As I reflect upon the amazing past two weeks of my life, it is hard to believe that in that short period of time, I have gained a whole new family. One that is larger than my family in America, newer than my family in America, and yet has been just as impactful in my life. Ever since I joined my schools chapter of U4U my sophomore year, the family that is our organization has been mentioned endlessly. It seemed almost as if the family was some metaphorical concept or idea used to try and strengthen the bond of the chapters. But i have realized that in reality we are a family. We lean upon each other in times of need, we build each other up, we catch on another as we fall, and without one another, we would not be the people we are today. After waking up and getting dressed for my last day in Gulu, myself and the other students gathered around the picnic tables in order to compose letters for some of our most impactful and key family members- the Ugandan staff members of Unified for Uganda. Without these people our family would not be connected and strong in the way that it is. They are the link between the beneficiaries that we all are working to support and the team of students in America working for those kids to be in the program. They are also role models and friends to all of us who have had the pleasure of spending time with them during the trip. Innocent is a mentor who we jokingly say is my twin due to our similar interests, personalities, and the blast that we have when we are together. But I honestly believe that I am undeserving of the title of Innocents other half “Guilty” because of his strength and leadership. The way he leads the children of Gulu Primary and represents the organization is truly amazing and a quality that I can only strive for. Sharon is the firecracker who puts her foot down to command a crowd and display a message that might be hard and is also necessary. She is so wise beyond her years and has inspired me to me a stronger, harder working individual just like she has pushed the children she mentors to be. Fiona has the ability to keep people feel so loved and supported no matter if she is keeping a frantic 17 year old girl calm as she tries to spend time in 6 different classrooms in 1 hour, help a struggling student to feel loved and empowered, or is balancing out the strong personalities that surround her in the office. Beatrice, or Madame PD (Program Director) as Innocent likes to call her, is like everyone’s mom. She takes care of those who need help and makes sure that everyone is being as successful as possible. Finally, Douglas lights up a room with his contagious smile and sweet heart. Not to mention as the U4U accountant he creates the most amazing spreadsheets anyone has ever seen. All of us getting the chance to gather around and write them letters of thanks was a task that could only brush the surface of what a pleasure it has been to be in their company and around them all these past two weeks.

After sitting down with the entire US team to have one final team breakfast provided by our fabulous host and cook, Emmanuel, we went to the office. There we presented our amazing family with their letters. It was so amazing to see them read the letters from us as well as the U4U members who wrote them letters at summit. If only those words could express how much we appreciate them.

Next we had the pleasure of heading back to Pope John Paul II School to see some of our friends. That happened to be our first school visit exactly one week prior and the place where a lot of us built some amazing bonds. As a bunch of us girls walked into the female dorms it was amazing to be reunited with our close friends. Their faces lit up as if it were Christmas morning and we all hugged and laughed. None of he students new that we were returning so the surprise became an amazing way to end our trip. I was lucky enough to spend that short hour and a half with my close friend Auma Sharon. She and I first met when I went on a hoe visit to her house and then continued as I shadowed her at Pope. She has a smile that will light up any room, a sweetness that is stronger than the raw sugarcane I had last week, and we have a bond that resembles sisters more than two people who have met three times. This reminds me of the U4U family and the fact that from thousands of miles away we are all supporting one another and more similar than anyone could ever imagine. While sitting under a mango tree Sharon wrote me a short letter in my journal that I will never forget. As we tearfully said goodbye I remembered her kind words that I will look to on the journey home as a source of comfort and as a reminder that she and many other students are only a letter and envelope away.

For our final Boda Boda ride the US team rode back to the office where Jake, Connie, and Abby remained for a meeting. The feeling of the wind and dirt hitting your face as the small villages between the school and Gulu pass by is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. The rest of us grabbed a quick lunch and then returned to the Iron Donkey to pack our  bags. Once that sad task was completed, we went to dinner with the entire U4U team that was in Gulu. We laughed and shared stories while consuming some absolutely wonderful Ugandan food. Sharon even took sometime to tell a group of us the story of how she met her adorable daughter, Sydney’s dad. It truly warmed my heart, especially as she reminded us that all love stories are great.

Next came our dreaded goodbyes. Leaving such wonderful people was enough to put a group of us into full blown sobs. Hugs were exchanged, and Sharon kindly reminded me to save my tears for the shower and to know that this is not “goodbye”, but rather “I will see you later”. I know that statement is true and I can’t wait to see them all again. To wrap up the night Innocent, Patrick, and Michael took us kids to play pool and hangout one last time. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the trip and have some fun.

Coming to Gulu is an event that really did change my life. I have learned that life is nothing if you don’t have people to share it with, that joy can be found in the most unexpected places, that I absolutely love beans and rice, and that family is more than just blood relatives. In the U4U family we are always there to love one another and support each other in times of need. I am so lucky to be a part of that and that I have had the chance to spend two weeks with the U4U Family.

Fort Patiko Mountain

The morning started with a bang. Abby and Jake were making breakfast and when Abby checked the oven and it exploded on her; thankfully she wasn’t seriously injured and the only battle scars she earned were a light burn on her right ankle and a little bit of shock. After everyone calmed down, we ate the breakfast untouched by the gases built up in the bottom of the oven, and a few of us climbed up onto the beloved roof. I have always taken a liking to roofs, whether it be the roof on my home, the roof of a shed at a farm near my house, my friends roofs…the list goes on. However, this roof has made it into my top five; despite the rusted, crinkly, and rather tedious structure that it proceeds to be, the views of Gulu and endless opportunity for good film is what keeps me going up there. The girls joined me this time and as they wrote in their journals I couldn’t help but think of how we’ve all become friends so quickly and how thankful I am for the way this trip has pushed me to understand and work well with all personality types.

After climbing down from the roof we headed out to Fort Patiko. The actual fort itself was created in the 1800’s as a trading post, but eventually was turned into a slave trading post where Ugandans were taken from their communities to South Sudan. There was something eerie and spiritual about the grounds within the fort, so much so that I put the video camera away after a while and decided not to include it in the video blog; there was absolutely no way that I could accurately capture the energy of the space within on camera. The tour guide took us to an area where captives were beheaded and the axe marks were still left in the stone; I felt sick when I realized I was standing on a mark, understanding that I could never comprehend the fear those captives must have felt as they were beheaded because they weren’t beautiful enough to be taken as slaves.

After we left Fort Patiko we drove to the mountain nearby and hiked to the base. We had to run up a portion of the hill to gain as much traction as we could and make it up, but a few in the group realized it really wasn’t that hard to just walk up thanks to shoes with great tread. The views included two friendly mountains with giant, incredible clouds that hovered above, surrounded and engulfed by the greenest greenery of them all; Connie said, “It’s as if Crayola came to this spot, and created all of their green shades based on this view.” Cooper, Douglass and I decided to proceed up to the higher elevations on the mountain and we quickly realized that with questionable knees it was quite the adventure. The first open slab that allowed us to look at another perspective of the view was enough to take my breath away. I couldn’t believe how absolutely beautiful the day was, it was a perfect environment for reflection on the love and gratitude the group has felt for the past two weeks. Towards the end of the day, I took a spot alone on a giant boulder and looked over towards the mountains for the last time. I am full of appreciation for the experiences I have had, the people I have met, and the unconditional love that I have been given.

Peace out.

-Brooke

Where do I even start to summarize what we did today? I think I can speak for all of us and say that today was one of our favorite days which included relaxation and adventure.

First we had a delicious breakfast at the Iron Donkey. We had these warm, fluffy chocolate chip scones, pineapple, oatmeal, and our everyday coffee. After breakfast we hopped in the van with our driver Stephen and bumped our way through the two hour drive to the waterfalls at the Aruu waterfalls and campground.

We got our receipt to go into the park and then it was about another 15 minute drive to actually get to the waterfalls from the entrance. Once we parked the cars we started on the hike down to the bottom of the waterfalls. Innocent, one of the U4U mentors, had been here four times before so he took the lead and led us all the way down the path. Half the group, including myself, were wearing sandals and slipped down the whole path; I had to hold the hand of one of our U4U mentors, Sharon, because both of us would have fallen if we didn’t. Halfway down the path we all took our shoes off and crossed three swift rivers. We had to all link up arms because one missed step and your camera and phone would have been toast. Finally the brush cleared and we came to the bottom of the falls. You want to talk about breathtaking; well this view was something I would have seen on the National Geographic Channel and I was here now experiencing it.

We changed into our swimming attire and decided to jump into the pool of water that was right below the waterfall; we had the whole space to ourselves. I was all hot and sweaty from the hike down and the cool relief I got from the water was amazing. We quickly realized, after seeing no one from U4U Uganda move away from the banks of the pool, that none of them could swim. This created a whole new fun activity, trying to teach grown adults how to swim. Abby and I first tried to get Patrick (one of the U4U students that just graduated our program) and Stephen (our van driver that past week) to float on their backs but they both just couldn’t do it on their own when we let go. Then everyone tried to do some form of swimming and Abby said “I have never seen grown adults more afraid in my life them I did today. But they trusted us.” After this activity something changed in the way our group and the U4U Ugandan group connect with each other. We all started to integrate ourselves and just have fun together. When I took a look around everyone was just hanging out with everyone and enjoying themselves. We all ate lunch together and had a little entertainment while we munched on our peanut butter, banana, and Nutella sandwiches. To make a long story short there was a man and a woman who decided to try and climb up the side of the waterfall. Turns out the woman went halfway up and got too afraid to climb the rest, so her boyfriend had to come back down the rocks to get her after already making it all the way to the top. It was a classic tale of the prince saving his princess and the whole time we were laughing and terrified at what they were doing. They made it down safely and we all were relieved after they did.

We went back out swimming after lunch and decided to go sit on the rocks under the waterfall. This was by far one of my favorite parts of the day, having a cool rush of water fall on you, the feeling is sensational. It was 4:30pm at this point and we needed to start heading back but I did not want to leave the rush of the water falling on me and this place as a whole. It is hard right now for me to put words down for how amazing and beautiful this place was. It felt like I was in a dreamlike state and I was just waiting for Jake or Abby to pound on my hotel door telling me to wake up. Some pictures don’t accurately show how beautiful a landscape really is and this place was a perfect example of that.

The hike up was easier than the hike down, which was weird to me because we had some difficulty coming down and I figured it would be even harder to come back up. We got to our vans and departed back to Gulu for dinner. We got to dinner and ordered our food but of course it wouldn’t be a Ugandan meal without at least four of the things on a menu not being there. For tonight there were no beans, chicken, cow peas, or greens. Which is basically what we have eaten every night, but that wasn’t a problem for us. We got something else and enjoyed the company of everyone at the table.

After dinner some of us decided that we wanted to go out to BJ’s to do some dancing, so we meet up with Innocent, Patrick, and Sharon at Innocent’s house and just hung out until it was time to go. At Innocent’s house we played Xbox, listened to music, and shared stories. We left Innocent’s house and took some bodas to BJ’s and met up with Stephen there. At BJ’s we danced the night away to every song that we knew and just watched when the traditional Ugandan songs came on. This was a lot of fun and overall I could not have asked for a better day. 10/10 would do it again for sure. It is getting late now, so I’m going to say goodnight.