Adventure Saturday

Chi Chi from Ntinda. Sorry for not posting yesterday. We went to the village, and when we got back we had to go for dinner, and we didn't get back until 11. After doing construction all day in the village, I was extremely tired.

So yesterday we went back to Zirobwe to build the walls for the squatty potty. I was on the construction crew, and it reminded me so much of Mexico. The only bad part is that there weren't enough shovels and tools for everyone. We had to make mortar to put the bricks in place, and the Africans were impressed that I already knew what I was doing. We didn't get it all done, but we'll have time next week. I looove the kids there. They are sooo, so appreciative if you even just look at them and smile. We got to see the newborn baby again, and I can already tell that he has grown so much. There were about 6 girls that went to see him. One of the girls said, "Can you imagine 6 foreign women coming to hold your baby and then talking in their native tongue while taking tons of pictures of your child? Because that's what's going on right now." haha. Last night Wilson brought us to this fancy Indian place in Garden City that was on the roof. It was cool to be out on the town because Ghana played last night. Our neighborhood was ROWDY! Imagine that ..

So, I was really dreading this Saturday. I'm just going to be real honest with you. They are supposed to be our free day, but we had to split up in groups and go meet with sponsor children. It was fun for the first little while, but it got a little frustrating. Everyone but 2 teams left at 9, and I was in one of the groups that didn't leave until 10:45. Most of the teams had 4-5 children to visit, and we had 8. Our leader only knew where the first person was. It was interesting being in that part of time because it is so poor, and a lot of Empower a Child's staff grew up there. We actually walked by 3 of their houses. I couldn't help but watch those little, dirty, malnourished, half naked children playing in the street and try and picture some of our staff members there. If it wasn't for a sponsorship program, they would not be anywhere near where they are today. If they would not have been empowered as a child, they would not be empowering hundreds of children today. If any of my stories or pictures the last few weeks have tugged at your heart, and you want to make a difference in the lives of some of the children we come in contact with every week, please e-mail me (bstewa9@tigers.lsu.edu). Here are some pictures of the children waiting to be sponsored: http://www.empower-a-child.org/eachome/SPONSORACHILD.html -- Your $30 a month will provide all of the following:

1. School Needs

school fees

meals at school

school supplies

2. Basic Needs

blankets

mattress

mosquito nets (to prevent malaria)

shoes

soap

3. Medical Needs

basic health check up (every 3 months)

doctors visits covered

dental check

skin check

4. Spiritual Needs

monthly Bible studies

mentoring programs

weekly outreach programs

counseling from Ugandan volunteers

So, a day I was dreading turned out to be a little frustrating simply because of culture differences, yes, but it opened my eyes to so much. People always say that you can change a life by sponsoring a child, but yes, you really can change a life by sponsoring a child. Please consider it and pray about it. The kids we visited today were so very thankful. I can't even begin to tell you. The guardians were also more than thankful. Some of the kids are orphans, so they're staying with friends or relatives. EAC doesn't want the guardians to have to put them on the streets again because they can't afford to take on another burden. Yes, burden, any extra children here are considered burdens. On the way home we rode a boda boda. Sorry, mom and dad. It was one of those spur the moments things because we didn't want to wait around for our ride. It was already 3, and we still hadn't eaten. It was soo fun! One of those things you just have to do before you leave Africa. Our drivers had a huge smile on their face when they realized they were driving Mzungus home. Benon had to walk in front of us a little ways so that they wouldn't see us and charge us any extra shillings.

I'm off to go spend some relaxing time in the hammock and try and enjoy the rest of the beautiful afternoon we have here.

Be praying for our team as we prepare to spend a week in Zirobwe. We leave on Tuesday.

Fun Facts:

- I officially experienced Africa. We stopped at Sempala's JaJa's house, and I had to go to the bathroom. I knew it would be a squatty, and I was totally okay with that. Well, it was a squatty with no door, curtain .. NOTHING! I was like surely a child is going to round this corner and be in for the sight of their lives... a Mzungu attempting to squat in their potty. Thankfully no one did. I just told Ivan, and he said next time I need to ask for a towel. I was nah .. I used my skirt for that purpose. He got a good laugh about that.

- No wonder the Africans are always outside. There is zero ventilation in a mud hut. I think I sweat more today than the whole time I've been here, and we've been "inside" all day.

- I may have already mentioned this, but Africans always sit with their legs to the side. I thought it was because women wore skirts, but the boys do it too.

- I am actually learning to not only appreciate skirts, but actually enjoy them .. well, long skirts.

Lauren and I with our boda boda driver.
The kids in the slums make their own toys. Howcool is that!
There were soo many kids walking down the street as we were leaving the village.
Sunrise over the Nile
Mama J and I in front of Murchison Falls on the Nile River.
yyyummm! goat on a stick!
haha. Jayan had to go to the bathroom really bad after drinking a liter of apple juice .. yes, a whole liter.

The video on the left is one of the clips I have of the Nile. I wanted everyone to see how strong it was. The video on the right is one of a baboon eating an apple that he stole from the trashcan.

PRAISE THE LORD!

-Auntie Brooke