Soccer Without Borders: Uganda

"See You"

2010-06-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

It has been over a week since Lisa and I left Ndejje. And I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say it's been more than a little surreal. Our last days were emotional for both of us...we were not only leaving some amazing kids that constantly reminded us what it means to be fortuitous, a school that is constantly fighting a powerful stigma, and in essence challenging the world, or our neighbors that always showed us warmth even in times of misunderstanding; we were leaving a way of life that became our life. There are few places that carry a feeling of home within you, and even fewer places that embrace you without question. This is Ndejje. And while I felt the normal guilt on my first day away from Ndejje, e.g not having to pump a glass of water in the morning, using (or trying to use) a stove, being surrounded by a sea of Abercrombie & Fitchs, Apple stores, Targets, etc. I realized that more of my uneasiness came from the remembrance that the kids in my community were most bewildered when they heard we got free water to drink on the plane and a chair to sit in. How our lives had gone back to basics while in Ndejje, back to the core of what's important and what's needed...now we will return to a life based around the supplemental. Which is not something to feel guilty about, but something to constantly be aware of. I hope I remember that.

Call it a blessing, luck or good fortune...whatever belief system one subscribes to it is all felt the same. I feel an overwhelming amount of it. We were able to spend these last few months in a town and in a country and on behalf of a powerful idea due to the amount of people that helped us get there and continued to help us while we were there. I only hope that I maintain this experience, and instead of letting the experience and my time there seep out of me, I wish it to take root instead. It would be a shame for people to forget the words of this blog (no matter how confusing or erratic) - e.g the people we spoke about, the children who told us their stories, the lessons we learned on a daily basis and the people that made it all worth it. I truly hope people who read this blog or support organizations like Soccer Without Borders recognizes that what Lisa and I did was nothing out of the realm of possibility. In fact, it is the easiest thing to do if you decide you want to do it. If you decide you want to learn and immerse yourself in something unfamiliar, there are many many avenues for you to do so. And I really encourage you to heed that feeling. It's the only way change will happen in this world. The only way kids like Deborah, Hakim, Ronnie or Jaelle will get the fair shot they deserve.

Now we hope you follow the progress we started with SWB's new interns Deb and Chris, who are currently in Ndejje and working hard to increase the efficacy of the youth center and expand upon the relationships in the community. Thanks to our loyal followers and to those who spoke about what we were doing or asked how they could help, it all meant more than you know.

Obada mulungi. Tugya kusubwa!

Still here...

2010-05-18T03:10:00.001-07:00

I apologize for the poor blogging as of late. I had a week vacation in Kenya and during that time managed to get cellulitis, malaria and a bacterial infection on top of those two scary illnesses. So I’ve been busy doing A LOT of recovering. Lisa and I have both been giving our immune systems a run for their money. Also, schools have been out on holiday for the past month so there hasn’t been as much going on as we’re used to, or rather there has been a shift in activity buzzing around Ndejje.

At first we thought there would be a lot of room for growth regarding youth center programming, soccer training, outreach, etc. after Jacques informed us that HOPE had the funds to build a new nursery classroom and gave us the green light to turn half of the site into a room to finally begin youth center operations out of. Due to the shaky grounds on which we realistically foresaw a room being built in a month’s time and the surprising lack of HOPE students coming to the youth center, we realized that this would inevitably take longer than anticipated. On one hand there was great success in engaging the wider community – I believe our newcomer list peaked at around 45 boys, but only four on the girls’ side. With that amount of people showing up it was probably very lucky the normal HOPE turnout didn’t regularly attend. With only Deo, Lisa and myself (when I wasn’t out of commission) that was probably the most students we would have been able to effectively manage. Also, we had the good fortune of having a couple new American additions to the SWB team the last two weeks. I believe they will be returning to help out in a few weeks time, which will be right around when two new interns come get settled in to take over our post in Ndejje. Needless to say, the more the merrier in Ndejje.

Last week Lisa spent a lot of time in Nsambya helping out and assessing how things are running there, while I was only able to see one session and solely interact with Raphael and a couple participants due to really low turnout. Ben was hoping to get a feel for everyone involved, how SWB’s presence was being utilized, how successful/unsuccessful it was, numbers of kids showing up, etc. I will leave you with Lisa’s assessment of what went on and the great questions she poses at the end:

On Monday, Deo and I found Raphael and Didier with two groups of boys – a U-14ish team and a U-17ish team. There were roughly 20 U-14s and 25 U-17s training. Raphael and the group had very little equipment; only 3 balls and 6 cones. He explained that the other balls burst. We had a good, simple practice – we just played a three team possession game and then a full field scrimmage. Raphael and Didier stopped our games a couple of times to make coaching points and the boys were receptive. They seemed to like and respect the coaches. Raphael said that when school is in session they get many more boys than during breaks.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the boys could not train in the mornings because of police training on the field. According to Raphael, this will happen a couple times a month, unannounced. On Wednesday we gave Raphael some more cones.

On Thursday we attended the women’s training in the evening. Raphael says that the women train three days a week. Only three girls ended up attending, so it was a bit hard to organize drills and games. The three girls were all from the DRC. Raphael said that one of the major reasons for the low turn-out was lack of shoes. He said that for games, about 15 girls will show up, but for training it is hard to get good numbers.

On Friday, the boys and girls teams trained together in the morning. Again, the girl turn-out was low. I recognized a lot of the boys from Monday and all of the boys that I asked said that they trained with Raphael and the team everyday but Sunday. Raphael, Didier, and two members of the men’s team that had practiced earlier in the morning organized the kids into three teams. We scrimmaged on ½ of the field, rotating when a goal was scored.

We have organized two matches for this week. The first is between the Nsambya U-14 boys and the Ndejje boys. Next weekend, the Ndejje United men’s team is going to play the Nsambya men’s team. We would like to organize a match between the Ndejje girls and the Nsambya girls, but we’ll have to wait until school starts up again -then both girls’ teams should have higher attendance.

Raphael is a good guy. He seems to have a good relationship with the kids and the other coaches now. He is doing a good job with the men’s’ and boys’ teams. The women’s program is less successful because of poor attendance. We are also struggling with low girls’ attendance in Ndejje during the school break – we’ll usually only get 8-10 girls, but 30-40 boys.

I agree with your assessment of the program in Nsambya - SWB is supporting it, but not at a level to make it thrive. It is hard to say whether SWB should continue to support the Nsambya, and at what level. The men’s and boys teams seem to be a really big deal in the players’ lives, but would the teams continue without funding from SWB? What could SWB do to make the program really thrive? Should SWB support two growing programs in Uganda, or does it make more sense to focus money and resources on one project?

That’s all for now, but with school starting up next week hopefully we’ll be back in the blogging business for our last month in Uganda.

Good News on the Horizon

2010-04-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

During a trip to Gulu/Atiak, with a Non-Profit called Pros for Africa, I met the man in charge of starting a massive school called Cornerstone. They have schools all around Uganda and have demonstrated perfectly how to successfully adjust to a change in need. This man started the school after visiting Uganda over twenty years ago and saw how war and AIDS had devastated educational opportunities (among other things), and how many children and orphans in the country were affected. As time progressed, that aspect of war changed the need to Ugandan youth lacking education geared on character building, leadership and post-educational opportunity. Cornerstone gives many scholarship opportunities to students who have finished Primary School, and also offers other levels of education at the best price the country has to offer. Upon returning to Ndejje I’ve met with him and we’ve discussed possible avenues for a partnership, or realistic opportunities for those at our school to continue their education. Jacques has already contacted him regarding a couple girls that have the grades and the drive, so I’m very hopeful that this will turn into something very positive.

Also, Lisa and I have been speaking with a man at the nearby Muslim Secondary School (which happens to own the soccer pitch we play on), and have lent out equipment to his girls squad that he’s entered into FUFA’s (Uganda’s soccer governing body) league for girls. Since we have the equipment but lack the space and they have the space but lack the equipment, I’m thinking it to be the perfect match. He’s really focused on improving the football program they have for their girls and is hoping Lisa and I could help out. We’re hoping that this would mean the inclusion of our girls in this situation (as well as a more liberal agreement with the use of the field) and in essence create a sustainable environment and friendship for the equipment, space and community. This is the sort of thing that will really jumpstart the community center. He is very keen on this idea as well and anxious for it to be put into motion. On that note, Jacques believes that construction of the new building (which will be connected to the center for one half of the nursery to move into) will be able to begin as soon as this week! Which means hopefully by the time Lisa and I leave (June 16) we will be able to have started programs and gotten the outer community to be a part of its creation.

Lastly, a great organization I found out about (also while on my trip with Pros for Africa) that makes water filters (think a giant straw that cleans the water as you drink it) is looking to potentially sponsor 200 of these straws for HOPE. I’m hoping Water Is Life comes through, because with an average of six children missing school daily due to bad water this is something that I think should be a priority.

The power has just gone out again, so this will have to be a brief post. Thanks for reading!

Another back-to back Youth Feature

2010-04-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

Due to our temporary hiatus from our blog we are trying to catch up on posting more on the youth in the area. This was a very special interview for me as it was open and I did little of the talking. This girl is really special and I spend quite a bit of time with her outside of school practicing reading, writing and simply listening to what is on her mind. Of course I hope for the success of all the young people I work with, but this particular student is someone I fervently work with. My next step is making sure she carries that same confidence she has at HOPE outside of school, and not made to feel inferior by certain males in Kampala where she lives. This is an issue I am constantly trying to address and focus on, as the future for many girls following graduation from HOPE is not very promising. Since many of the girls are refugees the possibility of obtaining school fees (which are greatly reduced at HOPE) for Secondary School is quite slim. Hearing stories of older males taking advantage of young girls and promising a secure life leads to many single mothers, and tales of prostitution and female trafficking are also among the other tragically common stories. It takes leaders in schools like HOPE to show the other girls that there are other paths and other choices to consider. To take a line from HOPE School, “Hope never fails.”

Name: Deborah Baunda
Age: 12
Grade: P6
Nationality: Congolese

Where were you born in the Congo and what do you remember about home?
DB: I was born in Bukavu and we moved to Uganda in 2006, I forget the month…
What I remember about Congo is wars. One time soldiers came to my house and they wanted to kill my father and wanted money. I was sitting in the sleeping room and was kept very quiet. They started trying to kick open the door and screamed, “If you don’t open we will kill you.” They left when they couldn’t get in the door. I remember when they took my older brother, but he came back.

Why did they take your brother? Is that why you came to Uganda?
DB: They took many boys in the village. They make them carry luggage for them. We came to Uganda because my mother got money stolen, and my mother was demanded for more money that she did not have anymore. She paid a little, but then was pressured so much that she thought she might die. We came because of all that pressure.

How many are in your family? Did all of you come to Uganda together?
DB: We are ten. Eight children and mother and father. We all came to Uganda and live near Kampala. I don’t like Uganda so much. Because father doesn’t have a house. Our mother works for a man who gives her money to sell clothes and its not enough for rent. My father is a tailor and makes clothes. My brothers and sisters don’t work yet.

Where would you like to live then?
DB: I would like to be in places outside of Uganda, like Canada, Unites States or Australia.

Did you ever find it hard to live in Uganda with different people than you weren’t used to in the Congo?
DB: Yes, at home (near Kampala) they don’t like Congolese. For example, the landlord says we are too many and don’t pay rent. At school I have never had a problem with Ugandans not liking me. I only have problems of lacking the requirements for HOPE. Requirements like school uniform, books, food, transportation because we have to walk far if we don’t have 300 UGS for a taxi. My best friends at school are many. But I like the teachers the most. I used to live with Teacher Winnie when she was at HOPE, she was my best friend, and I like Teacher Ronnie and Teacher Annett.

What do you want to do after graduating from HOPE?
DB: I’d like to study at University. I want to be a secretary or a doctor. Even football, but it is difficult for girls in Uganda. But in America I could play.

I think you would be a great doctor! But you are very good at football, probably the best at HOPE…how did you learn to play so well?
DB: I started playing football in P3 at HOPE. I was trained by some mzungus… Teacher James, Ben, Chris and Martino.

What is a normal day for you like?
DB: First, I read books then I play games like football and netball.

Favorites: Music group/singer, food, football team?
DB: Weezer, chips, Manchester United

You like Weezer?!? How do you know about Weezer they are one of my favorites too!!? (I give her my ipod to listen to a song)
DB: No, no. I like the Ugandan singer Weazer. This music is not the same.
(This took about ten minutes to establish that we were talking about two different Weezers/Weazers and was quite hilarious)

Who do you think will win the World Cup?
DB: Manchester United

That is a club team! Only countries play in the World Cup.
DB: Oh! Well they would win if they were in World Cup. I will choose Brazil.

Youth Feature of the Week

2010-04-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

What I find endlessly fascinating is how multi-ethnic and multi-cultural students at HOPE School are. It is more common to see a combination of Congolese and Ugandan, Kenyan and Ugandan or ____ and Ugandan, but after chatting with one of the most reserved students during break time I discovered he came from a Congolese and Rwandese household. After talking more at length it became apparent his parent’s respective countries and cultures weren’t an active part of his own identity. This could be a personal decision, or he’s simply acting as a typical teenager does and trying to define himself on his own terms. But reading in between the lines of our conversation, it could be a purposeful diversion prompted by his father due to their reasons for fleeing Rwanda. Either way, I really enjoyed his interview and perspective. I truly believe that one-on-one engagement such as this really increases self-efficacy and emphasizes value in youth’s personal outlook and opinion. After all, it will be these children that impact this community, and how they see themselves in it plays a vital role. Enjoy meeting Ronnie!

Name: Ronald Ngabo “Ronnie”
Grade: P7
Age: 15
Nationality: Rwandese

When did you move to Uganda Ronnie?
RN: We moved here in 2005. We were five. My mother died when we came to Uganda because she was very sick. I have three brothers and I am the fourth. We lived in Kampala first then moved to the Wakiso District.

What do you remember about Rwanda? You can tell me about good memories or bad memories.
RN: The good things…Rwanda…My sister is there and other relations. My sister is 27 and stayed because she is married. But some people didn’t like others at my home in Rwanda and were trying to imprison many people for the genocide. We left because things were bad like that. That is why Rwandese are here (in Uganda) or in other countries now.

That is pretty neat your parents come from two different countries. When or why did your father move to Rwanda? Have you been able to visit your father’s home in the Congo?
RN: My father moved from Congo to Rwanda because of his job as a mechanic. I don’t know when he moved there. I went to visit Congo in 2001 to see my father’s family in Goma once. It was nice.

Are you happy you live in Uganda now?
RN: Yes, I like living in Uganda. I like Uganda because there is freedom.

What is the hardest problem you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
RN: My father can’t manage to buy us clothes or shoes so me and my brothers work to get money for him. He doesn’t work, but sometimes he gets some jobs. So when we don’t have money we help laborers build houses like the ones you see around here. They pay us 5,000 UGS for a day (approximately $2.50).

Thanks for sharing that Ronnie. What do you like most about HOPE Primary School?
RN: I like the teaching and the sports.

What do you want to do after you graduate from HOPE?
RN: I don’t know what I want to do…I like football and singing.

I remember you saying you liked singing. I still need to hear your skills! Who is your favorite singer, food and football team?
RN: Chameleon (Ugandan rapper), rice and meat, Manchester United

Who do you think will win the World Cup?
RN: England

Ronnie, they are in USA’s bracket… are you trying to suggest USA won’t do well?!
RN: [whips out a huge smile]

Is there anything you want to say to people around the world reading this?
RN: Tell them I love all people in the world.

Jacob's Introduction

2010-03-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

This entry is long overdue, but the day was too wild, too entertaining, too eventful not to share. Teacher Jacob, the math and science teacher for P5-P7 is getting married! Three weeks ago he had his formal introduction to the bride’s family. Man, Ugandans know how to put on a show!

The all day affair started at 10:00 as we dawned our gomesi, traditional Buganda ladies’ wear. It took three Buganda women 20 minutes to dress each of the mzungus in these multi-layered rainbow dresses with shoulders that put 80s shoulder pads to shame. The men had it much easier with their white dresses called kanzus.

After we had all dressed and as I was pondering how I might pee wearing the gomesi, nine of us crammed into a van and drove to Teacher Jacob’s house. There we met a stressed-out teacher Jacob and his smart-looking family dressed in kanzus and electric rainbow colored gomesi.

As we waited for an hour or two for teacher Jacob to get dressed we were entertained in Luganda. First, his spokesman lobbied us for money, telling us that Jacob’s gifts for his future in-laws were too few. Next, as we waited for Jacob’s friends to extract the keys that they had locked into their running car, a Ugandan man with a guitar serenaded us. He had the most unique voice, very nasally, but somehow pleasant. He sang us what I thought was a happy children’s’ song, but was actually about how homosexuality is a sin.

Once the keys were extracted and our musical entertainment was worn out we boarded the cars and vans and moved the party to the bride-to-be’s house. After an hour an a half on a bumpy, unpaved road we emerged from the car with slightly droopier shoulder pads.

The ceremony itself was phenomenal, though I could not understand any of it. Each family had a professional spokesman, basically a comedian, who would make fun of each of the family members in Luganda as they appeared before the audience. It was like a 4-hour version of a Comedy Central’s roast, followed by TONS of Ugandan food.

At the end of the ceremony I got the Cliffs Notes version of what had gone on from Annet, the Hope School headmistress. She explained that almost all of it was a joke, but there were a few serious problems: First, Jacob’s gifts were not sufficient. With his teacher’s salary he could not afford the dowry of chickens, cooking oils, goats… that the bride’s family had required. Second, the bride’s father at the ceremony may have been a stand-in because the real father did not agree with the wedding. I have yet to find out if the man was actually the bride’s real father.

Tired and stuffed full of food, we made our way back home. We ran into a broken down truck in the middle of Ndejje road, and after trying three alternate routes, we finally made it back to Calm Guest House at 11:00 pm. The wedding is May 1 and I am looking forward to it! I’ll say it again, Ugandans know how to do ceremonies!

Youth Feature Double Narrative

2010-03-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

(Joweria on left)

(Chelsea)

One of the unique facts about HOPE Primary School that I have neglected to mention is that it is the only school for refugees outside of a refugee camp. While it is not assisted by the government, it is recognized. This has most likely been achieved by the growing number of Ugandans attending the school and Jacque’s insistence of separating himself, a refugee, from the school in a public forum. While there are obvious qualms with this approach it is a necessary one it seems, and has led to this school being able to operate as it has thus far. I found myself wondering if intercultural communication and/or education is a part of the school, or if there were issues between refugee students and Ugandans. Initially, when the refugee population outnumbered the Ugandans Jacques mentioned that there were disagreements or conflicts that led to Ugandan children saying, “This is not even your land….you are from Congo…you shouldn’t be here…etc. etc. etc.” There were instances when these problems involved student’s parents who wanted to go to local authorities (despite the police force being very little compared to the 500,000 strong population in Ndejje) for certain conflicts, which would cause obvious problems for refugees. But it seems that there are no obvious issues to Lisa and I upon seeing the students interact, but also there is not much acknowledgement of HOPE’s diversity and potential arenas for stratification. They have a “Debate Day” once a week, but it appears to be more focused on general issues such as school systems, corruption, etc. So I took an opportunity to interview two P6 female students, one Ugandan and one Kenyan (with help of a translator) to get their perspective.

Chelsea Norah
Grade: P6
Age: 11 years old
Nationality: Kenyan

Where are you from in Kenya and when did you move to Ndejje?
CN: I am from a district in central Kenya called Kakamega. I moved here in 2007 so my mother could find work.

What work does your mother do? Did she move here knowing anyone?
CN: My mother still hasn’t found a job but will soon get. She wants to be a tailor. No, she moved here knowing no one.

Do you miss Kenya? Is that where your father is?
CN: I like Kenya more than Uganda and I miss it a lot. I miss my grandmother and cousins. My father works in Sudan. I talk to him on the telephone sometimes but I forget what his work is. I haven’t seen him in three years.

How long did it take you to learn Luganda? Was that difficult? You are so good at English did you learn that at HOPE?
CN: It took me a year to learn Luganda. I also speak Kibukusu and Swahili. In P1 I learned English from my teacher in Kenya so when I came in P3 it was not too hard to read or learn.

Did you find it easy to adjust or be welcomed in Uganda?
CN: It was hard at first. My best friends at school are in Baby Class. But I live next to Sharon (a Ugandan in P6).

What do you like most about HOPE and what do you want to do after school?
CN: I like that the teachers teach us so we can pass (exams). I want to be a bank manager because I see that it’s a good job.

What is your favorite food, football team and music singer?
CN: Chips, Chelsea – because it’s my name, and Esther Wahome – a Ugandan singer

Is there anything you want to say to people reading this?
CN: Tell everyone I’m a good girl.

Joweria Nakijjoba
Grade: P6
Age: 14 years old
Nationality: Ugandan

How many are in your family Joweria…is this your sister (girl in photo that she always minds like a little sister)?
JN: No, this is my friend. I am only one. I live with my mother. My father died in 2000 from malaria.

What work does your mother do?
JN: She sells clothes.

What do you like most about HOPE? I see that you are a great dancer where did you learn how to dance? Is that what you want to do after school?
JN: I like to play with classmates and speak English at school. My friend at another school taught me how to dance, I love it and singing so much. I want to be a nurse after school.

No, I don’t know how to play you’ll have to teach me, it looks fun. How do you like going to school with so many people from different countries? Was it ever confusing for you or strange?
JN: I feel happy and benefit from learning other languages and dances from students from other tribes or countries. At first I did have a problem with some of the Congolese girls because I thought they were talking about me all the time in their language (she gave an example of a classmate she felt didn’t share with her and felt she would only share with her Congolese classmates).

How did you overcome that feeling or problem?
JN: Now because the school is taught in English they (refugee students) don’t use their language as much. So I don’t feel as bad and we are friends.

What is your favorite food, football team and music singer?
JN: Sweet Potatoes, I don’t like football! I like netball…I’m want to teach you how to play. And I like the Ugandan singer Bugebe Wilson.

Is there anything you’d like to tell your Internet readers?
JN: Tell them girls should take care of themselves. Because men encroach on young girls after school. Know that AIDS is a killer disease and try to avoid men that take advantage.

Girls are Footballers too!

2010-03-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

We had our first opportunity to have the boys team and girls team play against another school in their full kit. Deo (who we initially thought was called Dale) is the local young man we found who is interested in taking over the Youth Sports coordinator role. While it is a great partnership as he needs a job, loves football and is great with kids, we are hoping he extends his great and serious professionalism he maintains for the boys team to the young ones and especially the female squad. Unfortunately Deo was not able to make our first match due to the date being switched last minute so Lisa took over coaching the boys team and I took over the girls team. Needless to say, everyone had their game face on and everyone at school (teachers included) were excited for the matches. Below you can see photos of the mob that swarmed the field after our team scored against Ndejje Primary School…it was quite a cool sight.

Things started getting a little pear-shaped from there. We were told due to the late start (Africa time) there wouldn’t be time for the girls game if the boys were to play there scheduled 25 minute halves (girls were given 20 minute halves). I strongly insisted that the boys would only play one and the girls would get one half as well as the boys. During the boys game it was upsetting that I had numerous girls come up to me and say, “We aren’t going to play are we Teacher Stevie?” There was no way we were leaving without them getting on the field, because it seemed all too apparent that was what they were used to when they did get an occasion such as this to play. Lisa wanted five more minutes play so that the remaining four of her subs could get in the game and when she tried to get them in players refused to come off the field and even yelled at her “NO!” She also informed me that a couple teachers yelled at her as well and told her she was not to take off certain players. Because of this refusal the boys didn’t get their extra five minutes and a few boys weren’t able to play.

My girls (to my utter delight) immediately organized themselves in the lineup and positions we all talked about. The coach of the Ndejje woman’s team was less than pleased that his boys were being stopped without reaching a 1-1 draw or a win. He only brought eight girls along with him for his team and since we had plenty of other girls more than willing to play (HOPE is a female dominated school) we gave him our girls to play. He refused saying, “How do we know that your girls will play for us? They will let their school win.” I incredulously responded, “This is for fun. These girls just want to play. I assure you that will not happen.” He was insistent and apparently the concept of ‘fun’ or ‘equal play’ did not resonate with him. He refused his girls to play (and wasn’t so kind about returning our jerseys we lent them and leaving the pitch), which led to our girls playing against each other. This would have been fine nonetheless because at least the girls get to play in front of their classmates which is what they were excited about. But to our disbelief the teachers started leading the rest of the students back to school and the only people left watching and cheering were a handful of us. Lisa and I saw an utter breakdown in sportsmanship to other teams, one’s own team and to female students (of which the best football player at HOPE is a female named Deborah). I think we were most shocked by how the teachers and boys we teach and train treated us. It was a sudden switch from respect to something resembling disdain. We were just girls. Who were we and what did it matter what we said? But we were the girls who came to Uganda, brought the equipment everyone was enjoying, started practices and teams, facilitated this match and also play football on this same pitch with men as equals. None of that was apparently relevant at that moment.

As the most popular and global sport in the world, football has the dangerous ability to quickly change into a negative. Especially amongst those that place all their value in it. As much as it unites it can divide fast and furiously. To see it is not pleasant; but these experiences are invaluable because they show the crux of a gender (or racial, religious, cultural, etc.) breakdown and reveals that negative potentiality, which Lisa and I will be able to surely redirect on a united front.

Hodge Podge Post

2010-03-12T04:22:00.000-08:00

We have good news to report!
First, Gideon (our Youth Feature #2) got sponsored and is now attending Secondary School. And second, as the picture above indicates we have been able to spruce up the youth center a bit. The students LOVE having their picture taken and the wall is a big hit. Hopefully the space begins to feel a bit more welcoming to the rest of the students and can slowly start to even out between nursery and youth center. I have been talking to some solar power organizations in Uganda and am hoping one might lead to sponsoring our site for installing solar power...but it is as you would imagine a long and bureaucratic process. Lisa and I will be visiting Gulu in a few days and checking out some schools that had solar power installed by a particular non-profit...so hopefully I might be able to get a foot in the door through connections there. And lastly, Ben supplied us with a bunch of Soccer Without Borders bracelets (think LiveStrong) that we have slowly begun to give out to those that take leadership roles or help others, take initiative, etc. The initial "Teacher Stevie I want a bracelet, give me a bracelet!" was prevalent but now it has slowly changed into pleasant solidarity. Those with bracelets have really stepped up. For example, Daniela (Jacques daughter no less) wrote down everyones equipment on a sheet of paper and returned everything to me folded, tied and ready to be put away. I was shocked as that was my next goal...but something I figured was a month away from being introduced as we've still had issues with people returning equipment, things getting lost, etc. Thanks for reading, more next time!

Youth Feature # 4

2010-02-28T03:35:00.000-08:00

This is a youth family edition – while all four of these young people deserve their own day, their collective story and the life they’ve shared is the epitomy of courage, love and resiliency. From the first day Lisa and I arrived here I was intrigued and drawn to these four individuals (and at the time was unaware they were siblings, despite the now very obvious resemblance). I had the feeling they carried themselves like they knew where they were going, without traces of a past burden influencing who they are today. They moved here from Burundi due to the vicious conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu populations. If you are like me, you might not have known that the Tutsi/Hutu conflict was not exclusive to Rwanda. In fact, Burundi’s conflict was as violent if not more so (two of the first three Prime Ministers were assassinated and scores of bloodshed on both sides); this most likely attributed to the shock-value of the atrocities committed during the Rwandan genocide and brutal civil war that flowed over into Zaire (Congo) – leading to the consequent demise of Zaire and conflict that still remains there today. Sadly, we are all well aware that age does not matter in war or conflict, and these four can more than attest to that. Their father was Hutu and mother Tutsi. The father’s family came and killed their mother in front of them, and Jacques informed me they had every intention of inflicting the same fate upon the children. These ‘purification’ campaigns stemmed from Belgium’s enforcement of ethnicity being the defining feature of day-to-day life (ID cards, prominent positions in society, etc.), effectively eliminating any sort of collective identity that had once existed.

These four, along with their 18/21 year old brother (it really says a great deal that all seemed unsure about their respective ages or birthdays, but knew to the hour when they arrived to Uganda) sought refuge in Ndejje shortly after their mother’s death, while their father remains (or has since past away) in prison. If there is any sliver lining to witnessing the worst of life at far too young an age, it is the blessing that they have each other and are as solid individually as they are as a unit. So, it is my honor to introduce Abigail (who I foresee becoming a diplomat), Jeledi (a jack-of-all-trades brimming with charisma), Asheal (an artist – I’m trying hard to find a proper sketchbook for him because he’s incredibly talented) and Jaelle (who is driven and sharp enough to do anything in this world).

Abigail Nukuri
5 years old
Top Class (Kindergarten)

Jeledi Nyenintsizi
9 years old
P2

Asheal Twarabishimye
11 years old
P3

Jaelle Nyeninganji
13 years old
P4

Do you all have a name that is the same?
Lots of giggling and shaking of heads…
*Sidenote: In Africa last names are given to individuals, so siblings do not have the same last names (one child in another class was given the name which translated is: “I have made a mistake”). But also there is (usually) a family name that a child can choose to adopt at some point in their life, or for official purposes. It seems to be similar to middle names in the United States but more official and utilized here.

Where in Burundi are you from and when did you move to Uganda?
Jaelle: We moved here on 14 July 2008 from Kinyinya District in Burundi.

How many languages do you speak? Did you know English before? Your English is so good for having recently moved here!
Jaelle: We speak Swahili, Kirundi and Luganda.
And English!
Jaelle: You think we speak English??!
Well, I’m talking with you all now aren’t I?
Laughter from everyone…(minus Abigail who is in the process of learning English).
Jaelle: And English! Four languages!

Do you miss Burundi? How do you like Uganda?
Asheal: I like Uganda enough. Don’t want to go back to Burundi.
Jaelle: I miss my friends.
Does Abigail remember Burundi?
Abigail (per her siblings): I like Australia.
More laughter.
Jeldi: I want to go to Australia too. Yes, I like Australia.
All come to the agreement that Australia is indeed the top destination.

What do you like most about HOPE School?
Jaelle: I like learning in English.
Jeledi: Being taught properly.
Asheal: I like the teachings of manners and discipline.

What do you want to do once you are done with school?
Jaelle: I want to be a manager of an office.
Jeledi: Train driver.
We call those people conductors!
Immense laughter ensues…and the word ‘conductor’ is repeated numerous times.
Asheal: Math teacher.
Abigail: (per her siblings) Nurse. She wants to be a nurse.
Hmm…I’m thinking you are answering for her.
Smiles and more giggling.

Tell me about your brother, what does he do?
Jaelle: He is 21
Asheal: No he is 19
I thought Mr. Jacques told me he was 18…Jaelle: He is 21. He works...
Jeledi: He works in a hotel.
Jaelle: Yes, he works in a hotel and we live with him.

Tell me what a normal Sunday for you is like?
Jeledi: We go to church
Jaelle: Then we do chores.
Jeledi: Cooking
Asheal: Washing
Jaelle: Then we play games
What kind of games?
Jaelle: Football…hiding…
Hide and Seek?
Jaelle: Yes! Hide and Seek.
Asheal: Then we bathe…eat and then sleep.

What is your favorite food and football team?
Asheal: Rice and Irish potatoes, Barcelona.
Jaelle: Chips, Barcelona!
Jeledi: Rice, Barcelona
Abigail: Rice, Arsenal
More laughter…
Asheal: Wait, also fish.
Jeledi: And meat!

Jerry Maguire said it best...

2010-02-20T04:32:00.000-08:00

(I posted two posts today so I could save the trouble of hauling my laptop into town, please note the Youth # 3 feature below...it's a great one!)

A large benefit of what Lisa and I are doing here in Ndejje, Uganda and Africa in general, is learning from those around us. Help comes in all forms, and the kind we are giving or have assisted in giving is by no means the only avenue or perhaps even the best avenue to do so (isn’t everything trial and error in life?). I wholeheartedly believe that help is as beneficial as the acquired knowledge of who you are helping. I say acquired because I find that it is impossible to sufficiently (and as objectively as possible) learn another culture through books, media or word-of-mouth, and requires personal encounters and time spent submissively observing and interacting – not developing an understanding based upon the definitions you’ve been given from the aforementioned means of learning. This is not a criticism on one’s educational system or even the media, all are great tools and encouraging for those who do strive for greater understanding [of cultures, worldviews and humanity as a whole]. I’m simply hoping to explain that ‘aid’ or ‘help’ is a mutual experience and there is not solely a ‘giver’ and exclusively a ‘receiver’. Without one there isn’t the other…chicken before the egg…pot calling the kettle black…choose any metaphor you like.

For example, Lisa and I have run into issues in accomplishing what we have been sent to do, namely regarding the youth center. This youth center was actually built as a community center, with the intention of engaging the wider community and not only HOPE Primary School students. This brings the obvious benefits of solidarity, an increase in support for the school which could lead to greater enrollment, increased development, continued sustainability and in essence the spreading of its success to other refugee communities who probably haven’t dreamed the opportunity of an education was possible for them. And of course, just a great place for people in the community to gather, celebrate and build upon together. Lisa and I have discovered that nearly everyone involved are on different pages and maintain divergent ideas and even ways of addressing the center. While everyone has the best of intentions for this community and school, they are all different intentions nonetheless, and makes it very challenging to initiate any sort of progressive action, let alone make it stick. Right now the youth center (I will refer to it as the youth center as that is the page Lisa and I are on…and well, this is our blog!) is being used as a Nursery for the ‘baby class’ of HOPE School from 7:30 am – 12:30 pm because there is no other space for them; and even after 12:30 many of them stick around because they prefer loitering around school doing nothing than going home to not much else (namely chores). Let me clarify that these nursery kids are ADORABLE, but with so many of them (with zero English skills, continuously in awe of these different-looking foreigners they’ve never experienced before and have a massive amount of energy) it makes it impossible to run any programs that benefit anyone else at HOPE. I’ll have to include a picture of them clinging on to Lisa when we try to play a game – think eight little ones with death grips on each arm, and if they get you to the ground you are done for.

Annette, who is the school’s administrator, refers to the youth center as “the site” (Lisa and I were floored to hear her call it the community center the other day) and largely promotes its use as an extra arm of the school; e.g. for baby classes, which has the added benefit of bringing in a good amount of school fees. Ben (SWB founder) and Chris (past SWB Ndejje volunteer) have spoken of its intent as a community center, meant to be utilized by the wider community and not exclusive to HOPE School as mentioned. The problem with that is there is not a local constant face/caretaker/organizer for the center (being able to become fluent in Luganda within the week would be fantastic). As mentioned – it is a nursery, and with that come walls decorated with A, B, C’s and 1, 2, 3’s, and there would be no way to account for or monitor any of the equipment or resources (even trying to explain this to the students and teachers of HOPE has been frustrating, but is certainly progressing)…and we have a strong sense that it equipment would start to disappear slowly, and then very quickly be depleted if the rest of the community was strolling in and out at this stage. Mainly, there are just so many kids (at the school let alone the community) and so little space and help. Lisa and I are looking at this in the most realistic way while still aiming to respect everyone’s vision for the center. As of now we’ve figured a youth center with programs for HOPE School students is what we’re capable of achieving currently. How their schooling is run there is not much room for creativity or play, so that is what we are trying to provide through intermittent classes during the day, afterschool games in respect to each P-class and have started a Sunday evening reading group at our residence – albeit with the hope that after installing electricity (which I believe Lisa and I will be able to do after our 200 euro donation) this will shift towards evening programs at the Youth Center, in which students can invite friends or siblings not in HOPE School. Jacques, who is HOPE’s creator and SWB’s main liaison in Uganda, floats in between all three of these visions for the center, as is his kind and diplomatic character…and also because he is too busy to even breathe much of the time. But he fiercely wants the center to have computers set up so that P5, P6 and P7 students can begin to learn how to use them. Also, he desires a permanent “caretaker” or program director for the center and shares our emphatic belief that more land/space (in relative proximity) to the school or Youth Center is vital, and a goal to aim for ASAP.

This got us feeling a bit frustrated, a bit dizzy, slightly down at times, but mainly just stumped at how to approach the added complexities of an already challenging situation we were sent facilitate. In other words we needed their help in order to help. Everyone needed help. So during tea the other day I asked Annette, Jacques and Jacob (P5-P7 Math teacher) to explain more about the Kingdoms in Uganda and their relation to the Central Government. Essentially, my goal was to learn how each viewed decision making, structure and mediation (and of course, I found it interesting and wanted to be educated on this aspect of Uganda), as I knew each came from different kingdoms (Jacques coming from a different country and kingdom).

Annette explained that each kingdom* controls a part/region of Uganda (Kampala is in the Buganda Kingdom) and that those living in a particular kingdom had to pay the King/Kingdom a fee of some sort. This was explained as anything from a type of tax, payment for use of property/land, purchasing land and so on and so forth (shedding more light on why the State doesn’t own much land and is so expensive, as it is mostly all owned by respective kingdoms). A major problem I pulled from this conversation was that this system doesn’t have an egalitarian method of dolling out these fees. Also, some kings/kingdoms (like Buganda) take the viewpoint that they are above the Central Government, e.g. President Museveni (who has been in charge for over two decades at this stage, FYI), and you can guess how well that is received. Buganda’s King stands by that with the explanation that Kampala is in his Kingdom – his jurisdiction if you will. Then there is the murky aspect of kingdoms paying the Central Government fees from the fees they collect. And of course the common factor prevalent in all country’s governments, “Big Men” or “patronage” politics, in which the heads of state attempt to put in power or back those with their interests at heart (and those interests not necessarily nor usually compatible with their frontrunner’s respective kingdom’s interests). The common theme between Jacques and Jacob was the agreement that there wasn’t enough knowledge of how or what money changed hands, and there should be one form of governing in a country or all forms would fail. Traditionally, the king of a kingdom is genetically chosen, but in Jacob’s kingdom Museveni’s government is trying to promote the election of a non-hereditary candidate. That is also something of interest that sparked further discussion as to whether people respect the central government or kingdoms more. Annette said that some people were devoted to their kingdom and would die for them, but not feel that strongly regarding the government and vice versa. She mentioned she personally respected both her kingdom and Uganda’s government equally and was not bothered by the perceived power share. Jacques had a unique take as well, he said that his kingdom’s king in the Congo was “elected” and not decided based on birthright. He made it sound like it operated similar to State Governors in the United States. All this was not only extremely interesting, but very telling of how each broke down responsibility, duty and delegation.

Understanding the roots of these aspects in our particular context as well as geopolitically, and then connecting them on a larger scale (all uniquely tied to conflict and conflict mitigation)to the African continent – and all its history, overwhelming diversity and of course that vast land mass, will make sense of more of the issues we’re facing than I thought possible. Education at its finest. I just finished reading this great book called The State of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence, and will leave you with a paragraph that really stuck with me:

“In 2000 there were more than ten major conflicts underway in Africa. One-fifth of all Africans lived in countries battered by war. Some 12 million were classified as refugees – 40 percent of the world’s total. When Abdou Diouf of Senegal accepted defeat in an election in March 2000, he was only the fourth African president to do so in four decades.”…. “Africa is the world’s poorest region in the world. Its average per capita national income is one-third lower than the world’s next poorest region, South Asia. Half of Africa’s 880 million people live on less that US$1 a day. Its entire economic output is no more than $420 billion, just 1.3 per cent of world GDP, less than a country like Mexico. It is the only region where school enrollment is falling and where illiteracy is still commonplace: two in five Africans – and half of all African women – are illiterate, compared to one in every eight adults in East Asia or Latin America. It is also the only region where life expectancy is falling. On a list drawn up by the United Nations Development Programme, all twenty-five countries that rank lowest in terms of human development are African. The World Bank has estimated that 40 percent of Africa’s private wealth is held offshore. A report prepared for the African Union in 2002 estimated that corruption cost Africa $148 billion annually – more than a quarter of the continent’s entire GDP.”

While the above paragraph is obviously overwhelming, what if the focus was on the roots of these things, the cause, and not simply remaining in awe or defeat of the effects? What if everyone experienced and learned through immersion and intercultural/interpersonal communication in order to work towards achievement or change? Too many people have eliminated the choice of others, namely the choice of the younger generation, by perpetuating their reliance on others to solve or explain for them, and in essence think for them. There must be a shift, and I personally believe that shift starts with changing the definition and ideology of ‘help’.

*a kingdom is made up of many tribes, and is more of a regional identity not a tribal one, although there have historically been intra-kingdom conflicts between tribes. Although, lately Lisa and I have had an increase in people warn us about the untrustworthiness of tribes in a certain kingdom or the morally decrepit characteristics of people that belong to a certain tribal area (a conversation that Lisa and I were smart enough to solemnly nod and stay quiet about). Sounds a lot like a watered down version of the Yankees / Red Sox relationship, no?

Youth Feature of the Week # 3

2010-02-20T04:21:00.000-08:00

This is a two-for-one youth feature. Having gotten to know the young people we’re around daily much better, I’m increasingly fascinated by the bonds between students and of course their amazing spirit and inspiring lives they’ve already led at such a young age. This week I chose two girls that are mature, leaders, engaging and bright beyond their age. Their names are Daniela and Eve and are very close friends. Their families are also good friends and know each other from the DRC. Daniela is Jacques daughter (and while she was born in Uganda she still maintains a deep attachment to the Congo) and Jacques knew Eve’s family from their village in the Congo, and encouraged them to come to Uganda. The lives their parents lead and the solidarity between them says a lot about the wonderful young people they have become.

A bit camera shy...

There we go, beautiful! Eve on left Daniela on right.

Name: Daniela Muisha
Age: 9
Nationality: Congolese (born in Uganda to refugee parents)
Grade: P5

“Where is your family from in the Congo, and what can you tell us about your family?”
DM: My family comes from Goma. I visited there once and I loved the lakes, seeing the hotels and how our family cared for us. My mother is a tailor (and we all know the many things her father does). My brother Ivan is in P3 and my sister is a year and three months old old.

“What do you like most about HOPE Primary School?”
DM: I like sports, learning – especially science, the teachers and the food.

“What do you hope to do once you are done with school?”
DM: I want to be a bank manager.

“Tell us what a normal day for you is like when you aren’t in school.”
DM: I read my school books and really like reading story books. I go to Jehovah’s Witness church and then I rest.

“What is the hardest struggle you ever faced and how did you overcome it?”
DM: When my sister was very sick…and also walking to school for an hour every day. I sang to her and always stay smiling and laughing…and try to play with her.

“What is a country you want to visit someday?”
DM: I want to visit California because of all the tourist sights. I want to visit the West and South regions of the USA. (Sidenote: We had our USA day and explained how the country was broken up into four regions and that Canada and countries in South America are not part of the USA – so I’m secretly delighted with this response!)

“What is your favorite food, music singer and football team?”
DM: Rice and chicken, Alinaportantion (a Ugandan band, in English called Goodlyfe) and Real Madrid.

“Who do you think will win the World Cup?”
DM: South Africa

“Anything special you want to say to the readers of our internet site?”
DM: Have a good journey. And come to Uganda!

Name: Eve Magho
Age: 13
Nationality: Congolese
Grade: P5

“Where are you from in the Congo, what do you miss about home and what can you tell us about your family?”
EM: I am from Goma and moved to Uganda in 2007. I miss my friends and family…my Grandmother and also my Grandfather before he died. I have five in my family. Three brothers, Ivan is in P1 and two older brothers that make windows and doors. My sister Dally is in P3. (Sidenote: Jacques informed me that Eve’s father works for an NGO called Medicine Sans Frontiers, aka Doctors Without Borders, as a driver that delivers equipment and medicine deep in conflict areas.)

“Wow, you moved here pretty recently! Did you know English before coming to Uganda? How many languages do you speak?”
EM: No, learned it here. I speak Swahili, Luganda, French and English.

“What do you like most about HOPE Primary School?”
EM: I like the school and the teaching. Also sports. (Sidenote: this girl LOVES to juggle the soccer ball.)

“What do you hope to do once you are done with school?”
EM: I want to be a doctor that delivers babies.

“Tell us what a normal day for you is like when you aren’t in school.”
EM: I do mopping, washing and cooking. For fun? I watch TV and films and play with Daniela and friends.

“What is the hardest struggle you ever faced and how did you overcome it?”
EM: Not having money. My brothers worked so my family could have money.

“What is your favorite food, music singer and football team?”
EM: The food that is given to me, Shakira, I like playing football – no favorite team.

“Who do you think will win the World Cup?”
EM: South Africa?

“Anything special you want to say to the readers of our internet site?”
EM: Greetings and hi to everyone.

Progress

2010-02-16T23:36:00.000-08:00

The week started out with a very pleasant surprise. Stevie and I were planning on meeting a couple of friends at Bubbles O’Leary’s, an Irish pub in Kampala. Our friends ended up arriving about three hours late, so we made friends with some fun and very generous Irish businessmen. After explaining Soccer Without Borders and the work that we do at Hope Primary School to these Irish men, who are involved in several non-profit projects in Africa themselves, offered us a very generous donation.

On our way home that evening, Stevie and I thought about where we should invest the money. We are leaning towards investing in electricity for the Ndejje Community Center. Installing the infrastructure for electricity at the Center will cost approximately $400 USD. If we can find neighbors who are interested in splitting the cost of the electric pole and its installation, however, the cost could be divided several ways. These extra funds have set the ball in motion. Jacques has begun searching for people nearby who are interested in getting electricity. Sharing the cost is looking promising because there are a few new homes going up around the center.

With electricity we will be able to begin some computer programs. Though these programs are at least a few months off, I am getting excited about introducing the Hope Primary School kids to computers. Most have never used one. The will also allow us to run evening programs at the center, after the sun has gone down.

We are making progress on the activities front too. Sunday evening we had a couple girls over to our house and started reading a Nancy Drew mystery. Hopefully there will be enough interest to turn this into a regular thing (and hopefully we can move it to the community center once it gets electricity so we can read in the evenings.) We also began planning for P7 music videos. The class was divided on song choice. All of the girls wanted to perform Rhianna’s ‘Umbrella’, while all of the boys voted for the Rabadaba (a Ugandan singer) song ‘Indian Culi,’ so we are going to do both. Filming starts on Monday and I am excited to see them sing, dance, and hopefully let loose.

The construction crew is putting the finishing touches on the new building at Hope Primary School leaving the forever-busy Jacques looking for something else to keep him occupied. What better than another construction project? Lately, Jacques has been talking about building a temporary structure on the side of the community center to hold half of the nursery class. Currently, Hope School Nursery uses the Community Center during the mornings and early afternoons. For the Center to truly be for the community, rather than just Hope School students, I think it is important that at least part of the facility be available all day for equipment storage, equipment rental, art projects, games, etc. This temporary structure should go a long way in making that possible.

Still, our biggest challenge in establishing a sustainable community center is finding someone permanent to stay on, run programs, and make sure that the equipment is not disappearing. If only there were a million Jacques in the world! Another Jacques would be nearly impossible to find, but Stevie and I are perpetually on the lookout for someone to work with who will take over and continue the programs once we are gone.

Ndejje Etiquette

2010-02-16T23:35:00.000-08:00

Etiquette in Ndejje, Uganda is, not surprisingly, different from etiquette at home. Stevie and I are slowly learning a new set of ‘good manners,’ but they take some getting used to.

Ugandans are very generous people. They give whatever they can, whether that is a soda, dinner, or simply a big smile from a stranger walking down the street. People take pride in their ability to give, and as we have learned, it is impolite to refuse these acts of friendship. This is all wonderful until you apply these manners to food and drinks.

Stevie and I have been invited to a couple of meals at friends’ houses, and we’ve quickly learned to come with empty stomachs. Our friends bring out large portions of Ugandan food and we happily eat. But then out comes another course, and another, and another until we’ve sampled all varieties of Ugandan cuisine. By the end of the meal we are on the verge of bursting.

Feeling obliged to accept generosity is also dangerous when it comes to drinks. At one of our delicious, button-popping meals at a student’s house, his older brother offered us a glass of wine. Stevie and I were both happy to accept, but grew wary when he came out with a bottle of sherry. He poured us large glasses and kept on topping them off throughout the meal. Needless to say, we were both pretty tipsy by the end of the night. As we were leaving, the student told us we looked really tired. “Or something like that,” Stevie replied.

Once you are invited into someone’s house, you are expected to return regularly and unannounced. In fact, the host might be insulted if you fail to make these unexpected house calls, thinking that his/her cooking or company was not up to par. We have had several people over and, being the polite people that they are, they all stop by often and unannounced. These visits are usually a welcome surprise, except when we are cooking. Cooking takes a long time here, so when we are home the probability that we are cooking is pretty high. Now, if someone arrives while you are preparing a meal you are expected to ask them to stay and eat, even if you have not prepared enough food. Going back to the first new manner we learned here, it would be rude for them to refuse. At least a couple times a week, Stevie and I end up sharing our over-spiced concoctions with our surprise guests. Too polite to refuse the food or not finish it, they smile eat it even though they can hardly tolerate the taste (especially if it has black pepper) just as Stevie and I smile as we reluctantly divide our dinner onto more plates than two.

Flashing is routine in Ndejje. Fortunately, (or maybe unfortunately, depending on your penchant for public nudity) I do not mean exposing one’s self in public. Rather, I mean flashing someone on the phone. Phone credit here is precious and not to be wasted. When someone needs to get a hold of you but doesn’t have the phone credit to chit chat, they’ll call and hang up right away. This is a cue to call them back. It took me a while to catch on. For at least a couple of weeks I could not figure out why my phone would just ring once. Now, I’ve got the hang of it and have even started flashing people when my phone credit is low.

Since phone credit is like gold, phone calls are efficient matters. Hanging up on someone is not a sign of disrespect. Rather, it is normal. Once the caller has the information he/she needs, the phone call ends. There is no need to waste credit on unnecessary chit-chat or formalities. Stevie and I thought we were in big trouble one afternoon when the headmistress called us to ask if we were at school. When we said no, she promptly hung up. Our friend Jimbo, hearing the exchange from the headmistress’s side, later explained that she wasn’t mad; she simply didn’t need any more information from us and didn’t want to waste any more phone credit.

Religion is a common topic in casual conversations in Ndejje. In this community of refugees, everybody has a different background and a different story, and everybody is interested in learning about the newcomers. I am no longer surprised with the follow-up question to ‘How are you?’ is ‘what religion are you?’ On more than one occasion, people have asked Stevie and me if we are Muslim. Curious as to why everybody thinks we are Muslim, I asked one of the kids at Hope School. He told me that he thought we were Muslim because when we sit, we sometimes fold our legs in front of us (Indian style, though that is probably not the PC term).

I’m sure that we still have not picked up on a host of several social cues and manners, and we’ve probably accidentally offended a few people. When we return to the States, please don’t be too upset if I hang-up on you.

Youth Feature of the Week # 2

2010-02-15T01:43:00.000-08:00

This is a special feature as Gideon is no longer at HOPE Primary School. But we felt his story and profile was worth sharing. Gideon lives in Nsambya (if you’re a loyal reader you’ll recognize that name as the location in Kampala SWB has another program in) and is a refugee from the DRC. Gideon’s father is around 70 years old and no longer able to work and his mother disappeared when he was young, so he held a job while attending Primary school in order to be able to pay his school fees, which was the only way he could attend school (a school taught in a language that he had to learn as he went along). This is another reason why HOPE is such a unique and amazing institution, because as much as it struggles to adequately pay its teachers or at times settle past debts, it won’t turn away students who cannot pay right away and offers a reduced price for refugee children. Back to Gideon. He casually and shyly told us he walked to school from Nsambya everyday (because he couldn’t afford to take a taxi, which costs 1,200 Uganda shillings – around 60 cents). In a taxi it takes around 50 minutes to get from Ndejje to Nsambya. He would wake up at 5am and start his journey without breakfast (and unfortunately was not be able to afford to eat lunch at school as well) and roll into school right around its start, which is 7:30 am. And after school he walked back home – and apparently never passed up playing football before his long journey back. It is reminiscent of our grandparents telling us how they used to walk a mile to school everyday…but minus the African heat and extremely unsavory road conditions (e.g. boda boda drivers, dusty dusty roads, etc.). It makes you feel guilty for cutting classes, no? It does for me! Gideon is an inspiration and I am truly hopeful he is able to find the funds to continue his education at the Secondary level. He certainly deserves it. Enjoy his profile below…

Name: Gideon Mambandi
Age: 16
Nationality: Congolese
Grade: 2009 P7 Graduate

“Where are you from in the Congo, do you have any siblings and when did you move to Uganda?”
GM: I am from Kisangani in the Congo. My sister Agnes is 14 and goes to HOPE school now. We never fight. I moved to Uganda when I was a baby and don’t remember it.

“What have you been up to since graduating from HOPE Primary School?”
GM: I am looking for Secondary Schools but they are all too expensive. It costs UGS 500,000 ($250.00) a term and there are three terms [in a school year].

“What do you miss most about HOPE?”
GM: I miss games…football. And my favorite subject was History.

“Tell us what a normal day for you is like.”
GM: I wake up and pray in the morning, then mop the house and sweep the compound, make tea, rest, play football and then go home.

“What is the hardest struggle you ever faced and how did you overcome it?”
GM: When I was starting at HOPE school it was a hard struggle to get up and walk to school everyday, for two hours there and two hours back.

“Who is your hero/person you respect most in the world?”
GM: I respect my elders because they take care of me.

“What is your favorite food, music singer and football team?”
GM: Rice and beans, Usher and Manchester United.

“Who do you think will win the World Cup?”
GM: Brazil

Youth Profile of the Week

2010-02-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

For our inaugural “Youth Feature of the Week” we chose to interview Hakim, who was there to witness our first legitimate meal we made using a kerosene stove (we both agreed our tuna and cheese during the blackout did not count). We hope you enjoy getting to know and also learning from these children as much as we do! Hopefully this gives our readers more insight into the community we are immersing ourselves in, as well as provide those that donated a look at where their generosity has gone and understand how much it truly provided a child and a community.

Name: Hakim Kafero
Age: 13
Nationality: Ugandan
Grade: P7

“How many are in your family, and where are you from in Uganda Hakim?
HK: There is my mother, father, two sisters and one brother. I did have three sisters but one got sick and died when I was very young. We come from Western Uganda, the Mbarara District. We moved to Ndejje in 2003 and all I remember is that at our home in the West was very old and with big land.

“What are your parent’s careers?”
HK: My mother works at a shop selling fruits, sodas and snacks in front of our home and my father is unemployed, but he used to be a taxi driver.

“Tell us what a normal day for you is like.”
HK: I go to bed late, like 1 AM, and don’t need much sleep, only three hours. I then wake up and dream for two hours. My dreams are crazy and so great! Then I get up and go to Mosque with my family, and then to HOPE school at 7:30. After school I like to play games, especially football.

“ What dream did you have last night?”
HK: In my dream I was a black leopard.

“What are your hopes and dreams after HOPE School?”
HK: I want to go to Secondary School and University. My dream is to be an MP (Member of Parliament) because I want to develop Uganda and other countries. I want to help others because there is too much corruption. And I like to make my own choices. I want to go to USA and Brazil. Uganda will take ten years to develop and take care of my family and in those countries it is more easy to take care of them.

“What is the hardest struggle you’ve ever faced?”
HK: Having to pay school fees.

“How did you overcome that?”
HK: Before my father lost his job he worked hard to get money to pay for my fees.

“Who is your hero or person you respect most in the world?”
HK: My mother because she takes so much care of me.

“What is your favorite food, football player and football team?”
HK: Jack fruit, Frank Lampard and Chelsea.

“Who do you think will win the World Cup this year?”
HK: South Africa!

You play football?! You play football with MEN?!?!

2010-02-10T05:15:00.000-08:00

(Ndejje Youth / Community Center)

If I had a dollar for every time someone said that to Lisa and me we could pay to get HOPE School’s Youth Center electricity and buy the soccer pitch in less than two months. I’ve attached some photos of the field we play (or attempt to play) on with a group of guys around our age. They have been so welcoming and kind to us…we are very lucky. Also, I’m lucky I have not broken my ankle yet. These pictures probably won’t do the field justice, but this is the same field we have to take kids as young as six to play on if we can’t find access to another field. While on that topic, Lisa and I were introduced to the man who owns the plot of land we discussed and photographed in our last post, and he informed us (with Jacques translating from Luganda) that there is a potato farmer who is interested in purchasing the field but would prefer to sell it to HOPE School. He would sell it to us if we could put down a deposit of $2,500. A sum we obviously don’t have right now. But we are really hoping he is exaggerating the seriousness of the potato farmer’s interest, because there was construction on his land the last couple of days which left us with no space for the children to play on, let alone the ability for us to organize anything. It was quite frustrating, and made us realize how dependant we already are on that plot of land.

On a positive note, we found a young man named Peter who is at University studying computer engineering, and lent us a great ‘introductory learning of computers’ packet that we are able to use as a base to create HOPE’s program. We met him through his brother Dale who we play soccer with in the evenings at the aforementioned field, and Dale has volunteered to help us out in some afterschool programs – which is beyond great. We need all the help we can get. If he likes the work hopefully it could become a full time position, to keep the center and its programs sustainable (and provide him a job near home – his father is sick and Dale had to leave his job to take care of him), as well as ensure that volunteers/interns that come from Soccer Without Borders or elsewhere have a constant point of reference and seamless transition into the community. Debate day is today and Lisa and I are going to check it out. The topic is “Day Schools (Public Schools) vs. Boarding Schools (Private Schools)”…always a topic of interest no matter what country one is in it seems. Also, it was nice to show Charlie the finished Youth Center, as he had not seen in its completion. He really wants to get more involved and tap into his resources he has of eager University students looking to come over and volunteer or fundraise for our immediate issues (i.e. land, provide a continuous flow of volunteers that can enhance the structure – not have to rebuild each time, etc.). His friend Ruth helps out with Invisible Children, an organization I personally have always followed and admired, so it will be great having her insight as well. More to come soon!

The continuous flow of ‘A-Ha!’ moments

2010-02-03T04:58:00.000-08:00

It has become exceedingly clear that time is something that will not be rushed, and the more one does the more difficult life will become. We’ve also realized that ‘need’ is never simple. Lisa and I knew there was a need: shoes and soccer equipment. That need was met (thanks again to those that donated). Of course we didn’t assume bringing this equipment would magically fill a void for the youth in this community, but we didn’t realize the intricacies and obstacles that greatly surpass having shoes on children’s feet. We have laptops that will be donated and then resold for desktops for the Youth Center so that students at the HOPE Primary School can learn how to type and in general use a computer. Seems crazy that that is such a big deal as we learn that at a very young age at school (and whine about doing it too – I did at least), but around here it is a gift if a child has touched a computer let alone is able to use one. In fact, I just helped a senior in High School (they call it Secondary School) set up an email account so he can start emailing Universities abroad about scholarships. As Lisa and I come with smiles for miles knowing that we can now help change that for the HOPE School, we are told that getting electricity for the Youth Center will cost around $400. This is also frustrating because Lisa and I are trying to set up the Center as a hangout for youth after school or in the evenings. One of Jacques goals is to have someone living in the room connected to the Center in order to act as caretaker, as well as ensure the programs we are hoping to set up are sustainable. This is all quite difficult to do without electricity.

Nevertheless, we see it as a hiccup and are more concerned with instilling desperately needed program structure, so that every child benefits and every P-Level (1st grade = P1, 2nd grade = P2, etc.) is able to participate. As mentioned, the problem of children not having equipment to play has been solved. But then we come to find out that the field HOPE School pays to rent might not be feasible at the moment. Jacques explained that most of the property in Uganda is private, which makes land very expensive to buy here; and even if schools are funded by the Government (like the one we pay fees to) it is still technically the school’s property and not the State. Also, this soccer pitch HOPE pays “upkeep” fees to is comical. Already after a week of playing on this field I’ve sprained my ankle twice and tore off my entire right shin’s first layer of skin. There is no upkeep possible for a field with three cascading levels, made up of dirt and gravel with potholes and anthills riddled throughout. Also, with many other schools having the funding to pay to play on the field, I don’t foresee anyone at the school jumping at the chance to help us out. But here’s to hoping. To our utter delight we were shown a great plot of land perfect for small-sided soccer and other games, it is a bit smaller but is very level and extremely close to the school (the rented field is across a deep valley and takes the little ones quite awhile to get there). But then to our utter dismay we were told that this field is owned privately and our usage is at the grace of the owner. We were told that the owner is willing to sell (yes!), but the price tag is $5,000 (yikes!). Then Jacques was thinking to simply pay to fix the field. Below, I’ve attached a photo of the aforementioned plot of land, and as you’ll notice it would ensure better use of time, safety and equipment if there was some sort of wall built to prevent rainfall from washing away the soil (which is what destroys soccer pitches here due to the hilly terrain they are “built” on) as well as netting put in to prevent children (or Lisa and I!) from having to retrieve balls from the thick ravine filled what in my mind are the worst possible animals, snakes and bugs imaginable (I am a baby about snakes, I admit). The cost of only fixing up the field would be $2,300. After talking about it more we all agreed it was a bit risky to simply “fix it up” and would be more logical to save money to buy the land. It’s a hefty price tag, but would solve so many problems and obstacles. I mentioned another couple is here helping on the micro-finance side. After spending time at HOPE School they were astounded that two grades spent their days learning in makeshift-barely standing rooms due to lack of resources to build the necessary school rooms. Over Christmas they raised the $9,000 needed to build the necessary school rooms (look at before and after pictures below) as well as a canteen for children since most don’t eat lunch at school for one reason or another…mostly because they don’t have the means to. They ended up selling homemade Christmas ornaments made by families in Ndejje, which were obviously a great success at home. Lisa and I are already trying to think of a similar approach for raising the necessary monies to purchase this field, which would eliminate so many costs, power struggles between schools and logistical difficulties with the growing number of children we are working with at HOPE. We are hopeful for that positive ‘A-Ha!’ moment to come. To our loyal blog followers, please do not be shy in emailing or commenting below on anything you’ve read about. If there is one thing we’ve learned here it’s that the more help the better. Less is never more with what lies before us, so lay any suggestions on us.

(before / after)

-----> piece of land perfect for HOPE School

Settling In

2010-01-28T02:46:00.000-08:00

We are starting to fall into a routine here in Ndejje. We’ve finally settled into our place at the Ndejje Calm House and are learning (very slowly) to cook using a pot filled with coals as our oven. Up until today, most dinners have consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mangoes, ground nuts, which taste and look like peanuts, and LOTS of bananas. I’d say average banana consumption for me is around six a day. Tonight, with Florence’s assistance, we are going to try to cook real Ugandan food for the first time: sweet potatoes with ground nut sauce, onions, and tomatoes.

Today was the first day that we ran games at break time. In Uganda, the long school break is in December and January. Hope school officially starts up again on February 1^st, but Hope has allowed students to come back a week early, if they want. There were about 11 kids at school today, so Stevie and I played a name game, tag, and, of course, some soccer with the kids for an hour. The kids were all very shy at first, but started screaming and having a great time once we started playing.

After break-time games, we decided to decorate the community center. We ran strings across the room and hung lots of the colorful socks donated by the Lee Mt. Vernon Soccer Club, arranging the socks in color combinations to represent the flags of the five nationalities represented at Hope School. I encourage my fellow UC architecture and interior designers to consider using socks in your next project!

Tonight, Stevie and I are going to play soccer on a field close to our home. I accidentally found the game last night when I was trying to find a place to run. Running on roads is not an option. First, the dirt roads are very uneven with ditches and potholes everywhere. Second, boda-bodas (motorcycle taxis), taxi vans, and cars race down the roads, and seem to speed up when ever they see a pedestrian. Third, and possibly the most deterring factor, is all of the attention I would get if I were jogging. Walking on the roads, Stevie and I already draw the attention of every child in town as they stop playing to chant “How are you Wazungu?” I can’t even imagine what kind of crazy looks and shouts I would get if I were jogging.

Anyway, I went to run around the soccer field last night and I found a bunch of guys in their 20s playing soccer. They asked me to play and I happily agreed to. Though they had a whole field, they played pick-up like you would play half-court basketball (there was only one goal, so you had to take the ball to mid-field once you won possession before you could attack.) You scored a goal by hitting the goal post, rather than scoring between the posts. These guys’ accuracy was phenomenal. Despite the pretty severe pitch of the field, rocks, potholes, knee-high grass in some areas, and dirt in others, these guys could nail the goal post from 15 and 20 yards out. Wow!

Tomorrow we will play games at Hope school with the kids, organize and decorate the community center some more, and play some more soccer. This weekend, maybe a rafting trip down the Nile?

Photos?

2010-01-26T02:56:00.001-08:00

Perfecting Pleasantries

2010-01-26T02:38:00.001-08:00

Today was a good day. School is back in session in Ndejje next Monday, and Jacques was excited for the “Christmas effect” of Lisa and I moving in and accounting for the loads of equipment we were able to bring over (Sidenote: I take back much of what I said about British Airways…they allowed my equipment to go far over the weight limit on two bags without charge, or even acknowledging it was overweight. I’m sure it helped that I packed the baby cleats on the top for them to see). Lisa and I decided on a library type system of checking out equipment, and numbered and labeled everything (SWB – 1, SWB – 2, etc. etc.). Needless to say this took a lot of time to do (around five hours since we grouped numbers according to sizes), but it was absolutely worth it after seeing Jacques and the other teachers’ faces as we laid it all out on the floor to be counted. I wish everyone that donated to this project was there for that moment. The few children around school that day were shell shocked upon seeing everything…and to have adults speechlessly try to explain to you that their prayers have finally been answered is a fairly humbling experience.
The final count of our equipment:
Shoes/Cleats: 154
Soccer Socks: 110
Soccer Balls: 59
Soccer Shorts: 85
Soccer Pinnies:29
Soccer Pumps: 5
GK Jerseys: 4
Soccer Cones: 4
Miscellaneous: 1 large ream of paper, 2 large boxes of crayons, 3 bottles of tempra paint, 1 watercolor set, A couple dozen paintbrushes and pencils, 8 Nancy Drew books (yes, you read that right…they never fail)

Hopefully we’ll be able to get up the pictures of the equipment for everyone to see; because if these numbers aren’t inspiring enough, wait until you see the spread in a photo. After a couple weeks we will be passing over the responsibility of collecting equipment on a rotating basis to the oldest and most responsible youth. It is also exciting that Lisa and I both will get to trade in our laptops and get desktops for the HOPE Primary School and Youth Centre at the end of our trip. Which reminds me that we both have to start formulating computer/typing lessons…so anyone with suggestions other than the treacherous “c, c, c, c is for the coy and cautious cat” lessons we had to take, we’re all ears. Luckily we didn’t have to rely on boda boda* drivers to transport our massive bags of cleats to the youth centre. I have not garnered the courage to go on one, yet alone with an 80 lb bag, and would have walked my bags if a truck hadn’t been there.

In our last two nights in Nsambya (a part of Kampala) we were lucky to have met Raphael, the local person in charge of the Soccer Without Borders in Kampala. He gave us the scoop on what’s been happening with the program there; which is a lot. He is in charge of the Amani soccer team (Swahili for ‘peace’), is overseeing practices for varying ages, trying to get more girl-focused programs/teams going and is also helping out at three other locations – one being four hours away. Oh, and he has been doing this with two soccer balls and no soccer pump, because that’s all they have left now. And in order to keep morale and build upon the solidarity he and Ben fostered, he is desperate for some soccer jerseys so they feel they are the “real” team that they are. Lisa and I are hoping we get some straggling donations so that we’re able to send over a large bag of soccer jerseys that were very kindly donated, but I did not have the ability to take with me. Luckily Lisa received many soccer balls and pumps, so we will be able to immediately help with that problem. He also spoke of serious local fights over the field and that the Ugandan military would kick them off the field to run police training. Also, we were informed that there are a fair amount of Ugandans going to fight in Iraq for $600 a month. Six hundred a month to be in one of the most dangerous places, perform one of the most dangerous jobs (Charlie’s cousin is a watchtower guard) and in a country with no relation to their own. Training for Iraq is also conducted on their field. Essentially, Raphael was very excited to see us and that we would be here until June to help out. Between that group and laying out a solid time table and programs in Ndejje, we definitely have our work cut out for us.

The first couple of weeks we will be focusing on Ndejje, and after that Lisa and I will either switch off which of us goes into Kampala or we’ll work out a system where we help out in the mornings in Kampala and then the afternoons/evenings in Ndejje. We are unsure about what we’ll do about the location four hours away. But after spending a good amount of time chatting with Raphael, I realized how much need there is. The need doesn’t stop. But it is incredible the community that has been built around soccer there and the utter gratitude that we even show up to the practices and played with them.

What’s really inspiring is that Jacques Bwira (the local leader for Soccer Without Borders in Uganda) who was tired of the poor living conditions and lack of opportunity in the refugee camps, up and left to start a life in Ndejje. In that life he started a school for refugees, and now also welcomes Ugandans. But he really reaches out to the refugee community and offers an affordable education (he is a refugee from the Congo), because it is nearly impossible for most families to send their children to school. The HOPE School (or any school for refugees outside of the camps) is not recognized by Uganda’s government, and therefore receives no funding or support from them. I was told that refugees are granted citizenship after twenty years residency in Uganda, and even then it is very laborious after those twenty years for the government to finally grant citizenship. All in all it sounded like a very bleak and frustrating system. But Jacques is inspiringly making the best of this frustrating situation, and is truly helping out these communities in so many ways. He also has started small businesses to give refugees more opportunity for work…right now he is working with two other American volunteers named James and Molly, who are tirelessly working on finding micro-finance opportunities for these businesses, as none of the local banks will give him (or any refugee) the loan he needs to make it sustainable.

Hopefully by the next post we will be able to figure out how to provide pictures along with our posts. I have tried, and needless to say it left me wanting to slam the keyboard over my head and/or dropkick my computer… but I think the third time’s the charm. We are also extremely lucky that the African Cup of Nations is going on currently, which has been a blast watching (Egypt v Cameroon was such a great match) and getting to meet people in the community.

*boda boda is a moped/motorcycle type of transport Uganda utilizes to fill the transportation gaps since there is no mode of transport besides the ‘group’ taxi system they have here (or if you have enough money to own a car), in which you have to wait until a van is filled up with people before you leave the taxi park and it makes stops along the way until its final destination. Did I mention that boda boda drivers are insane and the roads are so bad that I cringe every time I see them?…I could be cringing because they almost hit Lisa and me walking on a daily basis or because I see a mother with a baby in her lap while sitting side saddle.

Internet cafes are our best friend

2010-01-21T01:31:00.000-08:00

As Lisa and I sit here on our second night in Kampala with: a can of chickpeas, two cans of tuna (sans functional can opener), a loaf of bread, a block of cheese, two mangos, about a million bananas, no water, no electricity, no batteries for the flashlight or light to find batteries for the flashlight…but Charlie quickly comes to the rescue, he has a small bottle of local wine and a citronella candle (more so for vision purposes than mosquito purposes). The backdrop is quite a juxtaposition, as we sit on this lush lawn underneath the breathtakingly clear African sky eating our makeshift supper, right outside our gated entrance are the slums…and children with swollen bellies are neither exclusive to those lengthy non-profit commercials nor a rarity, even in a city like Kampala. We begin talking with Charlie* about Africa and conflict, and he says something that really struck me.

“Apathy is what leads to so much conflict in Africa…when things get so terrible instead of answering with an explanation or even the development of a strategy people throw up their hands and say things are too bad to even think of a way out.”

“So you’re saying that apathy is the leading catalyst of conflict?”

“Absolutely. For example, the war in the Congo is a war of apathy, while Darfur is a political conflict that requires a political solution in order to solve it.”

This conversation obviously went more in depth, but left me with a profound impression regarding the depths of apathy. I’ve always looked at apathy as the collateral damage produced from conflict and then perpetuated. But to look at it from this continental perspective as the root cause of conflict is very fascinating, and of course tragic. I would wager that not too many people in Lisa and I’s lives knew much about Uganda before two months ago; but now due to our project I can guarantee that is not the case. I actually believe my mother knows far more about Uganda then I do as I looked through my travel guide where she distinctly highlighted throughout. If it takes one’s social circle level out indifference, then, it must start there. But how do we translate that on a bigger scale? How do we keep that interest sustaining? Will all of you read this blog past a month, read past our stories and look at the broader scope of what we are saying? Will what we are doing matter after you have donated or heard what we’re trying to do? I guess the African sky, good conversation and a citronella candle can go a long way…

Sunday we leave Kampala to return to Ndejje, with a more solid structure of what we hope to accomplish in the first month, second month and so on and so forth. We are both very excited and our anxiety slowly but surely reducing the more confident we feel in understanding the in and outs of the city. Also, we had great luck of a man named Robert approach us as he saw my Soccer Without Borders T-Shirt and ask if we knew Ben (Ben, SWB’s founder is quite famous around here) and if we would be playing with them soon. So true to form we accepted right away and tonight will be our first “match”. I don’t know about Lisa but I’m a bit nervous about my fitness level and the response to two muzungu* girls strolling up to the pitch. But I’m confident we’ll surprise them…or I’ll need Lisa to carry me home.

*Charlie is our connect in Kampala and volunteers his time when he can with Soccer Without Borders
** Ugandans term for white people

Webale! Thank you!

2010-01-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

As we both scramble to find the right mosquito spray, eat as much of our favorite foods and figure out creative ways to pack mass amounts of soccer cleats and balls for our departure next Saturday; we are reminded of all the people who helped get us to this point. In an extraordinarily short period of time we were able to pull this project together, and that is a testament to the people we are surrounded by and those that genuinely care about humanitarian issues. While I am cringing at how much British Airways is charging our checked bags of donated goods for both flights, I have to be thankful that my greatest problem is having too much equipment. It would be remiss not to thank the people that supported both us and this endeavor...

A Special Thanks To:

- Jeff Larkin, LuAnn Boots, Frank Dixon and the entire Carmel United Soccer Club family
- Samaritan's Feet
- Off The Wall Sports
- Robbie Rogers, Chad Sinclair, Omar Gonzalez, Matt Blackbourne, Lenin Juarez, Devito Family, Jim and Sheila Reiman
- Lee Mt. Vernon Soccer Club
- Barb Nelson, Rosemary Gallagher, Julia Porter and Jim Clark
- And all of our family and friends that offered their encouragement, spread the word or donated a few dollars.

We hope you will follow our progress during our six months, and please feel free to contact us or continue to contribute to our project through our Firstgiving pages:
http://www.firstgiving.com/stephaniedunning