Below, some of the kids who came swimming. We didn't have a large crowd, and I didn't actually take many photos (too busy relaxing and enjoying the kids)... but I had to document the day at least with one photo!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Swim Day With the Youth
Arriving just as it looked like it might rain, but turning into quite a warm and sunny day... we all went to Speke Resort this past weekend. Not all things are impoverished or possibly unfinished (like the roads) here. This is a posh resort with a nearly-olympic size pool and some very nice amenities.
Below, some of the kids who came swimming. We didn't have a large crowd, and I didn't actually take many photos (too busy relaxing and enjoying the kids)... but I had to document the day at least with one photo!
Below, some of the kids who came swimming. We didn't have a large crowd, and I didn't actually take many photos (too busy relaxing and enjoying the kids)... but I had to document the day at least with one photo!
The Younger Kid's Missions Trip
In no particular order below, I've included some photos from our recent second Missions Trip, but this time with the 7th through 9th graders (the first was the 10th-12th grades). For two days, we painted, "sand bagged", taught Vacation Bible School lessons (here they call it Holiday Bible Club), and got to know the children and adults there.
It is a nearby (to Heritage and Kampala) mission-run elementary school with more than 260 students from nursery at 3 years old through 16 year olds in grade 6. Why such old students in this elementary (or any) school? Because sometimes school fees or family finance/health hinder students to continue their educations and they need to stay out of school for a few years at a time. Until students pass a grade 6 "leaving" exam, they cannot continue, no matter their age, into secondary school.
All of our kids in grades 7-9 went, plus on that Friday, we were joined by a few of my older students (Lubega, Solomon, Logan and Bertha) and they contributed quite a lot. Thank you to all my students and to the adults who joined us in this venture of ministry and outreach.
Donatella (Ugandan/Italian) and Bec (Australian) sandbagging. It is what is sounds like- bagging sand to reinforce a foundation where rain water would run too close to the wall.
All of us joined in at various capacities as we painted a bathrooms building, the kitchen, and the primary/nursery building "spiffing" up the property nicely.
Towards the end of Friday, a hot and sunny day, the kids had to get cleaned up to head back to school. A water fight at the well on the school property took place, so they went back paint-free, but pretty wet (and much cooler!).
Leo (Congolese/Greek) and Marc (Indian/Canadian) took a minute to run around the property having fun in one of the wheelbarrows.
Each day at the school, the children receive a bowl of porridge (watery oatmeal with a bit of sweet flavor) for a mid-morning break, and a lunch of typical African fare including beans, rice and cooked bananas.
Most of our group got to pose for us first thing Friday. Absent are me (I was taking photos), Miss Holly and the Stevenson's, the ones who have helped me coordinate both our mission trips this semester.
Typical Ugandan classrooms are often overcrowded and with few supplies. This one is extra crowded because kids had gathered from several classes to hear the Bible lessons.
Colleen and three girls (Kayla, Kezza and Erica) take a break.
Painting the kitchen; this building also received a door and windows to close the building properly, as a result of our donated funds from HIS and the kids who participated.
The children colored sheets after the Bible lesson was taught each day. One story was Jonah and the Whale and the other was the Prodigal Son. We left several day's worth of Bible stories/coloring sheets with the school, that they can use them at other times. We also left crayons, other Bible lesson supplies, and numerous donated items.
Bec has a great ability to connect with children. Within 5 minutes of arriving, she had a whole fan club following her around, playing with her, wanting to hold her hand. Sweet.
Except at HIS, I've not seen a playground at a school here. This one had tire swings, ropes to climb, and other items. The kids really enjoy their time in the play area.
It is a nearby (to Heritage and Kampala) mission-run elementary school with more than 260 students from nursery at 3 years old through 16 year olds in grade 6. Why such old students in this elementary (or any) school? Because sometimes school fees or family finance/health hinder students to continue their educations and they need to stay out of school for a few years at a time. Until students pass a grade 6 "leaving" exam, they cannot continue, no matter their age, into secondary school.
All of our kids in grades 7-9 went, plus on that Friday, we were joined by a few of my older students (Lubega, Solomon, Logan and Bertha) and they contributed quite a lot. Thank you to all my students and to the adults who joined us in this venture of ministry and outreach.
Donatella (Ugandan/Italian) and Bec (Australian) sandbagging. It is what is sounds like- bagging sand to reinforce a foundation where rain water would run too close to the wall.
All of us joined in at various capacities as we painted a bathrooms building, the kitchen, and the primary/nursery building "spiffing" up the property nicely.
Towards the end of Friday, a hot and sunny day, the kids had to get cleaned up to head back to school. A water fight at the well on the school property took place, so they went back paint-free, but pretty wet (and much cooler!).
Leo (Congolese/Greek) and Marc (Indian/Canadian) took a minute to run around the property having fun in one of the wheelbarrows.
Each day at the school, the children receive a bowl of porridge (watery oatmeal with a bit of sweet flavor) for a mid-morning break, and a lunch of typical African fare including beans, rice and cooked bananas.
Most of our group got to pose for us first thing Friday. Absent are me (I was taking photos), Miss Holly and the Stevenson's, the ones who have helped me coordinate both our mission trips this semester.
Typical Ugandan classrooms are often overcrowded and with few supplies. This one is extra crowded because kids had gathered from several classes to hear the Bible lessons.
Colleen and three girls (Kayla, Kezza and Erica) take a break.
Painting the kitchen; this building also received a door and windows to close the building properly, as a result of our donated funds from HIS and the kids who participated.
The children colored sheets after the Bible lesson was taught each day. One story was Jonah and the Whale and the other was the Prodigal Son. We left several day's worth of Bible stories/coloring sheets with the school, that they can use them at other times. We also left crayons, other Bible lesson supplies, and numerous donated items.
Bec has a great ability to connect with children. Within 5 minutes of arriving, she had a whole fan club following her around, playing with her, wanting to hold her hand. Sweet.
Except at HIS, I've not seen a playground at a school here. This one had tire swings, ropes to climb, and other items. The kids really enjoy their time in the play area.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Peter's family
A few weeks back I took a picture of Peter (my day guard) in his curtain-suit, and he said his wife and daughters also had dresses from the material. They are usually in the village keeping the family farm going, while Peter lives in Kampala and sends money home. He has 8 children, plus one in Heaven. Recently, Peter's wife and two youngest daughters came to town for treatment of the youngest daughter's broken leg (her name is Mindy). I don't understand the medical treatment being given to Mindy. Her leg was broken when she fell in the mud, and there is a large (like an extra knee!) knot on her shin, but no cast... it makes no sense what the doctors are doing. Anyway, she is not limping around, and seems to not be in pain. But Peter wanted me to get a photo of them all in their curtain-fabric outfits. They are a sweet family. Oh, and FYI the rest of the kids are in school. Here in Uganda, nearly all schools are boarding schools, and most families send their children away for about 2/3 of the year. I don't know if I could ever do that, but it is pretty much the standard here. And school fees (ALL school is paid by the family, NOT by the government here) range from thousands of dollars per semester to only about $100/semester. Of course, the cheaper the school, usually the lower standards of education. But at least they're in school learning something, I guess.
The 2010 International Dinner
Last Night we had our annual International Dinner, where every HIS family brings food from their own country. We dress to suit our country's attire and there are performances and great fellowship. It has ended up being the favorite fellowship of the year for most if not all our HIS families; a real highlight. I wish you could have been there!
The USA table had hamburgers, hot dogs and lots of cookies and snacks. They even found a man to make cotton candy!
This photo and the one below were taken by my friend Holly (our Bible teacher). In the above photo I am with Meki, from Kenya (in grade 10). Yes, I wore flags in my hair. Below, several of our secondary students hanging out.
Meki, Brent and Teresa, our representative Kenyans for the evening.
We have a lot of Eritrean people at HIS this year. They're all fabulous and beautiful, and I loved how they dressed for the dinner.
Keeley and her son Joseph plus Lisa and me~ I'm so thankful for them!
Bhavik and his parents plus Kahan dressed so well for the dinner!
The USA table had hamburgers, hot dogs and lots of cookies and snacks. They even found a man to make cotton candy!
This photo and the one below were taken by my friend Holly (our Bible teacher). In the above photo I am with Meki, from Kenya (in grade 10). Yes, I wore flags in my hair. Below, several of our secondary students hanging out.
Meki, Brent and Teresa, our representative Kenyans for the evening.
We have a lot of Eritrean people at HIS this year. They're all fabulous and beautiful, and I loved how they dressed for the dinner.
Keeley and her son Joseph plus Lisa and me~ I'm so thankful for them!
Bhavik and his parents plus Kahan dressed so well for the dinner!
Celebrating Kahan's Birthday!
I think you may know that when students have their birthdays, they wear the "lovely" birthday hat. Kahan's birthday was Thursday, and since Tiya never lets me post (or take) her photos... this photo was blog-worthy!
The shiny skin was not such poor lighting as the silly stickers they had on their faces...
Pictured from left are Lydia, Bertha, Kahan, Star and Tiya.
Pizza Celebration
I wasn't going to post this, but the smile on Jonah is just too cute. This is Jonah who is celebrating with his team partner, Logan, when they won the plastics recycling contest back in December. We didn't get to celebrate with the prize pizza until mid-February. By the time we could count all the recyling points and determine the winners, Jonah and his family had gone to the USA for Christmas and a holiday/vacation. So we waited till they came back. As you can see, he was very excited!
Rainy Day Youth Group
This past youth group was run by seniors Bertha and Kahan, who volunteered to help out. Bertha gave a devotional and they both helped with games, from launching tennis balls to dressing up in TP wedding outfits.
So we have used the water balloon launcher for balloons, ahem- frogs-, and now for tennis balls. It actually works pretty well with the balls, and the kids really enjoy not only shooting but also trying to catch them (in buckets- well, unless you are Lino, who used his bare hands!). The best part to me (besides having fun shooting them) is that we don't have to hunt the city for more balloons, since those are kind of extinct in Uganda.
So we have used the water balloon launcher for balloons, ahem- frogs-, and now for tennis balls. It actually works pretty well with the balls, and the kids really enjoy not only shooting but also trying to catch them (in buckets- well, unless you are Lino, who used his bare hands!). The best part to me (besides having fun shooting them) is that we don't have to hunt the city for more balloons, since those are kind of extinct in Uganda.
