Well, although I'm back home, I thought I'd continue this while its still fresh in my mind....
I met my first sponsored child Jafas 4 days after we arrived on Saturday. I was slighlty apprenhensive as I looked for him in the Church where the school choir performed a song and dance in true African style! When he arrived, he was shy and recitent and did not say much. We had a translator who did a great job trying to put him at ease. Later on his mum arrived and then after the choir had performed I went with my friend Jacquelyn to his house.
Jafas soon came out of his shell! We came out of the bus and he grabbed my hand as we walked towards his house. Outside they had arranged flowers for me - bright pink and purple! I was truly touched. Inside there were more flowers and Jafas presented me with a gift - a traditional hand woven basket! He opened my gifts and you could see the excitment on his face as he saw the toy fire engine I'd bought. He grabbed my hand again (did I say he was shy?!) and shook it really hard - his way of saying thank you. His mum also gave a speech which was translated into English by the Project worker
We took loads of pictures and his Dad showed me Jafas's garden patch at the back of the house where he raised goats from the money sent through Compassion.
We ended the day by praying together and especially for his mum who was recovering from an operation.
It was a truly remarkable day. Jafas came back with us, full of beans as he'd begun to relax and feel comfortable with me. I really do feel like I now know him a lot better. It was great to meet his elder brother and sister too and see that he comes from a stable family with both parents there as well as his grandmother.
The day before I'd been with Jacquelyn to see her sponsored child's home. We went up a beautiful mountain with an amazing view but it was so steep it took us an hour and a half to get there! I was surprised that the children actually WENT to school as I'm not sure I would if I had to walk that far every day. Cable cars - that's what's needed!! We got to the top soaking wet from sweat - I felt like I'd done a 3 session work out. Then we had to climb down again (pressure on the knees!) The next day my thighs ached and I really did and still do feel the need for something to be done. I remember hearing someone say to a Project worker "The mountains are beautiful" and she replied "Maybe to you but not to us". At the time I thought it was simply becoming complacent with the beauty around you but once I'd been up and down the mountains, I realised what she meant. Without transport (cars and bicycles won't cut it - too steep!), you forget the beauty and see it as a pain!
More to come on the Fun Day and meeting a famous Hollywood Actor in Mbarara!
Watch this space!
Tosin
I met my first sponsored child Jafas 4 days after we arrived on Saturday. I was slighlty apprenhensive as I looked for him in the Church where the school choir performed a song and dance in true African style! When he arrived, he was shy and recitent and did not say much. We had a translator who did a great job trying to put him at ease. Later on his mum arrived and then after the choir had performed I went with my friend Jacquelyn to his house.
Jafas soon came out of his shell! We came out of the bus and he grabbed my hand as we walked towards his house. Outside they had arranged flowers for me - bright pink and purple! I was truly touched. Inside there were more flowers and Jafas presented me with a gift - a traditional hand woven basket! He opened my gifts and you could see the excitment on his face as he saw the toy fire engine I'd bought. He grabbed my hand again (did I say he was shy?!) and shook it really hard - his way of saying thank you. His mum also gave a speech which was translated into English by the Project worker
We took loads of pictures and his Dad showed me Jafas's garden patch at the back of the house where he raised goats from the money sent through Compassion.
We ended the day by praying together and especially for his mum who was recovering from an operation.
It was a truly remarkable day. Jafas came back with us, full of beans as he'd begun to relax and feel comfortable with me. I really do feel like I now know him a lot better. It was great to meet his elder brother and sister too and see that he comes from a stable family with both parents there as well as his grandmother.
The day before I'd been with Jacquelyn to see her sponsored child's home. We went up a beautiful mountain with an amazing view but it was so steep it took us an hour and a half to get there! I was surprised that the children actually WENT to school as I'm not sure I would if I had to walk that far every day. Cable cars - that's what's needed!! We got to the top soaking wet from sweat - I felt like I'd done a 3 session work out. Then we had to climb down again (pressure on the knees!) The next day my thighs ached and I really did and still do feel the need for something to be done. I remember hearing someone say to a Project worker "The mountains are beautiful" and she replied "Maybe to you but not to us". At the time I thought it was simply becoming complacent with the beauty around you but once I'd been up and down the mountains, I realised what she meant. Without transport (cars and bicycles won't cut it - too steep!), you forget the beauty and see it as a pain!
More to come on the Fun Day and meeting a famous Hollywood Actor in Mbarara!
Watch this space!
Tosin
