Day 6: A "Gift"

After a full day, we came home to no power.  We needed to run the generator for an hour and a half to charge our devices and have enough light to take showers. I am writing this entry longhand with a flashlight.  Tomorrow I will transfer it to my laptop.

This morning, Brynn, Zak and I went to Phoebe’s sewing center to meet the tailors and bring them small gifts from Schenectady. We couldn’t stay long because of a full day ahead.

First we went to a new crafts market to buy a new style of basket that Phoebe had found there last year. This market was the polar opposite of the one we usually go to. No one was pushy and the merchandise was beautiful. The prices were better too. It felt friendly and fun to be there. At the basket booth there were woman making the baskets. With their permission we took a photo.

After shopping, we visited the Nkumba Primary School - another school that has benefited from our partnership with the Namugongo Rotary Club. As you may remember, our friends from the Scotia, NY Rotary Club worked tirelessly with the Namugongo Club to secure a grant from Rotary International a few years ago. This funding is going a long way to help girls stay in school in this region

At Nkumba we found a classroom with 350 girls from ages 11-13. This was a rambunctious group of students who were excited to participate and the older girls had quite a bit of knowledge about our subject.

I was especially struck by an older girl who immediately raised her hand and jumped right in to ask questions and then explain things to the younger students. Gift modeled the kit for us too running and dancing to prove it was comfortable and really works. As we were leaving she found us to say a heartfelt thank you for helping her school.

 I can see why her mother named her as she did. She is truly a GIFT to the world.