The Engeye Teen Connection is comprised of youth and teens taking action to make a difference for the children and families in Ddegeya village. The teens have organized fundraisers, events and other activities to raise funds for education and health care for the youth of Ddegeya.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Final thoughts about Uganda visit.
I loved the trip to Engeye in Uganda and I can't wait to go back. I am even
more motivated now to fundraise and help the children and families in
Ddegeya. I want to return to Engeye as soon as I can. I think one hard
part about going to Engeye is the travel. It is soooo far away. I wish it
were closer. But despite the 7 hour bus ride, 16 hour plane ride, and 3
hour car ride, it is worth all the time it to get there. It was great to
meet everyone at Engeye Health Clinic and to work with the Union Fellows at
St. Gertrude's Primary and the Engeye Afternoon Program. I was also able to
help at the clinic and log in patients and assist with vitals. One of the
most challenging moments was when I was asked to teach a class at St.
Gertrude's school by myself. But it turned out to be so much fun. . I've
never met such amazing kids. We would teach them things that they had never
even heard of, and in a language that's not even their own and they would
completely understand it by the end of the class.
I was so fortunate to be able to go to Sydney Paul and Bishop Ddungu to meet
all of the Scholars. One of the most memorable parts of my trip was
spending time with Susan and meeting the boy I sponsor through Engeye
Scholars, Wilbur. It really reminded me how much I missed Susan, and how the
$250 I send each year to Wilbur is really doing something important and
making a difference. I realized that we are really helping this amazing
little boy. I always knew that the Engeye Scholars program was doing great
things and helping a lot of kids. But when I actually met the scholars and I
personally saw how bright and full of life they are, I was overwhelmed with
joy and pride.
I have to admit, the national elections happening, no bathrooms and getting
sick, certainly created some challenging moments for me. But, it was crazy
how everyone would just focus on what had to be done and push these concerns
to the back of their mind, and make it the least of your worries. I also
realized every time I saw any of the kids that they live this every day and,
I just had to endure it for a short time and then it puts it into a bigger
perspective and it is not such a big deal for me.
more motivated now to fundraise and help the children and families in
Ddegeya. I want to return to Engeye as soon as I can. I think one hard
part about going to Engeye is the travel. It is soooo far away. I wish it
were closer. But despite the 7 hour bus ride, 16 hour plane ride, and 3
hour car ride, it is worth all the time it to get there. It was great to
meet everyone at Engeye Health Clinic and to work with the Union Fellows at
St. Gertrude's Primary and the Engeye Afternoon Program. I was also able to
help at the clinic and log in patients and assist with vitals. One of the
most challenging moments was when I was asked to teach a class at St.
Gertrude's school by myself. But it turned out to be so much fun. . I've
never met such amazing kids. We would teach them things that they had never
even heard of, and in a language that's not even their own and they would
completely understand it by the end of the class.
I was so fortunate to be able to go to Sydney Paul and Bishop Ddungu to meet
all of the Scholars. One of the most memorable parts of my trip was
spending time with Susan and meeting the boy I sponsor through Engeye
Scholars, Wilbur. It really reminded me how much I missed Susan, and how the
$250 I send each year to Wilbur is really doing something important and
making a difference. I realized that we are really helping this amazing
little boy. I always knew that the Engeye Scholars program was doing great
things and helping a lot of kids. But when I actually met the scholars and I
personally saw how bright and full of life they are, I was overwhelmed with
joy and pride.
I have to admit, the national elections happening, no bathrooms and getting
sick, certainly created some challenging moments for me. But, it was crazy
how everyone would just focus on what had to be done and push these concerns
to the back of their mind, and make it the least of your worries. I also
realized every time I saw any of the kids that they live this every day and,
I just had to endure it for a short time and then it puts it into a bigger
perspective and it is not such a big deal for me.
I was so glad to be a part of a team that was just so much fun! We were
laughing and joking on the car ride to JFK so I knew that we were going to
have a great team. Everyone had a great experience and I loved getting to
know the Ugandan staff. I also loved spending time with the kids from the
village and sharing things like music, bubbles and pop rocks - they were so
happy and fun to play with. Being a part of this trip has helped me find
some clarity on my college plans and I am now considering looking at schools
that will provide me with an opportunity to minor in Social Justice and
Peace studies.
I plan to spend the next year working with Engeye Scholars and Engeye Teen
Connection to find ways that we can help the local schools and children. I
would really like to help the two schools I visited, Sydney Paul and St.
Gertrude's Primary School. The schools literally have little or no books to
teach with. Many of these kids have never held a book in their hands and I
am hoping that by this time next year to have been able to get every child
in every grade at least one book, and to work with the members of ETC to
help provide the teachers with the text books that they need to give the
students an invaluable education.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday
Yesterday morning I helped in the clinic doing vitals, and got to use this
fun touch screen computer until it died. Then I was supposed to help Sarah
and Eliot with their classes at St. Gertrude's school again. But Sarah had
to make a trip to Masaka, and she didn't make it back in time to teach her
classes. So Eliot pretty much just pushed me in the classes and said okay
now teach, and he went to his classes. I taught P6 and P7 English and Math.
It was pretty simple but I am not sure if the kids actually learned
anything. But they did pretty well and they seem to understand it. When we
got back I hung out with some of the kids, we were doing cartwheels, and
they were doing flips and Peter was trying to teach me the worm. That
wasn't working out to well. Oh yeah and I'm starting to think I have some of
the worst luck, I'm sick again but not nearly as bad as I was before, but
still it's just not fun. Today I will be taking care of the baby a little
bit, then this afternoon I should be working at the afternoon program again.
I'm going to have them try poprocks today. It should be sooo funny.
fun touch screen computer until it died. Then I was supposed to help Sarah
and Eliot with their classes at St. Gertrude's school again. But Sarah had
to make a trip to Masaka, and she didn't make it back in time to teach her
classes. So Eliot pretty much just pushed me in the classes and said okay
now teach, and he went to his classes. I taught P6 and P7 English and Math.
It was pretty simple but I am not sure if the kids actually learned
anything. But they did pretty well and they seem to understand it. When we
got back I hung out with some of the kids, we were doing cartwheels, and
they were doing flips and Peter was trying to teach me the worm. That
wasn't working out to well. Oh yeah and I'm starting to think I have some of
the worst luck, I'm sick again but not nearly as bad as I was before, but
still it's just not fun. Today I will be taking care of the baby a little
bit, then this afternoon I should be working at the afternoon program again.
I'm going to have them try poprocks today. It should be sooo funny.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Visit with the Scholars
Yesterday I saw met all of the scholars, OMG they are soooooo amazing, and
adorable. First we went to Bishop Dgungu, and saw Jessica, Nassiwa
Immaculate, Nabumma Immaculate, Jude, Jeffery, and Flavia. They were so
cute. At first they were very shy but then they soon warmed up to us. At
one point little Jessica went behind me and just started playing with my
hair, so did Immaculate, because no one around here really has hair like
mine so they just want to touch it. Then we went to Sidney Paul and saw all
of the other scholars. I was so excited to see Susan and the I got to see
Wilbur!!! I was soooo happy, I loved it!!(Wilbur is the boy I sponsor to go
to school) I had never met him before, but I sent him a picture of me in his
Christmas card so he knew what I look like. At first he looked sad, and
then he saw me and ran up and sat next to me. After a little bit he reached
over and held my hand. Susan got to come back to the clinic with us and
spend the night. She and I got to spend some nice time together. Today we
went visiting the Tekera Resource center and we shopped in their craft shop.
It was fun and I got a couple things. The place is amazing. Tomorrow I am
going back to the local school to help Sarah and Eliot teach. I think my
favorite part about the village so far is how all of the kids get so excited
no matter where we go in Uganda and they run after us yelling Mzungu! (white
person) It seems that just by waving at them they get so happy. It is so
much fun and I really enjoy the kids.
adorable. First we went to Bishop Dgungu, and saw Jessica, Nassiwa
Immaculate, Nabumma Immaculate, Jude, Jeffery, and Flavia. They were so
cute. At first they were very shy but then they soon warmed up to us. At
one point little Jessica went behind me and just started playing with my
hair, so did Immaculate, because no one around here really has hair like
mine so they just want to touch it. Then we went to Sidney Paul and saw all
of the other scholars. I was so excited to see Susan and the I got to see
Wilbur!!! I was soooo happy, I loved it!!(Wilbur is the boy I sponsor to go
to school) I had never met him before, but I sent him a picture of me in his
Christmas card so he knew what I look like. At first he looked sad, and
then he saw me and ran up and sat next to me. After a little bit he reached
over and held my hand. Susan got to come back to the clinic with us and
spend the night. She and I got to spend some nice time together. Today we
went visiting the Tekera Resource center and we shopped in their craft shop.
It was fun and I got a couple things. The place is amazing. Tomorrow I am
going back to the local school to help Sarah and Eliot teach. I think my
favorite part about the village so far is how all of the kids get so excited
no matter where we go in Uganda and they run after us yelling Mzungu! (white
person) It seems that just by waving at them they get so happy. It is so
much fun and I really enjoy the kids.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Feeling Better!
So I am finally feeling 100% better! Yay! I came down with a really bad
bug and it caused me to become extremely dehydrated, and I had to be hooked
up an IV. I don't know what I would have done without everyone here. They
were so amazing. It was not fun getting sick in rural Uganda, but I was so
lucky because I was at a medical clinic, surrounded by doctors. A couple
other people on the team have gotten the bug too, but not quite as bad as I
had it. They were just sick for 24 hours, I was passing out, and felt sick
for a little more than 2 days. John was great, he put a bed by the mango
tree for me to rest in and everyone would come by to make sure I was okay.
And the Ugandan staff is amazing. Resty (the pharmacist) put the IV in and
the doctors from states said that they don't think they could have done it
better. I am all better now and I am glad that I didn't have to miss the
visit to the Scholars at school :)
bug and it caused me to become extremely dehydrated, and I had to be hooked
up an IV. I don't know what I would have done without everyone here. They
were so amazing. It was not fun getting sick in rural Uganda, but I was so
lucky because I was at a medical clinic, surrounded by doctors. A couple
other people on the team have gotten the bug too, but not quite as bad as I
had it. They were just sick for 24 hours, I was passing out, and felt sick
for a little more than 2 days. John was great, he put a bed by the mango
tree for me to rest in and everyone would come by to make sure I was okay.
And the Ugandan staff is amazing. Resty (the pharmacist) put the IV in and
the doctors from states said that they don't think they could have done it
better. I am all better now and I am glad that I didn't have to miss the
visit to the Scholars at school :)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Mzungu at School
Today I worked at St. Gertrudes, the local school. Well not exactly worked,
I really shadowed Sarah and graded homework. The kids were sooo amazing and
sooo funny. When we first got to the school, we were a little bit early, so
Elliot, Sarah and I sat on the ground in the shade. The kids were on break
so they circled around us because there was a new Mzungu(me). They were
asking me simple questions and were blown away by my responses. First they
played "who could get closer to the Mzungu". They would push each other
towards us until they got scared and ran away. Here are some of the
questions they asked me:
What's your name?- I said Sara and they didn't believe me because of
the other Sarah.
What's your brother and sister's name?- I said I only had 1 brother,
they were so confused .
How old are you? I said 16 but they didn't believe me.
Who is you friend? Which to them means "Who is your boyfriend" I
said I didn't have a boyfriend and that was unbelievable
to them because in Ddegeya, girls my age are dating and
they are dating men in their 20s.
What school are you in? I said I was in 1th grade which is secondary
5 here.
They were in shock because most students here aren't in that level
until they are 19 or 20.
Today was so amazing and tomorrow I will be working at the afternoon program
again.
I really shadowed Sarah and graded homework. The kids were sooo amazing and
sooo funny. When we first got to the school, we were a little bit early, so
Elliot, Sarah and I sat on the ground in the shade. The kids were on break
so they circled around us because there was a new Mzungu(me). They were
asking me simple questions and were blown away by my responses. First they
played "who could get closer to the Mzungu". They would push each other
towards us until they got scared and ran away. Here are some of the
questions they asked me:
What's your name?- I said Sara and they didn't believe me because of
the other Sarah.
What's your brother and sister's name?- I said I only had 1 brother,
they were so confused .
How old are you? I said 16 but they didn't believe me.
Who is you friend? Which to them means "Who is your boyfriend" I
said I didn't have a boyfriend and that was unbelievable
to them because in Ddegeya, girls my age are dating and
they are dating men in their 20s.
What school are you in? I said I was in 1th grade which is secondary
5 here.
They were in shock because most students here aren't in that level
until they are 19 or 20.
Today was so amazing and tomorrow I will be working at the afternoon program
again.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My trip so far..
How exciting, I went to London, well at least the airport. The trip from
the US to London was around 5 1/2 hours, then the trip from London to
Entebbe was about 7 hours. We flew in between the Nile and Red Sea for most
of the time but pretty much followed the Nile the whole time. I love
international planes! You get warm meals, except the flight from London to
Entebbe which had no vegetarian options. We stayed in a hotel in Entebbe the
first night because it is too dangerous to travel on the roads at night. We
got in around 10pm Uganda time which is 2pm back home. We are 8 hours ahead
here. The next day we drove for over 5 hours to get to Engeye. The ride was
very interesting. Everywhere we drove, people on the sides of the roads
would give us the weirdest looks an yell muzungu. We stopped a couple times
and when we did the little kids would come from all over and just say
muzungu and wave and high five us. They are sooooo cute! The food is really
good, good thing since we are having the same food for the next 15 days!! I
spent my time in the village yesterday going down to the water hole, and
setting up malaria netting on the bunk beds. Today (Tuesday) I worked with
the afternoon program which goes till 5, sooo much fun! The health clinic
didn't open till today but people were lined up here yesterday. Uganda is a
beautiful place
the US to London was around 5 1/2 hours, then the trip from London to
Entebbe was about 7 hours. We flew in between the Nile and Red Sea for most
of the time but pretty much followed the Nile the whole time. I love
international planes! You get warm meals, except the flight from London to
Entebbe which had no vegetarian options. We stayed in a hotel in Entebbe the
first night because it is too dangerous to travel on the roads at night. We
got in around 10pm Uganda time which is 2pm back home. We are 8 hours ahead
here. The next day we drove for over 5 hours to get to Engeye. The ride was
very interesting. Everywhere we drove, people on the sides of the roads
would give us the weirdest looks an yell muzungu. We stopped a couple times
and when we did the little kids would come from all over and just say
muzungu and wave and high five us. They are sooooo cute! The food is really
good, good thing since we are having the same food for the next 15 days!! I
spent my time in the village yesterday going down to the water hole, and
setting up malaria netting on the bunk beds. Today (Tuesday) I worked with
the afternoon program which goes till 5, sooo much fun! The health clinic
didn't open till today but people were lined up here yesterday. Uganda is a
beautiful place
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
getting ready to leave. blog #1
Leaving on Saturday!! I'm so excited, and soo nervous. Almost done packing just the last minute stuff left. I cant't even believe that I'm really going, and so soon. I mean Saturday is soo close! I don't know what to expect so I'm just going in with an open mind. Is it sad that one of the big things I'm worried about is returning home? People say I'm just going to be mad at everyone because they have so much when other people have so little, and I will just be in culture shock. I'm told that I'm also going to get a new appreciation for everything, and i feel like i could use that. But I'm still sooooooooooooo excited and nervous and scared and just all in all in a little bit of denial when it comes to how soon I'm actually leaving
- Sara
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
ETC's Sara Weinman Ready to go to Uganda
The Engeye Teen Connection (ETC) is a group of dedicated teens that work together on various projects to assist the people of Ddegeya Village in Uganda. Sara (16 years old) will be visiting Ddegeya village in Uganda for the first time. She will be in Uganda from February 13th through February 25th. Follow Sara and her journey to the village to further the work of ETC during her visit!
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