Ok ok, I haven't forgotten to update my blog, it's just not as easy as you may think...I have no idea where time goes in the days but we agreed it is because every day is so different. Something interestingly new happened every day but I cannot blog about them all...Also, these oh so eventful days interfered with my computer time. But I am now so far behind that I will share a few stories and continue to update when I have time. I am now in Dar es Salam in Tanzania but the journey on how I got here is another blog entry in itself.
So my time in Kampala has come to an end and I must continue on the journeys that lay ahead...
To say that I will miss the homely feel of our beautiful house, the undiscovered parts of the hectic city, the ever interesting and amazing people that surround me and quite entirely what is Uganda, is an understatement. I have had the opportunity and blessing to work with people who will leave such imprints on my being and way of thinking. Words cannot quite explain how much I've appreciated their pressence but I keep them in my thoughts as I leave them behind and hope to someday meet again. I am forever thankful for what I've seen and done in the past 2 months.
The highlights of the month....
Well it wouldn't be Africa if it didn't touch your heart and produce tears of great joy and deep sadness. I visited a home for the disabled with Terri and Nathanael one afternoon and it left internal scars. This home was run by brothers (not the sibbling type) and was home to so many people ranging from new borns to elders. There did not appear to be enough aids, so visitors are greatly appreciated. The majority were just gathered in a big open yard outside and were left to just go about the day but we entered a room where my heart ached most. Small, crippled and malnutritioned kids layed on beds, some with deformities, diseases and sicknesses of all sorts. One lady in her thirties had been raped and left in the woods where she caught a strange disease. She could not stop itching herself and was unable to speak - I felt in her pressence that she had endured great horror in her life. Knowing that the most I could do for them was to simply touch them with loving hands and have a one way conversation was difficult. The rest of the time was spent shaking hands with elders and sharing my smile with those who hadnt seen enough of them in their life. One little girl was so timid and seemed as though she had seen the worse. She had zero emotion in her entire body and I wanted nothing more than to hug her. As I wrapped my arms around her, she dropped her head back and went limp. She did not hug me back and clearly had never been shown any form of love. I sat on the dirty cement with a little boy who had a head deformity I am unfamiliar with - his skull was about 3 times the size it should be. But he had such beautiful eyes and a huge smile. I saw past the difference and we played together. Soon I was surrounded by various other children. They all wanted to touch me and they laughed as I put my sunglasses on them and allowed them to climb all over me. We then left as they all sat down to eat lunch that consisted of rice and beans. Leaving the home was heart wrenching. I felt guilty with shame to walk away on two feet, wearing clothing, a backpack with possessions and mostly a proper functioning body with half the mental scarring these people have excperienced. The bodda ride home dried my streaming tears as they could not be held back.
To say that I will miss the homely feel of our beautiful house, the undiscovered parts of the hectic city, the ever interesting and amazing people that surround me and quite entirely what is Uganda, is an understatement. I have had the opportunity and blessing to work with people who will leave such imprints on my being and way of thinking. Words cannot quite explain how much I've appreciated their pressence but I keep them in my thoughts as I leave them behind and hope to someday meet again. I am forever thankful for what I've seen and done in the past 2 months.
The highlights of the month....
Well it wouldn't be Africa if it didn't touch your heart and produce tears of great joy and deep sadness. I visited a home for the disabled with Terri and Nathanael one afternoon and it left internal scars. This home was run by brothers (not the sibbling type) and was home to so many people ranging from new borns to elders. There did not appear to be enough aids, so visitors are greatly appreciated. The majority were just gathered in a big open yard outside and were left to just go about the day but we entered a room where my heart ached most. Small, crippled and malnutritioned kids layed on beds, some with deformities, diseases and sicknesses of all sorts. One lady in her thirties had been raped and left in the woods where she caught a strange disease. She could not stop itching herself and was unable to speak - I felt in her pressence that she had endured great horror in her life. Knowing that the most I could do for them was to simply touch them with loving hands and have a one way conversation was difficult. The rest of the time was spent shaking hands with elders and sharing my smile with those who hadnt seen enough of them in their life. One little girl was so timid and seemed as though she had seen the worse. She had zero emotion in her entire body and I wanted nothing more than to hug her. As I wrapped my arms around her, she dropped her head back and went limp. She did not hug me back and clearly had never been shown any form of love. I sat on the dirty cement with a little boy who had a head deformity I am unfamiliar with - his skull was about 3 times the size it should be. But he had such beautiful eyes and a huge smile. I saw past the difference and we played together. Soon I was surrounded by various other children. They all wanted to touch me and they laughed as I put my sunglasses on them and allowed them to climb all over me. We then left as they all sat down to eat lunch that consisted of rice and beans. Leaving the home was heart wrenching. I felt guilty with shame to walk away on two feet, wearing clothing, a backpack with possessions and mostly a proper functioning body with half the mental scarring these people have excperienced. The bodda ride home dried my streaming tears as they could not be held back.
A trip we made to the town of Jinga gained a spot in my lifetime highlights - Rafting the infamous Nile river. White water rafting is something I've wanted to do for years and hearing that the Nile had some of the best in the world was an easy decision to go. Myself and five friends, Donna, Nathanael, Kris, Karli and Jesse took part in this life endangering thrill and to say we escaped without injury would be a lie. Nothing serious, but when the raft hit some of the rapids sending the boat upside down, sideways or folding in half, we were left helplessly flung from it and tossed under the incredibly powerful currents. I had never felt so close to death as this one rapid had such impact it flipped our boat upside down on top of me and I struggled to find the surface. I was on my last breath when I finally surviced under the boat in a panic and happy to be alive. At least none of us caught Bilharzia from all the water we swallowed. The pictures are amusing but can't quite express the exhiliration of this trip. Taking the extreme route of these class 5 rapids was worth every aching muscle. And what a scenery throughout the 30 miles as we passed many villagers fishing, bathing, or swimming and saw a massive reptile that looked like a cross between a lizard and a crocodile. Finished the trip stocked with Nile Specials and satisfied with great memories.
So apart from all the play, I spent valuable time at school working on advancements in the kitchen. For about 3 weeks we were without a fridge and at the same time 2 weeks without an oven. This created some challenges but nothing we could not overcome. Challenge my imagination to cook 240 meals without ovens but the addition of soup and sandwiches was greatly accepted. I feel satisfied with the changes I made and improvements in my staff's skills. I am appreciative that they succomb to the idea that i was there to educate them rather than taking credit for the short 2 months of improved food. My goal was to pass along as much of my industry experience as possible so that they do not revert back to old ways and although my dishes won't be replicated, I have left my pride and work in the new menu and with my "recipes" I hope they are somewhat comparable. Even though I lost my temper at times with them, I assured them that it was out of love - that we are here cooking for these teachers and kids and must take pride in our work. After spending many hours with my kitchen staff, they shared their stories with me - some heart breaking and some I will cherish. It was fun to not only be the leader in a kitchen but to help them through personal issues as well. After so many years of soccer, I was able to compare how important it is to remain a team and work together in order to succeed. I wished them luck and our goodbyes were heartfelt. I also reminded the teachers and staff to keep me updated on the progress. My inexperience cooking for kids wasn't easy at times but undoubtely I leave with a better understanding of them and a deep understanding of maintaining a job in Africa. I'm not sure I would be capable of rolling 240 chapatis by hand while staying sane so props to their continuous efforts.
My soccer team didn't win a game in their season but the time with those girls was worth it...missing their last game so I told them to score me just one....
Many more stories to come and so much developing in my mind...Thinking of those I love and miss so much...
I need to go before I spend my dinner money. Being on a bus for the past 2 days has left me dazed and hungry...
Until next time,
K
ps. Jayme, best yet...Tusker malt..they better have them here....
ps. Jayme, best yet...Tusker malt..they better have them here....
