Caring for the Children

 Stephen and Maama Victoria founded this school 10 years ago.  They quickly became known as a place where parents could drop off children they couldn’t care for.  They even picked up kids that were left in the streets abandoned.  With the AIDs epidemic in Africa, the numbers grew.  They now have 80 or more unsponsored children — those with no support of relatives.  There are children that go to school here and live in the villages nearby — so there are about 190 children staying here at one time during the school term.  What a huge responsibility!  Stephen and Maama Victoria live very simply, and use what they have to support these children.

There are nine teachers here and nine levels of education, from two or three up to seventeen.  It is lovely to wake up to a mixture of children’s happy voices, and multitude of varied birdsong.  This place is very basic — the children eat mainly porridge and bean stew.  Many have no shoes.  What they have in abundance is love.  

The first night we were here, we heard singing and drumming at night.  Each night after, we have joined in — some songs we know, some we learn, some we mumble.  I love to let go into the music singing and dancing with the children.

Early on here we began thinking of how we could help.  This place is so purely based on serving without gain.  Yesterday, during morning meditation I felt a powerful affirmation to come back here, to bring others to share in this blessing by serving.  A tremendous and holy, “Yes”!

 Steve and I are sitting on the front porch of the guest house looking over at the school house building.  The children are taking their lessons.

We met with the teachers yesterday to see what we could say or do to help them with this tremendous challenge.  We realized as we met the children that some of the older children are with the younger because they came here almost illiterate as they were not able to be in school.  So, these teachers are having 14 year olds in with those who are 10 years old.  Steve’s experience with children gave them some insight into seeing, “everyone is doing their best,” and “always give encouragement right where they are.”  My experience with “questioning as a way of bringing out the wisdom within each of us” was offered to these teachers.  This was an entirely different approach for them.  It was for me the first time I heard it and applied it with my two children and those I taught over the years — children and adults.  

We will have an opportunity to be with each of the classes, here on this porch.  And, then we move on our way.  But, we are receiving guidance to assist these children further after leaving here.  Maybe you would like to join us in this.

We have been talking to Maama Victoria and her daughter Gertrude (who is the one who handles a lot of the details for her mother) about how we can help the children from home.  This is when we decided to sponsor a child for a year.  The one who was in greatest need was little Noreen, who is six years old.  

When we met her we noticed she didn’t have shoes on her feet.  Maama Victoria said that was what they were going to get her first as well as some newer clothes.  

So, this is what we thought would be something that we could bring to your attention and find out if there might be an interest in sponsoring a child as well.  We are just putting this out now to see if there is interest.  If so, I will organize it with Gertrude and let you know the details as they develop.  This is something they have not done yet and it is all new to them.  But, they are very enthused with the idea.

When we first came to Uganda, we realized that this part of the world is so seldom recognized from our part of the world and it was good for us to be aware of what is happening here.  

Now, we have the opportunity to hold these beautiful children in our hearts and prayers so that they have a chance in the world they have found themselves in.  

Now, on the other side of the spectrum — Steve and I were with the elderly yesterday.  Those who are in their 70’s and 80’s attending the Cathedral in Mityana.   I presented to them that the stories in their lives can teach their children and grandchildren such important lessons and it was time to “harvest” these stories.  Then, I asked them so share a story from their life and the lesson it taught them.  Wow!  What a life each of these elders lived!

 I was seeing these little ones growing up in the same way as these elders.  It is such a hard life here, especially for those who do not get a good education.  My thoughts spiraled back to our being here with the children and helping them have a good start in life.

We continue to see these are our neighbors and they are here in our awareness now to continue to honor and love.  We leave this with you.  It has been so much for us to take in.  We hope we are able to bring you here with us.  

Love,
Steve & Elizabeth