grandmothers

So many grandmothers/great grandmothers are the ones who end up caring for the young children in Uganda. Their own children's generation was hit hard by HIV/AIDS, so they have had to step up to the plate as caretakers of the little ones left behind.

Since I am now a grandmother, I feel it is fitting for me to honor these Ugandan women in my work. These portraits represent the beginning of my photo project about the "jajas".

more team members arrive

Such an exciting day at SMK! Dawn, Lynne and Suzanne have arrived. Tomorrow the (nearly) complete team begins to dig in. The kids are so happy to see old friends and new.

day four: leroy

"Through my own eyes and heart, I opened the door of understanding. Landing here in Uganda and not knowing what to expect was not the challenge or question, but being able to take my trade and talents God has given me and give back to others has been my goal.

St. Mary Kevin Orphanage has become an important focus and has allowed me to make a difference. I find that I’m giving with my heart with the hope of touching others. I wonder why we allow our children to live a life of uncertainty; these children have so much joy in their faces and seek to learn so much in spite of the uncertainty they face.

I say to you who have not experienced this journey to wake up your heart (and to those who have) let’s change the way we treat our young people. Look at the pictures and read the stories; they are real. Do not turn a blind eye to the many who are in need. SMK is one of many here in Uganda and all over the world. It is not about how much you give, but that you DO give."

- Leroy Beasley ("MePho")

day three: a joyful welcome for the new arrivals

Michelle and Leroy enter the gates of SMK for the first time



The girls loved Michelle right away



Bobbi gets reacquainted with Moses, the headmaster of the school.



Rose's smile says it all!



Avis greets Melissa.


Leroy gets down on Evalyn's level for a conversation.

day two

I’ve just sent my seven dinner guests on their way. Time to get in a little nap before heading to the airport to pick up team members Bobbi, Avis, Michelle and J. Leroy. No sleep for the weary on this trip!

Yesterday I was telling Tina and Claire Faith that I was looking forward to my dinner date with Melissa, that we would conduct business but also have kind of “girl’s night”. The latter part of that statement intrigued them. They asked me several times about the “girl’s night” aspect of our upcoming evening together. After I finally explained it, and it was clear to them, they suggested we have one. And why not?

Late this afternoon I hopped on a boda, picked up some pizzas, samosas, cookies and soda and then opened my door to Tina, Claire Faith and their invited guests: Rosette, Issy, Rachael, Joan Faith and Rose. It was a girl’s night filled with lots of fun conversation, singing and dancing - and a ton of laughter. It was a blast.

I spent the earlier part of my day getting sun burnt (ouch, forgot to apply sunscreen this morning) photographing and hanging out with the kids. Melissa prepared another stellar lunch; the team members are in for some fine eats when they get here! The fruits and vegetables are so delicious. I'm particularly partial to the regionally grown avocados, potatoes, pineapples and tomatoes, as well as anything matooke related.

While we were eating, we could hear Oscar belting out "Amazing Grace" on the saxophone. It was enough to just put me over the edge with joy for being here. The sounds of that song wove their way into the air high above our heads and then drifted down on us like a slow-falling rain.

Tomorrow begins the first round of team projects. Melissa and I have put together a busy schedule for our volunteers. The next two weeks will be the culmination of a lot of hard work on our part. All the hours of planning will pay off when I see the first little hands slip into those of our team members tomorrow morning.

tuba

Getting friendly with my new camera yesterday, I made this portrait (among a few others). I'll get comfortable with this big gun yet!

day one

What a wonderful first day. I got to spend precious "alone time" with some of my dear young friends. I wandered around the neighborhood. I walked in the rain with Rosette. I found myself exclaiming over and over again to kid after kid: "You've grown so tall!" Nicky serenaded me with a Michael Jackson number on the guitar Monique left behind. I got many hugs that were seriously heartfelt. I got crackin' with my Hasselblad. I was treated to Melissa's homemade vegetable soup for lunch. I got to watch Douglas teach dancing to the girls troupe and hear Antwain play the drums. (The harp players are a nice addition to the drumming. They're really good.) I got to play baseball. I traveled by boda-boda. I got to sit next to Boy-Boy and rub his back, which he had ever so slowly inched in my direction. I got to see (and hear) the long awaited addition to the marching band: a very cool tuba. I got to spend a leisurely dinner out with Melissa. We talked and talked and also admired the ink black star studded night sky.

Hard to beat a day like this one!

Tomorrow night four team members will arrive, followed by three more on Saturday. The kids are really excited to get this party going!

Here are some opening shots from the day. Hopefully they will load. The internet connection I have is very slow, and it's ridiculously late. I don't know how much patience I'll have. OK, some loaded. I'll try the rest tomorrow.

(Happy birthday to my lovely daughter, Abbie! I wish you could be here. The kids want to know EVERYTHING about Henry. Of course, I'm happy to fill them in.)




Melissa in her kitchen


The two Glorias


Douglas teaching the girls dance group


Antwain!


The harp players



Neighborhood



Neighborhood



Neighborhood


Neighborhood

back in uganda

I am in Uganda! I will see the children in the morning, but the following message from director Rosemary greeted me upon my arrival. This missive is for all of you who have helped CTT in any way, large or small! We really have made a difference, and we should feel very good about that.

"Mama Gloria,

WELCOME. You are welcome back to your children. Look at them carefully. Look into their eyes, -- and you will see happiness and joy. Look at their faces – and you will see lovely fat cheeks. Try to lift a few of them – and you will feel the change in weight. This is the result of the support that Change the Truth (CTT) has given to SMK Orphanage over the years.

LIGHT THAT BRINGS OPPORTUNITY. The orphan children are proud of CTT and you Mama Gloria because you gave them a new lease on life and hope to realize their dreams in an atmosphere of Love, Care, Counselling, and the light of Education in a healthy environment. The management of SMK Orphanage wishes to acknowledge your efforts as team leader, plus contributions from the other members of CTT Board and sponsors, plus the work of the CTT Resident Social Worker Melissa.

Thank you from Mama Rosemary."

kids helping kids: guest post by team member suzanne

“‘I was most impressed when I saw what they wanted to be when they are older,’ commented Caroline, an 8th grade student at Mercy Academy in Wisconsin.

It all started with my sharing the story of St. Mary Kevin Orphanage and Change The Truth (CTT) to a Tuesday night knitting group. Jan, one of the knitters in that group, went home and told her two daughters, Caroline (14) and Emily (13) about CTT and the kids at SMK. Caroline watched the video on the CTT website and commented, ‘I was completely changed.’ She emailed me and asked if she could meet with me to talk about some ideas she had about how she could help.

We met one Sunday morning and from that brainstorming session came the idea of making Christmas cards for the kids to be included with their gifts. From that point on Caroline took the project and ran with it. She secured permission from her principal, invited 20 fellow classmates (grades 5-8) reserved the room, made up the blank cards and supplied all the art materials. Her mom made rice krispie (yum!) treats for the kids and after school on May 6th, these new friends of SMK sat in a room and made 180 Christmas cards.

I went to lend support and answer any questions the kids had about Uganda and SMK. They were very interested in their school, what sports they play and what their days are like. I interviewed some of them about why they were doing this. John Paul said, ‘It’s kinda cool to do something for kids half way around the world.’ Mary was an orphan herself in Ethiopia. She said, ‘I know what it’s like to live in an orphanage.’ Mary understands what it means to live in that situation and receive something made especially for you.




When all the cards were made and signed by each artist, I showed them the video that is on the CTT website. You could have heard a pin drop in that room while it was playing. It was as though their worlds had just been expanded from Wisconsin to Uganda. When we were packing up all the cards, I asked Caroline if she had any thoughts about having done this project, and she said, ‘ Since I started this project, I’ve just felt very happy and excited to help people. I plan to do a lot more volunteer work in our local community as well as around the world.’ Perhaps we have fostered a future team member for CTT. Kids helping kids, isn’t that what it’s all about?



Webale (‘thank you’ in Ugandan) to Caroline Arnold for her inspiration and vision to reach out and help…and to the students from Mercy Academy (listed below). Thanks also to Caroline’s mom, Jan, for all the yummy treats, including this giant map of a cookie.

Students who made the cards: Mary Rose, JP, Jon, Meg, Mary, Charlie, Matt, Emil, Keara, Oliver, Andy, Mary, Katie, Annie, Peter, Marlena, Thomas and Sam.”

- Suzanne Garr

help for the "big boys"

The following project proposal was presented to CTT from Melissa, our on-the-ground liaison. It is one of many that Melissa has sent my way. I thought this one in particular was worth sharing. You can clearly understand the amount of in-depth research and analysis Melissa does on our behalf. Down to the penny, we know exactly what is being covered with our funds. And we have a good description of the need itself.

As you will see below, the dollar can go a long way toward helping ease certain problems for the children to whom we have committed our assistance.

CTT Special Project: Dormitory Painting and Repairs for Older Boys

Objective: Ensure a clean, healthy and safe living environment for older male orphans.

Practical Issues: The dormitory for Secondary School aged boys is one of the older dormitories at SMK. The dormitory consists of two small, separate rooms. There are 20-25 boys who call these rooms home on a full or part-time basis (depending on whether or not they board at their respective schools).

Despite the best efforts of SMK Administration and the older boys themselves, the dormitories are in desperate need of repairs and repainting. Insects (like bedbugs) have infested parts of the dormitory, and there is also a problem with rodents.

Patching of small holes in walls and foundation, complete painting of walls from ceiling to floor, spraying of bedding and linens for insects, minor repairs to roof leakage and rebuilding of shutters on existing windows would help immensely.

Wall Paint
3 jerry cans @ 53,000 shillings
159,000 shillings ($63.60)

Paint Thinner
2 jerry cans @ 20,000 shillings
40,000 shillings ($16)

Painting supplies (brushes, basins)
50,000 shillings ($20)

Insect Chemicals
1 Litre
60,000 shillings ($24)

Cement
2 bags @ 29,000 shillings
58,000 shillings ($23.20)

Iron Sheet
1 sheet @ 30,000 shillings ($15)

Lumber
10 timbers @ 10,000 shillings
100,000 shillings ($40)

Total cost of project 497,000 shillings ($198.80)
**Prices based on 2,500 shillings per dollar conversion.

CTT has agreed to take on this project. Team 5 will hopefully be able to help with the work while we are there. When I informed Melissa of this, here is what she wrote:

"Great news. And if you close your eyes and listen hard enough the echo of cheers from the Big Boys will most definitely be heard across the ocean!!"

the night was a big success!

Thanks to all who turned out for the 10,000 Villages fundraiser. It was great to see you! I really appreciate your continued support of CTT.

Can you tell we all had a good time shopping?

ten thousand villages shopping night

Today from 4 PM to 8 PM, anything purchased at the non-profit fair trade store, 10,000 Villages in Overland Park, Kansas, will help the children at St. Mary Kevin’s. Please do your holiday shopping tonight and join us as we benefit unemployed and underemployed artisans from over thirty developing nations, as well as the orphans in Uganda. I guarantee you'll find something you love for someone on your list. And the best part is that 15% of all sales will go directly to Change the Truth.

10,000 Villages is located at 7949 Santa Fe Drive in old Overland Park. See you there!

fraction magazine holiday print sale

I have made available 5.5" x 5.5" signed (not numbered) archival pigment prints of "Jump Rope, Kajjansi, 2010" in the annual Fraction Magazine Holiday Print Sale. Buy art this holiday season for yourself or those on your gift list at very reasonable prices. (Mine is only $50 plus shipping.) The photographers included in the sale are those whose work has been featured in Fraction. A big thanks to David Bram for organizing the sale, which you can peruse here and a big thanks to Andy Adams for including a selection of images from the sale on Flak Photo.

operation breakthrough lobby portraits

Each day now is filled to the brim. Last minute preparations for the trip, working on the remodel of our new place (more on that later), shooting in the studio, printing orders and tying up lots of loose ends before I leave make me wish there were a few more hours in each day. I am galloping around the track at full speed.

Yesterday I finished framing and installing the new portraits I made for the lobby of Operation Breakthrough. Thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

eddie

Eddie and I first met in the summer of 1972. We were part of a group of prospective students participating in summer orientation at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Go Badgers.

We all hung out in dorm rooms, classrooms, barrooms and in colorful metal chairs on the terrace of the Student Union (which happens to overlook beautiful Lake Mendota and where we incoming freshman had no trouble getting mugs of ice cold Leininkugel or Point beer delivered to our tables.)

Eddie was older than me, and he was way cooler. I don't think he even noticed me in the crowd of outgoing, sophisticated kids we hung with, most of whom were from the east coast. My Kentucky accent kept me pretty quiet. But I couldn't keep my eyes off him. He had a long, thick beard, the likes of which I'd never seen. He biked a lot and looked super cool in his biking gloves; I'd never seen toe clips on pedals.... he had them. He was tan, his hair was long, he wore hiking boots even though it was hot and muggy that August. He drove a VW bus. He was even Jewish.

Getting his attention was a long shot. But somewhere along the way, I guess he noticed me.

The first time we sat close to each other, I told him I thought his hands were amazing. I ran my 17-year old fingers along the map of bulging veins on his hands. I'd never seen anything like them.

He told me later he liked the way I looked in the yellow Army t-shirt I often wore.

By the end of September, he asked me to go to the movies. I brought along my roommate, Judy. Eddie was kind of surprised to see her and even more surprised when she sat between us. The movie was "2001 A Space Odyssey" and I remember very little of it. I was too busy looking over at Eddie and wondering if he was thinking more about me than what was on the screen.

We started taking a lot of walks together. Time passed. We were constantly meeting new people on campus. I started hanging out with a guy named Mark; he with a girl named Mimi. But by December we officially became an "item". He was my first true love.

We've been through a lot over the last 39 years. A lot of good stuff and our share of bad.

Today I still consider him the love of my life.


We had our portraits made tonight during a private lighting class held in my studio. I've been staring at these images for a while now, trying to find the kids we were when we met and fell in love. Did we have any idea back then that we'd really still be together after lines had etched their way into our faces, when hair turned gray, when illnesses beat us down, when challenges got overwhelmingly complicated?

Yet here we are. Eddie is the most supportive person in my life. He is my cheerleader, my biggest fan. He tells me I'm pretty, he sings Allan Sherman songs to make me laugh and he cooks dinner to take care of me (and also impress me).

As I get ready to leave the country for three weeks, I want to take a minute here on the blog to say thanks to this man. He not only encourages and honors the things I do, he gets involved as much as he can. His positive energy, his smarts and his willingness to work hard have helped make Change the Truth everything it has become. He's a behind-the-scenes kind of guy, but trust me when I say that so much of what has happened with the growth of CTT is because of Eddie.

Eduardo, I wish you were going to be on Team 5. The children will ask how "Papa" is, and I will tell them you are thinking about them and always working hard on their behalf. Thank you for all you do to make sure the financial aspects of CTT stay on course, for loving the children and for helping me be the best Mama G. I can be to them.

(The studio shot was taken by photographer extraordinaire and my new lighting mentor, Chuck Arlund.)

mother bear project

Remember the lovely hand knitted bears we took with us to Uganda last year (thanks to the suggestion of team member Suzanne)?

Heather Michon blogs about the wonderful organization responsible for those bears (and features a Melissa Mosher photo of Petra and Margaret with their bears!) here. It's a good article, well worth your time.

art club

Each year when I return to the orphanage at St. Mary Kevin, I am blown away by the progress the young artists continue to make. Those of you who have seen their artwork in at our fundraisers or on the CTT website know what I'm talking about. These kids are amazing.

The secret weapon behind these blossoming creative talents?


Michael Stanley Kolulye, volunteer art teacher extraordinaire.

Michael makes the trek to the orphanage whenever his schedule allows. He gathers together those kids who have incredible promise and/or obvious skills. He puts canvas and paint in front of them. He utters soft spoken words of instruction and encouragement. Michael gives these children everything they need to soar.

The SMK Art Club, as it is now known, consists of some of my dearest young friends. Pictured in the top photo are, from left to right: Brian, Oscar, Nicky and Geoffrey. They're showing off their new, hand painted club t-shirts. Michael sent these photos via Facebook this morning. I couldn't post them here fast enough. In the second photo are Michael and sweet Oscar. Aren't these boys and their work beautiful?

I am a lucky girl. In 12 days, I'll get to attend a meeting of the SMK Art Club. I'll be the one bringing the treats, as well as good wishes from the many friends of CTT who made the treats possible. The duffel bags full of canvas, acrylic paints, paint brushes, sketch paper, craypas, watercolors and drawing pencils will be unpacked, and these artists will happily get to work.

Michael's an angel and has become my good friend over the years. The work he does with/for these creative children has truly been an inspiration to me. Thank you, Michael, for all you do.

world AIDS day / uganda

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. This is a day set aside for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 34 million people living with HIV. During 2010 some 2.7 million people became newly infected with the virus, including an estimated 390,000 children. Despite a significant decline in the estimated number of AIDS-related deaths over the last five years, there were still an estimated 1.8 million AIDS-related deaths in 2010.

The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in low- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Uganda is often held up as a model for Africa in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Strong government leadership, broad-based partnerships and effective public education campaigns have all contributed to a decline in the number of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Although there is a lot to learn from Uganda’s comprehensive and timely campaign against the AIDS epidemic, emphasising Uganda’s success story must not detract from the huge consequences that AIDS continues to have across the country.

There are an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV in Uganda. That includes 150,000 children. Over a million children have been orphaned by this devastating epidemic.

Today I think about those children I know who have been affected and those I will surely come to know.