gloria baker feinstein's blog: Change the Truth Chapter 10

Showing posts with label Change the Truth Chapter 10. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 02, 2016

post from natalie

CTT’s dear friend Natalie will be traveling to Uganda for the 5^th time later this month. She’s been very busy preparing for her visit with the children at SMK, and that has had a lot to do with ripples. Please read her missive to see what I mean:

Every wave starts with a ripple. Or, so they say, I suppose. When you think about it, that gives an awful lot of power to one little drop of water. It ignores all of the other drops that join with that bit of energy and start moving forward. It's in that transference of energy that the magic really happens. It’s what keeps the surfer on his board, moves ships across the ocean, and even maintains the temperature of our atmosphere.

Making positive change in the world starts a lot like a wave in that way. It takes one person to put their toe in the water and splash around a bit to get things going. But it is the efforts of many that create real movement. Preparing for my return to Uganda has reminded me of this simple truth--our efforts are a result of who we bring along with us.

For the past month, my mailbox has been filled with packages containing supplies that will support the academic, artistic, athletic, and health needs of the children at St. Mary Kevin. Gifts have arrived from all over the country--from people I know well, and some I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person. All told, I will be carrying the energy of over 60 people with me across the ocean. And just like the drops of water that start a wave don't always make it to shore, the people I bring along with me will probably never have the privilege of knowing these great young people personally. But, the energy they have generated will be felt for years to come as a giant wave of love.

On behalf of all of the students at SMK, I thank each and every one of you who selflessly gave of yourself to ensure our students are supplied with the tools they need for school. I thank those of you who invested in our artists. And I thank those of you who provided our kids with a few things that allow them to just be kids for a while. It is because of you, CTT has been able to do all it has for our kids. I am honored to be carrying your hearts with me.

- Natalie

Saturday, January 09, 2016

young photographers at st. mary kevin children's home

It brings me great pleasure to share the work of the budding young photographers at SMK!

We've been so lucky over the years to have many people donate cameras, batteries and cards enabling these aspiring artists to do their thing. We've also had the great fortune of bringing over team members who are good photographers and good teachers. Because of their passion for sharing their knowledge and encouraging the children, we have some stellar work being made!

Huge thanks go to Scott and Jackie, members of Team 9, who devoted much of their time at SMK working with the kids who wanted to photograph. Here are some of the stunning results.

And then there's Nicky, who has taken everything we've ever offered to a whole new level - his.

Friday, January 08, 2016

team 9 post (and a wonderful video gift to us all) by lynne

In Uganda, there is an abundance of poverty, loss, and sorrow. But in the little village of Kajjansi, at SMK, there is also an abundance of love, of kindness, of gratitude, of whimsy, and of joy… especially of joy. It was joyful for me to be there in December, and I hope it brings you some joy to glimpse this short video of our beloved kids, and team 9 members, in action. - Lynne

JOY from Lynne Melcher on Vimeo.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

team 9: post from scott

Traditions

Practice, ritual and traditions are important. They keep us grounded. They remind us of things we must continually work to improve. They remind us of times past that we'd like to honor with memory. Things that we put value in, and would like to carry forward in our lives. They make our time better because we choose to include them.

On Christmas day we shared in new and old traditions at SMK. Kajjansi was full of the sounds of music and worship. Families dressed in their best to celebrate. So could be said for the experience within SMK. Our boys and girls looked great, each bringing their own style and smiles.

The events started with balloon animals and hats for all. We had a visitor, Brian from California, spend the day with us during his travels in Uganda. Although his stay could only be one day, he proved to be an excellent addition to the team (and quite the balloon hat expert). Such a joy to see all the little ones with their hats, skipping around SMK.

Lunch was served -- matooke, potatoes, rice and beef (with soda/pop!)

The day's program included a talent show, play and gift exchange. As you likely know, we have MANY talented dancers and musicians. How amazing to see the boys and girls challenge each other in a dance "battle". Each took to the center to show their moves, riff off each other's moves and just LAUGH (as the sole judge I had to tip my hat to the girls. They brought their A-game).

Nicky and band treated everyone to "All I want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey

Melissa directed what may become a new tradition at SMK, an adaptation of Sleeping Beauty written by Joseph Kavulu himself. This was the first time the boys and girls have presented a play like this. They did a great job with creating scenery from nearby branches and fabric and costumes from construction paper. The audience watched as Prince Philip awakened Princess Aurora from a prick of a cursed tailoring machine that had put her to sleep.

As the sun began descending, the gift-giving began. Each of the older boys and girls had selected names from a hat to create a "secret santa" type of gift exchange. I found out about this tradition the night before as I joined some of the boys to anxiously search the town vendors for an appropriate last-minute gift. This was their chance to come up to receive their gift and and read the name they'd pulled. Of course, each was required to dance as they approached the front. So much style in one room.

CTT team members were touched to receive appreciation gifts from Joan Faith on behalf of SMK. The Kavulu family was presented with a beautiful framed painting (created by Willy!).

To bring a close to the day's events, each boy and girl was presented with a gift from CTT -- a calculator or torch (flashlight).

It was touching to see the traditions of SMK and Uganda, and be included in both.

- Scott

Friday, December 25, 2015

the thing about tears

I've been wondering why Team 9 keeps sending emails about their tears, why my recent Skype call with the kids ended with me in tears and why whenever I run into people who've made the

trip to the orphanage, they shed tears as they recall their experience.

I remember the first time I cried during my trip to Uganda in 2006. I had been spending time with a very poor family in a rural village in the southwestern corner of the country. After several days of photographing Margaret and her many children, it came time for me to board a bus and head back to Kampala. Margaret and the kids walked me to the main road and stood with me as I waited for my ride. We could barely communicate, but Margaret and I knew something important had shifted in our lives that week, and tears were rolling down our faces. Then, just before I got on the bus, I was presented with a bunch of freshly picked bananas, two sweet potatoes and an avocado, all neatly arranged in a basket Margaret had woven from palm fronds. She had nothing but a one-room mud hut, a small square garden out back and one dress she wore every day. Still, she insisted on sharing what she had, and she did it with dignity.

I cried off and on all the way back to Kampala. And I've shed countless tears during my many subsequent trips to Uganda.

Why all the tears?

To be honest, I often feel ashamed of the excess in my life. That I can and do shove more than Margaret's annual income across the counter at Nordstrom for yet another pair of boots that I have to squeeze into my overstuffed closet. That the money I spend on one chai latte would feed five of Margaret's children for the whole day. That I keep my extra possessions in a storage unit that charges the equivalent of sending three of those kids to school for an entire year. Maybe the tears represent a gnawing sense of emptiness that I can't seem to fill regardless of the number of things I buy.

To be honest, I often feel that relationships are conditional. That I'm not sure where I stand with someone because of something said or not said, something done or not done, something felt or not felt, something given or not given. Maybe the tears represent the sense of frustration and loss that come with conditional love.

To be honest, I often feel that I judge too much. That I appraise people too quickly based on appearance, social status or educational background. That I criticize people before putting myself in their shoes. That I don't reach out with an open hand often enough. Maybe the tears represent a sense of embarrassment over not accepting people as they are.

All of these emotions rise to the surface when I'm in Uganda (and I sense that present and past team members may feel the same way).

The children I've met there will love you even if you don't live in a big house, even if you don't wear makeup or jewelry or fancy shoes, even if your pockets are torn and empty, even if you aren't Hollywood pretty or Harvard smart. They love you just because you show up... and because you open your heart. They joyfully take your hand when you first meet, and they never let go.

Maybe that's the thing about tears. Maybe they flow when we simply open our hearts. Maybe they run down our cheeks because we forget about ourselves, all those clothes in our closet, the cars in our garage and the electronic gadgets in our living room. Maybe they flow because we take a break from trying to impress, compete and do what's expected of us. Maybe they well up in our eyes because we realize what's important and what's really not. That perhaps we're wasting too much of our precious time running in circles (the literal translation for mzungu, which is what those of us with white skin are called, is "aimless wanderer"), acquiring, accumulating, counting, measuring, weighing and judging - and not enough time being kind to ourselves and one another, not enough time loving.

Which is what Margaret and her kids, and all the children I've met over these many years of travel to Uganda have tried, without really trying, to teach me. Be present, be kind, be simple and open your heart... and let those tears go right on flowing.