apwoyo!

One of the best things about being in Africa is the uncertainty of everything. It has taught me to be flexible and always have a good attitude. Last week, we went to the internet café and I had intended to post a blog update about our first week and a half in country, but the internet didn’t work on my computer. So, to make up for that, I’ll post two blogs today. Here’s to hoping the picture uploads!

7.4.12

Apwoyo! Hello from Uganda!

What an amazing week and a half it’s been since we arrived in country. Every day has had its own adventure, which keeps things exciting. :) We have been staying in one of the homes at the Children’s Village, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every night, two of us go into each home to pray with the children and we wake up each morning to the children singing as they do their chores. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of; I am so grateful for this experience!

The second day we were here, we went to Barlonyo, where one of the worst rebel attacks occurred in Northern Uganda. It had been an Internal Displacement (IDP) camp, where families and children could live under the protection of government soldiers, supposedly safe from rebel attacks. On February 21, 2004, rebel soldiers came through Barlonyo and killed 17 of the 35 soldiers and headed straight for the IDP camp, where they set huts full of children on fire and shot anybody that tried running away. While it was heartbreaking to hear the stories, I saw redemption in the faces of the children we saw there. It’s been just over 8 years since the attack, and the children and families will be forever affected, but they are alive and well now. Seeing those children laughing and playing brought incredible warmth to my heart, knowing that the families are living in much more safety and peace now than they were a matter of years ago.

The story of Barlonyo is not uncommon among the children in the Children’s Village. In fact, one of the first children to come to the Village was from Barlonyo. It is such a huge blessing to be here, loving on these children and allowing them to impact our lives in such a meaningful way.                   

7.11.12

It has been such a blessing to be getting to know the children better throughout our time here. This last week, we hosted a “Center Day” at the Children’s Village. The event lasted the entire day, during which there were activities, dance & song presentations, a dance party, and a meal served to the children who live at the Village as well as all neighbors. I loved getting the chance to meet some of our neighbors that I see when we walk some of the children home from school; I can see that they really love the work that COTN is doing in the neighborhood.

We are in the process of building another school building that will make room for all 3 nursery classes and add another grade level so the older children don’t have to go to boarding school next year. I’ve also had the chance to do some work in the fields, planting and maintaining their crops. The set-up of the Village is designed to be completely sustainable, using all of the food from their crops, trees and animals to feed the children and staff. They are hoping to put solar panels on each of the homes so that the children can do their homework at night without using a kerosene lamp. The cost is $1500 per house – there are 5 houses full of children; this cost is too expensive to justify for the Nationals here, but is a feasible number for a few friends to get together and donate. I would encourage you to tell anyone you know that cares about creating sustainable environments in developing countries to consider donating to this project; it will help transform the lives of the children living here, allowing them to pursue their studies after the sun goes down.

Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers for continued safety, health, and team unity. I am fully enjoying each and every day that I get to spend here with my Ugandan family; I can’t wait to share more stories throughout my time here and after I get home!