Looking Back with Gratitude

A brief look at the year that has passed.

A library was launched and Internet came to the village. A nursery school opened its doors. Reading, art and sports each became a fad. IT services were delivered to the community and to clients in the US, and chickens were studied closely. Friends from near and far dropped by and kids wrote letters to each other.

We used our own resources, received help from friends and didn't apply for any funding.

We learned new things, made mistakes, at times worked hard, other times dodged work, we argued, played, laughed and even cried.

It has been a journey of discovering new horizons, of altering perspectives. It was a year of magic and mischief.

The Team:

Buhugu: Geoffrey (the chief), Rogers (the healer), Sam (the gangster), Sharon (the chick), Chairman Alex (the elder), Mzei Ndugu (the senior)

The travellers: Charles (the kayungirizi), Sri (the idiot), Oliver (the preacher), Nicole, Tristan

Kampala: Susan, Jeff

Virtual: N

Special Thanks:

Annet, Rebecca, Bulombi Simon, Saad and Wobaka Simon in Buhugu. All the young people who helped out with the renovation and continue to pitch in. The mums, Richard and Juliet for sharing their home with the travellers and the generous care. Esther and Zitah, the staff at the nursery school.

The elders and the leaders who so passionately made the case for this project to the community. The advisory committee for helping us steer this project. And everyone in Buhugu who supported the efforts and encouraged us.

Jeanne for visiting us in Buhugu with books and chocolates.

Peter, Dorothy and Don for the friendship, advice and support from three different continents.

Henk, Noah, Hyongjeen, Cindy, Moez, Ben and many others in the US for the laptops, books, support and encouragement.

And the readers of this blog, we sincerely thank you for sharing the journey!