Murchison National Park March 28-29

Murchison National Park

March 28-29

Murchison National Park is situated in the northern part of Uganda boarding the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The Victoria Nile goes straight through the park making a lush park full of wildlife.  Murchison is just now considered healthy and the animals are making their way into healthy populations after being target practice for the rebels. 

The team and some friends back home raised extra money for us to treat the people at the farm to something special.  So, we loaded up a bus and made our way into the park with our team and 9 people from the farm, many of which had their first experience seeing African animals in person!  We were very blessed to see Giraffes, Hippos, Elephants, Warthogs, many types of grazing animals, Crocodiles, Baboons and Loins.  Everyone was filled with joy and laughter.  Our African friends entertained us on the bus ride with Acholi songs and wonderful conversations.  We stayed at a travel lodge and took everyone out for a spaghetti dinner.  One of the girls from the farm thought that the noodles were worms, and we were wondering why she did not finish.

On our second day at the park we took a Nile River boat tour up to Murchison Falls.  The waters were full of Hippos and Crocs with so many animals coming to the waters edge for a drink.  We had answered prayers when a family of Elephants showed up for a refreshing gulp amidst the blazing heat of the dry season.  

Our new friends are some of the purest hearted, humble people I have been in contact with.  They live out a joy with smiles that reach from ear to ear; it is hard to believe the stories of what has happened to them in their short lives.  They are stories that bring tears to my eyes and their smiles bring hope to my heart.   

Canaan March 21-March 31

Canaan Farm

March 21 through March 31, 2009

Our first week in Africa has been a refreshing intro to the continent.  After arriving into Uganda we had a 5-hour bus ride up to Canaan Farm.  Partly because of the excitement of coming to Africa, none of our team was really able to sleep on the plane.  However, for some reason we were able to sleep on the bus even over the pothole filled country roads.  We didn’t arrive at the farm until dark but when we got there, we were greeted with song and dance from the women at Canaan.  They were full of joy and welcomed us all as their family.  Just stepping off of the bus it is apparent that Canaan is a place of peace and refuge. 

The land that Canaan Farm is situated on is in the northern part of Uganda and houses families that have been displaced due to the war in the north.  Many of the boys on the farm have escaped from the LRA (Lords Resistant Army) who broke into their villages and kidnapped children.   Many more families have lost family members and everything they own.  They seek refuge at Canaan where they are given the chance to start over.  Canaan grows many different types of fruits and vegetables creating income for these families.

Our team slept in mud huts with grass roofs, a true Ugandan experience.  Everyday we woke up to many roasters and numerous birds.  One night about midnight a herd of cattle went through the camp.  Our food was cooked outside on a charcoal stove, as there is no electricity.  We were taken care of by two extremely hardworking women who cooked all day for us.

Thanks to friends in Colorado, we brought over heaps of clothes, school supplies and different medical and dental supplies.

While on the farm we held classes each afternoon underneath the shade trees where the bamboo jewelry is made.  Each day we were able to get to know the women and the few former child soldiers who all make the jewelry.   The classes that we held were about the difference between Ugandan markets and western markets, quality control, new techniques including how to use some of the new tools that we brought, and how they wanted to run their side of the business.  Canaan Farm has been working to teach the women how to sew, so Nicole (who went on the trip) taught them how to make bags to hold the earrings.  They turned out beautifully. 

Back from Africa

We are home!  Unfortunately, we were not able to find stable internet to write updates on the blog, but here they are just a little late...

London

March 21, 2009

During our 12-hour layover in London we met with Just Trade an English fair trade company that Donavan is good friends with.   Laura their jewelry designer met with us to talk about their experience in the fair trade business.  They work with Peruvian women and have their own project there.  Our first business meeting in London!  We soaked up Laura’s experience and knowledge like a sponge.  She was able to give us our own lesson of jewelry on the streets of London.  At that point we knew we were cool.  Laura gave us advise about doing business training as well as how to improve our product.  They have been working in Peru for a few years so their experience is very valuable to us on our journey and at the point of still being new in the business.