Perspective

Boys eagerly awaiting a meal

I know you have other things going on in your lives and other causes, but this evolving story is one worth telling, not only as a thank you for those of you who have so generously contributed to the GoFundMe campaign to feed the homeless children in Gulu, and to inform others who may consider donating, but also because it offers some perspective on our own lives.

Travis, my oldest son, and I were talking a few days ago, and he made a statement that defines so much about our culture, "few people are aware of prosperity they/we enjoy."

The kitchen

For those of you following this project, here are the latest updates regarding how the funds are helping. I love this shot of some of the smaller kids lining up for a good meal, cooked in the kitchen you see to the left.

Just as a point of interest... if you look at the kitchen picture to the left, you'll see what looks like a wooden paddle leaning up against the wall on the right.  It's called a mingling stick, and it's used for stirring.

  

The round white ball in the middle is the dough for making chapatis, similar to Mexican tortillas in size, taste and texture.  It's tasty, accompanies most meals, and doubles as a utensil.

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The pandemic has forced greater awareness than ever before, but as we grouse about face masks, scarcity of some food items (not to mention toilet paper), and lock-down, it can be helpful to remember that it's temporary, even if it's maddening and frightening. For many people around the world, scarcity is a fact of life, not merely  an inconvenience, and... it's not temporary.

Cooks and serving women

One of the things I appreciate about M-Power (the organization receiving the funds) is its commitment to go beyond a band-aid fix of just providing an immediate food source.  While that is the critical need at the moment, the larger goal is to a) reconnect these kids with their families and b) determine long term solutions to help the kids become self-sufficient and productive through education, vocational skills, and farming.

I'm sharing a few of the photographs Peter has taken to document activities made possible by the GFMe funds, as well as a few success stories. 

To the right, the ladies are serving the food from huge pots, large enough to hold food for seventy kids!  And of course, below is a picture of one very happy little boy!

Happy little boy!

Some of the children wrote thank you letters for for the food and the care, and almost without exception they added that they really want to return to school. Other letters explained how they came to be on the streets. The vast majority are there because one on more parents died, and they had no way of contacting surviving extended family, so ended up on the streets.

During the pandemic, Peter has received a few donations to shelter thirty of the most vulnerable children in a home.  The long term dream is a mud-brick structure on land that can be farmed, and where the kids can earn money for their daily needs and ultimately, to send them back to school.  If anyone knows of a Rotary Club, church or other organization that might be interested in funding such a project, let me know.  Around $6,500 would do it.  But for now, the focus is on food and getting as many  kids as possible back home.

The letter to the right is from Ojok Morgan, orphaned for eight years and living on the street.

 

Last week, another two boys, Okot-age 16, and  Opiyo-age 17, joined their families after living on the street for 4-5 years!   

It's a rough life for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable, as they sleep totally unprotected on the street, as shown below.  In rainy season, they must find an awning to sleep under or slip into huge rice sacs to give them some protection from rain and chilly nights.

Asleep on the street

As funds hopefully continue to come in, more children will be returned to their villages, where there is community to help care for them, and a place they, themselves can contribute and learn to be part of a family again.  Uganda is a tribal culture, and living on the streets separates them from all of the benefits of communal life.  It will be a tough transition for some of them, because the other homeless kids have been their family.

One of the things that is so important about Peter's organization, is that he knows and cares about each child and tries to create some sense of belonging in the absence of family,  instilling the values important to help them not only stay safe, but rise above their stories.

A typical Ugandan village, accessible only by footpath.

There is such deep gratitude expressed by these children and their families. Over time, we hope more children will be returned home, back into the small villages, such as the one pictured, where they are safer.

Thank you all for you donations, your care, and your generous spirits.

Sending my blessing to you and your families to stay safe and well, and live in gratitude for the abundance that surrounds us.

Nancy