Amani Carnival

We threw a freaking sweet carnival for the Amani kiddos on Saturday afternoon. When Arielle was in America giving Mel and Joey a push home (Ugandan words for escorting) we had planned to have her bring back supplies for a good old fashioned elementary school-style carnival. We had a beautiful afternoon for the event and of course the kids loved it! We decorated the front yard with streamers, balloons and signs and had 6 different carnival stations set-up in a big circle. Our games included a cake walk for rice krispie treats, a lollipop garden, fishing pond, bean-bag toss, "boats on the water", and face painting. Everyone ate a ton of sweeties and by the end of the afternoon most of the children were covered in bright colored drool and crumbs. We had plenty of whistles and noise makers as prizes to make sure the kids could all have a chance to be really loud and crazy. It was really fun and a perfect way to end our time together at Amani. Some of you know this, but for others who don't, I (Rachel) am leaving Uganda on Friday to go home to America. My brother is getting married this summer and I need to be home for that. My time here has been incredible and unforgettable, but in my heart, I am ready for the next chapter in my life. Please pray for safe travel this week and that my heart is okay while saying goodbye to all of the people (big and little) that I love here! Talk to you soon!

Dinner with our maize family!

On Thursday night, we had our maize family over to our house for dinner! It was a great night! We picked them up around 5:30 and they were all SO excited, especially Shakira (the 4-year-old). We found out later in the night that when Shakira saw us drive up she ran to her mom and said "See Mom, I told you they would come!!!" Shifa, age 2, was not quite as enthusiastic, but she did manage to greet us and say "Mzungu, how are you?". Their father was also at the maize stand and so we invited him to come along as well but he explained to us that if he came, there would be no one to sell maize. He was just as excited for his wife and children to come along and we promised we would send a big plate of food home for him.
When we first got to the house, we were at a little bit of a loss because they didn't speak any English and Betty, our house girl, wasn't there yet to translate. But, within about 5 minutes, Shakira was bopping all over the house wanting to touch, taste, and see everything! It was great that even though she was totally out of her element, she felt completely comfortable! Shifa was happy to just sit with her mom in the living room, and Mom was simply beaming just to be in our home and watch her daughters having such a good time! As soon as Betty arrived, we were all much happier because we could actually communicate! We learned that the mom, Jamira, is only 26, had her first child at 16, and has two more children that she had to send to live in the village because she could not care for all 4 of them at the same time. Neither she, her husband, nor any of her children have ever been to school. We also learned that her husband is the groundskeeper at the cemetery in town. In exchange for his work, his family gets to live on the compound in a VERY small, VERY simple hut and he gets paid 2000 shillings a month (about $1.25). So, basically their only income is what their mom makes selling maize on street at night. Needless to say, they are a family who is BARELY getting by.
For dinner we served chicken, chips, rice, lentils, and soda. They really enjoyed them meal, although Shakira was too busy to really sit and eat. She had fun "finding" things around the house including a really expensive camera, Renee's laptop, the inside of the toilet bowl (multiple times), an outlet strip, the stove burners, and various snacks.
After dinner, we took the girls into the bathroom to give them their first, and most likely their only, bath in a bathtub! Shifa wasn't a huge fan, but Shakira had the best time ever! She thought it was so funny that the water just continued to pour out of the spout and loved that she could turn it on and off as much as she wanted. Betty had to explain to their mom what the toilet was and even flushed it for her to show how it worked. She was interested to know that the bathroom was INSIDE the house and if this is where people went to the bathroom, why did it smell so good? We put the girls in brand new, matching outfits and mom continued to beam endlessly.
The night ended with a photo shoot, eating ice cream sundaes by candlelight when the power went out, and driving them home in the "motorcar".
It was such a great night and such a neat opportunity to spend some quality time with this family. At the same time, it's a little sad because we invite them into our home and they see this massive house with multiple rooms and all the things we have, and then we drive them home to their small, run down home in the cemetery. It always leaves us feeling like we should be doing something more, something bigger for them even though we're doing as much as we can to help them and trying to show them love and compassion. This is something we struggle with almost daily. Every time you turn your head, there is someone who needs help and we're just doing what we can. For the maize family, that was inviting them into our home and treating them like family.

Our maize family

About 2 months ago Arielle and I were riding home on a piki from Amani. We had to make a stop to pick up something for dinner, so while I sat on the piki, Arielle ran inside. I noticed a woman and her 2 daughters sitting on the street selling roasted maize (corn) and said, "hello," to them. The elder of the daughters was so excited that I greeted her that she began to jump up and down. I was carrying some chocolate that an adoptive parent had brought for us (Thanks Leala and Tim!) and decided to give the girls a few pieces. The older daughter, about 5-years, got down on her knees to thank me. The mother was beaming and telling me, "thank you," over and over again. A man standing near-by translated that the woman was saying she had never seen kindness like that before. Really? A piece of chocolate? I was appalled that anyone would think this was a big gesture, and decided right then and there that Arielle and I were going to "adopt" this little maize family. Arielle came out to meet the family and agreed whole-heartedly!
The next night we brought dinner for the family. They accepted it graciously, and thanked us by giving us each a piece of maize. We have since stopped by every few nights with clothes, pajamas, books, groceries, milk, crayons, etc. On Mother's Day we prepared a gift bag for Jamira, the mother. We bought a banana fiber bag and filled it with tea, sugar, chocolate, lotion and some fancy biscuits. So the girls didn't feel left out, we brought bunny ear headbands that we found in Kampala and some sweeties. Whenever we pass by our maize family, Shakira (the 5-year-old) screams with delight, and the younger daughter (almost 2-years) who used to fear us, is now letting us hold her and smiles. Shakira likes to be the one to accept our gifts and runs to mom, glowing with pride, as they open the bags to see what we brought.
One of our favorite things about our project with our adopted family is that they don't speak English very well. Each time, we are thanked with big smiles, hand shakes and maize, and in turn, we smile at them and tell them in English that we will be back soon. This family doesn't really know who we are, why we are here, or why he have chosen to "sponsor" them. Our hope is that they see a Christ-like love in us, through our love for them and that they can see kindness in a whole different level.
This Wednesday we're taking the little girls home for the evening for a bubble bath, dinner and sweeties. I don't know who is going to be more excited, us or them!

Ezekiel James

Ezekiel James is the newest member of Masese, the village where we serve lunch every Friday! His mother, Jo, sometimes cooks the beans we serve for lunch and has been VERY pregnant for a while now. When we walked by her house last Wednesday to drop off the beans, we were so excited to see her holding a brand new baby! He was very big and healthy! When we asked her what his name was, she said "He doesn't have. You give for him". It was really fun that she wanted us to name her baby, but we couldn't think of anything on the spot- there are so many choices! So, we told her we'd tell her when we can to serve lunch on Friday (today). We spent most of the hour-long walk back to Jinja thinking of names and finally decided on Ezekiel (meaning strength of God) James (meaning our favorite character from "The Office").
When we walked by her house again today, all the kids around were calling out "Mzungu Baby" ("white baby"), which is what he's been referred to for the past few days. We told her the name we came up with and she really liked it! She especially liked that we said she should call him "Baby Zeke" for short. The kids were eager to hear his new name as well and as we left her house we could hear them all saying "Baby Zeke" over and over.
Serving lunch in Masese this afternoon was wonderful! When we got there, the kids were already lined up in two different lines. A few of the village mothers decided to help us manage the lines and maintain some order and it was so helpful! There was hardly any pushing and shoving, and it was actually a pleasant experience! We usually spend the entire time shouting at the kids to get into lines, but today we were actually able to talk to the kids, even if just a little bit, as they each came up for food. We have gotten really good at catching the kids who try to get back in line for a second round and the kids have gotten better about not trying! We had 440 chapati to hand out and ran out just as the last kids were bringing up their plates so we know we served lunch to about 440 kids!

Baby Katie Bug Turns 2!!!!!

We celebrated Katie's 2nd birthday last week. Not only was it a great party for all the kids, but it was extra special to Arielle and I. We met Katie in October, 2006. Katie was found abandoned in a garbage dump as an infant. She was very sick, suffering from complications due to HIV and not being able to keep any formula down. We saw this little baby dying and decided to give her extra love. After lots sleepless nights, really slow feedings, (1/2 ounce every 1/2 hour) lots of holding and attention, Katie managed to start keeping some food down. She was then strong enough to begin her ARV's. We watched baby Katie blossom into a happy 8-month-old baby who had then reached about the size of a small newborn. God called us to care for her and we are so thankful He has watched over her in such special ways.
We have thought about Katie and prayed for her since then, and were thrilled to be able to spend her 2nd birthday with her. We celebrated by throwing her a party complete with make your own fruit-loop and gummy lifesaver necklaces, birthday cake, and a special pair of crocs just for Katie. They even have charms "K" and "B" for 'Katie Bug.' She loved the whole party and finished it off with a massive fit- too much birthday style!
I can't even explain how much I love Katie and how much I care about her. She will forever be special to me and I will always pray for her. She is a miracle baby and such a joy in my life. Arielle laughs and has to call me a "beaming mom" a lot while I am with Katie. Watching her do absolutely anything makes me smile like a mom! Eating watermelon, walking, pushing a toy, sleeping, even when she throws fits, I love my baby girl!

Happy Mother's Day Jja Jja Karen and Jja Jja Vicky!

We love you!!!

Luke, Jonah and Elijah

Luke

Jonah

Elijah

3 sweet new baby boys

These cute little guys have all come to Amani within the last month. After some special care, Luke was moved to the nursery with the other babies. He's little, but super cute and getting bigger. Jonah came as a newborn and continues to do really well. Elijah came only a few days ago and is a chubby, happy 4-month-old cutie. Baby Monica also returned back to the Amani nursery after being away for a few weeks for surgery to correct her eyes. She's a sweet and chubby baby girl and the mamas are happy to have her back.

As we mentioned before, we've spent the last 6 days taking care of three sisters in Kampala- Peace, Charity, and Michelle. They are very energetic girls and so we stayed as busy as possible! There was lots of time spent at the park, going for walks, jumping on trampolines while we waited for dinner at their favorite restaurant, going to their first soccer game, making 'brownie bites' and once even having them run around their building for brownie bites, just to get some energy out! We had some good laughs, a little yelling, and lots of fun!

Ways we entertain ourselves (when we actually have free time)

Create music (you know when someone starts beating on the table and the other chimes in with a different beat...we can go on for wayyyy too long!)
Role Play (we once had a 30 minute conversation as Bertha and Gladys who were on a 'senior citizen cruise'. We also enjoy playing a mom and annoyed teen daughter.)
Do junky crafts like coloring with crayons
Take 'senior portraits' of each other (you know the kind where someone is peeking out from behind a tree or laying in a field of daisies...these are a joke of course.)
Plan activities for when we get back to the US (snow tubing, Ole girls reunion in Chicago, family style meals in our new appartment...speaking of that whenever we see a decoration or a piece of junky furniture we immediately begin planning for our apartment.)
Tell crazy lies to Renee and see how long we can keep them going.
Make up songs (usually about a mom or poop.)
Make funny faces at random people and see how long it takes for them to become uncomfortable.
Make lists of pointless things (this has included bodily functions, unisex names, mom names, etc)
Peace out.