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Saturday, December 18, 2011 - Kampala

By Amanda Wirtz

As I stretched out under my mosquito net, I glanced around the room in sheer curiosity. What time is it? Or perhaps better yet - is it time to wake up? Although a six am awakening seemed mildly inappropriate considering our 28 hour voyage the day prior, I was ready to go! And so were my other jet lagged comrades. Geoff, Shelly and I met for breakfast in the guest house lounge where the rest of our more 'acclimated' teammates soon followed. We enjoyed fruit, eggs, and discussions about whether or not the tea and coffee water was 'safe'. We not only discovered that we have an interest in improving the human condition; we're also risk takers. Down with the tea and coffee!

Shelly, Geoff, Joanna and I ventured around the grounds determined to find something fascinating. It soon found us! Well-dressed Ugandans heralding beautiful melodies in Lugandan rocked back and forth in unison; their door attendant soon waved us in. We had stumbled upon a consecration ceremony for the 'Global Awakening Campaign'. Apparently we were the only 'visitors' - our most gracious host asked us to stand as he greeted 'Sisters Shelly, Amanda, and Joanna and Brother Geoff'. After our visit, our group noted that their vocal efforts were seemingly flawless - their praise was far from structure chant - but a passionate and organic intertwinement of souls.

After our 'awakening', the whole team made a short voyage to a nearby church with a rather robust history - Namirembe Cathedral. As we scaled a hill to the church grounds (atop the highest of the seven hills of Kampala), several team members pointed to a young man with a violin case. Being a violin player myself, I immediately honed in. After a few minutes of conversation, I learned that our new friend Earnest was not only a violin player, but a geography teacher and member of the church. We soon flocked around Earnest who was more than willing to provide an improvised tour of the grounds. From war to educational reform, we learned that the cathedral is not only impressive in its design, but also in its ability to contain - so elegantly - a beautiful and tragic history.

Tusu joined us for a meeting and, as we enjoyed a buffet lunch (inclusive of native delicacies such as goat meat and cassava), we discussed future plans for exploring Kampala. Due to traffic complications associated with voting season, protests, and just being an insanely congested city, our team decided to venture into the immediately local community. Along with hundreds of other pedestrians, Boda Boda riders (mopeds), and vans pumping thick diesel exhaust - we ventured alongside a busy street to a nearby Orphanage. Settled in the dust of a community plagued with disease and poverty, laid a small garden of hope - Sanyu Babies Home - a place where over 50 children 'grow'… in hopes of being fostered or adopted. An employee introduced us to the mission and the challenges associated with the orphanage. The children were enjoying a Christmas party and our guide invited us back tomorrow morning to work as volunteers; we gladly accepted.

One of the ways the orphanage supports their operation is through a craft cooperative. A roughly renovated steel container housed beautiful handy-work. Sara, a jewelry maker taught Shelly, Joanna and I how she and her cooperative 'partners' managed to transform relative decorative scraps into jewelry that would put most La Jolla boutiques to shame. Philippe managed to use his photography skills while he exercised his patience. Girls can be girls; not only did we spend some doe (135,000 shillings), we also managed to soak up some time. Chuck apparently reached his estrogen threshold, and departed to meet several Sudanese friends back at the hotel. In the mean time, Geoff and his new friend Moses (age 4) managed to entertain each other on the play ground. It was difficult to leave and not consider adoption. Moses was pretty convinced as well - he followed Geoff to the gate as we departed.

We continued on foot to a nearby hospital - Mengo Hospital (apparently the largest hospital in the area) where we had hoped to obtain a tour. After reading a photocopied news article tacked to the courtyard bulletin board entitled, "Fake Doctor Nabbed" (a story about the crumbling health infrastructure of Uganda paired with a tale of an imposter doctor who has been rotating local hospitals), a nurse with a rather unimpressed expression informed us that no one was available to give us a tour. Nevertheless, we got a rather comprehensive view of the lack of comprehensive care. The clinic was scant - sanitation, even more so.

Before dinner, Chuck entertained his Sudanese friends while the rest of the team enjoyed a short reprieve from the excitement of the day. We joined together again for dinner - conversations ranged from politics, to the cost of education to who would follow in my blogging footsteps. I pity the fool…