Fishermans village

We went with Carsten, Moses and some visitors out to Namirende, where the Fisherman village is located. The village is about a 45 minutes drive from Masaka and is located on the shore of lake Victoria. They live from selling fish, but sadly waste their income. The villagers are known for a high rate of crime and use of illegal drugs and alcohol. A lifestyle which results can be observed when visiting. The village is run down and there are far more people than normal who are smoking and drinking in the middle of the day.

Emeli and Signe ready to go

Sweet girl, happy for the toy Signe and Anne-Mette handed out

Despite all the suffering the kids still had a smile on their face. Signe and Anne-Mette had brought some toys to hand out. Making the day for the kids. They brought toothpaste, toy cars etc.
We were told it was no fun to be around when it gets dark in the village. Making me sad, considering how the kids are doing, and what they witness every day in that environment.

Rikke handing out toys

UCC has build a school in Namirenbe for the sponsored kids in the area. It is located just outside the village on the shore of lake Victoria. It is quiet and beautiful, completely different environment than in the village.We were given a tour of the school and it was so great to see that some of the kids did have access to an education. Very important here in Uganda. When visiting they really
emphasize for the kids, that they thank us for visiting and will generally also sing a song or two for the visitors. So we were 10 danish visitors standing politely while they sang some well known children's songs, "Head, shoulder, knee and toe" and "A little duckling with wings" with Carsten laughing behind the camera.

The kids in one of the classrooms we visited

Huge horns that the cattle has in Fishermans village

Signe enjoying handing out toys :-)

Before we left Fishermans village, we had to taste their best catch, Tilapia. Despite the fear of a fish with eyes and all - it tasted great. Guess cooking it in oil killed the germs :-)

Super tasty Tilapia

It has been a day with various feelings. It hurts when you observe a community that lives in despair. Though the smiles from the kids is an upper, the hard part is the fact that we can not save all of them...

Hope, Lusango and Kisaka

White Angel School and Crocodile farm.

Today our social worker visited White Angel School, to deliver school supplies.

Schoolkids helping carry school supplies

A happy boy with a new bike, that he received from his sponsor

School kitchen

Taking advantage of the shade under the slide

New dress

The Danish School visiting a croc farm.

Teacher Niels admires the crocs

This beast has eaten several humans before it was caught...

Visiting a school in Rukungiri

Hi everybody :-)

Today we, Emeli and Kathrine, went with Gavin from the office to visit Rukungiri. We were picked up at 6 am and after a four hour ride arrived in Rukungiri. Gavin was there to hand out several gifts to sponsored children and deliver school supplies. The gifts were chosen by the sponsor from the available options on UCC's homepage. Which can be anything from Coca Cola to flip-flops. They put an emphases on taking pictures of the child when he or she receive their gifts - so the sponsor later can see the gifts and their happy sponsor child. We find it awesome that you can help a needy child in Uganda, even when you sit in Denmark or some other place in the world at very reasonable costs.

The kids love the camera!

We were shown around by the headmaster's daughter, who was really nice and informative. It was great to sense her enthusiasm for her work. We found out that they do not talk Luganda in Rukungiri, so all our new language skills were of little help there!
You can't help but notice the joy the kids show. Unreal that you can get that happy for toothpaste or new shoes. Certainly puts our "problems", like if our iPhone is charged or don't have the energy to make dinner, in perspective. Their joy is so honest, even when they get excited over stuff that we take for granted. Because, if we need toothpaste, we buy it. The thought that it would be out of our reach is so foreign for both of us. Since we live a totally different life. Sometimes it would be good to remember what a pampered life we live!

Children getting the school supplies, that Gavin were there to deliver

While we were there, we made a video and took some pictures to update/make a profile of the school on UCC's homepage. So the readers and the sponsors who have children at the school can get some general information about it.
We hope this was the first of many visits to the schools UCC supports, while we are here as volunteers. It is really exciting to meet new people, and a lot of kids who are happy to be able to go to school, and see what a difference 150 DKK from a sponsor can do in a child's life! (1$ = 5.49DKK)

Three of the children who received gifts from their sponsors in Denmark. 

They really put a lot of work into making creative educational drawings on the school walls. Which we would like to see done in Denmark as well!

Great rules and advice to the teachers! 

Emeli and Kathrine

Church and eight years birthday

Today at the church service Carsten preached about the importance that we as Christians reach out to those who need help. The needs we face in refugee camp hurts. It's tough to come face to face with such an emergency and only be able to help a tiny bit - but ignore it, we can of course not.

Today's longest birthday hug!

In the afternoon we celebrated Esther, which is 8 years old today. Lots of cake, ice cream, candy, sunshine, good friends and a super good treasure hunt organized by the volunteer team made the day a success.

Carsten preach and talk about the refugee camp. We are pleased with the church's new overhead projector!

Congratulations Esther!

Esther opens a hint in the Treasure Hunt

Kathrine and Emeli talks about the three robbers who had stolen the treasure ...

Emeli and Elijah

The treasure map has to be assembled

And we managed to find the treasure, which floated on the water!

Visiting the Baby-Home

We are getting to know a lovely Danish couple who is building a house in Masaka and planning to move here permanently in a few years time. Today Carsten and Miriam took this couple, Linda & Peter out to the baby home for a visit.
 

The wall around the baby home is being finalized

Even Hope was out playing today

Peter having fun with the kids

Miriam in action

Linda helps hanging the large amounts of laundry - just imagine having 19 children!

Seesaw fun

The playground is used a lot at the Baby-Home

It's fun to help a little even though a wheelbarrow is huge for a little boy

Happy Aggie

Mama Aggie is ready with food

Mama Rosa and Linda serves food for kids

Namenam!