Art in Africa

Because art is such a profound reflection of culture and because we have Rachel, our very own artist, traveling with us, we decided to dedicate today to exploring art in Africa. We had no idea that we were in for such a fantastic learning experience and that we would meet so many brilliant and creative artists. The day began with a trip out to the gallery and home of Maria Naita, a local artist and friend of Alexis and Agnes. Her art stunned us by its size and magnificence. Maria sculpts large, sometimes giant, subjects and she also paints. Her images of African women and children are particularly moving. We all loved her series focused on "Blind Faith" as well as her paintings of dancing, celebratory women and children. We loved her work but it was actually the work of one of her art students which we purchased for the walls of Ursuline. Maria has a student named Harriet who is a teacher and her colorful, cheerful painting of African women under a purple sky seemed the perfect choice for us. It was very exciting because Maria called Harriet and she came running over with excitement because this was her first art sale! As she is a teacher, it thrilled her to know that her work will be displayed in a school. Harriet is the woman jumping fr joy in pink in the photos above - she was delightful and Maria was equally happy for her success!
In the afternoon, we met even more artists at the National Theatre Market where there are many little shops with countless treasures. The artists have a corner where they display their work and it reminded me a bit of the Hippie Fair in Rio. I wish that I could tell you that we purchased everything that we loved today but sadly, neither our budgets nor our suitcases could handle that impact. Nevertheless, we purchased quite a lot and we learned even more about Africa through these talented and creative people.
Well, tomorrow is our last day in Uganda and we will soon be headed home with our memories, our treasures and our ideas for bringing Africa to Ursuline and vice-versa. All the words on this blog are too few to fully express the life-changing experience that we have had. We are so grateful to precious Agnes and the staff of Empower African Children for all that they have done to host and take care of us every step of the way - none of this adventure would have been possible without them! And to my fellow travelers, well, you have delighted and impressed me every day with your kindness and your openness both with each other and with the people of Africa - what stellar role models you are for our students and what a privilege to share this experience with you!!
Finally, to Alexis, the kindest, bravest and most compassionate person I know... You are a gift to the universe and to the children of Africa in particular. We love you and we love your shoes (you know the ones). I stand in amazement at all that you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish - what a blessing for all of us to share this time with you!! Waybale from the bottom of our hearts!
One more glorious day in Africa (will try for one last post before we leave) and then we'll be on our way home...

A little message to our loved ones back home...

All, you may have heard about the riots and protests that have taken place in Kampala this week and which escalated today. While it has been a bit unsettling to hear the news of what was happening in the city, we have not been in harm's way and are each very well, very safe and very calm. It happened that we had already planned on taking it easy this morning and relaxing at the ARA where we are staying because we have had a very intense pace (and yes, I wanted to watch the Royal wedding). So, we just decided to stay close to home the whole day and not risk going out and running into closed roads, etc. It's been nice to slow down a bit and to reflect on these last few days. By this afternoon, the city was calm and tomorrow we hope that things will be running as usual. So, please know that we are in a secure place and that all is well. We send lots of love to all those who have been concerned for us...
Cecilia, Michele, Maluza, Erin, Rachel & Melanie :)

Bead for Life

Yesterday we had the great privilege of spending the morning at Bead for Life, an NGO here in Kampala which creates sustainable opportunities for women to left their families out of extreme poverty. We first heard of Bead for Life during a faculty inservice day with the organization, Facing the Future. When we learned that this group was based in Kampala and that they are dedicated to helping women become entrepreneurs and home owners, we knew that we wanted to learn more. The Ugandan women turn recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelry and then sell it at a fair trade price to concerned world citizens (and jewelry lovers!). Usually the women do not dedicate their lives to making the jewelry - they enter a program at Bead for life for 18 months and through the jewelry making, they learn about how to run a business, keep a savings account, etc. In fact, Bead for life has recently added soaps and lip balm to its product list - and they are fabulous!
Our morning with the women of Bead for life was more than special. We joined in the daily circle of celebration and dance with the women (they pulled us into the dance and we did pretty well). They sang uplifting songs which help to keep them motivated through their hard work of becoming independent business women. They were very kind and welcoming to us and we learned so much from them about what women can overcome with hard work and dedication. Of course, we also did a little shopping in support of their wonderful entrepreneurial efforts!
To learn more about this fabulous NGO, check out www.Beadforlife.org .

Images of Uganda & Kenya

These photos were taken during our road trip between Uganda and Kenya. I thought you would be interested to see some of the highlights including the pink -shirted bicycle taxi drivers that work along the border between Kenya and Uganda as well as the Kenyan countryside as a severe storm was passing through. I am happy to report that we had no problem from the storm and that crossing the border was a million times easier than last year - no goats or harassing officials this time (well, one official was a bit annoying but he only inconvenienced us for a short moment). As you might imagine, we spend lots of time just staring out the bus windows at all of the marvels that surround us.

Now we are safely back in Kampala and ready for a few more days of Ugandan adventures...

St. Catherine's Primary School in Nangina, Kenya

Yesterday we journeyed to Kenya to visit St. Catherine's primary school for girls in Nangina, which is just over the border with Uganda. We have known about this wonderful school for several years ever since one of our UA alums introduced us to the principal, Sr. Ann Onyancha. The school was actually started by the Ursulines from Belgium but was later given over to the local Kenyan sisters, the Sisters of Mary.

When we told Sister Ann that we were coming, she expressed great joy but did inform us that the students are on Easter holiday so we wouldn't get a chance to see too many of them. We were expecting a lovely but quiet welcome from the sisters. Well, our welcome was another magnificent and humbling experience. Even though they were on holiday, several teachers and students took the time to come to the school to welcome us. The students even put on a play for us and performed some of their favorite dances! Their play was amazing - all about human rights and about the responsibility to act morally. These girls are so smart and talented!

The sisters welcomed us so warmly - Sr. Gretchen, the youngest sister, prepared a FEAST for us of soup, friend chicken, rice, pasta, cabbage, greens, eggs and more (it was delicious!). Then, when we thought the meal was over, Sr. Gretchen and Sr. Ann came dancing and singing around the corner carrying a giant cake for us which we insisted on sharing with the teachers and students because their generosity was just too much. In fact, they even honored us by inviting their local priest, Father Francis, to come meet us and join our wonderful meal. He was a lovely, gentle man who celebrated us with his kind words about the USA and about President Obama (Kenya particularly loves President Obama as you might imagine since his father was from Kenya - from an area near the home of Father Francis as it happens).

Father Francis also thanked us because part of the gift that our UA students gave to St. Catherine's last year helped one of his dear orphan students, Ruth, finish her schooling at St. Catherine's and to go on to secondary school. He brought tears to our eyes when he said that the support from our UA girls made all the difference in the life of this young girl who is so smart, loves volleyball and has no family to help pay for her education. Sr. Ann also introduced us to Sharon, an orphan who has lost both parents - known as a "total orphan" in Africa - and she said that it was the money from UA that had paid for Sharon's school year because she was the student most in need. Needless to say, we were humbled and honored and so, so proud of our students back home in Dallas who, through sales of Intramural T-shirts and Penny Wars, have helped these beautiful girls so much like them but also a world away. In fact, Sr. Ann had a photo of our UA Art club (the T-shirt sellers) posted proudly on her office bulletin board. We were thrilled to bring her a new photo of the Art club along with a new donation to help more girls this year. A million thanks to the Art Club and Mr. Thompson back home who made all of this possible as well as to our awesome UA student Council for selecting St. Catherine's as the beneficiary of our Catholic Schools Week Penny Wars!!!

As if all of this emotion weren't enough, we were, of course, touched by the preciousness of the girls of St. Catherine's. Not only were they so articulate and smart in their play, but they were also so affectionate and sweet to us. One little girl kept tugging at Maluza and so Maluza bent down to talk to her and to ask her name. The girl was actually named "Regina" which is the same name as Maluza's daughter!! We already went through a huge emotional moment when Maluza almost left the Sanyu babies home with little Isaac (the same name as her youngest son) and now this... I thought Maluza might really lose it because I almost did but she remained calm and kept talking to the little girl - now all we need is to find a little David (the name of Maluza's oldest son) and that will pretty much do us in... So today all Maluza talked about were her "African Children."

Erin also had a pretty special moment with a large group of girls who asked her about the USA. They told her that they imagined that it was a perfect paradise. Then they asked her if she has water in the USA. Erin handled it beautifully - She said "Yes, I have water at home and at school - I am very, very lucky - but I also think Kenya is paradise because it is so beautiful here." This moment brought home to each of us all of the beauty and all of the massive challenges that these children face growing up in rural Africa. Can you imagine that the greatest dream of a little child is to have available water? I think that we all know that this reality exists but it's a whole other thing to have those little faces staring up at you and to know that they have to struggle for water every single day.

Despite knowing how challenging life is for those at St. Catherine's, our time there was nothing but joyful and precious. The sisters so impressed us with their dedicated work, their loving hearts and even their dancing feet! It was a day that we will remember for a long, long time...

Journey to Jinja and The Source of the Nile

John Speke was a 19th century British explorer who made several journeys to Africa in search of the source of the Nile. He is credited with discovering the source here in Uganda near the town of Jinja. Of course, being the curious educators (and explorers) that we are, we decided to set sail on the Nile to re-discover the source for ourselves. It was thrilling! We sailed along the Nile into Lake Victoria and there did indeed witness the water bubbling up from the source below. So, we can confirm that Speke was correct in his assessment and that his expeditions were worthwhile. Unbeknownst to Speke, his name lives on in modern day Uganda where much is named for the him (we've been to the Speke Hotel as well as to the Speke Business Center, etc).

Our journey to Jinja was marvelous but it was only a stopping point on our trip to Kenya - more on that wonderful adventure coming soon!

The Spirit of Uganda!

So, yesterday when Alexis told us that the EAC children would be performing for us as a welcome, we never imagined that we would be honored with a reception suitable for kings and presidents! We could not believe our eyes and ears when the gates of the training center opened and we saw the children dressed in traditional African costumes, dancing and playing the drums! The girls danced up to us and we danced (ok, attempted to dance) along with them to our seats. I can't imagine a more beautiful or touching welcome!

The welcome by the Spirit of Uganda performers (Spirit of Uganda is the performing part of Empower African Children) completely stunned us with its colorful magnificence. We were all humbled that the children would honor us in this way. The children performed several traditional African dances, sang songs and played the drums. It was awesome!! The Spirit of Uganda will be touring again in 2012 and we are looking forward to hosting them at Ursuline so that everyone in our community can have the joyful experience of seeing them perform.