Uganda: Reactions

As we travel throughout Uganda, the reactions to the SCAW team never cease to amaze me.

There are so many people walking along the roadside at all times of the day and generally they make their journeys with pensive expression. It makes me wonder what are they contemplating? Their demeanor is calm and thoughtful as they proceed forward with specific purpose.

As our bus passes by and they gaze upon us, the first reaction can only be described as inquisitive and occasionally shock. Often at least one of the team members sends them a friendly wave as if to say “Hi, hope you are well.” The second phase of their reaction is generally a small smile and a look that seems to say, “What a surprise!” or “Did I really see that?” Almost immediately, the third reaction is that their smiles widen ten-fold and they wave back in such a way that for the briefest moment we are connected with them.

From Uganda 2011

Of course children’s reactions are typically more heightened and they will not only smile and wave back but also do it so enthusiastically that at times I think they might fly! Many times the kids will start to run alongside the bus to see if they can extend this connection. The team’s absolute favourite is when the children laugh then shout “Hey, Mzungo!” (In East Africa, Mzungo is a person of foreign origin or “white face.”) and proceed to run after the bus as if they may catch it.

From Uganda 2011

The shared experience of the distribution is again filled with many moments in which the team is able to connect with the children and caregivers. Whether it be a high five, a hand shake, or a small wave these brief encounters are treasured by everyone on the team.

The Ugandan people ooze warmth and tenderness. We are so lucky to share these small moments of their lives.

We have now distributed 4,500 bedkits!!! 1,500 to go!!!

Uganda 2011

Nancy Holt
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at left.

Uganda: Dawn to Dusk

Dawn to Dusk

----the first of seven days on the road.

Today our intrepid team left our comfortable guest house in Kampala for parts north and west and into the mountains of Kampala. Our bus left at 6 a.m. and picked up the Inner Wheel ladies along the way.

From Uganda 2011

Have you ever seen twenty-four ladies, their luggage, cameras, equipment, snacks, and bottles of water packed into a bus that holds twenty-four passengers??? You would be proud of us!

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A prayer starts our journey followed by beautiful singing by our hosts, which puts us all in a serene and calm mood. Through the streets of Kampala we travel, watching the residents begin their day. By 6:30 a.m. some of the children are already walking to school; mothers are cooking breakfast on their little fires outside their homes; people are heading to work by foot, taxi-vans, and “boda boda’s” (motorcycles).

We stop briefly at the equator and watch draining water turn counter clockwise in the South and clockwise in the North. Soon it is noon hour and we were only 9 or 10 kilometres away from our destination.

From Uganda 2011

Turning off the highway, the road soon becomes narrower and narrower twisting every few yards. Our competent bus driver continues to miss the large potholes as we bounce along. It soon becomes apparent that we are lost in the depths of Uganda!!

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We later learned that, should we have continued along that path, we would have ended up in a swamp. Skillful reverse driving and a turn around, set us back on the path we had just travelled. Fortunately telephone contact with the organizer at the site saved us -- and a “boda-boda” was sent to our rescue.

We arrived at Isingiro at approximately 1:30 p.m.! The parents and children were patiently waiting and we were greeted with clapping and such happy faces. The children entertained us with the Uganda National Anthem followed by The Children of Uganda.

From Uganda 2011

It brought tears to our eyes to hear those sweet voices sing with such gusto and pride. After playing with the children -- they are so amazed at seeing us blow bubbles -- Nancy, our team leader, explained about the contents of the bedkit -- a Gift of Love from Canada. Pictures were taken in a classroom on a dirt floor with open windows and a cracked wall. But the wonderful smiles, joy, and excitement of the children made up for the basic surroundings. Some even clapped spontaneously after their pictures were taken.

A wonderful supper was hosted graciously by a retired professor and his wife, outside in their spacious garden. It was interesting to hear that they had spent a year in Winnipeg -- and never got warm!!!

Soon we were back on the bus and travelled another two hours to our lodging. We arrived at 7:30 p.m. -- tired and hungry but so happy that another 500 children would have a “good night’s sleep."

Uganda 2011

Carol Rolph
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.

Uganda: A View of a First Time Volunteer

Lorna Hedger is the first time member of a SCAW team and her baptism by fire is taking place in Uganda.

Early in her time here, Lorna is almost overwhelmed with the need that is seen both in the parents and in the children.

The team has been to four former bedkit recipients’ homes to check on the condition and use of the bedkits, to see how the materials used have worn over the years, and so on.

Lorna was humbled by the pride and the dignity that the grandmothers, moms, and the children took in their homes. Humbled too at how they so welcomed us into those homes

Today Lorna attended her first distribution and was a bit teary-eyed at the welcome that the parents and children gave the SCAW team. There was clapping and ululation and general excitement.

From Uganda Slideshow 3

Lorna’s favourite part of the day was immediately after this when the six of us meandered through the lines of children. Lorna liked the chitchat with them, their ball playing abilities, and their marvelous smiles.

Those smiles!

Only in Uganda!

All in all, Lorna says it was a moving day, a thought-provoking and humbling day.

Possibly, the first of many.

To our readers: Today is a very special day for Lorna as she is celebrating her 47^th Wedding Anniversary with Don. Although she is with us, her heart is back home with Don. Happy Anniversary to both!!!

Mary-Jo Lang interviewing Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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Uganda: The Spa Experience

We were “beloved guests” at a hotel in beautiful western Uganda. After today’s distribution, we arrived back at the hotel and a couple of the SCAW team members headed for the spa facilities that the Women of the Inner Wheel were highly recommending. After a long but wonderful distribution day with 500 very sweet children, we definitely needed to rejuvenate!

"We love the Inner Wheel ladies." From Uganda 2011

The spa opens daily at 5 p.m. -- Ugandan time, 5:45 p.m. We sat in the beautiful 25 degree late afternoon sunshine on the patio – the lovely lush rolling Ugandan hills surrounding us on all sides.

On entering the spa, we were presented with two freshly pressed but thin cotton towel. We changed in the dressing room. Of course, the only other person in there was a beautiful young woman who with great expertise wound the one towel into a turban around her. She looked great.

She could see we were HOPELESS. She tried helping us, and then she went on her way.

The scent of eucalyptus is lovely. The company too.

It is a fine Ugandan sauna experience.

Uganda 2011

Lorna Hedger and Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.

Uganda: Guest House life

While in Kampala, the SCAW group stayed at a Guest House whose grounds were available for rental.

Arriving home after Thursday’s distribution, we could see that several large and lovely tents had been erected throughout the garden. Friday afternoon, we returned home in our usual state of dustiness and sweatiness and a party was moving into full swing. The celebration was a 20^th wedding anniversary.

From Uganda 2011

The party began with a Mass with the Bishop of Kampala and an assistant celebrating. The gifts carried to the altar were twenty large woven baskets, apparently filled with foodstuffs for distribution to a local neighbourhood. The choir was magnificent, incorporating African dance and song and expressions of joy into the celebration.

And the dress! The gowns on the women showed to perfection. Their carriage might be described as stately at any time, and this bearing just made for the best fashion show I could ever imagine. Absolutely stunning!

From Uganda 2011

After dinner a live band played African rhythms and everyone danced. Even we from our vantage point on the Guest House porch got a bit into the groove, as they say. (I think they say that!) It was rather delightful to go to bed and fall to sleep with all of that still going on.

I thought of our young bedkit recipients and hoped that occasions such as that might be at least a possibility to them in their futures. At least a choice.

Uganda 2011

Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.

Uganda: The Sights of Kampala

During our stay in Kampala, the SCAW team has passed through the city many times.

It is a city of 2.5 million, surrounded by seven hills.

From Uganda 2011

Traffic always seems to be heavy – bumper to bumper. The locals call it “The Jam.” It is hard to find a time when you are not in the jam, but you are entertained by all the sights along the route.

You see old and modern buildings, from grand houses to poverty stricken slums. Roads are full of cars, bikes, motorcycles, and buses which dart around each other with just inches to spare. The motorcycles are called “boda bodas” which are private rentals with price negotiated with the owner for short and long distances. I was amazed at the number of new cars with gas at two dollars a litre. Motorcycles will always carry 1 to 4 persons including children between the parents, none with helmets.

From Uganda 2011

The streets are lined with hundreds of vendor stalls selling vegetables, fruits, wood, furniture, meat, chickens, turkeys, and fashion. These vendors are trying to make enough money to survive. Uganda has a 70 per cent unemployment rate

From Uganda 2011

Beds and upholstered furniture are made on the spot and stay outside the stalls until sold. Cows and goats wander the streets, some tethered some just wandering. Traffic moves out of their way.

Sidewalks are busy with people walking in brightly coloured clothing, African traditional and modern styles. They grill in hibachi pots in the stalls. Eggs, fish, stew, fruits, and vegetables all come from the pot! Kampala’s fast food!

The team visited the poverty areas of the city where many of the children are helped by SCAW. The residents receiving the help receive it with dignity and pride. Previous recipients of SCAW bedkits welcomed us into their homes to show us how they have been using the donated items. Uniforms and mattresses are passed down through the family.

Kampala and surrounding area has a great need for SCAW’S continued support.

Uganda 2011

Lorna Hedger
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.

Uganda: Our First Rain Day

Our First Rain Day (and hopefully last!)

The morning started at 5:00 a.m. We took a bus to a small village where children from five parishes (communities) came to receive their bedkits. We happily saw 500 children this morning, with smiles gradually broadening on their faces as they received their new beds!

From Uganda 2011

Two of the little boys (Pictured at right) who were there live on their own as both of their parents have died. The local community members have taken on the responsibility to watch over them. Children this age could not care for themselves all alone in Canada. It seems unimaginable to actually know this happens! It was so wonderful to realize that we have done more than bring a smile to these small boys.

Once we were finished with this distribution, our hosts offered us a lunch that helped prepare us for a second distribution for the afternoon.

We were committed to giving out another 500 bedkits in the afternoon. This time the skies decided to welcome us with our first rainstorm. The thunder rumbled and the skies opened up.

This postponed our work for a short time, but when it stopped pouring and changed to a light sprinkle, we went back to work taking pictures and gifting the children with their bedkits. We arrived back to our guest house, wet and dirty by 8:00 p.m., with enough time to prepare for another exciting day tomorrow.

Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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Photos in the slide show at right are of today's distributions.

To see all the photos so far, go to our Uganda 2011 Photo Album.

Uganda: Batting 1000

We have just finished 500 bedkits for 500 kids in Gombe, an hour or so west of Kampala.  
 
As always, the Ladies of the Inner Wheel batted 1000 -- not 499 children, not 501 children -- but 500 on the button were at the site dressed in their new school uniform and ready to receive their 500 kits.  Which they did.  Graciously.
 

From Uganda 2011

How these women are so exact totally baffles me.  
 
An incredible amount of hard work and dedication is involved on their part.
 
They always amaze.
 
Returning to Kampala, the van stopped at Tuf Foam Ltd, the mattress company where the Ugandan distribution’s 6,000 bed mattresses were made.
 

From Uganda 2011

I could not believe my eyes.  Two huge trucks were ready to be loaded with 1,000 mattresses and bedkits that we will use in two distributions tomorrow.  The ladies of the Inner Wheel who were not at today’s distribution, were there at the factory counting bed rolls, counting shirts, skirts, shorts, flip flops sheets, etc.  A final final count.  By hand.
 
Perfection demands.
 

Uganda 2011

Mary-Jo Lang
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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To see all the photos so far, click the album photo at right.

Uganda: Visiting the Mosquito Net Vendor

It was a great meeting with Dr. Robert at the Quality Chemicals office and store. Although, I must say it felt a little strange knowing we were visiting because they supply one of the items in the children’s bedkit. We were there to see the mosquito net that is included in every one of the 6,000 bedkit that we will give out.

From Uganda 2011

The mosquito nets are a very important part of the bedkit as it is one of the essential tools for securing against malaria. It is bought from a chemical company because they are already treated with an insecticide. This not only kills mosquitoes, but repels them from the child, who will often have an arm or leg up against the net while sleeping.

The next question was, "If it’s an insecticide then will it harm the child sleeping beneath it?"

Dr. Robert advised us that many tests have been done for this specifically by the World Health Organization (WHO), and they are satisfied with its benefits and have no concerns with its safety. The net included in this year’s bedkit is WHO certified.

From Uganda 2011

Just as important, Dr Robert advised us, there are specific ways to care for this most important part of the bedkit. He recommends that the net be washed in a gentle soap instead of a detergent as they have found that if it is cared for it in this way, 80% of the insecticide will still be there after twenty washes. He also advised that the nets be dried out of the sun as the UV rays can deplete the insecticide. As well, they should be laid out flat so the insecticide does not have a chance of dripping off.

It was an informative meeting that set our minds at ease. It also armed us with valuable information that will be shared with both the parents and the children at each distribution site.

Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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Uganda: Heartwarming visits to families

Today we visited children from four separate families who received bedkits in the past. This was a day that stirred up many emotions. A happy-sad kind of day.

From Uganda SlideShow 1

Three of the four families we visited were headed by only a grandmother and one by only the mother. Two had four grandchildren living with them and one had seven.

They told us that their grandchildren were under their full time care because they were all orphaned through various disease, with one three-year-old whose mother died while birthing him.

Uganda SlideShow 1

They all invited us into their homes with pride as they showed us the bedkit that had been gifted to them, some as long ago as 2005. The older ones were obviously well-worn, and the ones from more recent distributions were clearly being used every day by the children of the family.

All who live in the home clearly gained by receiving their bedkit.

Thank you to Annette, Nalumu, Yudaya and Robinah for welcoming us into your homes!

Suzanne Dobinson
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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Uganda: The team arrives

All of us on the SCAW Ugandan Tour have arrived safely in Kampala and are securely and happily housed for this first week at a wonderful guest house.

From Uganda 2011

The SCAW travelling team in the photo at right:. (Left to right, back row) Nancy Holt, Carol Rolph, Mary-Jo Lang (front row) Marilyn Olivares, Suzanne Dobinson, Lorna Hedger.

Three of the Women of the Inner Wheel met us at the airport this afternoon and -- really -- the drive from the airport, across Kampala to the East side, took longer than the final portion of our flight from Addis Ababa to Entebbe. Tomorrow is the first day of school in Kampala and the streets were packed with cars and conveyances and the odd small herd of horned cattle. The weather, however, was perfect and we did not mind the 80 degree (F) temperatures and the soft breezes one bit.

From Uganda 2011

The Canadian and the Uganda teams in the photo at left: (Left to right) Winnie, Carol, Suzanne, Marilyn, Lorna, Mary-Jo, Felly, Immy, Allyne.

When Rotary Clubs were for men only, these Women of the Inner Wheel were originally the wives of Rotarians. Now, however, the Women of the Inner Wheel are all Rotarians themselves.

Sleeping Children is one of the main charities of the Inner Wheel of Kampala. Part of this group has spent the better part of the past year identifying children who would need a bedkit, procuring at the best prices the items for the bedkit, compiling the disparate items into each child’s bedkit, and selecting sites in and around Kampala where the 6,000 bedkits can be handed to 6,000 children.

This is a lot of organizing and these women are up to the task!

The Canadian group is ready to start their work tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. They are a bit weary after their fairly lengthy voyage and, at the moment, only ask that those at home water the plants!

Mary-Jo Lange
for the Uganda 2011 SCAW Team

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We have two Good Work videos

Back in March, YouTube set up the Good Work Channel on their website and invited non-profits around the world to tell creative agencies about their group.

Sleeping Children Around the World was among 436 groups that submitted briefs and, in response, 268 agencies replied to the briefs. Two of them were for our charity.

To put this in perspective, only one-third of the briefs got a response at all -- some only received one response and the most popular received 58 responses.

I've posted Sleeping Children's two spots below. One came from Budapest, Hungary and the other from Cape Town, South Africa.

Please help by liking/voting for our two spots. We've also posted them on the SCAW website.

You must click on the YouTube icon below each video to vote.