"The other day I was asked by another SMK visitor, Monique,
what I would take away from being in Uganda. As this trip has been closer to ending, I have been asking
myself the same question. I came
up with four themes that represented my stay at SMK.
Family
When you think of family, those are
the people that are closest to you.
They are those people who support you, love you, know things about you
that other people would not, know how to cheer you up, and even how to push
your buttons. As I came to Uganda,
I knew I would make new friends, but was never in the mindset of leaving with a
new family.
On the first day of teaching, SMK
had a Parade (school assembly) where our team was introduced to the
students. At the end of our
introduction, Moses, the headmaster of the school said something to us that resonated
with me. 'You come in as strangers,
but leave as family'. How amazing
is that?! Complete strangers
willingly opening their hearts and homes to us, not just as visitors, but
accepting us as a part of their family.
However, that’s how it is here at SMK. Every staff member and child has
welcomed us with an open heart and mind.
Melissa has been a true blessing to us! She has let the Strings for
Uganda team take over her home and has been amazing. I understand why the
children here call her Mama Melissa.
The people here have now become my family in Uganda. I know that if I
came back 5, 10, even 15 years from now, they would still welcome us just as
they have done now.
Fortunate
Coming
to Africa has been a dream of mine, even before Strings for Uganda was ever an
idea. As a teenager I participated
in many missions trips and felt that Africa was a part of my future. Never in my wildest dreams did I think
I would be here 15 years later and on top of that, to teach violin. But that has become the reality and I
am grateful. Until this past year,
Africa was only within hands reach of a computer, rather than something I would
actually experience. Being at SMK
has brought upon new perspectives of all areas in my life; the way I live,
interact with others, work, feel, etc.
My life at home is so busy and there are many times that I forget to 'stop and smell the roses'.
However, being in Uganda has brought that into perspective. I forgot how there are so many simple
things I should appreciate. For
example, time is so important in my life.
Everything is on a schedule and there is a deadline for everything and
most of my time is taken up by work. I have found that in Uganda time is not
always a priority. Things run
late, a simple hello turns into an extended conversation, hugging a child
becomes a play date that can last a day.
Back home I feel that sometimes we take the quality away and think of
quantity. How much time can I
spare? How long will it take? I only have 10 minutes. We tend to forget about
what you will take away from that experience with someone or something.
Fulfilling
I
feel very fortunate to have always had my needs met. I never went without,
whether it was food, toys, clothes, being loved, having an education, etc. However, at SMK I have found myself
being fulfilled in a way that is difficult to categorize. The feelings I have come from the
people I have met here. There is a
presence of genuine hopefulness, positivity, and joy. Through every smile and hello, you can tell that it was
meant for you. It’s not just a
general statement or action made out of obligation. I think of the first time I met Mama Rosemary. When you see her, you see an older
woman in her 60s, but as she begins to talk and move she carries the presence
of someone much younger. She
exudes positivity, love, energy, joy, and she seems to glow. As she approached our team, she did not
hesitate and gave each one of us a hug, rather than shake our hand. She shares how grateful she is to have
us at SMK teaching students the violin.
Her voice and demeanor are genuine and you can’t help but smile from
within and reciprocate the feeling.
That’s the fulfillment I get from the people around here. You can’t help but smile and feel a
sense of joy.
Forever
Uganda
and SMK will never be finished in my heart. I will forever carry them wherever I go. I can’t imagine leaving here and not
coming back. There will always be
another project to work on or begin and kids to see and love. I plan on taking my own experience and
sharing it with my family, friends, and students in Kansas City. I have already created lessons and
fundraising ideas to begin once I get back home. I have family here now, and
that family is forever.
FAMILY.
FORTUNATE. FULLFILLING.
FOREVER."
- Hannah Ho
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