OLUZZI....the well

WATER!  Come to the well... we were able to go to several villages and repair wells! What a joy!  The community watched as the UWP team worked, the village people helped with their part, we watched, and we helped.  In the end, we were able to bring water to the people. Give water. Give life.

WATER

Red Clay

After an extremely long day of travel, we finally stepped onto the red clay roads of Uganda!

             Each of my senses were awakened fairly quickly.  Feeling the sun's heat warming my skin, the unfamiliar but lovely scent in the air,  lush greenery all around, blaring horns, and roads packed with motorcycles and buses whizzing by was overwhelming.  I found myself trying to take it all in, for an entire week!  

     We were a team of eight, headed by TJ(founder & CEO) and his wife Megan of HumanKind(HK).  They provided quality leadership and their integrity was evident.  Our first day on the ground was about learning.  We met with the crew at Ugandan Water Project(UWP) to learn about what they do!  These men and women have been hard at work in Uganda, educating and providing access to water for the people.

     

        This day of learning brought clarity to how this entire process works.  Let me share so that you too can understand.  The HumanKind Beverage company sells bottled water, green teas and lemonades around the US. The proceeds are given directly to their partners, like UWP.  The partners use the funds to do the work.  It's simple actually!  The UWP impact report speaks volumes to the work that they are doing.

        To meet the UWP leadership and crew, see the office and compound, listen to the process, touch the materials, and know that these people are making a difference was inspiring!  to UWP -- thank you for what you do

to Uganda

          My soul is satisfied when I am serving, helping, doing good.  I am most happy and fulfilled when helping other people.  It's who I am, how I'm wired and made by God.  I always dreamed that I would land in Africa and serve.  I never had an idea of when that would be or what that would look like.  I had recently been praying and wondering when it would happen.  That's when it dropped in my lap!
         This past summer, while I was working a night shift, I was scrolling through my fb page.  I read that Human Kind was planning a trip to Uganda!  My heart started fluttering in my chest.  I was overcome with joy and excitement!
      That night was the beginning of my journey to Uganda.  I began praying and considering what this would mean and how it could be a reality. I could not keep it from my mind - whether working, teaching, or sleeping.  I quickly began to realize that this was what I was made for - serving/helping and this was my opportunity!
       I had two weeks to make a final decision- which went quickly.  I received information, applied to become a team member for the trip, searched for my passport (which was expired), organized vaccines, sent out support letters, applied for a VISA and considered the travel to meet up with the rest of the team.
     Why Africa?  It breaks my heart to know that basic needs are not being met for many around the world.  It saddens me to see death, unnecessary death, when there is a simple answer.  Clean water,  something we here in America take for granted. Contaminated water is a reality for many people around the globe. The easiest and most sustainable way to save the most human lives for the least money is by providing life-giving, life-saving clean water.  This is the heart of HumanKind .