Support Orphans in Uganda

We all know that fish are delicious. I personally prefer them with their head and guts removed, though that does not affect these kids!
One perk about the village of Budugala is that there are small streams and swamp lands nearby where the kids can go fishing in their spare time. They rarely use a hook- usually just their hands and clothes turned into make-shift nets. They catch small lung fish, mud fish, cichlids, and other little fingerlings. 
While sometimes the fish are dried and crushed into a powder- the kids usually just pan fry them fresh in a bit of hot oil and eat them whole- nose to tail. 
One day I showed up in the village and David had just returned from fishing. I bought a couple live fish from him to throw in my friend's fountain. When I returned the next day, David and his contemporaries had caught HUNDREDS which they apparently decided I needed. Errr... It was a nice effort. I gave them each a couple dollars and took some (mostly) live ones. I was a little worried that the boys would be disappointed that I was not taking them all but NOPE! They were still happy as little clams as they'd already made a plan to take the leftover fish to one of the boys homes and have a massive fish fry!
It's days like this that make my heart happy. The kids had a great time, were very proud of their accomplishment in helping me, plus fish are NUTRITIOUS as they are full of protein, calcium, and healthy oils. 
We all work so hard to help these children. We struggle to keep them clothed, healthy, loved, and in school. We strive towards giving them a better life, making sure their needs are met, and focusing on all the hardships they have endured. Sometimes it's good to remember that they are still just kids, and sometimes they just want to catch fish in the mud with their friends. 

Links:

• Grassroots Uganda Facebook Page

The children are doing well! Angela has her meds sorted out and she is healthy and happy- no more nausea and dizzyness thank goodness. She is growing like a weed so she goes for a doctors check up and blood tests every month. Now that she is in school regularly her grades are high and she is an average healthy littlle girl. 

Flavia is doing fantastic. She is getting good grades in school and is now old enough that she helps in the garden and with the household chores. Of course she also has plenty of time to play with her little sister.

David is excelling in his studies as usual. He is a very bright young man. There have been a few issues with his older brother Michael popping in and out of their lives- and David has a fairly hard time with it. We are considering sending him to boarding school next year so he can better focus on his school work. We'll see what transpires. 

Raymond is still in boarding school. He comes home on the weekends to spend time with his siblings. During school holidays he works making bricks, and as a laborer for builders in the area. He is a hard working kid!

Michael is still having behavioral issues. We enrolled him in Ebenezer school- it's a mix between a reform school, vocational institute, and hospital. They deal with troubled youth and do their best to re-focus the youths down a productive path. Fortunately joining the school was Michael's suggestion, so we hope for the best.

Unfortunately Cathy and her daughters left, so a neighbor to the children is taking care of them. She is a grandmother named Nallongo. The childen stay at her house in the mornings and after school where she is taking excelent care of them, and one of Nallongo's sons sleeps in the children's main house with them at night. 

It is amazing what the kindness of neighbors, family, and wellwishers can accomplish. A HUGE Thank You to everyone who is helping give these children a warm, loving, comefortable childhood. Your compassion means the world to them. 

Links:

• Grassroots Uganda Facebook Page