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.
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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
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