Sep 2008

This will be my final blog for my Uganda trip. I've had an absolute amazing time, and I'm so glad I didn't turn this opportunity down!

There's not much to report on as I've been busy with school and playing with the kids since my last update. I've been trying my best not to get attached to the kids back at the community but me and Louise spent the whole day yesterday playing and reading stories and just enjoying their company. I've got teary eyed a couple of times when I realise that they have no one to say 'I love you' to, and they have no one to say it to them. They have no one to tuck them up in bed at time, no person to call their mum or dad.... It's really heart-breaking because they just don't know what that is..

The kids at the secondary school ask me if I have a family, and when I say yes they are all so shocked. I showed them a photo of Heather, my younger sister and also my dog and my mum, (I had these on my phone) and they all sighed in disbelief, telling me to tell them (Heather and mum) that they want to be your pen-pals and your friends. They don't know what it is to have these things and I feel guilty talking about it to them. They enjoy looking at the photos on my phone and letting me take their photos, they love it actually. They all pose and laugh and look so happy..

I never realised how much I take for granted in my life, and I have learned alot by coming here. The nurse/catechesis teacher who we have got to know a bit better than the other teachers invited us to her house for lunch today. I was shocked to say the least. Two rooms, 1.5m by 1.5m for each. One was the kitchen with a tiny gas stove and some basins, the other her bedroom: a tiny mattress in the corner, a little altar with candles and rosary beads, and then some RE books. It was so humbling of her to invite us and make us all she had and I'll never forget it. The most important thing being, that these people have God in their lives, and God in abundance. They eat, sleep, think God and are so happy and count themselves so lucky for what they have. It could only make me feel greedy and selfish, but, in another sense, so blessed for my life and the opportunities I have had in this life!

So I fly home tomorrow evening and arrive home on Wednesday..

As I said, I've had an amazing time here. Everything about it: the people, the culture, the music, the weather, the kids, the lack of things too.. It's just been amazing!!

I hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I've enjoyed writing. Sorry for the lack of photos. I'll have them all up on my http://public.fotki.com/vexred9irl website as soon as I'm home so don't forget to check them out!

God Bless, Claire (Cheryl) xx

It's been a wee while since I last updated. And unfortunately all the photos didn't load so there's only a few of where I live on my online photo album. Don't worry, when I get home I'll get all 600 odd photos up!!

Since my last entry me and the girls have been travelling into Mbarara most days to teach the kids. I've taught a bit of Religion, a whole lesson on English (which was a bit crazy cause English grammar isn't my strong point), I also taught Art and helped the kids draw a branch of a tree - they were all so eager to see my drawing show me theirs. And I also taught North American Geography to the first years, but I don't think they understood me too well!

We went into the primary school yesterday and sat in on one of their Science lessons, we were happy to spectate than teach as their English isn't very good; the girls don't feel comfortable teaching the primary kids so they'll be teaching sports and music to them instead of english, maths etc.

Today we're going into the secondary school to do sports and games with them, but not til later.

So I'm getting ready for leaving on Tuesday - not physically, but more mentally. I've enjoyed every bit of this trip; I've loved spending time with the kids and trying to help them in class with English and everything else. I've enjoyed my time with the girls and the people in the community - getting to know people and their culture.

My one thing I wish I could have done was go to a safari park and see some animals, but the girls said it's too expensive for fuel, plus we never got the jeep back so the car wouldn't be able to make the trip. They said that on the way to the airport I may see some elephants, so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Tomorrow we're going to the high school as it's one of the girls birthdays, so I think there'll be a wee party of some sort. Should be fun!

Right, that's enough for one day, speak soon,

God Bless xx

I decided to upload all my photos so far to my online photo album. It may take some time to load as there's quite a few, so be patient!

Paste this into your browser and look for the Africa page!

http://public.fotki.com/vexred9irl/holidays/

xx

Good morrow!

The last couple of days have been busy hanging about with Fr. John and meeting loads of new people. We went to the high school yesterday to meet the teachers and chat about the subjects we'll be teaching. I'll be doing Religion, English, Geography and Art, and sports after school (every day-I'm gony be well fit!) The teachers are lovely as are the kids. We start teaching on Monday. Today we're going to the primary school which we'll be in Tuesday and Thursday. We're going there today to chat to the teachers.

I finally got an email back from my lecturers, they said that if I stay til the end of Oct I'd fail the assessment and have to resit it next year, so I've asked about staying an extra week 'cause then I'd get an extra week of teaching and also get to a conference Fr Bash is doing up in Jinja. But, if the lecturers reply and say I could still fail, then I'll be home in a week and a half. I'm really sad about this because I'm loving this experience sooo so much. Everything about everything is just perfect and I don't want to leave and miss out on the further work and development I could be part of for the foundation we're starting up and for the communities, orphans and schools. But, as I always say, I'll leave it in God's hands, and if I'm meant to come home, then it's up to Him. I just know I want to continue helping the foundation when I'm home. Get supplies sent out to schools and fundraise - anything to help these people. Then if I can come back next year I will, because I really feel called to do this work - since I was in 5th year at High School I've wanted to do this missionary work, and right now I'm doing it - I still can't believe I'm in Uganda! So God willing I can continue with it, whether at home or abroad!

Sorry for that big rant!!

I don't think we'll be up to much for the weekend 'cause Fr Bash left last night for USA and Bosnia, and he won't be back for 3 weeks. He's taken the jeep too, and driving on these roads with a car is a nightmare! We'll maybe just sunbathe in the lovely weather and read over our school books

And gimme some comments people, I feel unloved!!

God Bless xx

Hey everyone, hope you're well. I'm doing very good, settling in well and keeping busy.
Since my last update me and the girls have done a little bit of travelling with Fr. Bashobora to different parishes in the Mbarara district. On Saturday we went to a priests ordination about 2 hours drive from here. And on Sunday we went to a parish up in the hills (about 1.5 hours away) to have mass celebrated by Fr. Bashobora. The scenery was beautiful up there, rolling hills and wee houses on the side of the road. It reminded me of Israel except there's lots o greenery here.

The majority of the people here have never saw a white person, so when they do see us, like yesterday at mass, they just stare inquisitively and smile. Me, Louise and Elisa got up and sang a hymn with actions at the end of mass yesterday infront of around 500 people. It was amazing! Then we proceeded to find Fr. Bash (everyone just follows him because they know of his healing and exorcism ministry) and we turned round and there was a flock of kids surrounding us as we walked. We had dinner and then came back to Karama (our wee comunity).

I've got use to the food now, to be honest when it comes to dinner time you're too hungry to moan about the flavour or basicness of it - I take too much for granted at home so this is a great opportunity for me to stop being selfish! Did I tell you that there's no running water, so once you do the toilet you have to pour water from a bucket to clear it? I'm pretty much use to this too! I'm loving every moment of it.

Today we went into Mbarara to visit the primary and secondary school that the 3 of us will be teaching at. I'll be teaching religion, english and probably a bit of mathematics and sport. We're going back in tomorrow to chat with the teachers and have a look at the curriculum. I'm getting really excited about it because I never imagined teaching before, let alone do missionary work like this!

It's still a little difficult to put photos up so you'll have to wait for those, but I've taken tonnes (as always!). In other news, I'm planning on staying a little longer to do more missionary work in the communities and schools, but I have to wait for my lecturers response. If they don't give me the thumbs up I'll be home in 2 weeks, if they do, I'll be home in 5 weeks. So God willing... I just keep praying!

Today we also went for lunch in town, I got a chicken/cheese toastie, chips and beer, and it cost TWO POUNDS! How good! Haha!

Right I better head off and get some tanning done

Love you all, God Bless xx

So I arrived safe and sound into Entebbe airport on tuesday night, and to my surprise had a 5/6 hour car journey with Elisa and Louise back to our wee house. The road was bumpy to say the least, but it was amazing to see the markets at the side of the road and all hustle and bustle of the streets as we drove along. We arrived at the 'Yesu Ahuirie' Catholic Community just passed Mbarara. Got the mosquito net up and went to sleep as we were all shattered from the drive.

I woke up to amazing scenery and lovely weather. Cows, goats, chickens, dragonflys, mosquitoes, birds, lizards all around us - I instantly loved it. The girls were very happy with all the food and crisps (and wine) I brought them, so we had bread and Nutella for breakfast with a cup of coffee. The lunch was more interesting. Matokee which is mashed up and cooked banana before it turns ripe, aswell as rice and a kidney bean and gravy soup thingy! It was.. nicer than it sounds haha. For dinner we had spaghetti and veg, and it was gorgeous! That's the food! During the day we've read books and chatted, been to mass (6pm daily) and went on walks around the community.

The way the Ugandans celebrate mass is brilliant. They have their african drums and rain shakers and it's such a happy and joyous feeling everyone getting into it. Even the orphans - young and old - are dancing and clapping! It's great!

Last night we opened up the rose wine and had a wee cup, it was very nice!

So I'm absolutely loving it here; it's so peaceful and tranquil and relaxing (before school starts) and I feel very close to God even though there's not alot to do. Water is limited and electricity usually only comes on at night. You would think it takes alot to adapt to this, but I'm settling in very well. It's great hanging out with the girls and having the time to just talk about life instead of sitting infront of a computer wasting time.

The people here are so lovely too. I initially thought they would be quite hostile to white people, but it's the complete opposite!

I think that's enough of an update for one day. I'm not sure when I'll get to post again as the internet/electricity is limited, but I'll try and add some photos for next time.

Hope everyone at home is safe and sound, you don't need to be worrying about me cause I'm having a braw time!!

Tomorrow Fr. John Bashobora arrives - he's the main gaffer so we'll have a little bit more structure when he gets here, hopefully get a drive into Mbarara to buy some supplies. All is good!! God is good!

Lots of love,
God Bless xx

See the itinerary of this trip, and details about each destination.

Leaving tonight, byeee!
God Bless x

Hi again! It's not long before I get back from Australia that I announce another excursion to a far-flung part of the world. On Tuesday I'm off to Mbarara, Uganda. I'll be gone for 3 weeks, and I'll be helping teach orphans and x-child soldiers music, art, sport and hopefully a little bit of religion (English and Maths they already get taught).

I'm not sure of the internet connection in the place I'm staying at, but my friends Elisa and Louise who are already out there have been sending emails, so I'm pretty sure I'll get online to update this blog.

I'll be able to tell you more when I'm there, so stay tuned!

God Bless,
Cheryl