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9/15/09: Jinja, Uganda

There are lots of things that go on each day that I want to write about but don’t, like:

• when I accidentally stepped on a flamingo skull at Lake Nakuru
• how Kevin decided he should be in charge of all of our important documents because I tend to lose things and then I tested him by stealing our passports from his bag in the airport at Nairobi but he didn’t notice
• how interesting it is to talk to people from other countries about what they do and what their lives are like and how they have a three-legged cat named Bosco
• how I love when the little kids wave to us when we’re riding on the truck and then break into these huge, delicious grins when we wave back

In 8^th grade, my civics teacher (Mr. Dale) once told us that the goal of life is to catch each moment as it passes. “There goes one right now. And another!” he said. For some reason, that really stuck with me. And I think that on this trip, I’m learning more and more how to catch each moment and savor it. I feel like a squirrel hoarding nuts for winter, except I’m hoarding memories for later.

…

Anyway, this morning we went to an AIDS orphanage, which was a pretty cool experience. The kids were really excited to see us (especially Kevin, whom they regarded as their own personal jungle gym) and as soon as we came into the gate, they swarmed us, grabbing our hands and dragging us out onto the playground. So I wish I could say that this was a life-changing experience and really opened my eyes and made me want to be a better person, but I think that would be a huge exaggeration. I had a lot of fun, yes, but going to the orphanage didn’t want to make me come back out to Uganda and spend the rest of my life volunteering. But what really did stick with me was one moment in particular. When we were leaving, the kids were getting their breakfasts in these little lunch pails. And as I walked out of the gate, this little girl, maybe all of four years old, took her slice of bread out of her pail, pulled off a piece and offered it to me. She. Offered her breakfast. To me. It’s one of those things that really hits you hard and totally unexpectedly. And that’s the moment I’ll remember from today.

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Puzzles for Postcards

“Against The Big Game It Wouldn’t Be Fair At All” Anagram:
In a Fair Fracas

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Picture of the Day: Two of the kids join in our volunteer work