It feels like it was only a few days ago that i stepped off the plane with out a clue what I was getting myself into. Already a month has gone by, and i have no clue where it went. Every day poses a new challenge, and every day i have learned something new. I have learned so much already from the people here in Uganda. About a quality of life, a work ethic, and an overall strength that we really don't understand back in the states. We don't understand what it is to be a young woman in Uganda and have our entire families killed by the rebel armies before we reach the age of 21. Could we ever wrap our minds around the concept of walking 2-3 hours each way, every day to work for a monthly salary of about 20 USD a month? 20 USD a month to take care of your mother who can not work, and feed 5 children, 3 of which are not even your own, but are your late sister's. The strength of a 4 year old boy who has tuberculosis, and is HIV positive. The will to survive, and the ability to smile when your living in constant emotional and physical pain. These things are beyond any earthly explanation. We have a BIG God. I have spent the last month questioning Him more than ever before. Not understanding why we live so comfortably, while extreme trauma and suffering is so normal in places like Uganda. Instead of trying to reason with God, i have to understand who exactly my God is. He is the creator, He was before time began, and He always will be. Who am i to question a God like that? Suffering and pain are real. Rather than seeing these circumstances as God given, it's the result of living in a fallen world. God desires us to be close to Him right? For his creation to glorify Him. People who have absolutely nothing cling so tightly to their Savior. While I'm beyond grateful for all i have been given, i envy the faith and strength of the people I've gotten to meet here. I'm sure i will still question and ask Him why? But each time I'm hoping i will be reminded of a plan far too great for me to comprehend.
Obviously i am not giving nearly as much to these kids as they are to me. Every night at 7:30 after I put 14 toddler boys into diapers/underwear and into their mismatched pajamas, and kiss 14 foreheads goodnight, I walk up the stairs somewhat defeated,frustrated, and tired, but smiling, knowing there's nothing else i'd rather be doing. I still wake up around 6:30 am every morning as the roosters are crowing and the babies are crying. Work starts at around 8, while the kids are eating their breakfast. My day with the now, 24 toddlers, starts with putting the boys in diapers after they go to the bathroom. Then teaching preschool to the oldest 12 children, for around 2 hrs every morning. We work on sounding out letters, puzzles, colors, shapes, numbers, finger paints, reading stories etc. Normal preschool things. Then we play outside with the kids until around 12:30, when it is time to go in for lunch. The volunteers have a lunch break, and then return to play more outside with the kids, do actives, sing songs, etc. Then inside by 6:30, for dinner. After dinner the kids are bathed, and stream in one by one. 14 toddler boys who should be tired after a busy day, but instead seem to enter the room soaking wet, and full of energy after their evening baths. Chasing each other around the room, hitting, biting, throwing diapers, and clothes all over. Just a normal night here at Amani. But like i said. I absolutely love it, i can already see my patience growing. Getting to be outside, running around, playing on the swings, and blowing bubbles with these kids is so neat. Seeing the preschoolers learn and make progress. Them being proud of themselves is one of the coolest things. Every timeiI get to hear these kids laugh, see them make progress in preschool, or hold them when they start crying, i'm quitely reminded of exactly why i am here.
We have gotten 6 new kids since i have arrived. S, P, T, B, E and G. G and E were the most recent, both are so tiny and so young. G is 5 weeks, and E is 3 weeks. G was found left in a sugar cane field, and E's mother died during child birth. A last minute decision has been made, another volunteer and i will be traveling to the north of Uganda, to a city called Gulu. A lot of you know i'm going to school for social work. I'm looking to do my masters in international social work, and hopefully work with Uganda in some way after i graduate. The trip to the north is really important for me to get a better understanding of how the war with the LRA has impacted this region (known as Acholi land). A Ugandan woman named S who now lives in Jinja, was originally from the North. Her Father was killed by the rebel army, and she herself has taken interest in the impacts of the war. She, a social work major as well has done her own study on this topic. She is willing to travel with us to the North, and take us to different IDP camps, to talk to refugees, survivors of this awful war that has been going on in Uganda for more than 20 years. This is a really exciting opportunity for me. While the North is much safer than it was, it is of course, not as safe as Jinja.
My health has been tested non-stop since i've been here. Right now i have a staph infection which has made the whole left bottom of my face numb, swollen, and in a lot of pain. i have to go back to the doctor tomorrow to see if it needs to be drained. i'm frustrated but i know these are minor things and i will be fine.
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