50 Facts About Uganda

1. There are no Lions
2. There are no Elephants
3. There are camels - used for meat and walked around for charged pictures.
4. There are monkey's. Like crows and deer back home - Don't have a picnic in a monkey infested zone. They will steal your food, plates, utensils etc!
5. English is the national language but only a few can say more than, "How are you?" "I'm fine." Lugandan is what they really speak.
6. They have two season. Dry and Wet. And yes in Winter - August, it does actually get cold! (That's only if you've gone from 30+ to 18 degrees.)
7. Everyone will stare at you!
8. It's rude to look people directly in the eye when talking.
9. Everyone speaks quietly.
10. You kneel on the floor when greeting your superior - yes kids, kneel to your parents when serving them juice!
11. Get used to eating with your hands...
12. It takes about 5 hours for an African to walk a mile.
13. Don't take offense if while talking to someone they just begin walking away. 
14. They don't say goodbye when hanging up the phone. 
15. There's 100 new boda (motorcycle) drivers each day.
16. Privacy doesn't exist. 
17. They ALWAYS touch you when talking - holding your arm, hand etc. Doesn't matter how long I live here I will never become accustomed to walking and suddenly someone grabbing my hand. 
18. EVERYONE is terrified of dogs. 
19. 1 in 100 Africans know how to swim - but some have invented a water dance to stay afloat...very interesting.
20. On arrival you'll think you've gone 100 years back in time with cracking eggs with a spoon, peeling potato's with a knife, cooking on a fire, side-saddling on a motorbike, wearing dresses and collar shirts, driving bikes from Downton Abbey and basically everything else. 
21. If you're invited for lunch at 2pm you always arrive at 3pm because you won't be leaving until around 6pm. 
22. You can bribe the police with 50cents to not get a ticket. But you should just keep driving when they pull you over, or just photocopy your license, so when they threaten to keep it you can just drive away. 
23. There are no rules. 
24.  Borrowing doesn't exist. You just "lend" something to someone knowing you'll never see it again. 
25. Everyone can do everything - or so they say :) 
26. All the ladies hair here is wigs, save a few who get their real hair professionally done
27. A child's version of Scrabble is $100. 
28. A HotWheel is $30.00
29. It's not a dessert. It's actually very lush and green in the village. 
30. Traffic in Kampala is horrendous. 
31. The kids in school learn about cars in Denmark...not sure how useful that is to them...
32. Everybody has a cell-phone
33. Aside from the Gorilla's Uganda doesn't have too many amazing tourists sites to see. 
34. Everyone sings 
35. Their dancing would be rated R back home but here it's just the norm. 
36. The average age is 15. 
37. 1 in 5 woman still die of Childbirth. 
38. The streets are completely deserted when it rains. (When it rains...it rains.)
39.  Eyebrows say as much as words. 
40. Ugandans shuffle, not walk. 
41. The whole country has the same diet - Rice, Irish Potato's, Matoke, Fish Sauce, Posho and Beans. 
42. Instead of shaking your hand people just touch it gently. (Unless they're LDS and have adapted the firm missionary shake.)
43. They still cane in schools 
44. Witchcraft is alive and well
45. As long as you have commonsense and local friends Uganda is a safe place. 
46. The girls only want white men and the boys only want white girls...hence why nobody gets married! 
47. Power outages are a weekly occurrence. 
48. Emma is a boys name.
49. They can't pronounce L because in Lugandan it's an R. 
50. They have Nutella.

Christlike Love

I had the opportunity to go to Wakisa, a temporary home for young expectant mothers. We walked in during their classes and all the girls moved their chairs into a circle and gave us the seats at the front (So awkward) We introduce ourselves and then say, "We brought you Mangos!" They all cheered, it was pretty cute. I was thinking this was kinda cool, but then the girls began introducing themselves, telling me their name, age and how far along they are in their pregnancy. Suddenly it went from being a 'cool' experience, to the hardest in my life. The majority were my age. As I sat watching these 20 girls stand I was really touche. I felt guilty for complaining about how 'hard' my life in Uganda has sometimes been, seeing these girls the same age as myself having to carry a burden that I can't even comprehend! 
I brought my guitar and Emma and I decided to sing "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus to them. It started out with just us singing and was pretty great, the lyrics were just perfect. But then we decided to teach them the chorus. Words fail to describe the serene spirit that washed over that room when we all sang the chorus, it was like angels singing from heaven, no joke. Maybe it was just me because I tend to feel more emotions with music, but all I can say is that was definitely one of my favourite moments in Uganda. I realized the power music has. The language barrier is lifted, because music doesn't need words to speak. All our differences fled as we sang together, united through some feeling I'm incapable of describing. 
Right afterwards we went to Sanyus, but I just couldn't get my mind off what I'd just experienced. My Mom and Sister didn't talk much about our experience there afterwards, and I don't think they were as effected as myself. I think being younger and seeing the challenges girl so alike me are facing was just a really hard concept to accept. But that's where Christlike love comes in. 
It's so easy to love people here - aside from the guys, it's really easy to hate them :) But my heart has never been so full with love since moving to Uganda. For instance, newborn babies have a tendency to look rather strange and deformed - partly because they're basically a bag of jello waiting to take shape. So I sometimes hold these new babies at Sanyus and just think, "Wow. That face!" But one little girl arrived, from Wakisa. Her Mom was 12 years old with some mental illness and had been raped by a 42 year old man - you can see why it's hard to love men here when they're as vial as this. Anyways, Hope is her baby. She was recommended to Sanyus because obviously her Mom couldn't take care of her. She's a month premature and extremely small! So I went into the Isolation room to hold her. My first thought was, "Now you're not very cute are you?" But then as I held for another moment my thoughts completely changed. My heart was exploding with love for this little girl, and as I rocked her in my arms the reality this girl is going to grow up in sunk deep into me. Here she is just days old and already she's alone. There is no one here to kiss her forehead, to hold her when she cries, to sing her a lullaby, to take a million pictures of her and put them in photo albums. She doesn't have anyone...and she's only days old. It's insane how touching these random moments can be. But I can say in full confidence that I know understand what Christlike love really is. It's loving someone unconditional, despite what they're going through or who they are. When I saw those girls at Wakisa I instantly loved them. I don't look at people and judge them as quick as before. No, I just love them. I've learned it's important to love everyone despite their backgrounds. But more importantly, after playing that song at Wakisa I realized how AWESOME it feels to do what you love for the people you love. To use your passion and talents to benefit the lives of others. And that's exactly what I'm doing. And perhaps that's the reason I've stayed here for so long. Not because everyday is an epic adventure, but because when I'm serving these people I get as feeling I've never known anywhere else. 

 

Good Times In Africa

Lately I've been posting a buttload about service & my time volunteering at Sanyus - partly because it consumes most of my time & energy here in Uganda. But there shall be none of that in this post...JUST FUN! 

We've been here 6 months, and boy have they been some of the craziest and hardest months of my entire life!! 
We've had some pre amazing experiences, but I'll just highlight a few...

Boda boda driving is my favourite thing in all Uganda. My Dad took me up to an open field with dirt paths and massive potholes. He showed me the ropes and then I was off! (And may I mention it's a clutch...) It was great fun. Zipping up and down, dodging potholes and getting the strangest looks from the locals!! Awesome. 

We also were just fingertips away from getting a pet monkey, Rue. But unforunately the day before we went to pick him up he choked on bubblegum and died...obviously we weren't supposed to get a monkey...

Liam and I have invented a way to occupy ourselves when home alone...attaching an old tire to a piece of rope...and me pulling him 'round the lawn. You know you've been in Africa too long when...

Africa is full of crazy things. You'll get random text messages from friends saying "Just got hit by a taxi on Entebbe road, but no I'm not dead." Or "Got beaten up by a gang of thieves last night, but I'll surivive." There's just always stuff happening! Our friend hit a cow in his landrover, flipping over four times and completely crushed this tank of a car, but he's still alive! Never a dull moment in Africa. 

The sunsets are so amazing though. Such vibrant colours and a beautiful silhouettes of palm trees and flying birds. It's amazing, truly my favourite part of the day!! I'm sure the sunrise is beautiful too, but I'm never up early enough to see it :) 

Life is a dream though. You wake up to tropical birds and a fresh plate of fruit. You study with rays of sunlight flooding in your room, and can do whatever you want...because there is no agendas or clocks to interrupt you. It's beautiful. And sometimes annoying :) 


We all are enjoying our time here, and just the quality time we're getting to spend together - which sometimes is a little much, but we make it work. We're meeting some amazing people, and seeing some amazing sights. I love Africa. 

Cheers
Savannah

 

The Power Of A Picture

 

Little Jerry!

 Yesterday one of the sweetest little boys at the Babies Home, got adopted. As excited and happy as we all were for him, it'd be impossible to not feel a tad bit sad as his heart melting smile and sweet laugh will truly be missed! 

The day before he left, one of the staff members was holding and cuddling him her entire shift. I call her "Jeremiahs Grandma" because they were inseparable! She always made a special effort to say hello to him as she passed the class, or give him a kiss goodnight. I admire her for that.

As we walked into class today, I noticed we had brought  his picture we were planning to put up on the wall! My Mom leaned over to me as I held his picture and said "Go give that to his Grandma." So I walked down the hall, and found her sitting with another staff member. When I handed her the picture and said "This is for you" her face completely lit up! She was so shocked, surprised and excited! It was very touching. She kept saying "Thank you, thank you!" and embracing me in massive hugs!! She hugged and kissed the picture, and then would stand up and hug me again while saying "Thank you!" 

She then walked around showing the picture to everyone and saying "Jeremiah! My son!"

I ended up passing her again that day, and found her sitting under a cabana just starring at the picture. It was very touching to see how much a simple picture that probably would've ended up buried under a pile of papers. Instead though, it will be cherished and persevered forever. 

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a lump in my throat. It took a lot of self-control to not burst into tears. 

Cheers, 
Savannah

A Different Perspective

All my life I've only had one perspective, and that was my own. Formed and created inside my perfect little world, that now seems like fairy-tale land compared to the reality 80% of the world lives in.
For the past couple of days I have been completely and utterly confused and lost, as suddenly my whole world has capsized when I opened my eyes, and allowed the emotions that have been swelling within me for months to escape. 

I'm the kind of person who wants to live a happy meaningful life, and until now I believed I could fulfill that by living an ordinary life. For instance, I've always had a dream of doing a biking trip with my iPod, because when I combine nature and music, it makes me feel in heaven. So I thought I'd bike the UK when I got a little older. I also have been looking forward to getting my L, start being more independent, and simply enjoying my youthful years, which includes Chick-Flick movie nights, shopping at the mall and so forth. 

Now however, I'm not so certain. All I see when I look at that list is a self-centered life. Working to earn money...for myself. Biking because it makes ME feel good. Me me me, that's all I thought about. Now there's the child with burn marks from extensive abuse, the baby who was abandoned on the side of the road. Outside of the orphanage there's the teenager who awakes at 5am to study, before heading to school at 7am, where they then study until 7pm, walk home by 9pm, and study until midnight. After all their hard work, what are their rewards? Nothing. They still can't find jobs and make a living. Yet they work harder than I ever had in my life. There's the older brother caring for his four younger siblings, skipping meals to pay their school fees.
Now there is someone other than me. There's a life I never even knew existed. There's a life with value, with purpose much greater than Friday Night Pizza. I see a life that expands beyond me, and my wants and needs. 
I don't have all the answers to my endless questions, but I do know this. I am ready to give up everything and dedicate myself to serve these people. To give them the opportunities that come daily to me, but are once in a lifetime to them. I want to make OTHERS feel joy, and I know through doing this I will accomplish my goal in life. I will be happy, successful and live a life of worth. 

Cheers 
Savannah

Wish List

 Considering we’ve been here four months, I think it is appropriate timing to post some of the things I would really like…

1.     More books! I’ve already read nine novels since being here, and now my selection is getting thin.

2.     More music! I just went to the last computer in our house and copied all the music onto my iPod, so now I have listened to all the tracks. L

3.     Piano!! Four months and I still don’t have a piano. Very depressing. I currently have a small “piece of crap” one that I plunk around on, but I can’t create any music, or practice legit songs. Just tinkering for now.

4.     Cream-Cheese Bagel!! I ate a cucumber yesterday for the first time since arriving, and it only made the craving for a cream cheese bagel increase!

5.     A walk on the ocean! This would honestly mean the world to me. To go down to our little harbor, listen to the seagulls, smell the seaweed, taste the salt water, squeeze my toes into the soggy sand, sprinkle the freezing water through my fingers…ah man it’s too good!

6.     Go biking! I really enjoyed biking back home, especially down our little street!

7.     Go horseback riding! I haven’t been on a horse for four months! I have only seen ONE the whole time. I’d really love to go trotting ‘round elk lake and then hit up some jumps in the arena!

8.     Girl’s movie night! As much as I love chick-flicks, they just aren’t the same without my gals.

9.     Charleston Chew, holy crap are those bars heavenly!!

10.  Cold weather. I’d love to snuggle up to a fireplace nice and cozy, or take a stroll through Sidney bundled up in coats and mittens. I loved wearing tight jeans and baggy hoodies!

11.  New clothes! You can only wear the same five shirts for so long…

12.  Go on a jog. I would pay $100 bucks to run through the beautiful trails, blasting some crazy tunes!

13.  See Annie! I miss my little doggie more than anything. I just want to cuddle with her on the couch, or blow in her face and watch her go crazy!

14.  Go to seminary. I honestly LOVE seminary, and never thought I’d miss it as much as I do! (But sleeping into 10am each morning isn’t that bad either)

15.  Spend a day in the music studio! I only got a couple months to enjoy our music studio, a day alone banging the drums, recording the guitar and mixing tracks would be a dream come true!

16.  Job. I would really really really really appreciate a job right now! Not even kidding, the need to work for a paycheck – whether in cash or exchange for something, is just part of me. I’ve always had a yearning to be independent!

17.  An hour on Youtube! I haven’t been on since being here, and I keep singing all my favourite artists posting new videos and it KILLS me!

18.   A trip to Costco. I have a random craving to head to Costco with my Grandparents and just walk around. (My Grandparents are Costcos prim customers, unlike my family who would go maybe once a year. So I would occasionally go with them and man it was always a blast!)

19.  My bed! I miss my freaking huge bed, that literally felt like you were sleeping on heaven! Right now I am sleeping on a toothpick and it isn’t fun.

20.  A day out by myself. It’s very frustrating because you can’t leave the house without another person, if not two. So to be able to walk to Sidney and just browse around would be heaven on earth.

Well that’s it now that I read over it I see just how pathetic this must seem to everyone back home. But seriously these things make the biggest deals here!!

Cheers

Savannah

A Warmer Heart

For the past two months my mom, sister and I, have been volunteering three mornings a week at a Babies Home. I felt it was about time to share some experiences I've had there, and the feelings I've felt while serving. 

The first day we went to the babies home I was completely traumatized! Babies were crying EVERYWHERE, children were running around like wild dogs, staff were racing back and forth, the floors cold cement, the halls dark and narrow, making it feel more like a prison than an orphanage. I remember pausing as I was carrying babies from one room to another and thinking, "This isn't a family, this is a factory." It was awful. 

Now I've adjusted to the rough handling of children - grabbing newborns by one arm and tossing them into bed, submerging (aka drowning) the children at bath time into cold water, sharing the same spoon to feed six babies, and ignoring the innocent faces that cry...but worst of all, making the two year old put themselves to bed, and you're forbidden to even hold their hand while walking - even if they stumble. 
Let me repeat that I have adjusted, not adopted the system. I don't think two year olds need to be completely independent, I think changing diapers and bathing kids can be a very enjoyable experience for both staff and babies - when you slow the process down a notch, and you most certainly can take an extra three seconds to grab BOTH arms instead of just one. 

Each time we leave my Mom, sister and I must debrief the whole car-ride home. Somdays we are a little scarred from things we've witnessed, but others go as smooth as silk. Although I have great fun playing with all the cuties, I always end up asking "Why me?"   When I see these kids, without ANYTHING to call their own - parents, beds, clothes, food, even their own flipping spoon, I become sick to my stomach. Here am I, complaining about this or that, when these babies honestly have nothing. What about them? Whose looking out for them? Whose defending them, loving them? Whose giving them their best shot at life? Whose cheering them on every step they take? Nobody. They have nobody. And it honestly breaks my heart. 

One girl in particular has touched my heart, Miriam. She is truly a little teddy bear, could snuggle you all day and be perfectly content. All she wants is to be held. She cries out for love. You'll be changing her and she'll take her little fingers and traces your face, or when you pick her up she clings to you like a monkey. She doesn't ask for anything, she'd sit for hours without a peep, but when you do pick her up, she never wants to be put down. 
When she's woken up in the morning, she's often still in quite a deep sleep, but it's so cute when she rubs her little puffy eyes with her tiny hands. I think I'm the only one who pities her simply because I hate the mornings myself. 
This girl was abandoned just a couple months ago - she's almost a year. I can't even imagine the situation her parent was in to have abandoned such a sweet spirit. There is nothing not to love about this little girl. She truly is the sweetest baby I've ever met. 

There's also a girl named Robina, who they believe has HIV and Sickle Cell - still undergoing tests. When she first arrived, she looked like she was about to die. Seriously. She didn't move, had zero expression on her face, never made eye contact, when she got hurt she could hardly even cry. We later found out she was two, when I had guessed she was MAYBE 9 months...
Now Robina is doing okay, though she still refuses to make eye - contact. But she responds well when you call her name, or play with her. Though she is not nearly as advanced as the other children - can't even stand on her own, there is now hope for her, when I seriously thought there was none. 

Another little boy, Michael, has come close to my heart. This little boy has a very tragic past. A new arrival at the home, already two years of age. His back is marked with scar after scar from intensive abuse, and a stitched up cut on his chin, from what some suspect was a sign of child sacrifice. TWO YEARS of his life was spent living in fear and agony. He also has Sickle Cell, which has prevented him growth, so although he is two years old, he has just learned how to walk, and can only play for a short period of time before getting tired. This little boy has touched my heart, he honestly is such a character, and a crazy good baseball player - his throw is so powerful and accurate. It breaks my heart that there's no one there to tuck him in at night, or to pick him up when he falls down. 

Okay just one more! There's this tiny little newborn, Crystal, the sweetest googly eyed girl you have ever laid eyes upon - her sad face, melts your heart and makes you laugh. I don't know her background story, but either way she has HIV. What's sad is some of the volunteers refuse to change her diaper because they fear they'll become infected. The staff diffidently have favorites, and unforunately Crystal is not one of them. She's what I would call an invisible child. It's really really really sad because they feed the babies so fast without burping them, and in Crystals case - being so small and fragile, she ends up throwing it all up, because her little stomach just can't handle it. Whenever we feed we go extra slow to make sure she keeps it all down. 
What's sad about her is how small she is, and already she is alone. Whenever we go, we like to take some extra time to just snuggle the babies, because the staff are so busy washing floors and preparing lunch, they sometimes have no time for the newborns. 

I love what I'm doing here. It adds value to my life and helps me get a better grip on the true purpose of life. I wasn't blessed with literally everything just to enjoy life, I was blessed with everything to give something. And if all I can do right now is offer some time and love to these children, than so be it. 

I love Uganda, I love serving. I simply love life. I love feeling like I've improved the lives of others, I love cuddling babies, and I love everything I have! 

Cheers
Savannah