Uganda: Some happy kids!

Wow! What a week! Hundreds of students absolutely delighted, laughing at stories, totally overwhelmed, as they looked at the thousands of books for their use. It has been hard as I watch their faces, not to be in tears. What you, as our supporters, have supplied is a miracle in their lives. In their imagination, they could never have dreamed of a time when they would have books. Even better, they get to take their books home to share with their families! To them that is unbelievable – a dream, for sure!

I thought I would share with you some comments on papers from students, when we were at our previous libraries last week.

-The most important reason why I like reading is because I want to become an authoress in the future.

- When I am bored at home, now I can read books. When I am lonely, I read books – and that is why reading is now important in my life.

- The Libraries of Love has made a wonderful library in our school. It has done a good job for me. I read books from this library to make summaries and tell others good stories.

- I read books and learn how to pronounce words, and the books give me wisdom.

- Reading from the library has helped me improve on my marks (grades).

- When I read, I become happy.

- When I read, I realize on my own hidden talent.

- I am now able to tell my siblings interesting stories.

- I have loved sharing our maps and globes donated by Herff-Jones. I have shown the students how Texas is so big, two Ugandas would fit inside easily. I, also, shared on the wall map, the route their books took to arrive in Uganda. They can hardly leave the library for staring at the books on display, the maps, and globes.

Tomorrow I will working in our third new library. Friday, I will be traveling between our ten libraries here in Mbale - just to drop in, check things, and say hello. I will return later for more extended visits.

I hear our team has arrived at home. They were a great group. Our friends here will miss them, as I do.

Thank you for your prayers and interest. Every day reinforces what I realize each year: The libraries/reading are worth every bit of time and effort, as they are making a huge impact.

My love and best wishes sent to you once again.

Trudy

School Visits, Reading Competition, and 'Mama' Melissa's Orphanage

School Visits:

Over a three day period, our LOL team visited many of our Ugandan libraries. They were impressed with the number of books borrowed from the libraries, as well as the large amount of students that had books with them in the classrooms and school yards. Questions from students were interesting, as their concept of America can be compared to those of American kids asking if lions and elephants wander through yards here. My library coordinator in Mbale grew up believing everyone in America carried guns. If someone bothered you - you popped them! She said she never wanted to go to America.

One of our memorable visits was at our first school - Namirembe Primary. It was track and field day. Two of our favorite events:

- ‘Are you ready for school?’ – 5-year-old students stripped down to their underwear, putting their clothes on a mat in the middle of the dirt courtyard/drive. They then went back to the start line. At the whistle, they raced for the mats, stopped to quickly put on clothes, shoes, and backpacks - and then raced like the wind to the finish line! Really cute.

- Older students had a small rubber tub full of water. They had to set a glass pop-bottle in the middle of the tub and fill it up by scooping with their hands. Each then balanced the bottle on his/her head and headed for the finish line! No bottles fell off heads! Wow!

At Kasubi Primary, chairs were arranged in small groups, and we were able to spend time visiting and eating with the teachers - which we love to do. Many of the schools had welcome ceremonies planned. New members of the teams are always shocked when they look out at the sea of 3,200 students at North Roads Primary. Walking in classrooms of 150 - 200 students is also surprising. It is hard to imagine without seeing.

The team left on Friday for a safari at Murchison Falls, with Scott Porter leading. I will travel on safari with the 2nd group.

Reading Competition:
Our Kampala schools held their second annual reading competition on the 24th. Each school had already held its own competition. Eleven (out of 12) of our schools sent competitors to the all-school competition.

The students were able to choose their area of competition. A few examples included:
- write a newspaper article in proper format, summarizing the book;
- read a nonfiction book about a country and write a letter to your parents describing what he/she saw on his/her travels;
- make a brochure advertising their book for readers.

The students were in first - seventh grade. I can’t say enough about their presentations. One seventh-grade student had read a book about angels on earth. She was dressed as an angel and had pictures, and her presentation was done on a large piece of colored paper. Books described ranged from Little Red Hen and Cinderella to War of the Worlds and Harry Potter. It was an amazing day.

Orphanage with Melissa and Mercy:
Yesterday evening, two of our team members who remained behind, Debbie White and her son, Caleb, and I accompanied Melissa (my nephew, Cody’s, wife) to the orphanage she has been helping, while waiting for Mercy‘s adoption to finalize. It was so sad to see the small bedroom with three triple-stack bunk beds - which is sleeping quarters for 16 girls. Five of the girls have to sleep on the concrete floor.

Melissa has arranged so many things for the kids thanks to supporters. The 69 orphans have new school uniforms and shoes, food, school fees paid, etc. I am so proud of Melissa! We laugh because we are so much alike - both totally at home in Uganda and busy doing good work, despite the difficulties. Sometimes we just look at each other, and say, “I know - you understand.” It has been a huge sacrifice for her to be away from Cody, Emma, and Avery, and we both wish she could leave for Kansas tomorrow - but the good she has accomplished for so many children here is simply beyond words!

A friend from Austin, Lynne Dobson, is in the process of doing her 2nd wheelchair mission to Uganda. She has once raised funding to provide approximately 500 wheelchairs for people here. I asked Lynne for four wheelchairs. Yesterday we took one to the orphanage for a 17-year-old girl, Rachel, who is crippled - with many other things wrong, including having HIV. She had been lying in bed, but after receiving the wheelchair, she was up and all smiles. She was able to move the wheelchair by herself and lock it in place when she stopped! What a blessing that chair will be! Many thanks to Lynne. Three more to be delivered!

I’m sorry this has been long - but every day has been packed and there is so much to share. Thank you for your continued prayers and support! I wish I could package the gratitude expressed by those here for the libraries and zip them to you through email. Together, we are making a difference on a daily basis.

My love and best wishes to you.

Madame Trudy :)

Life is great in Uganda!

Saturday - June 18

The team went on home visits with students that are fed by Bethany Methodist Church. Four of us went with those who lived the longest distance. We rode in the van 15 minutes, and then walked endlessly over tiny dirt paths to reach the homes. The conditions are so sad; barely room for two cane mats used by a young girl and her grandmother, in a tiny, round hut; children who had no shoes; many who walk that long distance to school every morning, without food; and, children who have to get water at a public well or work in the fields - before making the long walk. The walk in the morning must be at least 1 – 1 1/2 hours. If the kids arrive at school late - they are caned!

In the afternoon, we traveled to the Hawaii of Uganda, Sisiyi Falls! It is magical! Most of the team traveled to the top of the falls - straight up climbing! The huge food spread was perfect - beef kabob, chicken, Irish potatoes, slaw, potato salad, watermelon and pineapple! So good - on a wonderful relaxing day!

Sunday - June 19

I don’t know where to start! There just isn’t music and dancing found anywhere that compares to Pearl Haven Church. It was especially wonderful because the team had already become good friends with many who lead the worship. The music is so inspiring. It simply humbles you to be in a service that truly comes alive worshiping God! It is a happening on the best of scales. The music followed by Pastor Wilberforce’s preaching changes lives … as it has mine! He is dynamic. Really, I don’t know how to describe his anointed ministry. One of those things - you have to see/hear to believe.

After lunch, we went for baptism. Though I had been baptized when I was young, I wanted to be baptized again in the ‘country of my calling.’ The baptism was perfect. Several others and I were baptized at the foot of a beautiful , rushing waterfalls. People from Wilber’s church were singing worship songs. After Wilber and Patrick baptized me, I came out of the water to the sound of Sarah’s whistle and women giving African whoops! How awesome is that!

Scott Porter and I picked up four wheelchairs at a hospital in a village. The wheelchairs are part of a distribution being organized by Lynne Dobson of Austin. She raised funding for the chairs and is having them assembled. Two of the chairs will go to young people my nephew’s wife met at orphanages in Kampala. The remaining will go to Western Uganda to people identified by Father Isadore - a Ugandan Catholic priest in Austin. Now we just have to get them to Kampala …

Life is great in Uganda!

-Trudy

(read more on Scott Porter’s blog: http://scottinuganda.blogspot.com

and the Libraries of Love Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Libraries-of-Love/146689942039316)

By the Grace of God

Photos from Scott's blog show volunteers traveling like locals and at one of three libraries completed this week - Nabuyonga Elementary.

June 11

My bag was 17 pounds over. The British Airways lady asked about our t-shirts, and we explained what we do in Uganda. She smiled and said because God is so good to her, she wouldn’t charge me for the overage. A few minutes later she calls me over and wants to talk to me quietly. She said that God just blesses her everyday. If I had anyone else with an overage to just send them to her.

I was the only one that was checked when we went through customs. I think it was because I forgot to take my computer out of my bag. The ‘checker’ sent me to a seat in a cubicle. The man next to me was standing and being patted down. She walked off with my bag. I grabbed my accordion and started playing. She laughed, brought my bag back, and started dancing. She then sent me on through without being patted down! Yahoo!

We were all eating in a food court in Chicago. We had plenty of time so I decided to teach the team the Uganda kid’s song …‘Hallelujah - Oh, Oh, Oh, Jesu Akwagala’ (Oh, oh, oh, Jesus loves you). I then decided they needed to hear it on the accordion! I played, and the food court broke out into clapping from all the tables! Funny!

Oops! I told everyone that they would pay in dollars at the food courts in Chicago - but would probably get change in schillings! So, I don’t really know what country I’m in!!

June 17

What a week! Our team put together organized, decorated, simply beautiful libraries - one per day, for three days! I think even the team was amazed at the end results. I could look at the libraries forever, as I know what miracles they truly are! A huge bonus was having some of our Ugandan friends working with us. One morning we arrived early. Patrick and Irene were already there and had put together two bookcases. I have known these people from Wilber’s church now for 10 years. They are the best! Our volunteers have fallen in love with them, and they are already fast friends!

The ribbon cuttings, touching speeches, food, singing, and dancing were the ‘icing on the cake’ of a wonderful week. One choir sang , with different children singing solos. Example: “When I grow-up I want to be a doctor - so I must be a reader. ... When I grow-up, I want to be a teacher - so I must be a reader.” The song was written especially for the opening of the libraries.

Headmasters spoke about having no books when they grew up. Their textbook library might have one copy of a text they were supposed to read. They would check it out - and run and hide, so nobody would take it from them. Can you imagine?

I have been staying at Wilber and Sarah’s overnight, but joining the team during the day and evenings. Last night, I evidently took the wrong boda motorcycle taxi around 8:00 (maybe later). Ahh, but what’s a little adventure! He said he knew where I needed to go. Off we went. When we were almost at the corner, I told him to slow down, that we were at the Mbale High School corner. He said, “I know.” He then gunned the cycle and we were flying down the road out of town. I screamed at him and then started beating on his back. When I did that, he slowed down a bit - and I jumped! I thought it was the driver still across the street so I stopped a man to tell him what was happening, hoping he would stay with me a minute. Unfortunately, he was a homeless, retarded young man. All he could do was to ask for money - but I was glad to have his company. I then walked home in the dark, calling Wilber and Sarah when I was almost there. It is totally black outside at night, as Mbale doesn’t have street lights.

I give God the praise for protection for this crazy muzungu - who will probably be on another boda going home tonight! I will try to get the number of a couple drivers the Okumus use, at least for night travel.

More later. Please keep us in your prayers.

- Trudy

Update from Uganda

This team has been fun! Even while working, there is constant laughter. At our school yesterday, after finishing the library, I looked across the school grounds and almost every volunteer was interacting with a group of students. They were leading everything from “Duck, Duck, Goose,” to “Simon Says,” but many were sitting reading books to a group of children. We were fortunate to watch a group of young students having PE time at Nabuyonga Primary. They were lined up in the dirt in two long rows, with boys on one side and girls on the other. The teacher handed a stick to the boy and girl on the ends, and while everyone cheered, those students took off like lightning, circling around both groups and passing the stick to the next kid in line. Debbie joined in - but, hey, nothing compares to the speed of these little kids; they run like the wind! In Uganda, the poorest people ride in open bed trucks, standing up, and holding on to bars across the top. You can't believe how many they can pack into the bed. Yesterday, I told my team, I thought it would be an adventure - so I had ordered a truck for transport. They thought I was joking! The truck arrived and in we climbed. The Ugandans along the streets were in shock. They started cheering and waving! The team absolutely loved the ride. So, we did it again today. This time I played the accordion as we went through the crowded markets and busiest streets. It was like being in a parade! Everyone went wild laughing at the mzungus (white people) in the truck! Total fun! Scott decided this year, we should try 'modular' bookcases, so the timber was already cut into the sizes needed for the sides, shelves, and top of the bookcases, and the planks just needed to be screwed together. In previous years, they have measured the room and cut 14-ft. planks to fit. The new method has been amazing. We have put two total libraries together - each in about a 7-hour time period! It has been fun to have our Ugandan friends from Wilber's church help once again. Today, Derrick is here helping, also. He is a young man I met on a bus two years ago. He thinks I am his muzungu mum. :) The team was in tears looking at the finished libraries. The libraries would compare with any library in an American school - absolutely beautiful and organized. Taking it from an empty room to finished is simply an awesome process. I have been filming; asking people, “What is a Library?” So far, nobody has known - including the teachers. To them, a library is a textbook facility where students go to read textbooks, as there are not enough books for everyone to have their own book in the classrooms. So - all is well! The team is wonderful. I am happy to be 'home' once again, in my other home. You have to love riding those boda motorcycle taxis! Makes my day ... Better go. Thank you for reading our adventures! Tomorrow will be an exciting day, as we will have the grand opening of the libraries! Thank you for your prayers - and for following this amazing journey, once again!

- Trudy

Inspirational Welcome in Uganda

Friends and Family,

Everything has gone smoothly. It was drizzling in London, so volunteers took the red bus tour - but stayed on the bus and just looked at the sights through the windows.

We arrived and had a wonderful time at the African Children's Choir school. Their singing was totally inspirational. The kids harmonized and added notes to the song "I Surrender All.' The team was in tears, and it will always be a song we will listen to differently. The team was quite impressed with their school. It is first class, well organized, good materials used in building, nice kitchen, etc.

Lisa said the thing that impressed her most was a man carrying a refrigerator on the back of his bicycle, holding on to it with one hand. :)

Everyone's luggage arrived, though Ellen's zipper on her suitcase had been torn, and the contents were in a plastic bag.

We did see Melissa and Mercy today. Melissa is my nephew's wife. They are pastors in Kansas and have been in the adoption process for many more months than any adoption should take. Mercy is adorable, and Melissa looks fantastic!! It was so good to see them.

Sunday should be an exciting day. I told Wilber a few year's ago that I wanted to be baptized in Uganda, since it was here that my life was truly changed and I answered God's call. He informed me he has a baptism planned for Sunday. However, he might put rocks on me to hold me under water. That is Wilber - and why I love the guy! He is so blasted funny! So who knows - maybe I will really be baptized here on Sunday with about 30 other people!

I took our other Mercy , Wilber and Sara's daughter, shopping tonight after the team had dinner. We shoved our way through the local markets in the dark to find a hair dryer for the team. Ellen tried her dryer and even with the 'thing' to step down the electricity - it fried. I love going through the market at night, so it was a pleasure to go shopping with Mercy!

OK, I must go! We have to get up early and put our first library together tomorrow! Yahoo!

For our volunteers' contacts - your family member(s) are having a great time, quite safe, and had a fantastic meal tonight of rice, spaghetti, a curry stew with lots of vegetables, chicken, chapatti (like a tortilla) and watermelon ... so all is well! Thank you for sharing them with us.

Love to my family!

- Trudy