So we made it to Uganda. What a start to the morning, with heavy snow? It was a struggle to get to the airport but we made it and everything ran to time. Turkish airlines were very good to travel with.
We realised we travelled through 5 different countries within 24 hours - Wales, England, Turkey, Rwanda, Uganda. Wow! What a journey!
To say were tired when we arrived was an understatement.
We had a friendly welcome at the airport with Abu picking us up. He did so well in organising our accomodation while we are in Kampala. We have a huuuuge room, with our own bathroom facilities and walk in wardrobe! It's amazing. The main thing is, there are friendly staff and it is spotlessly clean.
A quick nap on arriving and we soon had our first visitors - Keren and her daughter. We brought some goodies out to them. It was lovely to see them again.
We spent the morning at Watoto church. We hoped to grab brunch afterwards, but guess what? Mwanzo's no longer do brunch! :(
So it was a trip to the food court, where Abu got the surprise of his life as the waiters tried touting for business. Yes, if you've been here, you know exactly what I mean, and if you haven't - you should come and experience it for yourself!
So today we've had a lazy day, trying to sort out phones and internet. We had a very early wake-up call 5.30am, with a local lady on a speaker preaching to the village! We really didn't appreciate her timings. We could just about handle the general noise of the village animals but this was at a totally different sound level!
We still have no internet at the guest house so have quickly popped to the internet cafe to update everyone that we arrived safely. Hopefully if we get internet access I can upload some pictures on here and facebook and keep you more regularly updated.
We are getting into Ugandan life with the bartering for special hire taxis. The Ugandan boda boda drivers find it hilarious that I can say I want to walk in Lugandan, and Lutaaya thinks it's pretty funny too! This mzungu will not pay mzungu prices!
Hoping to get to do some work out here too, so we'll see where that leads and keep you posted.
Time to go grab some food.............
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Street Children
There are so many children on the streets here in Kampala, it is truly heart breaking. Lutaaya was struck by the sight of so many children having to resort to begging. These childre, clothed in rags, sitting on the side of the road, begging. Then the children who risk their lives by weaving in and out of the busy Kampala traffic, to try and get some handouts from the passengers passing by. It really is such an upsetting scene.
You can feel helpless. To do nothing is almost a sin. How can I tell my child to simply ignore them? So many do, but yet how can they turn their heads as if they are not there?
To hand over money is never a good option as you never know who is watching these children. Many mothers of the children hang around, close by. Many are Karamajong women, moved from their area.
We can't turn our heads and do nothing.
We can't change their lives during our short stay but we can out something in their tummies.
So we fill our bags with bread rolls and as they pass our taxi, we fill their hands with a few sweet, nutritious rolls.
It's a small way of helping. A tiny gesture but in the midst of it all we hope it carries a great meaning - we care!
We can't turn our heads and do nothing.
We can't change their lives during our short stay but we can out something in their tummies.
So we fill our bags with bread rolls and as they pass our taxi, we fill their hands with a few sweet, nutritious rolls.
It's a small way of helping. A tiny gesture but in the midst of it all we hope it carries a great meaning - we care!
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Plane trivia
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?????
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?????
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?
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Colour of our hearts
Throughout the world we each take on a different skin colours.
Within a family, different family members may even take on different skin tones. Some may be paler than others, some darker.
Then you get families, like mine, where two cultures become one. When two members of the same family, take on completely different skin colours.
It means that wherever we go, if people don't know us, and don't hear me being called Mam by my wonderful brown skinned daughter, they may not automatically acknowledge us as family.
But that is what we are!
Family!
Two cultures. One family!
Our family is made up of two skin colours.
I dare say you very rarely give your skin colour a second thought. It's the skin you are born into and the one you accept as being you. That is no different for our family. Some days I even forget that we are so different on the outside. We see each other as people, not a skin colour.
Others on the outside though want to stick labels on people. Especially when people are 'different' to what they know or even accept.
You can start school or a job and one question they ask is your ethnicity. Within our house, we would need to tick two boxes. White and black.
Not ever, in this modern world we live in, does there ever appear a box entitled 'coloured'.
I guess a 'coloured' option box would get us all confused. After all, I have one colour skin, you may be a shade different from me, someone else another and another.....you get the picture.
You see we are all 'coloured'.
We are like a box of crayons. Some colours may be similar, some exactly the same, and others completely on the other side of the rainbow. Each unique within their own right. Each needed to fill the box and each with their own purpose.
So why on earth do people still refer to my daughter as 'coloured'?
She is no more 'coloured' than you or me! She may be quite a few shades darker than me but she certainly isn't 'coloured'.
This comment drives me scatty! Why we need to label someone by their skin colour I do not know. if there is a time when we need to describe a person on the physical appearance then please get educated as to what would be a better term to use.
For purposes of application form tick boxes, then yes we fall into the 'white' and 'black' categories. On a personal level my daughter refers to her skin tone as brown. (Which indeed her skin colour is)
How you refer to your skin tone/colour is your choice. You have a right to have that choice respected. You also have a responsibility to those around you to respect their choices.
So please, educate yourselves and your children that no matter what colour someone's skin colour is, it's the person on the inside who counts. Educate them that the word 'coloured' should have been abolished with the slave trade, because being white is no more superior than being black, brown, yellow, etc. We are all one tribe - human. We make a colourful nation, each with a unique culture and set of customs behind it. Educate them that sometimes, a family can consist of more than one skin colour, and that yes that may be different but it is OK. Let children ask questions, so they learn about cultures and traditions. Don't shut them down and be scared of asking in the fear of offending someone. We all make mistakes and say the wrong thing from time to time. If you're reading this and thinking, oh dear, I think I've said that to her and offended her, then no, I'm not offended. I just ask that you learn so my daughter, and others, know they can be proud of the skin they were born into and are not second best to any one else in the communities they live in.
We are one family made up of two cultures. Our two cultures join with many others to make our nation the multicultural nation that it is.
Imagine a box with only one colour crayon. You wouldn't get a lot of pictures or creativity from that. We need every colour to make the box complete. Just like we need every culture in our wonderful world and in each of our communities to make them beautiful and complete.
Within a family, different family members may even take on different skin tones. Some may be paler than others, some darker.
Then you get families, like mine, where two cultures become one. When two members of the same family, take on completely different skin colours.
It means that wherever we go, if people don't know us, and don't hear me being called Mam by my wonderful brown skinned daughter, they may not automatically acknowledge us as family.
But that is what we are!
Family!
Two cultures. One family!
 |
| 2 cultures + 1 family = LOVE |
I dare say you very rarely give your skin colour a second thought. It's the skin you are born into and the one you accept as being you. That is no different for our family. Some days I even forget that we are so different on the outside. We see each other as people, not a skin colour.
Others on the outside though want to stick labels on people. Especially when people are 'different' to what they know or even accept.
You can start school or a job and one question they ask is your ethnicity. Within our house, we would need to tick two boxes. White and black.
Not ever, in this modern world we live in, does there ever appear a box entitled 'coloured'.
I guess a 'coloured' option box would get us all confused. After all, I have one colour skin, you may be a shade different from me, someone else another and another.....you get the picture.
You see we are all 'coloured'.
We are like a box of crayons. Some colours may be similar, some exactly the same, and others completely on the other side of the rainbow. Each unique within their own right. Each needed to fill the box and each with their own purpose.
So why on earth do people still refer to my daughter as 'coloured'?
She is no more 'coloured' than you or me! She may be quite a few shades darker than me but she certainly isn't 'coloured'.
This comment drives me scatty! Why we need to label someone by their skin colour I do not know. if there is a time when we need to describe a person on the physical appearance then please get educated as to what would be a better term to use.
For purposes of application form tick boxes, then yes we fall into the 'white' and 'black' categories. On a personal level my daughter refers to her skin tone as brown. (Which indeed her skin colour is)
How you refer to your skin tone/colour is your choice. You have a right to have that choice respected. You also have a responsibility to those around you to respect their choices.
So please, educate yourselves and your children that no matter what colour someone's skin colour is, it's the person on the inside who counts. Educate them that the word 'coloured' should have been abolished with the slave trade, because being white is no more superior than being black, brown, yellow, etc. We are all one tribe - human. We make a colourful nation, each with a unique culture and set of customs behind it. Educate them that sometimes, a family can consist of more than one skin colour, and that yes that may be different but it is OK. Let children ask questions, so they learn about cultures and traditions. Don't shut them down and be scared of asking in the fear of offending someone. We all make mistakes and say the wrong thing from time to time. If you're reading this and thinking, oh dear, I think I've said that to her and offended her, then no, I'm not offended. I just ask that you learn so my daughter, and others, know they can be proud of the skin they were born into and are not second best to any one else in the communities they live in.
We are one family made up of two cultures. Our two cultures join with many others to make our nation the multicultural nation that it is.
Imagine a box with only one colour crayon. You wouldn't get a lot of pictures or creativity from that. We need every colour to make the box complete. Just like we need every culture in our wonderful world and in each of our communities to make them beautiful and complete.
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