Saturday 27 March 2010

Operation Uganda

I’ve decided not to be a film star for the time being. It really is too much work – and I can’t get my head around having two different agendas to work with, in this case the film crew, and the orphanage we were with. Sometimes in tandem, sometimes not … quite!!! Either way, demanding on us as a family. But all’s well which ends well. 

Jordan House, under the umbrella of Operation Uganda, was a stunning place which looks after around 80 kids who have no parents or extended family. They work closely with the JH community, and so have taken on twice as many ‘Community Kids’ which remain in their families or relatives, but have their education and medical needs looked after too. While we were there an Empowering Woman course was been held, where a group of local very poor women are taken through practical and business practices in making jewellery which gets sold in the west. So watch out when I come back to UK! I just loved that whole approach of Operation Uganda. It is also very hands off, working closely with the existing JH community.

This week, as it happens, we also met our sponsored child of a couple of years. I was in virtual shock and totally unprepared as the realisation began to dawn on me the very tangible difference we are making to this one young life. We met Jacob’s family. He’s the youngest of 5. (Read, nothing left.) We met his siblings and mother. And then we went to the local zoo for the day. Jacob is a quiet 12 yr old, 2 yrs behind in his schooling because of missed time, but now on track and loves football with a passion. I will not forget that day for a long time.

BTW, we had our first taste of fried ants. Apart from feeling of little legs stuck in your throat and the knowledge of what we were eating …they were tasty! Put your orders in! 

 

Operationuganda.com

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Tanzania, Rwanda and now safely into Uganda

Oh the delays in getting internet access. And even when we get stationed in a big city, we have to write off line and look for somewhere to plug in. Sounds simple … it isn’t!

Mum has just returned to Wales after a two week break. It was with some relief that we managed to hook up at Uganda’s international airport, both ways without having to negotiate landslides, a broken trailer hitch or the riots which erupted last night and government tanks. Today we are hemmed in at Russell and Jenny’s, the amazing Aussies who run Operation Uganda (based at Jordan House) – and where we plan to spend our next few weeks. We are holding on to see if the ‘increasing crowds’ calm down without incident. Although we nipped out today to get fuel as the word on the ground is of impending fuel shortages. Never a dull moment!