Love it when a plan comes together

I love Soroti, but a two day trip has it's own challenges. As usual we left the UK with a plan, which is now shredded. Too many choices, too little time.

It was great to be at the Soroti Centre again. These days I rarely move fast, but when we arrived this morning & I saw Sam, I jumped out of the car & ran for a hug. We couldn't stop smiling. Six years is a long time to miss your friend. And Brenda, the brilliant childcare manager. Happy days! 

We started our visits at a school. The whole neighbourhood knew we'd arrived... 100s of shrieking,  laughing nursery children. Eventually they went for breakfast, and we met 10 children who are sponsored by Global Care.

We took photos, chatted, & met teachers. As the children talked to us, we quickly recognised a safeguarding issue. The team responded with love & care, then discussed immediate needs. Global Care has an excellent safeguarding procedure & we know they will make sure this girl is safe, and find long term solutions for her situation.

Our next visit was to Asuret to meet members of a new Disability Support Group. We entered a room filled with adults and children. Some had obvious disability. They greeted us with warmth & a lot of handshakes & smiles. We had many introductions & greetings -  conducted in 3 languages, Ateso, English, & Uganda Sign Language. I have incredible respect for families bringing up disabled children in this environment. It's tough. Global Care supports DSGs by helping with set up & some children are sponsored. Salume is the Disability Support Officer. She visits children at home & helps families navigate support services as well as providing practical help (like mobility aids), & supports the DSG. Through Salume, GCare has had direct contact with 413 disabled children in two years. Wow.

The children grinned at us, loved having photos taken then looking at the pictures on my camera. We played with a child who struggled to the front for fist bumps & to stroke our white skin. His laughter was infectious. His smile was beautiful. 

Then we visited another DSG. A few people came, the rest were at a village burial.

DSGs are essential in this area. They provide a place for people affected by disability to share, learn & grow. We saw children who can now walk because Gcare provided a walking aid. One mum said her child used to stay in the house. Now she can walk to the toilet & go with her siblings to fetch water. We met disabled children who are sponsored. I could write a whole blog on the effect of sickle cell disease on children, the impact of not being able to access medication.

It's late, I'm tired. But once again, I'm left reeling at all Global Care does for families in this district, and how many lives have been changed through their work. Yes, there are challenges, but the team face them & look for solutions. 

I'll go to bed thinking of the people we met today, of their challenges... Real challenges sometimes life or death situations, not agendas. And I can't thank the Uganda teams enough for their work which supports thousands of children.