." For the American eye, it borders on abuse, for the Ugandan, it is common. We woke up at 6:00 the other morning to a mass caning. The entire p7 class was being punished. One at a time, they assumed the position, girls got it once, most boys got three. The event went on for over 30 minutes. It was unbearable. We later asked a boy why his class got caned. Tardiness. That's it. They were late for class (which begins at 5:45 for the p7 class, ends at 4pm and then they return at 7pm for another hour). Sometimes even the norms are out of place.
Five
Yesterday I was able to spend an hour with my sponsor, Eron. Her school is far from where we stay, but the journey was worth it. Her school was preparing for a track meet, it was fun to watch the kids here have fun (and Perez joined some older boys on a few laps...the coach really wanted to recruit him). Eron introduced us to her friends, we watched the high jump, and walked the campus. It was a really cool time. When we were saying goodbye (the first time Eron released my hand), we hugged and I told Eron I loved her. Her response, "Nange," or, me too. There is no more powerful force in the world than a tangible expression of love. It knows no boundaries, cultural divide or language. It is universal.
May our transformational experiences leave a life changing impression on you.
From Uganda, we love you.
