Joy

 

 

We and our fellow volunteers have just been to meet the people we all sponsor in Kabubbu village. I am hard-pushed to think of a more rewarding experience.
Andrew and Gillian, a lovely couple from Eastbourne, visited Evelyn the teenage girl they've sponsored for more than 10 years but have never had the chance to meet.  After a moment's hesitation when she saw them, Evelyn burst through her front doorway, pushed past her family and gave her English visitors one of the biggest and most tender hugs I have ever seen.

John and I got the chance to meet Maria Kevin, a 74-year-old grandmother who we support. She lives with, and raises, one of her grandsons in their two-room home, works the crops in her fields come rain or shine, and when we called on her she was actually busy helping someone else prepare for a party.
When she reached us, she burst through the palm trees and greenery, calling out deliriously. She spent the next five minutes dancing and singing in thanks to God, and the Quicken Trust, for arranging our meeting.

Watching the Kabubbu primary school children at the 8am morning assembly is a similarly moving experience. Their innocence, respect and broad, broad smiles are the best wake-up call around.
And as John has already mentioned, the local awards ceremony was full of laughter and cheer as the villagers celebrated those among them who had gone the extra mile to make a difference.

Yes, just as in England there are many sullen faces in Uganda as well, and given some of the hardships people face here I'm surprised anyone can manage to smile sometimes.

But the exuberance of Kabubbu and its people is astonishing. I know I can speak for both John and I when I say that we have been absolutely humbled by their faith, their hope, and their joy.


Henry