One of the exciting reasons I returned to Amani was to get together individually with the Ugandian Mama's to have them tell me a story to record. (Would LOVE to put them together in a book....we shall see if that's possible later). After being here for 2 months last year and becoming loved as Mama Sweetie, towards the end of my time here, they were trusting and respecting me enough to be more open about their lives. These are proud, resilient women. They don't complain about their lives or whine about their circumstances. After I got home, for awhile, I felt guilty for not haven taking more time to LISTEN. It was only after a while that I came to believe, they were not ready to speak their hearts until we had truly become friends. So I wanted to return, to really listen this time .
The Mama's are as excited as I am. I have 3 hours off every afternoon before it is dinner time/bedtime and I asked to meet together individually during that time. Quickly we put together a calendar of my time here so they could decide their days off (12 hour days, 3 on, 3off). I have the amazing privilege to be invited to their homes. I am tape recording their voices and taking notes as they tell their story.
I cannot wait to share the stories with you, and the experience of being their guest, or even just the b o d a b o d a ride there. Yesterday, traveling to a home about 20 minutes away, was like watching an African documentary pass me by. I know for all the nonUgandinians here, it is the norm, but even for me, the world traveler, I am still in awe that I am in AFRICA !!!!!!
Grace grew up in Northeastern Ugandia, with hostile nomad cattle tribes that would come by force and pillage and kill those in her village. Betty was an orphan street child at the age of 4.
And now they are amazing loving Mama's here at Amani. They are so grateful and happy to have this job.
Amani has gone through some recent struggles with a few disgruntled volunteers. (First time in 11 years it has been like this.) I personally think Americans either have never seen poverty like this, or they just think they can come and change the world in their short stay. But I feel the truth is.....we need to just come as a volunteer and love on Ugandia, show Christ in our ACTIONS, and just accept the fact we really cannot do anything about the severe poverty here. Nor do they really expect us to. I think they just want to be loved and respected. So to the volunteers who leave here disillusioned at the running of Amani.....I say......are YOU willing to leave the comforts of our cushy homes, bring our families here.....to do a better job than the current director s? I think not.
AND the truth is, while the condition s here at Amani may not be perfect......both the Mama's I have thus far interviewed, said it would have been like heaven to be here when they were a child.
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