Mom.. you would have freaked if you saw me today. I road my first Boda Boda. The traffic is already crazy, then you hop on the back of a little motor bike and fly past traffic from all sides. You nearly get hit or smashed around every corner, but that's normal here. It's scary at first, but you just learn to let go and enjoy. Its actually very effective for getting around and touring the city.
Today I passed a large group of kids in a field dancing and playing the drums. I had the driver flip a U and drop me off. I watched from a distance and was soon called over by the adults. They explained it was a conference for scouts in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. They invited me to volunteer for the day and before I knew it I was covered with kids. I taught the group some games, and the kids showed me how to dance and play African drums. It was a great experience, and I couldn't have been more happy to see such goods kids.
As I left I was swarmed with telephone numbers and kids trying to get a hold of something. Just as I broke away there was one last youngster, about thirteen. He explained he had dancing and singing skills, and that all he needed to be a star was for me to pull a few strings.
Here I am going to bed for the second time in Africa and I already feel as though my eyes have been opened to so much. I set up a deal today to volunteer at a primary school in the south. Kim, one of the advisers at the school, has about the biggest heart I've ever seen. Kim is always accompanied by her beautiful African baby girl. She's one of the most adorable babies I've ever seen. By the looks of things you would never know that at one point the baby was so starved that she nearly died. The baby's mother killed her other two children; threw them in a latrine after starving and abusing them. Kim saved the baby when she was near death and made her whole again. She now calls her her own and is in the process of adopting. She saves other children in similar situations all over Uganda. She says she knows she can't change Africa. She only wants to show love and affection to kids who need it. I think she's wrong. She's already changed Africa.
For many people I meet, development is very frustrating. There always seems to be something negative. I think you just have to weigh it out. Some things work.
Today I passed a large group of kids in a field dancing and playing the drums. I had the driver flip a U and drop me off. I watched from a distance and was soon called over by the adults. They explained it was a conference for scouts in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. They invited me to volunteer for the day and before I knew it I was covered with kids. I taught the group some games, and the kids showed me how to dance and play African drums. It was a great experience, and I couldn't have been more happy to see such goods kids.
As I left I was swarmed with telephone numbers and kids trying to get a hold of something. Just as I broke away there was one last youngster, about thirteen. He explained he had dancing and singing skills, and that all he needed to be a star was for me to pull a few strings.
Here I am going to bed for the second time in Africa and I already feel as though my eyes have been opened to so much. I set up a deal today to volunteer at a primary school in the south. Kim, one of the advisers at the school, has about the biggest heart I've ever seen. Kim is always accompanied by her beautiful African baby girl. She's one of the most adorable babies I've ever seen. By the looks of things you would never know that at one point the baby was so starved that she nearly died. The baby's mother killed her other two children; threw them in a latrine after starving and abusing them. Kim saved the baby when she was near death and made her whole again. She now calls her her own and is in the process of adopting. She saves other children in similar situations all over Uganda. She says she knows she can't change Africa. She only wants to show love and affection to kids who need it. I think she's wrong. She's already changed Africa.
For many people I meet, development is very frustrating. There always seems to be something negative. I think you just have to weigh it out. Some things work.
3 comments:
Man Sheldon:
You never cease to amaze me. I love that you got to be a part of the scouts! haha thats awesome. And if you can pull some strings for the boy. . . Maybe you can pull some for me, I can't sing but I've got some moves. JK- It seems like you are having an incredible time. We miss you here at home, Gizmo says hi! Love ya bud! - Your Bestest Friend Ever (Next to Angee, cause you love her, so she wins!)
Sheldon... What you wrote above is true true passion. I want you to know that i regret that i did not go with you, because i was scared, nervous or worried. But seeing you write what you have seen makes me very covetous... I love you man and miss you like you wouldn't believe.
Shel,
Sounds like you're the same now as you were in Guate, I love it!!! I can see those kids crawling all over you, the towering white kid who will always stick out like a sore thumb but seems not to care:) Have a blast and make everyday what you want it to be! I love reading your posts, by the way, keep it up:)
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