Destination Uganda – Day 5

Friday 20th October

Today I actually slept in until the alarm went of at 5 am – my body clock is starting to work on Ugandan time.  At breakfast Edward commented that it was good that we were becoming good friends after such a short time.  To know that he was thinking the same way about this as us was very comforting.

Brian Houston started today’s conference of with a fantastic word, speaking of the possiblities and potential that we have.  One statement he made that stuck out to me was along the lines of, ‘Half the world lives on less than $1 a day, a quater of the world lives on less than $2 a day.  The UN says that $1 a day is absolute poverty and $2 a day is relative poverty, so we are relatively rich!’ Then we got into the breakout sessions again:

• Finance – Over all Objectives, Project Management, Sources of Funding, International PArtners, Self Sustainability, Donor Funds, Integrity and Transparency, Systems & Contracts, Management of Funds, Sponsorships, Procurement Policy.
• Networking
• Hosting Visitors & Teams – Spoke on the importance of having people see for themselves and that impacting them was important.
• Project Development

As Part of the conference we received a large manual that includes extensive notes on the breakout session topics and also Watoto’s policy manuals which will be invaluable in the future.

Today we had lunch with Edward and Jackson.  It was a great opportunity for our friendship with Jackson to begin to grow.  We talked about music and other common interests.  I enjoyed hearing him talk about how he was a Pastor at 22, and was assigned to minister in Kabale, even though he was not from there.  Even though he was the same colour as the people in Kabale, he could not speak the same language and to preach he initially had to use an interpreter.  Here is a photo of Jackson with Brian Houston.

 We met many other people at the conference, but there were a few that I really enjoyed meeting and will most likely keep contact with, as I enjoyed their company, liked what they were doing and felt a connection with them in some way.  There was a couple around our age from South Africa who had 12 orphans, an architect from Bathurst Australia, and a Texan couple.  The couple from Texas particularly got my attention, they are starting out on a project that includes an orphanage, schools, church, hospital and agricultural projects.  Not only did they desire to do similar things to us, but they were doing it where God called them to, even if it was in the midst of all the rebel action in Northern Uganda.

 Brian shared again in the evening service from Psalm 23 v1 – I shall not want, and v5 but my cup shall over flow.  It was as if David was saying I reject want or lack, and I choose overflow. There are a lot of good points that came out that I will post latter.  Today we also met a man with the friendliest smile you have ever met – Moses who runs the only orphanage in the Kabale district with 14 children wither living with them or at boarding school.

I started to think about visiting one of Watoto’s villages tomorrow, where we will get to see a house that we helped build as part of a team that came out last year.  I am nervous because I do not know how I will react.  I am excited about it though.

At dinner Edward asked us about what our vision was and I told him, but also said that we were aware that we needed to remain very open and would draw on him and his ideas a lot as he knew a lot more about how things work in Uganda than we would ever know.  Edward said that we both needed to bring our ideas together to work out where God was leading together.  This was good as I really felt that he was looking at us as partners, not just as a source of finance and I had gotten from others at the conference.  God has began speaking strongly that it was not our role to come in and do the work, but rather to assist the local people.  Allowing the locals to build up self belief and confidence within themselves.  Aiding them to draw on the potential God has placed within them.

Destination Uganda – Day 11 A Day to Relax

Thursday 26th October

Today was or last day in Kabale. We were sad about leaving, but we had a good day of relaxing in Kabale, at Lake Bunyonyi to be exact, and catching up with the great friends we had made while in Uganda.  We went to Lake Bunyonyi with Edward & Peace first.  It was not too far away, our first stop was at the spot where they took the photo that is on the 5000 shilling note:

We took some photos there and went onto a nice resort where we stopped to relax.  We were there and it started to rain so we headed for cover, just as well because it bucketed down.  This was a great time for us as we had a great opportunity to speak with Edward and Peace.  We had lunch with them there before heading back to the hotel to pack ready for the trip back to Kampala tomorrow.

After Edward wanted this photo with Kathryn & I, Peace said that she wanted a photo with Phil, though I am not too sure in the end that she did!!!

Tonight we went to VCCS to have a meeting with the many friends we had made here in Kabale.  We sang some songs and then Edward opened up the meeting for people to share, after which he wanted for us to share for about ten minutes each. There were many people who said about them appreciating us coming to Kabale.  After which we shared about the great things that had happened to us here and about how we felt that we wanted to get involved in the future some how. Here are some photo’s of some friend, Henry, his wife & his eldest:

This is Jackson & his wife:

After this we ate at Roberts place where his wife Anna had prepared us a wonderful meal.  It was good to be with them as they shared about a womens counciling assistance program.  It felt very bad because we had a great time with friends, but this was our last night in Kabale.

Destination Uganda – Day 13 Operation Uganda

Saturday 28th October

Today was another one of those days where we thought all our plans were going out the window, but ended up being really good.  We arranged to meet Russell from Operation Uganda in the church car park across the road and then were going to Jushua House and see how they do things there.  (Jordan House is an orphanage housing 36 children set up by a Russell & his family, who are from Australia, as part of the Operation Uganda – an N.G.O. they set up).  After about one hour after our meeting time we rang Russell and he said something had come up and he had tried to get someone to pick us up instead but they were uncontactable.  We resolved that it was a loss and went to the internet cafe to check our emails etc.  While there Russell rang back and said that he had gotten hold of some collegues and they could meet us in about an hour if we wanted.  Honestly, I didn’t really feel like it but decided to anyway.  So glad I did.

We finally met up with Jeremey and Ally, who were actually from Brisbane also.  It was great to hear that they decided to come and them within six weeks they were here.  I do not think it will work like that for us as we have nothing prepared, where they in turn did have something they could come and lend a hand too.  It was fantastic for us as they were younger than me and we talked about many things that they went through to get here and while they were here.  They informed us about many things that we should prepare before coming, because of the difficulties they have had trying to do it in Uganda.

We did not take our camera’s today as we were in relax mode, but here is a shot of the street out our hotel window in Kampala:

We went to Jordan House to meet the staff and children.  When we arrived the children sang for us and we looked around their facilities.  This visit was good for me.  I was thinking that the Watoto model was the best and that we should try to do things like they do.  While I still think that they almost have the ideal situation I discovered that it was not essential for children to be have a wholistic care given.  All the children here were healthy and well balanced, in spite of the terrible circumstances that we heard they have had.

I think that the biggest thing is that the children receive consistent attention and love form one or more person for a long period of time.  At Jordan House for 36 children they have a couple who live on site as a parental figure for the children, as well as two additional ladies who help with everyday requirements of the orphanage.  On top of these four people living on site, a Pastor and his wife also come everyday during daytime hours.  That is a total of 6 consistent carers for 36 children 1:6, which is actually lower that Watoto’s, 1:8.  One of the major advantages that this sort of situation has is it is cheaper and more children can be looked after.

I still am not sure exactly how God will lead Destinations, but I think that possibly something like Operation Uganda may be a good starting point, with an aim to become more like Watoto in the future, but integrating the families into society a bit more?  We will see in the coming months I suppose, I’ve learnt to not put set ideas in my head, but to leave things open and always to be flexible in my thoughts and plans. 

Destination Uganda – Day 14 Church & Coffee

Sunday 29th October

We started the day by going to Kampala Pentecostal Church (KPC) for the 8 am service, this is the church that runs Watoto and hosted the conference we attended.  After this we just went for a coffee at one of the few coffee shops around and then waited for the horrible trip back home.  We stopped in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for three days as a holiday.  This was a great thing to do as we could think over all that had happened in our own heads, before having to face the reality of our lives back in Australia.  It gave us a chance to get things sorted in our hearts and minds before we were bombarded with questions back home.

My general thoughts are that they need the help of someone, and it is the churches best opportunity to show God’s love for them.  Here are a few reasons why I feel that it is good for us to partner with VCCS run by Edward in Kabale.

1. Because we need strong, commited, trust worthy people to partner with and VCCS has proved to be this and more.  They are impacting the community around then.  Even if it is only small things they are doing at the moment, what they are doing is HUGE in terms of what they have.  They also have a vision that looks beyond their current resources, not looking for handouts but trusting that God will supply.
2. Because the situation in Northern Uganda is so bad (LRA rebel action causing many bad situations), all the attention and help goes there and the Southern part of the country if forgotten.  We saw one other white person while in Kabale and Edward knew only of one other foreign missionary in the area.  The needs are greater in the north, but because no one is giving any assistance to the south, the needs there are being forgotten and before too long the needs in the south have the potential to become much worse than they are. 
3. Between our last trip and this trip the influence of people involved in the situation in Sudan has increased.  They are taking obvious steps to make changes within the educational, political and law areas of society, with hundreds of these people enrolling for university in these areas.  Unless the local people are also educated in these areas then there will obviously be an increase in these forces and there may well be repeats of the situation if Sudan.  Working with VCCS in establishing a quality boarding school, would not be a fix for this, but it would be a start in the right direction.
4. I can see no way that the cycle of poverty in Kabale can be brocken, unless people partner with locals, giving resources, experience and skills to help.

Personally I can think of nothing else more desirable in my life than to help those who need our help.  Many may criticise and say we are wasting our time, but if I can make a life changing difference to a handful of people then I know my time is not wasted.  I have lived with the pleasures that living for oneself has to offer and have decided that this is not enough for me.  I want to help others, not to big not myself, but to see peoples lives changed.  I have had a small influence in different peoples life, helping them in someway to live a better life and have discovered that this gives so much more than living for myself.

This trip is a pivotal point in my life, I do not know exactly what will come in the future but am looking forward in great anticipation, to be able to look back and be satisfied I have lived to the best of my ability to live the life God has called me to!!!!!!

Destination Uganda – Day 7 Last Day of the Conference

Sunday 22nd October

Today is the last day of the conference and I think it will be a relaxing day, just a church service and an inspirational message.  I had a thought while getting ready today: When we are doing what God has called us to do, it is easy to not be distracted by things that would hold us back, your heart, time and attention is focused on God’s will.  But when we are not, or are resisting God’s will, it is easy to be distracted by anything – even the basic’s such as prayer and reading the Word get neglected in preference for anything that will keep our minds from God.

Today I was thinking about Watoto children having it so much better than other children in society, and thought that maybe if they were not catered for so well maybe more children could be catered for on the whole.  But then I felt that giving them something so good helps change their mindset, and they are enabled to think bigger and better.  Showing them that better things are possible, giving them more determination to strive for better things when they are older, assisting in Watoto’s vision of raising the next generation of leaders.  God says he will take the least and lift them up and that the last shall be first.

The Meeting today was good, but we were rained on and then the sun came out beaming on us, we officially became rednecks today.  After lunch the conference was over and we returned to the Hotel and found a cheap Internet cafe to send a few emails.  We met with Edward afterwards again and talked about differences between Australia and Uganda. While we were catching up Edward shared that I would be bringing a message on Tuesday night at a meeting he was organising.  Initially I was a bit worried as I do not do too much sharing back home, but then thought that it would be an awesome opportunity for building relationships with the team in Kabale.

Destination Uganda – Day 9/1 A Day of Destiny

Tuesday 24th October (Part 1)

Today I woke with great excitement, looking forward to experiencing Kabale, meeting others that are involved with Victory Community Care Services (VCCS) and hopefully feeling God’s direction for my life and Detinations.  I called day 9 ’A Day of Destiny’ as after this first full day in Kabale I felt like I would be involved in some way.  I felt that this is were God was calling me to be involved, in what way and for how long I do not know but I will definitely be involved with what is going on here somehow.

Our first stop was at VCCS to start the day from there.  This building is the office of VCCS and where they have their children’s outreach.  They have three rooms, one is an office, another room they are converting into a library and to use as a drop in centre and the third room currently houses one of the volunteers.  It is their hope to be able to use this third room to have a place for supporting some street children next year.

We met Henry, Joneson and some others involved in VCCS. Henry is an associate Pastor of Edwards and Joneson is the pastor of a small Baptist Church.  Edward had arranged for the children’s outreach they do to happen today instead of Saturday so we could participate and see what they do.  As such we started with some songs and prayer and Edward sent others of to prepare. As the childrens outreach was not until this afternoon, we went with Henry (as he had a vehicle) and Edward to do some looking around Kabale.

Our first point of call was a private Catholic school that is funded from overseas.  This school was very good and made me think that things are OK here in Kabale, but when I found out how much it costed I changed my mind.  For us the price did not seem high, but to the average Ugandan, who may not even earn any money, it was an impossibility to even think of sending children here.  It was great to see that these children at this school were getting a good education here, but unfortunately there are not many schools like this around.  The children here would only be those from rich families, or were one of the fortunate few that received assistance from sponsorships.  After we went and visited a public school in a village not too far from town.

The difference was mind blowing! Both schools had around the same amount of children, but the budget to run the public school was about the same as the school fees for two or three children at the private school.  The differences were blatantly obvious even to my untrained eye.  The private rooms were full of individual chairs, desks, text books, extra learning materials while the private had four to a row bench type seats & desks, no text books (the head mistress showed all the text books they had in her office, locked in two shelves no bigger than one may have in their own home in Australia), a blackboard and the children may have had a note book and pencil – and that is everything! Ohh I left one thing out,  the teachers desk also, and a door to get in. The children at the private school had a nice uniform and shoes and were fed as part of their schooling.  The children at the public school had not uniform, no shoes and did not receive anything to eat at school, and would have been lucky to have had breakfast.  The public school had extra curricular activities (debate club, soccer & netball), and you guessed it the public school had ………nothing.

Here is a photo of the public school:

The head mistress at the public school told us that the budget for school supplies (the teachers are paid by the government directly) was $154,000 Ugandan Shillings for April this year.  This sounds OK, but 1 Ugandan shilling is not worth much. To give you an idea of what this amount is worth, when converted to American Dollars this amount equals US$85.86. That is to buy all resources that is required to run a school for 600+ students for one month.  In Uganda education is ‘free’ as long as you pay fees and children have a uniform.  Not many children here had uniforms, so it is good to see that this is not enforced as even less would be able to come.  Even in this area there are some children who’s parents can not afford to send their children here and miss out on even this simple education. 

I asked the head mistress how much school fees were here and she said $5000 Ugandan Shillings, but she made a statement that struck me “If a person can not afford to buy lunch for themselves, how can you ask them for money to pay for school fees?”  Visiting this school will stick in my mind for a long time, probably until I return and see other, maybe worse situations.  I only pray that God will stir myself into action to help some way, that scripture about helping others is as helping Jesus in Matthew 25 is strong in my mind.  How can I see such things and do nothing.

While we were in Kabale and walking around town by ourselves we also visited a place we saw, I cannot remember the name of the organisation, but they collected donations and sponsorships from around the world and sponsored children to go to school.  I think this is great and a worthy cause, but I could not help thinking that this would not help a country like Uganda to rise out of the cycle of poverty it was in.  This is because the schools they would be sponsored to were not going to give then an education that would enable future generations to rise out of the poverty of their families.  I could not help but think that the only way was to sponsor children to schools that were set up with external input.  Unfortunately the public system here is terribly inadequate and a quality education could only be obtained with input from the rich or from overseas.

Destination Uganda – Day 9/2 Schools In

Tuesday 24th October (Part 2)

In betwen our visit to the above two schools we also visited two other sites.  One was a community garden.  This was the second Community Garden that VCCS was running.  Basically this was set up by giving some widows who were in great need some seed, a few tools, a bit of land to use and showing them how to grow crops.  Once they harvest the crop they use some for themselves and sell the rest to buy things they need for themselves, with a small percentage going back to VCCS to help expand the project.  The plot was not a huge plot and was rather slopped and I thought it was amazing that this plot was being used to help so many ladies – about 15 or so, ‘each with their own story to tell’ (that was Edwards way of saying that they had bad things happen to them – he said that a lot about many people during our time in Kabale). 

All services provided by VCCS are provided by the volunteers that work there (the entire organisation if voluntary) and the ladies spoke highly of Edward and the opportunity they had.  They spoke to use and said about how they were working to get money to buy mattresses and other supplies (that we take for granted) for their families.  I felt extremely bad that i could not just buy them all things and look out for them myself.  I felt strongly about this project and every time I think about it I can not help but get emotional about people being so happy to get the smallest amount of help.  How great must their need!! I am in no way saying that VCCS is not doing much – I also think that what they are doing is amazing for what little they have, and there is definitely not help to be gotten from government or business with things like this.

Destination Uganda – Day 9/4 What it’s All About!

Tuesday 24th October (Part 4)

This was turning out to be a very emotional day with lots of things to think about.  It was only around 1:30 pm when we dropped back at our hotel, and we had more to do today.  The day worked out well, in contrast to the heart wrenching events of the morning we finished on a high.  When we arrived at VCCS the outreach that Edward had organised to happen today instead of Saturday was already underway, we could hear kids singing and playing from a long way down the road.  We did not have much to do as far as participating in the events but were there just to mingle and see what goes on.  They had educational things happening as well as traditional singing and dancing and other activities for the children, much like something in Australia but on a very basic level.  For many I imagined this would be the most excitement or educational input they would have in there weeks, with some not even going to school.  Many also would only receive a positive adult role model in their lives while they were here. 

We saw a few girls sitting down on the ground talking so Kathryn & I went over to try talking to them.  As time went by more and more children came to see what we were doing and there ended up being avound 40 children all crowded in to hear us and see us:

After we had been there for a while it was time to feed the children, again this is possibly the most nutritious, hearty meal many would receive all week.   Here is a few shots of the children to give you an idea of the numbers they are helping.  This is not all of them as they sat elsewhere also and did not all eat at once.  There must have been over one hundred children there – as we left I went threw around 90 lollies that I had brought to give away and there was no where near enough for everyone:

   

To finish of the children did a local dance for us, after which I headed back to the Hotel by myself to get notes for tonight was the night Edward had organised for me to share.

Destination Uganda – Day 9/5 A Day of Destiny

Tuesday 24th October (Part 5)

I was not used to sharing at meetings, in Australia I rairly am thought of for this, and when I have shared it has always been difficult for me, but I found it really easy here.  And it was a good experience using an interpreter.  What I shared was received very well and I look forward to sharing again.  I discovered that while we had come to look into helping with orphans and schools God was opening many other doors of opportunity for us here.  It is amazing the need that those here have, not just in food or money, but experience and knowledge.  Not to say anything bad about them at all, but in all areas of life they have not been as blessed as we have, not having the resources and opportunities we have had in a country like Australia.  I do not believe there would be one person from a developed country who was able to organise for themselves to get to Kabale (and most likely any developing area/nation) that could not contribute greatly to the needs.

After this we went to what is most likely the best restaraunt in Kabale, the Big Bite.  We ate Indian and really enjoyed the food and the chance to reflect on a big day. 

 I thought about the needs that we saw today and how to best meet them.  I thought that we could give food, but food only lasts a day.  We could give clothes, but they too wear out.  We could give money, but money also eventually runs dry.  These are good and needed things, but they are also a band aid approach.  The only lasting thing that the people in Kabale would really benefit from long term is love, but not just emotions or words .  To show them real love we must give them tools, enabling them to be able to provide for themselves.  Here in Kabale we have seen with our own eyes exactly how poverty is a continual cycle.  The people do not know how to get themselves out, some do not even know that there is a way out. It sounds harsh but in my opinion those who are in power in the Kabale district, and would be able to change things are doing nothing or very little to help.  I feel compelled that it is the Christians role to help those who are in need and we should not look at the state of Kabale and many many other areas around the world as being a bad situations, but as an awesome opportunity! An awesome opportunity to show God’s love in a real way! Education is the way out for those in need in Kabale.  Not just schooling and vocational type training, but education in all areas of life, showing them that there is a better possibility for them if they want.

Destination Uganda – Day 8 Kabale here we come!

Monday 23rd OCtober

Today was a day of learning how things run on African time and not as we expect coming from Australia.  Edward had arranged for Robert (who is a lovely man, but just happens to have no concept of time keeping what so ever – you’ll see even more evidence of this later on) to pick us up at 8 am from our Hotel to head for Kabale.  At 8:15 am Edward rang Robert to see how he was going and said he would call back.  At 8:20 am he did indeed call back and said he would be about 20 minutes.  That put ETA at 8:40 am I was not too worried – I knew we had a long trip but we could still get there at a reasonable hour.  Before we knew it it was 9 am, I must admit I was getting a little frustrated with this African time thing they told me about.  eventually Robert arrived at around 9:15 and we finally hit the road.

A shot of us at the Equator on our trip to Kabale:

Our trip again was a showcase of the African way.  We stopped many times on the way to do this and that, when all we wanted was to get to Kabale, especially after about 4 hours in the back of a Hilux that was driving on a highway that was almost as bumpy as going off-road, courtesy of large sized potholes.  On the last leg of the trip however, with about two hours to go, just after leaving Mbarara things for me go a more exciting, as I got to move out from the cramped back seat into the spacious drivers seat.  It was a great experience driving into Kabale – thinking that one day this could be were God leads us to live for an extended period and my first time driving in Uganda was driving into Kabale!  It was great, but a challenge to try to miss all the pot holes.

A photo of Robert & Edward as we first came into the Kabale district:

As Edward said we were entering Kabale district, it was amazing.  To me everything, except the roads which seemed to get worse, appeared to be so much better.  It was like driving into the hinterland on the Sunshine or Gold Coast after driving all day on a boring highway – you just wanted to go slow and look at the scenery.  To me the landscape and people were all beautiful!  Robert took back over the driving as we came into town and we dropped of Jackson & his sister, Benita who had travelled in the tray back for the entire trip (see photo below). After this we checked into our accommodation for our stay in Kabale ‘Queen’s Hotel’ – definitely not for the Queen but more than adequate.

When were all sorted we went with Robert & Edward back to Edwards place to meet his family and have dinner.  As we arrived home three of Edwards four daughters greeted us (one was away at boarding school) they appeared so excited to see their father back home but at the same time a bit weary of meeting the Mazungo (white person).  We also met Peace, Edwards wife and Betty his sister.  It was great to eat at Edwards place, but I did for the first time in my life have to lead a few songs in worship – lucky that Kathryn was there to help me out a lot.  We prayed together and enjoyed another lovely meal, both the food and the fellowship was fantastic.  We then went home and let Edward greet his family properly and so we could get some rest after a nice long, bouncy, sore back & but inflicting trip and think a bit about all that was happening.