Today we were taught by two ladies from Nairobi (Tess & Tabby) how to make paper beads. They taught us songs and Steph Sogla got her African (Urdu) name: Khalayi (ha-lie) it means "lovely or beautiful"...I love it here!!
— I got my African name today, Nakeeta. Means joy, celebration, happy, beauty!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Navajo Names
An interesting find!
One of our country directors Brad Talk, he is Navajo and gave us our spirit animals, and this is what he found that mine was, this is my spirit animal, sound like me much? Haha
One of our country directors Brad Talk, he is Navajo and gave us our spirit animals, and this is what he found that mine was, this is my spirit animal, sound like me much? Haha
Panda Bear has an
incredible presence about itself, being so completely comfortable with itself
in all that it does; it commands your attention effortlessly. It appears to be
in a world of its own, lost in the pursuit of pure enjoyment, and desiring to
be completely carefree about what others think. Despite the panda bear’s cute
and cuddly appearance, panda symbolism gives the legendary reputation of being
as fierce as the Tiger! This offers great symbolic meaning and importance to
understand that things are not usually as they appear on the surface. Perhaps
it is in your best interest to wait to give your trust to something or someone
until they have proven their word and have earned trust. Trust should be earned
incrementally, with a watchful eye to see the true intentions and dispositions
of another or the true state of a situation. Something or someone may seem
completely harmless but you always need to wait and see what is below the
surface.
Mbale Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
January 26th 2014
Today we finally went to the mbale branch where we will be going to each sunday form now on. It was a different experience than churches in America. The gospel is still true and the same, just a lot more simplified, but the people are so excited about the gospel and about Christ. We finalized what projects we are wanting to do for the rest of the time here. I am deciding to go shadow at the regional hospital in mbale, work at a health clinic in Budaka helping in the maternity ward delivering babies, etc and helping with HIV screening and cancer screening, mental health patient check ups, teaching students at st stevens primary school how to make sanitary pads, a group called HASN i will be working with them for HIV testing and nutrition clinics along with teaching it at the school for Child of Hope and friday we are going to an orphanage in Jinja.
Today we finally went to the mbale branch where we will be going to each sunday form now on. It was a different experience than churches in America. The gospel is still true and the same, just a lot more simplified, but the people are so excited about the gospel and about Christ. We finalized what projects we are wanting to do for the rest of the time here. I am deciding to go shadow at the regional hospital in mbale, work at a health clinic in Budaka helping in the maternity ward delivering babies, etc and helping with HIV screening and cancer screening, mental health patient check ups, teaching students at st stevens primary school how to make sanitary pads, a group called HASN i will be working with them for HIV testing and nutrition clinics along with teaching it at the school for Child of Hope and friday we are going to an orphanage in Jinja.
Week ONE! touring projects
January 23th 2014
It has officially been over a week here in Uganda. I still love it here, just starting to be a bit more stressful and missing some of the comforts of home. My definition of a nice toilet has gone down, haha. Usually most places have a concrete 'box' you go into with a square hole in the ground and it smells WAY worse than a port potty, so grateful for our flushing toilets at the casa! We have been able to visit a couple places were thinking of doing projects at. The first one we went to was Zion's health clinic. We had to take a 2 hour very cramped taxi ride (about 26 people in a mini van sized car.) Then a 40 minute bod a ride (motorcycle) up this giant mountain with a very narrow trial head. The clinic only is open 2-3 days a week. There are so many people that come and so many needs to fill… Tuesday we went to a school but it didnt seem to be as much of a necessity for help as the other places we'd been. Today we went to another school that was much bigger and seemed like it needed more help, its for mostly abused kids and run by donations. . We visited a group called PDI the other day as well, they have a couple different programs there and the community is really involved and invested. So happing there would do a lot for them and is the most likely to continue on after we leave. The last thing we visited was an HIV clinic not totally sure how much we could help there, but it was very informative.
The HIV/AIDS clinic; they used to be segregated by the community. Immune systems are much lower and get sick quicker longer. They need help with their nutrition! Have a hard time getting the food. The men of the children at the mbale school don't have jobs and are a large majority who are abusive and their kids get taken away and taken to a boarding school to be taken care of.
It has officially been over a week here in Uganda. I still love it here, just starting to be a bit more stressful and missing some of the comforts of home. My definition of a nice toilet has gone down, haha. Usually most places have a concrete 'box' you go into with a square hole in the ground and it smells WAY worse than a port potty, so grateful for our flushing toilets at the casa! We have been able to visit a couple places were thinking of doing projects at. The first one we went to was Zion's health clinic. We had to take a 2 hour very cramped taxi ride (about 26 people in a mini van sized car.) Then a 40 minute bod a ride (motorcycle) up this giant mountain with a very narrow trial head. The clinic only is open 2-3 days a week. There are so many people that come and so many needs to fill… Tuesday we went to a school but it didnt seem to be as much of a necessity for help as the other places we'd been. Today we went to another school that was much bigger and seemed like it needed more help, its for mostly abused kids and run by donations. . We visited a group called PDI the other day as well, they have a couple different programs there and the community is really involved and invested. So happing there would do a lot for them and is the most likely to continue on after we leave. The last thing we visited was an HIV clinic not totally sure how much we could help there, but it was very informative.
The HIV/AIDS clinic; they used to be segregated by the community. Immune systems are much lower and get sick quicker longer. They need help with their nutrition! Have a hard time getting the food. The men of the children at the mbale school don't have jobs and are a large majority who are abusive and their kids get taken away and taken to a boarding school to be taken care of.
Wall Mural Project
January 18th 2014
Today we took a bus taxi to a far small town out of
mbale to paint a well continent map at the kids school. First we played games
with the kids in the town, they all just kept coming! We taught them duck duck
goose, boom chick boom, hide and seek then they taught us 2 songs, one about
America and the other was "math math" with a little dance. We took
pictures and videos and the kids just loved it they all wanted to show off and
be in the pictures/videos. They all want to be near you, hold your hands, hug
you, have you pick them up and hold them. I had a few favorites that wouldn't
leave my side, i loved it. Got a couple marriage proposals and lots of
attention from the men here, on our scavenger hunt on the way back a man as he
stares at my butt yells "money money money!" and claps his hands. So
funny!
The people here are so willing to help and give
service. Daniel, the casa painter is going to paint me an elephant to take
home. Tried some jackfruit, weird texture but I like the taste. LOVE the
pineapple and watermelons. So hot still sweat like a pig but slowly starting to
get used to it. Tomorrow we ride the Nile!
Heard a great quote from one of the men here, "You don't need
a lot to do something (good)"
Dream Come True
January 17th 2014
Well, I am in FREAKING AFRICA!!!!
I can't believe how amazing it is here and how much i love the Country and the people. The surroundings here are so raw and untouched, and simple, its beautiful. The people here are so happy! We finally made it to the Casa del Turista after 4 1/2 hours on a bus/taxi ride. Its a nicer place than i expected, theres no door on the bathroom in our room so we put the extra mattress up as a door. The food is pretty good so far, fruit is DELICIOUS! and this food called rollex its really yummy too, its fried eggs with veggies in a thicker tortilla called a chipata. Today we are going to start going out into town etc. I can't wait! Side note the people here are so excited to see us and so happy when we wave!
Well, I am in FREAKING AFRICA!!!!
I can't believe how amazing it is here and how much i love the Country and the people. The surroundings here are so raw and untouched, and simple, its beautiful. The people here are so happy! We finally made it to the Casa del Turista after 4 1/2 hours on a bus/taxi ride. Its a nicer place than i expected, theres no door on the bathroom in our room so we put the extra mattress up as a door. The food is pretty good so far, fruit is DELICIOUS! and this food called rollex its really yummy too, its fried eggs with veggies in a thicker tortilla called a chipata. Today we are going to start going out into town etc. I can't wait! Side note the people here are so excited to see us and so happy when we wave!
Sunday, January 19, 2014
First week in AFRICA!
Well this is about our first week being in Africa so far and i am really loving it, the people, the culture, the land, its all so beautiful. It had been very humbling to be here, the people are all so grateful and selfless. They are so talented and use their talents everyday, its amazing! This past week we have been able to go to the zoo, the beach, and the Nile river. At the zoo we fed the giraffes, pet a rhino, played with and got attacked by monkeys, and a crane bird. I like my team here so far, it hasnt been very long but we all get along pretty great and are all quite comfortable with each other. We started a project this past week as well, we started making a mural in st john's secondary school outside of mbale and played with the children in the town too, they LOVED it, but so did we. :) I am so grateful for this oportunity and experience here and cant wait for the next three months and what it has in store!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Heading to Uganda!
Well this will be my last post in America for the next four months!!! I will be leaving for Mbale Uganda in Southeast Africa with Help International for Humanitarian aid working in the hospitals. I am so excited for this adventure and what it will bring into my life. I cant wait to meet the people there and learn their culture, and most of all, to be able to serve them! I know God has helped me get here and is sending me to Uganda now for a reason, i don't know what it is yet, but i intend to find out! ;)
Next post i will be beginning to share my experiences in Africa, feel free to follow along and post comments i would love it!
Kwaheri! (goodbye)
Katelyn Marutz
Next post i will be beginning to share my experiences in Africa, feel free to follow along and post comments i would love it!
Kwaheri! (goodbye)
Katelyn Marutz
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