Why am I even going?

So while looking through my journal, I saw this entry and then realized I haven't told you WHY I have decided to go to Uganda this summer!

Here's my story of what made me decide to go in the end and why I chose Uganda.

December 17, 2011 - Saturday:

"For the past couple of months or so I had been praying if I should go do some service trip or study abroad. I  contacted my brother's friend, Melissa, who works with HELP.  She told me more about it but I still wasn't sure.  A couple weeks later my mom sent me a link about HELP having a wassail party that night..so I went to it and talked with Melissa ALL night about what HELP is, what they do, and also what she did while she was in Uganda two summers ago and India this past summer.

While talking to her, I just had the best feeling in the world!!  The feeling of "this is what I need to do."  I was sooo happy and soo excited while talking to her, I just felt that I needed to go.

Same thing happened with Uganda.  For the past couple months I've just felt that I need to go to Africa.  Like before all I wished for was to travel to Europe and stuff but now it is just...Africa!  And it's not just a "I want to go because that'd be awesome" type feeling.  It is a "I NEED to go because I will make a difference in the peoples lives if I go".  And I chose Uganda because it gave me more of an urgent feeling than did Tanzania.  And again, I felt like Uganda is where I should go."

So that night, I decided I was going to Uganda and I was going to go the full 18 weeks. :)

The more I think about it the better I feel about this is the right choice!

I applied the next day and then had an interview later that week.  I was officially accepted into the program about a week and a half later!  And now I'm just trying to get everything done before I leave in 16 days!  I'm working on fundraising, immunizations, packing, etc.! I can't wait :)

Quote of the day! :)

"If you're doing something for the right reasons, nothing can stop you." -We Bought a Zoo

Counting Down!

I'm counting down the days until I get on the airplane to leave for Africa and spend 3 1/2 months there! Only 20 more days!!!!!!  Holy cow I can not wait! :)
I still am making a list of pictures to take, so if you want me to take a picture of something specific, just for you, then let me know!! :) Here is my list so far:

Things to Spot in Africa:
McDonalds
Two People in Love

Many many beautiful children
Sunset and Sunrise
Rain Storm
Marissa Maxfield
African Baobab Tree (upside-down tree, monkey tree, monster tree) with me under it
A spider, anthill, or anything as big as my head
Elephant, Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Zebrah, Giraffe, Wildabeast, Hippo, Rhino, Wild/exotic animals
Me riding and fighting a lion
Everything
Kony
Elder Corey Kimzey, Elder Dyllen Cafferty and Elder Cody Eckman
Melman, Marty, Gloria, and Alex ;)
the Giant mountain
Stuff you're doing

Chocolate covered grasshopper

My favorite cookie

Is there anything you want me to add?? :)

 

ALSO!

HELP UGANDA

Since 1999, HELP International has been dedicated to fighting poverty and empowering people through community development initiatives in education, public health and business in some of the poorest countries around the world.
HELP International has been serving in Uganda since 2006, and this summer HELP will send two teams to Uganda to carry out its mission of: empowering people to fight global poverty through sustainable, life-changing development programs.
Teams will serve in Mbale and Lugazi, Uganda and will be comprised of two Country Directors who will lead 20 to 30 volunteers.
In partnership with local community members and organizations, HELP will be working on sustainable development projects that include:

• Nutrition and income generation through vertical gardens – which provide subsistence farming for families that do not own their own land in the Namatala slum near Mbale, Uganda. HELP teams built 10 vertical gardens last year.
• Empowerment through the Proud to Be a Girl Campaign – teaching the girls of Uganda women’s health, empowerment and self esteem. 
• Potential lives saved through Mbale Blood Drive – In 2011, HELP teams held a three-day blood drive, which recruited 230 blood donors - potentially saving 460 lives in Mbale Hospitals. HELP is hoping to grow this program in 2012.
  
• Improving education through teacher trainings – HELP teams partnered with the Minster of Education to provide teacher training to 338 teachers and hold Mbale’s first science fair, which hosted participants from 48 schools. 
• Improved health care through eye and dental clinics – in 2011, 94 patients were given eye exams and 32 patients dental exams. Sixty-eight pairs of glasses were distributed, and HELP is hoping to increase these numbers this summer. 
• Clean drinking water through water filters and rain harvesting systems – more than 2,000 people were provided clean drinking water in 2011, and the need for water sanitation is still great throughout Uganda. 
• Community development through soccer club in Natamala slum - 45 youth were taught leadership skills through this club that we would like to grow in 2012.
  
• Entrepreneurship through business trainings – participants are taught basic entrepreneurial and micro-enterprise business skills as well as income-generating activities.

However, in order to run these programs and serve the people of Uganda in 2012 – we need your HELP! 

WHY UGANDA NEEDS YOUR HELP
Uganda has gotten ample press recently; however, the problems facing the people of Uganda extend beyond Kony. Known as the “Pearl of Africa”, Uganda is rich in natural resources, yet its people remain deeply impoverished and in great need. Illiteracy is common, especially among females. The infant mortality rate is high – 82 deaths per 1,000 live births. 36% of people do not have access to clean drinking water.
The facts surrounding Uganda aren’t all dire. In the 1980’s more than 25% of Ugandans were infected with HIV; however, this rate has fallen to less than 7%. Uganda boasts the most effective national response to HIV/AIDS of any African country. HELP International is hoping to help create more success stories for the people of Uganda.

WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO?
Your donations will go directly towards sustainable development initiatives in Uganda, and every donation will help the people of Uganda! 100% of your donation goes to improving the communities and lives of people in Lugazi and Mbale, Uganda. Any size donation, even $1, helps, and your contribution is greatly appreciated!

Help out and donate to the cause! (click on the tab to your right or click here to donate!)

Tubasanyukidde!! :)

Tubasanyukidde!! :) That means welcome in Lugandan :) I went to a Lugazi Team meeting the other day and they told us more stuff of what we need to pack and the types of service projects we can get started on!  I was most interested in the Eye Camp project.  Help International has been doing an Eye Camp for the people in Uganda for the last three years.  This is one of the many projects I will be a part of this summer! :)

 Siiba bulungi! :)