So Mom has left for Calgary and I believe her flight is leaving in like, 5 hours. She will be in London a full 24 hours before me. I am just about to head into town to take some "last minute" pictures of Jinja. I leave here tomorrow at 1:30 for my flight at 10.
I just wanted to quickly post another woman's blog entry about a girl I have met and spent some time with here. This is her story and it is just another reminder how things are so different over here.
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/2010/03/2005-dinka-girl-of-about-nine-or-10-was.html
xo*
Monday, June 7, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Coming to an end....
I have been putting this entry off for as long as I could but I feel like it is now time to write what will probably be my last blog entry in Uganda. So much to think about, reflect upon and remember...
I will start off by saying I was supposed to leave July 7 but that was changed to June 7 to accomidate my European adventure with mom. And then my flight was cancelled because British Airways is on strike... For the 3rd time. So after hasseling my parents frantically at 4:30AM to rebook my flight, I will be leaving through Brussels Airlines June 8 at like, 10PM. I will end up meeting mom in London June 9 at 8AM and we will still be home June 18 if British Airways doesn't strike again.
ANYWAYS...
My final days at Amani Baby Cottage are actually here.It is so hard to believe this has been a trip I have been preparing for, for months. This is the trip I have put everything on hold for and it is already coming to an end. I have said it before that I do not regret making my trip shorter than originally planned and I still don't. I am going to sound incredibly selfish for a second but here is my list of things that I am so excited about for when I get home:
1. A hair cut and being able to use my straightner.
2. My bed and sheets and the smell of home.
3. My nice clothes.
4. My car that I can drive whenever I want, where ever I want.
5. Milk, Yogurt and CHEESE.
6. My puppies.
7. A pedicure and nails.
8. Not having red dust in my hair, ears, nose and eyes.
9. Showers on a regular basis. HOT showers. and a BUBBLE BATH after I have my shower.
10.Food tasting like it should.
11.Being able to go out past dark and not being scared of snakes, thieves and random creepy crawlies.
Needless to say, I am excited to get back home. I have learnt SO MUCH about what it is like to live off of nothing and to experience how far $2.00CDN can actually be stretched. But like I said to my family, I was born where I was for a reason and I was given the opportunities I have been so I can learn and grow. I keep telling every one that tells me they are proud of me; "Don't be proud, be aware". And I feel like I am coming back well equipped with the knowledge I need and the experiences to continue making people aware how good we have it. It is going to be so weird going to the gas station and loading the Sunflower up with 50$ in gas knowing at any given time, they spend maybe 5$ on gas and even that is lots. Silly little things will be sure to pop up and send me into flashbacks and I need to be prepared for that.
When I was having my breakdown and was sick about a week ago, mom said to me "You are going to be going through so many more changes and trials when you get home and we need to be ready to help you through it all." And it occured to me that through all my preparations and lists, that was something I never thought of... Getting home and life after Africa.
Even today, I was down in the yard... And little moments that I never want to forget happen. One of my handicapped girls, D, was laying on the mat outside with me. I was tickling her and singing her songs while the other kids were playing with a giant alaphabet and number puzzle. M, he is about 3 and is mostly stubborn and so hard to handle at times came over and sat down beside D. (And most of the time, the kids don't pay much attention to our handicapped kids... They are too busy playing, fighting and carrying on). He had one of the puzzle pieces in his hand and tilted it so D could see it. He started showing her the number 8 and the cherries that were on the mat. Letting her touch it and really get a look at it. He grabbed her hand and even tried to get her to hold it while he talked to her softly and showed her the colors. I sat there and watched while fighting back tears. Simple things that no one really thinks twice about mean the world to kids like D. She was laughing and smiling and cooing. Little did M know, he probably made her day.
I am ready to come home but will never be ready to forget the importance of cherishing every moment. I never want to forget Africa and what it has done to change my heart. I know actions speak louder than words and I keep telling everyone I am different but when I get home, I am prepared to walk the walk and talk the talk. I don't expect to be a nun and change my entire outlook on life, but I do expect to clean up my act and be more aware of my actions, words and surroundings. And perhaps my multiple trips to McDonald's in a weeks time will decrease too. But let's not get too crazy =)
Nkwagala Nyo*
I will start off by saying I was supposed to leave July 7 but that was changed to June 7 to accomidate my European adventure with mom. And then my flight was cancelled because British Airways is on strike... For the 3rd time. So after hasseling my parents frantically at 4:30AM to rebook my flight, I will be leaving through Brussels Airlines June 8 at like, 10PM. I will end up meeting mom in London June 9 at 8AM and we will still be home June 18 if British Airways doesn't strike again.
ANYWAYS...
My final days at Amani Baby Cottage are actually here.It is so hard to believe this has been a trip I have been preparing for, for months. This is the trip I have put everything on hold for and it is already coming to an end. I have said it before that I do not regret making my trip shorter than originally planned and I still don't. I am going to sound incredibly selfish for a second but here is my list of things that I am so excited about for when I get home:
1. A hair cut and being able to use my straightner.
2. My bed and sheets and the smell of home.
3. My nice clothes.
4. My car that I can drive whenever I want, where ever I want.
5. Milk, Yogurt and CHEESE.
6. My puppies.
7. A pedicure and nails.
8. Not having red dust in my hair, ears, nose and eyes.
9. Showers on a regular basis. HOT showers. and a BUBBLE BATH after I have my shower.
10.Food tasting like it should.
11.Being able to go out past dark and not being scared of snakes, thieves and random creepy crawlies.
Needless to say, I am excited to get back home. I have learnt SO MUCH about what it is like to live off of nothing and to experience how far $2.00CDN can actually be stretched. But like I said to my family, I was born where I was for a reason and I was given the opportunities I have been so I can learn and grow. I keep telling every one that tells me they are proud of me; "Don't be proud, be aware". And I feel like I am coming back well equipped with the knowledge I need and the experiences to continue making people aware how good we have it. It is going to be so weird going to the gas station and loading the Sunflower up with 50$ in gas knowing at any given time, they spend maybe 5$ on gas and even that is lots. Silly little things will be sure to pop up and send me into flashbacks and I need to be prepared for that.
When I was having my breakdown and was sick about a week ago, mom said to me "You are going to be going through so many more changes and trials when you get home and we need to be ready to help you through it all." And it occured to me that through all my preparations and lists, that was something I never thought of... Getting home and life after Africa.
Even today, I was down in the yard... And little moments that I never want to forget happen. One of my handicapped girls, D, was laying on the mat outside with me. I was tickling her and singing her songs while the other kids were playing with a giant alaphabet and number puzzle. M, he is about 3 and is mostly stubborn and so hard to handle at times came over and sat down beside D. (And most of the time, the kids don't pay much attention to our handicapped kids... They are too busy playing, fighting and carrying on). He had one of the puzzle pieces in his hand and tilted it so D could see it. He started showing her the number 8 and the cherries that were on the mat. Letting her touch it and really get a look at it. He grabbed her hand and even tried to get her to hold it while he talked to her softly and showed her the colors. I sat there and watched while fighting back tears. Simple things that no one really thinks twice about mean the world to kids like D. She was laughing and smiling and cooing. Little did M know, he probably made her day.
I am ready to come home but will never be ready to forget the importance of cherishing every moment. I never want to forget Africa and what it has done to change my heart. I know actions speak louder than words and I keep telling everyone I am different but when I get home, I am prepared to walk the walk and talk the talk. I don't expect to be a nun and change my entire outlook on life, but I do expect to clean up my act and be more aware of my actions, words and surroundings. And perhaps my multiple trips to McDonald's in a weeks time will decrease too. But let's not get too crazy =)
Nkwagala Nyo*
Monday, May 31, 2010
Things I never want to forget....
Riding boda's a night time with Sarah. Under the clear night sky with the light wind blowing through our hair. Laughing and joking around the entire way.
Coming into the toddler room at any given time and having 16 children run up to me and hugging my legs.
"Aunty, You are taking who?" "Aunty, You are going where?" "Well done, Well done, Very good, Very good, Try again - AUNTY TAAYYAA"
Walking past the Gecko house and seeing 4 or 5 little heads peering over the ledge as you walk by.
The early mornings in Uganda. So warm, so bright, so new. So fresh.
Sarah and I walking down Kisinja road and having a heard of goats come storming at us. We actually screamed and held onto eachother.
The constant challenges God placed infront of me every day. Testing my patience, my fears and my faith.
Coming into the toddler room at any given time and having 16 children run up to me and hugging my legs.
"Aunty, You are taking who?" "Aunty, You are going where?" "Well done, Well done, Very good, Very good, Try again - AUNTY TAAYYAA"
Walking past the Gecko house and seeing 4 or 5 little heads peering over the ledge as you walk by.
The early mornings in Uganda. So warm, so bright, so new. So fresh.
Sarah and I walking down Kisinja road and having a heard of goats come storming at us. We actually screamed and held onto eachother.
The constant challenges God placed infront of me every day. Testing my patience, my fears and my faith.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Last Week
My last full weekend in Africa. It is so hard to believe that this will be my last week here. I don't regret switching my flights around so I could come home early because believe me, I am very ready to come home but I am going to miss it here.
I am so happy to say I pulled through and am starting to feel so much better. I will definately say I have never felt so lost and hopeless in my entire life. I have never experienced the anxiety and hurt that was rushing through my body. I am so glad I was able to make it this far. I am not 100% but I am feeling better and I will not let anything stop me from having a fantastic last week in Jinja.
Yesterday, I went to Kampala with Sarah, Siouxanne, Judy and her little daughter, Malia... I found myself praying the entire way there because the traffic was so bad and the driving was even worse. I kept saying to everyone that I will never complain about anyone's driving back in Canada again. It also made me realize that I will not of been driving for about 2 and a half months once I get home, so I am going to need a brave soul to jump in the passenger seat and help me remember when I get home. Any takers? Haha. Anyways, we went to the craft market in Kampala as well as 2 different malls. We had lunch at a really nice restaurant and I had a bean and cheese burrito. It was definately home good. I felt slightly spoiled because the night before, Sarah treated me to Velveeta Shells and Cheese and the burrito was delicious. It makes me excited to get back to a 1st World Country and remember all the "good" foods I have gone without for months... I ended up buying another dress at the craft market for 5$ and 3 pairs of sandals that I may or may not share with my sister. I found Oreos at one of the major super markets and they were definately worth the 7$ I spent on them. Haha. It was really nice to get out of Jinja for the day and I had a good time with excellent company.
Tomorrow I will be going to church with Sarah and then there is a marathon that is going through Jinja so we will be spending the afternoon shopping for some last minute gifts and cheering on all the runners. It will be a good day.
I cannot wait to see mom in London and I am getting antsy just thinking about it. I haven't started packing my things yet which is funny because I was packed and ready to get here about 2 months before I even left. I am going to spend the last week holding my kids and playing with my babies and cherishing every moment, giggle and smile. I have had a hard time adjusting to the African lifestyle but I would come back in a heart beat. I feel a strong connection with Africa and I am never going to let that go....
7 weeks down... 1 more to go.
xo*
I am so happy to say I pulled through and am starting to feel so much better. I will definately say I have never felt so lost and hopeless in my entire life. I have never experienced the anxiety and hurt that was rushing through my body. I am so glad I was able to make it this far. I am not 100% but I am feeling better and I will not let anything stop me from having a fantastic last week in Jinja.
Yesterday, I went to Kampala with Sarah, Siouxanne, Judy and her little daughter, Malia... I found myself praying the entire way there because the traffic was so bad and the driving was even worse. I kept saying to everyone that I will never complain about anyone's driving back in Canada again. It also made me realize that I will not of been driving for about 2 and a half months once I get home, so I am going to need a brave soul to jump in the passenger seat and help me remember when I get home. Any takers? Haha. Anyways, we went to the craft market in Kampala as well as 2 different malls. We had lunch at a really nice restaurant and I had a bean and cheese burrito. It was definately home good. I felt slightly spoiled because the night before, Sarah treated me to Velveeta Shells and Cheese and the burrito was delicious. It makes me excited to get back to a 1st World Country and remember all the "good" foods I have gone without for months... I ended up buying another dress at the craft market for 5$ and 3 pairs of sandals that I may or may not share with my sister. I found Oreos at one of the major super markets and they were definately worth the 7$ I spent on them. Haha. It was really nice to get out of Jinja for the day and I had a good time with excellent company.
Tomorrow I will be going to church with Sarah and then there is a marathon that is going through Jinja so we will be spending the afternoon shopping for some last minute gifts and cheering on all the runners. It will be a good day.
I cannot wait to see mom in London and I am getting antsy just thinking about it. I haven't started packing my things yet which is funny because I was packed and ready to get here about 2 months before I even left. I am going to spend the last week holding my kids and playing with my babies and cherishing every moment, giggle and smile. I have had a hard time adjusting to the African lifestyle but I would come back in a heart beat. I feel a strong connection with Africa and I am never going to let that go....
7 weeks down... 1 more to go.
xo*
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
My Health
This entry isn't going to be about what I have been doing or what is new in Africa. This entry is going to be all about my feelings and my health.
I have to take my Malaria medicine once a week and I chose Lariam simply because it was the least expensive and having to take it for what would of been 16 weeks, I wanted to save my pocket as best I could. I knew the risks with all malaria medication and I thought I could handle it. Well, I knew I was feeling slightly off balance (literally) since probably the 3rd week I took it and didn't think it would be a big deal. So I bump into things once in a while? I have also had bad dreams (which are a common side effect) but it would like, I would wake up scared and not know why so I just brushed it off. And then within the last 2 weeks, I have really noticed a change in my attitude and outlook on life. We went to the village on Saturday and it really hit me then that some day, I am going to die. And I ended up having a panic attack. I mean, I have always known that this is how life goes and I understand that everyone and everything eventually dies. It is the circle of life, right? I don't know why but it has made me start thinking in over drive. I have always been terrified of flying and little things here and there through out my trip have made me casually think about the end of my life. Nothing too major, just little reminders every once in a while. Where will I go? What will happen to my thoughts and my heart and my voice? Will I ever see my mom and dad again? I have been struggling since day 1 of being in Africa with the thought of God and who He really is and if He really exists. I am struggling with the choices I want to make in leading a Christian lifestyle and in my over active thought process I came to the conclusion that all these thoughts and reminders are 1 of 3 things...
1)It is just my medication and I really am going crazy.
2)God is trying to show me the way to a Christian lifestyle and is helping me better understand who I want to be.
3)God is preparing me for something bad.
And for anyone that knows me, I had being a burden and I don't like voicing my concerns... But yesterday, I broke down. I have never felt so scared in my life. I couldn't end my thought process and I couldn't calm down. My friend and room mate, Sarah, was there to listen to me as I rambled on about my life and what it means and where I will go and blah blah blah... I ended up calling home around 4:30 am (Lethbridge Time) and I was hysterically crying for most of the day. I know I scared mom enough to call the Amani Director and I ended up just telling everyone my fears and concerns. The girls were so good and they totally came to my side and we ended up talking for about an hour about the Afterlife and being a Christian and what it is truly like. I went to bed and prayed 3 or 4 times for God to keep me safe and help me through this. But even as I write this, the next day, I am fighting back tears and trying so desperately to push out all of my negative thoughts. I know when I get home, I want to change and I want to open myself to a better lifestyle but I just want to take it 1 day at a time. Even though, right now, I don't know what that means. I feel lost and confused. I feel scared of the unknown and I feel overwhelmed by the constant emotions.
The nurse that is at Amani told me to stop taking the medication (I really only have 3 or 4 left) and to just make sure I am using bug spray as well as keeping myself covered up. She said this is so common with Lariam as it is such a powerful drug. This made me feel better that it is just the medication talking but it is also scary because I have never in my life felt this hopeless. I am tired, I am weak, I am emotionally exhausted. I wish I could turn my brain off for a week so I could recover and move on. I am ready to see my mom and go home.
So, please keep me in your prayers and help me fight whatever this is. I am in need of any help I can get right now and I now know, I need to not be afriad to ask for help when I need it.
I love you all.
xo*
I have to take my Malaria medicine once a week and I chose Lariam simply because it was the least expensive and having to take it for what would of been 16 weeks, I wanted to save my pocket as best I could. I knew the risks with all malaria medication and I thought I could handle it. Well, I knew I was feeling slightly off balance (literally) since probably the 3rd week I took it and didn't think it would be a big deal. So I bump into things once in a while? I have also had bad dreams (which are a common side effect) but it would like, I would wake up scared and not know why so I just brushed it off. And then within the last 2 weeks, I have really noticed a change in my attitude and outlook on life. We went to the village on Saturday and it really hit me then that some day, I am going to die. And I ended up having a panic attack. I mean, I have always known that this is how life goes and I understand that everyone and everything eventually dies. It is the circle of life, right? I don't know why but it has made me start thinking in over drive. I have always been terrified of flying and little things here and there through out my trip have made me casually think about the end of my life. Nothing too major, just little reminders every once in a while. Where will I go? What will happen to my thoughts and my heart and my voice? Will I ever see my mom and dad again? I have been struggling since day 1 of being in Africa with the thought of God and who He really is and if He really exists. I am struggling with the choices I want to make in leading a Christian lifestyle and in my over active thought process I came to the conclusion that all these thoughts and reminders are 1 of 3 things...
1)It is just my medication and I really am going crazy.
2)God is trying to show me the way to a Christian lifestyle and is helping me better understand who I want to be.
3)God is preparing me for something bad.
And for anyone that knows me, I had being a burden and I don't like voicing my concerns... But yesterday, I broke down. I have never felt so scared in my life. I couldn't end my thought process and I couldn't calm down. My friend and room mate, Sarah, was there to listen to me as I rambled on about my life and what it means and where I will go and blah blah blah... I ended up calling home around 4:30 am (Lethbridge Time) and I was hysterically crying for most of the day. I know I scared mom enough to call the Amani Director and I ended up just telling everyone my fears and concerns. The girls were so good and they totally came to my side and we ended up talking for about an hour about the Afterlife and being a Christian and what it is truly like. I went to bed and prayed 3 or 4 times for God to keep me safe and help me through this. But even as I write this, the next day, I am fighting back tears and trying so desperately to push out all of my negative thoughts. I know when I get home, I want to change and I want to open myself to a better lifestyle but I just want to take it 1 day at a time. Even though, right now, I don't know what that means. I feel lost and confused. I feel scared of the unknown and I feel overwhelmed by the constant emotions.
The nurse that is at Amani told me to stop taking the medication (I really only have 3 or 4 left) and to just make sure I am using bug spray as well as keeping myself covered up. She said this is so common with Lariam as it is such a powerful drug. This made me feel better that it is just the medication talking but it is also scary because I have never in my life felt this hopeless. I am tired, I am weak, I am emotionally exhausted. I wish I could turn my brain off for a week so I could recover and move on. I am ready to see my mom and go home.
So, please keep me in your prayers and help me fight whatever this is. I am in need of any help I can get right now and I now know, I need to not be afriad to ask for help when I need it.
I love you all.
xo*
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Live Life Positively
May 22, 2010 will be a day I never want to forget for a second. I want it to be on my mind every time I get in my car. Every time I go to McDonalds on my lunch break at work. Every time I tell myself I need a new shirt for a night out. I want to always remember the things I saw, did, smelled and heard today.
My day started with one of our boys, B, leaving for his new home after meeting his new parents for the first time 7 weeks ago. He is headed to Nashville and will have 2 brothers, a sister, a dog and a cat all waiting to meet him in person for the first time ever. I am so happy for him and wish his family nothing but blessings from here on in.
And then I went with Natalie, Chad and Sarah to 3 African villages. Our host, Sam, and his wife, Catherine, were nothing short of incredible and we kept joking around about how we were being treated like movie stars. Sam and his wife are the directors of an organization - Widows and Orphans Compassion Assistance Program... Or WOCAP for short. Basically, WOCAP takes women and children under their wing and creates villages to help these people get back on their feet. They are mostly HIV Positive and are taught simple life skills to sustain their life. The women are shown how to do "crafts" which actually turned out to be mostly the beading I last posted about, they are taught to sew as well as farming so they can have food, clothing and shelter all within their village. The children are placed in a school which is created within the village and are given an education. All 3 villages are apart of the WOCAP mission and the first village I visted, actually had an HIV/AIDs clinic so many of the Positive people are taught to "Live Life Positively" versus letting the Positive live their life... Get it?
The village names were:
1)Namagera
2)Nakakulwe Bulondo
3)Bobogo
I was blown away and overwhelmed all day. The hospitality each villaged showed was unbelievable. They had no idea when we were coming so each village literally waited for hours for us. All 3 times, we got out of the car to hootiing and hollering. Cheering and people in our faces just waiting to shake our hands, give us hugs and welcome us as one of their own. The women were dressed in their traditional African dresses and tried their best to speak English to us. We were shown the beads and their crops and ended up playing with the kids.
And then, when we left... we were given fruits and vegetables as a sign of appreciation and respect. They literally handed all 4 of us handfuls of potatoes, papaya, bananas, squash, eggs and roots. We got home and put everything in black garbage bags and we have 3 bags FULL of fruit and veggies and more sitting on the counter. These people literally have nothing but the bare bones basics and they are giving US their crops? What?! I was blown away. Each village was exactly the same in how they treated us. And we really were like movie stars.
It made me open my eyes and realize just what is really important in life. I got to talking to one of the executives of WOCAP and he was talking money to me. Did you know the average African makes roughly 50$ a month? School for a child is roughly 1200$ a year if they want to go to a higher rated institution. Rent can be upwards of 250$ a month. The women of WOCAP are trying to live a life for themselves without much and they are truly doing it.
After our visits were over, we were taken to a hillside that overlooked the Nile River. It was already dark out so we chose a spot close to the edge of the hill and sat down for a dinner by candlelight. We ate rice, mashed potatoes, veggies, papaya, avacodo and beef with fruit juice and coffee. It was so peaceful sitting under a sky filled with the half moon and stars so close I felt like I could touch them with the rapids and falls swishing and roaring in the background. It was calmingly quiet and so real. I thought of The Lion King a couple times. =) It was a perfect ending to our day.
I had such a fantastic day and I am so happy I got to visit with my new friends. I never want to take for granted what I have back home and I always want to remember the red dust in my ears, the smell of cows and goats grazing beside the mud houses, the children wearing dirty and tattered, too small or too big clothing while playing with bike tire wheels. I want to remember the big white, perfect smiles. It will be a day I use to keep my attitude in check for the rest of my life.
Kwagala Nyo*
My day started with one of our boys, B, leaving for his new home after meeting his new parents for the first time 7 weeks ago. He is headed to Nashville and will have 2 brothers, a sister, a dog and a cat all waiting to meet him in person for the first time ever. I am so happy for him and wish his family nothing but blessings from here on in.
And then I went with Natalie, Chad and Sarah to 3 African villages. Our host, Sam, and his wife, Catherine, were nothing short of incredible and we kept joking around about how we were being treated like movie stars. Sam and his wife are the directors of an organization - Widows and Orphans Compassion Assistance Program... Or WOCAP for short. Basically, WOCAP takes women and children under their wing and creates villages to help these people get back on their feet. They are mostly HIV Positive and are taught simple life skills to sustain their life. The women are shown how to do "crafts" which actually turned out to be mostly the beading I last posted about, they are taught to sew as well as farming so they can have food, clothing and shelter all within their village. The children are placed in a school which is created within the village and are given an education. All 3 villages are apart of the WOCAP mission and the first village I visted, actually had an HIV/AIDs clinic so many of the Positive people are taught to "Live Life Positively" versus letting the Positive live their life... Get it?
The village names were:
1)Namagera
2)Nakakulwe Bulondo
3)Bobogo
I was blown away and overwhelmed all day. The hospitality each villaged showed was unbelievable. They had no idea when we were coming so each village literally waited for hours for us. All 3 times, we got out of the car to hootiing and hollering. Cheering and people in our faces just waiting to shake our hands, give us hugs and welcome us as one of their own. The women were dressed in their traditional African dresses and tried their best to speak English to us. We were shown the beads and their crops and ended up playing with the kids.
And then, when we left... we were given fruits and vegetables as a sign of appreciation and respect. They literally handed all 4 of us handfuls of potatoes, papaya, bananas, squash, eggs and roots. We got home and put everything in black garbage bags and we have 3 bags FULL of fruit and veggies and more sitting on the counter. These people literally have nothing but the bare bones basics and they are giving US their crops? What?! I was blown away. Each village was exactly the same in how they treated us. And we really were like movie stars.
It made me open my eyes and realize just what is really important in life. I got to talking to one of the executives of WOCAP and he was talking money to me. Did you know the average African makes roughly 50$ a month? School for a child is roughly 1200$ a year if they want to go to a higher rated institution. Rent can be upwards of 250$ a month. The women of WOCAP are trying to live a life for themselves without much and they are truly doing it.
After our visits were over, we were taken to a hillside that overlooked the Nile River. It was already dark out so we chose a spot close to the edge of the hill and sat down for a dinner by candlelight. We ate rice, mashed potatoes, veggies, papaya, avacodo and beef with fruit juice and coffee. It was so peaceful sitting under a sky filled with the half moon and stars so close I felt like I could touch them with the rapids and falls swishing and roaring in the background. It was calmingly quiet and so real. I thought of The Lion King a couple times. =) It was a perfect ending to our day.
I had such a fantastic day and I am so happy I got to visit with my new friends. I never want to take for granted what I have back home and I always want to remember the red dust in my ears, the smell of cows and goats grazing beside the mud houses, the children wearing dirty and tattered, too small or too big clothing while playing with bike tire wheels. I want to remember the big white, perfect smiles. It will be a day I use to keep my attitude in check for the rest of my life.
Kwagala Nyo*
Thursday, May 20, 2010
African Jewelry
I have been able to find alot of treasures while being in Africa. I have bought so many cute little gifts and the best part is, nearly everything I have found is hand made. My favorite things I have found so far include a goatskin knife for my best friend/brother, wood earrings and some dresses. But my most favorite thing of all has been the African Paper Necklaces and Bracelets.
They are made in huge batches because it is so time consuming (so I have been told...) but the process involves cutting pieces of newspaper, magazines or any type of paper into long triangle shapes, starting one end around a wire to create the hole for the string and then rolling the paper as tight as possible to make little (or big) beads. Varnish is added as a glue and as a waterproofer. They are not painted or touched at all with color. That is what makes them so unique. The bead is simply whatever color the paper used is. After all of the beads are made, the women sort through the beads and try to find ones that are matching as close as possible. They make necklaces, bracelets and earrings with these beads. And let me tell you... They are beautiful.
I have bought all of these beads from the mamas at ABC because I know where the money is going and it is nice to help them out just that much more.. One night I was talking to *S*, She is Danyne's Night Supervisor and works so hard. She is usually really quiet and self consious (why? I don't know... she is absolutely beautiful to top off her amazing personality) but once you get her talking... She is so funny. Anyways, she was telling me about her mom and how her brother died at work from his co-workers poisoning him so her mom took in her grandchildren and is now raising an extra 2 kids as well as 5 of her own. *S*'s mom makes these beads to help support her newly expanded family and get her grandchildren to school. Well, I got to thinking... These beads are fancy enough to dress up with and casual enough to wear with everything. You can wear them in the bath and when I showed my sister via webcam them she got really excited...
So I am bringing home ALOT of extra necklaces and bracelets and selling them for S. Once I have sold all of them, I will be sending a moneygram directly to S's Moms bank account. All of the money will go to S.
I am going to be honest and tell you all that like everything in Africa, for me to purchase these beads it is fairly inexpensive. I am obviously going to try and make S and her family as much money as possible because I feel like it is so important to help out. So, I am going to come home and sell the necklaces for $15 and the bracelets for $5.
Please either email, call or leave a message on Facebook or here and I will make sure everyone gets what they want. If you have any color requests, let me know and I will see what I can do.
I am so excited to be able to help S and her family. Thank you.
*Kwagala Nyo
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