Judith's Take on our trip to Uganda

Judy helping Pin a Princeton Tiger Pin on a young child in Nabbingo, Uganda

My experience in Uganda was phenomenal. I had so much fun. Seeing how much each adult and kid had to strive everyday just to survive nearly broke my heart. I wish I could have helped them more than I was able to. We were met by Fr. Lawrence and members of the Change A Life Uganda staff at the airport and drove to Fr. Lawrence’s Father’s house in Nabbingo.  His Father’s name was Tata, and he had a beautiful home with over 180 chickens. Timmy and I were able to chase and catch the chickens in the coop while we were there. It was FUN!!

Evelyn holding our Thank You Gift and New Pet, Snow the Chicken!! 

At first I went to St. Joseph’s Primary School in Nabbingo, were they wore Blue Uniforms. I taught them chess and they were all so happy and excited. They were grinning cheek to cheek. Even the kids I was not teaching were jumping all over each other just to see what we were doing. Most of the kids, whom we were not teaching were trying to play chess, and move the pieces around, and they didn’t even know how to play the game. It was inspiring. When we left to go to Migerya everyone was sad, but we felt that we had done a great job and they will teach the others.

Judith Teaches abou the ROOK at St. Joseph’s Primary School – Nabbingo, Uganda

When I got to Migerya we went to St. Lawrence’s Primary School, were they wore yellow uniforms, and Timmy and I taught chess there also. Like in Nabbingo, all of the children were very excited and jumping all over the place. I stayed there for about four days and three nights.  We went on Safari over the weekend taking a boat along the Nile River one day and driving through the Jungle the next day. We saw a wide variety of animals including Elephants, giraffes, water buffalo, wildabeast, baboons, and many different birds, trees and insects while on safari. When we returned from safari I was going to stay in the dorms with my new friends who were visiting Uganda with us Laurene and Killian. They were staying in the dorms and journaling with the Ugandan girls during the entire trip.

I also had the opportunity to meet our sponsored child, Sylvia Nalule, and her family gave us a chicken as a Thank You gift!  I named her “Snow” and we left her with Tata, because she was an egg layer not a fryer or roaster, which is what they called the chickens they cooked and ate.  I look forward to seeing her next year when we visit Tata’s home again. Sylvia was very shy when we first met her, but she got used to us after a while and we became like sisters.  We visited her home and met members of her family there as well.

Here we are with Members of “Our Extended Family”!! 

When we returned from safari I stayed 2 nights in the girl’s dorm.  While I was there I noticed the girls playing chess on a board at night. They love chess and played for hours every night.  I made great friends who welcomed me into their hearts in Uganda. They taught me so much I will never forget them. I miss them so much already. Not every girl had a mosquito net. Some had holes in it some didn’t even have one. I loved interacting with all the girls and experiencing what it is like to live in Uganda. Washing your clothes, going to the bathroom, eating certain foods. I stayed in one of their study classes where they did math and I helped them solve the puzzle. They said I was very smart.  It was interesting and extravagant.  I wish I could go back sooner to see them all again. They were very sad when I said I was leaving. My best friend was Gorette and I miss her so much that it is painful. I didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone in person, but I wrote a letter. I hope they recieved it already.

Judith standing next to her New BEST Friend Gorette, but who is that monkey in the window?? 

My favorite part of the trip was getting to change children’s lives by teaching them chess and making new friends. I learned so much from this experience and was lucky enough to go with such a wonderful team, which made my trip the best they could.

Timmy is playing Kizuto while Judith plays another St. Lawrence Student while a few learners look on.