Triple – A in the middle of no where

Royal Junior School and Orphanage

Mityana, Uganda

(Jinja, Kampala, Entebbe, Mbalala, Namawojolo and several places in between)

So today was relatively easy. We successfully contributed to Jinga’s economy and toured around an outside market that was relatively scary for the faint at heart. Many said, “So this is one of those places we need to stay in a group.” I thought to myself, you guys have to get out of the States more. The most interesting part of the market to my co-wife (a joke you will not understand, so don’t try), was the 50 strung up chickens that were perfectly still until one lifted its head like the dead were walking the earth. The best part, the seller wanted payment for these heathens to take a photo of the partially dead livestock. Who does that??

Our adventure didn’t really start until we were well through Kampala on our way to Mityana. We shook up 20 tons of dust blowing down a brick red road that was being prepared for paving. I discovered approximately 15 percent of the dust flew in my mouth because I was asleep and “Father G” left the window open. “Father G” said, “Drink some water, but not too much because I want some.” Now let’s just say when you get a small drop of water in a mouth full of dust, it turns your mouth into a pot of wet clay. Not a good taste to say the least. Once that was taken care of with a nice piece of Winter Fresh I thought all was well with the world…and then it happened. We were flying down a one-lane road (remember the construction, which is not like typical American road construction) hitting every hole and bump in the road when we heard – click click click ticktickticktick – the brake bearings locked up. It wasn’t that bad, but the fact that a busload of mzungu’s pulled over on the side of the road to watch my now good friend Nathan, a mudugavu, fix it. It is not something I can explain, but to watch a bunch of men, including “Father G,” try and tell a man what is wrong with a bus he has driven for 28 years is pretty darn funny.

Moving on to more interesting things…the view as we drove up to the Royal School, which has 556 registered students and orphans, was absolutely astonishing. This is by far the most advanced orphanage in the program, but it has been funded for several years. They moved into the new facility (photos below) not long ago, have wonderful teachers and are excelling beyond belief. I only hope the other schools we have been working with this week have the opportunity to become what this school has become. The children are great, but I feel like they have so much and the others have so little. I know it is an ongoing process, but it is so heartbreaking. I am just so thankful these children have something rather than nothing. A small miracle is better than no miracle at all.

After watching several dances and listening to several songs it was time for dinner. On the menu last night…more Fanta, more rice, more potatoes, more chicken and more bananas – oh, let’s not forget the 1.5 liters of Rwenzori. Until today we have limited our fluid intake because we have not had bathrooms. The bush has become a friend and a foe. I have never missed a toilet so much – greedy American. Goes to show exactly how we take the small things for granted. I may miss having a physical toilet, but I would give all my material goods away to stay here. There is so much work to be done and so many children (not to mention elderly) that need help. I may adopt child two from Royal – or I may just move back in a few years and start my own orphanage. I will need a few more trips to Uganda to understand the culture, customs and process, but I have not doubt that I am meant for this. It is heartbreaking that I have to go home. I do miss my family and dogs, but they at least have one another. And these helpless children have no one. I cannot fathom how it must feel to have absolutely no one to depend on. To be completely alone. I hope your hearts are with these children…and the 147 million orphans that live on this planet and fight for their survival daily.