Mothers.

Last week we sent a group of about 10 children from the baby’s home that I work at, to the village where they were placed into a single dwelling home with seven other siblings. This is a very happy but also sad moment here at the baby’s home. It’s very happy because it means that these children are finally introduced to the mother that will raise them and they are able to begin a life with the family that they never had. It is also sad because over time these children have become so close with their nannies as well as us volunteers and to say goodbye is always difficult, especially when some of the children don’t really understand what’s happening. But the other day I went for a walk around the village and I was so grateful to see one of our babies standing on the top step of her new house. She looked very comfortable and enjoyed the friendships with the other children in the houses surrounding her.

The ministry that these Watoto Mothers are a part of truly amazes me each and every day. These Mothers raise countless children and have sacrificed their whole life to see that these precious gifts from God receive the love and care that was robbed from them earlier on in their lives. Each one of these children are God’s children and I am so, so grateful that they were each given a chance to live their lives and be loved and taken care of by these Watoto Mothers.  When I’m out and about walking with the babies around the Watoto village I am stopped by many of these Mothers and they call out to me saying “well done!” Each time this happens I’m taken aback! These women are so selfless in so many areas of their lives! The only response that I have to these mothers is “No. Well done to you! And thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for the work you are doing.” I thank God for these women!

Being a mother whether it’s here in Uganda, at Watoto or anywhere else around the world requires a selfless act of complete surrender to your personal needs. Motherhood requires being able to love someone else enough to see that they will reach their full potential in life even if that means that you have to sacrifice everything to see this happen. Thank you so much Mothers. Thank you for your sacrifices and willingness to love us through it all.

 Be blessed!

I know what you must be thinking...

I know what you must be thinking right now… “It’s been a long time since Jaclyn has written a blog.” And you would be speaking the truth my friends, I’m so sorry for the delay but time seems to be slipping through my fingers. Can you believe that in two days I’ve been here in Uganda for one whole month already? I sure can’t!!

This is a picutre of the view I see every single day!

This is a picture of Suubi two which is just about a five minute walk from the main part of Subbi village where I stay.

This is a picture of the babies home. I live on the second floor. The top balcony is the volunteers apartment.

I’ve been having such a great time here at the baby’s home in the village. Here are some of my favorite memories so far:

The other day I was working in the little toddler’s room and for our play time we took all thirty babies out to the grass area to a mini pool that was filled with flour and water! What a blast!! The children loved covering themselves in the paste like water and then being sprayed off with the hose!! I so wish I could show you all a picture of thirty African babies looking as white as snow!! Hahaha!

Another day we took the big toddlers into a room called the Physio Room. This room has a completely padded floor with all kinds of foam toys like a teeter-totter, a house and even a ball pit! This was incredibly fun for the children (and for the adults too). The entire time we were in their the balls from the ball pit were flying around the room and the children were having such a fun time trying not to get hit by them!

But by far my favorite time of every day is just before the children go to bed. I know what you are all thinking… “It’s because you’re tired and ready to go to bed yourself!” Nope. This is my favorite time of each day because all the nannies get the children and we all sit in a circle in the play area, the children are all ready for bed and we sing worship songs (and African songs) as the children either have a cuddle or dance around with each other! It’s so amazing to see the children completely attentive and enjoying the music so much! When I’m working the morning shift we can even hear all the different rooms singing from our balcony. What a joyful noise it is!

This is just a small selection of the amazing times that I’m having here in Uganda. I will do my very best to post more often and share more of these stories with you all!

I’m missing you all back home very much but am feeling so blessed to be able to experience this time of my life with these beautiful people here in Uganda. Please continue to pray for our sick babies and for the continued health of all of the volunteers, sickness seems to spread so quickly here. Until next time! ;)

Love you all,

Jaclyn