On Day 8, we traveled to Kamuli (Cha-MOO-Lay)Village, which is where Sharon Nyanjura, the director of Arise and Shine, is from. Much of her family, including her aunt, and grandmother live there, still. What an incredible experience and blessing to have her show us the way home. :)
Kamuli is north of Jinja, and that day it took us about 2 1/2 hours to travel the red dirt roads. We had Francis to skillfully drive us, and for awesome company, along with Sharon and Monic! :)
Their joy is so inspiring, always singing and laughing.
Kerry's short vid here: Traveling to Kamuli
Watusi on the way to Kamuli
Francis!
Arise and Shine Uganda's aim is:
"Sustainable Community Development Through Quality Education!"
Efforts include:
Arise & Shine Babies' Home in Jinja
Arise and Shine Primary School in Kamuli (so children don't have to walk more than 2 hours to school, and can spend more hours learning)
Community Education
(from adult literacy to education about hygiene to HIV/AIDS)
AND
Developing a Sustainable Income (including the bead-making and tailoring projects)
I'm in complete AWE of God's work through Sharon!
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the villagers, volunteers, and school staff. There were those sweeping around their huts, and kids in school.
There was a definite vibe of peaceful routine.
inside of the huts
I'm laughing here, because as Sharon takes my picture, she is saying, "Jamaica in the HUT!!" Always having fun, that one. ;)
Touring the school!
Click here for a video of some Primary 2, Arise and Shine school children! They are "strong and courageous!" Oh how I love. That is Sharon on the left, in the video. (Remember to pause blog music at the top of the page!)
There is some space inside to have class, but many classes happen here, under the trees. More space is built as funds are available.
We were all SO humbled by the absolute respect,
discipline and true hunger for an education.
Uganda's future!
We also got to see the well which was a huge project for the village. It means that kids can spend less time fetching and carrying water, and more time in school.
This man is keeping the well area clean.
After we toured the school, we were taken on a walk around the village. This was so special, as we got to truly experience village life. We traveled the same dirt path that those in the village were traveling and met so many neat people along the way. The walk ended up being about 6 miles long, we think (based on Nicole's fitbit!)
This building housed the village's tailoring project. Currently, tho, Sharon's blind grandmother lives here (pic below),as her home had recently collapsed. Once she can again move out, the tailoring project will resume.
Village life...
The yellow can is a Jerry Can - used for transporting water. This boy was coming back from the well. The cans are originally filled with vegetable oil, which is used for open-fire cooking, and then once empty, used for water.
Our walk through the village ended down at The Nile.
fishermen
The walk back to the school.
This is what we'd see when we'd turn around.
Oh the discipline it took to not scoop them up and smooch them!
The children loved running up to us and yelling, "Jambo!!!", which means Hello, in Luganda. We equally loved shouting the same right back to them. My cheeks hurt from the smiles.
When we returned from our walk, Sharon led us over to the tree where the Bead Ladies work on their beautiful jewelry.
I thought I'd just seen all of the joy I possibly could in this village,but it turned out that I hadn't seen nothin', yet. :)
Click here for a video of the Bead Ladies welcoming us!
After they stopped dancing and singing, which was some time later :), one of the elders started telling us (through Sharon's translating) how much it means to them to have our support, and that they were so happy to welcome us, there, to their home. Christy sells much of the jewelry the ladies make, out of her home in Owasso, Oklahoma. You can check out the items, on the Uganda Bags and Beads Facebook page, here! Because of these sales, these women explained that their families now have healthier and more plentiful food to eat, and their children can attend school.
It was surreal, buying their goods right from their
hard-working hands.
Yes, I was trying not to cry.
Just before we left the village, I had the privilege of holding this sweet girl, Gloria, just 3 weeks new :)
I can only imagine being pregnant in a place with no plumbing or electricity, no possessions... no items of "comfort"... giving birth in a dirt-floor hut... resuming all of my wifely, motherly, and tribal duties just after birth. But in these very conditions, women are the epitome of joy and thankfulness. A healthy baby is so much to celebrate, especially here - where the deck is stacked against both mom and baby, in so many ways. Gloria and her proud and happy mom were certainly no exception to that.
We brought this sweetie, Mabel, back with us from the village to the Babies' Home. She would have access to Malaria medication there, as she was unfortunately suffering from the all-too-common illness. She looks happy here - I know! And she was! She was also fevering like crazy. Happily, Sharon told us that Mabel was soon feeling better and able to return home to Kamuli. :)
Christy and Mabel
Kamuli Village left everlasting stamps on my heart.
Stamps that read:
Joy
Peace
Simplicity
Family
Grace
Relationships
Love
Perseverance
Strength
Hope
Life
