My last few days in Uganda flew by. On the 23rd I went to Jinja, the source of the Nile river, a few hours drive from Kampala. The Nile is unique in that it runs south to north and starts in Jinja, Uganda and flows all the way up to Egypt and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
the road leading down to the Nile
The Nile river
Grace and I soaking up the Nile
Sampling a local beer brewed in Jinja dubbed "Nile Special" on the Nile!
Grace and I both share an affinity for Ancient Egypt and were thrilled to be at the Nile together.
A friendly reminder painted on the side of the Jinja bar
I spent Christmas Eve with the babies- I will probably never have another holiday like it for the rest of my life. I hardly even remembered it was Christmas Eve until the evening when Hannah surprised all the volunteers with little handmade cards and gifts, since in Germany Christmas is celebrated on the night of the 24th and not the 25th. (Which makes sense seeing as Jesus was supposedly born at night)
Sanyu has taught me so much. Watching the children play on Christmas Eve I realized how resilient kids truly are. At the end of the day they're still children, and play no differently than kids their age that I supervise in the USA. Despite all they've been through to end up here, they aren't charity cases, they aren't damaged, and it gives me hope and peace of mind now that I'm about to leave them forever to finally realize that they are and will be okay. A child's capacity for trust and forgiveness and finding joy in everyday wonders will always impress me, and in this case saved me from the cynicism I couldn't help but develop after witnessing all the injustice that placed these innocent children in Sanyu in the first place.
Christmas Eve playtime
Two beautiful girls that have inspired me more than they will ever know or remember
Two boys I will never forget! I can't wish them enough luck and happiness, though I know they'll pull themselves through
Love this boy
Christmas was pretty much like any other day at Sanyu with the exception of a few brand new toys distributed at playtime, and "sweets and biscuts" (British for candies and cookies) for snack time
Everyone seemed to have a good time. Myself included.
Christmas Day I stayed with the babies in the morning and in the afternoon Hannah, Grace, and I went to a beach in Entebbe where we ate a picnic lunch and I (re)read Harry Potter 2 in the sun and sand. When the sun went down the beach turned into a giant dance party and we stayed a few hours for that too. I didn't make it back to Sanyu until after midnight, where on the bus ride home I befriended a 10 year old girl named Julia who wished she had my hair! I'm easily flattered. We sang "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" and how strange was it to realize that that was the only Christmas song I heard or sang all week! This was probably the most bizarre Christmas I will ever have in my life.
Ero Beach, Entebbe
The taxi park- whenever I say I took the bus, I mean I rode in one of these white vans which are legally allowed to hold 16 people each!!!
On the 26th Grace, Hannah, and I walked to a mosque just down the hill from Sanyu. I could hear the call to prayer every morning from my room during my stay here. This mosque was breathtakingly beautiful! The balance in architecture, the elaborately carved kufic script (arabic prayers) on the walls, the carpet, everything! As women we had to wear long skirts and cover our shoulders and head for respect.
Approaching the mosque
Me looking up at the domed ceiling.
I loved that carpet too
note the writing on the wall- that's engraved it's not painted
The 27th was my last day- I left for the airport at 8pm that night. In the afternoon I went back to the market for an hour with Grace, and spent the rest of the day on and off with the babies and packing.
I was met by a lot of juxtaposition in Uganda. The cities were filthy, crowded, and smoggy, but outside of the city was lush vegetation, humble families, and blue open sky. At the same time I met some of the most genuine, kind-hearted strangers, and some of the most objectifying, creepy strangers. One boda driver told me my offered price was too high and let me know what I should pay him instead, another tried to charge me triple what I would usually pay, then asked me for my phone number. I heard some of the most heart-breaking stories, and some of the most uplifting, hopeful stories.
Now that I'm at the end of my trip, some lasting impressions:
- I never did get used to the city smell. The pollution, the dust, the garbage. I don't think I ever saw a single trash can outside during my entire stay. For me it was a shock to see so much garbage on in the streets- it literally covered the roads and filled the sidewalks.
- I will never forget how desperately strangers next to me on the bus, at the park, everywhere I went, wanted my life- wanted to live in America. When asked where I'm from I would generally say, "I go to University in California." I am living these people's wildest dream, and for me it just seemed like the standard step to take after finishing high school. It gave me new appreciation for how lucky I am to have to opportunities that I do.
- It wasn't until I was sitting on my plane ride home (and eating airplane food) that I realized for the last 3 weeks I didn't eat any processed food! This is funny to think about and something I took for granted until after I left the Uganda. My meals consisted of fruits picked off the trees around us, chickens that were killed the morning of, rice, beans, and hand-made chipate (sort of like tortillas). I never got sick from eating street food or locally prepared food and never ate packaged meals for my entire stay here. Two volunteers that showed up in the last week I was there refused to eat any of the local food and ate exclusively boxes of easy mac and cup noodles they brought from home. I'm pretty sure if that was all I ate for 3 weeks straight I would absolutely get sick.
- The people here live day by day. Maybe its just because I'm in college at the moment but I always feel pressured to make long-term decisions about my career, my future, and what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. Cell phones here don't have monthly plans, people only buy so many minutes at a time and get a few more as needed. Same with gasoline in cars. They fill up only as much as they need for the specific trip, never the whole tank at once. And people walk sooooo slow. Its just a different pace of life, a different mentality, than what I have been conditioned to expect in the USA.
- Electricity goes out at least once every other day. Really. Hot water and water pressure is never a guarantee, which also means that the toilets are not always guaranteed to flush. These are things I never even think about at home.
- The children at Sanyu who have overcome more hardship by the age of two than I have ever faced in my cumulative 19 years still optimistic and trusting and playful.
I'm happy (and thankful) to say that David, who I had been concerned for throughout my stay for being sickly and withdrawn, only grew happier and more confident every day. It was so reassuring to see the positive affect Sanyu has on these kids in as short a span as three weeks!
Thank you all for reading. This will be the end of this blog for a while. I may pick it up again the next time I travel somewhere note-worthy.
If you have any additional questions about Sanyu Babies Home, check out http://www.sanyubabies.com/ for more information. They will tell you a bit more about work that Sanyu does and how to make donations and support the children. They also post quarterly updates on the children and what's new at Sanyu.
A piece of their latest newsletter:
Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 13 - December 2011
In this issue:
Hello’s and Goodbye’s • New Washing Machines • Class Time Fun • The Arrival of Patrick • Rest in Peace - Oscar• Nutrition for the Children •Baptisms •The Sanyu Guesthouse • Volunteer Reports
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Yours in Christ
Dear Sanyu Supporters, Christmas is at hand. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s birth, more than 2000 years ago will soon be celebrated. We at Sanyu Babies Home do praise God for the opportunity God has given to us to model Jesus’ love for these little children at their most vulnerable. We thank you all for the support you continue to give to us, without which the task would have been virtually impossible. We are deeply touched by your generous support that has seen some of you even donate brand new washing machines to the home. Thank you. We encourage you to be even more generous during this Christmas season, so that the babies and all of us can join the rest of the world to celebrate the birth of Christ into our hearts. May God bless you always!
Rev. Prof. Sam Luboga – Board Chairman
The Gifts that Continue Giving: Washing Machines
There are some new shiny gifts here at Sanyu! A very servant- hearted volunteer completed the loving task of gathering funds before her trip here to Sanyu in order to purchase some much- needed appliances to make chores run even more smoothly here at Sanyu. She raised enough to purchase new washing machines! There are also two additional donors who bought another washing machine as well. What a gift! The laundry staff is thrilled to have these new additions to work with and are so grateful to be able to complete more work at ease.
With so many children who change clothes as much as three times a day and also need a fresh change of cloth diapers up to six times daily, the need and necessity for a smooth-running laundry schedule is essential for the rest of the day’s work here at Sanyu to run well! What a blessing these gifts are to the Sanyu family!
After talking with both Jennifer and Prossy, two of Sanyu’s dedicated laundry staff members, the gratitude and excitement in their voices was very evident. “We are so glad to have this donation. As you can see, there is much work to be done with laundry everyday!” Pictured here are these two lovely Sanyu staff members, who are happily hanging clothes that have been efficiently washed by the new machines.
This act of kindness and generosity goes to show how much benefit and love one person can give to so many by simply rallying others to give what they can to a worthy cause, such as Sanyu Babies Home. The volunteer who was able to purchase these items for Sanyu asked others she knew for help with funds to bring and benefit the children, and in result, she was able to provide so much for the staff
and children here! What a wonderful example of what others can do when they work together and give what they can.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up''
(Galatians 6:9)
2
Hellos and Goodbyes
New Arrivals:
Victoria Nassali ( 1 month) abandoned by an unknown person at Kevina - Nasmbya village
Elisha Ssebbagala (18 months) abandoned on someone’s veranda in Nansana
Justin Namutebi (9 months) abandoned by her mother in Kisingiri Village
Eveline Nantongo (2 years) abandoned at the Assessment Center in Mulago Hospital Gideon
Waswa and Melissa Nakato (10 months) abandoned at the Nutrition Unit in Mulago Hospital
Elijah Wandega (4 days) brought to Sanyu after his mother passed away during labor
Catherine Kyakunzire (26 days) abandoned by her teenage mother in Kampala
Isaiah Joshua Onek (18 months) abandoned in Mengo
Kinsenyi Maria Kisakye (2 1⁄2 years) abandoned in the Acute Care Unit in Mulago Hospital
Oscar Kasibante (11 months) abandoned in Kyebando Wakiso District
Emmanuel Mbalasa (1 day) brought to Sanyu after mother passed away at Rubaga Hospital
Patrick Kamya (3 years) found locked up in a house in Bwaise
Simon Ssuuna (18 months) abandoned in a garden near Old Kampala Police Station
Fostered/Adopted:
Cristopher Sarwadda Marvin Kiggundu Ernest Mayega Daniella Namukasa Harrison Otim Dominic Kayemba Ambrose Masaba Jude Senyonga Augustus Semuyaba Enoch Bukenya Johnathan Obalo Frank Kavuma
Reunited with Family:
Eveline Nantongo Elisha Ssebbagala Emmanuel Mbalasa
Feature: Patrick’s Arrival
Meet Patrick. Patrick was welcomed into the Sanyu family on 2nd November, 2011. When he first arrived, he was very timid, shy, and slow-moving. Not only were his spirits down, but he was also in need of health care. Patrick arrived at Sanyu weighing just 7.8 kilograms at approximately 3 years old. He was extremely malnourished and anemic. He also had a very high fever, a bad cough, and needed to be de-wormed. Nurse Silvia took wonderful care of him immediately by treating each of his medical needs, while also being sure to address his need for weight gain by adding supplements to his daily diet.
Though Patrick has only been here at Sanyu for a few weeks, it is already visibly apparent that his adjustment here has not only been smooth and positive to his health, but also to his overall demeanor and joy. Patrick now regularly participates during his morning class time, actively interacts with other children, volunteers, and mamas, and also smiles and laughs often. Patrick is one of the many children who came from a hard place and has now found a haven and good care here at Sanyu.
The picture you see of Patrick here is of him on his way to lunch time, after coming in from a fun playtime with his classmates. What a joyful smile he has! We anxiously wait to continue to see Patrick’s growth, development, and progress here at Sanyu as he is cared for by the loving staff. Today we thank God for the gift of Patrick!
Taken to His Heavenly Home – Oscar Kasibante
Oscar was welcomed into the Sanyu family on October 25th, 2011. Immediately following his arrival, the loving staff of Sanyu quickly assessed his health and medical needs. Oscar was severely malnourished with a very high fever, and he was also severely dehydrated. It was made clear that Oscar needed to be taken to Mulago Hospital for further care. After an assessment was done at Mulago, it was found that one of his arms and one of his legs was broken, indicating that child abuse may have occurred in Oscar’s earlier life. Members of the Sanyu staff stayed by his side for the next eight days of his life, ensuring he was given proper care, love, and attention. The staff of Sanyu daily lifted Oscar up in prayer, trusting that the Lord would do what He willed for Oscar’s life. Due to complications, sadly, on November 4th, 2011, Oscar passed away and was taken to his heavenly home to be with the Lord. Sanyu Babies’ Home respectfully held a funeral service in Oscar’s honor, and praised God for His life and for blessing the Sanyu family with his presence.
Class Time is Fun Time!
If you have ever volunteered at Sanyu on Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm, you know that “class time” is the highlight of this first part of the day at Sanyu! The children here have the blessing of attending class every week day here in a structured, loving environment. They have the opportunity to participate in many different types of activities, learn by playing with others at their developmental level, and begin to develop important life skills for their continued growth. The children are separated into two different classes depending upon if they are crawling or walking. Each class is equipped with two qualified, trained, loving teachers who work each day to best meet the needs of the children under their care. Each day of class is structured into a routine that allows the children to thrive while also providing them with a variety of fun learning activities. The children sing, do art and craft activities, and learn life skills such as sharing, taking turns, and respecting others. In addition to these offerings, the teachers also enforce the rule of speaking in “English only” during class time, which provides the children here the opportunity to learn and practice English at a very early age.
An average day in class for the children will begin with an hour a structured play time with various toys (teachers take special care to regularly change out and switch toys in the classroom around to give the children more variety with their learning through play). Then the children enjoy a snack together and practice good hygiene habits such as washing hands before they eat, while also learning good mealtime habits, such as praying together and raising their hands to ask for more if they’d like it. After snack time, the children are offered a wide variety of teacher-led activities, ranging from practicing with letters or books, dancing, playing outdoor with sand toys, sports equipment, or water, or the children are offered more life-skills practice, such as encouraging walking (in the baby class) and encouraging more English conversational skills (in the top class).
Featured Daily Happenings: Nutritious Food for Healthy Babies
Because of the generous donations that kind and loving people make to Sanyu Babies Home, the children here are truly blessed with good, daily nutrition. Unlike many children in their situation who may only be offered posho and beans once or twice a day, the children of Sanyu are able to be provided not only with multiple snacks throughout each day, but are also offered a wonderful variety of flavors good nutrition in their three meals a day.
Children here eat foods high in essential vitamins, all necessary for continued healthy development. In a typical week, children are blessed to eat nutritious and filling foods such as fresh pumpkin and squash, nuts, greens, fish, beef, and chicken, boiled eggs, potatoes, bread and rice, and are also offered a wide variety of fresh fruit on a daily basis such as pineapple, bananas, and papaya. Many of the foods served here not only contain vitamins and minerals that encourage growth in children, but also foster essential brain development.
The Sanyu family knows it is such a blessing to be able to provide what they do to the children here. Sanyu counts on donations from caring people like you to continue to be able to provide the nutritious foods required to keep the children here happy, healthy, and growing. Even a donation of a pineapple or a tray of eggs makes a huge difference to the children here. It is not only about donating money, clothing, and toys, but it is also so wonderful for the family of Sanyu to receive anything you can provide from the simple comforts of your own backyards – what do you already have that you use that you can share with others? Every little bit helps!
DONATIONS NEEDED
Sanyu Babies’ Home relies almost entirely on the generosity and support of friends like you. Over the years, we have received many donations which have been enormously valuable to the home and especially the children. We thank you for all your love and support.
However, we are always in need of contributions to keep the home running. Our wish list is endless and includes some of the following:
Lactose free baby formula milk
Baby formula milk
Feeding bottles
Pampers
Baby wipes
Food
Milton sterilizing tablets
Cleaning products
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