Yesterday we went to the Katanga slums and held a "health clinic" of sorts. The intention was to go in and set up stations and have about 20 or so people (mostly kids and moms) go through at a time. What ended up happening is that we showed up during the school day, intending to set up in the local school (a small concrete building with a roof) but the school had absoutely no idea we were coming. So there were kids in the building as we set up. Usually the kids would have to wait outside, but as it was, there were about 50 kids inside and they could tell they were about to receive care and free items. So they were excited and yelling and jumping around. We attempted to set up the stations: hand washing, tooth brushing, snacks, eye care, wound care, vitamins, and deworming. There was also a clothing station which we intended to keep discrete, as that is what gets kids really excited. Aftter they went through all the stations, kids were supposed to be ushered outside. It started off okay but quickly disolved into chaos. Kids were running all over the place, and it was impossible to tell which kid had been to which station. We ran out of toothbrushes in about 5 minutes, and the floss we gave out (of course) was quickly used as a toy. I have no idea we thought giving out floss was going to be a good idea. Kids learned that we were attempting to usher them outside and ran away so that they could go back through the lines. They also learned that we were giving out clothing and ran to the back so that they could get some. We only had a few items to give out, and were attempting to identify those most in need and clothe them discretely, but it was nearly impossible. Two images stand out to me, and one thought. The images: one little boy with a large parasite on his leg who had no way to treat it. Just thiking about having to live with that reality of a worm living inside your leg and not being able to do a thing about it. The other image is of a little girl, probably 8 months old, in the dirtiest and rattiest t-shirt you've ever seen. We have so much and this little girl is starting off life without even a tshirt for her own. We put her in a little two piece outfit, and just watching her made me start to cry. How can we allow people to live in these circumstances? How can we allow babies to go without food and medicine and clothing? The thought I had after the day was the desperation that led these kids to actions that seem rude and disrespectful, but in reality are just how they survive. Asking people for money and the clothes they're wearing, running away from being ushered outside, taking more and more and going through the lines multiple times, saying they've had nothing when they've been through over and over. The desperation and stress these kids must feel on a constant basis is unfathomable. And you can't blame them when they run up to you and ask for things, or when they try to go through gargage to see if you've thrown out anything that might be useful to them, or when they lie about having gone through the line. This is just basic survival for them. The most heartbreaking thing is when you see a five or six year old carrying around a one year old and caring for them before they care for themselves. I can't tell you how many small children came up to me and asked me for something, not for themselves, but for the baby on their back. Clothing, food, anything. "What about this one?" they would say, as if they were competing against each other. Which, I suppose, in a sense, they are. We stayed for about 3 hours and then packed up our things and left. I don't know if we made any sort of impact, even in just making their day temporarily better.
After lunch we went to a very nice Japanese restaurant where we met with a man from the pricate sector. A business man who made no apologies for coming to Kampala to make money. "I'm not here to help people, I don't belive in it." is what he said. As if helping people were some religion or ideology that can you believe in it or not. He told us that by building up his business he's providing jobs, which he supposes helps people but that is not his main goal. Or any part of his goal. I don't understand that. I don't understand any part of that. And what is the purpose of saying out loud that "I dont belive in helping people". Are we supposed to be impressed by your honesty? Because I'm not. He said there will always be haves and have nots, and that's just the way of the world. As if it's not our responsibility to take care of one another. I could go on and on about that lunch. But I won't. Because I'll get mad.
Luckily, the day ended wonderfully. We went to the arts and cultural center of Uganda and saw the most amazing show I have ever seen. We saw traditional African dances and music and I can't even begin to describe how amazing it was. How athletic these people were. They danced- and I mean DANCED- for like 3 hours. And the guy who led the troop and sort of emceed the evening was so entertaining and witty, but he ended the evening by talking about how dancing can bring people together. How if everyone danced together there would be no war, only peace. And then he invited us to come up and "share their oxygen" and dance with them. Which we did. And it was the most fun I think I've ever had. And it helped me shake off the awful lunch. We are all connected, and most people realize it. And many of them are working in their own way to make the world just a little bit better. Whether it be providing a health clinic, or making peanut butter, or dancing for others and inviting them to dance with you- if we could all work together to make the world just a little bit better, in our way, it would make all the difference. And that is how I want to live my life. With intention and purpose and in connection with others.
Today we are headed to Lira to see the rehabilitation of the child soldiers and visit an HIV clinic. I am greatly looking forward to this trip. It's about a 6 hour drive, but we get to stop and see rhinos, which should be very cool! I need to get off the internet now to let others have a chance. Hopefully I can write more later!!
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