"Our trip was remarkably smooth, yet difficult at the same time. Long
long flights, which were cramped (even the flight attendants remarked that they
can't walk down the aisle without hitting folks with their side pockets). It
was also very cold on the flights especially from Amsterdam to Entebbe.
We were somewhat late getting in, but once we landed we retrieved
all 11 duffel bags and suitcases rather quickly. Remarkably, not one was lost,
and our team leaders Jennifer and Jeff were there with two vans to cart all our
luggage and the seven of us to our hotel, The Lodge. We hadn't eaten (having
slept through any semblance of a meal) but we made due with crackers and
granola bars. It was very difficult getting up at 9 a.m. today but we powered
through. Breakfast and dinner every day at The Lodge has been decent, very low
key. Lunches are at SMK.Today Melissa made us rice, beans, pumpkin, spinach and
beets, a type of Indian flatbread called Chapati and pineapple.
The walk to SMK takes about 20-25 minutes and is rather arduous - hilly
with lots of ruts and kids and people out everywhere. I must say I find the
countryside beautiful. The local kids are all very friendly. They all know how
to say Hi and Bye, see you later, but not much else. The adults don't seem as
friendly although one man pulled Josh over in a handshake and said ‘Stay in
Africa! Africa is amazing.’
Before stepping foot in the orphanage, a few of the students came
out to greet us: Tina, Ritah, and a few others. Almost everyone introduces themselves to each of the five of us with a hug, but
sometimes just a handshake. One little boy shook our hand while curtsying to
each one of us. These kids are all adorable. Some more shy and reserved,
speaking very quietly. Others more outgoing.
Joan gave us a tour. She, Ritah and Queen were among the kids with
whom Josh and Leah were closest last year. SMK is a lot like what I imagined
from the pictures, although it is much smaller than the photos seemed to show.
We saw the kitchen (a small room with a wood burning stove and two large
cauldrons), the dormitories with many mattresses outside airing or drying in
the sun, a few classrooms, a music room and a library.
For the most part the indoors
was hot (evidently today was an unusually hot day!) and it was more comfortable
to stay in the courtyard, which is where the five of us landed in clusters - with
kids sitting beside and on laps as we each read books to the kids or as a children
read aloud to each of us. We spent about three hours doing this before walking
to Melissa's for lunch. Afterwards Josh, Max and Leah spent another few hours
with kids, while Sam and I rested back at the hotel. Max played soccer with
Nicky, an 18-year-old and became drenched to the point that after dinner now he
has crashed probably for the rest of the night. He and Josh and Leah also
listened to the kids rehearse some musical numbers they plan to perform for us
later.
That's really all for now. Much more to follow.”
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