My journey and the stories of so many children and adults that I have met have led to many sleepless nights and many wonderings of how they are doing so in the latter part of 2009/10 I decided to revisit some of them to see how they have faired in the last 2 years:
Uganda January 2010
When I touched back down in Kampla enroute to Mbale, it felt so good to be back, a lot has happened since my first visit here 18 months ago, a lot of miles covered, many childrens stories told, and I was eager to get back and rekindle friendships that had been made on my previous visit. The journey was an exciting one for me, I was going to a wedding of two young film makers and aide workers that I had met on my previous visit , and revisiting one of the orphanages and slums that have appeared in my previous visits.
As I traveled to Mbale, it was with nervous excitement. The wedding was amazing a cultural blend of Ugandan/Sri Lankan/Australian/Welsh all celebrating the union of two such devoted and inspiring youngsters who met and found love here in Africa. A joyous occasion.
My visit to the Orphanage and Slum area was not so joyeous, as I walked down the now familiar red dusty road I was greeted by a group of excited children running towards me , some faces I recognized, some I did not, some faces remembered in my dreams, visibly absent. As I asked about these children and heard the sad tales of their deaths, I was reminded once again that time operates on a different level here in Uganda, The 18 months have been a busy time for me, and time has been very kind, however time has not been so kind to many of the children that focused in my films , cholera, malaria, dysentery and child mortality has taken its toll and I’m sad to report that some of the children I showed you are no longer with us.
It has been a sharp reminder to me that we in the first world cannot turn our backs on people in the third world – for our complacency costs lives, our hesitancy breeds disease and time is running out for these young children . We can make a difference if we use our enthusiasm to fuel awareness and our dedication to invoke change.
During my visit I returned to Namatala, a slum area featured in one of my films, conditions here are improving but ever so slowlyyyyyyyyyyyy but whilst I was in Mbale I met Sam Okotel, Sam is keen to develop support for the development of a health clinic in Namatala.
At present there is no health care facilities, He would love to hear from any Organisation, Company, Charity that would like to help.
To see Namatala click here:
http://www.aroundtheworldin80schools.com/schools/school17.php
To contact Sam Okotel then please email : sam_okotels@yahoo.com
You may recall during my last visit to Mbale, me telling you of an amazing woman I met Edith Wakumire well Edith is still working and achieving amazing results.
Her story and her work with http://www.ugandaconcern.com/ has now been published so if you are looking for a good read ;0)
Will keep you informed of developments and any help that Namtala Clinic gets !!!!!
Fingers crossed :0)
