just got back from Uganda -

fisttothejaw

... it was my 2nd trip there. Amazing people, culture - a sense of hope and pride in that country that's incredibly humbling and inspiring. But really heavy as well, as that country has endured a brutal history of violence and civil war that is still crippling so many of the people today...

My wife and I are starting a non-profit organization called Mercy's Village, with the plan of starting a school in northern Uganda.

And as a kick-off event, my band (www.myspace.com/echodivision) is playing a show to raise some funds, bring awareness, etc. If any of you are interested in learning more about the country, what we're doing, the event, or any of it, just let me know!

Thanks -

Paul

Byrnzie

fisttothejaw wrote:

... it was my 2nd trip there. Amazing people, culture - a sense of hope and pride in that country that's incredibly humbling and inspiring. But really heavy as well, as that country has endured a brutal history of violence and civil war that is still crippling so many of the people today...

My wife and I are starting a non-profit organization called Mercy's Village, with the plan of starting a school in northern Uganda.

And as a kick-off event, my band (http://www.myspace.com/echodivision) is playing a show to raise some funds, bring awareness, etc. If any of you are interested in learning more about the country, what we're doing, the event, or any of it, just let me know!

Thanks -

Paul

Cool!

So what made you go there in the first place? Did you get the idea for the school when you were there, or had you already decided to go there and set something up?

On a side note, two friends of mine traveled around the world for a year a few years back, and when I asked them what was the best place they visited they both said Africa - despite getting robbed at knife point in Kenya.

fisttothejaw

you know, I have to give credit to my wife - before we were even engaged, she saw a documentary by a group called Invisible Childrean, which blew her away... she made a trip to Uganda pretty much on her own, at that point. Then once we got married, she wanted to go back, and I decided to go with her - so each of the last 2 summers we've taken groups over there - to meet people, help where we can, and just learn more about the country and their needs -

When we ask people what the country and people are longing for, the first thing that keeps coming up is "education." The idea is that if people are learning, acquiring skills and getting empowered that way, then the country can begin to rebuild from the inside out - in a lasting way. While the gifts and handouts are really appreciated, it seems that the people really just want to get back on their feet - rather than becoming dependent on other nations, charities, etc.

So that's where the idea for the school came from - and we've found another organization that has planted a number of schools in the area, and with their support, we're learning how to take each step...

It really is an amazing place to visit, man - you just have this feeling that you're in the birthplace of it all, and it's quite a feeling...

Byrnzie

fisttothejaw wrote:

you know, I have to give credit to my wife - before we were even engaged, she saw a documentary by a group called Invisible Childrean, which blew her away... she made a trip to Uganda pretty much on her own, at that point. Then once we got married, she wanted to go back, and I decided to go with her - so each of the last 2 summers we've taken groups over there - to meet people, help where we can, and just learn more about the country and their needs -

When we ask people what the country and people are longing for, the first thing that keeps coming up is "education." The idea is that if people are learning, acquiring skills and getting empowered that way, then the country can begin to rebuild from the inside out - in a lasting way. While the gifts and handouts are really appreciated, it seems that the people really just want to get back on their feet - rather than becoming dependent on other nations, charities, etc.

So that's where the idea for the school came from - and we've found another organization that has planted a number of schools in the area, and with their support, we're learning how to take each step...

It really is an amazing place to visit, man - you just have this feeling that you're in the birthplace of it all, and it's quite a feeling...

You have my full respect.

I've been wanting to visit Africa myself now for a few years, although for different reasons than yours. Having read Daniel Pinchbeck's book 'Breaking open the Head' I want to go to the Gabon in West Africa and take Ibogaine with a local tribe, the Bwiti. I plan to go there in a year or two.



Ten years of therapy in one night
The Guardian, Saturday 20 September 2003

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2003/se ... eandhealth

Byrnzie

fisttothejaw wrote:

you know, I have to give credit to my wife - before we were even engaged, she saw a documentary by a group called Invisible Childrean, which blew her away... she made a trip to Uganda pretty much on her own, at that point. Then once we got married, she wanted to go back, and I decided to go with her - so each of the last 2 summers we've taken groups over there - to meet people, help where we can, and just learn more about the country and their needs -

When we ask people what the country and people are longing for, the first thing that keeps coming up is "education." The idea is that if people are learning, acquiring skills and getting empowered that way, then the country can begin to rebuild from the inside out - in a lasting way. While the gifts and handouts are really appreciated, it seems that the people really just want to get back on their feet - rather than becoming dependent on other nations, charities, etc.

So that's where the idea for the school came from - and we've found another organization that has planted a number of schools in the area, and with their support, we're learning how to take each step...

It really is an amazing place to visit, man - you just have this feeling that you're in the birthplace of it all, and it's quite a feeling...

By the way, do you have any photo's? I'd love to see some shots of the place.

fisttothejaw

wow - I just looked up Ibogaine - that drug sounds like a trip! (no pun intended)

Here's a couple links from a girl who went on this last trip with us - I have some waaaaaay better pictures, but they're not posted online anywhere, so I thought I'd just throw these at you...

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... child.html

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... ay_27.html

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... pital.html

Byrnzie

fisttothejaw wrote:

wow - I just looked up Ibogaine - that drug sounds like a trip! (no pun intended)

Here's a couple links from a girl who went on this last trip with us - I have some waaaaaay better pictures, but they're not posted online anywhere, so I thought I'd just throw these at you...

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... child.html

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... ay_27.html

http://www.thatridiculousgirl.com/2009/ ... pital.html

Nice photo's. So is it easy enough to understand Ugandan English? Or do the kids in these areas speak a local dialect?

scorpioghost

fisttothejaw wrote:

... it was my 2nd trip there. Amazing people, culture - a sense of hope and pride in that country that's incredibly humbling and inspiring. But really heavy as well, as that country has endured a brutal history of violence and civil war that is still crippling so many of the people today...

My wife and I are starting a non-profit organization called Mercy's Village, with the plan of starting a school in northern Uganda.

And as a kick-off event, my band (http://www.myspace.com/echodivision) is playing a show to raise some funds, bring awareness, etc. If any of you are interested in learning more about the country, what we're doing, the event, or any of it, just let me know!

Thanks -

Paul

That sounds incredible. Huge respect to you and your wife and my very best wishes for your school. I assume you're based in the States?

fisttothejaw

Nice photo's. So is it easy enough to understand Ugandan English? Or do the kids in these areas speak a local dialect?[/quote]


You know, some of the kids speak Englis, at least the ones who are able to attend schools - they teach it in a lot of the schools - in fact, since it was colonized by the UK, Uganda's national language is technically English... But there's still a lot of tribal influence, so many people in the different regions speak tribal dialects... so it changes in different places... lack of communication is one of the things that keeps the country disorganized... another reason to get people educated!

fisttothejaw

[/quote]

That sounds incredible. Huge respect to you and your wife and my very best wishes for your school. I assume you're based in the States?[/quote]


Yeah, we're based in the Los Angeles area...

scorpioghost

I was wondering because over here a few of my colleagues (I'm a teacher) have had huge success linking schools in our area with schools in Africa- primarily Kenya and Tanzania. What I've found is that it's an inescapable lesson in global citizenship, the effects of poverty etc for our students and fantastic for our students and the African students to learn about cultural diversity. Sharing a definite link between our school in England and the school in Kenya we're most strongly linked with has given our students more to think about than any lesson I could teach them because they're learning from people their own age who are just living their lives. It's pretty fantastic for the schools involved because there's a lot of funding we can raise for the African schools in loads of ways, cake sales, non-uniform days, sponsored whatevers etc but also there is funding available to send teachers over to Africa from our school (I've not been, but I'm pushing for it!) but also for the Kenyan teachers to come us. I'm currently pursuing links to schools in South Africa but once you've got your school up and running in Uganda this is something you could definitely pursue yourself- in fact, if you contact a few schools or the education authorities in LA you might find there's funding available to you to help setting up.
It really is a fantastic project you're running- what you've said about education building a country from the inside out is exactly the reason I became a teacher. If you check out the Millenium Development Goals from 2000 you'll see that a primary education for all children was touted as THE important goal to achieve (supposedly by 2015 but we're 75million children off meeting this...) because it is the foundation for everything else. I know I'm biased but to me without education there is nothing else. I wish you the very best of luck with this. Let us know how it goes.

fisttothejaw

YES. I couldn't agree more - the linking of schools here with children in Uganda is such a beneficial 2-way street. We've even seen some of that already - throughout our church we sponsor 50 Ugandan kids through World Vision, all of whom we've had the chance to meet. And it's amazing to see how the kids in our church are so interested, fascinated even, with their Ugandan counterparts. It helps them learn about the world, and it even spurs their parents to look deeper into the issues surrounding us. Through some of those kids and their parents, we've already been brainstorming about ways to bring awareness to the schools here in California. We also had a choir come to our church from a group called Watoto - the whole organization is structured to take care of widows and orphans. So every kid in the choir is an orphan, and they are put into homes of 5 or 6, and then the widows who are taken in are given "house mother" status. These women get a family and a home, and the children get a loving mother figure. It's a beautiful thing, and it really affected the kids here to see that and learn about it...
And bravo to you for spending your life teaching kids!

melodious

Hi Fist and Beloved Jammers:

If you were in my community, I would curtsy to you, your wife, and your organization from which you extend yourself. As I mentioned in a pm, I have been trying to help a friend I met at another board support some kids who have been orphaned in Kampala Uganda.

I mentioned your work to him and he wished for me to try to make a connection for him. He probably doesn't have the $ to log on to the Ten Club as I am certain he uses every penny he can to provide for the needs of his "family".

I love that you see and understand how we are all one and that our compassion shouldn't be confined to our domestic borders. A while back I was at my job and one of my customers who was trying to quit smoking asked me for a cigarette with an exchange of a dollar for 2, and I told him that every extra penny I get I save until I can get enough to send this friend 20.,30, or whatever I can afford. He said, "why aren't you helping the kids here in our country? "

I replied," I think being a good example is a great beginning for our children and when I get opportunity, I am a tutor by trade. Lots of the kids here don't want help or their parents won't get them to the right place to be helped, so why wouldn't I wanna try to help someone I have never seen achieve the same gratis that we have in the U.S.?"

Now when he wants a couple of cigarettes, he tells me, send this to the children!!! Children are the keepers of the earth. When you have children, you are not burdened, you are blessed. And once a child is in your care, it's so very important that they have a straight shot. This means that a parent is wiling to make sacrifices for their benefit. Many people don't understand that we are so lucky in America that we sometimes take for granted basic gratuities, such as clean bedding, or even the water we drink, until we hit dire straights. How wonderful it is to see and learn about what you are doing.

I found a quote this a.m. and your thread came into my heart. God Bless You and may we all learn this word, Loving.

WHEN A MAN COMES TO HIMSELF~Surely a man has come to himself only when he has found the best that is in him, and has satisfied his heart with the highest achievement he is fit for. It is only then that he knows of what he is capable and what his heart demands. And, assuredly, no thoughtful man ever came to the end of his life, and had time and a little space of calm from which to look back upon it, who did not know and acknowledge that it was what he had done unselfishly for others, and nothing else, that satisfied him in the retrospect, and made him feel that he had played the man. And so men grow by having responsibility laid upon the, the burden of other people's business. Their powers are put out at interest, and they get usury in kind. They are like men multiplied. Each counts manifold. Men who live with an eye only upon what is their own are dwarfed beside them~seem fractions while they are integers. The trustworthiness of men trusted seems often to grow with the trust.~Woodrow Wilson

sourdough09

Sounds like an awesome project! I'd really like to know more about your project as I'm working on something quite similar in Kampala as well, though it is still in it's infancy. I spent last summer in Uganda volunteering and went back this year mostly just to play and see the things that I didn't have time for last year, but met some really cool people who I ended up traveling with and we decided to work on opening an "academy" in Kampala with a few local organizations and modelled after a school in Kigali. I'll be heading back in December to meet with the locals and see what we can cook up.

Essentially the academy will be for youth who have grown up in the Kampala slums as well as orphans and ex-child soldiers from the north who would otherwise not have many educational opportunities. It's such a remarkable country so kudos to you for your efforts.

melodious

May your work find it's way through quantum fields....prayers and cheers for everyone!!!

fisttothejaw

Hey - just wanted you guys to know, the website is up for our non-profit now!

check it out - www.mercysvillage.org

Paul