PT ROOM UPDATE

OK...I have been getting questions about how the room is coming along and if we are using the PT gym yet????

lowering the urinals for the little guys!

Everything is nearly ready....we are awaiting the finishing of the mural by the local artists (Dan and Nicholas) who are doing an amazing job! They are really creating an energetic piece of work that I KNOW will be healing to all the children who use the gym. I am willing to wait for the creation to be complete in FULL!

Robert has finished all the small repairs and railing stabilization. He is in the process of lowering the urinals for the small boys. I still have to get some grab bars to be installed next to the urinals (which I still have to purchase early next week)

Beauty in the making

Once the mural is done, I will need to do something about the floor. Presently, the stained cement is in serious need of attention. The best option is to tile.  Unfortunately, the Italian tile is the only tile here that I found to be NON skid when wet. It is also the only kind to hold up to the wear and tear (most cheaper tiles break in a month or two making repair work costly). This would fully wipe out the money I had saved for BOTH rehab rooms.

The choice to paint the floor for now is the only feasible option at the moment. This will last 6 months to a year, but by then, we might have other funding resources. I am OK with this...the boys don't care about looks and my focus, being a PT, is FUNCTION!

The equipment I am having built is still not done (though was to be ready by this week....this IS Africa after all). I have 2 bags of PT equipment sitting in the Monastery waiting it's new home! I have already distributed part of the medical equipment that arrived with 2 WONDERFUL men from Portland who volunteered to bring in bags on a pre-planned trip out here.

This would NEVER have happened if it weren't  for the amazing friends and family who have donated the money and supplies! I want to give special KUDOS to them in the next blog entry!

We are almost there....patience was never one of my stronger attributes, though I am learning...and learning and learning!

SECRET MISSION!

L to R (Brian, Sweady, Oscar, Augustin
with Michael in the back)

I am blessed to have 4 young men that have been helping me out these last few months! I know I have mentioned Brian, but there is also Augustin, Sweady and Oscar who have, of their own volition, come up asking me how they can help. I have put them to work too! I have them walking with some of the disabled boys, doing ball drills with some and walking many of the boys to and from PT for me to allow me more one on one time with the little guys who need it.

Their help has been indispensable! NOW....just imagine 4 young 8-12 year olds coming up to you asking you "Can I help you???" They are sincere...they have no idea that their help is going to be rewarded in any way other than by BIG hugs and lots of "what would I do without you?''s coming from me! I don't believe I have ever experienced this kind of wanting to help from any child....they continue to teach me about giving and helping.

The drive out!

ADVENT was a time of fasting not only for the Brothers and Sisters, but for the kids as well...fasting from meat, fish, snacks and sugar. The children really didn't complain about this except they REALLY missed the Fish Fridays! Brian, in particular, would beg me to bring him a FISH every time he saw me. I could not, of course, but kept this tucked in the back of my mind.

I told them to "look cool" 

I remembered times WAAAYYY back when in grade school when Fr McNally used to take the kids on "secret missions". I remember always wanting to go on one and how much fun they had...Marty was lucky enough to go quite a bit and would tell me in great detail all the places they went...the best part of it was being pulled out of school to do this!

I decided to continue the Fr McNally tradition and told the boys to get their Sunday best ready to go the next day (12/27/12). I did receive prior approval from the Busega Brother in charge, Brother Sonny, who was very supportive of this. I told the boys I was taking them on a "secret mission". They were jumping around all excited until 30 min later when Sweady and Brian approached me with sad faces saying..."Augustin cannot go" I asked why and they told me "he has no clothes and shoes" I asked the boys to help him find some he can borrow and went to look for poor Augustin who I found sitting on a bench looking wholly despondent. I assured him he was going with us but he said so sadly, "But Sister Carol, I have no clothez or shoesez" I gave him a hug and said..."NO PROBLEM!".

Michael in charge of handwashing

The next day the boys were anxious and kept asking when they needed to change. I gave them the signal and they were all ready and waiting on the bench out front in 10 min flat clean and ready to go. Alex (our car driver) drove up and Michael (our Boda driver) came along as an escort. The boys were all excited trying to guess where we were going...I was taking them out for fish on the shores of Lake Victoria (where I took the PT's)

I asked them where they thought they were going...one responded " To Mango to visit the Good Shepherd Home" another said "dancing" and another said "to your home". I asked if they were hungry and they all shouted YES! Brian reminded me that I had asked them to be hungry so they did not take tea for breakfast. Brian then said "My stomach is paining me I am so hungry!

Smiles, Smiles....

I told them "GOOD! Because I am going to tell you where we are really going" They were on the edge of their seats...." We are going to the Cathedral to Fast and Pray"....there was the sound of stunned silence followed by a very weak.."yay" from the back seat. They knew we weren't going there when we passed downtown so their excitement again increased as they kept trying to guess where we were headed.

and more SMILES!

Just before we arrived, I said "OK...now I am really going to tell you were we are going!" They again got excited..."We are headed to the village to visit some sick Jaja's (grandmothers) and sing to them to cheer them up....hopefully they will feed us" There was still a weak "yaay" from the back seat....but just at that moment, they caught sight of Lake Victoria and knew I was pulling their leg....Sweady hollered out "Sister Carol, you lied to us! We'll NEVER believe you again!" of course he had a smile on his face.

We feasted on FISH as BIG as our plates, sodas and plates of chips (fries). I also brought along Christmas cookies I had made. Despite this, there was a cry for ice cream afterwards...I have no idea where these tiny boys managed to put all that food, but I can tell you the whole way home, they were giggling on a major sugar high...they arrived drunk on sugar and Brother Sonny just looked at me with raised eyebrows...."they had fun" I said and shrugged and smiled.

How they managed to "squeeze in" ice cream is BEYOND ME!

                 It was a GOOD MISSION! I only wish I could take all 200 along with me!

CHRISTMAS IN UGANDA

Santa Brothers

Some of the 2,000 local Children

I am blown away by what the Brothers lovingly provide for the poorest of the poor children!

Yesterday was the last of 3 MAJOR Christmas celebrations hosted by the Brothers. Yesterday was for the children of the surrounding slums. The other 2, before Christmas, were for each of the homes of the abandoned and disabled children the Brothers house and care for.

Christmas Hugs

There is soo much to write about...I have NEVER experienced such a Christmas...Truthfully...it has renewed my spirit in mankind, in giving and in LOVE. I highly recommend ANYONE needing a change from commercial Christmas and ANYONE wanting to experience this Holy celebration on a spiritual
level to consider volunteering here at the MOP starting 2 weeks before Christmas and the following 2 weeks after.

It will be a spiritual renewal as well as the most heartwarming and uplifting experience of your LIFE! I guarantee! You will go home a NEW person.. inside and out. I guarantee there will not be one dry eye after having been here for   this. Christmas is celebrated in FULL...it lasts for DAYS and DAYS..

They will pull at your heart strings! 

Advent starts a 4 week period of spiritual waiting. There is fasting here from meat, snacks, sugar. No worries, they more than make up for it at Christmas!!! There is a crusade for 3 days before Christmas Eve with powerful preachers and healers followed by a HUGE celebratory Mass each evening...these evenings last from 6 PM through 10 PM.

Face painting!

and gifts!

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass starts at 8 PM with songs and dancing from the choirs and the children of each of the homes. the church is decked out in all its GLORY with lights, trees, and a nativity! The MASS is AMAZING! You will feel the singing and music coursing through you! They even had fireworks INSIDE the church during the Gloria! The Mass lasts until nearly 2 AM...

Amazing Dancing!

Following this, I was continuing to bake Christmas Cookies for the 100 or more Brothers (they had never heard of them before...they were a HIT by the way)...the Brothers were having fun contests and games and celebrating for nearly as long as I was baking! They went to bed at 4 AM and I was soon to follow at 5 AM. They were all up for morning prayers and doing chores with NO complaining and no grumping...all were laughing and smiling!

Children who steal your heart

The food is usually still running around the Monastery until Christmas Eve...YES...everything is fresh...that was the only harsh reality I had to acknowledge. We are soo separated from our food, we forget where it originates.

The Aftermath

Christmas Day I spent visiting a friend and then "MY BOYS" at Busega. I brought a bag of suckers (not a good choice for the disabled ones) BUT...we managed. I think the most amazing thing was the time I spent holding a sucker in the mouths of some of the disabled children. Most have never had one...one child, Rasheed with beautiful eyes, is a CP quad. I was rolling the sucker in his mouth and his eyes were HUGE! He kept trying as best he could to use his hands to keep me from removing the sucker to allow him to catch his breath! I was humbled by this....we have so many pleasures in this life...this poor child has never had the pleasure of a simple sucker until now...and I was the one gifted to see and experience his JOY.

Snacks during the competition

YESTERDAY: feeding the 2,000 children of the slums.

The children waiting 

I am so humbled and blown away by how the Brothers, a group of men, can organize and host OVER 2,000 children for a dance contest, bouncing castles, snacks, face painting, Christmas Dinner and presents...do so while continuing to work, attend all prayer times and Mass, be up all night cooking and wrapping gifts, keep everyone safe and then clean up the place in 2 hours flat (after the place looked like a bomb went off)...ALL DONE with JOY and with SMILES and with LOVE!

Christmas Supper Line

The children are amazing...they all came dressed in their best...even if that meant there were missing zippers on their dresses, or mismatched shoes or pants too short. They were all clean, respectful, kind to each other....You will never ever see anything like this anywhere...they were soo appreciative of the Brothers...soo happy!

There were only a hand full of lost children (quickly united with loved ones) and only 2 whimpers...NO CRYING...NO PUSHING...NO YELLING...NO TEMPER TANTRUMS! This is OVER 2,000 children mind you...all waited in line quietly and patiently for food and presents...no one was hurt....HOW do they do this????

Forever Smiling

Not only that....the same evening you would think the Brothers would all drop dead out of exhaustion...NO...they were laughing and joking around, playing cards and dominoes and listening to LOUD Christmas music. Back to work this AM after morning prayers and Mass.

I have never seen any group of people work so hard, do so with smiles and joy....even our Superior, Father Henry, was working alongside the Brothers in preparing...he was washing floors and still looked up to smile and wave to me "Merry Christmas Carol!" as I went by....They prayed for the funds to make all of this happen for the children...they did not worry or fret about anything...they just prepared with COMPLETE confidence and PEACE...as if they were hosting a few people for supper....

Father Henry our Superior

AND...as I am told usually happens....all the remaining funds, supplies and needed items were raised, donated and dropped off in the 11th hour. Father says with a smile..."God provides...we are used to that...we are in Good Hands!" NOW that is PEACE!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU AND PEACE BE IN YOUR HOMES AND HEART!

FINDING JONAH

Jonah's sponsored child picture

One of the many synchronicities in my coming to Uganda included the fact the Hayden family is sponsoring a child from Kampala, Uganda. The Haydens were vital in helping me with logistical planning and transport to and from the airport in NJ. They were also the last stop for me before embarking on a plane to Africa!

Anna and Matthew Hayden asked if there was ANY WAY I could visit their sponsored "brother" Jonathan Sserumpanise, an 8 year old orphan being raised with his siblings by his Grandmother. Jonah (as he likes to be called) lost both his parents early on which is quite common here.

Jonah goes to school thanks to the sponsorship of the Hayden family. School is the only way these children have a chance at taking care of themselves when they become adults.                                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                             

The Haydens

           


I asked Michael my friend/boda driver to help me find Jonah. The papers said Kampala, but turns out Jonah lives near central Uganda about 50-60 miles west of Kampala. Michael managed to research the town and where the school was located. Finding the school was the first step.

Getting around Uganda requires a driver who LIVES here...there are no street signs and all directions are given using landmarks. We had no landmarks. Michael asked around and was able to find the town name, so today...OFF we went!

Pretty view along the way

We hit some pretty green rolling hills just 4-5 miles outside of town. I saw some groves or eucalyptus trees, a lot of cows with HUGE horns, goats, banana trees and those large trees that always appear in African pictures that look more like umbrellas (I really should find out the names before I write these blogs).

The drive took us 1:20 to reach the turn off of the highway (by the way...the highway has speed bumps when passing small towns...not just one but 4 consecutive...to make everyone go slow) This of course was teeth rattling when I was looking around NOT expecting them!

We turned right on the first drivable dirt road we came to on our right. Michael was told to veer to the right after about 40 miles...ish. HMMM. We did ask at the corner to be sure before we proceeded.

The road was just as rutted as the usual Ugandan road. It was also used by goats, chickens, cows, kids, boda's, etc etc.

Turning onto the right road...we think...

We passed the usual mud and brick homes along the way...children playing with old tires (usually rolling them along the side of the road), children picking berries (they may have been grasshoppers but they looked they were berry picking), children doing laundry...YES WESTERN MOM's OF THE WORLD...CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 5-8 DO THE FAMILY LAUNDRY!

I felt odd about snapping pictures so most of these are taken "on the go". Here are some scenes...

We drove another 45 min (which seemed like forever!) until we reached what we thought was the town...people we met kept gesturing up the road. The kids kept staring at me...not many Muzungu's out here!

On the go shot! 

We found what we were told was the school we were looking for. We had at least 10 kids drop their piles of wood (which they were carrying on their heads) to run after us and check out who we were and what we were doing there. We didn't stay long and I was glad...most of the kids (all under 8) were wielding machetes they used to chop the branches. They were swinging them (probably like you would an old stick BUT...I kept thinking of "Hotel Rwanda"and was glad to move on)

The building was actually a Catholic Church and our destination still lay ahead...by how far...we did not know...just "ahead"and "over that hill a ways". Well...there were many hills!

We did some river crossings (the road was flooded over from the earlier rains) and we even passed some cows enjoying it! It was quite warm but the long sleeves actually kept me from burning. Some people had parkas on though it was at least 75!

WILDLIFE!

OK...we finally came to the right town...found the school (which was closed for the Holidays). Michael asked some of the kids if they knew Jonah. One shrugged, another pointed up one road and the small girls corrected them and pointed the other way. I had Jonah's picture with me...when the girls saw the picture, you could see they immediately recognized him. They pointed us up a narrow, steep, rutted and muddy path through a field. I guess this is how one finds people and places here in Uganda.

OK...It IS steep...I swear! 

We followed it up for only 50 yards before it became evident that I would have to walk (and push the Boda) up the path.
Michael arrived ahead of me to greet the owner of the home whose land we were now trespassing on.

It belonged to a grandmother who was also caring for her 3 grandchildren. I was sad it wasn't Jonah. Michael talked with the Jaja (Grandmother) for a bit before she figured out who we were asking about. He indeed did live nearby. She left to get her neighbor who might be able to take us to the house. At this point, wandering around would be sure to get us lost!

the 3 young neighbors of Jonah

I took this opportunity to greet the small children of the home. The boys were doing laundry while their younger sister sat there staring at me. They did manage to smile when I asked (in Luganda...thanks to Michael's quick lesson) if they wanted a "sweet".

Shots around the home

                                       

The little sister

The Grandmother and neighbor (also a Grandmother) spent a good deal of time talking with Michael re this young boy and his whereabouts. I think they enjoyed the impromptu visit and were making the most of it by chatting.

Around the home

Turns out, Jonah and his family left the day before for a funeral for Jonah's Grandfather. It was most likely an elderly member of Jonah's family as he had already lost his Grandfather years before.

I pretty much lost hope that we would find them especially since the battery in Michaels' phone died and I was out of air time as of this AM. Jonah's family did have a cell phone (seems everyone does...even in rural areas). The neighbor ran back home to get us the number. We headed back to town to get more airtime to see if we could meet up with them somewhere.

The Grandmothers got a "sweet" as well and they were very agreeable to a picture. PLEASE note, people NEVER smile in pictures here...believe me they were giggling like school girls before and after and especially when they saw their "snap".

The children at the "end of the road"

OFF we went back the way we came. Managed to borrow some one's cell phone, contacted the family (who were on their way back from the funeral) and arranged to meet them at the end of a dirt road (the first one we would come to on our right off the highway going back the way we came)...again...I would have given up but Michael was confident.

How long do we wait??? I asked Michael...he replied..."they just left and it may take 30 min or so before they reach here. We'll wait". OK...it was now 4:30 PM...no lunch, gets dark at 7 PM...looking like rain in the distance...Michael plops down to chat with the local men. I pass out sweets to the staring children...who then all sit next to me amongst the chickens. We could not communicate so I sang them Christmas songs...the adults on the corner were talking about me and chuckling. I only know this because it was the same old.."blah blah blah, Muzungu, blah blah blah and then laughter". Doesn't bother me...I just smile and wave.

Now they know I have sweets with me!

FINALLY...a huge open bed truck rambles down the road..exactly 30 min later in fact! Michael gets up saying "this is it"...how he knows this is beyond me! Michael asks and sure enough a young boy comes to the railing. I ask "Are you Jonah??" He just nods with a serious face. I tell him that his sponsored family asked that I come to find him to let him know they care about him very much. I also told him, they sent a gift along with me.

Meeting Jonah for the first time! 

The Jaja in the truck is smiling and telling Jonah to get down. Everyone in the truck is hanging over the edge to see what is going on. I give Jonah the soccer ball and his face immediately shines with a huge smile. He goes down on his knees and grabs my hands (a sign of respect for one's elders) and thanks me in Luganda.

I give him the rest of the candy and we take "snaps" all around! Everyone in the truck is cheering. I took a video of Jonah shyly saying "thank you" to Anna and Matthew but he kept trying to kneel and we had to pull him back to his feet to keep him in the shot!

Look at how excited the Jaja in yellow is!!! 

The WHOLE truck waved and shouted "BYE-EEEE!!" as they pulled away and headed back West along the highway! I assured Jonah I would be back to visit him and his family after the Holidays.

SOO Anna and Matthew!!! Master Jonah wanted you to know just how HAPPY you made him! He is especially grateful for the education and the opportunity to go to school! Rest assured he is going to have a HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

                                            PEACE AND JOY TO EVERYONE!

MUZUNGU WITH THE RED FACE ON PARADE!

OK....I NEVER thought I would go a solid 3 months without ANY form of exercise save for picking up 10-40# kids from the floor. My head keeps thinking I can just go out and do an easy 8 miles of hills running.....NOT!!!!! I also keep forgetting I am rather close to 50 now. SHHH

After a few emotional swings (unprovoked crying) I decided enough was enough! My own Mother had to talk some sense into me....I always go up into the mountains backcountry skiing or running or biking (mountain and road) to find my center. She reminded me that this "might help some" HMMMM

Some pics for your viewing pleasure
(down the road from Busega)

I finally worked up the courage Monday after work. I actually got home by 3 PM. I had no excuses....the power was out anyway (as usual) and my laundry done and no pressing paperwork....it's that FIRST step that is always hard. I primarily and completely lacked the courage. I forced myself to dress (long pants due to the modesty here with 80 degree temps), say a short prayer for protection in the chapel and headed out.

No one was around...no one to tell where I was going...literally...it was like the cartoons when the crickets come out. I was rethinking this wasn't such a great idea. I wasn't sure it was safe to leave without anyone knowing where I was. This is when the truck with the Brothers arrived from the apostolate. They were the aspirants who I teach (English)...I told the senior brother where, how long and when I'd be back. I had my phone with me just in case and proceeded to leave.

I then heard calls from the back of the truck in fake high pitched sing song voices " HI SISTER CAROL!!" The brothers always tease me about my high pitched voice. I asked if anyone wanted to run with me...the whole truck volunteered but 2 jumped out begging for me to ask permission from their formator. They pointed to where he was and then they...well...hid. Brother Augustus was very kind and understanding about my "fear of going alone"...we walked out of his office still talking, only to run into the group of "volunteer runners" nonchalantly walking past (as if they knew nothing). Pretty funny as they were quite obvious to me.

"On the go" Boda Boda shot
(this is why it is blury) 

Brother Augustus said in a stern voice "Take these two...they are good runners." They immediately jumped up and ran to their dorms to change with HUGE smiles on their faces. Brother Augustus told me they would take good care of me. I thanked him and was off with the two in no time.

OK....NOTE TO SELF:  NEVER ASK TWO 20 yr old KENYANS to go running with you on hills at 3,000 feet of elevation after not exercising AT ALL for 3 months. This would have been hard even if I WAS in shape! You guessed it! I was SUCKING WIND BAD!!! I nearly puked right out of the gate! The brothers had fun laughing at me (I was laughing too) ..."What? Are you tired already Sister Carol???" I was too out of breath to even respond! I sent them off to do the the Labrador dog thing...you know...sprint up ahead and then run back to me.

I managed 30 min but probably barely 2 miles (they probably ran about 5..seriously). My face was as red as my shirt by the time we got back. I was glad they were with me because it was like....

             "The Muzungu with the red face on parade!" 

The whole neighborhood got a kick out of it. I was glad I had no idea what they were saying besides "blah blah blah, Muzungu" followed by peals of laughter and some whistles (not meant to be bad but more of a cheer...I think...hmmm.. I hope anyway) The brothers were kind to me and ran the whole way back at my pace. They refused to sprint ahead. They even begged to do this every day with me.

Chickens....where the stuff in the stores
comes from! 

I made a point of NOT taking pictures as your imagination will most likely be close enough to reality! I can tell you my face remained red for 2 hours. Not sunburned by the way. I FELT Great despite this and continue to chuckle about the whole idea.

Michael (my boda driver/friend) asked me the next morning in a confused voice...."Sister Carol, did you go running the other day by any chance? If you did, you looked like you were in pain!" (Michael lives up that same road) I just said in a straight voice..."Naw...must be some other Muzungu"

PS...I ran alone today and was able to manage MUCH better! (faster, farther, no puking)

A GIRL'S GOTTA CHOOSE!

Day 1 (of many) visits to Sadolin
Michael trying to be patient

ANYONE who knows me, knows that for me, choosing paint colors is a project in itself! When last I painted, it took me nearly 42 samples and one month to make a decision. I have been known to paint a room, only to repaint it in 24 hours because it didn't turn out the way I had hoped. I was told by Fr Raymond, I had a week to pick it out. RATS.

The only thing that saved everyone else from enduring the pain of my prolonged choosing, was the limited paint color options and limited paint stores. I went with Sadolin because they are advertised ALL over the city and are on almost every wall, billboard, etc. I suppose this is where advertising pays off!

Alfred doing the prep work and filling
holes

Alfred, the painter, is a true professional. He cares about his work and has his opinions (which are usually correct...well..OK...he was right all along) The other thing that limited my sample choices was the fact that no one sells samples here....you are lucky to get 1/2 liter. Usually one has to pay for a full liter (about 15,000 shillings or 6.50 USD ish)

NOT to mention the fact it takes 30-40 min to get one way to downtown and then the same time or more to get back depending on traffic AND the fact all the paint has to be carried on the back of a boda boda...or more accurately, in my lap.

Things are not really, what you call efficient or snappy service in Africa. Add the time to sit and speak with a paint representative (mine was Eren...Eren and I became quite well aquainted with each other by the time this was all said and done). THEN you go to the next desk to have her re-write the slip the rep gives you...THEN you stand in line at the window to pay....THEN they call in the order for your paint. The bottom of the slip always says 20 min....the more accurate thing to do is add about 2 hours in front of that 20 min.

My many choices (he is smiling ONLY because I told him he had to!)
( the one he is painting won out...I chose the more cream colored one above the blank taped off area)

Day 2 ( of many)
NOTE: he is wearing different clothes
so it is NOT the same day

THEN...when the paint finally arrives, Eren will approach you, give that lemon in the mouth look with a sad shake of the head as if empathizing and softly say..."I am sorry, we seem to have a problem...we are full out of liter tins and you will have to come back tomorrow."

He is smiling now because he is almost DONE!

I have gone through this now 3 times! The only benefit was the fact I was able to get more scratch off instant win tickets for buying more paint. The young girl in charge of this desk was kind and let me have 5 instead of 2 when she found out I was working for Missionaries of the Poor. I had told her that I was determined to win the drawing for a new car! The Brothers REALLY need it! (we finally have the van back but the pickup is still out of
   commission and the large truck still has "mechanical issues")

I won a handful of pens which I gave to the sisters, to the boda driver and to the painter (ALL were thrilled like it was Christmas). I won some airtime which I gave to the driver as well. I needed to...it was painful for him to have to cart me around....his response "We're going BACK to the paint store again?!"

Day 3 (He doesn't yet know the artists just told
me they need more paint! SHHHH)

Then it was 17 samples all on the wall and 3 days of looking and deciding....I narrowed it down to 2 colors....the vote was evenly split but the artists and Fr Raymond won out...it was the color Alfred chose originally...hmmm....he could have saved me the time, huh?

We now have 2 beautiful rooms. The paint is perfect and blends well with the floor and the light in the room. The artists are happy and so am I!