Here in Mafubira (Uganda)

Hey everyone.
Thanks to all who've sent emails - great to hear from everyone! (Alas, I don't have the time to respond to them all). I'm now in Uganda, in a small community outside of Jinja, at STAO (standing from Save the Aids Orphans). I am constantly surrounded by children, which ensures there is never a dull moment :D I'm further outside of the city centre than I had initially expected, but it's turning out to be an ongoing adventure (in virtually every sense of the word). Things I had been spoiled with even a couple of weeks ago while traveling are no longer available (such as showers, flushable toilets...etc). Also, I ran out of shampoo some time ago, so I've resorted to using bar soap on the mane...which has produced mediocre results. Meh. It's all good. I am reminded, daily, of all that I have been blessed with and all that I still take for granted. These orphans have nothing in terms of possessions, but they teach me every day what it means to be happy, truly happy. I am certain they will end up helping me more than I would even hope to help them.

Every day is a little different here, and there's no strict routine, so mostly I jump from this to that (time spent in the clinic treating kids or members from the community) and play A LOT in between. The good news is that I've been tired enough to sleep fairly soundly (only waking up two or three times per night, which is an improvement), due to being tuckered out from playing so hard. Haha. The language barrier is an issue, and one that frustrates me a lot (hopefully enough to pick up a bit of Lugandan in the next few weeks) but luckily smiles and laughter are universal...and frequent here :) Being here, living with the kids and spending so much time with them makes me wish I had more to offer (funds, mostly. There is SO much need!!), other than just time and some medical knowledge. But I hope that, in some small way, I will be helpful to some along the way.

I should keep my time online brief, as there are others waiting to use this computer. I will update again when I can. Hope you're all doing well (and to those in Canada...Happy Thanksgiving!)