Through Young Eyes...

My first day in Uganda was very overwhelming. I am a seventeen year old girl and this is my first time in another country, without my friends, and with a cellphone that could not get a signal. I was feeling all kinds of emotions, but the one I noticed the most was regret. Throughout my stay, I knew I would be missing seven days of school and the thought of all of the make up work terrified me. Now that I am finishing my last day here, I realize that no amount of schoolwork could possibly compare to the amazing experiences I have been so blessed to have.

The first day that I was here, I was sitting in the Bweya Community Church and I saw a little boy peep his head around the corner. I waved at him and without hesitation he walked over to me and sat in my lap. Within a few minutes he was snoring with his head rested on my chest. I don’t think that I will ever forget that moment. I am so happy that I was able to give someone so much comfort that they have been lacking so early on in the trip.

One of the main things that I have learned here is that teenager’s lives are so much different than the life that I and other people around me live. The kids here walk miles for water, to go to church, to go to school, to go anywhere, and they are truly happy about it. Abbey’s ten boys, young and old, could receive something as small as gum and find a way to share it with ALL of their brothers. Just today I gave Edrine a few pieces of caramel candies and he handed them out to everyone around him before taking one for himself. Without any shred of a doubt, I can say that that is something I have never seen a child do in the United States. Everyone is more focused on others around them receiving before receiving something for themselves.

In America kids my age care so much about how things look and if they can have more, but I have not seen that once here. They honestly appreciate anything and everything you give them. Not just material things, but also hugs, and kisses, and maybe a few, or a lot of laughs. There is no judgment here, and there are no standards to live up to. I am in a place where I can’t walk around by myself, I have to use bug spray every time I go outside, and I cannot drink the water yet....

                      I have never felt so carefree.

-Charlie

This is what "Our Charlie" looked like most of the trip. It was amazing for the four of us with her to watch her love unconditionally, uninhibited and purely. We believe this experience will forever impact the rest of her life!

Were proud of you "punkin"!