Michelle Boice

I am HOME in Naperville

2008-07-23T18:41:00.001+08:00

I made it home - exhausted but will re-energize soon!
I will also post new updates and MORE pictures and stories... so keep checking back, but I need a little bit of rest. Eight weeks in Africa makes my own bed look like HEAVEN...

Elephantitus at Village in Kamwenge

2008-07-11T20:34:00.005+08:00

We just returned from a three day trip to Kamwenge district. We did another visit to Torro High School and to the primary kids as well as seeing families. But the hardest thing was the last village we visited. Many of the local people are suffering from Elephantitus. (spelling?) This is a disease which causes swelling of the extremities and these areas to become pus filled blisters which pop and smell unbelievably bad. These people are often shunned by their own family. It's contagious too. There is no real 100% cure, but it can be greatly alleviated in many cases. Medicine will save lives, for about $30 a year. Surgery is sometimes needed. If untreated, the people will die a slow, painful death.

I cried (in the bus, not in front of them) when I saw this suffering.
BUT I have AMAZING friends. I cannot and will not post all of the pictures due to graphic nudity. The man (pictured here with clothes on) allowed pictures to be taken of him without his clothes. His scrotum weighs over 12 pounds. After seven weeks of helping in villages, I am broke, so I sent these pictures to caring people as soon as I got back to Kampala and the internet access, and within just a few hours, enough friends promised to send money by depositing in my US bank account.. I am now withdrawing the shillings here and giving to the community facilitator who will take him to have surgery. Thank God.. and thank you to my friends who reached out to care about these people across the world that they never even met. You have saved lives today- literally

This woman had rags to tie up her feet because shoes no longer fit her.

But she was still able to smile.
She felt beautiful in her yellow dress and I told her she was!

This 18 year old man was in excrutiating pain. His scrotum had swelled to the size of a large cantaloupe.

We gave this little girl some pain medication as well as the Elephantitus medicine.

She had already lost part of her foot. Some toes were gone/badly decomposed.

Sunday School Spa Treatments Anyone?

2008-07-07T09:51:00.005+08:00

Guess what I did today? Again, church was very different today. Sylvia had the idea to show the people here we love them that we should do an old fashioned washing of the feet of all the people here in the church after the services. (like Jesus did to the disciples) To be honest, I wasn't crazy about the idea initially, I'd support her idea because we are a team, and I knew it was important to her. But, you know the amazing thing? It ended up being great. The best part was that Kaden voluntarily came up and wanted to do it with me. And I had already held her for two hours during church. Instead of playing with the other kids, she came up and sat beside me for THREE HOURS helping. (That's how long it took, cause we did about 300 people) Kaden and I did the rinse the feet, dry and add lotion. Kaden was really helping, not just play acting. I have NEVER seen a three year old with such an attention span. (Even my nephew Gabe, who is brilliant.) She is so smart and because she and I were together doing this, the time flew.... we could do anything together and it would be fun - dig a ditch, whatever... and I'd love it simply because we would be together.

She did start out a little tired, but reenergized quickly.

Kaden during church in the dress and bear purse that I gave to her...

Recognize them, Sarah Bachmann? She looked like a princess.

Kaden's hand in mine.

Funny Signs Around Town

2008-07-05T06:15:00.006+08:00

Some of the signs here are too interesting not to take note of....

JJ you be Tickles, I'll be Giggles.

You can Eat Smart...

Or eat Goat...

Or have a Sauna or Steam Bath along with your meal.

Or have some KFC...

Furniture delivery guy that SHOULD have a sign that reads WIDE LOAD

Evidently cars need a bathroom?

Interesting services....

Whoaaa!

Who wants to GAIN weight in the hips?????

Jeff Levitan's All For One Orphanage Project

2008-07-05T02:34:00.021+08:00

Michelle and the TJ Miracle School Kids, the orphanage/school funded by All For One

This whole trip has been a very heavy emotional experience. I knew what I signed on for... I'm not complaining, just explaining.

I have passed bricks for hours in the hot sun to build houses for widows and AIDS orphans, my teams and I have worked to carry water for kilometers to mix the cement. We have been dirty, tired, hungry, and even some of us have been injured. But it is nothing compared to what these people go through.
I've held hands with people with malaria, AIDS, elephantitis, and horrible birth defects.
I've seen several people that have to walk on their hands due to disability.
I have spoken with burn victims, raped women and child soldiers.
I have visited schools, villages raided by the LRA, and mothers who have seen their husbands and children killed in front of them.
These are real people living real lives- really, really tough lives.
I've danced with them, worked beside them, and worshipped with these people and even though it's not the same language, it's the same God.
Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I am angry. Sometimes I feel like I am dipping a bucket into the ocean of needs.
We've all had to sit for hours during village welcome ceremonies. And sometimes I do zone out... oh here we go again with the hour long welcome....

But today, it was different. At the orphanage I visited, the kids sang this song that made me realize that each one of the people I am meeting has this incredible amount of dreams, and in a way, are just hoping that maybe these people visiting are going to be the ones that can help them achieve those dreams. It hit me that that is an incredible responsibility... to be a potential instrument of other people's dreams.

You know how some things just kind of work out... and I don't believe in accidents. Well, I have a friend named Jeff Levitan who is the kind of guy that is the instrument of other people's dreams. He's a guy who knows how to make things happen. I know a lot of people who want to do good things... Jeff does them. He is an amazing and rare person, and pretty much everyone loves him. He's one of those guys that you can't believe is for real... but he is. Trust me. I know I have a lot of respect for him and even more so after today.
Jeff started an organization called All For One. And, guess what... All For One is funding an orphanage/school/clinic in Kampala... And he is building a brand new facility to expand and care for even more orphans. I remember sitting in Jeff's office the week he purchased the land... and him sharing his dream with me... I didn't think I'd actually get to see it firsthand, but like I said.. things happen for a reason. Of course, with me living in Kampala this summer, I wanted to go and check it out firsthand, meet the kids and see the progress on the new building.

First of all, I want to thank Renata, Kaitlin, JJ, Fred and Jerome for going with me on what is one of our only days "off"- between Team 2's leaving and Team 3's arriving... You were awesome and I thank you for giving your time and energy once again.

This is Bonnie, the headmistress of the school, showing me the internet cafe in town that she wants to open in order to help fund the continuing needs of the orphanage/school.

Of course teachers would want to see the school... so Kia and Michelle get a tour of the classrooms.

The children sang a bunch of welcome songs and recited poems.

We did an art project with the kids. We wanted them to keep them, but they insisted on using them to create a message for "Daddy Jeff."
Jeff, They remember your visit well, and they must talk about you constantly, because we must have heard them say that they "...love Daddy Jeff" at least a hundred times.

We made new friends.

Wearing the art project is a creative option!

We did The Guardian Stone Lion puppet show (and let them keep the puppets for future use )

I gave them the Henry the Hand handwashing program (hygiene)
I also passed out toothbrushes.
(Boy, isn't Michelle the fun one!)
But I DID give them candy, too....

The kids with the Henry the Hand puppets, posters, Barbies and soccer ball.

Precious (her name and also what she is)

Allam wants to be a lawyer.

Danny wants to be a pilot.

The soccer ball was a big hit.

JJ blowing bubbles with the kids

We had a lot of fun being with the kids, but we also went to see the new building being constructed. Bonnie says it will hopefully be done by November 2008. The place is huge, and has an incredible view of the valley below. Bonnie explained this building is only Phase 1. There are tiers of other buildings to be built below the main building with classrooms and a medical clinic still to come.

View from the driveway going up the hill.

.

Me, along with Bonnie and Precious.

Exterior front

Me, exterior front... see the division where the plaster has not been done yet... This is a brick building and is solid.

Exterior, main entrance from the drive.

Entry hall with the dining room beyond.

Michelle, Bonnie, Precious in the dining hall.

Girls dorm bathroom, unfinished.

Girls dorm bedroom (boys have a mirror image one

I thought this was a good way to end this. I see it as a representation of what All For One means to these kids.
This program is off to great start, but I am sure All For One would be happy to have any help that it can get as this program moves forward. Check out their website at www.allforone.org

A Brothel, A Bare Butt, and an Avocado

2008-07-03T14:29:00.007+08:00

You know how when you start out to do something that you think is totally ordinary- of no significance, so you don't take your camera??? Then later on you wish you had it...

Team 2 has gone and we are waiting for Team3 so we have a day or two down time. After the bus incident and trips to the hospital, I was feeling some stress... but that was nothing compared to how sore Kaitlin is... still, I had heard about this place that had massages, for 15,000 shillings. Ok, so that sounds expensive but converted to dollars is about 9 dollars. OK, that sounds great....and it's definitely in my price range. I love massages, but I should've aimed a little higher this time.

So JJ and I set out to find this place. By the time we ate dinner, and find the hotel, it's about 9:30 PM. So we walk in and there's this Chinese guy and two Ugandan women in the common area. He is the owner. The conversation goes something like this:

Me: Hi, I hear that you give massages.
Chinese guy: Yes, we give massageees.... .
Me: Great! What kind of massages do you have?
Chinese guy: We have two kind of Chinese massageee. 15,000 and 30,000 (shillings)
Me: Ok, what's the difference? Is one longer, or is it more intense? Do you have hot stones?
Chinese guy: Stones?
Me: Stones.
Chinese guy: Stones?
Me: Hot stones.
Chinese guy: Stones? (He looks confused, so I don't even ask him about Chakra balancing or Reiki)
Chinese guy: Stones?
(I see this is going nowhere, so I start another line of questioning. Back to the "difference" )
Me: So why is the 30,000 massage better?
Chinese guy: It's size of bed. And there is shower in the room. Otherwise you shower outside the room.
Me: Size of the bed?
Chinese guy: Yes, 30,000 is for double bed. (Clue #1)
Me: Ok, well, we only need a single!!! So if there is no other difference, I guess we each want the 15,000 massage.

So JJ and I are taken back into little rooms off of the dining room of this hotel. I am led to a small and dim room, that well, smells weird. There is a single bulb, and I kid you not.. it is a RED lightbulb. That is Clue #2

JJ is led off... I hope I see her again.
There is a massage table, and Faith, the lady giving the massage puts a sheet over it. A sheet... singular...no top sheet to drape over me. I guess she isn't going to leave the room before I undress.. Oh well. So, it's Africa.. Roll with it. As I lay there in all my naked glory, I began to channel Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense... as I thought: "I smell stinky people." Still, nothing really odd happens. The massage starts, and it's ok.

JJ is next door, and the walls must be made of Kleenex, because we can totally hear what is going on in each other's rooms. Thump, slap, slap, pop.... you get the picture. It goes pretty normally at first.
Poor JJ, the woman she had tells her that she has medicine she can give her to make her breasts bigger. (Later, JJ told me that her woman peeks under JJ's underwear and GIGGLES audibly.)
By now, I am on my back, facing up. Still naked and now oily- like a greased pig at a county fair.

I feel the table shake a little... Did that woman just crawl on top of the table???.. YEP... I peek open my eyes and the woman is standing towering over me. She bends and reaches over me, behind my back, and in a quick movement, draws her hands forward to the front.
All JJ hears is SLAP, SLAP, SLAP from my room. She later tells me she is thinking: Is Michelle getting SPANKED in there?

I get the giggles. I keep thinking of the avocado I am supposed to bring home for Kaitlin. It's seems to be a place where anything goes here, maybe I can pick one up from the Chinese guy in the dining room after the massage. The avocado... I can't get it out of my head.
So much for pretending not to hear, I say "Hey JJ, how are you in there?" She said "Ok??..." but I heard it more as a question, not a response.
"Hey JJ, can you remind me to get an avocado before we go home."
(I can hear muffled movement behind the wall and cannot tell if JJ is trying not to laugh. I can tell she is doing her best to make her voice normal." "OK..."

I decide to probe Faith a little more about the difference in the massages, maybe she can explain it better. I already have a pretty good idea we are in a brothel, but it is confirmed when she says that the 30,000 massage is the "one that men like" and that the bed is not a whole night's lodging, but just to sleep in "for a while" after the massage.
I'm starting to feel pretty skeeved out now, and the massage doesn't really last the whole hour, but I don't care.
The massage ends, and Faith rubs a dingy grey towel over me to rub the excess oil (Johnson's baby oil and spearmint) off. I dress as quickly as I can, without touching anything else in the room that I possibly could avoid...
I thank Faith, and, as as I pay the man in the lobby, I ask him- "Hey, do you happen to have an avocado I could buy from you?"
The Chinese man looks at me and tilts his head. "Avocado?" he says, clearly perplexed.
Me: "Avocado."
Chinese man: "Avocado?"
Me: "Avocado"
Chinese man: "Avocado????"

Never mind...

Bus Accident

2008-06-30T21:52:00.004+08:00

* NOTE ADDED AFTER WE RETURNED TO THE USA: when I originally posted this - we thought Kaitlin was ok. After Kaitlin was released from the hospital in Uganda with an all clear bill of health, she walked around Uganda for two more weeks, flew internationally (hauled luggage) and upon returning home, went to her doctor. He discovered she has a broken back (the T9 vertibrae) and told her she was lucky she was not paralyzed!

Saturday night, coming back from Paraa, a car cut the bus off unexpectedly in a construction zone. We did not see a brand new speed bump, and the bus hit it very hard. We all flew up out of our seats. Kaitlin was in the back of the bus, hit her head HARD on the roof, and was slammed back down. She was injured, and could not speak or move, but managed to whisper "Help Me!" Debbie heard her, and got the group's attention. Renata and I rushed to the back of the bus. We got the bus to stop (the road was terribly bumpy as all roads here are) and tried to assess what was wrong. Clearly, we had to get to the hospital ASAP... but traffic was a nightmare and we were at least an hour away.
We had no choice but to try to continue to the hospital while the ambulance (we called on the cell) tried to find us... Kaitlin was in severe pain and shock. Her mom is going to read this, so I am not going to get into the scary details, but we were afraid she had a broken back or spinal injury. All of her extremities were in pain, and all the way to the hospital,Renata braced Kaitlin's body and I was massaging her hands and shoulders to keep the feeling. Others were rubbing her feet. Everyone else prayed. I kept watching her pupils to see that they were normal (and they were I just kept talking to her to try to calm her down and to reassure her it would be ok. There was a wild, frightened look in her eyes and she was crying. All she would say is "Something is NOT right.. Something is very wrong!" So it was a time we could not freak out ourselves. We just kept with her. It was about an hour before we made it to the hospital. We called Herb and Ellen Cook, missionaries that have lived in Africa for over 35 years, and they promised to meet us at the hospital, but were some distance away.
At the hospital, the "paramedics" wanted to lift her off the bus.. I told them NO WAY.. she has to be put on a backboard. They said it was not possible to get it through the bus door with her on it.. COME ON PEOPLE... THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!! I insisted they bring it and told them we would lift her out the back window of the bus. No way were they going to mess up her spine.
Gene, Renata and I put her on the backboard ourselves because these people didn't have a clue.
Everyone helped to lift her down off the bus...
It did get somewhat better inside, but again, it will be Kaitlin's choice on how much detail she wants to give about the treatment. Let's just say that the hospitals here are at least 20 to 30 years behind facilities in the USA... and we were at THE most modern hospital in Uganda. I would hate to see the non modern ones.
The neurologist that was called was definitely qualified, and the good news is that she did not break anything, but had a massive and instantaneous compression which caused such pain. And the body reacted with a great deal of shock. She is ok, and now going to be fine.

Fred is a GREAT bus driver... and a lot of fun too!

I am in LOVE... who would have thought it would happen?

2008-06-30T21:22:00.005+08:00

Ok so I was warned that I might fall in love when I least expected it...

And I did....

It was love at first sight, and I am pretty sure it was mutual, although we don't speak the same language. Her name is Kaden, and she is about three years old.

She came right up to me on the first day. And every time I go back, she runs right to my arms...
I do love her... and she was abandoned by her mother. Her father is dead, and her elderly grandma is already taking care of 5 kids.

.

The first day we met.

The second day...

And every day since....

Kaden and her grandma

Nile and Safari

2008-06-30T21:03:00.004+08:00

Here I am, with the whole world in my reach!

Murchinson Falls...

Is it a wild African beast??? Yep... Fred our driver, being funny.

The elephant in the background isn't as dangerous as Fred. He's a cannibal.

Me with the Nile River in the background.

An interesting road to somewhere unknown

Jerome is either proposing to Renata, or he is pleading with her to increase her fruit intake...

Mukono Namyoya School Visit

2008-06-30T20:42:00.003+08:00

Mukono Namyoya Schoolhouse...

The team stopped in on a school day. We knew most of the kids in the village from our previous visits to the church building and well digging projects.

Inside the school

I love meeting other teachers throughout the world. These teachers have "students" as young as 6 months.... So they teach ALL ages. Can you imagine teaching reading, math, and all subjects to 30 or more students while simultaneously watching infants! Talk about hard working teachers!

We did a project with the kids.

They were happy to show their results!

The Dichotomy of Africa

2008-06-30T18:24:00.009+08:00

Scenes from Everyday Life in Africa

Africa has such a mixture of great beauty, yet pieces of ugliness are scattered throughout the culture.

It is Majestic........

It is Sorrow.....

AIDS graves such as this one are all over. There is not one man, woman, or child in Uganda who does not know a family member or friend that has died of AIDS.

It is Despair.......

The AIDS clinic that is built in Kamwenge, one of the hardest hit regions for AIDS in Uganda. However, there is no money to currently open or operate this clinic.

It is Community..... These people live with very little economic resources, but they are rich in relationships.

It is Strength... The women here lead hard lives, but they are proud and strong

It is Innocence.....

It is Rural... These long horn cows wander freely. Don't get in the way!

It is Confusing, and sometimes Entertaining. The signs are very different here.

It is Beauty.........

It is Entreprenurial...

This family sells their produce in a store they built from sticks and mud.

It is Fun..

This little boy made his stilts from sticks...

It is Hard Labor....

These boys have no money to attend school, so they work at breaking rocks to use to pave the roads to earn money for their families.

It is Poverty.....

It is Love...

This man takes his baby almost everywhere with him on his bike because there was no one to watch him at home. The baby (who looks about 18 months old) must hang on over many kilometers of bumpy dirt roads

It is Hope....

These schoolchildren hope for a better life through an education.

Kamwenge School...

2008-06-30T15:33:00.011+08:00

We went to Kamwenge and visited a school there.. The community was so happy to see us. They had made baskets and mats for us. We bought some, but they wanted to give us some as well. They wanted to show us their love for us as we were showing our love for them.

This woman made this heart..... and clearly gave it from her heart.

The school building is a central part of the community.

True ingenuity... I love how the people here make things work and they think outside the box; This is an old wheel from a car, which is the school bell.

The older students learn a trade, such as sewing and embroidery so that they will be able to earn a living.

The patterns that the girls use for the sewing classes are made from stiff paper and reused many times.

Primary Students

Taylor and Renata handed out school supplies. It was like Christmas in June! They were thrilled.

This teacher really was amazing. Being a teacher myself, I could tell that she really had her act together and was doing an excellent job. Although she had little materials, and with over 45 small kids in this little room, she was doing a fantastic job in giving them the best education possible.

The primary classroom, for 45 students.

We did a puppet show called The Guardian Stone Lion (about a greedy brother and a generous brother) knowing the cultural tendency to like stories with a moral to them. Milton, our Parents Concern community facilitator was BEYOND EXCELLENT. He should be a teacher himself!

The kids were captivated. It was definitely a low-budget production, but they didn't mind a bit! I am so grateful to my team of puppet people for making this good for the kids.

Although we geared it to primary kids, the adults were plenty interested too! We had people hanging in the windows so they could see the show too!

I presented the Henry the Hand handwashing methods as part of the health and hygiene program. The puppet team helped out!

Again, Milton translated for me, and put a lot of enthusiasm into it! The kids really liked the part where I put the special lotion that shows germs glowing under the blacklight on a student's hands!

Henry The Hand posters and puppets were given to the school. We turned it into a party with balloons and stickers for all the kids.

Torro High School and Linda's Sweet 16th Bday

2008-06-27T01:12:00.004+08:00

On Monday morning, we went to Torro High School in Fort Portal. This was the second time I'd been there, and some of the students, girls mostly, were so excited to see me again. I'd spent quite a bit of time talking with them at the football game the first visit.

They greeted the group with some songs, speeches, and poetry they'd created.

Taylor, Renata and Debbie pass out supplies. This school is a boarding school and the girls of the school must live there for safety reasons. The subject matter they know is amazing, especially with the limited resources. They really need even the basics. We read a report on the 82 students supplies for school A few of the statistics of the first of the year:
Students that have a plate and cup 35/82
Students that have a mattress and bedsheets 16/82
Students with shoes 24/82
Boys with a pair of underwear 4/22
Girls with pair of underwear 33/60
Students with soap 5/82
Students with at least a dozen exercise books and 2 pens 15/82

We did a puppet show... And as it turned out, they could totally see us! Funny!!

They liked us singing to THEM.. JJ rocked the house... so much she got dizzy and almost passed out

During the lunch break, I went to the girls with them back to the dormitory... 54 girls sleep in bunk beds under the supervision of a matron (Rose) who is kind to them, but keeps things in line. It was Linda's Sweet 16 birthday and her roommates decorated her bunk with good wishes posted. I asked if I could add mine.. So, I wrote my favorite quote :"Be the change you want to see in the world."- Ghandi. I added a personal message. But I wanted to do something really special for her. She was really far from home and her family. So that night after dinner, I came back with my best imitation of a birthday cake.. Fruit and cookies made up to resemble a cake, complete with candle.

This is Linda's "birthday cake" that I concocted with fruit and cookies that I bought at the only gas station in town. Decorated with lollipops and a candle.

Linda was scared to be called to the headmaster's office during evening study hours. She really thought she was in trouble!!! But she was so happy to find out I was there to surprise her (along with JJ, Taylor and Jaimie) with the cake.

She invited some friends to share, made a wish and blew out the candles.

Thursday

2008-06-26T12:39:00.002+08:00

Sorry that I haven't updated this since Friday, but I've been really busy.
Promise to do it soon.... with pictures but here is the brief rundown
Sunday we went to church at Namyoya and then visited AIDS families
Monday and Tuesday we went to Fort Portal and Kamwenge to visit Torro High School (my second visit, Team Two's first)
Stayed overnight in Fort Portal
Tuesday we went to Kamwenge and in the AM went to a primary school. I did the Henry the Hand Handwashing program and my team did the puppet show... They were awesome.
We visited families, did ceremonies, and ended up exhausted at home at 10 PM
Wednesday, Taylor and I went shopping in town for some things she wanted to take home.
This morning, we are going to Namyoya village where Renata and I have planned a fun day of cleaning kids' ears out, tending wounds and doing minor medical care!! Those of you that know me, pray hard that my weak stomach and my tendency to vomit at bad smells does not get the best of me. Somehow, I think vomiting on someone's child will not make for cross cultural friendships!!!!

Visiting Families in Busia

2008-06-22T03:16:00.017+08:00

You don't have to be crazy to be with us! But it helps!

A mosiac art piece

Michelle's Not So Wild Animals of Africa

Cats aren't too common here, but -
If there is a cat anywhere in a 10 mile radius, I'll find it and love on it.

Ricky and a chicken

Ok, I have a new found liking for GOATS.. they are sweet, and have a nice voice - kind of like cats....and are very gentle... I found the cutest baby goat in the world...it took me a while to catch him, but it was worth it... When he started to cry for his mama (who was tied nearby) I let him go.

Goats are tied to bushes, rocks, etc here. So I could not resist taking this picture that captures a favorite saying of mine " Never let people know where your goat is tied or they can get your goat!"

We visited families in the Busia district. At the office, we had a community meeting where we gave out relief supplies to the families, and candy and balloons to the kids. Here is JJ, who was highly entertaining to the kids. This is JJ, showing kids how to act like chickens!

Here is Idah, our Ugandan country director, pictured with one of our program participants. He has birth defects which cause his legs to be folded up and shriveled. He must get around very rough terrain in this wheelchair.

This is a grandma that along with a 17 year old grandson, takes care of 5 younger siblings who were orphaned when their parents died of AIDS

Chris and Debbie Miller in front of a common hut home

Michelle and JJ got up early when we stayed over in Busia to TRY to cross this lake because on the other side, it is KENYA. - just to go for the heck of it..The motorboat never showed up... We were less than a mile away. Bummer...

This is a woman carrying water

JJ loved this little baby who is an orphan being raised by grandparents

So did Renata!

Team Two

2008-06-22T02:43:00.004+08:00

Team Two is here! JJ, Chris and Debbie, Luke, Gene, Taylor, Jamie, Melody, Amber, and Mike, and Ricky- some of the members, having some social time!

Kaitlin and Michelle bake peanut butter cookies.. The internet was down so we couldn't remember the exact recipe, so we improvised. We know it was only peanut butter, sugar and eggs, so we guessed at the amounts....they turned out pretty good!

Team Two Arrives Today

2008-06-18T16:08:00.004+08:00

Team Two is here!!!

My Encounter with the Ugandan National Police

2008-06-18T03:34:00.003+08:00

This blog entry has no pictures because I learned a lesson... Do NOT take pictures of the Nile River... Or bridges... I was warned, but since I did not see any policemen, I decided to take the picture as we crossed the bridge... Then the police came up behind us, stopped us, and questioned us. Evidently, these guys are SERIOUS... even having men hiding in the bushes with binoculars watching if people take pictures. Luckily he only made me erase the digital picture, and did not take the camera (They have done that in the past)

Paraa Lodge Safari

2008-06-18T02:58:00.015+08:00

After Gulu, we needed a little bit of beauty to get us back on the positive track. We went to Paraa Safari Lodge in the middle of a national park to see some of the animals.

Here are the real wild animals... forget the ones on the safari!

Michelle and the Giraffes (we got a lot closer than this)

Bill Borbas and the wandering hippo at the lodge

Nile River Cruise with Murchinson Falls in the background

Dead hippo floating on the Nile

Hey Renata, there are crocodiles in this river!

Murchinson Falls-- the entire Nile comes through this 20 ft wide passage

Andy and Jaime at Murchinson Falls

K.I.A.- otherwise known Nam Doo Doo ( We finally found out the reason behind Kaitlin's name the villagers call her. Idah explained it is a nice nickname... We were wondering how you got that out of "Kaitlin"

Tree of Life

The Heartbreak of Uganda- Gulu

2008-06-17T15:38:00.020+08:00

What and Where is Gulu? Gulu is a town located in northern Uganda. It's an epicenter of an internal civil war that has lasted over 21 years. A great synopsis of the war can be found at www.invisiblechildren.com under About and History of the War. About 20 years ago, when Uganda elected a new president, a man named Joseph Kony decided to start an opposition army (Lords Resistance Army) against the Ugandan government. He needed an army, and couldn't get a volunteers, so he began raiding the villages and taking children by force to use as soldiers. (Kill or be killed) It's estimated 90% of the army is made up of conscripted children. The raids have been ongoing for years, so kids would leave their villages at night to "commute" to safety in the local hospitals, churches, etc. The raids somewhat stopped from 2003 until now while having peace talks. But, recently peace talks have come to an unresolved end. Villages have been destroyed. People who lost everything moved to the Internally Displaced Persons camps (IDP) in Gulu. Millions of people now live in the camps at Gulu.

The people in Gulu displaced persons camps live in very poor conditions. They live in mud huts with no windows. These camps were temporary, but have become permanent because people's families are dead, they own no land or possessions, and have no job or means of supporting themselves to go back home to... so they stay. Some of the people we spoke to have been there over 9 years.

This is the water that the children are using... Yes, this IS water. There are no bathrooms, running water, electricity. The sanitation conditions are a nightmare. Keeping clean and healthy are near to impossible.

The women living in the displaced person camps of Gulu have very difficult lives. Most were fearful of sharing their stories. The women who did speak with us are NOT pictured here for safety reasons. Many have been raped, beaten, and have had family members killed in the raids by Kony. The camps are the only place left for them, but now that the peace talks have failed, they feel they may be sitting ducks. Some of the women that were raped became pregnant. They were often very young. We saw many of these child mothers. We took them clothes, soap, shoes, snacks and even gave them money, but these are temporary measures of comfort, we know. Interestingly, they asked only for two things.... First, if we could somehow find a way to help them become educated, or trained. And the second was to not forget them.

Andy sharing a toy with a little girl

Even the children have real work to do. These boys are carrying water in jerrycans... on their heads (a full jerrycan weighs 40 pounds)

Children of Gulu

This little girl could not believe the Barbie was actually for her. Thank you Linda Pilatsch for the dolls you donated!

Soccer Ball Exchange with Kids Along the Road

2008-06-12T03:02:00.005+08:00

We came across these children playing soccer with a deflated ball... So we stopped the bus and told the boy to come over and bring the ball... He was very hesitant, but he came.

When he came to the bus, we took his soccer ball away---and then gave him a brand new one. The kids were so excited- they were jumping up and down!

Malaria Widow in Kamwenge

2008-06-12T02:14:00.008+08:00

Today was difficult because we went to see a family that is on the list to be sponsored but has not yet found a donor..

We had to walk about a mile along this dirt path.

This widow lives in true poverty and she has no means of support.

She makes less than $1 per MONTH.

Her feet were in horrible condition.

The one granddaughter shown here has one leg that is distinctly shorter than the other. The grandmother (who is taking care of three kids) has malaria now and is weak and sick. She has no money for the doctor.

The husband died in February from malaria and they buried him here, less than twenty feet from the hut where they live. This woman knows that she will soon join him if she does not get help, but cannot afford the doctor. She did not ask for help but I could not bear to see this, so I gave her enough money to go and get the treatment. It was about $12. So for now, she will live, but what about next time... she lives in a mud hut and no mosquito net. I walked away in tears because she is just one of the thousands and thousands that need help.

Journey to Kamwenge-

2008-06-11T22:50:00.010+08:00

From Fort Portal, we went to Kamwenge to visit Kaitlin's sponsored family. It was 85 kilometers of a bumpy dirt road.

This is where we stayed.... just kidding. But this is a typical hotel that we passed along the way

This is Kaitlin and Michelle in the jungle.

On the way, we passed through a forest... there were wild baboons that came right up to the car when we threw bananas to them. The head baboon kept taking them ALL and not letting the smaller ones have ANY. He was really excited to see us..... really excited. If you look closely at the picture you will see what I mean.

We visited Kaitlin's sponsored family. This is what their house they lived in before the Tris family started to help them. The widow was so poor she did not have a dress to wear to church, the kids were begging from neighbors, and had rags for clothes. Her house was almost to collapse.

Now, the house has been reinforced and plastered. The widow has a garden of corn, and now helps her neighbors. She has two goats and is able to clothe her kids and go to church. She also now has enough to even give to the church and she was so happy to see Kaitlin in person. The whole village turned out and there was a ceremony.

Henry the Hand- Handwashing Education

2008-06-11T22:46:00.001+08:00

Part of what I am doing for the teaching of hygiene and sanitation. For the basics, I am teaching proper handwashing using the Henry the Hand program, by Dr. Will Sawyer, in Ohio. Dr. Will generously donated posters, puppets, glow hand gel (for showing germs) and the animated DVD and music CD (which we use in the rare setting where we actually have electricity. The kids really like the experiment that I do where I use the special glow gel and blacklight flashlight to show the hidden germs that are on our hands. Visit www.henrythehand.com to see his whole program which is a good one, and depends mostly on visual clues so reading English is not as important as the message it conveys.

How to Carry a Baby and a Load of Firewood.

2008-06-11T22:41:00.002+08:00

It is very common to see women carrying things on their heads... including 40 pound jugs of water.
This woman also has a baby on her back
Since there are no diapers, I wonder how moms cope.

Goat Sacrifice at Church Sunday -Old Testament Style-

2008-06-11T16:45:00.002+08:00

Last Sunday, we went to go to the first church service at Namyoya where we put the roof on this week. It looked great. The church was filled and people were hanging in the windows. The church service was pretty normal until AFTER the service. They wanted to have a goat sacrifice to bless the church roof… Old Testament style!!! (Read Terry Bauer’s blog account of this) I could not believe it.. It’s the only church service where I have witnessed a live sacrifice. This was not any sort of pagan ritual, this was a Christian sacrifice done the Old Testament way.

The goat sacrifice was not easy to watch. The goat did cry out, and there was a lot of blood. It took several minutes for the goat to die. Then, he was hung up by the feet and butchered on the spot, to be eaten by the villagers for lunch. We had another village to visit so Dan could see his sponsored family, so we did not have to stay for the goat feast, or the second church service of the day.

Why Uganda Does NOT Need Gyms:

2008-06-11T15:50:00.002+08:00

The best workout I have had in a long time is an old fashioned ab and oblique workout class called: Pass The Bricks. It’s simple. Form a line, and start passing. However, WATCH out for the poisonous green mamba that just might be living in the brick pile!!! And when the snake made his appearance and displeasure at us disturbing his peace, you never saw a Mzungu *White person* move so fast away.

Goodbye Uncle Bob

2008-06-07T12:19:00.000+08:00

I received some sad news from home today. My Uncle Bob (Boice) died.
He had not been well for a long time, and honestly, it's a comfort knowing that he is no longer in pain. But who I am really sad for is his daughter, my cousing Madeline. She already lost her mother, and in January, her brother, Jonathan also died.
So I started to think about Uncle Bob and prefer to remember him like when we were kids, when he was in better health.
I remember the time that all of us kids and Bob made birdhouses in his workshop in the basement.
I remember how proud he was of the motorcycle that he bought the FIRST time gas prices went sky high (in the 1970s)
I remember the graduations, Madeline'a prom, lots of family events where Uncle Bob and Aunt Yvonne were simply an expected part of every family event.
I know things change as you get older, and loved ones die, but it is never easy... I will miss Uncle Bob.

Namyoya Village Scenes

2008-06-06T03:43:00.000+08:00

The women carry the babies tied to their backs. We had moms that had babies on their backs working on the construction of the pastor's house. A trusting mom allowed me to try it! It wasn't that hard!

One of the things I am doing is health and hygeine initiatives. This is the Henry the Hand puppet show I did based on handwashing awareness. The kids loved it, especially when I turned the blacklight on their hands with the gel to show them the germs. The village facilitator keeps the puppet and poster for reinforcement.

Here I am drumming the African drum! The kids liked it!

Here is Renata with a potential Prince Charming! (I am not sure if she actually kissed him)

Namyoya Village Church

2008-06-06T03:32:00.000+08:00

This is Namyoya church that we came to complete the roof.

Here is Harrison ON the roof! He has the steadiness of a mountain goat!

Namyoya Village

2008-06-06T03:29:00.000+08:00

As we got to Namyoya Village, we had to walk the last mile or so because the road was so bad. The people came out and met us… They were so excited that they greeted us with these high pitches yells “Yi YiYi Yi Yi Yi!” We thought we were either really welcomed or we were going to be lunch!

Brian is greeted en masse by the school kids.

Michelle with the AIDS orphans, Rose and Barbara

2008-06-06T03:26:00.000+08:00

These two little girls, Barbara and Rose, are Mrs. Nalwanga's granddaughters. They worked with me both days and never left my side. Five minutes before we left, Mrs. Nalwanga told us through our interpreter, that both the parents had died of AIDS and both girls are HIV positive. This really reinforced my belief and reason to be here. One of the initiatives we are doing is AIDS education.

Dawn and Frank Bodi's Sponsorship Built this house

2008-06-06T03:22:00.000+08:00

Here is Mrs. This is Mrs. Nalwanga with the picture of Dawn and Frank Bodi, the sponsors who built the house for her. The cool thing is, I didn’t know Dawn at all, but happened to be yard saling and went to her yard sale in Naperville where she was raising money for this house! We got to talking and discovered I was actually going to be the one working on this house! Mrs. Nalwanga kept thanking them over and over.

Mrs. Nalwanga

2008-06-06T03:18:00.000+08:00

Mrs. Nalwanga, cooking at the base of the tree. Africans often cook outside the house.

Directions to My House in Kampala- Or Why I Would Never Be a Pizza Delivery Guy in Kampala

2008-06-05T12:57:00.000+08:00

Ok- There is no way to send me any mail. I don't have an address. To get to my house, you must first find the Kasanga district and then pass Kabalagala Road. Continue on til you find the Kamapala International University. Then, look for the Blue Triangle Concrete Sign, and then the sign that has about 10 businesses on one sign. Turn Left, go up the hill past the scary Ethiopian restaurant to the Kasanga Middle School and then go right. At the next "street" you will see a dead sapling planted in the middle of a pothole in the middle of the road. Turn left and avoid the dead tree. Head up the hill to our house which is behind a gulag fence with barb wire (for security, not aesthetics) Simple, right? I would never be a delivery driver in Kampala!!!!

Dad and Michelle

2008-06-05T12:55:00.001+08:00

Good news! Dad's heart is a little better!

The (Little) Man I Will Miss the Most While I am Africa

2008-06-05T12:51:00.000+08:00

I really will miss my nephew, Gabe. I can't really explain to him where "Aunt Chelle" is... he's three and has no idea of where Africa is!

I Skype phone called him yesterday and he didn't even want to talk!

African Kids Invent Their Own Toys

2008-06-04T22:47:00.000+08:00

Because toys are expensive and few and far between, kids make their own games and toys.
This little boy made his own game with a hoop and a forked stick and ran up and down the road to balance it.

Village Women Cook Lunch in a Tree Base

2008-06-04T22:45:00.001+08:00

The village women cooked the lunch using the hollowed base of the tree as their stove.

We were offered lunch but we are not risking eating village food due to almost certain microbes would cause us to be ill.

Even though the casaba (like a potato) and bean stew looked good, We didn't eat any, but we did have some sugar cane.

Walking Three Kilometers for Water

2008-06-04T22:38:00.000+08:00

Mid-way through the project we had to go to get water to make the concrete

The people use old cooking oil jerrycans to collect water.

We walked 3 kilometers to the water hole. It was NOT clean water. THis is the water they use daily for everything.

The walk back was unbelievably hard. I can't believe some of the girls

carried the 20 liter (5 gallon) jugs which weighed over 40 pounds on their heads.

Building Mrs. Nalwanga's House is a Community Project

2008-06-04T22:35:00.000+08:00

Then, we carried sand in the same way.

The engineers dug the base and started to mix the concrete

This is Kaitlin and Violet carrying sand. Kaitlin could not get her to smile. It is likely she has had some sort of trauma

Mrs. Nalwanga and her children

2008-06-04T22:30:00.000+08:00

I don't know how we found this woman! Mrs. Nalwanga is a widow that is raising 17 orphan children. She has several AIDS orphans

We got to the house and started bringing bricks to the site from the road by using a hand brigade system.

Nalwanga House Building

2008-06-04T22:20:00.000+08:00

Today we set out to start the building of the Nalwanga house.

Do you know where the main road to Kampala is? Ok, it absolutely nowhere near there!

We drove almost an hour to get out of the city, through some very congested markets.

then continued an hour out into the middle of nowhere, went 10 more miles, took a left, went THROUGH a lake and then two more left turns, up a hill, and finally arrived.

Street Food, continued

2008-06-04T22:16:00.000+08:00

Let's just say the Rolex that Lee ate, well, the street conditions are less than what we are used to, but he didn't mind

Street Food- Don't worry Mom- I didn't eat any

2008-06-04T22:10:00.000+08:00

Lee has an obsession with a local street food called a Rolex. It’s basically an egg omelette with tomatoes wrapped in a tortilla. It is cooked on a hot griddle, and let’s just say… well, it is clearly street food.

The Luggage Finally Came

2008-06-04T22:08:00.001+08:00

I was so happy the luggage did finally come!!!
Everything was there!

2008-05-31T20:41:00.000+08:00

Kaitlin, Lee, and Michelle at Kensington Gardens

2008-05-31T20:37:00.000+08:00

We took a nice stroll through Kensington Gardens and saw the Princess Diana Memorial and Fountain.

Lee at Big Ben

2008-05-31T20:36:00.001+08:00

Lee says "Big Ben" - is really small

Big Ben and Parliament

2008-05-31T20:31:00.000+08:00

Here I am at Big Ben and Parliament. Westminster Abbey is right there too, and we went inside to see the graves of Winston Churchill, Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Tennyson, Shelley, Keats, and lots of famous people.

Michelle and Lee Springer at Buckingham Palace

2008-05-31T20:27:00.000+08:00

The queen was home, but she didn't ask us in for tea.

Michelle in London

2008-05-31T20:03:00.000+08:00

Journey to Africa via London and Nairobi

2008-05-31T20:01:00.000+08:00

My African adventure began Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at O’Hare airport. I was traveling with Kaitlyn Tris, Lee Springer and Renata Donis as advance team leads to Uganda. The plan was to fly to London (stop over for 12 hours) then fly 10 hours to Nairobi, then on to Entebbe, Uganda, be picked up and drive by car to our house.

I made it to Uganda just fine but my luggage didn’t! I believe the luggage is left in Kenya. Kaitlin, Lee and Renata also had luggage that did not make it as well as a group of people in Nairobi. We think they missed loading a whole trolley of luggage – maybe it will come later?? Maybe it will come never.. Who knows… but it’s an adventure already and I’m having fun. I think that it WILL come.

The airlines only allowed us two pieces of luggage 50 pounds each…so for one piece, I packed creatively using a Rubbermaid tub as a trunk. Drilling holes into the lid and side and using zip ties to secure it better than my old duct tape method. Hey, think of it as a cheap and effective modern day steamer trunk… They can sure take a beating and they weigh less than a traditional suitcase and fit right on top of my wheeled suitcase. I was a little over and a little under on each suitcase so I swapped some things around and got just EXACTLY each one to 50 pounds. My carryon and “purse” (beach bag stuffed full) could not hold anything else. Thankfully the checked luggage would be checked through all the way to Uganda, IN THEORY.

A slight bump happened when Renata did not make it to the plane in Chicago, but, we figured she would catch up with us in time to make the London to Nairobi to Uganda flights and she did. Kaitlin, Lee, and I took the Tube into the city and walked all over during our 12 hour layover. We saw:

· Buckingham Palace

· Kensington Gardens

· Princess Diana’s Memorial Garden

· Hyde Park Gardens and the Peter Pan statue

· Harrods

· Big Ben

· Parliament

· Westminster Abbey

· Tower of London

· London Bridge

We walked forever because it was nice weather but then about 2 PM, I discovered I had a little problem. My socks were too tight and were cutting off circulation to my legs to the point it HURT. Taking them off at Westminster Abbey helped but the damage was already done… I’ve now got some broken blood vessels in my legs and severe bruising and swelling. It’s going to be a long time till it heals…. It hurts. All because of SOCKS! I will truly have to stay off my feet for a couple days and it makes me mad cause I want to get out and GO… explore, get to know my new ‘hood…. But I don’t want to cause aggravation to injury.

We were on the sleep deprivation and starvation speed tour of London! Notice I didn’t mention eating- cause we didn’t! Instead, we grabbed a sandwich and banana at the supermarket and ate on the run… We did all of this and back to Heathrow by 5 PM. By the way, Heathrow ROCKS as an airport…. Is it super friendly workers- NO… Is it the speed and accuracy of processing- No.. It isn’t particularly beautiful or even well marked… But the thing that makes Heathrow the best airport I’ve ever been to is the FREE HOT SHOWERS! I took a great shower in Terminal 4 (Arrivals) which made me a new person to get ready for the flights to Nairobi and then the connection to Entebbe.

We finally arrived In Entebbe and drove an hour to the house. And got here about noon. The total travel time door to door, a mere 36 hours. The house we rented is beautiful, and the people are all so nice. We sat down and got to speak to Idah and Joseph in person, Kharm, the cook, and unpacked the little we had in our carryons and are going to stay up until the first natural night, have dinner and crash…. Funny, I am exhausted, but keep getting second wind. I’m having a great time.

Problem is the luggage is lost along the way- somewhere. Hope it gets worked out… tune in tomorrow as we reveal the exciting conclusion……