Easter - Kampala Style

I have to say that this Easter was one I don’t think I’ll forget for a long time. It was wonderful. I had the amazing privilege of spending Easter with over 60 kids that live on the streets of Kampala and a few other fabulous friends.

The week leading up to Easter was filled with Easter fun. We made crosses out of tongue depressors (no popsicle sticks in Kampala) on Wednesday and then Friday we decorated eggs.Eggs are a luxury for the kids and they were so excited. However, rather than just decorating and eating them, we added a small twist. We gave each child two eggs, both they decorated and then as we led a procession through the community with a big wooden cross, the kids gave one of their eggs to somebody they saw and told them about Easter. I definitely had my concerns of walking through the community with all the kids but they were great and I saw a lot of people enjoying their eggs.

We spent the entire week talking about the significance of Easter and each day that led up to Christ’s resurrection.

One of my friends made a wonderful recommendation for the party that I think made it super special for the kids. She reminded us that part of the holidays in the US is eating until you couldn’t eat anymore, and so she wanted lots of good food for the kids so everybody would get their fill; and that they did. I’m not kidding when I saw one of our smaller kids with a mountain of food on his plate and a huge grin on his face. Clearly he was excited about the food.

After cooking and eating enough food to serve an army we spent the majority of our time dancing. Honestly, the kids love to dance. We had a few games and a dance competition and then opened it up to everybody. We attempted to watch a film (something the kids would usually love) but it was clear they wanted to dance…so that is what we did. And I’ll say the only sad thing of the day was watching me try to dance. Honestly, anybody who knows me knows I can’t keep a beat and have zero rhythm so imagine me, the only white person on the floor, trying to keep up with kids that can move – I’m sure it was a sore sight but the kids laughed and that made it worth it.

Thank you Jesus.

Enjoy the pictures below:

Ibra enjoying his Easter dinner, soda and all.

A few of the amazing people that helped make the party possible serving food.

Games are always fun

We were even blessed with a few solo acts.

Container Update!!!!

Container Distribution Record as of April 2011

(Approx. 10 boxes of shoes and clothing remain)

Gulu – January 2011

• 1 huge box of backpacks
• 4 boxes black shoes
• 1 box school supplies
• 2 boxes casual shoes
• 6 boxes/bags of clothes

Bududa – February 2011

• 1 big box of shoes (all casual)
• 1 box of girl’s clothes
• 1 box of boy’s clothes
• 1 big bag of school supplies (pens, pencils, rulers, folders)
• 1 big bag of reading books for school
• 2 bags of candy for the party
• 1 bag of misc gifts for younger children

Kisii, Kenya – March 2011

• 1 huge bag of clothes
• several pairs of shoes
• many boxes of pencils
• 40 toothbrushes

1 box of shoes to Kasokoso school

Street children – over 10 pairs of shoes and over 20 t-shirts given out as needed or as prizes for good behavior at programs

Families

• Children - school bags, school supplies, black shoes, casual shoes, clothing
• Parents – clothing, washcloths, soap, toothbrushes, band-aids

Mama Yvette and family – 3 children, 1 mom

Grace and family – 6 children and both parents

Mama Andrew and family – 4 children and mom

Mama Vincent and family – 4 children and mom

The names below are children that received backpacks, clothes, shoes and plenty of other fun stuff:

Tutu Shaddrock Ellsa Lighton Chloe Emma Angel Beal Derrick Wahab Jon Nelson John Timothy Sam Kasozi Kisakye

Emma Amos Marriet Phionah Bayo Winnie Gift Sarah Byron Calvin Sam Lillian Catherine Faith Sharon Miriam

Josie Sam Kizza Peter Peace Hope Abby Stephanie Esther Shalom Akim Christine Sarah Angel Wasswa Jonathan

**Items were given out based on need, not all children received a backpack, shoes and clothes. All except a few received several items of clothing and black school shoes – backpacks and casual shoes were handed out as necessary