I look around me and see their faces when
they walk over every day, coming right at my door, from the neighborhood or the
orphanage. It creates a strong feeling in me. In the last 3 years since I have been
involved in helping children, I have never had enough time to spend with them.
Although I have helped more than 50,000 kids in Uganda since 2008 with the
support from local communities and volunteers from around the world, I have never
had enough time to play and enjoy the company of the children. This wasn’t
because I didn’t want to spend time with them. I mean I loved them and cared
for them but switching time between my work and with them was kind of
hard.
Only a new home changed my whole life……
When I came to this new house in Luteete
Kampala in 2010 something happened that changed all of this. A few kids from
the neighborhood started appearing day by day to play, enjoying evenings
together after their classes, and during the day. I wasn’t used to being around
them but I got this feeling something was about change.
And this year everything did change. From the
time I found the 11 orphans from a life of no-care to provide a life of the
little possibilities I could afford for them, I felt like I was a father
already J
even though I have had no one else to call family.
But of course I have a
wonderful family made of volunteers who come and be part my story and the
project. Having the kids in a home that is under my responsibility, I have had
to learn how to act like a father, which has given me more to exposure to the
kids so that I could get to know them and earn their smiles! I have learned
from them, stood beside them, attracted them to our home as a safe place to
learn and play and have been drawn to the almost 15 -20 kids who appear at the
volunteer house everyday to spend more time with me.
Luteete, where it all changed…..
Hmm when you talk of this village, I will
call as I see it. Luteete is locally known “Kumunana” and no one will believe
you when you tell them about this village, because even though it is in Kampala
and only 8 miles from the City Centre, this village is a peaceful place, green
in nature and has its proud farmers with lots of fruits (Jack fruit, bananas,
pineapples and more!).
The people who never stop saying “hello” with big
welcoming smiles and waving hands, even though they’ve only just met you or simply
see you walking by their homes.
These kids
need others…..
Behind every
beautiful smile there is a sad one behind them. I’ve talked and visited many families who are
struggling every day. The parents are desperately looking for work as their
children are chased out of school all the time.
Regardless of this, the
children all want to learn and enjoy learning with others. There is plenty of space around the volunteer
house which is good because the classes take place at the orphanage at Mt. Zion
School, only 8 mins walk away. So outside of school, they all can come here
together to learn.
All they want to do together is read, play, sing, dance and
draw….. what more can we expect?
One home only can make their wish come true….
In the last months I tried to write about the
need of renovating the orphanage where the 11 kids and those from the
neighbourhood will spend their time playing, jumping and learning all together.
Although there has not been enough response, the orphanage is crucial for not
only the children but the whole village.
Nothing that has made the whole
village, communities and local government more proud of Mzungu Volunteers than
having such a welcoming and friendly environment for the kids. We always need
you and a little support to re-build their place.
Thank you very much,
Inspiration by the
president.
And the Mzungu Team
in Uganda.
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