"All for the love of AFRICA"

Surely we all at one point in our lives have "nailed something together" for the sole purpose of assembling something with a goal for quick use, without thinking twice about the quality of the work. As for me, I have never achieved such designs that come close to this form of Ugandan art of building.

To be honest, in the beginning of this project, I couldn't help but think that this project could potentially win the "unique structure" award. Quickly, I was proven wrong. I have never seen more dedicated people to a community ownership project as I did here in the "Zion Academy" building project.

From the beginning, I knew this would going to be special due to the location of the village and the people living within. Fortunately we found some awesome masons and carpenters that made all the difference. Unfortunately we had several challenges in the past couple of months that delayed our progress. First, heavy rains forced us to stop and build the roof to protect the mud and rock walls from falling as they attempt to dry. Second, the truck couldn't get as far as we hoped, which meant 32 Iron sheets, 50-110lb bags of cement, nails, timber, and every other supply had to be carried on our heads to the top. Well lets be honest, mostly their heads. My neck barely supports my own head...but we tried! Third, the other trucks refused to attempt the hill to bring sand, aggregate, and hardcore for the cementing of the flooring and walls. As a result, days were spent collecting small small sound from surrounding villages, bagging, and hiking them up on donkeys to the site of the school. Got to love them donkeys. Somehow, everything worked out in the end, and everything we needed found it's way up there. The following weeks proved to me the price of hope is priceless. When generations have live the human cycle of poverty, and despair is rampant, HOPE is the fuel that drives life. This school has given that. I couldn't go anywhere in that village without somebody latching on and thanking the donors by crying "wanjalanobe" or thank you in African english.

A couple weeks ago, we asked the village to come together and fundraise for scholastic materials for the upcoming term for their children. Since the school is a symbol now of their future, the community was excited and began to donate some of the following: chickens, bundles of matoke, banannas, and 1,000 UGX (about 40 cents). Education feels real for the first time on that hillside.

Upon leaving Bunabuyoka, we had what we called an "education day." Thanks to the donors, we established a small library of 50 books, and spoke to the parents about the future and effects of education in Uganda. For what seemed like days, each parent prayed and thanked God for the American's that have helped them so much. In one of the elders own words he said "one day, our children will not be living from hour to hour." The little beautiful babies faces beamed so bright it challenged the sun. I smiled too. It was thrilling to see such appreciation after thousands of hours of work. As of today, things are coming together with the school. Cement will be done soon, and doors and windows will finish it off to kick off the new term! I will post final pictures as soon as I get them.

To round this off, I just wanted to express the love and thanks Bunabuyoka had for each of you that took a moment to pay attention to their little village. It has been a week now away from Uganda, and I still long for the colors of Africa, and the smell of motoke, and the way Ugandans embrace one another and care about your family they have never meet. I miss the positive outlook of so many Ugandan's I knew. Above all, I miss the beauty in the little things the people found that makes them happy and how they incorporate religion and beliefs in every aspect of their life. Despite the challenges with the school, I wouldn't have given this experience up for anything. As for the people, they couldn't have shown more gratitude. For that, we thank you and hope you continue to support this project in the future. Webalee!!

*check out the gallery to view pictures of the new "Zion Academy"

Bunabuyoka Village School

Life in Uganda now seems normal to me that I don't think to write about some of my experiences. My life here has been nothing short of an incredible journey. Not just my journey, but the journey of anyone and everyone that God leads to join us. Whether you're a part of the team, supporting financially, reading my blogs, or helping in any other way, for that I thank you.

I started this blog because I feel I have reached a pinnacle in my journey. The pinnacle of Bunabuyoka. Sometimes in life, you have experiences that would be selfish to keep within. For this reason, I dedicate this to the most dedicated individuals I have ever known: the people of the Bunabuyoka village.

It all started almost three months ago, when we partnered with an organization called CFAI (Christian Faith in Action International). These two young locals (Tesila and Tabitha)have a vision of "reaching the unreached and touching the untouched." Soon after we met, a couple of us set out to reach one of these primitive villages. From where I stay in Mbale, it's an hour long, overcrowded taxi ride to the village, filled with people, animals, and anything else that can fit. Right before Baduda, we start the hike straigt up the mountain through some of the most beautiful jungle I have ever seen. The chilly mountain air, the warm smiles from the children and the jungle sounds make for a PERFECT morning. As I crest up the slopes to the top of the mountain, I hear the faint cries of children welcoming the "visitors." A group of nearly 30 chilren have come running, singing, and dancing with open arms to greet the mysterious "mzungus" (white people). They grab my pack and assist me up to the top where opening festivals and prayers ring through the mountain top. It's here where my words cannot communicate what I felt, but the love permeates every bone in my body. This magical place seems to surface every human emotion known to man. It is here, at the top of the mountain, surrounded by singing children and confronted with smiling, welcoming village leaders that I quickly learned this place was different. There is no pleading for monetary assistance, but instead, they simply ask for knowledge because, at the end of the day, they know that knowledge is the catalyst for change. In their own words: "For us, we are old, and await our time to die, but for the children, they have a chance at life. Please help us educate our young ones." Education is the key to unlocking the third world. The more time you spend in Uganda, the deeper you will become to believe that. I was hesitant, due to the complexity of the area, and overall needs of this community, to start anyting, but the weeks flew by and I felt the need to do something. We are lucky enough to have two awesome teachers on our team, and we have started some teacher training courses as well as finishing drawing plans to build a school. Currently, there are about 100 students that meet in different corners of the small church, beside the mango tree, or wherever they can find room, assisted by three volunteer, untrained teachers all wanting to enhance their skills as primary school educators.

In the planning stages, I was waiting on a final approval of our budget, when I was surprised by our next visit to the village. Upon arrival, the village had started building a foundation to the school before we had a final agreement. I was shocked and slightly upset! Quickly the Elders of the community come running up and stated in their own words: "many Ugandans are not serious about education. We wanted to show you we are ready. We don't need people to build us a school, we just need some help to partner." My heart dropped and the hunt for nearly 4 million UGX (about 1,500 USD) began.

This is a very "ground up" approach to fighting poverty. The project is underway and every stone and dropplet of water is being carried on the heads of the children who will attend the school and the parents who provide for their futures. These pictures you see have been taken in the past couple weeks, and more will come throughout the project. My aim here is to raise around 1,500 USD for the future of these people. All funds will be directed to this project and I hope you stay in touch and watch the dreams of these amazing people unfold before us. We, as brothers and sisters of another race, plead for donations no matter the size. Anything will help. Uganda has taught me the real power of human achievement. It's not about what we have, but what we give. Uganda is called home for some of the world's poorest people, but there a happy people. They give me so much, and I try so hard to reciprocate but feel I give so little. For me, I have never been surrounded by a happier people. They are the closest I have had to a family since landing on African soil.

Their prayers at the beginning of our meeting began by thanking God in fultillment of their prayers to bring white people to their land to teach their children. For most in the village, they have never even seen a white person. These people spoon feed me from their endless supply of compassion and joy and I hope tat you can unite with me in giving someting little back by giving hope to the children of Bunabuyoka.
ONE LOVE, ONE UGANDA