Networking!

I have learned the art of networking! A few months ago someone (I think my mom?) gave me a clipping of an article that was in the Costco magazine. It was about an organization called "Teach the Children" and all the work that they've done in Uganda. It was started by a husband and wife in the Seattle area and the aim of the organization is to bring books into the everyday lives of Ugandan children. It seemed like a very noble and simple cause to me and so I decided to get in touch with them. I emailed Heather (the wife of this amazing duo) and told her all about my trip and how excited I was. Then I asked if there was anything that I could do to help their organization, even if it was as simple as bringing a few books! She seemed just as excited as I was and offered to give me as many books as would fit in my bags and then offered to meet me for lunch with her family. We planned for a few weeks in advance and today was the day I got to meet them!

 

I brought my dad along because he loves meeting new people and talking to them about sports and work and anything else they might have in common. Dickson (the husband) was from Uganda and my dad mostly talked to him (probably a lot about soccer and a little about Uganda). We talked about how different it would be over there and Heather brought up an interesting point. She said that the first time she went on a trip to Uganda with Dickson after they had been married for five years she thought she kind of knew what to expect and what it would probably be like. I've been thinking the same thing. I've read many many books on the suffering going on in Africa and have followed the work that countless organizations are doing and I felt like I kind of knew what to expect as well. Heather said that she was blown away by the poverty there and by how much was lacking in their communities. We talked a lot about how education (reading and writing in particular) is so important. I referenced an article I had read a few weeks before (you can read it here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-plonski/ethiopia-reading_b_2238350.html?utm_hp_ref=impact) about a guy who was born in Ethiopia, was provided books, and decided he wanted to work in the UN. And he did just that. The amazing thing is that his step-brother, who did not have the same resources that he found, is still a poor farmer in Ethiopia. Books and education can really change the course of someone's life.

 

In the end they gave me a huge bag of books (38 lbs!) and told me to bring as many as I could. I hope to build bookshelves in one of the schools we'll work in and get the other volunteers coming with me to bring books too so we can give every child the chance to make a difference in their lives through education.

 

They were amazing people who had so much good advice for me! I loved meeting you family and my dad enjoyed it too! Thank you Senkunda's!

 

You can learn more about their amazing organization here:

http://teachthechildrenuganda.org/uganda/index.php

 

Dickson, Me, Heather and 2/3 of their adorable children (baby was asleep in her carrier)