HUGS News
September 2008 - Kirkland WA Team complete a building project
in southern Uganda
In September of 2008, a team from the Kirkland, Washington area visited a property in southern Uganda. The chosen project was building a fence to contain goats used to make money, which supports local children. The entire team worked hard every day, digging the holes for the poles and stringing wire from pole to pole. The local children were very interested in what the team was doing so every spare moment away from school or chores, was spent watching the team.
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When the team took a break or at the end of a long day, they played with the children dancing with them, 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 entertained the team with their dancing and singing abilities. The children enjoyed performing almost as much as the team loved watching them.
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All interested team members were taken to visit local homes and were shown how the children live when not in school. The team was able to hold brand new baby goats, tromp through the brush, talk with the parents, sit in the homes with the children, and see where the children sleep. All that visited the homes left with a greater understanding of life in a Ugandan village.
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Female team members were given an opportunity to dress in the customary outfit of Ugandan women - a gomace (pronounced "ga-miss"). Along with this, some had their hair braided or tied up in a scarf just like the area's women. Later that same day a cooking class was offered showing how the local dishes are prepared. After cooking, it was time for taste testing. Not bad.
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Gifts were given out by the team to the children, the school, and the clinic. In return, two local women's groups came to entertain the team with their singing and dancing. The ladies brought along their handmade crafts which were offered for sale. One evening the team 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 treatment while the remainder of the team stayed at the property another day. The two members recovered sufficiently to enjoy a two-day safari with their team members. Overall, the trip was a great success for the villagers and the team.
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A footnote - After the team left, the goats were placed in the fenced area. The crafty goats of Uganda continually found a way out of the fence and disturbed the local farmers causing quite a problem. The goats were sent home with the children and the fence expanded to encompass the entire property. Because of the team's efforts, the fence now serves to keep people out, the children in, and provide security for the entire program.