2009 Trip Blog

July 19, 2009 - Saying Goodbye...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:41:00 GMT

As I sit in Entebbe airport about to write the final blog post for the very first HUG volunteer trip I have such mixed feelings. I am so excited to be going home to see my family and friends and so sad to be leaving behind this beautiful country, the amazing people and my wonderful Ugandan friends. It has been the most amazing trip and we have achieved so much, all of which I am extremely proud of.

The last week has flown by! It has been filled with trying to finalize things. On Tuesday and Wednesday night we had the craft ladies come for meetings about what we hope they can achieve for themselves in the future. We had over 20 women graduate and I now have their beautiful bracelets safely packed in my back pack so all you HUGgers out there will be able to snap them up when I return home to Australia. I am so proud of all the Ugandan women who worked incredibly hard to master the weaving skills required to make the bracelets. Hopefully this hard work will help to create an income for themselves in the future.

The craft group meeting at Suubi.

Some of the members of the Masaka Women's Craft Group proudly show off their first payment for bracelet they made.

Celebrating with some of the graduates of the craft class.

Another exciting thing to happen during the week was installing the new signs at the centre. I had shown David all the main display signs previously, but he was very surprised and honored when I installed the 'Ssemwogerere Community Hall' sign. I hope that by dedicating the main hall to him, everyone in the village and surrounding communities will always remember that this amazing, inspirational man was the driving force behind bringing Suubi into their lives!

The Swemwongerere Community Hall!

David and I also visited Lubanda Primary, where he actually went to school, to speak to the current primary 5, 6 and 7 students. He shared stories of how he started various projects while still in primary school; from selling jack fruit to kids at lunch time, growing tomatoes and raising pigs, he helped to put himself through school. By hearing all about how this helped him to become the success he is today hopefully it will inspire todays kids and help them to realize that they too can achieve their dreams if they work hard! It will be fabulous if even just a few of the kids in the village aspire to be like Ssemwogerere!

David at Lubanda school.

While all this was happening the work on the bandas continued. They are now almost up to the roofing stage and I'm sure that Charles and the building crew are going to have sensational new bandas completed very soon, ready for the steady stream of overseas volunteers that Suubi will soon be attracting.

The Suubi bandas, nearly finished!

We popped up to say our goodbyes to the builders.

Thursday was a really tough day for me, saying goodbye to everyone in the village. They have all become my second family and I can't tell you how much I am going to miss their beautiful smiling, happy faces. The only thing that got me through was knowing that it will be less than 12 months before I return with Browny and our four amazing sons. I can't wait!

The last 2 days of my trip was spent at David's house in Kampala. It was a fabulous way to relax and celebrate all that has been achieved in such a short time. Thank you David for taking such great care of us all while we have been in Uganda. You are an absolute inspiration, someone I am proud to call my friend, colleague, partner and soul mate in empowering the Ugandan people.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to every single one of you out there that has helped to make Suubi possible. I promise you all, it is going to be a huge ongoing success! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

OK my plane is just about to start boarding. I'll fill you all in more when I get back home. Love to you all!

HUGs from Helen.

July 15, 2009 - Wrapping up in Uganda

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:40:00 GMT

It was fantastic to have the last blog post written by David. I hope you all enjoyed hearing things from his perspective. He is indeed a man of many talents, they never cease to surprise me!

Last Thursday we had spent the day back filling in preparation for the floor of the banda, organizing the small number of books that we hope will grow into the Suubi library, collecting the grass that will be put into the interior roof of the bandas and holding craft and computer classes! By the end of the day we were all exhausted and in need of a way to relax and unwind. Ssemwogerere expertly turned into the "DJ of the House!" His yuppie gadgets include a mixing program on his computer called PC DJ! He very quickly had the Suubi computer room filled with people dancing and having a great time!

A terrific second use for the speakers bought ! They will ordinarily be attached to the data projector to show educational DVD's at Suubi.

Friday morning we set of early to Kampala so that Annette could catch her flight back to Australia via a well deserved stop over in Dubai. I can't thank her enough for all the hard work she has done while here in Uganda and also for her amazing fundraising efforts prior to leaving Australia. She has indeed helped to positively impact on many many Ugandan lives. Her family and the Bathurst community should be extremely proud of her!

Annette says goodbye to Suubi... for now...

On the way to Entebbe airport we had a stop over at Lido Beach on the shore of Lake Victoria. For Doreen (who was on a big adventure to Kampala to stay with her Aunty) it was the very first time she had ever been to the beach! I encouraged her to venture into the water but she kept saying, " I am fearing." She was rightly very proud of herself when she finally went in up to her knees. It really has been a very very exciting few weeks for her - first time on a computer and then first time at the beach! Can you imagine that being the case for an 18 year old in the western world - I don't think so!

Doreen and the guys at Lido Beach on Lake Victoria.

After safely seeing Annette off we headed to David's house on the outskirts of Kampala. He has worked unbelievably hard for his whole life to achieve his dream of building his own home. I was very excited about seeing it and staying there. Because we arrived after dark and as he has no electricity, it wasn't until the following morning that I was able to fully see what a beautiful home he has created for himself. He should be enormously proud of himself! The view from the front verandah looks out over the mountains and although it is only 12kms from Kampala you can not see or hear any of the craziness. It is the perfect spot to unwind and relax, which David definitely needs to do. Well done Ssemwogerere, you absolutely deserve anything an everything that brings happiness into your life!

David and I at his house outside of Kampala.

The beautiful view from David's home.

Saturday morning we set off early to collect five teachers, one of the craft ladies and the builder from Masaka who had travelled down to Kampala on the bus. We had arranged to take them to Bujagali for the weekend so that they could learn new skills from my wonderfully talented friends Robert, Flo and Fred.

After a few hold ups in town we finally arrived at Bujagali at about 2.30pm. We had organized for David and I to visit the piggery project there. They have been having some problems with the day to day running of things and knowing what each persons responsibilities are. We hoped that by holding a meeting with the families involved we could help them overcome them. Everyone that attended was happy and grateful for the suggestions that we were able to make. I'm quite sure now that things will move ahead well. You know in Africa things don't always go exactly to plan but the hurdles put in front of you can usually be overcome if you persist!

The families involved in the Piggery Project

Inside the Kybiriwa Piggery.

Sunday was a huge day for the Masaka group! Firstly Charles the builder, David, Fred and I walked around the bandas at Eden Rock. We pumped Fred for information about how the bandas there are constructed. They are very different from the usual structures in Lubanda Village and it was wonderful to watch Charles sucking in the information and being challenged, but not overwhelmed by the prospect of trying to replicate the open roof plan for the bandas at Suubi!

The Masaka crew at Eden Rock Resorts in Bujagali.

Next we dropped of Sarah to Flo's house where she would spend the day with her learning how to make various craft items. Flo has been coordinating the women's craft group in Bujagali for many years now so exposing Sarah to her craft skills and business knowledge, was an excellent opportunity for her to learn.

Sarah and Flow.

With Sarah settled in we headed off with the five agricultural teachers from the schools that are involved in HUG D+ school garden programs. Firstly we visited an inspirational old women who is achieving amazing things in her garden. She has gone from being a sub-sistance farmer to raising enough money to build a home for herself and her family. She also continues to add other projects like chicken, goats and cows as she raises the extra money required to set them up. The teacher were absolutely blown away by what is possible if the gardens are set up well!

The teachers from Masaka soaked up as much as they could from this elderly lady in Bujagali.

They took plenty of notes about her various animal projects and amazing garden.

Next stop was at Nakonyonyi Primary School where the brilliant Robert Bagatiya took us on a tour of their schools demonstration garden. Again, the Masaka teachers were inspired by what they saw. They discussed with Robert about ways incorporate the gardening into the school curriculum and challenges they might face. At the end of the day we had five extremely excited teachers who now have the knowledge as well as the tools to create fabulous organic gardens at their own schools.

Robert explains the 'double dug' farming technique in detail.

The Masaka group at Nakonyonyi Primary School.

After the huge success of the day Sunday night was filled with fun, friends, lots of laughing and good times. I had planned a farewell party at the "Green Light" for 12 of our closest Bujagali friends plus the group from Masaka. I was very excited about mixing my friends from both sides of Uganda. It turned out to be an absolutely fabulous night!

Dinner at the Green Light, down town Bujagali.

Monday morning we attempted to leave very early but by the time I had said all my goodbyes to everyone it didn't quite work out that way. We finally arrived in Kampala by late morning, and as David had a meeting with one of his university lecturers, I took Joseph, Issac, Vincent, Martin, Donatas, Sarah and Charles to the newest shopping centre in Kampala. I can't explain to you how excited they were and what it was like for them to see such things when they usually do all their shopping at a tiny wooden shop in the village. Imagine what it was like for them to step on to the moving stairs!!!! (escalators)

Sarah and Charles riding the moving stairs for the first time in their lives!

So the weekend was a monumental success! I am very sure now that the connection has been made between the two communities that they will continue to grow and learn from each other. Aaaaaahhhhhhhh HUGging in Uganda! Sheer bliss!!

Not long until I am back home in Australia now. There will definitely be some serious "for real" HUGging then, so get ready everyone!

HUGs from Helen

July 9, 2009 - Ki Kati from David!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:40:00 GMT

Hi everyone, David here.

OK! I am happy to share with you out there my joy and happiness for having hosted the first team of Aussie volunteers at Suubi. The three weeks fully packed period has really realized great work accomplished at suubi by this team that was led by Helen Brown. Its quite interesting to note here that every one out there, is gifted in a way that you have not yet realized. My stay with this team, has proved that every one out there is talented and skilled in various ways. Its just only that may be you have not yet tried it out where its most needed, like at suubi! At Suubi, every one is an achiever! Try it out and be a legend in Suubi's records!

I don't know how I would survive without matooke!

Did you know that Helen could do well with construction? What about swinging a hoe in an african woman style!!! Did you check out Annette? You guys over there should 'contract' her for painting your buildings! The painting work she has done at Suubi is more than enough to be 'recommended' to 'commercialise' her skills. Why not?

Helen on the Ugandan scaffold putting up bricks.

Actually even myself I never new that am a good 'carpenter'. Have you checked out the wonderful and comfortable chair I have made for Suubi?

Caution! Men at work!

Anyway, it's all interesting at Suubi to see different people bringing different skills and talents.
The three weeks have brought light to many kids and adults from Lubanda community who have began to acquire computer and crafts making skills. Thanks Annette for sparing every evening to conduct computer lessons during your stay at Suubi. Did you know that this has been the first time in the lives of Doreen, Ritah, Jane and Chris (the first computer class at suubi) to sit infront of a computer and place hands on it????! Sounds quite unbelievable but its very true.

The first class held inside Suubi's brand new computer room.

Helen and Sue, have done great work for passing on bracelets making skills to over 25 (Twenty five) ladies around. Though the number some times has been too big to be tought at once, the clever bracelets teacher (Helen) divided them into groups of two - two ladies per day though some of them insisted and continued to come even when it was not their turn (very funny).

Sue and Helen working with the craft ladies

Sorry........... I had forgotten to mention the cloths distribution moment at Suubi. It really picked the feeling of the real local open community markets in Uganda where people from many villages come and buy various goodies! Every one at this time was at the highest pick of the busy moment in his/her life! Some were on Yuppie gadgets covering the whole function, others distributing out cloths and so on!!!! hehehehe.......it was quite interesting!

Clothes being distributed to kids in the village.

I am sure Helen has updated you on the first Suubi Safari we had for a full week! I BET none of you have ever, ever enjoyed the way we did!!! Have you ever shared smiles with a lion at almost a zero distance????? Am sure NO! So we did during the wonderful Suubi Safari! But something very funny happened, at the first glance on the lion while enjoying our game drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Safari driver (Mr.Ssemwogerere David - myself) wanted to take off, fearing the Lion to jump into the van to become its 'breakfast' as it was too close. I was only encouraged by the Game ranger and Helen who was seated in the co-driver's seat busy covering the Lion's smiles in all forms.

Anyway it has been fun to have every one here at Suubi! I am sure the whole team loved it and will be able to come back some other time!

Nice time,

HUG's from Ssemwongerere David!

July 8, 2009 - Hello from Suubi!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:39:00 GMT

Wow - Things are happening so fast at Suubi that I can hardly keep up. My eyes are seeing it happen but I can't quite believe it!

On Friday Baguma began rendering the outside of the main Suubi building with a very clever Ugandan contraption. He loaded it with cement and by winding the handle on the side, the brushes inside spun around and spat the cement out onto the wall. Ingenious!

Baguma and his rendering machine.

Friday night found Suubi packed to the rafters with kids from the surrounding area who had come to see the Harvest Festival Video and DVD's about life in Australia. I can only imagine what it must have felt like for them to be watching the images being blown up on the wall in front of them. For most of them they would have never even seen a television screen!

The kids eyes were glued to the projected DVD!

On Saturday Javiira was hard at work preparing shelving for the computer room. It was so interesting to watch as he worked with a hand plain, very few other tools and a young boy, who assisted him to produce beautiful work. I am so impressed with the pride that all the local tradesman are showing. They are all really keen to produce their best work to have on show at Suubi, where they know that many people will come in the future.

Javiira expertly joining the timber for the shelving.

We collected some of the materials we would need for the coming week from Masaka on Sunday. On the way home we dropped off the tank and man power needed to install a water tank at Regional College the following day. Later in the day David collected timber for the banda's from somewhere close by in the village. We had a fabulous team of kids to help us unload it all at Suubi!

How could we get anything done without Ruby???

There are always a few kids around to lend a hand!

Monday morning we set off for Regional College which is the school we have organized to connect to McKillop College in Bathurst. (where Annette teaches) We had visited there a couple of weeks ago to make initial contact and had been very impressed with Joseph, the head teacher, and his vision for the school. As the people of Bathurst had helped to raise so much money before Annette left Australia we felt it would be a great way to kick off their connection by providing Regional College with a water tank. We held a meeting with students, teachers and parents and they were all absolutely thrilled when Joseph explained to them the many positive effects the tank would have on the school. Although being highly motivated, he really is quite a comedian and kept everyone laughing, which is a terrific way to communicate and get the message through secondary students. By the time we had left we had 103 letters for Annette to take back to Mac Killop! Looks like another great HUG partnership is underway!

Community meetings like this one are held before any project kicks off. This is so that everyone understands what is happening. Parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else who wants to know more can come along and ask questions and offer their assistance to the project.

David, Annette and Joseph.

A stop off in Masaka to pay for the tank certainly created some interest. Kakinda and his team usually make all the water tanks we install at various schools, but we had a challenge for him! We had bought the toilet seats to see if he could construct a link between the seat and the hole in the pit latrine floor at Suubi. Of course he could!!! He put his amazing metal engineering skills to work and we soon had the finished product!! Hopefully some of you out there will get to try it out at Suubi in the future and maybe Kakinda will even have a new side line to his business in Uganda!!

Building the toilet.

Kakinda shows off his invention.

Everyone was very impressed!

Yesterday we spent the whole day at Suubi cleaning up and painting. I even ventured up onto the scaffolding to paint the white edging on the outside of the building - Browny you would have been very proud of me! I promise I won't complain next time you ask me to help you install a sign up a proper ladder!!!!

The Ugandan Scaffold.

In the afternoon the widows (affectionately know to many of you as the chicken ladies) came to the centre to receive their letters and gifts from the aboriginal women back home. They were absolutely thrilled with the bags that Kaye, Kitty and May had made for them. The connection of the red, yellow and black on the Ugandan and Aboriginal flags has certainly proved to be a hit between the two cultures.

The widows with their new bags from the HUG Partners in Oz.

And while all of these exciting things have been happening the construction of the banda has been going up..............

and up...

and up!

Things sure do move quickly at Suubi!!!

Thank you to all the HUGgers out there that have helped to make all this happen. Maybe by the next blog post you will be able to see the roof going on!

Until then

HUGs from Helen

July 3, 2009 - Back to Work at Suubi!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:39:00 GMT

Well here I am again sitting on the steps out the front of Suubi watching the sun coming up again - aaahhhh sheer bliss! It's just after 6 in the morning, the roosters are crowing, the birds are chirping and everything is coming to life for the day.

It's been a very exciting few days since arriving back here on Monday evening after stopping off in Masaka to buy all the things we would need for the week. I'm sure Annette felt like a true Ugandan as she travelled in the back of Ruby (the delica) with 16 bags of cement, 2 bags of lime, a set of speakers, food supplies for a week and our backpacks; especially after David stopped 1/2 way to give another guy a ride that was carrying a huge bag back to the village!!! That's Uganda - The more the merrier!!!

A fully loaded Ruby Van!

It was a great feeling when we finally pulled back into Suubi. We had left last week with the ceiling in the office, where we will hold computer classes, was just beginning. Baguma Isma had been hard at work though so we found a spectacular design perched above us. It was fantastic to see how hard he had worked and how proud he was of what he had achieved.

Isma with his amazing roof design.

After checking this out we moved down to where the builders were surveying (in the Ugandan way) where 2 new bandas are to be built. The bandas will be used for western volunteers to stay in while they are here and the money raised from this will be put straight back into Suubi, therefore helping to make it a self sustainable project. It is soooooooooo exciting to see them underway because in the future it really will empower the locals to be in control of the whole project.

The builders mark up the future site of the Suubi Centre bandas.

After getting used to sleeping on the concrete floor again on Tuesday morning we rose early to watch the first part of the banda foundation being dug. Annette set about finishing off some painting around the windows of the main room while David and I took to the hoes to prepare the soil for planting a fence around the boundary off the compound. All of the locals thought it was very funny to see a muzungu woman swinging a hoe! David told me many times, "this is the life of a Ugandan women" and he laughed after checking out my blisters and as I rested in the shade of the matooke trees!

David in full swing.

Me in full swing!

Annette did a beautiful job of touching up the windows.

While we were hard at it things were moving right along with the banda construction. Sand and bricks were being delivered on site and the Charles (the builder) and his crew were staring to lay bricks!

The builders start work on the foundation trenches on the banda.

Before we knew it, they were nearly ready for bricks!

Ishmael went along to count the bricks as they were loaded to make sure we got the right amount.

Delivery No. 1 - The sand.

Delivery No. 2 - The Bricks.

The banda coming to life!

Wasswa Kaloli Charlse - The site foreman for the banda construction.

By four o'clock the craft women were starting to turn up. I had organized for only two of them to come at a time and this proved to be much more successful and way less stressful. By the end off the day one of the ladies was producing beautiful work and the other just needed a little more practice. I am very sure now that they will be able to produce both Suubi and HUG bracelets that we will be able to market for them in Australia. You should all get ready to buy the very latest fashion item when I get back to Australia!!

On Wednesday after talking to home and feeling a little home sick I needed the distraction of being surrounded by kids! We set off to visit all of the schools where HUG has previously installed water tanks and gardens. It was lovely to see and recognize kids and the teachers from last year. At both St Joseph's and Bright Light. We were followed around like the pied piper while at St Thomas the kids gave us an impromptu performance of drumming and dancing. After touring the gardens we took video footage and photos of the school for their partner school in Australia (St Joseph's -Glass House Mountains and Bright Light- Shepparton East) We have now also organized for the agriculture teacher from each of these schools to visit Robert at Nakanyonyi so they can be inspired by the wonderful garden he has created over there.

The St. Joseph's kids loved Annette!

The kids at St. Thomas gave a beautiful impromptu performance to welcome us.

When we returned back to the centre the next two craft ladies were there waiting for me and Annette had new students all of her own. She held the very first computer classes at Suubi! David had chosen four teenagers from the village who he thought would learn quickly so that hopefully in the future they will be able to pass on their new found knowledge to others. Imagine what it was like for Doreen, Chrise, Jane and Ritah to lay their hands on a computer for the very first time in their lives!

The very first Suubi Centre Computer Class!

Thursday morning was dedicated to painting the office. Annette worked side by side with the Ugandans and after a few hours work it was hardly recognizable. While all that was happening David and I did accountability sheets and bookwork - not my favorite part of this adventure but it definitely needs to be done!

Annette and the boys painting the Suubi office.

In the afternoon the children from Bright Light Primary School came to Suubi to receive their letters from the Shepp East kids. They were very excited but also a little timid as they read and reply to their new friends. It was fabulous to see them sitting at the tables and chairs that many of you back home had bought for the centre. A huge thank you to each and everyone of you!

The Bright Light PS kids writing there letters to students at Shepparton East PS in Australia.

And while all this was happening the bandas continued to rise from the ground - Oh boy what an exciting week!

Oh My God! How exciting is this! I can't wait to show you what they've done by my next blog!!!

I'll keep you all posted on the progress.
Love to you all.
HUGs from Helen

July 1, 2009 - Back in Kampala

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:38:00 GMT

As I sit and wait at the back packers in Kampala for David to pick us up to take us back to Suubi, I can look back on the last week with a clearer head. The trip had been planned so that David and I could research various things for Suubi and to give the volunteers a break during their time here in Uganda and do some touristy things. In fact it turned out to be a roller-coaster ride equal to any that you can get at Disneyland! We laughed and cried together, saw the best and worst of humanity, were in awe of the wildlife mother nature has created and learnt so much along the way. When I look back now it really was a very worthwhile and successful week. We gathered lots of great ideas while traveling almost 1000kms around Uganda and Rwanda. Annette, David, Ishmael and I are now ready to get suck into the long list of things we hope to achieve over the next few weeks when we finally get back to Suubi

We had a fabulous day on Thursday! Firstly we packed up all our things and loaded them into the van (very appropriately named Ruby by Sue as a tribute to her Mum - she will always be a part of Suubi now) before we headed out onto Lake Bonyonyi in a locally made canoe. Annette and Yvonne went in one while David and I went in another.

Annette and Yvonne take in the misty Lake Bonyonyi.

Two local guides expertly rowed the very unstable vessels, but as we got further out into the lake they told us that the wind was too great and the conditions would be dangerous if we continued out into the open water. We decide to head for one of the islands so we could get out and look at the abundant bird life there. This proved to be a strike of luck because while we were there we discovered the resorts very clever toilets and hot water showers that we now hope to replicate at Suubi!

The westernised pit latrine! What a great idea!

David inspected the fire-powered hot water service. Click here to donate to a Suubi hot water service!

After the excitement of the morning we left Lake Bonyonyi behind us and headed towards Mbarara. David was very keen for us to look at a mushroom growing project he had visited the day before while we were in Rwanda. After being there a short time I very quickly realized why he had been so excited. Peace Byandusya, who just happens to be Ishmael's older sister, has set up an unbelievable centre where they are teaching local farmers how to grow mushrooms. It is in fact a very simple process that requires very little capital to get started and can provide a good income very quickly to the farmer. Peace, along with a young Swiss lady by the name of Matina have not only established the training centre but also have forged a market for both fresh and dried mushrooms. They are also looking into developing an export market. Currently they have more that 500 farmers producing for them and hope that number will grow to 2000 by the middle of 2010. It was so exciting to see such a wonderful project that is being driven by such an inspirational Ugandan woman. Well done Peace!

Ishmael, Peace, Myself, David and Martina.

This is definitely something David and I both feel could be incorporated at Suubi. We could have a demonstration area where people from the local community could come to learn the required skills to set up there own mushroom farm. (Kabale where Peace's centre is many 100's of miles from Lubanda village) Then they could tap into the market that has already been established. It really fits perfectly with lots of programs we are hoping to run at Suubi including 'agri business', 'nutrition and early childhood development' and 'training to becoming financially independent.'

After leaving the mushroom project we made a stop over at Ismael's Mum and Dad's house which was lovely. It was terrific to meet them and see where he and his 9 brothers and sisters grew up. His mum had prepared us a beautiful meal of irish potatoes and mushrooms that Peace had grown. Even though we couldn't speak the same language I could tell how proud they were of their children and how excited they were to have us visit them.

It was great to spend some time with Ishmael's family!

After staying in Mbarara on Thursday night we headed back to Kampala on Friday so that we could get Yvonne to the airport on Saturday afternoon for her return to Australia. After a morning at the craft markets we made sure she was safely on to plane. Then on Sunday I took a day to recover at the Kampala back packers while Annette headed to Ngamba Island to see the chimpanzees.

A wild Chimp at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

I certainly didn't think that a little over a week ago that it would just be Annette and I returning to Suubi! As I've said all along though, "you just have to go with the flow!" Although the others have returned back to Austraila I feel like they are still right here beside us. I can't wait to share with you all the exciting things that happen at Suubi over the coming week.

Until then

Love to all you HUGgers out there

HUGs from Helen

June 26th, 2009 - Uganda to Rwanda

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:37:00 GMT

We've had a traumatic few days since I last updated you. Very sadly on Monday Sue's Mum passed away and her and Samuel have now returned back to Australia.

All of us here would like to pass on our love and sympathy to her family.

They should be enormously proud of Sue and Samuel - Ruby sure did raise an amazing daughter and Sue an amazing son! I can't tell you what an absolute privilege it was have them here.

To watch them enjoying all of this together and sucking up every last experience was a sheer pleasure. Sue and I are Ugandan sisters now and I know that in the not too distant future the Brown and Neale families will be back in Uganda together again!

So here's what else has been happening................

On Saturday after spending a night in Masaka Town in what felt like absolute luxury we set of for Fort Portal. We looked at the map and thought that the first part of the day looked like it would be the easiest because we would be traveling on tarmac roads from Masaka to Mbarara.

No such luck - the roads were horrendous! In the Ugandan governments wisdom they have ripped up almost the entire 140km of road so it could be re-sealed! We bumped around for hours before finally arriving in Mbarara for lunch and a pit stop without the now familiar pit - flushing toilets - yippee!

The next part of the drive looked challenging on the map as we would be changing to dirt road. It actually proved to be considerably easier except for one section where we almost got bogged.... but David expertly saved the day with his fabulous driving skills - Well done Mr Ssemogerere!

As we approached Fort Portal we stopped many times to get directions from the locals so we could find our way to the community run project (Enfunzi) we were wanting to visit. The boys and I had visited there last year and I was keen for David and I to talk to the people who run it so we could pick their brains on what has worked for them and what hasn't. Finally around 5.30pm we pulled into the campsite.

Sunday we visited the orphanage connected to the community campsite and spoke to the pastor that runs it. I'm sure both David and I learnt much from this experience, both good and bad. We spent much of the afternoon discussing what we had seen.

We both agreed that Suubi needs to run very differently from Enfunzi. By taking only the best bits from other projects we visit and moulding them into the vision we have for Suubi we will achieve the best outcomes. While we were doing this Annette, Yvonne and Sue took a guided walk to 'the top of the world' while Ashlee and Samuel took time to relax and learn drumming from some of the local teenagers.

Ashlee and Samuel "The African Drummers!"

At the end of the day we were all entertained by children from the orphanage with their brilliant singing, dancing and drumming.

Some Orphanage Children Dancing up a storm!

As I said earlier, Monday was a really tough day for everyone. Sue was trying to stay incontact with her family as we travelled through some remote areas, where the mobile coverage was intermittent, as we drove from Fort Portal to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After what seemed like days, but in fact was a few hours, we finally arrived to discover that we couldn't get any rooms in the hostel! By this time David was also quite sick with malaria! He rested in thecar while we all had a late lunch.

I was really getting quite concerned about him when Sue suggested he might be able to take the tamiflu we had bought with us in case any of us got swine flu. This reminded me that I had medication that you should take if you get malaria in my first aid kit!

Ishmael dragged my bag down from the roof rack and David took the 6 tablets I said he needed. He said he couldn't remember the last time he had malaria and he hadn't taken tablets for a number of years but I think he felt so unwell that he would have tried anything at that time!

By 3pm in the afternoon we were setting off on a cruise down the Kazinga channel that Annette had organized. David wasn't well enough to drive us there so Sue expertly took over driving the delica.

Sue our expert driver.

As we floated along there were many elephants, hippos, water buffalo, crocodiles and bird life that everyone was excited to see for the first time. After almost two hours as we climbed off the boat we had a guy from the hostel waiting there to tell us that they had a cancellation and we had a room for the night. We were all extremely relieved as it turned out to be a small house that suited us perfectly!

Very early Tuesday morning we set off on a game drive with a guide that we would drop off at the park gate as we headed out. Samuel, Ashlee, Annette and Ishmael climbed up onto the roof rack to get the best view and our driver extraordinaire, David (who had made an amazing over night recovery), expertly negotiated the park tracks without tripping them off!

We hadn't travelled very far before we were came across a large herd of elephants grazing with very tiny babies.They were very close to the track and at one stage turned to come towards us! David took off!!!

The guide calmly said, 'do not fear, they will not harm you!" We had to travel 40 kms into the park so the guide encouraged David to drive a little faster and by then the adventurers on top were getting used to hanging on! As we were driving along we came across four very old men pushing their bikes along the road.

They excitedly explained to the guide that there was a lion on the track ahead where they had just come from!!!!! !!!!!!!!!! Oh my GOD!!!! They didn't seem inthe slightest bit worried!! We slowly drove forward and pulled up right next to it! I can't explain what it felt like to have a lion staring me down through the open window of the car!!

Eddie,our guide, said "it is not a problem during the day, but if you were to meet him in the night when he is hunting you would become his dinner!!!" Even Eddie was very excited to have had such a close encounter with a lion! We continued on through the park spotting many wart hogs, cobs and other antelope.

Our very first Suubi Safari game drive was indeed a huge success! As we left the park we dropped of the guide at the main road and were just discussing what a great morning it had been when we came across a family of baboons sitting in the middle of the main road - only in Africa!

Lunch on a plate for the Vultures!

Ummm, everbody, he's coming this way you know?

A Happy Hippo. Just leave me alone, OK!

Yes, I can see you, and I am hungry.

Antelope are very grateful when the Lions are distracted.

These Baboons just do not seem to care at all! Whatever.

The very first Suubi Safari Crew!

From there it took us about an hour to reach Bushenyi where we dropped Sue, Samuel and Ashlee (she had decided to return to Bujagali for the last week of her trip) off to catch a bus back to Kampala. (I'm sure that would have been another Ugandan experience all of it's own!)

After seeing them off we set off towards Lake Bunyonyi where we would be staying the night. When we reached Kabale, Ishmael inquired about how we could catch a bus to Rwanda the following day.

We soon discovered that it wasn't going to be that easy! David and Ishmael suggested that we should drive to the boarder to organize a special hire from there and get all the information we needed about crossing the boarder.

This was quite an experience in it self as we watch them negotiating with a number of different guys that surrounded the car. As I watched Yvonne lean forward to lock the doors of the car I thought to myself,""She has grown so much in confidence since we arrived but this will test her!" Of course she survived this as well! As we pulled into beautiful Lake Bunyonyi that night I think we were all glad to see the end of the day.

Wednesday proved to be one of the most harrowing experiences I have had since first venturing to Africa in 2007. We made the trip into Rwanda (without David as he had left his passport behind) with a guy who spoke barely any English, to the genocide museum.

I have no words to describe how confronting it was to learn all about the 1994 massacre of more than 1 million tustsi's during the100 day conflict with the hutu's. To think that this only happened 15 years ago and the world stood idily by and did nothing made me sick to the pit of my stomach. Pictures, videos,written stories and various information vividly describe what had occurred during this time and told of over 2 million people being left displaced.

Other areas of the museum also told the stories of genocide in Namibia, Nazi Germany,Cambodia, Armenia and the Balkens. It appears we have learnt nothing from these past atrocities as the same thing is now occurring in Sudan!

The last part of the museum was dedicated to the children that were lost. Photos and information about many children who were slaughtered were displayed around the room and as I walked through I felt like I was suffocating as I imagined them being my own children.

The museum left us all feeling absolutely exhausted! That wasn't the end of it though......we travelled on to the church at Ntarama where more than 5000 people were massacred in one day! Inside the bones, skulls, clothing and personal belongings of the victims were displayed on rack after rack. As we walked through I thought to myself "that is the entirety of the town where I come from (Kyabam) being wiped out in a single day." I felt physically sick!

The Genocide Museum in Rwanda

The flame burns for the 100 Days of the Massacre every year.

..................I don't have any words left....................

As I said at the beginning it has been a traumatic few days!

I am looking forward to getting back to 'Suub'i where we are helping to create 'hope' and a positive future.

An extra big HUG to you all tonight.

Talk soon

Helen

June 20th, 2009 - What we've been up to at Suubi!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:37:00 GMT

Well here I am sitting in a flash motel (by Ugandan standards) in Masaka Town with my feet up, after having had a hot shower and getting to sit on a proper (western) toilet seat...........Whoops sorry, that's probably just a little too much information! It seems such a bizarre contrast to the unbelievable week we have just spent at Suubi. Its soooooo hard to put into words the sea of emotion that has swept over me during our time there but here goes , I'll give it a try..........

As we drove from Kampala through the stunning Ugandan countryside, with increasing matooke plantations, towards Lubanda village on Sunday afternoon everything felt so familiar. I could feel the excitement building in me and when we finally pulled into mamma David's house, where we stayed last year, it was like coming home. I jumped out of the car and rushed over to Ritah (a 16 year old girl who almost single handedly runs the house and who had taken amazing care of Chad, Brenton and I during our last trip) and gave her a huge hug. Then I greeted all the kids and other people that were around, and although there is a huge language barrier that doesn't exists in Bujagali, I could see the joy on everyones face as they recognized me. David was barely able to contain his excitement as he lead us the few hundred metres through the matooke to the clearing where The Suubi Centre proudly stands. I was so emotional to finally be seeing it with my own eyes! To think that just a little over 12 months ago it had been a vision and dream that David had presented to us in a concept paper and now here it was standing in front of us in reality - absolutely amazing!

Our first sight of the Suubi Centre that HUG and D+ built earlier this year with funds from the HUGfest concert and many other generous donors!

David (seconded left) was so excited to show us all around.

After much yipppppeeing and congratulations we unloaded our gear and set about organizing our selves for our first night. It was now almost 7pm, the sun was going down, and although the power had been connected at Suubi the week before, we soon discovered that a power pole had fallen down in a nearby village and we would have to make do without it! David had to head back into Masaka Town to collect the materials and man power we would need the next day at Kyassonko Primary school so we were really thrown in the deep end........no power, pit latrines and with Ishmael being the only person around that could speak enough English to have a conversation with! Sue, Samuel, Yvonne, Annette and Ashlee all coped unbelievably well and as we climbed in under our mosquito net onto our paper thin inflatable mattresses on the floor of Suubi that night, I could sense that they were all pumped to be there!

The real deal! Sleeping under Mosquito nets inside Suubi.

The main training hall in Suubi, where Annette set up her mossy-free tent.

More hair washing fun!

Monday morning we set off to Kyassonko Primary school where we would be putting in a water tank and organic garden. David had organised to meet with the head teacher and the parents to explain to them their responsibilities and the need for them to be involved in the building of the base of the tank the following day. It is very important to get everyone involved and give them ownership of the project if it is to be a success in the future. David has the amazing ability of motivating the whole community and it is inspiring to see them being empower rather just relying on a hand out. The parents and teachers that were there assured us that they would send the message out into the village and the people would come the next day.

Sam gave the school a soccer ball which will be loved to certain death!

Sam and Ishmael.

After delivering the others back to Suubi for chance of a little recovery David, Ishmael, the guys who had so brilliantly constructed the tank on the school site and I headed back into Masaka Town. When we arrived, we headed to the hardware store to collect garden tools, paint, wire, concrete, etc etc that we would need over the coming week. After hours of standing around waiting as person after person was served in front of us because we had too many things to buy we finally got on the road back to Suubi as the sun was setting. So the usual 45 min trip turned into well over an hour as we travelled along the pot holed filled roads in the dark. Boy was I glad when we finally pulled up at Suubi that night!

On Tuesday morning we headed back to Kyassonko to make an actual start on the work that needed to be done there. As we drove in the kids realized it was us 'muzungus' (white people) from the previous day and enthusiastically welcomed us. There was a class of probably 60 grade 3-4 kids out in the playground doing different sporting activities, most of which were accompanied by a song and/or lots of cheering and laughing. We unloaded the school set of garden tools that we were supplying-hoes, rakes, slashers, pangas and watering cans. We decided that while we waited for the parents to arrive we would mark them all so they would be easily traceable. So most of us sat down on the dusty ground and patiently took turns to paint 'HUG D+ Garden Project' with the 1 paint brush we had bought. Sue eventually came up with the idea that we could just as easily do it with sticks so that we could all work at the same time. Inspiring improvisation - A lesson well learnt from watching the Ugandans!

Preparing to present the school with a full set of garden tools!

By 11 am the people were starting to arrive, just as they had promised. And by 12 we had more that 60 parents there. It was a fabulous sight to see students, teachers, fathers, mothers with babies on the backs and us muzungus all working together to collect bricks. As a few of the parent who are builders expertly worked on constructing the base of the tank we headed to the much neglected small garden area the school already had.

Working together to build the base for a school water tank.

The agricultural teacher bought a few students out to work with us, so it wasn't long before we had a small row of double dug garden beds almost ready for planting. Ishmael will return there before sowing season at the end of July to teach them all about adding compost and and organic fertilizer so that they will get the most out of the soil.

The Kyassonko kids loved learning about the 'double-dug' technique.

The kids crowded around to watch Annette paint the credits on the water tank.

After such a rewarding morning we headed back to Suubi to discover, as we traveled through the nearby trading centre, that the power was back on!!! Very very exciting! After a short rest when we arrived 'home' the women's craft group began arriving. I had promised to teach them the double weaved bracelet technique that Flo had so expertly shown me last week. Soon we had the centre FULL with women all eagerly wanting to learn. It was quite chaotic trying to get around to them all and explain things with my very limited luganda skills! At one stage when I was feeling absolutely exhausted Sue expertly lifted my spirits when she said to me, "take a step back and have a look at all of these women chatting, laughing and learning together. Isn't that exactly why Suubi was built!" Absolutely right! Thanks Sue - you're a super star!

It was so exciting to see Suubi being used for the craft group, who last time we were here, were working out side on the ground!

Some of the ladies also from the Masaka Widows Project worked hard to perfect their braclets.

Wednesday morning David arrived with the builders at 6.30 in the morning to discuss building bandas at the centre. It must have been quite a sight to see me bleary eyed, wondering around with them in my PJ's trying make important decisions!! But thats Uganda- you just have to go with the flow! When we had finished the builders stayed on to do some unfinished rendering inside the centre and to help us sand the walls ready for painting. Annette and I helped with this until we realized they were far more skilled at it than we were so we headed outside to help Yvonne, Sue and Ashlee who were busily trying to level off the ground in front of the building. It was very very funny to watch us all trying to swing a hoe like the locals! It was a fabulous feeling to stand back at the end of the day though and see what we had achieved.

It was tough going for us Aussies who are not so skilled with the hoes!

By 4 oclock the craft ladies were starting to gather again for the day. I had told them the previous day that I would show 4 of them, the ones who had picked things up very quickly, the next steps and they could then teach all of the others. Only thing was that they all wanted to be part of it so at least half of the 25 women turned up again just to watch - so great that are all so enthusiastic! That evening we had a fabulous time. Many of the village children had come to watch a DVD that David had told them we be showing. Only trouble was the power was out again!! So we all sat out the front of the centre in the dark and sang songs. They all beautifully preformed while us poor Aussie struggled to even sing Old MacDonald had a farm! The kids are definitely one of the many highlights of Uganda and to spend that time singing, dancing, laughing and enjoying each others company was such a buzz!

Thursday was dedicated to painting the inside of the building. We had made rules that said there would be no yuppie gadgets for the day (mobile phones or laplaps) which was quite a challenge for some - especially David! After a slow start when we all thought that it would take a 100 coats of the watery Ugandan paint, we were finally finished just in time for the craft ladies again in the afternoon! Although we only had a brief opportunity, it was very rewarding to admire our work at the end of the day.

Is was great fun painting the inside of Suubi.

It was quite a sight to see David in shorts - Ugandan men wear long pants almost every day despite the heat and humidity.

By 6.30pm we had children starting to arrive again. David had put out the word the previous night that we would be handing out the clothes we had bought from Australia. We had more that 250 items of clothing that had been donated and/or lovingly made to distribute. Again it was chaotic at times but when I thought of all those happy kids heading home it made it all worth while!

The kids waited patiently to receive a brand new item of clothing. Most kids have NEVER had a new anything! All clothes are purchased second hand and then passed down through the family.

They were all so excited to have 'little people' clothes! Usually the only clothes available are second-hand grown-up clothes.

Some kids even arrived at 6:30am the following morning with their parents to see if their was still clothes available. Luckily for these beautiful little girls, they collected the last 4 dresses!

The sight of the night though was David and Ishmael slipped into two matching frilly numbers to do the performance they had promised us the night before! Funny, funny stuff! I think they liked dressing up in women's clothes as much as we enjoyed watching their performance!

Ms. David Ssemwongerere!

This morning we thought we were going to have a leisurely morning packing up for our 11am departure for Maksaka town. No such luck! The builder arrived at 7am to start on the ceiling of the room we had been sleeping in which will become the area for computers. We hastily transfered everything into the other room for packing and by about 10.30 we were having a shower before we set off. I really am beginning to see why the Ugandans shave their head! On the way in to town we dropped into Kyassonko again to see the progress and then onto Regional College School Kinoni which will be connecting with the school Annette teaches at in Bathurst.

So thats it for our amazing, spectacular, rewarding, inspiring...................um ....................I can't think of enough adjectives to described our unbelievable first week at Suubi!

We are heading of to Fort Portal and Rwanda tomorrow so I not sure when I'll get a chance to up date you all again. I really hope you are enjoying coming along with Sue, Sammy, Yvonne, Annette, Ashlee and I on this wonderful journey.

Love to you all.
HUGs from Helen

June 18th, 2009 - Hello from Masaka!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:36:00 GMT

As I sit on the front verandah and watch the sun come up over Suubi I can't even begin to describe the feelings of pride and sheer joy that I have felt since we arrived here last Sunday. So much has happened since I last spoke to you all that I barely know where to begin.

So although I am dying to tell you all about Suubi, let me first go back to the last few days we spent in Bujagali.

Thursday of last week saw us heading of in different directions. Annette handed over some of the fabulous beads that her mother and friends had collected to a very excited Flo. She then headed to the Education centre library to put some of her expertise to good use by cataloging and arrange their books in some sort of order. Sue Samuel, Ashlee and Yvonne went back to the school they had been painting earlier in the week to finish off while I spent the day with Flo sitting under the shade over a mango tree learning how make double weave bracelets so I would have the skills required to pass this onto the Maskaks ladies.

The Soft Power Eduction Library (very tidy Annette!)

Annette and Flow with some gifts from Oz.

Friday was a fabulous day spent with the amazing Robert Bagatiya at Nakanyonyi Primary school. Dawes Rd Primary School has been communicating with Nakonyonyi for the past 12 months and I have been luck enough to visit there 1/2 a dozen time over our last few trips in Uganda, so it was really felt like catching up with an old friends. Robert has a power of energy and enthusiasm and not only runs their inspirational school demonstration garden but also coordinates their science and sports departments all while teaching a primary 7 class of 143 students!!! He had planned a huge day for us while we were there and wanted to make the most of the opportunity to show us everything that Nakonyonyi had done with the money they had received from Dawes Rd. ( I think it was between $300-$400 they raised from their footy day last year) Firstly he took us to their unbelievable school garden project where they are growing not only the traditional and abundant Ugandan Matooke but also tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, sugar cane, advocado, paw paw, mango, passion fruit and much more. Some to the funds from Dawes Rd had been spent on poles to support the passion fruit vines and Robert proudly told us that these made the most money from anything sold from the school garden. He also then showed us their various animal projects. Again a portion of the Dawes Rd funds had bought 100 boiler chicks late last year that they had raised and sold off. Robert explained that from the money raised, 18 orphans were supplied with fully stocked school back packs, 28 other vulnerable children were given books, pen and pencils while 9 others had their school fees paid for them! Amazing! And thats not all.... next we headed to soccer and netball demonstrations where the kids proudly wore the sports uniforms that Dawes Rd had also bought!. It hard to believe that one day in Australia can have such a lasting impact on some many kids in Uganda!!

The Nakanyonyi Football Netball teams in beautiful new outfits, proudly provided by Dawes Road Primary in Kyabram, Australia.

Well done Dawes Rd!!!!! After a quick stopped off for some cold drinks and biscuits in the outdoor staff room, we ventured into the one of the classes to show the kids that had been writing to Dawes Rd, and those that had been provide with goodies from them, a video of what life is like in an Australian school. It was amazing to watch them sucking in all the information as I explained what they were seeing and Robert expertly translated. At times I felt like we were describing things from out of space-machines in the staff room that you put your dishes into and it washes them for you!! The Ugandan kids, and in fact even Robert, could not believe what they were seeing and hearing!!

The Ugandan kids just loved hearing and seeing all about their Aussie counterparts!

After more than an hour of explanations, answering fabulous questions and lots of fun and laughter from everyone we then took a tour of the school with Robert and the two head prefects. I videoed many of the classes, all of which have over 100 student each in them, with the largest being 187 in one room! ( 2030 students all up) We also visited the pit latrines and other interesting things around the school so hopefully when we get back to Australia the kids there can learn as much as the Nakonyonyi kids! Sue, Samuel, Ashlee and Yvonne were all blown away by our day and I know that it will the same last impression on them as it has me!

The kids are always excited to see themselves on the back of the camera.

So after filling you in on all that, the sun is now fully up here and everyone else has risen from there slumber. They are wondering around, heading to the pit latrine, whipping up breakfast and right in front of me Sue is using the hairdressing skills she learnt from Esta to watch Samuels hair in a basin!!! I love it!!!

The Ugandan shower, fun for everyone!!

I really wish that I had time to tell you about Suubi now but it is time to paint! I miss family and friends sooooooooooo much and I want to keep you all informed but I am definitely going to live every second of this amazing experience. Hopefully I will get to it while we a traveling later in the week.

Love to all you HUGger out there.
HUGs from Helen

June 15th, 2009 - Reaching Suubi Centre! (Brenton)

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Hey All, Brenton here.

After a brief call from Helen in Masaka (in Uganda's South West), Browny has forwarded this update.

Prior to leaving Bujagali for Masaka/Suubi project, the group visited Nakanyoni Primary School, which is the Partner School to Dawes Road Primary in Kyabram. Details will be forthcoming of this visit but needless to say, connections such as this one are proving to be a HUGE success, and the delight for the Ugandans involved is equal only to the absolute joy for their new Australian friends.

If HUG only ever achieved this in its endeavours, it would be worth it!

On Saturday afternoon (June 13th), our HUG group traveled to Kampala (the capital of Uganda) to stay the night at a Backpackers Hostel before making the trip on Sunday morning to the Masaka/Suubi Project.

They have all been at Masaka/Subbi for 24 hours now and are totally blown away to be actually seeing for real what has been achieved! To quote Helen “I WAS SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED, I NEARLY DIED FROM HAPPINESS TO SEE THIS FOR REAL!”

They have of course all been very warmly welcomed, and as I write are proceeding to obtain some garden tools so that a start can be made on the Organic Garden Demonstration area. It appears there will be some extremely happy and rewarding experiences for our HUGGERS over the coming days and weeks despite the reality that they are in the heart of Africa, no running water (4km to a small spring/puddle, not fit to drink), pit latrine toilets and no power. (Suubi had power connected last week, but a pole fell over - so for the moment the power is out. That is Africa!)

The thing is, being surrounded by a culture that just gets on with life despite the circumstances, and is so damn happy, means that these supposed 'inconveniences' are just that, and quickly matters that are beyond comprehension here, are in fact not the drama we might expect. Living out in the village, eating, living and working like a local is sure to be a very challenging and extremely memorable piece of the HUG team's trip!

Hopefully Helen can post some more details soon!

Brenton.

June 11th, 2009 - Life in Bujagali

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:35:00 GMT

After now having been in Bujagali for a week and a half, everyone has well and truly settled in!!

We had 2 days at the beginning of the week without any power so this is the first opportunity since then that I have had to update you all. Although we have the laptops here and an amazing wireless internet connection I still needed electricity to charge the batteries!

The weekend was spent in the village with everyone enjoying getting to know the locals. It is such a buzz to have introduced all of our special Ugandan friends to 5 new Aussies and so nice to watch them all becoming great friends as well.

Sue and Sam spend time with Rebina and Emma.

On Saturday Sue got to meet Robina (Emma's Mum) for the first time. The two families have been writing and getting to know each other for quite a while now and Sue has heard lots about Emma and Robina from me, so to meet each other in person was very exciting for both of them. After chatting with Robina (who is a hairdresser) Sue decided she was going to have her hair done. Robina said she should get her daughter Esta to do it, so Sue set off for the local Saloon, as they call it here. She came out looking like Side Show Bob!!!! She has since had it redone in corn rows which far more attractive but I really wanted you all to see how hilarious she looked!!!!

Side Show Sue.

While this was all going on I was at the Art Department at the education centre. 04no is going to screen print some t shirt for HUG and D+ (this is the Ugandan NGO that David volunteers with a lot of the time - they used to be called AEW but have recently had a name change - you can read about them on our website) While we were there I managed to Skype Browny (my husband, a Signwriter himself) and he actually watched 04no while he was doing it!!! This is absolutely amazing!! I can't believe that we can be in Uganda and SEEING each other on the other side of the world!! The wireless internet connection is definitely changing how I am communicating with home this time. It is so much easier and I know that it is going to open up the world to the Ugandans as it becomes available to more people here. 04no and Silagi, and in fact all the kids that were around at the time, were thrilled to have Browny back there with them!

O4no had a ball showing off his skills to Browny!

After all of the excitement during the day it was decided that we should head to the local bar so Sue, Yvonne and Annette could get a taste of what life is really like in the village. We walked to Invanamba (just a short stroll for the locals but quite a hike for us Aussies) where we settled in at Paris' Pub for a few rounds of the local brew know as karsib.

Mmm, looks tasty Yvonne!

Sunday saw me set off with Silagi to visit Cissy and Nastaha (Silagi's wife and daughter) at their new house which now has a roof on thanks to Jess Ellis' great fund raising back in Kyabram. Natasha has grown so much since last year when we were here and took great delight in seeing Dada Helen (Grandma Helen!!!) from Australia. After that we set off further into the village to visit the piggery which HUG has helped to establish. It is fantastic to be actually seeing things we have helped to get off the ground. The photos that have been sent to us have been great but there is nothing like seeing it with your own eyes.

The Silagi showed me around the Kybiriwa Piggery Project.

Sunday night we all set off to Teddy's 23rd birthday party. Teddy is a gorgeous Ugandan lady who has worked at Eden Rock for my past two visits here. She has now gone back to school to further her education but she didn't hesitate to ask the other Aussie volunteers to join us at her party even though she had never met them before. We had a great night and enjoyed a delicious meal of motooke, kasava, cabbage, chicken and meat with g nut sauce that her family had prepared for the occasion. We were also lucky enough to see her uncle propose marriage to his long time girl friend!! Everyone there was very excited.

Celebrating Teddy's 23rd Birthday! (Teddy is on my right)

On Monday morning everyone else in our group set off for painting at a Soft Power school while I visited with the pre school teachers I had spent so much time with them during our last two visits. Kibbi bought the volunteers for the usual visit at the preschool while I was there so they all got to see the fabulous singing and dancing that the kids do. It was terrific to see some of the preschool kids still wearing the clothes that the KCLC craft ladies had made and sent last year!

Singing and dancing for the Muzungus and Kybiriwa Pre School

Painting with Soft Power Education's 'School Refurbishment Program'

As Tuesday was a public holiday in Uganda, Soft Power only worked for half a day so Annete and Yvonne took the opportunity to get out on the river. They took a two hour floating trip which is some what more sedate than the full on white water rafting. While they enjoyed the amazing sights of the mighty Nile Sue and I went back out to Watitaka for the day. Milly had invited us to the graduation of the adult education group when we were there last week and we wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was such a thrill to be the guests of honor and so exciting to see people ranging in age from young mothers to very old grandmothers (the eldest was 95!!) receiving their certificates. It felt sort of like being back at KCLC (where Sue works and I volunteer) with the CGEA group there. We hoping that when we get back home that we can make a connection between the two groups - it would be fantastic for both of them!

Annette and Yvonne prepare to raft the Mighty Nile!

The Watitaka Primary School Adult Education Class graduation.

While the others have spent the rest of the week working with Soft Power, I have had the chance to catch up with lots of people. I've spent time organising various things for HUG and even spent the afternoon yesterday with Flo learning how to make various jewelry pieces so that we can pass on this knowledge on to the women of Masaka at Suubi next week.

Over all I think it has been a terrific start to our trip. Bujagali is a great place for everyone to settle in. Hopefully they will be able to make the move to Masaka next week where there is no running water or proper toilets!! We do however have power now because we have just had it installed at Suubi!!!!! Yippppeeeee!!! Very very exciting!!! I can't wait to see it all with my own eyes.

Until the next time I get a chance to chat to you, love to all you HUGgers out there.

HUGs from Helen

June 7th, 2009 - World Environment Day

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:34:00 GMT

Friday 5th of June found us heading off to World Environment Day. David had been part of the organizing committee in Uganda and was very keen for us to be there.

After a lovely drive of about 3/4 of hour from Bujagali to Kayunga through the beautiful Ugandan countryside, we arrived at the venue to find David and three other university volunteers setting up the HUG and D+ stall. There were marquees with seating for the officials on one side and a row of marquees opposite them where various organisations had come to display what they were doing for the environment.

The day began with a march through the event and then out into the near by village by a marching band followed by school children from the schools in the surrounding area. Sue, Samuel, Yvonne, Ashlee and Annette joined in while I stayed with David to film various stalls and things happening around the event.

The march to World Environment Day 2009.

When everyone arrived back the Minister for the Environment in Uganda arrived to perform the official duties. She planted a tree in the school ground where the event was being held and then toured all of the stalls. This was a huge honor for everyone involved. David was very keen to make a good impression on her!

As we waited patiently for our turn to arrive I practiced the Luganda sentence that David had taught me "Essanysa okubaba wana" (I am happy to see you here) When the Minister finally arrived at our stall, after almost completely missing us because we were tucked in behind someone else, she found it very amusing that I was at least attempting to speak the local language!

David did a terrific job of explaining what HUG and D+ are trying to achieve by putting in organic gardens and water tanks at schools and also about how the Suubi centre will be a place for them all to come and gain may more valuable skills. Then I spoke to her about the connection between the schools in Australia and Uganda and how children from both countries are learning from each other.

When she moved onto the next stall we all took a huge sigh of relief. It had been extremely nerve racking but we all agreed that we had passed with flying colours! She had seemed genuinely interested in what we are doing.

David and myself with a certificate of participation in World Environment Day.

David also made some other great connections through out the day that I'm sure he will make the most of in the future. The day was a great success for HUG and D+!

The highlight of the day was the singing and dancing and of course the kids! The other HUG volunteers got to participate in a national Ugandan event and although there was lots of waiting around while things moved along at Ugandan pace, I'm sure they all enjoyed being a part of it!

HUGs from Helen

June 5th, 2009 - Settling in (Chad)

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:53:00 GMT

Hey everybody, it's Chad here. As you can imagine, internet in Uganda can be very unreliable! So from time to time either myself or Brenton might post a blog on behalf of the group to keep you all up to date!

Mum (Helen is my mum for those of you who don't know!) and the team have had an amazing couple of days since arriving in Uganda earlier in the week! After the dramas of the delayed flights, and last minute organising of accommodation in Kampala (to avoid driving on the treacherous Ugandan roads in complete darkness) they arrived excitedly in beautiful Bujagali on Tuesday morning (local time). Their arrival in the village was completely overwhelming as the locals realized that Mum was back, and better still, had brought some fantastic new friends for everyone to meet! Even though they were obviously fatigued after such a trip, that was quickly forgotten and a great time was had by all for their introduction to the Pearl of Africa.

An excited David unwrapping the Suubi Centre signs in Kampala.

Sue, Samuel, Yvonne, Ashlee & Annette have all been blown away with the welcoming reception and the intensity of our Ugandan friends wanting to know every intimate detail of what’s going on with us poor folk that could not be there with them! Samuel actually played inter-league footy all day on Sunday in Australia, before flying to Africa for the first time, but apparently he found a second wind soon after arrival by stepping in to the impromptu “Bujagali World Cup Soccer Try Outs” that occur EVERY day, in front of the mighty Nile. It will test his skills and stamina no doubt!

Sam finally meets his HUG Partner Emma. The two have been writing to each other for the past 12 months!

Over the past few days the team has taken a brief moment to catch their breath, by having a day in the village, checking out Bujagali Falls, and getting to know even more new friends, while also starting to live some of the amazing experiences that they have all made the trip there for.

Aloysious, Fred and Silagi make a short online video call, to me in Australia! It only lasted 3 minutes before the connection dropped out. Still.... amazing!

Yesterday everyone headed out to Watitaka Primary School, which has a HUG Partnership with St Augustine's Primary School (Kyabram), back in Australia. The HUG volunteers delivered letters that the St Aug's kids had written to their Ugandan friends, and then spent some time with the local students, helping them to write their return letters to Australia!

Yvonne helping a student write his return letter to his Australia HUG Partner.

Sue also helping out with the letter writing.

Although Watitaka is a school that Helen has had a lot to do with over the last few years, for the Uganda first timers it was an astonishing experience to see such a well structured and well organised school in their first couple of days in the country. The head teacher, Millie, is an inspired and inspiring woman, who does an amazing job of running the school. With the help of some students, she took our team on a tour of the incredible school demonstration garden, as well as explaining to them about some other initiatives that the school has implemented.

Milli from Watitaka giving a comprehensive tour of the school's organic garden.

The teachers have recently taken to voluntarily giving the students craft classes, although these classes are not given during regular school time - the teachers are actually giving up their own lunch times to teach the kids skills that will enable them to produce crafts that will be able to be sold for an income! As well as this, ADULT education classes have been running at the school twice per week. The students in these classes range from 16 to 90 years of age and the first graduates of this program will be finishing their studies next week! There is a plan for Mum and Annette to return to the school for the graduation ceremony, so it should be another amazing day!

Annette with her new shadow, Janette!

A student working on a craft project made from plastic seed bags.

While all of this has been going on, everyone has still been going about the daily enjoyments of experiencing a new culture for the first time. The food, the lifestyle, the kids and the countryside. The language, the laughter, the customs and the characters. It is a sensory overload in those first few days, but everyone is having an incredible time, and we're certain that they wouldn't change it for anything!

Ashlee and Sam hang out with some local trouble makers (Ashlee looks popular!)

Mum has made specific mention on a couple of occasions already, that although it is an enormous pleasure for her herself to be back in the village amongst such wonderful people and friends, she is getting just as much of a buzz out of watching Sue, Samuel, Yvonne, Ashlee & Annette, living this experience for the first time. To see the way that they are fitting in to the community, and to see the looks on their faces as they fall in love with this country, just the way that Mum, Dad, Brenton and I have all done over the past couple of years, is giving Mum a huge thrill!

Stay tuned for more updates and photos as we receive them. Until then, nice time.

Chad

June 1st, 2009 - Waiting in Dubai...

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:53:00 GMT

After a 5 hour wait, we finally made it out of Melbourne Airport at 1:15am Monday morning!

All the families came to see us off in Melbourne.

5 of our 6 get ready to walk through 'the doors' into Passport Control.

One last HUG from Browny before I go!

So after a monster 14 hour flight in to Dubai, we are now sitting and relaxing in the brand new terminal waiting for our 3pm (local time) flight over to Nairobi, Kenya. (It feels a bit ironic to be stopping over in one of the richest countries in the world, before flying into one of the poorest!)

We're all starting to look a little like zombies from the lack of sleep, but everyone is still in good spirits!

Anxiously waiting for our connecting flight in Dubai.

We received a text message from Brenton telling us that he has spoken to David and everything has been organised for our late arrival into Uganda!

Almost there! Only 2 planes and 4,500km to go, and we can't wait!

HUGs from Helen x

May 31st, 2009 - Today's the day!

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:51:00 GMT

Oh my God, the day has finally arrived!!!

It feels like we've been counting sleeps forever and now we have none left! Everything is packed and ready to go (the boys are still getting bits and pieces onto my laptop) and now we just have to wait for the hours to tick down until 9.30 tonight when we take off!

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotion for everyone who is making the trip. We've been chatting to each other often and I think it is true to say that all of us have gone from sheer excitement to being scared stiff of what we are about to do! For the others in the group it's a feeling of the great unknown and for me it is a huge leap to be going without my family for the first time. I know we are all going to have the time of our lives but it sure will be nice to be actually living the experience rather than anticipating it!

Yvonne and I will be leaving Ky at 3pm to travel to Melbourne together with our families. We've organized to have one last Aussie meal before we change our staple diet to matooke! Then we'll head onto the airport to meet the Lockington crew by 7pm for check in. And by the time most of you will be thinking of heading of to bed................we will be heading off to Uganda!!!!!!

We'll link up with Annette in Dubai and as you are thinking of heading off to bed tomorrow night ............we will be landing at entebbe airport!

Yip! Yip! Yipppppeeeeee!!!!!

Chat to you soon from the other side of the world! Love to you all.

HUGs from Helen