Hey everyone! It's Chad here.
First of all, we apologise for how long it has taken to get this blog up. With all six Browns in Uganda at the same time, it is tough to find time to sit down and write about everything that is happening.
Since the blog was last updated, we have travelled hundreds of kilometres around this beautiful country, but first of all...
Our last week at Suubi...
After such a brilliant experience in 2008, Brenton and I asked if it would be ok to spend a couple of nights at the family home, before leaving the centre. Madalena and the children welcomed us back with open arms, as we shared some delicious local dinners, and spent two nights laughing and playing with the delightful kids from in and around the house.
First of all, we apologise for how long it has taken to get this blog up. With all six Browns in Uganda at the same time, it is tough to find time to sit down and write about everything that is happening.
Since the blog was last updated, we have travelled hundreds of kilometres around this beautiful country, but first of all...
Our last week at Suubi...
After such a brilliant experience in 2008, Brenton and I asked if it would be ok to spend a couple of nights at the family home, before leaving the centre. Madalena and the children welcomed us back with open arms, as we shared some delicious local dinners, and spent two nights laughing and playing with the delightful kids from in and around the house.
After our first night at the house, Madalena presented Bren and I with a chicken to thank us for coming to stay in 2010...
...the very next night, all the Browns came to enjoy that chicken for dinner, with our Ugandan family.
Before we knew it, our time at the Suubi Centre had come to an end for 2010. During our two weeks there, we had the opportunity to get to know some of the amazing people who make this project so effective, and see first-hand the benefits that it is having on thousands of students and families within the community. We thank each and every person who has supported the development of this inspiring initiative, because without the amazing work of many, many people, in both Australia and Uganda, the Suubi Community Education Centre may never have had the chance to impact the lives of so many thankful Ugandan families in Lubanda Village. From the driving force behind the entire concept - Ssewogerere David, to the smallest contributor at one of HUGs many fundraising events, your support of this project will be forever appreciated.
Before we knew it, our time at the Suubi Centre had come to an end for 2010. During our two weeks there, we had the opportunity to get to know some of the amazing people who make this project so effective, and see first-hand the benefits that it is having on thousands of students and families within the community. We thank each and every person who has supported the development of this inspiring initiative, because without the amazing work of many, many people, in both Australia and Uganda, the Suubi Community Education Centre may never have had the chance to impact the lives of so many thankful Ugandan families in Lubanda Village. From the driving force behind the entire concept - Ssewogerere David, to the smallest contributor at one of HUGs many fundraising events, your support of this project will be forever appreciated.
Our final day with the Suubi staff, participating craft ladies and the smiling students from Sharon Primary School.
After departing Suubi, we travelled north-west to visit another community project which is run by an organisation called U.R.D.T (Ugandan Rural Development Training). U.R.D.T has been operating in the Kibaale District for the past 23 years, and they now have an huge number of projects which are operating incredibly efficiently under their vast umbrella. Our visit to the project was originally organised so that Mum (Helen) could deliver nine laptops which were donated by 'NAB / Telstra Helping Hand Program' in Australia. However, after spending just a short amount of time with a few of the U.R.D.T. staff, we soon realised that we had as much to gain from our visit there as they did from the delivery of their new computers.
Helen hands over the laptops to John Tusiime.
After departing Suubi, we travelled north-west to visit another community project which is run by an organisation called U.R.D.T (Ugandan Rural Development Training). U.R.D.T has been operating in the Kibaale District for the past 23 years, and they now have an huge number of projects which are operating incredibly efficiently under their vast umbrella. Our visit to the project was originally organised so that Mum (Helen) could deliver nine laptops which were donated by 'NAB / Telstra Helping Hand Program' in Australia. However, after spending just a short amount of time with a few of the U.R.D.T. staff, we soon realised that we had as much to gain from our visit there as they did from the delivery of their new computers.
Helen hands over the laptops to John Tusiime.
Through a full-day tour, we learned that there are literally thousands of people are participating at U.R.D.T. everyday, in programs ranging from agriculture, cooking, metalwork and carpentry, to computer classes, farming, radio broadcasting and private education. The vision of the project is as clear as I have seen from any organisation that I have ever visited or been involved with, and the philosophies of U.R.D.T., HUG and the Suubi Education Centre are extremely well aligned. It was, therefore, a great opportunity for us to visit such a well-established project and learn from some of their successes and mistakes over the past two decades.
One of U.R.D.T.'s impressive demonstration gardens...
Students from one of U.R.D.T.'s independently funded girls schools.
One of U.R.D.T.'s impressive demonstration gardens...
Students from one of U.R.D.T.'s independently funded girls schools.
And Browny asks questions of one of the U.R.D.T. graduates, trying to learn more about his amazing success story.
After our visit to U.R.D.T., we drove north to Murchison Falls National Park, for the second Suubi Safari of 2010. While camping on our first night, just metres from the banks of the mighty Nile River, we were treated to one of the most enormous thunderstorms that any of us have ever experienced. And after waking up to soaking grounds and muddy roads, we made our way down to the river to begin a 2-hour cruise past some of Africa's fantastic wildlife, to Murchison Falls.
A family of elephants at the water's edge.
The Suubi Safari crew, with Murchison Falls in the background.
A family of elephants at the water's edge.
The Suubi Safari crew, with Murchison Falls in the background.
On Day 2 of the safari, we found ourselves a local guide and headed out for an afternoon game drive. Throughout the 3-hour journey we came within metres of some of the most powerful and fascinating creatures on the planet, and saw some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Uganda.
'Top of the food-chain!' Not a care in the world.
The strangely beautiful east-african giraffes...
And a spectacular sunset to end our safari.
Our final morning with David before he flew out to Germany.
'Top of the food-chain!' Not a care in the world.
The strangely beautiful east-african giraffes...
And a spectacular sunset to end our safari.
After finishing up at Murchison Falls and spending a couple of days in Gulu to catch up with a friend of David's, we headed back to Kampala for one more night. Ssewogerere has since flown out to Germany to attend a climate change conference over the next week, so it was our last opportunity to spend a night in his company and thank him for all of the brilliant work and amazing help that he has given us over the last three weeks. He truly is an inspirational man, and the whole Brown family now looks forward to many more years of great friendship with him. Webale Nyo, Ssemwogerere.
Our final morning with David before he flew out to Germany.
So, that is the latest news from our part of the world. We are now into our last week together in Uganda for 2010, so we will certainly be making the most of the time we've got over the next 7 days or so. Helen has another month here before flying back to Australia, so I'm sure that you can look forward to another blog update or two before she leaves.
Until then, we hope that all is well in your corner of the world.
HUGs from everyone.
Until then, we hope that all is well in your corner of the world.
HUGs from everyone.
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