Day 11 - 13: Safari and making our way home

 Sunday was an early morning wake up call with all our bags needing to be ready to be loaded onto the pickup and bus at 4.30am, everyone was ready and set to go and we even managed to get away 5 minutes early at 4.55am. With a box full of Juliet's mandazis we headed to the Busia Border, where we would do a land crossing into Kenya and be picked up by our safari vehicles, to head to the Masai Mara.

After 2 hours of driving. we arrived at the border, where we found hundreds of trucks waiting to cross the border - by the rate at which they were moving some of those trucks would probably be there for at least 2 days! Our bus however went ahead and dropped us off at the point where we could walk across the One-Stop border. We unloaded all our bags, made a quick toilet stop (a rating 1 out of 10 toilet at best) and then after saying a final goodbye to Robert and William, we walked across the border and then just like that we were in Kenya.

The crossing was interesting in that we went to the Uganda Immigration counter, departed Uganda and then walked 2 metres to the Kenyan Immigration counter and we were welcomed into Kenya. Our 4 safari vas were already there and Nelson, Elijah, Sam and Isaac, our 4 drivers welcomed us and proceeded to load all of our bags - we then got on ourselves and began the journey to the Masai Mara...  After a number of stops along the way and about 8 hours of driving, we arrived at the Sekenani Gate of the Masa Mara National...  we popped up the roof on each of the vans and then proceeded to do a little game drive on the way to our Ol Moran Tented Safari Camp, which would be our base for 2 nights.

That evening we had a nice dinner a celebratory birthday cake for Amelia, with the camp's staff parading the cake in a congo line along with singing and dancing - we did enjoy this a second time the next night for Kathy. We got up early the next morning had breakfast and headed out for an all-day game drive complete with packed lunch. The game drive delivered - we say almost 17 lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, lots of zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, gazelles, antelopes, wild boars (pumbas), topis, vultures, malibu storks, ostriches, mongooses, and many other species - all in one day!

We then enjoyed our last African dinner and some welcome rest, before beginning our long trip home the next day. After leaving the national park, we stopped at a Kenyan Art and Curio shop where we had our final team debrief, which was led by Johann and was preceded by a song written by Joyce that featured each of the team members. Our debrief reflected on WHAT we had done and experienced, it then asked the question SO WHAT and then we were challenged with the final question WHAT NOW. Johann then shared some re-entry thoughts and encouraged the team to continue to tell the stories of what they had seen and experienced. It was then off to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for our flights home.

Once at the airport we spent some time at Java House with coffee and some refreshments until we had to say good bye to Jim and Joyce who had an extended stay on at the airport before their flight to Victoria Falls and continuing a long awaited vacation in South Africa. The rest of the team then headed in to the airport and checked in for our flight to Dubai.

As we arrived in Dubai we found out that our Melbourne flight was already delayed by 4 hours, this was not great news but there was not much we could do except find ways to stay comfortable and to try and rest for almost 8 hours. At this point we said good bye to Roy and Tamie who were heading of the London, Wales and Scotland to enjoy a vacation with family.

The team finally did get on our Emirates flight back to Melbourne which had been delayed due to the closed airspace by Israel due to escalations in the war in Syria. The flight was long but everyone was keen to get home, on arrival back in Melbourne it was quite busy at the airport due to us arriving at a delayed time, however we all got our bags and got through customs and immigration without any hassles.

Now we are back home and just like that team UG30 is history, however it is yet to be seen the NOW WHAT for each of our team members and how this trip will impact and shape our journey from here on. THANKS for reading and following our journey...

Blessings

   

Day 10 - Swimming and Farewell

 Saturday dawned still without power, however the team was in good spirits and enjoyed a final breakfast of chappatis and Rolexes and then got ready to go swimming with all the Village of Hope kids.

We got to the Kingfisher Resort around 30 minutes earlier than the kids and the team enjoyed a little quite time in the water, which was a little cool to start.

Very soon the 3 bus loads of children arrived along with some of our staff and also Mama Naomi. It was awesome to see them all walk so nicely in a line to get changed and then the pool was suddenly full, and our team became life guards and swimming instructors, which was soo good.

The children had an amazing time as well as the team - even Mama Naomi slipped into the pool fully clothed - she could not stop laughing.

We then headed back to Suubi for lunch and the off to the Village for our farewell. 

The farewell was a lovely celebration which included speeches from all our staff as well as our mothers. The children also presented some lovely singing including the Uganda HopeBuilders anthem. The them acted out an incredible drama that told the story of how life was in the slums and then how it changed when the came to Village of Hope, and finally how they anticipate it will continue into the future with graduations as doctors, lawyers and nurses, to name a few professions. This was quite an impactful drama even though at times a little funny.

The farewell ended with Johann thanking the whole Village and management team for welcoming our team and he also encouraged all the children to continue having Hope in God and dreaming. He then invited the team up and the prayed for the village and shared a couple of songs, somewhat impromptu. Robert and Ivan the presented each of the team members with a Certificate then it was time to enjoy a snack and share some final conversation and then the sad goodbyes.

We then headed back to Suubi on final time to have dinner and finish packing as our departure in the morning was 5am, to drive to the Busia border and then I to a safari on the Masai Mara.

Day 9 - Fashion show, quiet day and dinner

 Today was a fun and chill day. After all of us waking up around 7 to 8 am we had omelettes, fresh pineapple and mango for breakfast. It was a slow morning today which was good after a couple of early and hard days. We had a quick devotion then finished getting ready to go to YSU

At YSU we were presented with a fashion show by the girls who studied fashion design and sewing there. It was great to see all the colourful and creative creations worn by proud women with smiles and dances as they walked the runway. We saw recycled outfits, two peices, skirts, colourful pants and many dresses, each with different designs and patterns. Throughout the show we were also entertained by Alpha and Kirk's  occasional appearance of swagger. ( The two toddlers of the workers at YSU).

After the show we hung around learning some dances, connecting with the women more, hanging out with the kids,  buying some of the amazing clothes and taking measurements so we could get some pieces hand made for us. We said bye and headed back to Suubi with pancakes prepared for lunch. 

With 3 and a bit hours to spare until we left for town and dinner some of us played cards, had down time or sat and talked on the roof 

At 4 we headed off to town for some last minute shopping and a cold drink at the cafe before dinner. 

We had a lovely dinner with the hopebuilders staff with amazing food and good conversations for a couple of hours.

Nadia B

Day 8 - Sunrise, Painting and Slums

 What a big day we all had! Wake up this morning was at 5am so we could start the day with the sunrise on Monkey Mountain. We were walking by 5:40am and just made it to see some of the colours of the sunrise come through the clouds. We walked to a spot where there was a bit of a lookout over the area that we are staying. We could see the Village of Hope, Lake Victoria and the surrounding areas. It was breathtaking! We reflected on how beautiful it all was and how you would never know the hardship and the darkness experienced by the Ugandans looking from the view. It was so peaceful. It was almost deceptive however God has made Uganda beautiful and I think most of us were filled with awe at this stunning view. After some monkeys caught our attention, it was time to quit monkeying around and head to the Village of Hope for some work. 

Today we were painting! We repainted their outdoor space. Before we knew it about 3 hours had flown by and we were done. We got the tick of approval from Ronny (who is a character and a half of an Ugandan and one of the painters that is associated with Hope Builders) and we were headed back to Suubi for lunch and then off the Masese slums. 

This is hard to write. The darkness in this slum is great and overwhelming. When we arrived we were greeted by about 50 children. They were swarming us, all trying to touch us and grab our hands and arms. But the picture was all wrong. Kids what looked to be maybe 5 or 6 were carrying babies on their backs instead of being at school. Some were chewing on pieces of rubbish. Most of the kids had holes in their clothes and so many of them were sick. A small fight even broke out at one stage. These kids were in survival mode and behaved in a way that reflected that. It was sad to see. We were told by the local leader that many of these people had moved here when wars in the North East part of Uganda broke out. We also later found out that there were so many young children because lots of the kids were from teenage pregnancies in COVID. It is a place full of brokenness. We heard the stories of the people that live there. Stories of sickness and not being able to work, stories of hunger, stories of grandmothers being left with their grandchildren when they couldn’t even look after themselves, stories of 9 kids and a mother living in a hut that was far too small and stories of wanting to die but knowing they couldn’t because they have kids relying on them. It was a lot. We gave a small bag of food and supplies to the families that we visited there and were able to pray for them. 

Then it was time to go home and debrief at Suubi. Many of us felt angry and frustrated, nearly all of us felt confronted and uncomfortable, some felt helpless and sad. We even talked about how God would be heartbroken at the state of his precious children in the Masese slums. It is the sinfulness of sin. Although jt seems hopeless, God has not forgotten the people in the Masese slums and is rescuing one life at a time through Hope Builders. So many of the Village of Hope kids have come from there and are not just living but thriving. God’s heart is for people and to bring the lost and the hopeless into His family. He chooses to use us to bring change and shine His light in the darkness.

Grace J

BEFORE

AFTER

Power is out Again due to storms!!

 Please forgive us if we are unable to get the next posts up in time as the power is out again due to a storm and we are not sure when it will be back - 🙏🙏

Day 7 - Home of Hope and the Source of the Nile

 Today, we jumped on the bus for the drive the Home of Hope. Many of us were apprehensive about what we were about to face, and the drive was quieter than normal. We got off the bus, and the gates opened, we were celebrated with great songs, dancing, and joy. You could not help but join the dance and happiness as we were brought into the courtyard of this inspiring place. Once the music and dance died down, Edith welcomed us as a team. Then she told us her story of her son developing a severe disability soon after birth, her and her husband lost family and friends as they turned away from them believing it was due to curse brought upon them. She spent a long time looking for help through witchcraft doctors with no help, and then an older couple prayed for her and guided her to a simple faith. She started looking after a few other disabled kids, but she gave up after 2 years, but God did not give up on her. She now looks after over 90 children with in this home helped by many staff.  I was inspired when she was introducing all the kids. She knew every name and condition, and the children, while they were very severe in disability, were loved and cared for in such a beautiful way. I then stayed in a room and spent time with some kids, and staff. One young boy was nonverbal, but when you don't have a common language, words are unnecessary.  He loved to touch and play with my watch. He was very surprised by my wobbly arms.

Of course I soon made my way to the art room, many of the older kids were making bracelets, one girl Teddy was showing me how to weave, I did not need to know the language to know when she was saying I got it wrong, but she was patient and very impressed and joyful when I got it right. I said she was a great teacher.

Some of the team went into see the amazing hospital facilities that could be used by the community as well.

After an emotional morning, we headed into town for lunch and shopping. 

Then, off to the Source of the Nile boat ride. As we pulled up, the rain came down. We were all so happy to not be hot anymore. The life jackets actually kept us warm. 🤣. It was a nice boat ride with the rain coming in sidewards,  one team saw otters. 

We returned home to no power again as a huge storm had come through while we were out. Could be a quiet few days ahead, but we have solar lights and gas cooking.

Praise God for so many experiences were are having  and the resilience of the team. This is Africa (TIA) and we are loving it.

- Lara W