Uganda, among other African countries, has been in the news lately because of devastating cuts to international aid.
aid cuts put lgbtq community at health risk
article about ebola
I used to travel to Uganda once a year. From 2007 to 2019 I had a non-profit that provided assistance to an orphanage/children's home not far from Entebbe. We helped purchase food, we underwrote special projects and we gave countless kids the opportunity to attend high school, vocational school and university. For several years we had a social worker, Melissa from Kansas City, living on the grounds, providing ongoing emotional and logistical support to the children (she is pictured above). Over the course of 12 years we raised just over a million dollars and were able to give a leg up to lots of young people who otherwise didn't have much hope. I think in many cases we helped save lives.
Our special projects included things like: building a new outdoor kitchen, supplying new sheets and mattresses in the dormitories each year, creating a marching band, setting up a computer lab and providing the children with art supplies so they could create pieces for us to sell at our annual fundraisers. A filmmaker and dear friend of the organization, Lynne, was frequently part of the team. She made several compelling documentaries that enabled us to tell the childrens' stories and raise money.
Hundreds of generous people contributed to Change the Truth (CTT) over the years and helped make the organization a beautiful grassroots movement of which I was extremely proud. I had the privilege of meeting and working with so many incredibly kind people. Donating dollars was one way to help. Donating time was another.
Each Christmas season, a team of volunteers accompanied me to Uganda. There were artists, musicians, therapists, medical professionals, yoga teachers and people who just wanted to be with the kids. We were able to give the kids a Christmas they'd always remember, but we also shared knowledge and much, much love. Most volunteers went back at least a second time, while some returned many years. Special relationships developed between volunteers and kids. Many of those relationships continue to this day.
With all that's going on now, I've been thinking back to those days, recalling the big accomplishments that led to positive change and the small gestures that led to meaningful relationships. It was wonderful to be part of such life-changing goodness and purpose.
I dug up some snapshots from several of those trips. With all that's going on these days, it just seemed like a good time to look at them again. They're powerful reminders of what's possible when human beings from different cultures and classes connect. When there is respect, kindness, joy and love. When everyone, not just a few, wins.
Here's a short film called "Cool Life" that Lynne made in 2012. She tells the story of Change the Truth much better than I have done in this blog post. Please make yourself a cup of tea and spend a few minutes watching. Many of the readers of this blog know all about CTT and were responsible for helping make it special... so thanks to you. Your generosity will never be forgotten by the children or by me.
