There's no such thing as a typical day

This morning as I was getting ready, I heard a loud ruffling of papers, things falling, and a hen chatting…I could’ve sworn it was coming from the next room over…as I peeped into the hallway, the door to the bedroom was shut…I walked outside and found James (host/house owner) washing his clothes…I said, “Wasuze Otya Ssebo (How was your night/good morning)…but I think there is a hen in your room” Lo and behold…there was a hen trapped in his room. Oh, we had the greatest laugh! Even now as I think about that hen ruffling around in his bedroom, I cannot help but giggle.

This afternoon we made our journey back to the village of Ntinkalu where we were able to meet with 7 women/families! We are making much progress we have now seen 34 of 65 members, collecting the data we need, pictures are being taken, and our ideas are thriving. I would like to take a moment to introduce you to a woman we met with today. Her name is Mariam Bataka.

We learned today that Mariam is one of the very few of 65 who still are blessed to have a husband living. Mariam, who is around 51 years old, has had five children…four of the five children still live at home, joining them are three of the grandchildren.  In total there are 9 people living in a two bedroom home.  Mariam used to work at the quarry where men and women (mostly women) crush stones for a living.  However, two years ago, Mariam had a large stone fall on her ankle and has been unable to work much since this accident occurred.  She was taken to the hospital and received the amount of treatment they were able to afford and has been living with this very overwhelmingly open wound.  I could not help but think…”this kind of injury would never have gone this long without treatment…” I honestly, have never seen anything like it in my life, below I will attach a picture of Mariam’s ankle, as well as she and her children/grandchildren.

On a side note, this weekend was full of adventure. I took my first bodaboda ride (motorcycle taxi) to meet a few Notre Dame Holy Cross volunteers.  We met a group of Saturday for a sunset cruise along the Source of the Nile.  Sunday we traveled by bodaboda to Bujagali Falls (absolutely beautiful) and we ventured on to a well-known camp site for people who come from all over the world to paddle, raft, kayak what have you. I will post a few pictures as well.

Currently, I am trying to talk my immune system into being strong…fighting all the dust day by day I guess puts a wear on the ol tune up.  Henry and James (two of the founds of Lazarus Community) are surprised I’ve lasted this long without catching the flu…prayers please that this dusty flu doesn’t slow me down!

With all the love in my heart,

Anne Therese

Ps- each home I go to, it is their culture to present gifts…mangos, pineapples (one of my favorites now a day), sugar cane, eggs, avocados, etc…today…a family gave me a chicken!!

now, i guess i could say that this little parade...yes, this is typical!!!

a 'mzungu' a 'mzungu'!!

(white person)

oh...the love

cruise

Bujagali Falls

NRE campsite view from bar

Me with the Falls

above all, let your love for one another be intense

A brief overview of what I have been doing these last few days:


 I am working with
three men who have begun a program called the Lazarus Community which
is essentially a program consisting of over 150 members (significantly
populated by elderly widowed women who are taking care of their
grandchildren due to the death of their own children (sorry if that’s
a bit wordy and confusing). Our hope is to develop a website to
increase the attention to the dire need of assistance in funding these
grandchildren through school, as well as help to provide materials for
our crafts program to help generate the household income.
I am trying to bring together everything I have learned in school
involving developing a program, but it is a lot different and much
more challenging in the “real world.” I have begun putting information
that is vital to understanding Lazarus Community. We are visiting the first village throughout these next couple of
weeks.  The village is called Ntinkalu where 65 of our members (all elderly widowed women taking care of their grandchildren)..we will be visiting each member individually.  I have also
developed a questionnaire so that I am asking each woman the same
questions to make connections between each member.
Here's some of the background I have developed thus far including our mission, vision, and goals:

Lazarus Community: Luke 16: 19-31

Background:

Lazarus Community is a community based organization (CBO) involving members of a community living in the villages of Ntinkalu and Kakira, Uganda.  These sub-counties are significantly inhabited by elderly widowed women and orphaned children.  Lazarus Community was developed in response to the severe concentration of poverty and lack of knowledge and skills among the community members.  The founders of the Lazarus Community were inspired to start the program after their continued correspondence with the people of the village. After establishing a meeting place at a primary school in Ntinkalu, the program began developing.  First, the hope was to sensitize the community members with information regarding HIV/AIDS, such as, how it is contracted and the consequences of the disease. Later, it was discovered that a large majority of these women are responsible for their grandchildren largely due to losing their own children to HIV/AIDS.  Hence, other programs were introduced to help sustain income and good health involving gardening, child sponsorship, and crafts.   

Vision:

Empowering the community members with knowledge, skills, and spiritual formation required to bring about sustainable development

Mission:

Uplifting the general standard of living through economic and social involvement of the Lazarus Community by developing income generating programs such as a Crafts Program and gathering weekly to increase communication between Community Members

Goals:

To ensure that community members are engaged in income generating activities, behavior change, and life skills to uplift their standard of living

I hope this information helps you to better visualize what it is that I am trying to do with my life and time here...please feel free to question/advise..I will also keep you updated on the progress of our website.
Much Love to you All,
Anne Therese

Picture1: Faith the daughter of Margeret and James and I at the Source of the Nile!

Pictures 2: Nangobi Joyce and her grandchildren (Nangobi is currently recovering from surgery to remove a hernia, however is unable to pay for medications and the removal of her stitches)

Picture 3: the front of my host home

Picture 4: The Source of the Nile!

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are

Greetings.
This weekend was well received...I was able to visit the Source of the Nile and Lake Victoria..such beauty. Every day I am embraced with the overwhelming feeling of how blessed we all are. This morning James and I worked in our "office" which is a very small room, in a very busy area, a very short distance from his home. Currently, I am in the process of sending information to my connection back home who will (with the goodness in his heart) help us to develop our website. We find it vital to our success to make our mission known.
James' son Musumba John has helped me resize some of my photos which will result in a shorter download process...I will post some now!
This afternoon, Henry, James and I will venture to Ntinkalu in hopes of visiting 6 homes...with each day we spend in the field we get closer to understanding as well as realizing the importance of our presence in these members lives. With the Grace of God, we will be successful.
Much Love,
Anne Therese

Lord, Grant me the Serenity

...to accept the things I cannot change, the COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference...


Bear with me, the internet connection is not the best, I will hope to post a few pictures this time around. These past few days have been packed...Two days this week we walked around the village..sometimes, long distances..to meet with the members of the group. Currently, there are 65 "grannies" and approximately 170 grandchildren involved. I developed a questionnaire to learn more about the women to make a better assessment of their lifestyle and backgrounds. Henry and James, two of the co-founders have so many ideas...but we must take it one step at a time...slowly but surely...it is important first to see the world how it is not how we want it to be...this is where we will start. We also spent an afternoon with the women while they attended to their crafts. I helped make a few necklaces and learned the ropes on how the beads are made...we will meet every Wednesday to work with them. Today is election day so we did not walk around the villages, everything so far has gone well for the polls; they are starting to tally and count the votes...hopefully it will continue peacefully. Tomorrow I believe Henry is taking me to the Source of the Nile, I hear it is beautiful...
please feel free to ask questions and comment...
I love you all and hold you close to my heart.
Please continue to pray!
xo
Anne Therese
or as they say: Anna Tereza

Meet Nabirye Jirimina

Wairaka

Hello ALL!!
I have made it, sorry it has taken me a while to inform you that the Lord has blessed me with a humble home away from home...a caring family who has taken me in, and people from the community who have gracefully welcomed me. I am in a hurry trying to upload pictures...James and Henry whom I am working with are very eager to get the program going...as they have said...I am now the organizer..the leader, they are merely following...no pressure right?!
Please continue with your prayers...
Love you to always,
Anne Therese

My time has come!

Greetings all!


I have arrived safely in Kampala...today I will go around the city and later tonight I will hear some local music at a small concert! Then in the morning I will travel to my village in Jinja...from encouraging words I have heard, the people of the Village are excited and anticipating my arrival! I will do my best to update as regularly as possible!
I was able to attend Mass this morning, and I truly felt content within my heart. With all the jitters and nervousness, the hospitality and friendliness of the people have helped me realize that I am where I am meant to be.
I continue to pray for you all and welcome the prayers you may lift up for me!
With all the love in my heart,
Anne Therese