Day: March 19, 2019

It’s officially rainy season in the village, but smiles and homes are still brighter than ever!

Via our online messaging system, Auma Tereza recently shared this current snapshot of life in Uganda with her incredible sponsor, Victoria Scribner (translated by the wonderful Sam Kuloba).

“In Uganda we have two seasons: the Wet and The Dry, which is so exiting, l love that […] and right now we are in the Wet season, where [all the people] in the rural communities are busy in their gardens planting food crops like maize-corn, beans, sweet potatoes, soy beans, etc.”

But in Uganda, rain doesn’t mean it’s cold (average daily highs are around 85 degrees)… and rain clouds don’t mean darkness – at least not with solar power.

Several widows recently shared with Pastor Paul about the impact of solar power.

“The rats used to come in at night and […] now with the light, the rats have disappeared.”

“I don’t have anything to give to you, except to dance for you.”

“I used to pay 200 shillings every time I needed fuel for my lamp. Now I can use that money for food for my children.”

Other students and widows have messaged their sponsors about how much healthier they feel since they aren’t breathing harmful fumes from burning kerosene for light. Some have even capitalized on their new solar power charging ports as a small business opportunity by selling access to a charging station.

Our community is safer, brighter, and better for the light. Thank you.

You can’t travel to Uganda without noticing boda bodas.  Everywhere you look you will find them.

The busy streets of Kampala are filled with taxis and boda bodas.

They are motorcycle taxis that will weave their way through traffic to get to their destination in the fastest way possible. They are convenient and efficient, though are more costly that using the taxis in Uganda and can be a little dangerous.

Boda bodas waiting on the roadside for customers.

On my first visit to Mawanga, I was told to take the bus from Kampala and get off at Busesa.  Pastor Paul told me to find a boda boda on the side of the highway and tell the driver to take me to him.  I thought it would be a short ride to Mawanga, but it turned out to be over half an hour.  Here I was, sitting on the back of a boda boda, side saddle, carrying my huge backpack and struggling for my life to hold on.  This boda driver weaved along the dirt roads and paths, avoiding potholes and puddles, all the while keeping this mzungu from falling off the back.  I soon came to realize how talented and knowledgeable these boda drivers actually are.  It is actually quite amazing how these boda drivers can maneuver the busy streets and village roads with their loads strapped on. Many times, they aren’t even sitting on the seat while they drive. Their load takes priority

You Saw What on the Back of a Boda?

In all my visits to Uganda, I have kept a running list of all the things I have seen on the back of a boda. I am sure that some of you could add to my list with things that maybe you have seen.

Here are a few of the things I have seen over the years: seven bundles of matooke, twelve jerry cans, a windshield, a lawn mower, a father with his four children, another boda, two single bed frames, a dead body wrapped in cloth, a couch, a nursing mother, a live goat, a tractor tire, 40 flats of eggs and a kitchen sink.

A boda with a man holding a boda riding on the back!