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.
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