Mbulamuti & Kamuli - a double whammy day!!! These two villages are about 2 hours north of our temporary home in Jinja, and about 30 minutes apart from each other so we make every attempt to visit both of them in a single day if possible. After running three full sponsorship programs, the team was ready to take on the challenge. The team rose up earlier than usual and took off for Mbulamuti. The roads were muddy from an early morning downpour and it was more of a roller coaster ride than a bus ride to the village. It was miraculous that we did not get stuck in the mud on the way. When we finally got there we were given a full report by the head teacher followed by lovely singing and dancing. The group that went outside during packet time had a wild time with the parachute that Becky brought and were delighted by the bubble guns. It was great to look outside and see bubbles floating around everywhere and kids squealing with joy as they popped them. Some of the younger crew went out back where they have an expansive field and played a long, hot game of soccer against some of the unsponsored primary students. Sara, the program leader of Hearts & Hope, was able to see her sponsored child for the second time and first time seeing her as part of the school community. The second time seeing your sponsored child is always extremely special as you can see that they recognize you and there is a certain connection with them that was just budding the first time. Peace, Sara’s sponsored child, is one example of this. She was definitely more comfortable and engaging. Especially when she handed her a doll and started role playing with it - the cackling laughter from little Peace could be heard all over the village!!! Tori shared one thing which stuck with her from this day was when Paul, the headmaster in Mbulamuti, spoke to her and asked why we show such open love to these kids when we don’t even know them? Aren’t we afraid we will get sick from them? What he didn't understand is that we receive so much more than we give. The love we get from these kids is worth more than any sickness we may receive. God is so present here and no where is this presence felt more than when embracing these beautiful children. Unfortunately, we had to cut our time short due to time constraints and head to Kamuli. By the time we reached there lunch was prepared and we were able to enjoy some time eating before round two of packets with the sponsored children. After packet time we were able to meet with the women’s group and hand out tote bags filled with toiletries and other home supplies to the women. The appreciation from them was shown from cheering and dancing soon after the group photo was taken. It’s astounding how happy something so simple makes these women. It also makes the team appreciate all the gifts & conveniences they have back home. The village then had a surprise planned for the team - a goat roast! The village brought out the “largest speaker known to man” and blasted some Ugandan hits while roasting goat meat on a grill for the team to enjoy. The large team danced with the students and villages. We made such a scene that people from the surrounding community stopped along the main road to watch what was happening with all these Mzungus. The best part, and I speak specifically for the crew from St Louis, was when the DJ played “Gloria” and all the children were dancing so enthusiastically!!! Little did they know about the recent Blues win in Boston, but they definitely were the cutest addition to the celebration of the Stanley Cup victory. Dance parties are always a spectacular way to end a day in Uganda! The team has the final full village day tomorrow in Nalwire with the dedication of the newly constructed latrine. We are all ready for “potty time” with the people of Nalwire and we cannot wait for the celebration.
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About USHearts & Hope is a nonprofit organization focused on unlocking the potential of people in Uganda through relationships with people in the US. Archives
February 2020
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