Day 9: The original reason for coming to Uganda

26 June, 2010

I forgot to mention that yesterday I was sitting in the compound eating dinner on the steps and this girl who was probably 14 opened the door that separates our compound from another, walked over to me smiling ear to ear, and handed me a note that said "To My Best Friend." I saw her look through the slit in the door to see if I was reading it. Inside it said something along the lines of I want you to be my friend, "gril." It was really adorable. I haven't seen this girl again yet, but I learned that her name is Caroline and Debbie knows her so I am sure I will see her after school one day. Mijeung and Teresa have received similar letters and verbal questions. It is so cute!

Last night I was so bored that I fell asleep around 8pm. I was waiting for Sam to get off the computer and there was no light in my room. My iPod battery died 2 nights ago and I haven't charged it yet. I woke up around 10pm to go to the bathroom and slept until almost 7am this morning. I think I am well rested now.

I'm wearing my hair down for the first time since I arrived in Uganda. Sarah asked me what I put in it to make it curly. When I told here it was natural she looked very surprised. Also, because I am not African everyone here seems to think I will die from sunlight. I am not a vampire! The teachers keep telling me and ARM workers told me today, that I am getting too dark, too much sun, and I should sit in the shade. I told Sarah (one of the ARM workers) that I don't burn easily and she seemed surprised. I explained that I already have a darker complexion and am half Black so I tan easily, but do not burn easily.

The water is on again! Of course, I probably spoke too soon (I did. When I tried to turn it on after writing this, it was off again) and I'm sure it will go out again before I leave. Unfortunately, I am not taking a shower until tomorrow morning.

Africa Renewal Ministries (ARM) came to pick me up to visit two sponsored children (one of which is my Patrick!) around 10:30am. First, we went to Gaba to visit Kenneth, a 14 year old boy that my mom's friends Liz and Joe sponsor. The drive to Kenneth's home was very long. Luckily today was not one of my car sick days. Thanks to long drives through the Eastern U.S. through mountainous roads and in circles, I may be immune now! Probably not. I took a lot of pictures and videos to give them when I go home because I'm sure they wish they were there too. I don't want to write too much about Kenneth because I want to tell Liz and Joe in person but he likes school and thanked them for sponsoring him. He was very quiet but loosened up a little bit at the end of my visit. His brothers and sister were so cute and they all loved the gifts for Kenneth. His little sister was afraid of me at first. She didn't want to come in the house and sit with her brothers.

At the end of my visit Kenneth's mother cut matoke from the tree outside and gave it to me to take home. KAACD will have matoke for a long, long time. Kind of unfortunate, because I am getting quite tired of it. At least it comes with sauce. His mother was so sweet. She thanked me for coming to represent Kenneth's sponsors. I took pictures with Kenneth and of Kenneth's family. I can't wait to get home to show Liz and Joe.

There are many more muzungus up in the hills in Gaba. It is a much nicer area and I saw 2 White people today. It's like siting a rare species of human. I can see why people get excited. It is very uncommon, still getting old though.

Next was the visit to Patrick's house, the boy I sponsor! He is 10 years old and so cute! He speaks English very well too. Kenneth did not speak much English to me but I think it was because he was being shy. On the way to Patrick's we went by an event that Africa Renewal was putting on called African Child's Day. The kids were singing and dancing...and staring at this foreign person sitting in the car. After we picked up two more people and one of the lady's 6 year old son, Benjamin (a handful), we headed to Patrick's home. In retrospect I didn't like the fact that there were so many people there. It made me a little uncomfortable so I'm sure the 10 year old boy was very overwhelmed. Plus, Patrick's caseworker kept taking pictures and it was getting quite annoying. I understand it is a big deal for someone to visit their sponsored child on another continent but seriously, that's nerve-wrecking for everyone involved, especially the child. Patrick was such a quiet boy I can imagine he was not liking the situation too much. I too got a little quiet and shy with eveyrone staring and the slight language barrier.

Mom, I took a video. It is a bit cheesy because I didn't know that Patrick was standing right outside and was heading to his caseworker to explain that I needed a video when I first met him. I don't think Patrick understood that it was a video and not a picture because he kept looking at the camera.

I started out showing him pictures of my family. We talked a little bit. He was very manly. He shook my hand upon meeting me and told me that he likes meat. I met two of his sisters, Justine, who is two years older, and a younger one whose name I cannot remember. Three of his siblings were in the villege when I stopped by. His older brother had a slight case of malaria so the father took him to the doctor and the other kids went with him.

We talked about his school. He said he enjoys school and learning. His mother prepared a meal for us, which was wonderful, except that we had just eaten :/ I felt bad because I could not finish the food. She served us everything on platters and when we were done, Patrick got down on his knees and thanked his mother for the meal. That is something new, but cute nonetheless. I was going to do the same thing but she didn't come back for a while and I forgot. I asked Patrick to show me around and he showed me where he sleeps, his kitchen, and outside where he plays. He got out the football I gave him and we played for a while. It was at this point that I realized when he said he likes football he meant FOOTBALL, not American Football. Thanks America. Why do you have to be so different? Different measurements, names for sports, drive on the wrong side of the road...geez. I didn't get a picture of his family together because when I asked his mother she offered to show me around the house and then I forgot. I should be more assertive.

I gave his mother a picture frame and Patrick seemed to like his new hat and ball. Thanks Liz! They loved the hats! Oh, and I have pictures of both boys giving the Longhorns sign (they got UT hats)! I saw a couple of things that I have sent him over the yerars in his house. That was nice to see.

When I said goodbye Patrick's mom gave me a lot of bananas, a pineapple, what looks like a handweaved mat (I have to ask in my next letter if she made it), and a ball that Patrick made from some fibers. His mother says they use it to play football (not the American kind).

Patrick also taught me a few words in Luganda. I remember "chair" because it is "entebbe," the name of the airport.

It was sad to say goodbye to Patrick because I know this may be the only time I ever see him. I am glad I got to go and I hope I can go back. Next time I would like to see his school. We passed his school on the way back to Bulenga (and stopped by his church). Neither is very far from his home, but the school is closer. Maybe at his school so many people would not be there just for that purpose.

Overall, it was a great day. Very intense and I was exhausted by the end of it. I even stayed up until almost 1am because I took a nap when I got home.

Getting ready for the new volunteers tomorrow!