Animorph
Life...
A Beautiful Butterfly
Cockfight
Normal.
Just hanging out in my front yard...
Posing with Mt. Nusu
Oh the joy of waking up to African Creatures
Friday, September 30, 2011
More Pictures
Construction site of our Outreach Project at a nearby school.
Men sifting sand and mixing concrete by hand.
Ripe Coffee Beans on The Vine
Coffee being deshelled. The white bean inside is what we see after its roasted brown.
Scenery from the top of one of the mountain foothills.
People around the school
Headmaster Thomas
Library and Mt. Nusu in the background
Library and Mt. Nusu in the background
Teachers: Richard, Moses and Edith
Teachers: Godfrey, Michael and Edith
(I think I am being scolded :D)
(I think I am being scolded :D)
Baby Jeffrey, Teacher Godfrey's Son
Our Host mother, JENNIPHER!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." ~Confucius
So, in the past three weeks I have experienced much but most
importantly, I think, I have relaxed. I sleep more than six hours in a
night, I read novels, I listen to the birds chirping, I stargaze, I
sing while I walk, I hike in the foothills of a mountain, I take the
long path home just to feel the cool breeze off of the stream and I
share stories with new friends. After a crazy summer back home, I can
honestly say I needed this.
I have a roommate named Lacey who is from Tennessee. She is working as
the pilot outreach coordinator with AAH and is one bright and ambitious lady - really impressive. It is nice to share this big house with someone so sweet.
There is a medical clinic in our village run by the Foundation for the
International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC). This program has 2
on-site Americans to manage things and I love them both as well!! They have
been great to get to know as they are just as equally accomplished and
ambitious as Lacey. They also have programs run by volunteers from the
US so its nice to have a village escape once in a while and someone to
share a warm Senator with (personal beer of choice).
We have not had power for more than a week now and have been relying
on a generator at school to power our computers and phones. It has
made work a bit difficult and keeping in touch regularly out of the
question. So, I propose you get a phonecard and give me a call when
you want to catch up :) 011 256 773 544 304
Otherwise, life in the village is really nice. There is an unsaid
open-door policy in the village so I always have visitors stopping by,
saying hello and inviting me to their homes. I love it :)
In the midst of relaxing, I seem to find myself doing work. It doesn't
really feel like work most of the time though. Its easy to be reminded
of my true purpose here and that is the progressive development of
this community through the education of their children. Its easy to
wake up in the morning and look forward to the day when I have so many
brightly inspired youngsters waiting for me to shake their hand, make
a new friend, teach them something or just simply smile at them to say
hello.
We also meet some really motivated members of the Bududa district
outside the school. One man has started a nursery school with his own
salary, one women runs a micro-finance organization through the US for
over 100+ women in the area and there is a whole group of adults who
have started a development union to improve the environment and
organization of the community as the government has failed on its
promises and obligations. These examples just highlight some of the
people we have met and who have inspired us to be a part of this
community and its improvement for the future. What a blessing.
This area is beautiful and the people are even more beautiful. The
history of visitors to this region is so positive and the sight of new
faces elates those who dwell here. I am truly blessed to be touching
the lives of these people.. every day. I hope you all find grace and
positivity in your work and your lives.
Job Description:
Guesthouse Management: managing the budget, stocking and maintaining
the house and kitchen with food, water, toiletries, and other
household supplies, organize repairs and construction projects as
necessary. Supervise the employed housekeeper (Jennipher, more like a
mom) who is in charge of cooking, cleaning and laundry. Though, most
of the time my supervision duties consist of trying not to spit out my
tea when our house mom cracks us up with laughter. She is a gem.
Recruitment, Supervision and Support of AAH Volunteers: create
projects and ideas for on-site volunteer work, lay the groundwork and
promote these projects. Respond to volunteer inquiries and provide
support as they organize their travel. Pick up incoming volunteers in
Kampala and make sure they arrive in the village safe. Orient
volunteers upon arrival and act as a cultural guide to ensure their
comfort. Work and support the volunteers throughout their stay and
especially with their projects to ensure they can accomplish their
goals.
Support the Primary School and Secondary Program: Teach reading
lessons to students who need extra help with English, arrange
read-alouds for comprehension in classrooms, coordinate a girl
centered mentoring program, organize a reading carnival and lead the
primary one (1st grade) intake process ( I am told this will be my
most difficult task - more on this next month when it starts). Create
service projects and work with secondary students to review, study and
engage in their community over their term breaks.
Coordinate Child Sponsorship and Donor Communications: All of our
children are sponsored by organizations and individuals from the USA
so communication is important. I will organize four letter writing
sessions each year for students to communicate with their donors and
vice-verse. This also includes getting profiles and pictures of the
students to send to the USA.
importantly, I think, I have relaxed. I sleep more than six hours in a
night, I read novels, I listen to the birds chirping, I stargaze, I
sing while I walk, I hike in the foothills of a mountain, I take the
long path home just to feel the cool breeze off of the stream and I
share stories with new friends. After a crazy summer back home, I can
honestly say I needed this.
I have a roommate named Lacey who is from Tennessee. She is working as
the pilot outreach coordinator with AAH and is one bright and ambitious lady - really impressive. It is nice to share this big house with someone so sweet.
There is a medical clinic in our village run by the Foundation for the
International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC). This program has 2
on-site Americans to manage things and I love them both as well!! They have
been great to get to know as they are just as equally accomplished and
ambitious as Lacey. They also have programs run by volunteers from the
US so its nice to have a village escape once in a while and someone to
share a warm Senator with (personal beer of choice).
We have not had power for more than a week now and have been relying
on a generator at school to power our computers and phones. It has
made work a bit difficult and keeping in touch regularly out of the
question. So, I propose you get a phonecard and give me a call when
you want to catch up :) 011 256 773 544 304
Otherwise, life in the village is really nice. There is an unsaid
open-door policy in the village so I always have visitors stopping by,
saying hello and inviting me to their homes. I love it :)
In the midst of relaxing, I seem to find myself doing work. It doesn't
really feel like work most of the time though. Its easy to be reminded
of my true purpose here and that is the progressive development of
this community through the education of their children. Its easy to
wake up in the morning and look forward to the day when I have so many
brightly inspired youngsters waiting for me to shake their hand, make
a new friend, teach them something or just simply smile at them to say
hello.
We also meet some really motivated members of the Bududa district
outside the school. One man has started a nursery school with his own
salary, one women runs a micro-finance organization through the US for
over 100+ women in the area and there is a whole group of adults who
have started a development union to improve the environment and
organization of the community as the government has failed on its
promises and obligations. These examples just highlight some of the
people we have met and who have inspired us to be a part of this
community and its improvement for the future. What a blessing.
This area is beautiful and the people are even more beautiful. The
history of visitors to this region is so positive and the sight of new
faces elates those who dwell here. I am truly blessed to be touching
the lives of these people.. every day. I hope you all find grace and
positivity in your work and your lives.
Job Description:
Guesthouse Management: managing the budget, stocking and maintaining
the house and kitchen with food, water, toiletries, and other
household supplies, organize repairs and construction projects as
necessary. Supervise the employed housekeeper (Jennipher, more like a
mom) who is in charge of cooking, cleaning and laundry. Though, most
of the time my supervision duties consist of trying not to spit out my
tea when our house mom cracks us up with laughter. She is a gem.
Recruitment, Supervision and Support of AAH Volunteers: create
projects and ideas for on-site volunteer work, lay the groundwork and
promote these projects. Respond to volunteer inquiries and provide
support as they organize their travel. Pick up incoming volunteers in
Kampala and make sure they arrive in the village safe. Orient
volunteers upon arrival and act as a cultural guide to ensure their
comfort. Work and support the volunteers throughout their stay and
especially with their projects to ensure they can accomplish their
goals.
Support the Primary School and Secondary Program: Teach reading
lessons to students who need extra help with English, arrange
read-alouds for comprehension in classrooms, coordinate a girl
centered mentoring program, organize a reading carnival and lead the
primary one (1st grade) intake process ( I am told this will be my
most difficult task - more on this next month when it starts). Create
service projects and work with secondary students to review, study and
engage in their community over their term breaks.
Coordinate Child Sponsorship and Donor Communications: All of our
children are sponsored by organizations and individuals from the USA
so communication is important. I will organize four letter writing
sessions each year for students to communicate with their donors and
vice-verse. This also includes getting profiles and pictures of the
students to send to the USA.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
“An egg is always an adventure; the next one may be different” Oscar Wilde
As an offering in church this morning, I watched a woman
carefully place two fresh eggs, surely stolen from her chicken’s roost, into a
hand-woven basket beside four plump avocados that instantly gave me a craving
for guacamole. As the basket passed my lap, my faced flushed full of
embarrassment with the realization that I had not brought a single shilling
with me, nor an egg or avocado for that matter. James, our self-appointed and oh-so
appreciated translator for the service, simply said “no worries.” Just as I was
going to ask him about the food donations, Richard, the father of an AAH
student stood up and spoke to the church as he held the two dirt speckled eggs
in his hands. His gaze shifted to the front row in which we were seated and
warmly explained that the perishable gifts were given by people who had no
money to spare. Richard then offered
anyone the opportunity to purchase the eggs as an alternate offering
contribution. Whether anyone was
interested in the eggs or not I will never know as the auction was conducted in
their local dialect. Nevertheless, Richard reached into his pocket to purchase
the eggs himself. I figured he was eager to add the two eggs, be them omelet or
baby chick, to his home and farm but was taken back completely when he handed
one egg to my counterpart, Lacey and placed the other gently in my empty hands
with a warm bow of grace and appreciation. The preacher stood at this gesture and
explained that the people of this land exchange, share and give such tokens as
gifts to send messages of true appreciation and gratitude for the support and
spirit we all provide for one another.
Walking back down the steep hill away from Bulobi Parish,
the sun’s rays warmed our faces which emphasized the tenderness of the morning.
My eyes were fixed at my hands which
held one egg and one avocado: a life in the making and a fully ripened fruit. To some these items may serve as a lunch menu
or an opportunity to make money in the market. And to the others, the items may
go unnoticed completely. To me, in that moment, it meant the official opening
to my new life in Bududa, Uganda.
I am so excited to discover the spirit within this new
journey.
www.aahuganda.org
Lacey English and Caitlan McDaniel
Entebbe Airport, Uganda
August 30th 2011
Entebbe Airport, Uganda
August 30th 2011
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