After being on a plane for such a long time, some things still seem a little baffling.
I mean, why is it of such importance that your seat is upright for take off and landing and that your window blind is up????
And has anyone actually tried the brace position in their seats? I'm sure you wouldn't actually accomplish the position in the small seating area you have on a plane!!!!
One thing that made us laugh on the safety video this time though was the fact they advised me to loosen their ties and unbutton their collars in the case of an emergency!!!! Really?????
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Why Uganda, why now?
And my initial response is why not?
I mean, does anyone ever ask why you are taking a holiday to Spain or the Caribbean? Probably not!
Uganda is such a beautiful country. The people are so welcoming and the sights amazing. There are lots of tourist things to do so you can take a holiday in this part of Africa. Whether you want relaxation, a true African experience or carry out missionary work, Uganda has the key to it all.
Uganda is, and always will be a part of our lives. Lutaaya was born in Uganda and it’s important she shares my love for the country - her country. There is so much heritage, history and culture there that I would be selfish not to share this with her. This country gets into your blood, and to deprive her of knowing and experiencing Uganda, the pearl of Africa, would be a failing on my part.
When Lutaaya joined our family, Ugandan culture came too. To adopt a child and remove them from their birth country is a huge undertaking. Yes she is now British, but Uganda holds her roots. When you adopt internationally, you take on a piece of the country. To forget about a child’s birth culture would be an injustice to them.
I want Lutaaya to see all aspects of her beautiful birth country. I want her to see the poverty, but also the wealth. I want her to see the corruptions, but also the justice. I want her to hold precious memories of Uganda in her heart and mind forever.
Our trip will be a lot of memory making. We are planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, as well as work, while we are in the country.
Why now? Well Lutaaya has been in our family for 2 ½ years now. Any sooner and I think we would have all had a melt down. Now she is settled into life here. She understands what a holiday is and knows that this is home. It feels like the right time, and hopefully it will be the first of many a trip.
So I hope you will follow the blog over the next few weeks and share with us on our journey back to Uganda. Maybe one day, Uganda will be calling you?
I mean, does anyone ever ask why you are taking a holiday to Spain or the Caribbean? Probably not!
Uganda is such a beautiful country. The people are so welcoming and the sights amazing. There are lots of tourist things to do so you can take a holiday in this part of Africa. Whether you want relaxation, a true African experience or carry out missionary work, Uganda has the key to it all.
Uganda is, and always will be a part of our lives. Lutaaya was born in Uganda and it’s important she shares my love for the country - her country. There is so much heritage, history and culture there that I would be selfish not to share this with her. This country gets into your blood, and to deprive her of knowing and experiencing Uganda, the pearl of Africa, would be a failing on my part.
When Lutaaya joined our family, Ugandan culture came too. To adopt a child and remove them from their birth country is a huge undertaking. Yes she is now British, but Uganda holds her roots. When you adopt internationally, you take on a piece of the country. To forget about a child’s birth culture would be an injustice to them.
I want Lutaaya to see all aspects of her beautiful birth country. I want her to see the poverty, but also the wealth. I want her to see the corruptions, but also the justice. I want her to hold precious memories of Uganda in her heart and mind forever.
Our trip will be a lot of memory making. We are planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, as well as work, while we are in the country.
Why now? Well Lutaaya has been in our family for 2 ½ years now. Any sooner and I think we would have all had a melt down. Now she is settled into life here. She understands what a holiday is and knows that this is home. It feels like the right time, and hopefully it will be the first of many a trip.
So I hope you will follow the blog over the next few weeks and share with us on our journey back to Uganda. Maybe one day, Uganda will be calling you?
Fundraising Friday
Thank you to all of you who have raised funds for the pit latrine appeal. Unfortunately we had a hold up on the donate button so it still isn’t available for anyone wanting to donate who live further a field. When it does all get organised there will still be chance to donate though even if this doesn’t happen until after our visit.
We have however raised £768.64
A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped raise this amazing sum.
I have rounded the amount up to £800.00, which is still £200.00 off our target. So if you are still raising funds for Lent, please keep up the good work and keep donating. We are almost there.
Thank you.
We have however raised £768.64
A big thank you to everyone who took part and helped raise this amazing sum.
I have rounded the amount up to £800.00, which is still £200.00 off our target. So if you are still raising funds for Lent, please keep up the good work and keep donating. We are almost there.
Thank you.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Identity
Everyone needs an identity. We all have a name and that forms the basis of our identity, but identity goes so much deeper.
We have the right to an identity. The right to feel comfortable within our own skin and the right to feel proud of who we are.
Our nationality comes into play with our identity too. I mean, how many people were proud to be Welsh this past Saturday, as Wales defeated England in the rugby and won the championship?
Children who spend their young lives growing up in an orphanage or institution tend to lose all sight of their identity. They become a statistic and lose all individuality. Some characters shine through, while others are forgotten in the background. It's a cruel place, where children forget who they really are and become 'institutionalised'.
You see their eyes glaze over. They fail to regulate their emotions. So when something good is happening, they may become hyper alert or suddenly lose control of their emotions, coming across in either a positive or negative way.
Families help us gain our identity as an individual.
As a person within our own right, in a family where we belong, is where we thrive. It's where we become the person we are meant to be.
Lutaaya was once one of the statistics. Given a chance to have her own identity and become the wonderful girl she is, through the gift of adoption. A time to thrive within her own family - a family in which she belongs, where she is loved.
To allow Lutaaya to explore her identity means a balance of her Ugandan roots and her Welsh family heritage. Lutaaya is Ugandan born, growing up in a Welsh culture.
We try and eat Luganan cuisine when we fancy it, so the culinary delights of Uganda remain fresh in her mind. We have Ugandan art in our home. We celebrate St David's Day and we shout as loud as possible at the TV when Wales play rugby.
Identity is much more than just a culture though. Identity is knowing who we are, where we've come from and ultimately where we belong.
Identity is acceptance.
Identity is pride.
Identity is belonging.
When Lutaaya first came home, she had lots of dolls. It was important at that early stage that her dolls were balanced, some white, some black. She needed to know that even though she was black, growing up in a white family, that her identity was as precious as anyone elses. She loved seeing dolls that resembled her. Yet they are difficult to source.
Birthdays are always another opportunity to not discourage her identity. We are primarily a white society, and so our communities cater for the needs of white people. Birthday cards represent this in a very visual way. Take a look in your local card shop and see how many black, chinese, or any other minority race are represented in their stock. I guarantee you there aren't many. I always try and avoid the typical white child graphic cards and choose a neutral card with teddies, etc on them for Lutaaya to have. There are multicultural cards out there, but they are again difficult to find.
To celebrate identity and diversity, it would be wonderful to see more images like this in our shops. To see African and Asian dolls more readily available for children to have the opportunity to explore different cultures and to find their own identity.
We say we are a multicultural nation, but are we really?
We have the right to an identity. The right to feel comfortable within our own skin and the right to feel proud of who we are.
Our nationality comes into play with our identity too. I mean, how many people were proud to be Welsh this past Saturday, as Wales defeated England in the rugby and won the championship?
Children who spend their young lives growing up in an orphanage or institution tend to lose all sight of their identity. They become a statistic and lose all individuality. Some characters shine through, while others are forgotten in the background. It's a cruel place, where children forget who they really are and become 'institutionalised'.
You see their eyes glaze over. They fail to regulate their emotions. So when something good is happening, they may become hyper alert or suddenly lose control of their emotions, coming across in either a positive or negative way.
Families help us gain our identity as an individual.
As a person within our own right, in a family where we belong, is where we thrive. It's where we become the person we are meant to be.
Lutaaya was once one of the statistics. Given a chance to have her own identity and become the wonderful girl she is, through the gift of adoption. A time to thrive within her own family - a family in which she belongs, where she is loved.
To allow Lutaaya to explore her identity means a balance of her Ugandan roots and her Welsh family heritage. Lutaaya is Ugandan born, growing up in a Welsh culture.
We try and eat Luganan cuisine when we fancy it, so the culinary delights of Uganda remain fresh in her mind. We have Ugandan art in our home. We celebrate St David's Day and we shout as loud as possible at the TV when Wales play rugby.
Identity is much more than just a culture though. Identity is knowing who we are, where we've come from and ultimately where we belong.
Identity is acceptance.
Identity is pride.
Identity is belonging.
When Lutaaya first came home, she had lots of dolls. It was important at that early stage that her dolls were balanced, some white, some black. She needed to know that even though she was black, growing up in a white family, that her identity was as precious as anyone elses. She loved seeing dolls that resembled her. Yet they are difficult to source.
Birthdays are always another opportunity to not discourage her identity. We are primarily a white society, and so our communities cater for the needs of white people. Birthday cards represent this in a very visual way. Take a look in your local card shop and see how many black, chinese, or any other minority race are represented in their stock. I guarantee you there aren't many. I always try and avoid the typical white child graphic cards and choose a neutral card with teddies, etc on them for Lutaaya to have. There are multicultural cards out there, but they are again difficult to find.
 |
| Uncle Dan managed to track a good card down for Lutaaya's birthday |
 |
| The collection is found at Harrod's |
To celebrate identity and diversity, it would be wonderful to see more images like this in our shops. To see African and Asian dolls more readily available for children to have the opportunity to explore different cultures and to find their own identity.
We say we are a multicultural nation, but are we really?
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