Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Many Mansions of Christ International: Flowers in Uganda
Many Mansions of Christ International: Flowers in Uganda: Mother Theresa- "How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers" Number of orphans in Uganda...
Flowers in Uganda
Mother Theresa- "How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers"
Number of orphans in Uganda-2,500,000
That's a lot of flowers!
Before I went to Uganda for the first time in September 2013, I used to worry about how would I deal with what I saw there. Especially the kids. I'm a big softy when it comes to kids. I'm a kid magnet; the one at any gathering with the most kids near me. I couldn't imagine what 2.5 million orphans looked like. I've seen those TV commercials. You know the ones.....Was I ready for it?
I was sure that I wanted to go. Also very sure that all my years spent in Catholic school watching movies of Mother Theresa caring for lepers in Bangladesh had sparked a compassion in me to help people somewhere in the world. Uganda happened to choose me first.
I had known several Ugandans a full five years before going and knew some of the harsh realities of life there. The median monthly wage is 56,000 Uganda Shillings, about $23. The total fertility rate per woman-6.2 children. Infant morality rate-54 per 1000 live births. Even more sad, the under 5 mortality, 90 per 1000. Mostly due to TREATABLE diseases like Malaria and Typhoid, and from symptoms of Pneumonia, Diarrhea and Malnutrition.
Some sobering facts worldwide about child survival:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_survival
HIV/AIDS. 7.2 % of Uganda's population is living with HIV. (UNAIDS 2012). Not only have children lost one or both parents to this killer but many are born infected themselves. Sadly I could not find a single statistic on how many children in Uganda are HIV positive. Some flowers grow un-noticed in villages.
Having known about Uganda before going, I thought I knew some of what I would experience once there. However very soon into my stay my worst fears turned into pleasant surprises. My first experiences with the "flowers" came when we walked to town. The young children, not yet school aged, would spot me and run closer for a better view and shout "hi Muzungu!" I couldn't believe how anything so tiny could even speak a big word like muzungu. I think they're taught it very early on in their lingustic careers. Most were dressed in torn dirty clothes but wearing huge smiles.
I think teachers must have resented me because if we walked past a school with younger aged kids they would see me and all leave their desks and run to doorway to hang out of it calling hi muzungu! But if I could thank these teachers I would because the little bit older kids would ask me in perfect English "how aaah you?" and give me clear "I'm fine's" when I returned the question. I appreciated that!
Almost immediately I realized the sheer number of kids. Early in the morning I could hear them before I saw them. They would walk past my house on their way to school, marching happily by in their colorful uniforms: each school having their own colors. What a beautiful garden of flowers!
We visited kids at their homes and schools and they visited us at our home. At school they're well mannered and polite and at their homes happy and carefree. These kids have daily chores to do but have plenty of play time too when out of school. Having a muzungu come visit is a big deal. At my first home visit the kids wanted to hold my hands, trying to rub the white off me. When they came to our Saturday Bible studies, they were happy, attentive and involved.
One of the two flowers I know who is HIV positive attends our Bible study. He is a happy, loving, well adjusted child. Not at all like the way the TV commercials portray. As he sat on my lap, content to just be there, I thought about his situation. About his future in this difficult country. But instead of trying to figure out a solution I just simply lived in that moment. There is much to learn from the vitality, grace and courage of the people here.
I've been told I've not yet seen "real poverty" in Uganda. I'm going back soon and this time will go deep into the village. I kind of already know the beautiful bouquets I'll find there. I've realized that this muzungu who thought she was going to Uganda to help people was instead helped herself. I learned that amidst the weeds of poverty and disease in this land of stark contrasts between joy and sorrow, hardships and happiness, filth and beauty, lies a future of beautiful, grand flowers able to make this world brighter. They don't need me to save them, just to be the voice that could get them the 'water' they need.
If you'd like to make a donation to MMOCI-Uganda please see the donations page at http://manymansions11.wix.com/many-mansions-11
Number of orphans in Uganda-2,500,000
That's a lot of flowers!
Before I went to Uganda for the first time in September 2013, I used to worry about how would I deal with what I saw there. Especially the kids. I'm a big softy when it comes to kids. I'm a kid magnet; the one at any gathering with the most kids near me. I couldn't imagine what 2.5 million orphans looked like. I've seen those TV commercials. You know the ones.....Was I ready for it?
I was sure that I wanted to go. Also very sure that all my years spent in Catholic school watching movies of Mother Theresa caring for lepers in Bangladesh had sparked a compassion in me to help people somewhere in the world. Uganda happened to choose me first.
I had known several Ugandans a full five years before going and knew some of the harsh realities of life there. The median monthly wage is 56,000 Uganda Shillings, about $23. The total fertility rate per woman-6.2 children. Infant morality rate-54 per 1000 live births. Even more sad, the under 5 mortality, 90 per 1000. Mostly due to TREATABLE diseases like Malaria and Typhoid, and from symptoms of Pneumonia, Diarrhea and Malnutrition.
Some sobering facts worldwide about child survival:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_survival
HIV/AIDS. 7.2 % of Uganda's population is living with HIV. (UNAIDS 2012). Not only have children lost one or both parents to this killer but many are born infected themselves. Sadly I could not find a single statistic on how many children in Uganda are HIV positive. Some flowers grow un-noticed in villages.
Having known about Uganda before going, I thought I knew some of what I would experience once there. However very soon into my stay my worst fears turned into pleasant surprises. My first experiences with the "flowers" came when we walked to town. The young children, not yet school aged, would spot me and run closer for a better view and shout "hi Muzungu!" I couldn't believe how anything so tiny could even speak a big word like muzungu. I think they're taught it very early on in their lingustic careers. Most were dressed in torn dirty clothes but wearing huge smiles.
I think teachers must have resented me because if we walked past a school with younger aged kids they would see me and all leave their desks and run to doorway to hang out of it calling hi muzungu! But if I could thank these teachers I would because the little bit older kids would ask me in perfect English "how aaah you?" and give me clear "I'm fine's" when I returned the question. I appreciated that!
Almost immediately I realized the sheer number of kids. Early in the morning I could hear them before I saw them. They would walk past my house on their way to school, marching happily by in their colorful uniforms: each school having their own colors. What a beautiful garden of flowers!
We visited kids at their homes and schools and they visited us at our home. At school they're well mannered and polite and at their homes happy and carefree. These kids have daily chores to do but have plenty of play time too when out of school. Having a muzungu come visit is a big deal. At my first home visit the kids wanted to hold my hands, trying to rub the white off me. When they came to our Saturday Bible studies, they were happy, attentive and involved.
One of the two flowers I know who is HIV positive attends our Bible study. He is a happy, loving, well adjusted child. Not at all like the way the TV commercials portray. As he sat on my lap, content to just be there, I thought about his situation. About his future in this difficult country. But instead of trying to figure out a solution I just simply lived in that moment. There is much to learn from the vitality, grace and courage of the people here.
I've been told I've not yet seen "real poverty" in Uganda. I'm going back soon and this time will go deep into the village. I kind of already know the beautiful bouquets I'll find there. I've realized that this muzungu who thought she was going to Uganda to help people was instead helped herself. I learned that amidst the weeds of poverty and disease in this land of stark contrasts between joy and sorrow, hardships and happiness, filth and beauty, lies a future of beautiful, grand flowers able to make this world brighter. They don't need me to save them, just to be the voice that could get them the 'water' they need.
If you'd like to make a donation to MMOCI-Uganda please see the donations page at http://manymansions11.wix.com/many-mansions-11
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
MMOCI End of year-2013-Final report
END OF YEAR 2013 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR MMOCI
Dear Friends,
Thank the lord God for protecting you from 2013 to 2014.
This report contains the activities done in the year 2013, the challenges and the future plans.
ACTIVITIES
In the month of June, MMOCI members conducted a meeting in which the organization was officially formulated together with the constitution.
Board members were also elected and registration as an NGO commenced. Various local leaders were consulted and they recommended MMOCI for registration.
In July a needs assesment was carried out around Mityana Town council and in Soroti. We realised there were so many kids who were not reached by both the government and other NGOs. We first identified about five children to start with. Some had health complications, some abandoned and some in absolute poverty.Their profiles were documented and attached to MMOCI website and linked to MMOCI facebook page for potential financial sponsors.
In August two houses were rented, one for the crisis centre and the other for the office/residential dwelling for MMOCI Directors.
The crisis centre house until now was used short-term by vulnerable youth who may have had no where otherwise to sleep.
In September 2013 MMOCI board received Cheryl Derby, funding partner and co-director of MMOCI from the United States. During her time she contributed alot to the advancement of the organizaton. She was able to meet the board and the volunteers, met suffering children and helped them financially and spiritually, helped with paper work and especially with creating the website and facebook page. Even though she was let down many times with her health, she was very strong and bold to complete her objectives here.
October was a month of business and alot was achieved. The beds and cribs were purchased for the crisis centre, water drums were also purchased and food and supplies for the centre. We also repaired a bicycle for transport purposes.
On the 9th October, we celebrated Uganda Independence Day together with Cheryl Derby, the board members and other youth. In mid October we also visited various schools to evangelise children and also made visits in some homes with vulnerable children.
Bible studies were also started in the month of October. Children still convene every Saturday at the MMOCI offices for Bible learning.
We also contributed partial tuition fees to a vulnerable student in Busitema University and again at the end of October is when we initated a program of feeding some hungry kids and youth who visited the MMOCI centre weekly.
November is when we completed all the government requirements and successfully filed our papers with the NGO Board for the certificate of registration as an international NGO.
In early December, MMOCI partner and Co Director Cheryl Derby was in preparations to travel back to the States and she left Uganda on the 9th December 2013.
On December 21st, MMOCI held a Kid's Christmas party and it was attended by over 23 children. They were fed, entertained and evangelised.
CHALLENGES
Transport was and is still a challenge, we dont have any car to take us around for the ministry.
Sickness let us down too especially Cheryl Derby who was down many times
Lack of funds; in total we received around $800 for the year and yet we had alot to do.
FUTURE PLANS
We really need around $3000 to initiate income generating projects like poultry and livestock projects so that we can boost up the organization and fund our own activities. Also for transportation in 2014.
We can generate around $10,000 annually from the above mentioned projects. Therefore we call upon support from any partners, friends, or well wishers to contribute something small to this start up capital. Remember, anything can do something, including $5 or $10! Profits from income-generating projects will go toward improving the lives of these suffering children with education fees, accomodation, clothing and food. It will also help cover and maintain administrative costs like housing and necessities of staff and volunteers.
2013 was the year of MMOCI birth and hence alot was achieved alongside a few challenges. I'd like to take this opportunity to appreciate all those who donated at least something to help the organization take a step forward. May God bless Brian Derby and his family, Michelle, Nanette, Rick, Marcia and Colleen for their gifts. Also God bless and thanks to those who were willing to give their time for the organization in any way they did. We also thank all those who gave us 825 likes on Facebook! Your 'like' is a voice to a suffering child and if each member contributed just $5, can you imagine that it would be more than $4000!
God bless you all and welcome to 2014!
Okumu Stephen
Co Director MMOCI
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Rest, recuperation, reflections and regrouping.......missionary life in Uganda
Happy new year everyone!
Well, a few things have changed since the last post. I got very sick in November and by the end of the month had to make a heartwrenching decision. I had planned on extending my visa three more months however my body made other plans. I lost 50 pounds in about 60 days due to illness. As I lay awake in bed one night feeling dreadfully awful from my second go round with Malaria, starving, completely dehydrated, weak, nauseous, and with a pounding headache, fever and chills, I prayed to God and asked Him what I should do?
First let me say, for the sake of anyone reading this who is considering long-term missionary work, Africa is not for the faint of heart. Its tough. Its a different way of living than an average convenient, neat and tidy western life. Its difficult. You may think you're healthy, strong (mentally and physically) and capable, like I did but it will challenge you. It will change you. And hopefully like me, you will fall in love with it and still want to be there!
Food there is not like what you're used to. Just about everyone can alter their diet for a short amount of time. It can even be exciting to try new things and eat like the locals. For awhile. There is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in Uganda and they're reasonably priced. Pineapples are $1 each. About twenty tomatoes are $1 as well. Meat and chicken are available. Pork is $2.50/kg and beef $3.50/kg. Supermarkes have pasta, crackers, cereal and even some canned goods like tomato paste and jarred goods like jam. If you have a fridge to store it there's boxed milk and even yogurt.
I didn't have a refrigerator or oven ( I was planning to buy them soon if I had stayed), but I was eating healthy for the first time in my life! Dinner could be greens cooked up on a hot plate or over a charcoal stove with peppers, tomatoes and onions served over rice. Or beans with rice or posho (corn flour mixed into boiling water to make a thick paste-like consistency). Beans are good for ya right? We learn that in our food pyramid in third grade. I'd have meat mixed with veggies. Sweet potatoes. Eggplant. Pumpkin."Vegetables are good for ya, eat more of those". Despite seeing meat hanging outside in the hot sunshine, I was game to try it. I just cooked it so long it was unidentifiable.
I wasn't starting the day with a huge cup of java with 3 Splendas and more half n half than coffee. My arteries must have been thanking me. Hot tea with a little sugar. Breakfast was pineapple and a banana. An orange. Fruits are at the top of the pyramid too! No eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast first thing in the morning for me. Though eggs are there but they're brown with whitish-yellow yolks and right from the chicken, no processing plants here to check, sort and clean them.
But boy, I was doing good! Between my great diet and lots of walking the red-dirt-hilly roads, I was losing weight and feeling and looking great!...... For about a month. That's when the digestive problems started. That's when the first Malaria hit.That's when the weight lost sped up to almost a pound a DAY. That's when hunger pains started. That's when I couldn't eat like a local anymore. That's when I started dreaming about food. My food. Western style food.What I was missing like milk and cheese. Tim Horton's mocha latte. Burgers. Fries. Casseroles. Gravy. Nothing at all with a vegetable in it! I layed awake night after night playing the game in my head called "if I could eat anything I wanted right now what would it be". I think its how I survived.
So after days and days of malaria, starvation and now laying in bed unable to take much more, I asked God what to do. My plane was due to leave in nine days. He clearly told me "go home". The next morning I was lying in a clinic bed on IV fluids and the next day after that my B/P was only 80/40. I. Was. So. Sick. After more malaria treatments, antibiotics and steroids for an upper respiratory infection, pain medicine for the headache and fever, more IV fluids and lots of iron to replenish my nearly nonexistent red blood cells, I started a slow recovery to get myself able to fly 26 hours home. I made it. I survived Africa.
Let me say this: Since being home, and even before I left, we formulated a plan that when I return, we will have a refrigerator and I will be bringing back American food with me. I will be supplementing my unhealthy but familiar foods with the super healthy pyramid chart/Ugandan foods. After I get dewormed and deparasited I will maybe think about eating meat there. Maybe stick to canned meat only. Live and learn. That's why too I needed to come back to the U.S. To reflect on what I just lived through and how to manage life in Africa more efficiently. I AM going back there! I'm regaining my courage, resting up, getting strong again, mentally regrouping, and thinking up new strategies for moving Many Mansions of Christ International forward in 2014!
Well, a few things have changed since the last post. I got very sick in November and by the end of the month had to make a heartwrenching decision. I had planned on extending my visa three more months however my body made other plans. I lost 50 pounds in about 60 days due to illness. As I lay awake in bed one night feeling dreadfully awful from my second go round with Malaria, starving, completely dehydrated, weak, nauseous, and with a pounding headache, fever and chills, I prayed to God and asked Him what I should do?
First let me say, for the sake of anyone reading this who is considering long-term missionary work, Africa is not for the faint of heart. Its tough. Its a different way of living than an average convenient, neat and tidy western life. Its difficult. You may think you're healthy, strong (mentally and physically) and capable, like I did but it will challenge you. It will change you. And hopefully like me, you will fall in love with it and still want to be there!
Food there is not like what you're used to. Just about everyone can alter their diet for a short amount of time. It can even be exciting to try new things and eat like the locals. For awhile. There is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in Uganda and they're reasonably priced. Pineapples are $1 each. About twenty tomatoes are $1 as well. Meat and chicken are available. Pork is $2.50/kg and beef $3.50/kg. Supermarkes have pasta, crackers, cereal and even some canned goods like tomato paste and jarred goods like jam. If you have a fridge to store it there's boxed milk and even yogurt.
I didn't have a refrigerator or oven ( I was planning to buy them soon if I had stayed), but I was eating healthy for the first time in my life! Dinner could be greens cooked up on a hot plate or over a charcoal stove with peppers, tomatoes and onions served over rice. Or beans with rice or posho (corn flour mixed into boiling water to make a thick paste-like consistency). Beans are good for ya right? We learn that in our food pyramid in third grade. I'd have meat mixed with veggies. Sweet potatoes. Eggplant. Pumpkin."Vegetables are good for ya, eat more of those". Despite seeing meat hanging outside in the hot sunshine, I was game to try it. I just cooked it so long it was unidentifiable.
I wasn't starting the day with a huge cup of java with 3 Splendas and more half n half than coffee. My arteries must have been thanking me. Hot tea with a little sugar. Breakfast was pineapple and a banana. An orange. Fruits are at the top of the pyramid too! No eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast first thing in the morning for me. Though eggs are there but they're brown with whitish-yellow yolks and right from the chicken, no processing plants here to check, sort and clean them.
But boy, I was doing good! Between my great diet and lots of walking the red-dirt-hilly roads, I was losing weight and feeling and looking great!...... For about a month. That's when the digestive problems started. That's when the first Malaria hit.That's when the weight lost sped up to almost a pound a DAY. That's when hunger pains started. That's when I couldn't eat like a local anymore. That's when I started dreaming about food. My food. Western style food.What I was missing like milk and cheese. Tim Horton's mocha latte. Burgers. Fries. Casseroles. Gravy. Nothing at all with a vegetable in it! I layed awake night after night playing the game in my head called "if I could eat anything I wanted right now what would it be". I think its how I survived.
So after days and days of malaria, starvation and now laying in bed unable to take much more, I asked God what to do. My plane was due to leave in nine days. He clearly told me "go home". The next morning I was lying in a clinic bed on IV fluids and the next day after that my B/P was only 80/40. I. Was. So. Sick. After more malaria treatments, antibiotics and steroids for an upper respiratory infection, pain medicine for the headache and fever, more IV fluids and lots of iron to replenish my nearly nonexistent red blood cells, I started a slow recovery to get myself able to fly 26 hours home. I made it. I survived Africa.
Let me say this: Since being home, and even before I left, we formulated a plan that when I return, we will have a refrigerator and I will be bringing back American food with me. I will be supplementing my unhealthy but familiar foods with the super healthy pyramid chart/Ugandan foods. After I get dewormed and deparasited I will maybe think about eating meat there. Maybe stick to canned meat only. Live and learn. That's why too I needed to come back to the U.S. To reflect on what I just lived through and how to manage life in Africa more efficiently. I AM going back there! I'm regaining my courage, resting up, getting strong again, mentally regrouping, and thinking up new strategies for moving Many Mansions of Christ International forward in 2014!
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