Where in the world is Brittany??

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions from Rotaractors via Facebook "Are you still in UG?" "Where are you?" "It says you're in Bukoto, are you lost?".  And the ones that I run into in Kampala ask "why are you still here?" Well, I can understand why they're asking these questions, for the most part. I've been MIA (Missing In Action) from Rotary events this past month or so. That's because I wanted to do some other exploring in Kampala, see a different side.  I've come to learn over the years that volunteering is the best way to learn about different issues. So, I decided to volunteer sans Rotary.

I originally wanted to volunteer at Mulago Hospital and see burn victims or children and hand out things to encourage them, whether that was a Bible, books, or something of that nature. But I realized that my friend has a charity that I keep hearing about in church, at Sunday lunches, at Bible studies, and even from my flatmate. So, I decided to check it out. I was really inspired and so happy that I decided to go. I was a little uneasy at first, but now I've come to realize how much it's a great thing and want to continue to be a part of it.

My friend and her husband have a charity called Tomorrow's Heroes. It's a program for the street boys of Kampala. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I volunteer to teach P2 English and Math with the boys. I was a little nervous at first cause I have no background in teaching, but after a while, I've come to enjoy it. This is what has been occupying my time for the past month. I've come to realize how much I want to help in Uganda and it extends past just volunteering on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I've also come to realize the other part of Kampala outside of Rotary events and Rotarians. It is amazing to see how affluent Rotarians can be, but a teenage boy or girl on the streets or slum lives in such a tough living condition that the rest of Kampala doesn't seem to realize or it goes ignored.

Although it is such a joy to teach the boys, play football with them, and even dance with them during Bible talk and worship, there are certainly challenges that cannot be ignored. Many times I wonder "where do these boys sleep?" (my friend who runs the charity has a system of placing them in homes or resettlement into their previous home). Other questions are "how often do they eat?" "what if they get hurt one day? What happens?" Their environment often times is worse than people from the West would expect, but it has definitely changed my perspective to see this first hand. I walked through a slum one time with one of the uncle's and some of the other teachers. It wasn't scary, no, I've gotten used to seeing many people live in some tough conditions. It was just sad once you realize that the young boy you were just teaching English to, that has that bright smile every morning, comes from a home like this that barely one person can live in,  yet he shares it with many people.

Since I've come to Uganda, my heart for children has really expanded and I have such a pressing need to help them. Everyday, I wonder how I can help them and if I should come back after the summer to help them. Who knows if I'll come back so soon. But I am certain that I will do so much to help the youth in Kampala and eventually expand it to all of Uganda. I know many  scholars go back home and get jobs or further their education once they finish their scholarship year, but I have a pressing desire and passion to help the youth in Uganda. They are, after all, the  next generation of leaders. So why not invest in them?

Please feel free to leave a comment or question. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at BCBennett11@gmail.com. If you would like more information on Tomorrow's Heroes, please visit the website or you can contact me as well.

The children of Uganda

Wow! Over the past couple of weeks, I have learned so much about Uganda! From the various cultures, to the nonprofit organizations started by people like you and me to help women and children. As I continue to learn about Uganda and African culture, the article UNICEF-Uganda has planted a seed of something to further investigate. This article explains that the United Nations and faith based groups in Uganda are coming together to create a safer learning environment for children.  I find this to be very interesting because Children's Rights (which can be lumped into Women's Rights and of course Human Rights) are overlooked by a lot of the international community. Culture plays a lot in how children are treated and raised. Sometimes young girls cannot go to school because they have to get water for their family. Now, you may be wondering "Big deal. That's so simple!" but it's not if you live miles away from the main water source and have to make several trips a day. That very dilemma initiated nonprofits such as Blood:Water Mission to build water wells to help rural communities.

This article REALLY sparked my interest because I have been thinking about my community service project while in Uganda. I have spoken to many local Rotarians about a good community service project and have decided to work with orphans and children in Kampala.  Even though I have a desire to help women, helping children is just as important. I believe that if we want to break stereotypes and promote global understanding, educating and working with children is one of the best methods. I have also come across many nonprofit organizations that are doing great things in the region as well as local Rotary clubs that are partnering with organizations such as Arlington Academy of Hope and EDAPO (Economic Development and AIDS Prevention Organization). I plan on discussing more about these two organizations in a later post as I continue to speak with different Rotarians about the various projects in Uganda concerning these two organizations.

I urge everyone to check out the hyperlinks. Organizations such as the ones mentioned in this post are just examples of the wonderful things happening in Uganda to help those in need.