Week 2 commences...
It's been a strange day today (Monday).
The team knew they were to be working with an 'HIV/aids project', but weren't entirely sure what this would involve. So, following a substantial breakfast at Emmaus guesthouse and the usual hour commute across Kampala, we headed north towrds Lowero (the killing fields). We learned that a Ugandan couple and their daughter Ruth had constructed a number of houses on their land to provide shelter to victims of HIV. Typically, they will be rejected by their families and find it very difficult to survive, particularly as the disease progresses. Often, the children are left without parents andthe eldest child is left to fend for themselves and their siblings.
Our task was to paint the inside of two of these houses. We split into 2 teams:
Team 1 worked with a family of 6 children, headed by a mother with HIV. At least 3 of the children are also HIV +ve and it is considered likely that the eldest daughter Justine (15 ?) will shortly have to take charge of the family. However, in this tragic situation, there is hope. The mother shared with us her joy at having a home of a quality beyond anything she could have imagined, and it was now being painted by Muzungu (white men). 'Jesus is so good' was her final comment on the matter - truly humbling, considering her plight. On a lighter note, a mid-day thunder storm forced the team of 4 inside, along with the mother, the 6 children, the family dog and 2 goats! The following hour was, to say the least, congested! This was certainly the most challenging day from a physical perspective, largely due to the higher temperature and humidity.
Team 2 worked at a different location with a family of 5 children. Headed by a 15 year old girl, the team found it a real challenge to see the way they coped in their situation. Please remember this family in your prayers - the team found it a real emotional challenge as they spoke with them. Incidentally, this team was not without wlidlife in their decoration efforts - 10 rats had to be encouraged to vacate the living room before painting commenced!
Tuesday will be the last day for the team at these sites. The target is to complete 4 coats of emulsion to the walls and 2 gloss coats to the woodwork without expiring from heat exhaustion!
Looking back to Sunday evening, the team enjoyed a meal in Kampala centre with Louise and her husband Jason - Loiuse works for Fields of Life and we all learned a great deal more about the scale of the challenges and strategies being developed to cope with them. Please pray for both Louise and Jason (a sports coach with a Christian University in Kampala) as they work in what is a difficult environment.
Until next time,
"McBlogger"
The team knew they were to be working with an 'HIV/aids project', but weren't entirely sure what this would involve. So, following a substantial breakfast at Emmaus guesthouse and the usual hour commute across Kampala, we headed north towrds Lowero (the killing fields). We learned that a Ugandan couple and their daughter Ruth had constructed a number of houses on their land to provide shelter to victims of HIV. Typically, they will be rejected by their families and find it very difficult to survive, particularly as the disease progresses. Often, the children are left without parents andthe eldest child is left to fend for themselves and their siblings.
Our task was to paint the inside of two of these houses. We split into 2 teams:
Team 1 worked with a family of 6 children, headed by a mother with HIV. At least 3 of the children are also HIV +ve and it is considered likely that the eldest daughter Justine (15 ?) will shortly have to take charge of the family. However, in this tragic situation, there is hope. The mother shared with us her joy at having a home of a quality beyond anything she could have imagined, and it was now being painted by Muzungu (white men). 'Jesus is so good' was her final comment on the matter - truly humbling, considering her plight. On a lighter note, a mid-day thunder storm forced the team of 4 inside, along with the mother, the 6 children, the family dog and 2 goats! The following hour was, to say the least, congested! This was certainly the most challenging day from a physical perspective, largely due to the higher temperature and humidity.
Team 2 worked at a different location with a family of 5 children. Headed by a 15 year old girl, the team found it a real challenge to see the way they coped in their situation. Please remember this family in your prayers - the team found it a real emotional challenge as they spoke with them. Incidentally, this team was not without wlidlife in their decoration efforts - 10 rats had to be encouraged to vacate the living room before painting commenced!
Tuesday will be the last day for the team at these sites. The target is to complete 4 coats of emulsion to the walls and 2 gloss coats to the woodwork without expiring from heat exhaustion!
Looking back to Sunday evening, the team enjoyed a meal in Kampala centre with Louise and her husband Jason - Loiuse works for Fields of Life and we all learned a great deal more about the scale of the challenges and strategies being developed to cope with them. Please pray for both Louise and Jason (a sports coach with a Christian University in Kampala) as they work in what is a difficult environment.
Until next time,
"McBlogger"
posted by Team Muzungu at 7:37 pm
1 Comments:
Good to see you boys doing a bit of real work! Only joking. Delighted the whole experience is going well. Enjoy the rest of the week.
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