Day 4 – Matt S.

You know, I’ve heard a lot about how this trip has influenced the lives of not just the sponsors but also those who have attended. Today has been the day I’ve been waiting for. The people I’ve come across and the stories I’ve heard within this day, have and will continue to shape my life.

 

The day started off, waking up early to go to mass. We walked the streets that are always so busy with people already out and about starting their day-to-day jobs. When we arrived at Holy Rosary Church, we were surrounded with people dressed in attire I never expected to see. Clothes equivalent to what I’d wear for Christmas mass in America, shirt and ties, suits, women in dresses, etc. It struck me to know that although these people live in one of the poorest nations in the world, they find a way to go to go to church dressed in respectful apparel. The amount of people that showed up to church was another thing. If we hadn’t pushed our way into mass we wouldn’t have had a seat in the church, people were outside the church praying in the grass because they didn’t have any space in the church. The money donations that families gave were something I’ll never forget. Right after a day of home visits and walking the streets and seeing people on their knees begging us for money.  It hit me hard because their conditions didn’t matter; they found a way to donate what they could to the church. I’ve also never been in a church that has been so motivated and excited to participate in the church’s music. There was a chorus and a band playing with handmade instruments, that I didn’t think could make such great music. We either clapped or waved our hands in the air for every song, throughout the entire mass. There was one elderly woman that walked up in front of the alter with a stick as a cane and danced, while everyone clapped and cheered her on. It’s the sense of community and happiness that makes this place so special. After mass, we grabbed something quick to eat and headed to our last set of home visits.

 

Some of the home visits today were what had a huge impact on me today.  We first visited Layet Janet where her great grandmother, grandmother and great aunt greeted us. The grandmother has taken Layet into her house and cares for her, although Layet seems to be very rude and stubborn to her. The Mentors and family all continued to tell us how stubborn and selfish Layet was. Chelsea went off and had a great talk with her to change this and motivate her to respect the people that care for her. While they were talking, the rest of our group and I spoke with the grandma inside the hut. The grandma went on to tell us that she’s had a lot of problems caring for Layet, because Layet seems to take advantage of her. She told us that she has caught Layet many times stealing money from her, and taking some of her personal property. She continued to say that she has tried many times to lead Layet down the right path, but unfortunately all she can really do is pray. The grandma was on the verge of crying, she had to pause and take breaths many times to hold back the tears. She really showed great concern for Layet and only wanted the best for her. She thanked us numerous times throughout the visit, showing her appreciation for us and the sponsor of Layet. Chelsea returned and told us that she had a great heart to heart talk with Layet and her situation and said she is confident that Layet will make a great change.

 

The next stop that we made was to the house of Oola Felix. Although all the kids we visited today had incredible stories and had a huge impact on me, none of them were as great as Oola’s. Oola’s family is one of the most destitute families U4U sponsors, and to be able to experience and really connect with Oola first hand was the high point of my day today. Oola lost his father to death and his mother left his family. Oola lives with a couple siblings along with his very old grandmother who suffers to get by each day due to leprosy. Oola is now the oldest that lives with his family, because his older brother Okello Deo is off to Boarding School where he now lives. Oola told me that he’s had to take over with a lot of the cooking because Okello is gone and his grandmother can’t do much because she is missing parts of her hands. Oola lives in a grass hut that leaks when it rains, causing the house to flood. He stressed to me that there are days where his grandmother can’t afford to feed him and his siblings. He told me that his grandmother sells charcoal for a vender and earns commission, although sometimes this money isn’t enough for his entire family to get food. Felix’s only academic struggle is mathematics, which can be improved with a simple request for help. He wants to be a musician when he grows up and looks up to artists such as Eminem, 50 cent and Game. As we were ending our one-on-one talk, Felix told me something that hit home; he said ‘Matt, the life I live is very challenging at times, I ask for prayers.’ Please PRAY for our friend Felix and his family!!!

 

The last home visit I’ll share tonight was not a kid I interviewed, but one I got to get to know very well. His name, Auma Michael. Auma lost both parents to unknown causes, but taken up by a woman named Irene (Abitimo’s daughter in law). Someone asked Irene her relation with Michael.  After a long silent pause, Irene said that although they aren’t blood related they are one. She cares for Michael and Michael cares for her. She said Michael does a lot of hard work around the house, cooking, slashing, sweeping the compound and more. The way people like Irene take kids like Michael into their lives and care for them here in Uganda is unreal. Everyone cares for each other here, and everyone has been affected by the war in some way so they know many people need care, and they do just that. For instance, at Abitimo’s house we were supposed to have a little snack for our group that visited Michael, although everyone showed up and it turned into a huge, great, amazing dinner. Abitimo took everybody in and fed them. Who made the food for us? Michael and family. Who didn’t eat? Michael and family. It just shows how friendly and caring these people are. I invited Michael inside to join us for dinner numerous times but every time he ended by saying, “No thank you, it’s for you to enjoy.” Speechless…

 

The feeling of being stress free and not having to worry about time is another thing that has made this trip so enjoyable. Our first night it was hard for me to get to sleep. I’ve worked so hard to have this experience and to know that I’d arrived; I couldn’t wrap my mind around. I asked Will (Tardio) what time it was, knowing it was late at night hoping morning was close near. His response has stuck with me till this moment he said, “Don’t worry about it. Time just causes stress where it’s unneeded.” This is when I was introduced to “Ugandan Time.” I love it, its simple and stress free. When someone says they’ll be somewhere in twenty minutes give it about an hour and they might just show up. I’ve thought about Will’s response to my pointless question and I’ve realized that here in Uganda there are more things to be worrying about. Time doesn’t matter, when you literally have to work for food and drink day in and day out. Neighbors care for each other and love each other although when it comes to selling goods on the street they find the time and compete to make money. People wake at sunrise and sleep whenever their job is done. Gulu is alive 24/7, whether its people trying to make change here and there by selling on the side of each street corner or the club down the street that blasts its music every night, this place never sleeps!! People do their thing to get by each day; time is the least thing to worry about.

Well this club blasting its music down the street is getting the best of me, it’s time to throw the headphones in and take the daily nightly dose of zzzquil…We’ve got a big day tomorrow, filled with more great opportunities to meet some extraordinary people and to continue to realize just how blessed we truly are! I’ve been and will continue to enjoy living life to its simplest for the days we have left here. Happiness, hope and a longing for peace surround us! Peace, love and prayers for all!!