What Do I Take for Granted?

So, I'm sitting at a nice hotel in their back lobby to get power and internet access and can finally take some time to post an update. I'll start by saying how grateful I am to have power and internet access - gee, the things I used to take so for granted.

That is a concept to explore a bit. So, I got to spend time yesterday with a little girl (Ellen) in Namuwango (the slums) while she drew on some of my scrap paper. I take for granted that there are paper and pens/pencils available - but that is just not true in an environment of such poverty. I was reading, to help edit/check, a letter a little boy (Richard) wrote to his sponsor in the UK - this sponsor pays his school tuition so that he is able to get an education - and the main point of his thank you note was that he'd never before received a letter (the letter his sponsor had written him was his first ever and he'd been running through the slums showing the envelop and paper to his friends - because they'd never seen or received one either). I take for granted that I am able to communicate with others in written or electronic form. I take for granted that people have sent messages to me... it seems part of a "normal" life. However, these things are not "normal" for about 80% of the world - only normal for our western/1st world culture. I don't "dis" our advantages- I simply challenge that we should recognize they aren't "norms" for all and I wonder what steps I can take to help change that.

I would like for everyone in Namuwango to feel the worth of having someone know them and send something directly to them - even if only a paper letter. I would like for everyone in Namuwango to have paper and pencils when they'd like them... but more importantly, I'd like for people in Namuwango (and every other slum in the world) to have nutritious food and clean water. Food and drink for thought.... what can we do to about it?

Back in Africa

This blog update should have come sooner, but connectivity and access issues prevented me from doing anything online.

Arrival – 21 July
After a long couple of flights, the journey is done! Felt great to land again on African soil and to head out of the airport into a starry night towards Kampala. Man, the sky is so black and the stars so beautiful.

Day 1 – 22 July
Today was a great day… ran errands with a couple of friends from here then went down to Namuwango to meet some of the ladies who meet there to do tailoring and bead work in one of the micro-businesses the team here has helped them start. I received such a warm welcome and am looking forward to serving them in many ways. I saw Agnes, a woman whose family we visited on our medical trip. Her smile was wide and welcoming when she saw me come in and we recognized one another – it was awesome to get to see her again and check up on her and her children. We couldn’t stay long with them, but it was a really nice to have a quick visit to meet some of them. It was also great to speak with several of the women I’d met before who run the Ray of Hope organization.

After stopping in Namuwango, we ran errands and headed up the hill to home… only to find, near the top, a broken down delivery truck blocking the narrow red dirt road. No way to pass – even in the 4-wheel drive. So, we headed to a little dive near the house for some of that delicious pork again… awesome (had been looking forward to that since returning to the US in June)! Headed back up an hour or so later to find the truck still there… so another turn around and back into town to hang out for a couple of hours to wait. Late night home but was nice to have some time to hang out with two friends I’d met while here in May. We had a great evening of chill and chatting – so I guess I should send a “thank you” to the truck. : )