Hi, Rachel here, I'm an intern from New Zealand. I arrived in Uganda in March and have been volunteering with Wrap up Africa and UCCF since. It's been a pretty amazing 7 months. I've had my ups and downs, my joys and my frustrations (oh the frustrations!) But it is an experience I will certainly never forget...
The Frustartions...
My daily “matatou” commute into work. - Matatous are essentially mini vans that work in a vaugely (very vaguley) similar fashion to buses. They are very cheap, many of them aren't particularly road worthy and they cram them to the brim with people (and the occasional chicken or goat).
It is common for the seats and/or doors to not be properly attached – makes for a fun journey. And as it is rainy season at the moment, they are permanently caked in red mud – and apon exiting, I also am caked with red mud!
The really fun part (note sarcasim) of the journey is the change-over. It is vaguely (very vaugely) based on a bus terminal principle. All mataous in Kampala come through this “Taxi Park”. But there really is no rhyme or reason to how it works- hence much of the time it doesn't. There are no allocated parking spaces, so the mini vans enter, and then get stuck in the mass of vehicles criss crossing eachother, and can't get out. It is possible to sit here for hours (growing ever more pleasant as you discover the gentleman next to you isn't wearing deodorant). At such times I have to laugh, otherwise I would likely cry!(I have been informed there are some quite comical videos about this very taxi park on “You Tube” for your continued education)
The Joys...
Working with the teams involved in Wrap up Africa and UCCF has been a pretty inspiring experience. These are people who are devoted to the cause of child cancer. Many of them are volunteers, but the dedication and compassion they have for these kids is astounding!
The other great thing is of course working with the kids. Despite facing some huge challenges, these kids are amazing. They are incredibly bright, lively,creative and a ton of fun!
I couldn't not mention the great work Wrap Up Africa is doing... I've been fortuate to see this baby start to walk. Going from a great idea and a lot of hard work to getting it up and running and really seeing the huge benefit it is to people. I totally believe in this kind of micro-enterprise approach, not just hand-outs, but really enabling and challenging people to work for a better tomorrow.
I urge you to get behind Wrap up Africa, go on... buy something!
Or if you're feeling even more adventerous, come and volunteer to join our team, short or longer term, I tell you it's an experience you'll never forget!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Evelyn's story
Evelyn works with Wrap up Africa to train our tailors. This is her story...
My name is Evelyn Akoko. I am Acholi by tribe, born in a small village in the war-torn Gulu district of northern Uganda.I was born into a poligamist family, my mother had nine children and my father had over 40 children to various mothers.
I grew up with many problems and challenges, despite this I have never given up on life.
After completing my O levels at high school I joined a technichal school. Before I could complete my typing course I was abducted by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. They came to my village late one night, they killed two of my brothers and forced my younger brother and I into the bush. My younger brother died on the way. My mother was left behind badly beaten.
I
was fortunate to escape from the LRA with my life after serving them for a month. I made my way back home, but after losing my three brothers was never happy. My mother was also distraught and became weaker and weaker. I was eventually taken to a place where they keep those who have escaped from the bush. This is where I joined a tailoring class, I worked hard and became a good tailor.
After completing my tailoring course my elder sister and her husband died of AIDS. They left behind three orphans, at the age of only 15 I became responsible for these children as there was no-one else who could. Life became more difficult as I also had to care for my sick mother. Everything had fallen onto my shoulders and it wasn't easy. My mother died in 2000. After this I decided to get married so I would have a husband to help me look after the children, but things remained the same, he could not take care of the children.
We decided to move to Kampala, so I worked hard to put my sisters children in school and I left them with my only remaining brother in Gulu. My brothers wife however did not want the children and once again I had to care for them. My eldest neice became pregnant at high school, I now care for her child too.
My life has not been easy, but through the suffering God has been there, my comforter and my provider. He has given me a loving heart to give a mothers care to these orphans. So I decided to stop crying and open my eyes. I looked for a course to make a new life for me and my family.
Through a friend I found out about the Kibo Foundation, a local foundation offering exceptional training. From the time I joined Kibo my life began to change. I began to forget my problems and realise I can make a difference for myself and my community. Kibo took us to visit the Ugandan Child Cancer Foundation, here I saw people who were suffering more than I was and I wanted to help. These children really touched me and opened my eyes. I started volunteering with Wrap Up Africa and was soon offered a job. I now work teaching our tailoring trainees.
My name is Evelyn Akoko. I am Acholi by tribe, born in a small village in the war-torn Gulu district of northern Uganda.I was born into a poligamist family, my mother had nine children and my father had over 40 children to various mothers.
I grew up with many problems and challenges, despite this I have never given up on life.
After completing my O levels at high school I joined a technichal school. Before I could complete my typing course I was abducted by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. They came to my village late one night, they killed two of my brothers and forced my younger brother and I into the bush. My younger brother died on the way. My mother was left behind badly beaten.
I
was fortunate to escape from the LRA with my life after serving them for a month. I made my way back home, but after losing my three brothers was never happy. My mother was also distraught and became weaker and weaker. I was eventually taken to a place where they keep those who have escaped from the bush. This is where I joined a tailoring class, I worked hard and became a good tailor.
After completing my tailoring course my elder sister and her husband died of AIDS. They left behind three orphans, at the age of only 15 I became responsible for these children as there was no-one else who could. Life became more difficult as I also had to care for my sick mother. Everything had fallen onto my shoulders and it wasn't easy. My mother died in 2000. After this I decided to get married so I would have a husband to help me look after the children, but things remained the same, he could not take care of the children.
We decided to move to Kampala, so I worked hard to put my sisters children in school and I left them with my only remaining brother in Gulu. My brothers wife however did not want the children and once again I had to care for them. My eldest neice became pregnant at high school, I now care for her child too.
My life has not been easy, but through the suffering God has been there, my comforter and my provider. He has given me a loving heart to give a mothers care to these orphans. So I decided to stop crying and open my eyes. I looked for a course to make a new life for me and my family.
Through a friend I found out about the Kibo Foundation, a local foundation offering exceptional training. From the time I joined Kibo my life began to change. I began to forget my problems and realise I can make a difference for myself and my community. Kibo took us to visit the Ugandan Child Cancer Foundation, here I saw people who were suffering more than I was and I wanted to help. These children really touched me and opened my eyes. I started volunteering with Wrap Up Africa and was soon offered a job. I now work teaching our tailoring trainees.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Launch! A Note From Kristen
Why this? Why Uganda? Why Wrap Up Africa?
I have always had a fascination with African culture from the time I was young. I have always wanted to go there and be face to face with a lion, giraffe, or elephant. Okay… well maybe not face to face, but perhaps admire these creatures from afar. I’ve always wanted to better understand the people, the culture, and broaden my perspective. The other thing I’ve always wanted to do is help people; give back for the gifts I have received in my life. Give back how? Well… that part I was never really sure of. There are many ways a person can give back each and everyday of their lives, and while I by no means want to belittle or take away from any of those things, it is not enough for me. I needed something more impactful and that touched me to the core. Lucky for me, one day my best friend and her family moved to Uganda, East Africa… not so lucky for her- or was it???
Letha and her family moved from Seattle to Kampala, Uganda last August. While the adjustment has been difficult, I don’t think she would have her life any other way. She has a passion for love and life and living it to the fullest. If you stay tuned into this blog, you will read many passages over time about her life and experiences there. I will let her tell you about them. I will tell you about mine.
I visited Letha this past January/February. The moment I stepped off the plane in Entebbe, Uganda I uttered the words “Feels like home”, and it did. I loved it there. It became a part of me, and I am still there everyday in my heart and mind. During my visit, Letha showed me Kampala life, village life, a spectacular view of the Nile River, and her day to day existence. This day to day consists of going to Mulago Hospital where she works at a cancer institute full of dying men, women, and children. Many of them have died since I was there. Being the smart and innovative woman that Letha is, she formulated a plan along with a business partner that would help eradicate poverty and provide food and treatment for these cancer patients. The result became Wrap Up Africa. Needless to say, witnessing this… and I say “this” in an awe struck dumbfounded voice pertaining to the poverty, the illness, and Letha’s amazing willingness and stamina to help… I became willing and committed myself.
My journey to Uganda answered many questions for me and has also created many more. I am able to learn more closely about African culture and give back to the world in a way that is completely meaningful to me. I am now on a journey with my friend and the native Ugandans to make a change. We will make a difference. Come walk with us. -Kristen
Some powerful quotes that help guide us:
Well behaved women rarely make history.
-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Service is the rent we pay for living.
-Marian Wright Edelman
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-Gandhi
I have always had a fascination with African culture from the time I was young. I have always wanted to go there and be face to face with a lion, giraffe, or elephant. Okay… well maybe not face to face, but perhaps admire these creatures from afar. I’ve always wanted to better understand the people, the culture, and broaden my perspective. The other thing I’ve always wanted to do is help people; give back for the gifts I have received in my life. Give back how? Well… that part I was never really sure of. There are many ways a person can give back each and everyday of their lives, and while I by no means want to belittle or take away from any of those things, it is not enough for me. I needed something more impactful and that touched me to the core. Lucky for me, one day my best friend and her family moved to Uganda, East Africa… not so lucky for her- or was it???
Letha and her family moved from Seattle to Kampala, Uganda last August. While the adjustment has been difficult, I don’t think she would have her life any other way. She has a passion for love and life and living it to the fullest. If you stay tuned into this blog, you will read many passages over time about her life and experiences there. I will let her tell you about them. I will tell you about mine.
I visited Letha this past January/February. The moment I stepped off the plane in Entebbe, Uganda I uttered the words “Feels like home”, and it did. I loved it there. It became a part of me, and I am still there everyday in my heart and mind. During my visit, Letha showed me Kampala life, village life, a spectacular view of the Nile River, and her day to day existence. This day to day consists of going to Mulago Hospital where she works at a cancer institute full of dying men, women, and children. Many of them have died since I was there. Being the smart and innovative woman that Letha is, she formulated a plan along with a business partner that would help eradicate poverty and provide food and treatment for these cancer patients. The result became Wrap Up Africa. Needless to say, witnessing this… and I say “this” in an awe struck dumbfounded voice pertaining to the poverty, the illness, and Letha’s amazing willingness and stamina to help… I became willing and committed myself.
My journey to Uganda answered many questions for me and has also created many more. I am able to learn more closely about African culture and give back to the world in a way that is completely meaningful to me. I am now on a journey with my friend and the native Ugandans to make a change. We will make a difference. Come walk with us. -Kristen
Some powerful quotes that help guide us:
Well behaved women rarely make history.
-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Service is the rent we pay for living.
-Marian Wright Edelman
Be the change you want to see in the world.
-Gandhi
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