Bye bye Rukungiri

Today has been a day of reflection leaving us both feeling that our visit has been worthwhile, but at the same time sad that we have to leave.  We have learnt much about life in Rukungiri, and the work of Moses and Allen.  We have added Rukungiri to the places that have our hearts.  The people are friendly, welcoming and warm and the Global Care team have been a delight and joy to work with.  The scenery here is awesome and we have seen breath-taking views, and had the privilege (Rachel please note) of watching the African sunrise over the mountains.  We have even had what has now become known as a ‘team building day’ looking for big game.

But behind the beauty is a story of poverty and injustice.  We have seen some of the finest houses we’ve ever seen in Uganda, belonging to rich people who live in big cities and for whom these houses are simply a place to go for village matters such as burials and weddings.  Further down the road, the track will get smaller and smaller until it becomes a stony (and muddy in the rain) path.  At the end of the path will be a dwelling where a family will live.  The family may live in what my friend Carolyn refers to as ‘absolute’ poverty.  They may have a roof over their heads, but it can leak. They may have a mattress , or sleep on a rush mat.  They may have land, or not.  They are unlikely to have any mode of transport except walking.  They may have work – but more likely will be going out each day to try and find work, which if they’re lucky may pay the equivalent of £1 a day.

There is no free healthcare, no Food Banks, no social security, no subsidised housing.  Absolute poverty: no food, no medical care, no education, no transport, no work, no beds or furniture. On the plus side, much of Rukungiri has access to clean water within a kilometre, and some of the time, some of the town has power – that is, where power is connected and if you have money to pay for it.  The livelihoods and survival of people are entirely dependent on the weather. 

I have been encouraged by the work we’ve seen – the way the team care for the children and their desire to reach the most vulnerable children.  We’ve seen how sponsorship changes lives – reflected most poignantly for us by meeting Rebecca again and spending time with Arnold.  I’ve also seen some images that I hope will never leave me – the father desperate for help with his disabled daughter but so broken and crushed he couldn’t tell us what he needed.  Arnold’s Grandmother exhausted and anxious.  The sick, weak, elderly grandparents carrying their disabled children on their backs, and the child with malnutrition in the hospital.

We are delighted with the progress made on both the HIV testing programme and the survey of children with disability.  Today we wrote reports and made recommendations and sent them off to the UK office.  Today I feel very sad to be leaving, and I can’t imagine coming back to Uganda and not visiting Rukungiri.  We’ve said goodbye to Moses and his family, and Allen and Rev. Moses.  We’ve had a last special lunch at our favourite café and been shopping for souvenirs at Moses’ shop.  Now we just have to eat our evening meal and say goodbye to the staff at the hotel.

Tomorrow we travel to Kampala setting off early so Charles can have some time with his family.  I wonder what new joys and challenges will be waiting for us when we meet up again with Gertrude and the children at Guiding Star school.