Trip to Ssese Islands

These are my Congolese friends who stay on the Islands. Their names are Noella and Joshua. Noella got her name because she was born on Christmas day. I think it's so cool how children are named. Basically, everyone has two given names, usually one is African in nature and the other English but not always. The children in Western Uganda close to Congo may have a name that means "first-born girl." There is a name given to the second-born, third, fourth, etc. all the way to at least eighth. The names are different for boys and for girls. So practically, a school teacher could call one name and many kids could answer to it! But it does give family history on first meeting.

Anyway back to the Islands of the Kalangala District of Lake Victoria, Uganda. If I can rightly recall, there are about 84 islands of all shapes and sizes dotted with some fishing camps/villages. I stayed on a bit of privately leased land.

The boat ride out was so misty that I couldn't find the horizon. See the mattress I slept on?

When we finally arrived, we were greeted by the father of the kids above, Damean. He was wearing a Wheaton Thunder football tee shirt (and I really wanted to take his picture for Chelsea, my sister, who goes there). He and his wife helped us unload and carry our bundles across to the other side of the island. Deep inland of the island was just as I would imagine the rainforests of Congo to look. There were incredible redwood trees surrounded by lush green foliage.

I was out on the island for a community-based volunteer (CBV) training course, the third of three. I was thankful to have a chance to see what other AIM missionaries are doing in community healthcare here in Uganda. Thanks to Deb for allowing me to tag along.

Each of the 14 CBVs is elected from the post-test club of the fishing camp where he or she lives. This reinforces the already existing structure of post-HIV test clubs that the government requires. Not only that, but the CBVs are respected leaders among their communities, and I could definitely sense that from this group. I was so encourage to see them interact and participate in discussions during the training sessions. These individuals really care about improving their communities and the lives of people they know.

I will have to type a second installment for this experience later, as I'm beginning to fatigue of the computer. sorry