Heart to Heart

After waking up at Joggies, Abraham is late to pick us up giving us a chance to explore the beautiful grounds at the resort.  The native sculptures and gardens are spectacular.

walking up to the dining hall

buffet breakfast

an artist's touch everywhere

lush greenery surrounds the pond

Since Shatura expressed such an interest in riding, we stop en route to our first visit to buy her a bike. With little hassle, we succeed.

Our first home visit is to Annette's house, Mom to Sandra (16).  Sandra is not a former BKU child, she was referred to us by our friend Harry. 

Sandra has a heart condition that hospitalized her at the age of 7. She spent 3 years in a government hospital until Harry raised the funds for her to travel to India for surgery.

She is now stabilized with medication,  which she will have to take for the rest of her life. As you may imagine,  this is costly for the family. This is why Harry reached out to us to help sponsor her school fees.

roadside businesses

we crowd into Annette's home

Carly, Solomao, Annette & Marjorie

Sandra and her radiant smile

neighbour boy chopping cassava

group portrait at the home

Sandra has 3 siblings,  2 of which live with relatives due to financial limitations.  Marjorie (12) lives with an Auntie, Maurice  (7) lives with grandma,  and Solomon (4) lives at home.

Annette is a strong and proud woman and had the courage to leave her husband because he was not supportive in any way while Sandra was sick.  She now works very hard to support her children the best she can by running a vegetable stand through the day, and selling black tea and cooked food on the road at night.

Her goal is to add a fridge to her stand to sell soda, water, and fresh passion fruit juice.  She feels this could improve her situation immensely.

Annette at her vegetable stand

After Annette's home, we travel to Jackie and Majid's house.  Majid is kind enough to prepare a home cooked lunch for us of samosas, rolex, and fresh squeezed juice even though he is not there to share it with us.  What a great guy, we are so happy that he and Jackie found each other.

We eat and watch Jonathan (4) and Abe (6) kick around their new soccer ball.  Jonathan is Jackie's son, and Abe is her nephew who she has recently taken in.  They are shy and overwhelmed at 6 mzungus sitting in their living room.

Abe & Jona

A 5 minute drive away, we visit Majid's medical clinic which he is very proud to show off.  We are impressed with all of his plans for expansion.

Majid's lab room.  There is also consultation & injection rooms

we gather at the back of the clinic

clinic storefront and pharmacy area

Feeling great about our visits, we leave and head towards the Kampala craft market, stopping on the way for ice and money as usual. The market doesn't disappoint and we are able to use our "bargooning" skills and leave with some native treasures.

street scene, Kampala

craft market

In anticipation of our big swimming party with the kids the next day, we stop along the way home to purchase some beach towels.  Let's just say Joggies is lacking a bit in the towel department. We have fun posing while the boda boda drivers take photos of us.

Back at Joggies, we arrive to a bonfire and barbeque dinner just for us down beside the lake.  The fire is hot and the drinks are cold.  We eat and laugh and go to bed smiling.

Sula bulungi - good night.