Goodbyes are never easy

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2007

Monday we had an 11AM appointment at the US Embassy in Kampala to discuss with Lisa from Public Affairs how to obtain visas for Acholi Heart Beat. We were running late because of all of the security check points at the embassy, so the meeting didn’t start off on the best of terms. By the end though, because of her kindness, we left the meeting with pages upon pages of notes on exactly what we’re up against in getting visas for vulnerable children. We have our work cut out for us, that’s for sure. But it’s not impossible, and if we can get sponsors and start the process early, we can bring Acholi Heart Beat to the US.

After we splurged and ate lunch at the 5-star La Serena Hotel in Kampala. It was a buffet, and let's just say yum!yum! it was delicious! I happened to really indulge in the pineapple upside down cake.



Betty Udongo joined us for lunch. As did George Piwang and Dick Kawooya. Also eating at La Serena, but not at our table, was James Mulwana... Chair of the Commonwealth Business Forum for 2007. We were all introduced to him.

(Erin and I with George Piwang)

After lunch, we went to Betty's shop in the craft market in Kampala. Unfortunately I had less than $3 in cash on me, so I wasn't able to buy much. I managed to find a $20 bill and buy a bigger souvenir right before we left. It's an antique wooden mask from the Congo that is between 25 and 50 years old. It is in the shape of a pregnant belly. It will go so great with my collection of women art I already have from the Carribean!



For a fine farewell, NUGEN (Northern Uganda Girls Education Network) (www.nugenet.org) held a dinner to launch their programs. The patron, Mrs. Camille Aliker, wife of Dr. Martin Aliker, sponsored it.



There, we got to meet the Executive Board of NUGEN AND the famed "Tennessee Girls" we have been hearing about since February. They four sisters lost both of their parents to AIDS and before the oldest even finished secondary (high) school, they were alone in Kampala. They grew up in the Pader district in Northern Uganda.

NUGEN sponsors them, and now 2 of the sisters are in university at Makerere! We got to meet Prosey (20), Aciro (22), and Acayo (9) at the dinner. They are absolutely beautiful. The youngest, Acayo, is nine and is HIV positive. She is on ARVs though and is doing much better.



At the dinner, Erin and I both spoke and presented gifts. We found t-shirts in the UT bookstore that read "Tennessee girls... Best in the world!" so gave one to each of the girls. At the end of the night, Aciro came up to me and gave me a big hug and her favorite earrings. I decided to switch and give her mine too, so now when we wear them we can think of each other. I cannot wait to see all of them again. They are not only inspiring other girls in the North, but they are inspiring girls in the United States. They are beautiful, smart, and some of the most resilient spirits I have ever met.