Completely In Awe

By Carole Wilson,

Before departing Uganda, I had the privilege of observing several classes in two of our Fields of Dreams Uganda partner schools. At the Wakiso Children's School of Hope the first class I observed was the top class and baby class. One teacher was teaching both levels. She was at the board teaching a math lesson to the top class, children from age 4 and

5.  They were working on numbers between two numbers. They did two problems with the teacher. Then she passed out their writing books and these 4 year olds sat at their desks and quietly did 10 problems. While these children were working their problems, the teacher worked with the students in the baby class, about 3 years old. They were working on reading sounds, matching words, and writing words. These children were sounding out and reading words.

Then I went to a primary 3 class where the teacher was teaching a class on germination. First the teacher taught the lesson with the students orally repeating the information and writing it in their study books. She then had them turn around so they could not see the board and asked them questions. Because they had both recited and written the information, these students knew the information.

The next class I observed was at New Kabaale Busega School. There I observed a primary 4 class with 70 students and one teacher. He was teaching a social studies lesson. Again he had information on the blackboard. He would read the question, then the students would read the question, and he would ask for the answer. It was obvious he had previously taught this information. A student would answer the question, he would write it on the board, and the students would repeat the answer. They then wrote the questions in their notebooks.

At both schools, each teacher had one textbook and a blackboard. The students had a notebook. Having taught school, I was in awe of how these teachers and students did the excellent job they did with so few supplies. Not only were there hardly any supplies, there were four children sharing one bench and desk. In all the classes the students were involved in active learning and not listening to a lecture. The teachers all showed respect for the students and the students showed respect back. All in all, I was completely in awe of the teaching and learning in these two schools.

Purpose

By Dot Schucker,

My trip here in Uganda is quickly coming to an end. I can't believe that I have been here for almost 20 days. The things that I have seen on this trip can not be described in words. I have seen the best and the worst of this country in these few weeks. I can empathize with children who fear the dark and wait for the light to shine. I have personally seen those children. I have seen them at every stage. When they are fearful, they hide and won't come to your calling for fear of being hurt. When the light has finally reached their life, they smile the most beautiful smiles and hold your hand with such great passion. In this post, I will not be able to describe the full extent of what has happened here in this country. I will not be able to describe how much my heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest. The only thing that I can do now is to just try to reach out to others so that they can feel at least a portion of what I feel. If I can accomplish that, I know that this country will be helped in such great ways.

The first ten days were spent in Gulu. Gulu is everything I expected it to be and nothing I could have prepared for. Their needs are so great. They need electricity for the deaf so that they can communicate. They need lights to prevent any more abuse to their children. They need school supplies to learn, more food to support their bodies, mattresses to sleep on, and genuine love from people who want to help them. They have none of that. I have described it to some as a direct example of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the bottom of this pyramid consists of needs of food, water, and shelter. Without these, a human can not reach other levels such as love and feeling belonged. These children don't even have the bottom level. They can't trust and love others when they are more concerned of their safety and surviving the world. These children have seen atrocities that I can not even begin to imagine. There were often days were I felt hopeless, and I wasn't even in the situations. However, there were always opportunities where I saw the progress. I saw a smile, a hug, an appreciative nod, or even just a child getting a little closer. My final few days at Gulu were some of the brightest. A young boy that had broken his leg at the tournament had personally sought me out and I took him to a clinic to get it looked at. After a day of me feeling utter hopelessness, the boy took my hand and laid his head on my shoulder. In this tiny move of affection, my heart was broke open, the dark chased away, and hope crept into the place where hopelessness had once been. Next stop: Kampala.

Some of my favorite boys are located in Kampala. I often think about these boys when I'm home. Abdul is one of those boys who will always hold a large piece of my heart. He is so smart and inquisitive. I love the pursuit of knowledge, and I do not find it a coincidence that this boy was placed in my life. I had learned on this trip that he had a heart condition and could not do many activities. As a nursing student, I started to see a pattern in these events over this trip, and I decided to react.

Tournament day is always a fun, interactive day for the players and the fans. The excitement they have for their teams reminds many that these are just children. You would be surprised how easy it is to forget that these mature, small beings are actually children! The day after the tournament was highly ironic in that our whole team faced a very dark day. We took three boys, who had gotten a scholarship to go to Wakiso to learn and play soccer, back to their village to visit their families. The atrocities I saw there still haunts me. The family of two of the boys held their children to no importance. They did not care. They found it more interesting that white people were even there and paid no attention that the children they had not seen in six months were back home. These children shuddered from their parents touch and kept a distance from them at all times. The whole team ended this whole interaction in tears or in anger. We were eager to get the boys back in the van and drive off. While this situation felt hopeless, it was not unlike the situation I had encountered 9 days before that. In the darkest of dark, there is a beacon of hope. We took these children to go eat. This restaurant had a trampoline and these boys played on this trampoline for a solid 30 minutes. They were laughing and joking, and their laughter and smiles quickly spread throughout the whole team. They had ice cream before dinner and one of the sweet boys ate his weight in food. Hope had, again, reached into that dark place in my heart.

I truly believe everyone has a specific purpose in life. Whatever that purpose may be, it should be carried out with all your heart. This trip has reminded me of my purpose: to help others. The only time I feel most at peace with the world is when I can see that hope rising in others that I have touched. I am called to action, and I will refuse to ignore it. As I venture back into America, I must remind myself to stay focused and passionate. I cannot let this world turn me bitter or blind, but I must use the pain and heartache to drive me further along my path. I hope that this hope will spread not just to my beautiful Ugandans but to Americans, as well

Words Are Not Enough...

By Mike Warneke,

Today is a difficult post to write. It seems as if our team has left such an incredible place of joy from yesterday’s tournament and traveled into some of the greatest despair we have ever been witness too. As often happens here in on our trips, agendas change, and new plans are made. Our team arose this morning fully expecting to spend the day at our partner school, New Kabaale Busega, but with a visit day for care givers on their campus our plans quickly detoured to Masaka instead.

I must quickly give you a little background information so you understand the full picture of why today was so difficult, yet also so powerful. I had the joy of getting to know a man by the name of Paius on Facebook through a contact I made at a music festival in May of 2013. We became friends and shared about our various activities, as we are both attempting to empower the children of Uganda through the means of soccer and education. This online friendship lead our team in early March of this year to travel to Masaka and see their work first hand. Upon our trip we were able to offer Paius a chance to select three of his most vulnerable children to get a fresh start at one of our partner schools in Wakiso, and he choose three remarkable young men, Paul, Paul and Fahad.

These young men have been at Wakiso Children’s School of Hope on scholarship, a huge form of gratitude that our partner school has shown us in appreciation for our FoDU programs on their campus. It has been five months since they have seen their families, and we thought it wise that we take them home to share with their communities how well they are doing, and how this new school has completely embraced all three of them. It was an exciting ride as we made a brief stop at the equator, and then continued on to Masaka. When we first entered the city we met up with the incredible young gentlemen that are behind Divine Soccer Ministries, and are the ones that introduced us to these special young men now living in Wakiso. Our time in Masaka started out joyfully as Paul, Paul and Fahad were able to come back to their friends as heroes sharing what they have been able to accomplish, and looking like changed people. One of the Paul’s had recently scored the first goal for Wakiso at the tournament yesterday and was placed on the select team, and the other Paul and Fahad were just placed on the Junior District Team for all of Wakiso. They were coming back to town as heroes, that all of their friends in the Divine Soccer Ministries could look up too.

And then the winds shifted. It was time to say goodbye to their friends, and take the boys back home to let their families know that they were thriving in their new environments. I have seen poverty both domestically back home in the U.S. and throughout Uganda, but our entire team was moved to tears at different times of our visits, as the situations these boys were raised in were indescribable. Each of these boys faced difficult challenges growing up: one struggled to feed himself and his younger brother living in very dirty surrounds; another faced an entire family of drug users, himself being a recovering addict at the age of 14, and the last young boy growing up in the slums of Masaka amidst drunkards, raw sewage and a mother who seemed to have no empathy for her own son. These three boys are survivors in the richest sense of the word. They have already overcome more than I can imagine, and somehow they are still dreaming for the future.

As difficult as it was to see their environments in which they were raised, it was confirmation once again that we are doing the right thing. For a child growing up in such a hopeless place, soccer is often the only bright spot in the glaring darkness that can easily consume them. As we drove back to Kampala we were able to take these boys to their first meal in a sit down restaurant, for two of them their first taste of ice cream, and they got the chance to simply be kids as they jumped and laughed on a trampoline. Our team is still struggling to make sense of what we witnessed today. There are simply no words to describe the painful environments that these boys were raised in, and yet we left them with smiles on their faces tonight. We attempted as best we could to let the boys know that they had nothing to be ashamed of during their home visits. They did not choose these environments or the neglect that was handed to them. However they do have a say in what happens in their future, and right now it is getting brighter each and every day.

Some questions simply cannot be asked, because no answers will do. All I can do tonight is trust that God knows what He is doing, and perhaps if enough of us wake up to the state of the world we are living in, then maybe, just maybe, there will be a few more Paul’s and Fahad’s getting a true chance to achieve their dreams. Words cannot paint the pictures of joy and suffering here in Uganda; you will only get half-truths and half-blessings until you come and discover this land for yourself.

I cannot thank Paius, Fred, Andrew, Joseph, and Robert at Divine Soccer Ministries enough for going into the shadows of Masaka and showing the children in their care that they matter, that they are loved, and that a brighter future awaits them. 

Well Earned Pride

By Jen Wilson,

One year ago, I participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Wakiso Children's School of Hope. Fields of Dreams Uganda made a commitment to create a soccer field for the children at Wakiso School of Hope and the surrounding community of Wakiso.  In June 2013, the field was a rocky playing surface not fit for an actual soccer match, but the children at Wakiso diligently practiced and played each day. After that initial ribbon-cutting the children and staff at Wakiso, along side the Uganda FoDU staff, worked tirelessly to create a beautiful field.

Today, another ribbon-cutting ceremony took place to officially open the field for the Fields of Dreams Uganda Kampala Tournament. District officials, Wakiso staff, FoDU staff, the FoDU Dreams Team, and the children of Wakiso rejoiced as the ribbon was cut and the first ball was kicked. A field seems such a simple thing to us.  We are surrounded by soccer fields in the U.S.A.  But, here in Kampala, field space is at a premium.  Wakiso Children's School of Hope now was one of the premier youth fields in all of Kampala.  Today, the stakeholders at Wakiso were filled with such pride to host the tournament at THEIR school on THEIR field.

As the first game got underway, the players on the U-15 Wakiso boys team were pushing hard to claim the first goal on the new field.  Each time the offense got close, the crowd would start chanting the name of the player. Several near misses occurred, and the first goal seemed imminent.

First, a little back story. On a previous trip to Uganda, the team visited a soccer group in the Masaka district. The team identified a few young men with talent and skill.  Due to our partnership with Wakiso, the staff of Wakiso offered these young men scholarships to live and learn at Wakiso.  What a gift!  One of these young men is named Paul...back to the story.

Finally, the first goal was scored...and it could not have been more perfect! Paul, the young man from Masaka, scored the first goal on the new field for his new community.  The crowd erupted into celebration.  The other students chanted Paul's name, and a huge smile spread across his face. The partnership between Wakiso and FoDU offered this young man a fresh start, and he rewarded his school with the first goal and a win in their opening match.  I wish I could have captured that moment to share with all of you back home!

As the day unfolded, there were so many more amazing moments. Students demonstrated their artistic ability in a Music and Dance competition with native dances and songs. The level of play during the girls soccer matches showed a great improvement from the first tournament I witnessed last year. Our FoDU U-18 boys select team played a friendly match versus the She Corporate 11. The She Corporate is a team composed of former members of the Ugandan Women's National Team, the She Cranes.  At the end of the match, our boys were victorious, 3-0. I was so impressed with the increase in their skill level and teamwork.  They worked together as a team, fought hard, and came home with a victory. And boy were they proud!  What a great opportunity to continue to spread the word about FoDU on a national level in Uganda.

The day concluded with our FoDU awards ceremony.  Smiles, hugs, medals, trophies, and goats have all become traditions I enjoy.  However, what will stick most with me from this day is pride.  The pride of the Wakiso staff and students to welcome a community to their beautiful field. The pride of Paul scoring the first goal for his new family.  The pride of the boys select team earning their victory over the She Corporate. Pride that was well-earned and well-deserved

Joy, Confidence and Hope

By Ashlee Powers,

I have officially been in Africa for 4 full days. Joining this trip for me meant an opportunity to help, have an adventure, and see the place I have heard so much about, Uganda. I want to share a few main points of our team's trip so far and about how Fields of Dreams is spreading hope everywhere we go.

The first school we visited this week was Wakiso School of Hope. I had heard about the joy that these vulnerable children had, but it was hard to believe until I saw it with my own eyes. As we climbed out of the van, children greeted us with warm smiles and hugs saying the Ugandan greeting, "you are welcome". Within the first ten minutes I had about 5 children hanging on each of my arms. Three girls in particular, Belinda, Juliet, and Rita stayed close to me all day. Belinda shared with me her story of how she has lived at Wakiso for 1 year because her mother is sick and cannot care for her anymore. She said,"we used to be happy and then when she got sick we were not happy anymore." Belinda dreams to be a nurse. I want so much for her to be happy.

The second school we visited was Vision for Africa. What stuck out most to me during this short visit to drop off football gear, was how thankful the young girls were for the hygiene kits Fields of Dreams gave to them in February. One girl that spoke said that, "we now have self confidence because we can use the hygiene kits once a month". That for me was so important to hear because for preteen and teenage girls self confidence is everything.

Even today, as we took a day to go exploring in Mbale on Mount Elgon, our wonderful national director, Jonathan, spoke to a young boy from Sipi Falls named Thomas Sam about his education and dreams. Within this 10 minute hike back to the van I learned that Thomas was good at English and in P5. When Jonathan asked what his dream was, Thomas answered, "to be like you." Even though Jonathan giggled and was embarrassed, I could easily understand the admiration that this young boy had for him after only knowing him for a short time because Jonathan had showed interest in his dreams. He gave him hope.

Warm Welcome

By Carole Wilson

Today we went to Wakiso Children's School of Hope. The children were excitedly waiting for us at the gate. When we left the van, the children ran forward welcoming us with big smiles and hugs. It was one of the warmest welcomes I have ever received. They are so proud of their campus and took us on a tour. You can see in their faces how much they want to be loved and I hope I was able to give them that today.

The school has a new football field, and they all worked very hard to make it happen. The students and staff even planted the grass on the field. They are very excited about having their first Fields of Dreams Uganda football tournament on it this Saturday.

On an educational focus, I was privileged to witness an oral quiz and debate between the children of The Wakiso Children's School of Hope and another of FoDU's partner schools, New Kabaale Busega. It was a first for both schools. It was all very exciting to watch. I was very impressed with the knowledge the children had on the rules of debate and how they presented their positions on their topic: Urban Life vs. Rural Life. Both sides did an excellent job. The children really focused on their side of the debate, made good points, and would ask for further explanation when the other team was making a point. The children' pride showed through.

I am so glad to be here and meet these children who have so many needs and at the same time, they take so much pride in their education.

Voyage to the Heart of Uganda

By Tim Blythe,

Tim’s log, Stardate 300614.  We will soon be leaving Uganda and heading for home where luxury will await us.  Life will soon be normal again…..or not!

During this visit, I have seen great pride in the people of Uganda.  For example:

1. The football field at Wakiso.
2. The pride of representing your school. 
3. Kids showing off their classroom and where they sleep.
4. People give you a firm handshake and a hug.
5. They wash their vehicles even though they will get dirty very quickly due to the roads.
6. The food stands carefully organize the food for the best presentation possible.

I have also witnessed the kids here get to play the game they love.  Without Fields of Dreams Uganda, they would not be playing these games. They would only be kicking around a banana leaf ball.  But now they are playing tournament games, they have uniforms, boots and real footballs.  I have seen kids from the Central area (New Kabaale Busega) travel from there to play against a team (Laroo) in the North area (Gulu) which is a six hour trip.  Yes, this means they actually traveled to play in the tournament and spent two nights in Gulu.  Think about that!  Kids here go to school then back home and then back to school again.  A child here would not even know kids from a school nearby.  I think about back home and how many of our kids have friends that go to different schools!  These kids don’t get that chance….but with football and Field of Dreams Uganda it is a reality.

To hear both the children of Gulu and New Kabaale sing praises of each other is beautiful music.  A lot of bad myths were shattered this past weekend.  If you don’t know the kids from your own area, you sure don’t know the kids up North.  The teams from the North were disappointed that the girls from New Kabaale Busega did not come up and play.  Maybe next year this will happen.

This has been a wonderful trip and a true joy for me to be a part of this team, but where do I go from here?  Can I possibly forget these kids and how much help they need?  I pray I do not.  Maybe next year you will feel the urge to come and feel and see the blessings this place has to offer.  

Time to sign off from Uganda and catch the plane home.  I am excited to see my family again, but this place will always have a special place in my heart.

Good night from Uganda. 

The Pearl of Africa Also Known As Uganda

By Lee Ann Pendergrass

Today our American team said farewell to the Fields of Dreams staff in Gulu.  What hearts, what passion and love they demonstrate over and over by assisting, believing in them and dreaming with the children so they can have hope and work hard for their achievements.  It is with mixed feelings that I leave Gulu. I watched how the children welcomed us at each school, met the staff at the different schools, developed dream plans with individual children whom I fell in love with, and watched the joy and smiles from the adults and children during the football tournament yesterday.  All this proves to me that people are more alike than different regardless of where you were born.

The real difference is geography, educational and employment opportunities.  Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa.  It is hard to see the pearls among the poverty and lack of opportunities.   The pearls in Uganda are hidden at times- hardworking adults and children, their strong belief in God, their respectfulness to each other, their smiles in spite of their circumstances, their excitement in football, their pride in their country, the ability to sing their national anthem and know meaning of the words, and love to smile and wave to strangers.

Could Americans become pearls to Ugandans?  Ugandans need a leg up not a hand out. To me, Fields of Dreams Uganda does this through their programs by combining the love of football and their educational dream plans. Fields of Dreams Uganda hires local people to help develop and implement the programs through football coaches and educational advocates. This is not a job to them, but a passion to see youth become serious and confident about their future. These children are the future leaders of Uganda. They will become pearls to their own country's future.  They in turn will have a ripple affect on other Ugandans.

I want to close by thanking each of you who have supported Fields of Dreams.  Your funds, prayers, encouragement, donations of items, time and expertise are your pearls to Uganda 's future.  As I return to Georgia, there are a few pearls in my heart from this nation.  I don't say farewell to my new friends and children in Uganda for I pray I can return to the Pearl of Africa.

The FoDU World Cup

By Henan Miller

As I told people that I was going to Uganda in June 2014 I always got the same reaction “but the world cup is happening then!”, and my answer was always the same one “I know”.

Today was the FoDU tournament and also the day that confirmed that missing a few world cup games was just the right decision. It has been an amazing trip where I got and will get to experience very unique feelings.

Six schools got to attend the tournament with both boys and girls football teams. We started very early with a band and a nice parade to the only pitch to host all 11 games. Many people from each school got to attend the tournament, staff from FoDU Uganda, the FoDU team from the US, and the Gulu community as well. The day was beautiful, a little hot for the foreigners, but great for a football tournament. And by the way, the games were only 30 minutes long.

I know what some of you are thinking, and the answer is yes. I got to play at least one game. I was super excited to play an official football game in Uganda. We also gave the referees a break and I was designated as the center referee. It was great to be part of this event at so many different levels.

The unique thing about our tournament is that we included a cultural/musical theme. Each school got to perform their own music piece in between games. Again, an amazing idea and a simple way to get to know these kids and schools much better.

There were winners and of course losers, but at the end of the day we are “slowly by slowly”, as Ugandans would say, accomplishing our goals as an organization.

Please consider helping others in Uganda via Fields of Dreams, or even others closer to you. You are making a difference, I promise you.

Thanks to my family, my friends, and the entire FoDU team from Uganda and the US. It won’t be long before my family and I get back to this country to get our son. Until then thank you!

Unexpected Uplifting

By Jen Wilson

We have an amazing team here in Gulu.  I have felt blessed all week to serve with the six other members of our June Dream Team.  We each have a different set of strengths and gifts that have blended together so well.  We've laughed together, we've cried together, and we have so many phenomenal memories of the last six days.

However, every journey has a low moment. A point in time where you begin to question the work or wonder if you can take another step forward.  For many members of the team, today was a difficult day.  Nothing catastrophic happened, but after six full days...we were tired. The needs of our schools in Gulu are great.  As we visit each campus the head teacher shares with us a long list of challenges and needs.  Electricity, fencing, curriculum materials, classroom space, etc. What we consider basic necessities are items of luxury in Uganda.  It's humbling to realize we take so much for granted in America.

Today after visiting two of our partner schools and seeing the same level of needs I thought...how are we ever going to make this right?  How can we adequately serve and help these children and teachers?  Are we making an impact? These questions were running through my mind as we made the turn into the driveway of our lodging and immediately all of those thoughts left my mind.  Lining the driveway were 30 JOYOUS faces.

The players from New Kaabale Busega, one of our partner schools in Kampala, and our Kampala coaches were lining the driveway clapping and singing to welcome us home.  Their faces were glowing.  Huge smiles.  Warm hugs and handshakes.  It reminded me that hope is alive and progress is possible.  As the champion team in the Kampala region, the team from New Kaabale traveled to Gulu to participate in the tournament.  Over the last two years, our Ugandan staff and Amercian staff/team members have invested time, love, and resources into the lives of these children...and you can see the fruits of this labor of love.  These young men have grown not only as soccer players.  They have grown as leaders, scholars, and young men of great character.  I wish you could have seen how excited they were to be in on the surprise to bring such a great blessing to us.  The team piled back on the bus to head to Gulu PTC, their hosts for the tournament, and we returned the favor.  We lined the driveway to clap for them as they left...and they loved it!

As I watched them drive away, it hit me.  In two to three years, our children in Gulu will hopefully have the same spirit, love, and joy.  Each time we invest in their dreams, hope grows.  Each time we host a tournament for them, hope grows.  Each time we are able to meet a challenge or need on their campus, hope grows.  Today started at ground zero, but it ended in a place of joy.  It was a great reminder that change takes time...but hope can blossom.

Unexpected Uplifting

By Jen Wilson

We have an amazing team here in Gulu.  I have felt blessed all week to serve with the six other members of our June Dream Team.  We each have a different set of strengths and gifts that have blended together so well.  We've laughed together, we've cried together, and we have so many phenomenal memories of the last six days. However, every journey has a low moment. A point in time where you begin to question the work or wonder if you can take another step forward.  For many members of the team, today was a difficult day.  Nothing catastrophic happened, but after six full days...we were tired. The needs of our schools in Gulu are great.  As we visit each campus the head teacher shares with us a long list of challenges and needs.  Electricity, fencing, curriculum materials, classroom space, etc. What we consider basic necessities are items of luxury in Uganda.  It's humbling to realize we take so much for granted in America.

Today after visiting two of our partner schools and seeing the same level of needs I thought...how are we ever going to make this right?  How can we adequately serve and help these children and teachers?  Are we making an impact? These questions were running through my mind as we made the turn into the driveway of our lodging and immediately all of those thoughts left my mind.  Lining the driveway were 30 JOYOUS faces.

The players from New Kaabale Busega, one of our partner schools in Kampala, and our Kampala coaches were lining the driveway clapping and singing to welcome us home.  Their faces were glowing.  Huge smiles.  Warm hugs and handshakes.  It reminded me that hope is alive and progress is possible.  As the champion team in the Kampala region, the team from New Kaabale traveled to Gulu to participate in the tournament.  Over the last two years, our Ugandan staff and Amercian staff/team members have invested time, love, and resources into the lives of these children...and you can see the fruits of this labor of love.  These young men have grown not only as soccer players.  They have grown as leaders, scholars, and young men of great character.  I wish you could have seen how excited they were to be in on the surprise to bring such a great blessing to us.  The team piled back on the bus to head to Gulu PTC, their hosts for the tournament, and we returned the favor.  We lined the driveway to clap for them as they left...and they loved it!

As I watched them drive away, it hit me.  In two to three years, our children in Gulu will hopefully have the same spirit, love, and joy.  Each time we invest in their dreams, hope grows.  Each time we host a tournament for them, hope grows.  Each time we are able to meet a challenge or need on their campus, hope grows.  Today started at ground zero, but it ended in a place of joy.  It was a great reminder that change takes time...but hope can blossom.

Walking

By Peggy Cox

Today I stayed behind in Gulu while the rest of the team went on a tour of Murchison Falls National Park. FoDU’s national director, Jonathan Ssebambulide escorted me on a walking tour of Gulu. First we went to the Ugandan Red Cross where I was able to donate blood once again. We then headed into the “downtown” area of Gulu where we walked through a very large market, the largest I’ve visited in Uganda. You could buy everything from smoked fish to deep fried White Ants; tomatoes and onions; more varieties of fresh peas than I could identify; backpacks and electronics; prepackaged spaghetti and elbow macaroni; gently used leather shoes with fresh coats of black shoe polish and what every person in Uganda needs, a t-shirt with Daytona Beach emblazoned across the front. (Thank you, Goodwill Industries.)

I have been blessed to visit Uganda five times now, but this was my first time to walk to my destination like the average Ugandan has to and to experience a little of what their everyday life is like. I am even more impressed by these humble and strong people.

Today I walked a little over six miles in their shoes. For me, today was a one day adventure and cherished time spent with a dear friend. For children like Kevan, the student we met yesterday at Pageya Primary School, it is a distance they have to walk each school day, if they want an education. Let me briefly tell you about Kevan. She is a beautiful, healthy, 14 year old young lady. She seemed to be taller than your average 14 year old girl, but I’m a smidge over 5 feet tall, so most people seem tall to me. Kevan walks approximately three miles each way to school. Some days her brother, who she lives with, has the 2,000 Shillings (75¢) for her to take a boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) either to or from school, but not both ways. She usually walks 6 miles round trip each day, just to get an education.

Pretty amazing, huh? It gets better, or worse, I guess I should say. Kevan is an amputee and has a prosthetic leg. She stepped on a land mine and lost her lower left leg at the knee. She was only 6 years old. She walks three miles to school and three miles back home again, on a prosthetic leg, just for an education that is not guaranteed beyond the 7th grade. Now then, pretty amazing, huh?

Connecting While Disconnected

By Tim Blythe

Wow it is hard to believe how quickly the week is slipping away.  I have not connected to the internet for almost a week.  I have no idea what is going on in the news.  It is nice being disconnected from work.

If you asked me to explain my first couple of days I think I would say “I was a deer in the headlights”. I really did not know what to say with everything that I was seeing.  The journey began in Kampala for a couple of days and then to Gulu for the rest of the week.   I witnessed in Kampala a great worship service where the kids sang and danced.  The kids in Kampala were very friendly and right away they would get very close to you.  In Gulu the kids are very friendly but yet a lot more reserved when you first meet them.  You can get so quickly attached to both the kids in Kampala and Gulu.   At New Kabaale Busega I met three girls named Juliet, Sarah and Cissy.  They wrote me some letters asking me things like:  Did you love Uganda? Is it a nice country?  Where I live do you really have more than two seasons?  They also thanked me for coming to their school.

Day 2, At Wakiso Children’s School of Hope, I met three girls named Margaret, Leticia and Ritah.  I found out that their dreams were to become Nurses and teachers.  I also saw the new football field and was told how they planted all the grass by hand.

Day 3, At Laroo Primary School, I met Faith and Michael and learned that their dreams were to become a nurse and a minster.  I also was able to observe in the classroom and watch and listen.  The first class was a math class.  There were 57 kids in the classroom and just one teacher.  The teacher was teaching rounding off decimals and numbers.  The kids were quiet and listened well to the teacher.  A couple of students went up to the chalk board and tried to work the problems.  The second class was a literacy class.  This class had 132 kids in the classroom and only one teacher.  The kids in general were quiet and when they did get loud the teacher would get them to immediately quiet down.  The teacher would walk around and check to see if the students had completed the exercise correctly.  Of course the teacher could not get around to all the students.  The classroom was packed with kids.  The next class that I attended was another math class which the teacher was not there so one of our staff (Jonathan) taught the class and did a great job.

Day 4, At Pageya Primary School, I met Samuel, Peter and Stella.  They wanted to become a Doctor, policeman and a teacher. When roaming around, this was the first school that I had been at that I actually looked inside the restrooms….it was pretty disturbing site.  I really don’t know what I would have done if I truly needed to go to the bathroom.

Regarding the kids that I have seen at these schools I have found them to be happy and caring for each other.  They are really excited to see us and they are ever so thankful for our gifts of cleats, sports bras, and soccer balls (footballs).  The teachers were excited to get the supplies that we brought them.  And many of the teachers seem committed to teaching and helping the kids, even though they have very little supplies, no classroom books, and very large class size.

The staff here in Uganda is doing an outstanding job.  Johnathan is well respected at all the schools and just does a tremendous job.  Our soccer coaches in the North, Mercy and Walter are working hard with the kids teaching them soccer. Florence is the Education advocate for us and is working real hard with the Heads of the Schools.

I am very blessed to be serving with this team.  All the team members Mike, Jen, Lee, Peggy, Hernan and Dotty are doing an outstanding job working with the kids, teachers and administrators of the various schools.  Mike is tremendous leader and well organized, Jen being a principle understands so many of their issues.  Lee is a joy for the kids and makes them all laugh.  Peggy is recognized as a familiar face since she has been here so many times.  Hernan is looked up too by the kids because he played soccer in college and Dotty is like a daughter to me and the kids just adore her.  I am truly blessed to be a part of this team.

Goodnight from Uganda!

Empower, Educate and Advocate

By Lee Ann Pendergrass

I joined Fields of Dreams Uganda's summer trip because I believed in the mission. This is my 1st trip to Africa and my life's mission has been to empower, educate and advocate for deaf rights.  I was looking forward to Laroo Primary School in Gulu since this school serves both hearing and deaf children.

When we arrived the children were lined up outside the school to welcome us and they were singing a song that warms your heart.  I was grateful as my team members and I walked down the row of children.  My eyes kept looking for the deaf children.  I found them at the end of the line clapping their hands.  I was saddened that they didn't sign the song.  Yet I was so happy that I signed in American Sign Language, ASL and attempted to use Uganda Sign Language.

The deaf children were surprised that an American was thrilled to see them and wanted to go to  their classroom.  As I entered the room, the deaf children were attentive and happy to see me.  Their wonderful teacher had to interpret what I said in ASL.  I shared with them my experiences with deaf children with a simple visual aid of a photo album with pictures of deaf children in America doing different activities.  I gave the photo album to the teacher so she could read it to them and discuss my visit.  I also gave each a photo of my family.  They were so thrilled and happy.

While I was talking to the children, I looked around the room to see what is on the walls, did they have any books, pencils, etc.  All of the schools that I have visited in Kampala had many charts on the walls and the blackboards had lots of writings.  Yes, it is primitive but the teachers are doing the best they can.  The deaf children's classroom walls were bare. Very little writing on the board, no pencils, no paper for writing and no books to read to enhance their literacy.  This breaks my heart.  These children want to learn just like any other children but without any supplies- they are limited.  Education is the key to getting out of poverty.

The deaf teacher and I communicated about their needs in the classroom and in the dormitory.
The deaf children reside at school, yet the dormitory doesn't have any electricity!  Imagine being deaf, when it is pitch black at night.  How frightening it must be at night not able to communicate with their friends or having to go to the bathroom at night or get scared and can't really cry for help.

I know American deaf children have challenges in their lives. Yet, we must unite to help other deaf children in Uganda to be able to have hopes, dreams of fulfilling their purpose, and a real chance of a future.  I know we can't solve all the Ugandan deaf children problems but we can make a difference.  The smiles and hugs from them would never be forgotten.

Would you join me by being a part of the solution by getting involved with Fields of Dreams Uganda to help deaf children have successful lives?

Planting Pride

By Mike Warneke

What a joy, as always, to travel back to beautiful Uganda to serve on behalf of Fields of Dreams Uganda. We have only been in country for two days and yet already it is hard to look back and think through all that we have been blessed to be a part of on this journey. As the Executive Director for this organization, I am always encouraged and inspired when I am here on the ground amidst the people we are working beside. It is easy to lose focus and forget the good that we are a part of when you sit behind a desk some 14,000 miles from the Pearl of Africa.

Today was the perfect reminder of how much our programs are working and the hope, pride, and dreams that we continue to foster. I have had the joy and honor of knowing the staff and children at Wakiso Children’s School of Hope since the summer of 2009. They are in many ways what drew me to love this country so much and begin the journey in helping to establish Fields of Dreams Uganda. This campus is a special place that is filled with some pretty incredible people. The majesty of this campus continues to grow.

One year ago, I was behind the controls of a bulldozer for the first time as we broke ground for a new soccer field on this very campus. It was a joyous day and you could feel the excitement in the air. Today we are so very close to this field being used for the first time. I have had the joy of seeing this field progress over the past year at various stages and I have been so very impressed with the commitment and hard work of this campus as they assisted every step of the way.  The games master Hannington and the male and female U-18 and U-13 players have put their blood, sweat and tears into this pitch.  It is their field and it shall truly grow into the pride of the Wakiso District. There simply are very few fields to match in all of Kampala.

On my first trip to Uganda in 2009 I was moved to do something about the playing conditions for these incredible children. Through the help of so many friends and family, Fields of Dreams Uganda has grown in its mission to assist both through soccer and education.  However, the first inkling for this organization was born out of creating new fields. I could not be more happy for our partner school, as they have found so much pride in this field on their campus. It will be a great opportunity for them to grow in their student body and to earn some revenue through rentals and hosting matches and tournaments.

This field may not seem like much to so many of the world’s population that take playing fields and athletic compounds for granted; but to those in Wakiso tonight, it is a source of immense pride and a reason to keep dreaming for the future. Thank you to everyone that has given to our cause, your partnership is making a difference and awakening hope. A special thank you to the Stevenson Family and your belief in our mission. It will be a huge honor to dedicate this field to John G. Stevenson on July 5th as the first match of many is played on this field of dreams.

Opportunity, Not Coincidence

By Dot Schucker

Today when I woke up this morning, I was instantly excited about my upcoming day. I was reconnecting with my favorite little buddy, Abdul. We went to Wakiso Primary School where we were greeted with dozens of children singing “you are welcome.” While I was smiling and greeting the children, I was secretly scanning the crowd looking for my Abdul. When I eventually found him, I had to fight the urge to tackle him with celebration. He had gotten so tall in just a year! My little buddy was starting to transform into a teenager and would soon (and easily) surpass me in height. He instantly had 100 questions about me. He has always been an inquisitive boy with an interest in how things work and what the average American life consisted of. This is partly why I fell in love with him in the first place. He is so intelligent and wishes not to be of average intelligence but to be the first in his class. To have as much dedication and motivation as he has at such a young age, truly astounds me.

                  He took my hand and showed me his world and his prized possessions. He showed me his dormitory room which was honestly better than I expected. He had his own bed and blankets with a case that had a lock on it. It did concern me, however, when I looked closer and saw that his case was broken and could easily be accessed by anyone. I understand wanting to have your prized possessions in a safe place. This should apply to him no matter what those possessions consist of. In the middle of our conversation, Abdul asked me if I played any games in college. I told him no and that I mostly focus on my studies but I do love to run. When I talked about running Abdul had a dark look come over his face and then told me something that I was genuinely not expecting – he had a heart problem. To learn this fact was a crushing blow to me as I know that the healthcare system here is not reliable and this especially applies to an orphaned boy. I asked him to further explain and all he could properly explain was that there was a hole between the chambers of his heart and that when he ran or walked for too long, he felt “needles stab his heart.” The nursing major in me immediately tried to calculate how much the surgery would cost for him to fix his heart. I came full circle when I realized how the universe is truly wonderful at putting those people in your life that need you the most. Was it coincidence that this Ugandan boy that had a piece of my heart has turned out to have a heart condition that prevented him from doing activities that I loved? No, I don’t believe in coincidences.

                  We eventually had to leave the school in order to make it to Gulu before it was too late. As we were taking that journey up north, I looked at my surroundings and the people who called this place home. How many others are out there with problems that can’t be fixed because of circumstances or where they live? How many Abduls sit while looking upon the other children who run and play? We always have an option to help no matter how little it may appear to others. I have so much faith in Abdul’s ability to turn into a great, intelligent man. I hope that he has that dream as well. After all, the hope has to start somewhere.