Day 3: Safari & Refugees

I'm sitting here in the safari van watching the sunrise over the savannah(?) with animals surrounding us. There is a herd of deer to my right and warthogs to my left.

We just found the two mother lions and their cubs!

Then it got ticket and started to hiss? Roar? Growl? All of the above.
Seeing these animals in the wild is an experience.
There is something about being in a place you have dreamed about and longed for for years. I mean for crying out loud there is a giraffe painted in my childhood bedroom and now I'm sitting here with the wind blowing through my hair, the smell of the wild ;), and real wild giraffes running next to the van.

Or an elephant in the sunrise munching away. It's taking my breath away and quite lit
erally at times making my eyes water in joy.

We went back to the hotel hotel for lunch which was SO good. Yellow sweet potatoes, avocados, rice and incredible beans. Then we waited around for awhile. A long while actually and I'm not sure why. And now that the day is gone I'm really sad we sat there and wasted those hours because...

So we finally load the vans and start on our journey to the refugee settlement. This settlement is one of the smallest in Uganda but still has 67,000 refugees. It's been open since 1990 and houses refugees from a few places but many from South Sudan. Uganda does the settlements differently in that they give the refugees a plot of land so they can build.

Let's back up for a minutes. I teach a book called: A Long Walk to Water. Stop what you are doing and download it right now or order it on Amazon. Actually order it. Let's start a movement. You order the book, then read it, then give it to someone you know and have them read it. Write your thoughts, feelings, or just name in the book and let's get those books being passed around. If you have kids over 10 have them read it to.
It's a short read and written for a young audience even though the content is heavy.
It's one of the most powerful books I've read and for sure the best book that has come to education and teaching.
The book is based on true stories. It follows two people. One, a boy who is fleeing the Southern Sudan war and goes through Hell and two, a girl who has to walk to her water for her family every day and cannot attend school.
Anyway, after reading the book and seeing the struggles that go on being here is well, a lot to handle.
Seeing the people walking with the yellow water containers, seeing the children balancing them on their heads or tying multiple to bikes...
Seeing the well and the line of people and then seeing those who did not have a well at the river bank, , filling those containers with cloudy brown water.
Today I cried. It was so much and it became so real. I know this is their life and way of living but everyone should have access to clean water. It hurts to know people are dying of diseases that could be prevented if the village had a well.
Ok fast forward. When I found out that we were going to get to go to a refugee camp for the Southern Sudan and that Suzanne had gone and talked with men from the Dinka tribe I was elated.
When we finally pulled into the

camp I was nervous because it was late and we were late. The sun was starting to go down and a huge storm was blowing it. We got in the vans and were escorted by the police to the first refugee school where we were to hand out hygiene kits, teach hand washing lessons, and give reusable menstration pads and teach about them. Well, when we first arrived I went straight for then kids carrying the water jugs.

Then we headed to the first class but it started to downpour and the winds came.

So we had to hurry.

The roads got bad to the point where we were sliding the van off into the bushes so we couldn't visit anymore. I'm majorly bummed out. But, thankful to have at least had the chance to come even if just for a moment. I can't wait to take my knowledge and pictures back to my district and begin funding for a well.

I also feel the need to come back. I wish I had more time here to go into the camp and collect stories. To go to the wells and meet and talk with the people but I don't. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, it's only been 4 days and I already feel that increased inner desire to serve refocus my life. I've had my perspective reset and light bulb inside replaced that gives me hope, desire, and passion.