Back to the Suburb

Last night, after another long ride, I arrived in Bugembe, Jinja, at my new project. My co-traveler Mitesh seemed a bit worried when the driver reached the address I had given him. He asked me to check in later to make sure everything was okay. I don't think he had ever seen an African suburb before!

I instantly liked it here, it was charming, not as dirty as Katosi, and I was warmly welcomed by Joram, the founder of Child Hope Ministries.

The project consists of Joram and his wife, who take care of 30 orphaned children. Due to a rent increase, the two had to move out of their old house and currently live with 13 kids (2 of them their own) in a tiny, tiny, tiny house. The remaining children live with Joram's mother until the new house is completed at the end of September, which they are funding through donations.

I felt right at home here, we had the typical Ugandan dinner (tons of rice, cassava, and greens), I was already used to the pit latrines and washrooms, and Joram and his wife were really kind to me. Joram said he would tell me the story of each individual child when they are at school. I already know that two of them are HIV positive and each child has a traumatic story to tell. I really have to be careful not to get too attached to these children. That's the main criticism of volunteering with orphans, the children quickly get used to someone and develop an attachment, and then that person leaves. I think I'll keep a little distance, although it will be very, very, very, very difficult for me! My maternal instinct has become so huge in the last few months that it already breaks my heart to know that I can't give these kids love. But that would be too selfish!

What I have learned so far about the project: Joram provides counseling for (very) young pregnant girls who have been abandoned by their family and the child's father, free HIV testing, and in the event of a positive result: referral to medical facilities, establishing a primary school in conjunction with the new house.

In the evening, Joram's wife (yes, I actually forgot her name, shame on me) went jogging and I joined her right away. It was a lot of fun, 4 of the kids also ran with us and in the end we did some exercises in the garden. It felt incredibly good! In the last three quarters of a year, I went to the gym at least 4 times a week, and for the past 3 weeks, I haven't done anything (except a couple of push-ups, squats, and abdominal exercises twice). Going from 100 to 0 is really not nice! We definitely agreed to do it every day, let's see if we can do it ;)

Just a little warning: my data package is almost used up and there is no Wi-Fi, so it may be that if I don't buy new credit soon, I won't be easily reachable and won't be able to write as often!

Oh yes, I've already posted it everywhere 20 times, BUT once again:

My old project urgently needs donations to keep the school alive. The fundraising campaign is the only way I could help them and it is truly meaningful because the children deserve to keep their school. And even if it's only 1,2,3,4,5 €, the more donors there are, the more awareness the campaign will receive. Thank you, my dear ones!

www.gofundme.com/schoolbuilding

So I say goodbye and start the day, let's see what Bugembe has to offer!