Goodbye Uganda, HELLO Paris!

As sad I was to leave Uganda,  I'm happy that my adventure is continuing to Paris. I arrived this morning and have spent the afternoon exploring and taking tour bus rides to get acquainted with the city.

Wow is it beautiful! Everything is so charming. I love the old-world vibe. All the buildings are historic and have so much character.

I'm sitting on a bench right next to the Seine River that flows through the city. I'll be getting on a boat that takes me through the city at sunset. Im sure it will be amazing!

My Last Day in Africa

I couldn't be more sad! My month long trip is coming to a close. It has gone by much too quickly. My flight leaves Uganda tonight at 11:30 pm.

I just left the baby orphanage and cried the entire drive back to the guesthouse.  It was so heartbreaking leaving behind Hope. She is my little angel that I want to take home. I have spent a lot of time with her and would have loved to adopt her had the adoption fees not been so crazy expensive.

As I pack my things, I hope that I have made a difference here. I hope that at least one child remembers me as their friend. I will miss so many things like the beautiful scenery and African way of life; but most of all the people. There are so many kind souls here that I am not used to experiencing in the US. These are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are so humble and grateful for what little they have. They always put others before themselves. I used to feel sympathy for the people of this country, but I dont anymore.  I just feel love.

More Village Pictures

So much fun!

Bathroom Facilities in the Village

Well its definitely NOT a toilet....its a squatty. I got used to this real quick!

Last day in the Zirobwe Village

Today was my last day in the village. It was heartbreaking to leave. I love these children so much and can't imagine not seeing them again. I leave Uganda tomorrow night....so sad!

Hanging out with my Sponsor Child

Today I got to spend some time with my new sponsor child, Philomila (had the wrong spelling of her name before). I took her to the zoo, lake Victoria, and out for lunch and ice cream. She had never been outside of Kampala or her uncle's village before so it was a lot of fun.

I was glad I got the time to get to know her better. She was just beaming in smiles the entire time. She usually walks home to/ from our Empower a Child guesthouse by herself,  but when I found out that it's an hour walk I insisted on bringing her home....in a cab of course!

I'm glad I did because I got to see her home and meet her family. Her siblings are all so sweet. The home really is only a shack the size of my spare bedroom. She sleeps there with her mom and 6 siblings.  I dont know how they do it!

I was very sad to say goodbye.  It's hard to think that realistically I probably wont ever see her again. At least I know that I can write her and send her gifts. Empower a Child will meet with her a few times a year to help her reply to me.

Camping in the Village

We just returned from three days in the Zirobwe village. What a great time I had! We normally go to the village on Sundays for the day, but staying for the overnights is a deeper experience. 

The kids get so excited when they see the vans pull up. A sea of kiddos run towards us screaming "muzungu! Muzungu!" (white person) as they are so anxious to play. We usually get most of the children in the village to come to the programs we run.

I got the chance to walk to many villager's homes and talk with them for a bit. They are so welcoming! They see it as an honor to have us in their homes (I think its the other way around). Their homes are literally made out of mud and very small. I cant imagine how they fit 5-10 people in them. Most family's possessions are just pots for outdoor cooking, a small rug, and usually a goat or chicken.