Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped

Another serendipitous day… I spent the morning moving into my house and getting things set up, rested for a bit and then early afternoon went in to the Garden city (mzungu mall). Took out some cash to pay for rent and then went up to the internet café. I was sharing equal frustrations with a girl (Leslie, a professor at the University of Northern Texas) next to me (internet is light years behind north American dial up here). We got to talking, and it turns out she was here doing research on something called bark cloth, a fabric made from tree fibres that is being used in local handicrafts. We exchanged stories of being here thus far, and passed each other numbers. She took off and soon after called and asked if I wanted to come with her to the Kampala School for the Physically Handicapped. What an incredible place!!! I have never felt anything close to what I felt inside myself today. The children at the school were so full of joy, living life in such an empowering environment. The staff were absolutely incredible. They have started an income generating project to raise funds for the school, and the students who can not afford to pay for school fees. To get this going they have developed a very efficient and effective vocational training program, where beads are made from clay, shaped and glazed by some of the older students living there, and created into such beautiful necklaces and bracelets. The quality and uniqueness of the crafts are something I have not seen in the markets here. On top of this they also make leather products, purses made out of this bark cloth that Leslie is researching, and they die and tailor shirts as well. I was amazed to see the wonderful atmosphere in the vocational room. I participated in the bead making with the children for about 2 hours. They put so much effort and enthusiasm into teaching me each step of the process, from grinding the clay rock, to adding the water, to shaping it to the perfect size, to poking the holes, kilning them, glazing and eventually stringing them. We shared many laughs, heard many stories of peoples families and what struggles they have had living with disabilities. It was a very eye opening experience. After being there for a while, I noticed they started to make signs and decorate the school and many kids were gathering and getting ready to do a performance. It turns out Shaggy (the reggae artist) was coming to visit the school 30 minutes later. The kids performed such a beautiful dance routine for shaggy and the crowd of onlookers (some moving with such passion in their wheelchairs. Huge smiles from cheek to cheek) you could see how happy they were to be just living and expressing themselves. Words can’t describe how beautiful it was and how much of an impact it has left on my heart. I Haven’t been brought to the point of crying of joy in a long time. It was crazy, how off one conversation with a random person, all these doors opened and my eyes have opened up to such an inspirational place where real change is being made in the lives of so many who are usually forgotten or stigmatized in society. I discussed volunteering at the school and Joy (the head lady) was very pleased to have another volunteer aboard. They are in dire need of more volunteers to work with the physical therapist program or the occupation therapist program. I also found out they have a games coordinator as well as someone who teaches the children how to garden (I was so pleased to hear this, as I would absolutely love to do this.) Leslie really became a close friend so quickly and it feels like a huge blessing to have met her.. I believe we are meeting for lunch next week and will be off to the school next Wednesday, if I can get time off work. I am hoping to be able to make an arrangement to leave work on Wednesdays at 1, so I can make it to the school from 2-5. We will see if this can work out. I would love to be able to return to this school weekly.. I am having a shirt tailored by them (Nehru collar style) with a beautiful hand died fabric they have made…
I am hoping to become close with Leslie, as she truly has left the biggest impact on my heart I could have ever wished for. She leaves august 23 to return home to her husband and life in Houston. L It has been incredible so far, and people here truly understand the concept of networking and just being open to helping one another get accustomed and settled and embracing the experience fully.
A little side note, shaggy came up to me while making beads and talked to me, shook my hand and said “Blessings” in his strong Jamaican accent. Lots of cameras and video crew around.. Haha would be hilarious if I end up in the Kampala paper.. If anyone ends up traveling to Kampala, visiting this school for a couple of hours and getting to know the children is an ABSOLUTE must!!
Mokwano!!!