Rachel & Chrystina's Kampala Adventure

Overlooking half of Nakasero market, where I buy my food.

Leslie, Chrystina, and Rachel. Says it all!

Inside Owino Market a few stalls are rented as office space for tailoring work.

The taxi park on Sunday, very tame.

Another view of the taxi park, the brown strip in the center are small shops.
The KCC has removed so many from the sidewalk and street.

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Networking in the Slums

Networking is not surprisingly the means to ministering to so many in the Ntinda area. Mandal and several friends began serving those with HIV/AIDS in very practical ways usually resulting in connecting families to local resources. I was invited to tour this community slum and meet a few of those their organization serves.

  

Nalongo (the Luganda word for “mother of twins”) is HIV positive. Her skin is broken out with itchy rash. Her daughter, Babiryi (the word for “eldest girl twin”), cares for the family during those times when Nalongo isn’t well. Babiryi’s son Henry, the second of two boy twins, is also HIV positive. Mandal and his team identified the following health care and income generation as priorities for this family.

Joyce is HIV positive. Her husband died years ago from HIV/AIDS. Joyce is caring for her five girls who are in day school. The team helped her start a small business making food to eat. Though, I marveled at this “charcoal” made from cassava paste and garbage. The team identified healthcare and income generation as priority needs for this family.

Samuel is HIV positive. His wife died many years ago of AIDS and he is caring for their 5 children. The children are in day school at the favor of that school and when they come home each night, this is what they come home to (see below). The team identified food and clothing as priorities for this family, though I wonder why shelter would not be near the top of that list.

Uganda Cares provides health care for some of the more than 20 families under the team’s watchful eye and a few people in the community supplement food staples and clothing when they can, gifts from slum dwellers aren’t often durable enough. Though entirely unrelated to any business development, I feel a burden for the home of Samuel and his five children. If you would like to help reinforce this tiny structure, probably less than $500 would get a nice start, please click here.

This is the entire Samuel household where he and his five children live.

This door is just behind Samuel in the first picture.
From this spot I took all the rest of the photos.

A 90 degree turn from the doorway and this is the ceiling.

Pivot to the left.

Pivot to the right.

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A Dolly for Diana from Sue

Kansanga Miracle Center had a thanksgiving celebration on December 20^th. My second year at this Christmas program was just as rewarding as the first. Vickie manages to get me a super-VIP seat and the meal is always delicious. This woman of God is always faithfully serving her church and the various outreaches they hold. I’m so thankful for her.

Just inside the balcony door I found my white plastic chair. The choir at this church is amazing so I had a premium view. While waiting, little Diana and her shock of hair caught my eye. She wasn’t sure about greeting me but eventually gained the courage. She was rewarded with a dolly whose head peaked out the top of my big black bag. The smile spread wide across her face and her maama was so surprised.

Upside down the dolly went as Diana checked under the dress. She took of the name card and put it back on about three times…just testing the working parts. Bows, ribbons, buttons…each detail poured over with the care of a true mother.

Vickie found me in that balcony and escorted me to the fourth row in the front and the worship began. Bye-bye Diana and hello singing and dancing and praise. Thank you, Jesus, for a little bit of normal home’ish Christmas programs with a whole lotta power!

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A Dolly for Maria from Anonymous

Eyes closed. This special boy dolly is given anonymously in memory of Jeremy Droge who went to be with Jesus on July 24…way too early. Maria’s daddy went to be with Jesus too early too. Tiny Maria told me that she's about nine years old and her daddy went when she was about five. Maria stays with a nearby friend because she has no biological family who will take her. A very common life for children in Uganda. When I asked Maria if she remembered how sad she felt when her daddy went to heaven she was very firm in her reply. She remembered.

I told her that a girl in America lost her daddy too and that this dolly can be a reminder to her to pray for Kaitlyn’s heartache. She received that dolly with the world’s biggest smile. She promised to pray for Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn’s mommy whenever she saw that dolly (which will be often).

Scripture refers to death metaphorically as sleep, and that’s why this particular dolly is wearing his clothes facing the eyes-closed side. But one day, Jeremy’s wife and daughter will see him again – and Maria will see her daddy again too – and those tiny bibs can be turned to the eyes-open side of the dolly.

I am all too familiar with the pain this family is experiencing, particularly as I approach the fourth anniversary of Rick’s death, and I feel so honored to be entrusted to give this particular gift of love. I only wish I could do more. Shannon and Kaitlyn, my heart both aches and rejoices with you.

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Romas

Some people just love having fun and Ronald is no exception. He started a small business called Romas and that business focuses on providing fun experiences for children’s parties. He and his friends load themselves and all their gear into a lorry and head to wherever the client wishes. Giant bouncy castles, portable swimming pools, face painting, balloons (and now balloon animals, thanks to the Hassett family), juggling clowns, and more. The business targets a population of Ugandans who have higher discretionary income than those I typically work with.

In all fairness, Ronald has some
not so lovely pictures of me too.

Ronald invited me to offer some business development advice and to do that, I suggested that perhaps I attend his next event so that I could experience his work first hand. Alongside this experience, we need to talk more about his organization but I had a great opportunity to get started.

Among many practical suggestions related to operations, human resources, and marketing, one of the biggest challenges was limiting participation to client invitees. The venue offered several party gathering spots and most assuredly each area was filled with children celebrating some special occasion. Inflating that bright yellow bouncy oasis, though, was a magnet for each and every child in the entire recreation area. We talked about a wrist band or hand stamp to identify client invited children, which is easy enough to manage. However, Ronald misses so many opportunities for business and service sampling when required to limit guests. What do you think? How can he take advantage of the potential income from non-client children while protecting the client relationship?

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A Dolly for Ajallah from Laura

As the Superhero Undie Boys received their gifts, Ajallah looked on with patience. The children of the neighborhood were gathering to watch and some started clamoring for a gift for themselves. Little Ajallah just watched. And after all was said and done, and the children began to disperse, little Ajallah and her new-undie-brother continued to sit on their step together. I turned my back to go but felt a little tug in my heart, the one where I know I need to leave a dolly behind.

I crept up to Ajallah, knelt low to her height, and produced a dolly for her. A smile spread across her face in a way I’ve yet to see on a child receiving this gift. It was something like, wow…a gift for me? Oh thank you, I never expected that. The nearby maamas, not her maama though, thanked me for the gift and were so very pleased that someone like me (white) would come into their neighborhood and give gifts. Makes me want to come back and just sit and talk with them.

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Superhero Undies

Three older boys got some superhero undies
along the way to finding these younger boys.

Right across the street from a little local food restaurant in Kabalagala is the entrance to a slum. I’ve been into the mouth of this place for chapatti and rolex before but never alone and never too deep. As I turned the corner, people almost immediately started commenting about the lone muzungu meandering down the lane. How far do I go before I should really turn back? I wondered. One man realized I was giving things away and he demanded a gift for himself. He wouldn’t take my word that the gift was not fit for him, but instead for little boys. He said, “I’m a little boy.” Finally, I popped a size 2T pair of Superhero undies out of the bag and asked if they would fit him. He quit pestering me.

A nearby old man asked what I needed and I said, “lots of little boys.” After the words escaped my lips I realized how the comment sounded. Luckily, I wasn’t in America and the phrase had no ill meaning. I’ve met several moseas (old men) who truly have the best interests of their neighborhoods at heart so…off I went. He led me deeper into the slum and around a corner – being careful to remember where I was and not to go too far. There they were…10 little boys just waiting to see what I was going to pull out of my bag.

They gathered themselves onto the step in front of a closed business and the mosea excused himself for the errand he had been on before being interrupted. Two mothers sat behind a grass screen blocking the sun. They looked on with amusement. I handed each boy three pair of undies that seemed close to his size as each said thank you in his best English.  I told the children that there was a lady in America who gave this gift and that we want them to know that Jesus loves them. I told the boys about the armor of God, more specifically the belt of truth, and asked that when they put their new underwear on they should remember the story.

And to Joyce, the lady who gave me all her gift cards with just a few dollars left on each, I say thank you. You can make a difference with even the smallest gift too.

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Konoweka Girly Dresses

The Konoweka ladies began their sewing practice by making girly dresses. The first batch, although in need of some refinement, was donated to girlies in the Banda slums where our group meets weekly. Don’t the girlies look cute?

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A Dolly for Nina from Reagen

The back alleys of Kabalagala netted a good place to stop for some quick service to the brakes on the boda boda. I admired a nearby Honda, although in very poor condition, and a debate about the quality of the Boxer brand versus the Honda brand of motorcycles ensued. I am firmly on the side of the Honda even given the somewhat ratty appearance of this particular bike, but I let the guys have their argument while I perched on the veranda while waiting.

Two giggly little girls – perhaps twins – greeted me in their kneeling fashion and I couldn’t help but pull out the little dolly gift. They were exquisitely happy with their new prize…until the big girl walked by and teasingly lifted the dolly from their hands and pretended she was the new dolly-maama. Nina blinked, took one breath and then in the highest pitch possible – perhaps even the dogs couldn’t here this one – began wailing.

Everyone in the vicinity looked at me as though I’d poked her eye out but soon saw the trouble maker and had a good laugh at my new little girly friends’ expense. Humph, boys!

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Grace's New Shoes

The phone kept on ringing. As a practice I don’t answer when I don’t recognize the number…if I did, I’d be married a hundred times over…or at least invited to be. This day, though, after a very persistent effort on the part of the caller, I took a chance and picked up the phone. Grace’s sweet voice greeted me (meet Grace) and asked for a bit of help. Grace needed a new pair of shoes and some pocket money for school. Shoes…

I realize that the need for shoes is really nothing new, but I choose to see the request as a reminder of the beautiful life that walks in those shoes and all the lives I’ve come to appreciate along the way. These few blog posts tell a bit of the story.

http://lesliemosher.blogspot.com/2010/03/life-of-these-shoes.html

http://blog.surprisedbyhope.org/2012/03/sensible-shoes-walk-in-way-of-love.html

A trip to Owino Market is not for the faint of heart but this was the best place to find shoes…if I can find them. Just a few days earlier I essentially got lost in the bowels of that place with people grabbing at me from all sides. Even so, I felt privileged to have the opportunity to select and deliver the shoes to meet Grace’s need.

Grace assigned the 1:00 hour as the time I should arrive with the shoes and I was pretty close. Rain disturbed my travel plans a bit. Once I arrived at Uganda Martyrs High School the search for Grace began. Do you ever do that? Search for Grace? Next time we’ll plan a meeting place at this big school. She easily found me, though, and she hugged me like a long lost friend. On her way into exams, she had just a few minutes while she patiently waited for me to snap a photo before running off again. She promised a longer visit once school let out in August.

See you soon, Grace!

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Chiquilla Makes Our Dresses

The gorgeous purple dress is for Phyllis. Her pretty white
hairs will be adorable with the white flowers in the dress.

The beautiful African-style’ish dress I wore when speaking at church and at school was made by lovely Chaquilla of Zwadde Tailoring. In preparation for my next visit, I hiked up the muddy Kampala street whose name I don’t know to the small avenue across from M-50. That’s my landmark to know when to turn. Another dress is in order and this time I need two. Phyllis loved the dress so much she ordered one too. I’m not sure if Chaquilla remembered me or not but she was certainly sweet enough when I returned to place the order.

Later that week I had a simple sewing project where I needed the help of a sewing machine – yes, I buy machines for everyone else but then hire someone to sew samples to use in teaching. I thought of Chaquilla and sure enough, she was THE best. I told her I work with a group of women, mostly widows, who were learning to sew and that I needed her help. After spending some great time hunting down someone who could work on my project immediately, she confided that she was also a widow. Of course, I blurted out “me too.”

We began exchanging stories and I learned that Chaquilla was not a widow when I saw her six months ago. Her husband wasn’t feeling well – fever, chills – and was assigned bed rest by doctors. He died that night and she still doesn’t know what from (such are the medical advances here). Chaquilla was three months pregnant at the time.

After she went to great lengths to find someone to work on my samples, she returned with a bag full of cooked rice and said “eat.” Together we shared her meal (and her fork) along with stories, pictures, and lots of love. Her extra effort on my sample project, the fact that she is an amazing tailor, and her gentle spirit will make me a customer for life!

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Clothing Donations for Boys and Girls

I’ll begin by admitting that I’ve made a bit of a mess of keeping track of who donated which clothing for the children here. Please accept my apologies – Kristin, Liz, Sharon and Danielle, Lauren, and Sue. You are so kind to give what you can to help so I thought you’d like to see a few pictures. I started by separating the clothing into size groupings to see which of the groups I could manage to physically carry in my bags without the car. The smallest grouping was the older children’s clothing. I’m thinking this might be clothing from Kristin and Sue mostly.

I stuffed myself and your clothes into a single seat on the taxi and made a trip into Kampala exiting at Katwe near the round-about. The stage boasted five or six boda men just waiting for some work. Of course I chose the one who speaks only enough English to tell me a price but not enough to understand the details of what I want to accomplish. I had asked to go into the slums and give children clothing at their homes and ended up at children’s homes. Well…close enough.

Retrack is a boys’ home where I was eagerly welcomed by a pile of junior high aged boys each of whom was quite happy to try on his new shirt and pose for a photo. Do you see your shirt in this photo? Kassim was one of the head caretakers and was quite helpful in identifying a place to give the girls clothing just down the street. At Missionaries of the Poor Good Shepherds Home the headmaster brought in a few girls for a photo but wasn’t interested in having them try clothing, they were planning to put the clothing into a dispensary. He was quite thankful for the gift though. I always feel funny asking for pictures so I didn’t press the issue. Still have lots more to give away.

Later that night and every night since then Kassim sends me a text. This night was no different. You might like how this exchange reads:

Kassim: Hey babe, I’m lonely.

Leslie: Have a good evening.

Kassim: I need god to give u everything u want in ur life. Have a goodnt babe.

I bet you never thought your donations would lead to this (grin).

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A Dress for Shelia from Molly

Colors and textures abound in this Gaba Road market. Friday is market day and this is by far the best market for making and selling handcrafts. I had my eye out for a little one who might receive a handcraft from you rather than me from her. Once spotted, I hunkered down and peeked around a corner to see her. Little Sheila was in her own world until the ladies around her drew her attention to me. Rather than scream and run, she raised her arms and ran to me. I swooped up this tiny girl and she was quite happy to put her fingers in all my face holes. Not sure how much I liked that part though. Her new little Valentine dress fit perfectly and her maama was so pleased. I would bet the folks who come to make purchases at this market seldom leave more than money behind. This little girl received a dress, a story, and a prayer.

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A Dolly for Margaret from Kelsey

As I waited in the car amidst the slums to the west of Kampala, little Margaret and her bright orange dress caught my eye. Beads woven into her small braids made an intricate design of that hair-cap that was destined only to catch the dust. This little girl, maybe three years old, managed to down an entire glass bottle of Coca-Cola in the short time I watched her from the car. I wonder how many of those glass bottles are leftover from our days with glass bottles in the States (not that I remember, I’ve only heard about it).

Margaret was entirely unfazed by her mother’s pleadings to be left alone while she rested on the floor of her small vegetable stand. How did she think, I wonder, that a Coca-Cola would help the situation? I chuckled to myself. Soon, little Margaret’s eyes peeked up over the edge of the door as she walked the length of the car over and over again dragging her fingers in the dust creating a mess of what’s left of the already unattractive paint job. Once she hit her head on the side mirror and looked at me as though I’d personally done this to her. Her braid-cap cushioned the blow.

I had just the dolly in mind. Kelsey picked out the dolly whose dress was vibrant and retro, which perfectly matched the bright orange of Margaret’s dress. A simple presentation of that dolly and the Bible story of Eve and maama certainly knew what she was looking at, but Margaret seemed a bit uninterested given the presence of the mzungu, whom she was intent on watching more closely. I always wonder what happens after I leave.

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Meet Grace

Uganda Martyrs High School is tucked into the Kampala hillside and almost hidden from interference from outsiders. Twas quite a chore finding the place but once we identified someone who knew exactly where, we made an easy time of locating the school. A few questions posed to students enjoying their lunch break resulted in finding a smiling girl who was expecting our visit.

Grace is a young lady in senior 3 (11^th grade) who seems to be doing quite well in her studies at this well-groomed school. While I don’t know all the details of how Grace and my friends Brian and Sue came to know one another (you can check out their Bringing Grace to Michigan blog and their Road to Grace blog), I do know that Brian and Sue are committed to Grace’s education and to her wellbeing. They think of her and pray for her often as I know Grace is also praying for them. I had the privilege of delivering a giant hug to Grace on behalf of the two and she welcomed that expression with just a little embarrassment.

Off to exams she went, it seems as though I’ve found her just in time. Thank you Brian, Sue, and Grace, for allowing me to share this special part of your lives!

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More Bibles for East Africa



Nine boxes of 160 Bibles arrived from six churches in South Carolina. With thanks to Paul and Pastor Phil, these Bibles will reach a variety of places throughout East Africa. But first…to get them home from the post office. The process is somewhat tricky and goes something like this:

1.      Walk to Clock Tower Post Office box and check for the slip of paper indicating that a box has arrived (pray that they all come at once, which they don’t usually).

2.      Boda with said slips to the main Post Office on Jinja Rd (it’s all uphill from Clock Tower and about 1 km distance).

3.      Wait in “line” for Rachel, who knows me by name now.

4.      Debate with Rachel’s manager about the charges given that the slips say the boxes were delivered on one day and that the papers were NOT in the box until after that (i.e., thus the fees should be reduced).

5.      Wait for staff to retrieve one box at a time and plunk it on the high counter.

6.      Pay the negotiated post office fees, pay no customs fees on Bibles.

7.      Push all nine boxes to the low counter for customs inspection.

8.      Wait for the customs person to open each and every box and inspect the content. Books are not subject to VAT but the trail mix stash is…they overlook it.

9.      Reseal all nine boxes and hoist them to the security counter.

10.  Security checks the slips against the box numbers to be sure the right boxes are leaving the building.

11.  Figure out how on earth to get 9 heavy boxes to the car, which I refuse to drive in central Kampala.

Really, it’s always an adventure and one I’d never want to miss. Thank you to six churches for lovingly providing the Word of God in East Africa.

Beaverdam Baptist Church

Elizabeth Street Church of God

Clinton First Baptist

Lydia Pentecostal Holiness Church

Fairview Baptist

Bellview Baptist

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A Dolly for Bronia from Katie

I rested in the shade across the street from Nando’s that Friday morning before I realized I had malaria. Resting should have given me the clue…I’m used to walking far and carrying much but this day I was beat. A little girl dressed in bright pink halter and capris wandered past holding the hand of a large man who turned out to be her uncle. It crossed my mind to give her a doll, but that would take too much effort on my part so I opted to simply watch her little cuteness walk past. A few minutes later she appeared again. We all know what that means…she’d get a dolly.

I cautiously approached because we all know children should not take gifts from strangers. I introduced myself in Luganda, even though she knew English very well, thinking she might warm up more. With her uncle’s permission, I extended the gift to Bronia who would not take the dolly for anything. Nothing doing. She simply ignored me. In the end I gave the dolly to her uncle hoping that later, when I was out of sight, she would accept the gift. People from all around, total strangers, look on as I tried to give this little doll and they all said at various times, “she’s fearing you.” True.

From a distance I snapped one photo – still feels odd…here’s a gift, can I take your picture – and left Bronia to her uncle. Here’s the cool thing…this has never happened before…probably because the gifts are usually given in the village. I received an email from Bronia’s mother, an address she got from the little card around the dolly’s neck indicating that the gift was from Katie. She thanked me profusely and inquired a bit about the ministry. She says she’d love to send Katie an email in thanks but I don’t have that email. So, Katie…if you see this…send me a note and you might have a pen pal.

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A Dolly for Buchla from Gretchen

Gretchen is a woman whom I’ve never had the privilege to meet but instead I’m blessed to know her daughter in law. Sharon told me the story of how very much her mother loves dolls and together we concocted a Christmas plan for this unsuspecting mother. As a precious gift, Sharon sponsored twin dolls for her mother in law. One of the twins would be a gift for her mother and the other twin would be given to a girl in East Africa.

I knew I had to find just the right girl for this special gift and I trusted the Holy Spirit to reveal her to me. Here’s how it happened. I told you the story of the Juice Lady; and during the holidays I met her adorable daughter. No school means children often work or play alongside their parents and Buchla was no exception. Several days of getting to know this sweet young girl and it finally occurred to me that she would be the one.

The day I readied to deliver the doll, Buchla was dressed as if preparing for church. What was she wearing? A dress that perfectly complimented her new dolly – black and white with red accents. I knew I’d chosen the right girl. Her face simply glowed after receiving this gift and she and her mother were profusely grateful. I told them the story of Gretchen and her daughter in law and that the doll she now carried had a twin in America who was being loved just as much as she would love her new doll. I don’t think any maama-girl pair has ever been so expressive about this gift.

But this girl, working hard alongside her momma, needed a little something extra to go along with her beautiful dress and her new dolly. She was given some very…Sensible Shoes.

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A Dress for Hilda from Nancy

Hilda chatted away while her maama tried to eat her Christmas lunch. A little hole in the wall “restaurant” was open on Christmas as were so many other income producing shops in the Kikubamutwe slums just outside Kampala. Rice and chicken for my Christmas meal was just enough given the limited menu of local foods offered in such places. Christmas isn’t about presents or having some fancy meal (even though some bbq ribs from Rio Grande did sound yummy).

I slipped up close and Hilda became even more animated. Jibber, jabber, jibber, jabber. Because maama was eating, I didn’t ask that Hilda try on the dress, but I’m sure she would have been adorable. Several Ugandan maama’s commented about the dresses and that there would be a good market here for such things. For now, a gift for Hilda and her maama is just a tiny reminder that God loves them both.

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A Dress for Blessing from Lily

Blessing, the little girl with the black shirt and dirt-pink skirt, wasn’t going to try on her dress or come anywhere near it while the muzungu was around. Sometimes it’s disappointing when the children don’t warm up to me, particularly when I want to talk to them to learn more about them for their dress sponsor. This girl, though, didn’t even want to see the dress. Her mother was so pleased anyhow. She adored the pink and white seersucker dress and kept it well hidden for a future fitting.

Interestingly, however, Blessing was quite happy to receive a giant orange sucker although it was delivered via her big sister. She sucked and slurped on that sucker until the sugar ran down her arms. Perhaps I should have led with the candy and produced the dress after. Of course, this approach would have likely resulted in a sticky new dress.

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