HUGS News
September 2008 - Kirkland WA Team Built a Perimeter Fence Providing an Even Safer Environment for HUGS Children
In September of 2009 a team from the Kirkland, Washington area visited
the property in Bulanga. The project they chose was to build a fence
in which to contain the project goats. The entire team worked hard every
day, digging the holes for the poles and stringing the wire from pole
to pole. The children on the property were very interested in what the
team was doing. Every spare moment away from school or chores was spent
watching the team. The work was hard and the sun was hot, but the team
got most of the fence completed before they left.
During breaks or at the end of a long day, the team played with the children
teaching them to dance, making funny faces for the cameras and holding
soccer practice. All of this attention was great for the children and
fun for the team. In response the children put on a show featuring their
dancing and singing abilities. The children enjoyed putting on the show
as much as the team loved the performance.
All that were interested were taken to visit the homes and shown how
the children live when not on the property. This was an eye opening experience
for the members of the team. Holding brand new baby goats, tromping through
the brush, talking with the parents, sitting in the homes with the children,
seeing where they sleep, and the stark reality of homes was humbling.
All that went to the homes left with a greater understanding of life
in a Ugandan village.
Female team members were given an opportunity to dress in the customary
outfit of Ugandan women - a gomace (pronounced "ga-miss").
Along with this they had thier hair tied up in a scarf like the area's
women. Then it was time to pose for pictures. Along with the dress up,
a cooking class was offered to show how the local dishes are prepared.
After cooking, it was time taste testing. Not bad.
Gifts were given out by the team to the children, the school, and the
clinic. The team was lucky enough to visit with the two local women's
groups and witness first hand the dancing and see the crafts made by
the women. We even went to the local ostrich farm for a bit of added
local color. The only down side of the team's visit was when two of the
members contracted malaria. They were taken to Kampala for treatiment
while the remainder of the team stayed at the property for another day.
The two team members recovered enough to join them on a two day safari.
All in all the trip was a great success for the villagers and the team.
A foot note - After the team left the goats were placed in the fenced
in area. The crafty goats of Uganda continually found a way out of the
fence and distrubed the local farmers causing quite a problem for the
HCCP staff. The goats were sent home with the children and the fence
expanded to encompass the entire property. Becuse of the team's efforts
the fence now serves to keep people out, the children in, and provide
security for the entire program.