These are a few of my favorite things...

A few of my favorite things about Uganda:

- motorcycle taxis are not only a form, but the BEST form, of public transportation

-they refer to salons as "saloons"

-when something hurts, it is "paining"

-children looking like they've seen a ghost when I say hi, because they have never seen a mzungu (white person) before

-or children being so excited to see a mzungu that they chase your boda boda down the street until they can't run any longer

-avocados are at least 3x the size, and less than 10 cents

-bananas, pineapple, mango, oranges - it's all SO much tastier

-oranges are orange on the inside, but the peels are green

-you show up to church late, but it's okay because worship lasts an hour and everyone else is on Africa time, so we're actually early

-they can't say my name so I go by the alias of Alice

-everything sounds better with an African drum - which you can find just about anywhere

-almost all kids shave their heads, so unless they're wearing a skirt/dress - you have to refer to all children as gender neutral

-Cafe Javas - a new (well, to me) restaurant that makes food with cheese that doesn't taste like soap!

-rice & beans with every meal (or FOR every meal)

-african tea - so. tasty. & tea time every day at 11:00 sharp!

-the sun rises & sets at 7 - everyone wakes up by 7, tea time at 11, lunch at 1, dinner at 7. always.

i could keep going. but i won't. because i am currently stalling packing because i am pretending it is not my last day in uganda. somehow i feel okay leaving, because i somehow always get back here. so it's definitely farewell. see you soon, east africa!

Kids, Slums, & Reunions

Hey friends!

Unfortunately I am really sick L I have never had strep throat before (that I can recall), but I imagine that’s what I have. I have felt sick all week, but there is really no point in me going to a clinic here. Even at the best clinic they don’t have the kind of medication readily available that I am used to, and I don’t really see the point in waiting for several hours & paying for a short appointment that will most likely not result in any relief of my symptoms. BUT – my friend Sherry does medical clinics in Uganda and was able to scrounge up some super powerful amoxicillin for me J So, the next 4 days I will take the super drugs until I can visit a clinic in Naperville!! I have ruled out malaria & amoebas (not the right symptoms) but have convinced myself that I have diphtheria (even though I’m immunized) or that I have strep throat that is going to morph into Scarlet Fever. Until I leave Wednesday, my roommate Laura has banned me from WebMD. Rightfully so.

On a brighter note, Friday and yesterday were incredible days! On Friday we visited Katelemwa Rehab Center, which is a bridge between hospitals & home for kids with disabilities & those who have severe medical needs. Most of the people there were physically disabled and had recently had surgery and need care during recovery. Like most of the places we’ve seen, they are swamped with patients and grossly understaffed. It was a bit overwhelming to see because of the intense medical needs and imagining how much attention each individual probably needs to heal and recover properly – and knowing with the small number of staff that it can’t possibly be happening. While there we read Bible stories, sang, & played with play-dough with a group of children. I made friends with a little boy with cerebral palsy. He was so cheerful and sweet. I wish I had been able to get his name. We then washed windows and headed out to the Acholi Quarters (AQ). As I have mentioned before, my friend Tricia started Africa Arise, and organization that supports the people of AQ and attempts to help them resettle back home in northern Uganda.

AQ is an incredible place. I don’t think there are really words to describe it – it’s something you have to see to get the real effect. Even pictures don’t quite do it justice. The people living in AQ are Acholi people (a tribe of people from northern Uganda, mainly the province called Gulu) – who were driven from their homes during a very vicious war. The war is something you have probably (hopefully!) heard of due to the organization Invisible Children. An African man named Joseph Kony created the Lord’s Resistance Army consisting of children that he had abducted from their homes in northern Uganda and southern Sudan. He brainwashed them and forced them to brutally kill and abuse family members and abduct their own siblings and neighbors to join the army. This army consists of thousands of soldiers and is still ravaging east Africa today. Every soldier in the army is a child soldier, except Kony. The Acholi people fled from northern Uganda to neighboring countries, and some found themselves in Kampala, which is in the southern part of Uganda. It’s about a 6 hour drive from Gulu, so you can imagine how long it took them by foot. They found a stone quarry and decided to settle there, so they would have some work. So, the Acholi Quarters began. It is a gigantic slum of thousands and thousands of Acholi people. The only work they have is the stone quarry and making beads. The stone quarry employs anyone who will work (women, children, men – no matter the age). Their day consists of the men walking down the quarry (extremely deep and steep) to break off large boulders in the quarry and haul them back up to the surface. They crack the large stones into smaller stones with a pick. These stones are used for building and purchased from them by the man that owns the quarry. The people typically work from 7am-7pm (sunrise to sunset). One jerry can filled with rocks equals 200 shillings, which is roughly 1 cent. The most anyone can achieve in a full day’s work is about 70 cents – which can get one person one meal for one day – and most people in AQ have families. This is why entire families work at the quarry – so they can all survive. There are a lot of injuries doing this work, as they inevitably hit their hand with the pick or get swollen & infected callouses from not taking breaks. Tricia, the director of Africa Arise, took one man to get his finger amputated because it was so infected from a cut he suffered from a pick. The stone quarry was one of the most alarming things I have seen in Uganda. We continued touring around the slum and meeting, praying, and singing with people. They told us over and over how honoring it was that we were there to visit. It was bizarre to think that our presence could possibly bring any emotion except resentment or frustration – as I tried to put myself in their shoes. I have been to AQ two times before but had never seen it through this lens. I am really proud of Tricia and the work she does in this slum. I am unsure how she has the continued strength to see this amount of poverty daily, to continually hear horrendous stories of war, and know that some of the residents of this slum are now so addicted to living in these conditions that they can’t even fathom returning to their previous home in Gulu. Their mindsets are similar to many of the homeless people we encounter in the US. I know that I personally don’t have the temperament to do that type of work DAILY, but I am so thankful that someone does. Currently, Africa Arise is in desperate need of a car. Tricia, her staff, and some residents of AQ are constantly making trips from Kampala to Gulu by public bus. Without going into a long, crazy story – this just can’t be done any longer – they are losing their minds with their current travel arrangements. If you know of an organization, individual, business, etc. who would be willing to donate funds to support a car for their ministry – please let me know J

But besides the sadness – there is so much JOY in AQ. The kids are kids – they fight over toys, laugh when we attempt to greet them in Acholi with our mzungu accents, and love singing and touching our “long hair”. We had so much fun loving on the kids!! It is incredible that children just have a way about them – no matter what situation they find themselves in. The children in AQ were born in this slum and don’t even know the life their parents and neighbors once lived in Gulu. They are resilient, joyful, and so sweet.

Yesterday I was able to visit the children at New Creation Home – a children’s home for orphans & vulnerable children that I served at the past 2 times I’ve been in Uganda. I haven’t seen them in 3 years and they have gotten so big, and so many of them are new children I haven’t met before. It was a great day (despite how under the weather I felt). There are now 18 children – the youngest is about 8 now, the oldest is 13. The girls put on a fashion show as soon as I got there – it was like an into to so many of the new kids I hadn’t met yet! I remember watching the kids do devotional time before dinner when they would sing and jump around to African drums. NOW – they have a drum set and 2 guitars that the boys play!! It was crazy to see how much they have grown. I always have had such a love for Henry – this meek little boy – and was so shocked to see that he remembered me!! He now plays the guitar and loves football (soccer). The kids are all really athletic and it was so fun to see them playing soccer in their huge yard. They now read the Bible independently rather than sitting and hearing a story from a children’s Bible. It’s just so cool to see them in a new stage of life. They basically run the house – cooking and cleaning everything, doing one another’s laundry, filling jerry cans with water since they had extra time - in case the water turns off (a common problem) – they are just the best kids. Though they are either orphaned or from very tough family/economical/health situations, they are SO BLESSED to be where they are. These children are going to grow up to be extremely productive and successful men & women. It was neat to see the flip side of the situation I am seeing unfold at Rafiki Home – where the kids are still so little, and doing their little kid devotionals and just learning how to clean up after themselves – to seeing the New Creation kids a bit more grown up and independent. I can’t wait to hear stories of the Rafiki kids growing up.

Such a long post!! Off to Watoto North for church – we’re having an African style party this morning! Next week I’ll be back at Soul City on Sunday – crazy how time flies. Love to all of you J

New Creation Centre

Oliotiya friends?!

Yesterday I was able to  visit New Creation Centre, the school that my amazing friend Sherry runs. Most of the students are Sudanese refugees – a population that so desperately needed schooling here in Uganda while there was an influx of Sudanese refugees from the unrest in Darfur in the earlier 2000s.

Currently, their P4 teacher is only part time, so different missionaries substitute in the classroom on Wednesdays & Fridays when the teacher isn’t there. So – that was me!! I dressed in my best missionary substitute teacher outfit & headed out to New Creation Centre bright & early. The kids are lively and actually pretty naughty. Once I told them that I am an actual teacher with a degree in education, some of them actually wanted to listen. The rest of them were trying to write notes to each other & show off how many shillings (money) they brought to school . So – after a real discussion about rules, we got started on some work. I was told I could teach anything I wanted – and religious education is part of the national curriculum, and I never get to teach that at home, so I thought I would start there. So I opened the book to the lesson of the week, which was about Jesus being the Prince of Peace. Well, after just a glance at the lesson, I realized that it was about the birth of Jesus. So, yes, I taught about the meaning of the Christmas season in mid July. Oh, Uganda. But – the kids actually had some fun which I think was a nice change of pace for them. They were all about 10-12 years old (grades here go by your knowledge and not by your age) and are so used to just copying from the board and repeating things their teachers say. We played some review games and I taught them how to write an acrostic poem.

During lunch I got to hang out with Sherry and meet her long term missionaries Jeanine & Leslie. They are so awesome and I’m so happy her ministry has two new very dedicated people. Then – Sherry introduced me to Veronica, who I have been sponsoring for about a year now. It was such a special thing to finally meet the girl that I am constantly receiving updates about & praying for. I guess she had been saying how excited she was to meet me, until I was there – and she got very shy and bashful. It was sweet. I think she pictured that I would be older, and was a little confused. Veronica is 9 years old and has a mild cognitive impairment. She is in P2 and does a great job according to her teacher, Sara. She is an awesome girl and I’m THRILLED that we got to meet over our tasty lunch of rice, pinto beans, & cabbage J I had my first boda ride in the rain on the way home. A boda boda is a motorcycle taxi – you ride on the back of the motorcycle – holding a handle on the back of the motorcycle for stability. It sounds scarier than it is, because they really don’t drive very fast (well they honestly can’t because there are no rules of the road, making traffic horrible). Matumba, our boda driver, apologized profusely for driving me in the rain (even though I agreed that we could!). It made me feel like an authentic Ugandan – except I was the only woman out and about without my head covered to block my hair from getting wet! J

Wednesday nights our team at Rafiki has a time to discuss our weekly highs and lows and pray for each other. We decided that we would take our last Wednesday meeting to Café Marie, a little café in a small mall a few blocks away. Since being in Uganda, most of us girls have developed an intense sweet tooth. Café Marie has a pretty great dessert menu, and we all ordered shakes and ice cream sundaes. And to make the night better, we watched our server walk to the grocery store next to the café to purchase the ice cream and scoop it into fancy dishes to serve us. Oh, Uganda. So awesome.

Tomorrow will be my last day at Kireka Home. It will be hard to say goodbye to the awesome kids and dedicated staff. I hope that in some way I can continue to serve them in the future. I see so much potential in their programming if only they had more materials to work with. On Friday we will be serving with Tricia at Africa Arise in the Acholi Quarters (yay!) – and on Monday, back to New Creation Centre to say goodbye to my new rowdy friends in P4.

I can’t believe I leave in six days. I finally got into my groove and am back to feeling at home here in Uganda. I know these six days are going to FLY by. I love the pace of life in Uganda and how I don’t resort to my typical time fillers (internet & endless episodes of Friends & Glee). Since being in Africa I have read 4 books (well, I’m almost finished with my 4^th) and made some great friendships with the other girls & staff serving at Rafiki. And actually, a lot of our conversations revolve around the books we’re reading because everyone is trading and sharing thoughts on our favorite parts. I am on the last book of The Hunger Games trilogy and can hardly rip myself away from my Kindle (thanks to my parents & bro – it’s the best gift they could have given me!). The power has gone out every night this week for extended amounts of time, leading to a lot of chatting by candlelight (or Maglite, also thanks to mom for that awesome and extremely useful gift) and laying on the driveway to marvel at the incredible amount of stars. As always, I just pray pray pray that life brings me back here to Uganda very soon. I love this place more than words & hope that everyone reading this gets to experience their own “Uganda” – somewhere or at some time in their life. The love I have for this place & these people is something that everyone should be able to experience. 

Mary.

Today I finally met Mary, a little girl my parents have been sponsoring for about 2 years. Mary lived at Rafiki Home for awhile after being found locked in a closet by her family. Mary has severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She is very needy and Sara & Joseph quickly decided that their home was not the place for Mary, as she needs more therapy and individualized care. Elizabeth Home is a great place - I'm so happy I was able to see people with disabilities in a really NICE setting. It was so fun today. The kids are so wonderful and Mary is a beautiful little girl, just as I pictured!!

Days at Rafiki

The days here at Rafiki Home are exhausting yet so awesome. The other short term missionaries have been serving here for 2 or more months and know the kids inside and out. I have been spending time with the kids daily to get to know them as much as possible during my short stay. The children living here are from situations that I can hardly fathom. Most of them are not full orphans – only 2 actually fit that mold. The remaining children are from vulnerable situations - ranging from severe neglect to dying parents to being abandoned. One of the children, Don, entered the home with an entire mouthful of rotten teeth. Upon arrival he had to have all of his teeth extracted L He now wears dentures so that he can eat and speak properly. (They are actually so funny to see when he wears them – a PERFECT smile of straight, white teeth!) Another child, Cocus, was suffering severely from spinal TB. He was found with a huge lump on his spine and very sick. A missionary (my incredibly awesome friend Sherry who runs New Creation Home!) found Cocus during a slum outreach and offered his mother food if she took Cocus to a clinic daily to get medicine. They quickly discovered that his mother had been forging signatures on the clinic log and getting the food dishonestly. If you are on the TB medication for too long, your body will become immune to it. Cocus was reaching the point that if he was not being treated properly for the TB, he would never be cured. After this was discovered, Sherry asked Rafiki if they would take in Cocus so he could get the medicine he desperately needed. Cocus is now free from TB but still has the large lump on his spine.

It’s impossible not to see God’s hand all over this home. The staff that Sara & Joseph have gathered to care for the children are absolutely incredible. I admire each of them for the unique traits that they bring to the leadership of the ministry. Mama Esther is the manager of the home. She is a born leader and an amazing role model for all of the kids, but especially the girls. She is a firm but loving caretaker and the children are naturally drawn to her. Uncle Godfrey is Joseph’s brother – he is quiet but the perfect example of a Man of God. He is very humble and is always listening to worship music (and currently plays “I Can Only Imagine” on repeat and made me learn it on the guitar). Uncle Moses is another brother of Joseph, and so lively. He typically leads the nightly worship time for the children & translates the nightly Bible story for them to Luganda (their language). The children LOVE the way he exaggerates the story & acts it out with props and using the children and missionaries as characters. His spirit is contagious and it is so obvious how he loves the children. Auntie Monica is the cook at Rafiki Home. She does not speak much English but has a sweet demeanor and the kids really respect her. She is another wonderful example of being a servant. Each night the children pray, do worship time, and hear a Bible story before being tucked in. Honestly, I am so inspired by the way that they worship & pray. It is amazing to see little kids coming from tough situations praising God in big ways. I took a video of them on my camera so that I can watch it back in the US. I know that it will be a constant motivation for me.

It makes me laugh that the question I am most frequently asked by friends & family when I am in Uganda is – “So, which kid is your favorite?” As a teacher, my natural response is, “Oh, I don’t have favorites!” BUT… little Esther has really captured my heart. I remember getting a monthly newsletter from Sara a while ago where she introduced Esther and her older sister Brenda to the Rafiki supporters and thinking that Esther looked like a doll. Well, she is even more precious in person. Esther is 4 years old with beautiful dark brown skin and a round face. Her quiet demeanor makes her the sweetie of the group  - she rarely pushes buttons and undoubtedly has a special place in her heart for her older sister, Brenda – who was her sole caretaker before they left their slum to live at Rafiki Home. She is the sweetest little thing – I keep telling the other missionaries that I think she is the most adorable child I have ever seen. (For anyone who knows me well, I say that a lot about children – but I mean it this time!!)  I mean, all of the kids here are resilient, darling, and have wonderful personalities – but sweet Esther makes me smile ALL day. She just has such a good heart. I can’t help but go back to my “teacher mode” and think that she must be a teacher’s DREAM in class. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to my little girl! (as pictured below! she is wearing purple pants in the group photo, posing next to her big sis Brenda, who is on her left.)

And as for marathon training goes – I have not ran at all since arriving in Uganda. I was told from the start that it would not be smart for me to be running and that the danger of the situation outweighs any positive outcomes. I’m not sure what that means for me in terms of training (obviously I’m WAY behind schedule!) but that is on the agenda of things that I will tackle when I return home. I am actually excited to get back to running, and I’m hoping I can pick up my training schedule so I can at least complete the half marathon in September! I would love if you could pray for that situation and pray that those I will have to contact will be empathetic & understanding to my health & safety concerns that led me to this situation!

Love from Uganda

 My apologies for lack of posting, internet is expensive and I am currently staying with six other volunteers. It’s challenging to all coordinate time for us to connect with friends & family on the internet!

My original plan when coming to Uganda was to spend two weeks working with Ggaba School for Special Needs and staying at a guest house nearby. After spending a day and a half with the headmaster of the school, I did not feel that this was where I should be spending my time. There were many signs given to me and I quickly left this school to work with my friend Sara and her ministry, Rafiki Africa Ministries. They luckily had one extra bed (they were almost at capacity for volunteers – and with me here, they are maxed out!) and a very welcoming team. So – with my plans being changed, I began praying and waiting for signs on what I should be doing each day!

BUT – the children I was able to spend time with for two days at Ggaba School were wonderful. They have a small school with a very small amount of space. They were given this space by a Catholic church, but they only have one teacher and very limited materials. Teacher Mary teaches 10 children with varying disabilities. While I was at the school, I only met Mary, Dennis, Simon, Allan, Brian, Ethan, and Henry. The remaining students live farther from the school and they do not have consistent ways of getting to the school. This makes their attendance really spotty and Teacher Mary voiced that she has a very difficult time with behavior because of this. I can imagine that being really challenging, among many other barriers that the school faces. There were very little things for the students to do. They did not have anything to sort, any books at their level, no communication tools, no Velcro (I don’t know what I would do without it in my class!!), and of course no technology. The worksheets they had were not copied, and they had to care for one individual worksheet and complete the tasks on the sheet in their notebooks. I quickly realized that in order for us to do anything productive, creativity had to be key. Though I didn’t spend as much time as anticipated with them, I hope to be able to support their school in some way. The children there have so many complex needs and could learn a lot of useful life skills if they were given the materials to do so.

 

When I made the decision to come serve at Rafiki, I dove in head first into a huge bus filled with volunteers from Texas and Minnesota. Most of the volunteers are college students, and one volunteer (my roommate) is a kindergarten teacher from Minnesota. They gave me a tour of where I would be staying – an orphanage filled with twelve little ones with a volunteer guest house attached. The kids are SO awesome. Within minutes they had attacked me with hugs and questions. I have been following Sara’s ministry since it started and it was so cool to meet all the faces I have seen in so many pictures. They are loving, mischievous, sensitive, and silly. They all come from difficult backgrounds and at one point in their little lives, had to grow up way faster than God intended. It’s great to see them act as children every day – crying when they fall down, laughing at TV shows, and coloring pictures for hours. The children’s home brings them up in a Christian setting – they learn a new Bible verse each week, hear a Bible story each night, and worship before bed. It’s amazing to see how they are so incredibly blessed to be in this house. Within the twelve, there is one set of sisters and one set of brothers. They are fiercely dedicated to each other, even with the bond of their new family. The dynamics within the house are so interesting to watch. The children are cared for by Mama Esther, Uncle Moses, Uncle Godfrey, and Mama Monica. They are Ugandan people that care for the cooking, the cleaning, and the care of each child. Sara and her husband Joseph are the Directors of Rafiki Africa Ministries and do a great job of finding dedicated Short Term Missionaries to come and stay at their guest house. It seems they try and keep these volunteers for no shorter than a month. It allows for some consistency with the children and a really meaningful experience for the missionaries. The missionaries are expected to help the home run – creating activities for the children and helping the full time staff clean and cook. In addition to that, this summer the missionaries have been volunteering at Kireka School for Special Needs and Little Rina School. Kireka is a boarding school for children with any and all disabilities. Little Rina School is the school that the children at Rafiki attend.

       Since being here at Rafiki I have been able to serve at Kireka School twice. Since I had originally been planning on serving children with special needs while in Uganda, I thought Kireka would the best way to continue that. It is an awesome place. Again, they are definitely understaffed and do not have the materials necessary to really teach the children the skills they need to be productive. With that being said, they do a LOT for these kids. Many of them would have never attended school, and would may never have even seen daylight if it weren’t for this school. The stigma placed on people with disabilities in this country is appalling. They are treated as though they are less than human. There is one child at Kireka, Tobias, who was recently found by missionaries. He had been living in a closet for the majority of his life. Upon meeting Tobias, I would have guessed he was six or seven years old. I was broken hearted to learn that he is actually eighteen. He has significant needs physically and mentally, and is severely disturbed by being touched. He is not used to human contact and cannot speak. Unfortunately, the staff at Kireka is not trained to work with a child with needs like Tobias’. Though he does not accomplish much academically at Kireka, he is so blessed to be where he is – in a place where he is cared for and stimulated, and above all – safe! The Ugandan government has given Kireka some funding to provide training for trade skills. They were able to purchase several Singer sewing machines and are teaching many of the older students how to sew. It is so awesome to watch them at work and see the amazing things they have created! They make pillows, purses, shirts, coin bags, pot holders, rugs, and dresses – and even have a small store where they sell them to raise funds for their programs. The staff at Kireka were grilling me on my classroom in the US and asking what types of skills I teach my class. In the US – I am the pity party of the educational system. An inner city school filled with low income children, a failing district that can’t seem to do anything right, and so few resources that us teachers have to seek almost all needed materials elsewhere. But being here in Uganda and seeing what life could be like – holy cow. Talk about humbling. I have never felt so incredibly thankful for all of our technology, supplies, resources, and SUPPORT. I know the US has a long way to go – a LONG way – before we reach real equality for people with disabilities. BUT – I have the support of the parents of my students, and of my own personal community. That is something Uganda can definitely not say they have. I know I have been called to help this school in some way. They were showing me all of their students with autism and asking me for tips. One boy, Optim, reminds me so much of one of my more challenging students. Running out of the room, waiting for no one to be looking, and throwing valuable items over their fence onto the road and watching cars run them over. I know with some of the visual supports and sensory tools that I have in my classroom, Optim would be learning in no time. I really hope that life leads me back to Uganda very, very soon so that I can bless Kireka with some simple materials that will literally change their life.

Using banana plants and paint as stamps during art time at Kireka Home.

                I can’t believe that I have only 12 days left here in Uganda. It does feel good to have a chunk of time left to explore Uganda, continue to get to know the kids at Rafiki & Kireka, and spend some time in the Acholi Quarter with my friend Tricia. I have had some feelings of homesickness over the last few days, just thinking about my roommates & my church and how I miss my Chicago community. BUT – I am so happy to be here and knowing that I’ll be home in less than two weeks makes it okay to be away from home!

  

Walaba! Nkwagala! (Good bye, I love you!)

Allie J

 

South Africa.

I am currently at a backpackers [hostel] in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I have spent my time here staying in a black township in Alexandria, which is in the Eastern Cape of SA. The townships fall basically by race, the black township being the most poor and under resourced. The evidence of apartheid is very evident in my opinion. Most white South Africans have full time help from a black maid. These maids are treated well and paid fairly, but most white people have not had a time when they have not had full time help from a black maid. The white family I spoke with was shocked that in the US, we have full time jobs and don't have maids. They are surprised that we could possibly have time to do both.

As far as major events go, we have celebrated 4th of July with a South African twist - with the Xhosa people (X is said with a "click" sound) of Alana's township (including sparkley American flag banners & temporary tattoos!) - they cooked us a traditional Xhosa dish that was delicious. The following day we went to the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and had a 4th of July braai (BBQ) with a white South African family that has taken after Alana. They BBQ (or braai, as they refer to it) over an open flame. They made chicken and warthog for us, both of which were soooo tasty. (Yes, this recovering vegetarian feasted on warthog!) We ate so much food that we had stomach aches. Yesterday, we went to Addo Elephant Park which was INCREDIBLE, let me tell you! Addo is a park that allows people to view animals native to the Eastern Cape in a safe way. They have tamed some of the animals, but many are still wild. We saw hundreds of elephants - some were inches away from our car! It was so amazing. We also saw lots of zebra, ostrich, warthog, meerkat, kudu (large deer-like animals with twirly antlers), beautiful cranes & small birds. We could not stop freaking out over each animal, even if we had spotted them several times. One of the rules is not to hang out of your car window, which was really difficult to follow!!


Alana, Dani & I & some elephant friends @ Addo!

Today we wanted to gather children from Alana's township to play & dance, but it was raining. It is currently winter in SA, so the weather is questionable. We have been really cold - the weather would be in the high 50's/low 60's. The tricky part is that no buildings are really insulated, so it's the same temperature as it is outside on the inside. We are in Port Elizabeth tonight because I am flying out tomorrow at 8am to Uganda, and PE is about an hour outside of Alexandria, where Alana stays. So it just makes more sense to spend the night here. I can't believe my adventures in SA are already over! It has been so awesome to connect with Alana & actually see the places she has been writing to me about since January 2011. SA is so different from Uganda in terms of advancement. Even some of the poorest places are far more advanced than any place I have seen in Uganda. But, there are clear common threads which must just carry over through African culture in general. The Eastern Cape is a gorgeous place with incredible scenery, kind and generous people, and lots of diversity. I am so thankful I was able to spend time here with Alana, who is a real local!! Next time you hear from me, I will be in Uganda!!

Sawubonana! (Goodbye)

Departure.

I write to you from the American Airlines Admirals Club. My plane tickets are courtesy of my extremely generous aunt who has and incredible amount of flier miles - hence my business class status & admittance into the Admirals Club. Sort of bizarre that my flight is taking me to third would countries and I'm sitting in airport-created luxury, but I'll take what I can get.

I am so excited for this trip - it has been in the making for years & it is absolutely surreal that it is almost here. But I must say, I am a little bleary-eyed with tears as I write this. These last few weeks have made it extremely hard to jet off. Cancer, chaos, crisis, concern, crying - and here I am, ready to head out for twenty-seven days. Family, roommates, friends - there are so many people that I feel like I'm leaving during difficult stages. But a few nights ago as I was falling asleep, I reached a rather obvious conclusion that as an adult, there is never really a "good time" to peace out for a month. BUT - above all else, I know that I am being obedient in my calling to spend my God-given "free time" in Africa. As my presence would be welcomed here in Chicago, I know I am somehow needed in Africa.

So - though there are tugs at my heart and longing looks as I said goodbye - I know I am going where I am supposed to be for the month of July. So, with those emotions, I can still honestly and faithfully say that I cannot WAIT for my adventures in South Africa & Uganda across the next couple of weeks. In case you're unaware of exactly what I'm doing, I'll fill you in.

 This is my dear friend and college roommate Alana, who is currently serving in the Eastern Cape of South Africa with the Peace Corps. Alana has been gone since January 2011 and hasn't yet had visitors or been able to return home. So - I will be spending a week in SA with Alana venturing through her village, doing projects with the children she serves, and vacationing - including an elephant park (!!!!!!), an arts festival, & a really sweet beach :)

After South Africa, I head out to my beloved UGANDA! I haven't been back to Uganda in 2 years and my excitement is ridiculous. I love that country and their incredibly welcoming, loving people. I will be working with Gaba School for Special Needs, which is exactly what it sounds like :) I have never been to this school, but I am so excited for what I can learn and help with as I serve there!


After spending two weeks with those lovable kids, I am meeting up with my dear friends Tricia & Sara. We served together in Uganda a few years ago through Loving One By One Ministries, and Tricia & Sara both felt called to move to Uganda and start their own ministries. Sara and her husband have started Rafiki Africa Ministries, and have an orphanage that they run. My family sponsors a child in their home - her name is Mary & she has cerebral palsy. I can't wait to meet my sponsor sister :) Tricia has started Africa Arise, a ministry that serves the people of the Acholi Quarter - a slum that is home to thousands of Ugandan people displaced from a war that destroyed the northern part of the country, which at one time was their home. I have been to the Acholi Quarter the two previous times I have served in Uganda and really have a heart for the people living there. Their conditions are dire and I so believe in what Tricia is doing to help restore them and bring hope to their community.
 
The kids at the Rafiki Home!
  
    Tricia & the Africa Arise staff


Just looking at pictures is getting me so pumped for what they next few weeks will bring. But for now, I will focus on SLEEP on this flight (when I arrive @ Heathrow my body will feel like it's 2:00 am .... yay?), finding the right terminal, and ensuring that my carry-on (which is all I am bringing!) fits in the overhead bin. Ready .... GO!

Love you all & so beyond thankful for all of your support!

Walaba! (goodbye)

Hiatus

My apologies for taking so long to write an update. This is because my running has taken a... break? I suppose that's the word to use. Mainly because a lot is up in the air.

The other day while attempting to run 8 miles in 90 degree heat (it was unavoidable!) - I had a minor asthma attack. This is something I struggled with in junior high but haven't had problems with in quite a few years. Needless to say, it really scared me. After speaking with a doctor and doing two asthma tests, it was indeed confirmed that I did not outgrow asthma like a previous doctor had told me when I was 18. (Can you even outgrow asthma? Who knows.)

Now, normally this wouldn't stop me. BUT - I will be training in Africa - my longest runs, hottest temperatures, AND roughest terrain. In addition, I will be in some possibly unsafe situations while in Uganda in terms of running solo. My doctor advised me to be extremely aware of my body & cautious if I plan on running in Uganda, noting that these changes in my typical running routine may trigger an asthma attack. My last to adventures in Uganda were partly medical missions and I have seen their hospitals - without going into detail, I do NOT want to go there!! So - I am going to really play it by ear. Not training for possibly a month could be a very interesting curve in my plan. We will just have to wait & see.

On a brighter note, I did get a Garmin GPS Watch, which I love!! When running in Africa it will be really helpful. I hope it gets some good use there :)

I leave for Africa in six days! I can hardly believe it. I am condensing & simplifying like crazy so I can fit a month's worth of clothes & toiletries into a carry-on suitcase. Also, I have to pack for two climates since it will be winter in South Africa. But, it's happening. So if you see me wearing the same outfit in multiple pictures, need not assume it's the same day. Because I will be wearing the same clothing each day - but who cares! That's the beauty of Africa :)

On Saturday I had a fundraiser party at my new apartment for my trip. My community in Chicago is SO unbelievably generous. I am so blessed by what they were open to donating. I feel very confident in traveling now that I actually have money for needed supplies when I get there.

Next time you hear from me, I will most likely be overseas. I am so ready for this adventure!

Walaba (Goodbye),
Allie

Hope.

So. Let's just start off this entry by saying today is a MOMENTOUS day. I just ran for 30 minutes without stopping, at a 10:15 (ish) minute pace, and ran almost 3 miles!! And the real kicker - I enjoyed it. I actually liked it!

But the real reason for my post is to share with you a story of why I am running this marathon in the first place. I am running for Hope - and all the kids out there (way too many) that are just like her. Hope (who's name has been changed for confidentiality) was my student for seven months. Hope is a ten year old girl with what was thought to be autism. As a professional, I can tell you with 99% certainty that Hope does not have autism. Hope has a cognitive disability and a language impairment. (Basically, Hope has lower than average intelligence and has difficulty processing and expressing language). But, like all kids, there's more to her than that.

Hope didn't come the first day of school. Chicago Public Schools has a policy where if you don't attend school on the first day of the school year, they drop you from their system and you have to re-enroll at your school. For Hope, this means that her bus services stopped after she didn't attend school on the first day. For her, this makes things difficult. Her mother doesn't have a car, nor a strong understanding of the importance of school. After nine days, I met Hope. She came to school with her mother. At that point, I was unaware if Hope was a girl or a boy. She had on dirty blue jeans with holes and a yellow shirt - which is pretty opposite of the required school uniform. Her hair was extremely short and slicked to her head with gel. Her unruly eyebrows and deep voice threw me off, but I brushed passed it and shook her hand to introduce myself. She immediately hit me and ran across the room to throw herself onto the floor. Her mom then burst into tears and shared months worth of  information about their home life, excuses for Hope's clothes, why she hadn't been in school, and why her hair looked like it did. Hope's mom tried to chemically straighten her hair, and left the chemicals on too long; burning her hair off. I hugged her mom and assured her everything would be fine. "As long as she's here, she's clean, and she's dressed for the weather - send her in whatever she has. We'll make it work."

The first weeks with Hope were an adventure. She would talk with us about Freddy Kruger and draw pictures of Jason masks and knives. She would come to school wearing soaking wet clothes and shoes three sizes too small. Her contagious laugh started to warm our hearts to her, and soon enough she began to hug - and we were sold. Hope soon became my favorite thing about school. I knew our classroom was her safe zone - where she felt successful and happy. She had friends, appropriate relationships, and activities she could accomplish. And - she had food. Watching Hope eat was one of the most appalling things I had ever seen. Typically, children with disabilities have aversions to many foods. Not Hope. She would shovel all of the cafeteria food into her mouth in one heaping spoonful. Teaching her "lady bites" and how to use utensils properly were daily lessons. Each day we would sneak the leftover breakfast cereal and fruits into our bags so we could send it home with Hope. Her actions made it clear to us that quality food and adequate portions were rarities in her household.

As the year progressed we collected forms for Special Olympics. We began training in gym class for the track and field events and reading social stories about competitions and crowded spaces. Hope was so excited for her first competition and couldn't wait to get a gold medal. But the next few months posed big barriers to Hope's athletic career.

Child services, spotty attendance, smelly clothes, and letters home became normal. After a few stories, I became so worried about Hope's quality of life that I could barely sleep. I knew her safety and well being were being compromised and my heart hurt at the thought of something happening to this innocent and precious little girl. Hope had no idea that what was going on in her home was wrong - this is all she knew life to be. Her blissful mindset was almost sweet and comforting - as she had no idea that her home was not "normal". After one traumatizing incident in her home, we never saw Hope again. It was weeks later that our school received a call stating that she had been permanently placed in a foster home in a suburb over an hour away. Though my heart ached at the thought of never seeing Hope again - I know that she is out of a harmful and hurtful situation. Hope is finally experiencing LIFE - which is so beautiful.

When I think about Special Olympics Chicago and what they offer to their athletes, I think of Hope. I think of how she longed for a gold medal and how she practiced so diligently to stay in her lane as practice for her upcoming 50 M race. SOC offers their events at no cost to the athletes. There is no way that Hope would have ever been able to participate in a SOC event if it would have cost her family money. And unfortunately, Hope's story is not unique. There are hundreds of Chicago athletes that have stories that parallel hers. I am running 26.2 miles to give an opportunity for the Hope's of Chicago to live the life they deserve.

If you want to help me reach my goal of $1000.00, you can do so here.

Thank you, Jesus.

The title of this post is in regards to my survival after this morning's 5 mile run. This morning was my first group run with Chicago Endurance Sports (based out of the Fleet Feet in Old Town). So waking up at 5:30 on a Saturday was basically the last thing I wanted to do, but if I know anything about myself, I know that I have to commit early or it's just not going to happen. I stretched with the group & found my blue running group out in the park. I decided to pace myself at an 11 minute mile just to be safe. In my eyes, 11 minutes was really pathetic, but through this run I learned very quickly that just because I can run 1 mile below 11 minutes does not mean those consective miles follow in the same pace! Yikes.

Starting the run was fine. I paced myself with the group, casually made some new friends (2 teachers!), and was really enjoying myself. And then it got hot. Within minutes of the sun fully rising, it was over 80 degrees. Then I stopped enjoying it. We ran from the beach up to the LSD Recreation Drive exit (right by my apartment, and I strongly considered running home, until I remembered my car was at Fleet Feet), and then turned around to run back. I prayed the entire time and was just thinking about my 10 little guys from school and how the only reason I am doing this is so that I can raise money for SOC. And I'm pretty sure I told that to about 10 people on the run today (I should probably be more optimistic if I actually want to make any friends). Upon reaching the foot bridge back to Fleet Feet, I had only walked for about 3 minutes (bad stomach cramp... AKA I'm out of shape) - ran 5 miles in under an hour (miracle) and I realized that this was the longest I had ever run! Now I know I will be saying that every Saturday from here on out, but it was a cool feeling. Even though during the run I kept thinking about ways I could quit the marathon without actually being a quitter, I know that if I could run 5, next week I can run 6. It's possible.

So- for my running friends - what do you use for hydration while running? A hand device or a hydration belt? The belts look really uncomfortable but I know I am going to need something. Suggestions appreciated!

I am going to go drink my body weight in water & take a cold shower. :)

Cubs & Cross Training

So today I had the privilege of finally coaching the Cubs Care program. This program is a partnership between the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Park District, and Special Olympics Chicago. Every Weds our kids get together with south side participants at Piotrowski Park in the Little Village neighborhood to learn softball skills. They get free uniforms & softball equipment - something they have honestly never had in their lives. For the past 3 Wednesdays, Cubs Care has been rained out (and I have been subject to far too many tantrums due to "not going to the Cubs fair") - but today was the perfect weather for a baseball game. I was so surprised that my current school was paired with the class I taught last year. It was a great reunion and so awesome that I was able to witness the amazing impact of Special Olympics on so many children that I care about. We had so much fun practicing fielding and pitching skills - we have a lot of work to do, but you have to start somewhere :)

Since I last blogged, I started doing some "crosstraining" 2 days per week - so basically exercise that is not running. I don't have my bike in the city (and anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that no matter how safe I am, I would be the person that would get hit by a car), I don't belong to a gym, and I have a really hard time focusing enough to do a workout video (the effects of working with children with severe ADHD). This is making cross training really hard. Ideas are welcome - preferably something engaging that won't break my teacher budget. Hopefully something exists. 

Morning Run #1

Yes, folks - I survived day 1 of training. I ran 40 minutes without walking (major feat). I shouldn't brag much, because my pace was way slower than if I WAS actually walking, but that's besides the point. I just mapped my run and it was about 2.5 miles. Slow & steady. Also, far better than just sitting on my couch. Coffee's ready!

& so it begins...

My life is drastically about to change tomorrow - as I am starting my marathon training program through Chicago Endurance Sports. Dear Lord, help me.

I have always loved to run, like REALLY loved it. I have been a runner since I was in sixth grade and could first start competing. If you know me at all, you know I'm either really, really, really into something, or I could care less about it. All or nothing. Track was ALL. It was my LIFE for six years. But, I'm a sprinter. Even the 200 M Run was too long for me. Once my coach placed me in the 4x400 relay and I thought it was a death wish. So naturally, running a marathon has never crossed my mind. I hate running long distances. My years of sprinting, high jumping, and triple jumping have created pretty terrible shin splints. My lungs start to burn after 1 mile, and I get really bored after running past 20 minutes. So why would someone like me want to run the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon? Funny you should ask.

I have known I have wanted to teach children with autism since I was in sixth grade. I went to junior high with a young man with autism, and I became his ally. He inspired me everyday and I was constantly fascinated by how intelligent he was, yet how completely different he was from all of our peers. In high school, I became a peer buddy and a Special Olympics coach for our school's multineeds program. It was then that I really understood the power and the opportunity that Special Olympics has for the disabled community. It's an unbelievable organization that provides individuals with disabilities of all levels the chance to participate in something that not only celebrates their differences, but let's them compete in athletics the way that their typically developing peers do.

When I graduated from Illinois State University with an undergrad degree in Special Ed, I knew I wanted to pursue inner city teaching. My involvement with the Golden Apple Scholars program opened my eyes to educational injustice and prepared me to teach in tough schools. I am so fortunate to have found a school that definitely fits that category, but is supportive, caring, and holds each child to a high standard. I am a teacher of ten little ones with varying degrees of autism. This job is what I have ALWAYS wanted. I am challenged every single day, no day - or moment, really - is ever boring, and I am constantly inspired. I have a lot to learn, and my kids are throwing me curves everyday. But, I wouldn't want to do anything else - & I'm doing my best to continue raising the bar for quality inner city special education. Autism isn't an excuse, and neither is poverty.

Special Olympics Chicago, which is mainly funded by Special Childrens Charities, provides FREE athletic competition for the disabled community in the city of Chicago. My students participate in the Spring Games Track & Field Competition, Cubs Care (softball skills training), and Juniors Bowling. It is clear to me that without Special Olympics Chicago, my kids would never have the opportunity to do things like this. Their social, sensory, and cognitive limitations would not allow them to participate with typical kids, and their monetary barriers wouldn't allow many of them to participate in city leagues. Watching their faces light up when their name is called to receive the gold medal brought me to TEARS (literally - I cried standing at the podium and couldn't even take their picture!).

When I attended the Special Olympics coaches training meeting, I was almost irritated by how moved I got after watching a video of their marathon team. I am SO busy. I do not have time to train every day. I am spending a month of my summer volunteering in Africa - how on Earth could I train there? And most importantly, I HATE RUNNING! But those excuses don't match the intense need for Special Olympics Chicago to continue to be funded. I have the privilege to actually watch the way that Special Olympics enhances the quality of life for its participants. So I sucked it up. And I followed my heart. And I closed my eyes and clicked the link - and here I am, the night before marathon training begins - nervous, a little scared, but excited for the adventures of the next six months!

So - this blog (created due to a shockingly high amount of requests) will follow me through my training, my experiences with Special Olympics Chicago, me politely asking you to donate to this incredible cause, and will document my adventures of training for said marathon while volunteering in South Africa & Uganda for the month of July. So expect some whining, a lot of victories (HOPEFULLY), many firsts, and definitely a LOT of good stories.

So... are you interested in donating? Maybe? I have $1000 to raise by October, and I will update you with my creative ways of raising money. But for now, here's the link if you're interested :)

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/alliegriffin/2012chicagomarathon


Love,
Allie