Let me tell you about Peter. He is in his early twenties and is the first from his large family to pursue an education. He has a wide smile, expressive eyes and is tall and thin. He is one of the most loving and kind people I have ever met. He has struggled to break out of the cycle of village life and has been living in Kampala studying to be an accountant. He pays for his tuition by making bricks. Ten thousand bricks yields one hundred dollars.
Peter loves his family in a way you kind of wish every one loved their family. He supports them as best he can, and he plans on doing so fully when he becomes a working professional. His mother cares for several of Peter's nieces and nephews, as their parents have died of AIDS. Their living quarters are very small.
We arrived to warm greetings and hugs from each member of Peter's family. We were invited into the home, where we were introduced one by one to the family. Peter and his 80 year old father then gave us a tour of the ground. We saw where they have buried family members, the coffee trees, the cooking hut, and we walked to the well. Peter was jumping up and down with excitement as he saw his two "families" come together. (Believe me, our team has completely fallen head over heels for Peter, as well as our driver, Henry.)
The ever engaged and enthusiastic Melissa had most of us jump roping with the kids (even Rose Mary!!) and she and Ann gathered banana fiber to take back to St. Mary Kevin's to make dolls with the girls, after having seen the dolls Peter's family had made. I took pictures of everyone in Peter's family and immediately printed them on my handy dandy portable color printer. The looks on faces as the pictures emerged were pretty darn cool, and they loved having photographs of themselves.
A huge feast was served for lunch. Gifts were exchanged. It was a remarkable visit.
1 comment:
mommasita (and friends),
in my eyes, your photographs begin to tell an awesome and inspiring story. your blog posts, as well as the other made by your crew, help me understand what drives you to invest so much heart and energy into change the truth.
i'd really love to have an opportunity to go to africa with you, should you ever decide to make a third trip. i'm jealous of you and all the opportunities you get to meet people and indulge in experiences that most people will never have. most of all, your blog makes it obvious that every party involved participates in something incredible and moving. i'd love to be part of that with you.
so if you're contemplating a third trip and you need an extra member of your party, count me in. and i'm sure we could find another great traveling companion in becca, who clearly shares similar ideals as you.
can't wait to see you soon :)
much love,
maxo
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