Life is a wonderful adventure

The past seven months in Uganda has been some of the most fantastic, challenging and different months of my life. As our time in Uganda is coming to an end, I am going to allow myself to have a couple of clichés in this final blog post.

We have had seven months with laughter, tears and love.  We have made memories for life. Memories of joy, happiness and frustration. I have been privileged to travel around and explore East-Africa (Tanzania, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Kenya and around Uganda), I have been frustrated about African time more than once, I have been annoyed when the power leaves without giving us a chance to cook dinner and I have been taking quick cold showers. I have also been privileged to participate in the work CRO does for the street children of Mbale, their families and the whole community, I have been privileged to get to know the staff and the children at CRO and many wonderful people in Uganda. I have been privileged to hear stories of CRO children (or “our” children as Hanna Charlotte and I like to say), to hug them and to see them smile. I can assure you that there is no greater feeling than meeting a bunch of CRO children that are running towards you while screaming “Teacher Hannaa! Teacher Bennaa”. I can also assure you that the feeling of being warm and comfortable in bed on a full stomach while your friends are sleeping on the hard pavement outside in the rain is awful.

The past seven months has gone by so fast. Too fast. I have learned a lot during my time in Uganda – about myself, about development work and maybe a little about different cultures. I have understood how much I love my family and my friends – and how lucky I am to have them. I still have loads to learn, but I have to start somewhere right?

I am leaving Uganda with mixed feelings. On one side, I am looking forward to go home to family, friends and Norwegian food, but on the other side, I am really not looking forward to leave. I am going to miss friends, the staff at CRO, our children at CRO and the little things that make my day. Our children at CRO can make any day better – just by smiling or giving you a hug.  A random small talk conversation is not about the weather – people really want to know how you are doing, how your family is doing and how your home is. People care, and people take the time to care. People are smiling, laughing and caring – they find something to smile about in a challenging everyday life. I believe we have lots to learn for each other and we all have to make some changes in our lives.

I would like to thank all the people who have donated pencils, books etc. from their homes to CRO. I would like to thank the staff at CRO for opening their hearts and welcoming Hanna Charlotte and me to the CRO family. Also, I would like to thank my family and friends, especially my parents, for the ongoing support and care. Thank you for reading my blog.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to come to Uganda. I have truly made memories for life, and I will never forget CRO and Uganda.

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Update

I am alive! These last few weeks have been amazing. We climbed Kilimanjaro (5895m) and we went to Kenya, Nariboi where we met our Hald friends and teachers. Moreover, I met my family and spent almost three wonderful weeks with them on gorilla trekking in Bwindi, safari in Murchison Falls National Park and in Mbale. I am lucky to have such a great family, and their visit was very much appreciated. Also, Hanna Charlottes parents and sister are currently in Tanzania after about 1,5 week in Uganda. I could write a billion words, but I do not know where to start and I am pretty sure you would get bored. Therefore, I am posting a billion pictures!

Right now I am back in Mbale (in 35 degrees Celsius) after a great weekend with my dear friends Helene and Benedicte. We have been dancing, singing, enjoying each other’s company, attending a wedding and we have had a great time! I am lucky and thankful for our friendship. It is good to be back in Mbale with my great teammate Hanna Charlotte to start up with the new rehabilitation class and the work at CRO.

Siku njema! (Have a nice day – Swahili)

The pictures are a little mixed, but I am sure that you can understand and see where they were taken. My wonderful and talented sister, Margrethe, has taken many of the pictures.

 

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Life has been rather busy lately. We have been preparing for the CRO Christmas party, the Christmas party with the staff, we have had visitors from Kabale (Hanne and Synne) and we have been enjoying time with “our” wonderful children at CRO. I fell priviledged to live in Uganda and for all the friendships I have made.

It is strange to be in Uganda during Christmas. We are walking around in skirts in 25 degrees celsius while singing Christmas carols around a palm! The most important thing during Christmas is to be together, and this is for me more clear than ever.

We are currently in Kampala where we (Seline, Miriam, Helene, Benedicte V, Hanna Charlotte and me) will be celebrating Christmas norwegian style on the 24th, and then Ugandan style on the 25th. Moreover, we are heading to Tanzania to (try) climb “the roof of Africa”, Kilimanjaro. Then we are leaving for infield in Kenya. After some time in Kenya I will meet my parents and one sister, Margrethe, in Uganda! I am very excited to see them. Needless to say; I will not be able to blog much for the next couple of weeks.

I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Love from Benedicte

We can make a difference, together

Today is the third Sunday of advent. The third verse of the Norwegian song “tenn lys” states that no one must lose hope until we are all united as one people. Moreover, it encourages us to light a candle for those who fight for justice, and for what is right.

These words mean more to me now than what they have ever done before. I believe we are all one people – we are just in different countries, with different food, climate, languages and cultures. However, the differences are too clear, and too big.

My life is completely different from the lives of the children at CRO. I am blessed with food, shelter, education and a loving family. I do not believe it is right that children sleep on the pavement with stomachs’ screaming for food. I do not believe it is right that children have to be violent and aggressive to survive on the streets. I do not believe anyone should be victim of sexual abuse or violence. I believe we are one people, and we should all be treated equally.

I am inspired to fight for justice, and for what is right. I hope you are inspired too. We can make a difference, together.

Tenn lys!
Tre lys skal flamme for alle som må sloss.
For rettferd og for frihet. De trenger hjelp av oss.
Må ingen miste motet før alle folk er ett.
Tenn lys for dem som kjemper for frihet og for rett.

The photo is taken by my dear, talented teammate: Hanna Charlotte Hananger

One cannot help everybody, but everybody can help one

We walk on the pavement every day. At night, this is where our little friends sleep. The children are trying to keep warm with a piece of paper, a plastic bag or by the warmth of a stranger. They are holding a bottle with fuel gases or alcohol, and they protect their bottle with their lives. They are trying to escape. They are trying to be safe.

One cannot help everybody, but everybody can help one.

(By Hanna Charlotte Hananger & Benedicte Bjerknes)

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All photos: Hanna Charlotte Hananger, please look at the pictures carefully. 

Another hospital visit

My dear teammate, Hanna Charlotte, has been rather unlucky with hospitals in Uganda. She discovered a ”thing” under her foot 1-2 weeks ago, and at Mbale Regional Hospital they said it was a “foot corn”. In addition, they said they had to remove it – surgically. I felt awfully bad for my teammate, but she was brave, and now she is walking around with a crutch and a beautiful smile!

As a result of Hannas foot corn, we have spent the last couple of days relaxing at home. We have listened to Christmas music, we have had good food, we have made Christmas cookies, we have been watching movies, and we have laughed a lot!

I hope you are having a wonderful advent time! I love and miss you.

PS: To all my Norwegian friends: Please eat a “marispanjulegris” for me!

Så tenner vi et lys i kveld, vi tenner det for glede

Today is the first Sunday of advent. It is getting colder and colder in Norway, and people are getting ready for Christmas. In Uganda the temperature is rising, and apart from the four candles Hanna and I have placed as an ”adventkrans”, there is not much reminding of Christmas.

For many families worldwide there is a tradition of lighting one candle each Sunday in preparation for Christmas. Many Norwegian families, including my lovely family, has a tradition of lighting a candle while saying the famous words of Inger Hagerup about advent, one verse every Sunday.

Today’s verse is about joy. We light a candle for joy, and I think of all the joy I have in my life. I have so much to be thankful for, and the Christmas season is a good time to take a break to think and reflect.

Christmas is often a time with stress regarding cooking food, baking Christmas cookies, cleaning and getting the perfect gifts. That is not what truly matters. The love and care we have for each other is what should be in focus. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage us all to really spend time with friends and family, and to realize how lucky we are. Also, I would like to propose that instead of stressing about finding the perfect gift for someone who has everything – make a card, bake some cookies or/and check out this website: gaver som forandrer verden. These are gifts that make a difference.

I wish you all good luck with your Christmas preparations, and a wonderful advent time. The most important thing one can do during Christmas is to show love, and give of your time.

Så tenner vi et lys i kveld, vi tenner det for glede
. Det står og skinner for seg selv og oss som er tilstede
. Så tenner vi et lys i kveld, vi tenner det for glede.

A weekend to remember

Hanna and I arrived in Kampala on Thursday evening, ready for another fun weekend with our friends Helene, Benedicte V, Seline, Miriam, Hanne, Synne and Scovia.

We were supposed to leave at noon on Friday to go to Scovias village in Bushenyi. However, our car had other plans. We did not leave until 1:30 pm, and we did not get to village that night. After several stops along the way, and having to wait four (!) hours at a gas station we found a guesthouse in Mbarabara, and spent the night there.

We left for Queen Elizabeth National Park 5am on Saturday morning. The Ugandan nature and wildlife is amazing. We saw a male lion, a lioness (we were about 2 meters away from it!), elephants, hippopotamus, Pumba and Timon (from the lion king – “vortesvin og marekatt”), antelopes, buffaloes and several birds! We had lunch (after about 24 hours with nothing to eat but crackers…) with the most fantastic view: A couple of elephants were taking a bath in lake Edward. Lovely.

We traveled to Scovias village later that day. The village is beyond imagination. We ate self-harvested pineapple while being surrounded by mountains, goats, cows, and beautiful nature. Moreover, at night we enjoyed traditional Ugandan food by the fire while children with hips that did not lie were dancing!

After a long photo shoot with Scovias family (everybody wanted a picture with the mzungos) on Sunday morning we were ready to get a head start on our journey home. However, our car had other plans. Again. We were supposed to be in Kampala at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon. We were in Kampala 3am on Monday morning, and we traveled to Mbale later that day – a little tired, but with great memories of a weekend to remember.

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Doing things the Ugandan way

Lately, Hanna and I have been doing many new, fun and sad things.

We have visited a village and been true Ugandan women, yet another time. We chased, cuddled, murdered and ate a chicken, we dug in the Ugandan soil, we ate dinner (the chicken) with our hands, and we walked up on a small hill to look at the beautiful view. Also, I have had my first (spontaneous) math class, I have been jogging and working at CRO.

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Re:Act

Last weekend Hanna, Vegard and I traveled with Re:Act Mbale to a village to see the work they do for seven children with varying disabilities. We met four of the children and their parents/guardians. Living with a disability in Uganda is very different from Norway.

We listened to the mothers as they explained some of the challenges. The daughters were often sexually abused as the girls with disabilities were considered to be of no value. If the girls got pregnant their families would most often send them away, and they would not be able to take care of the baby. The children with disabilities were often beaten up, and they were misused for child labor.

Ronald, one of the leaders of Re:Act Mbale, talked to the children and their parents/guardians. It was inspiring to hear the parents/guardians say that their children are valuable, and that what they need is love, care and a place to be safe.

All children are unique and valuable and they have the right to be loved, cared for and to be safe.

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