The Gift of Giving

Where has the time gone? I am not as good at keeping up on the blog as I had hoped, so forgive me for the lengthy entries.
Wonderful things are happening with 4 Oneworld in Uganda! Last Friday the Doctors of Animal Sciences came from Makerere University to connect with Kibooba. The Department Head, Denis Mpairwe was leading the discussion and he inquired about the history of the village. I realized that many of you may not know the details of Kibooba, so let me share.
Kibooba was hit hard in the mid-1980's by war, AIDS and poverty. A conflict took place between rebel forces and government soldiers. Many citizens were slaughtered, women raped and the town was left devastated. A sickness infected many people and the families learned that the name of the disease was AIDS. The consequences of these struggles have resulted with about 90 orphans in Kibooba. An orphan in Uganda means that one has lost one or both parents. The term "complete orphan" means a child has no parents or other relatives, in which case a good Samaritan assumes guardianship.
The people in Kibooba live a simple life. There is little, if any money exchanged in the village with the majority of households struggling to feed their families. Fetching water, digging in the garden, and acquiring firewood consume the days of most individuals. The poverty is severe and paying school fees is nearly impossible. The idea of the school came about when the local counsel leaders, Harriet and Joel collaborated to support the children who would otherwise never have the opportunity for an education.
The villagers united to bake the bricks to build the school and donate their labor. In 2000 the school was erected on the sacred memorial ground and named the Kibooba Village Memorial Orphanage Care Center. Citizens contributed the little funds they had while Joel worked multiple jobs to pay for the teachers' salaries and other operating expenses. It is a primary school offering classes in nursery through fifth grade. This is a special village with an inspiring story of unity giving and hope. They have come so far and with the help of the Friends of Kibooba (Canadian non-profit), 4 Oneworld and the Doctors of Makerere University we will be able to empower the community to sustain the school.
So now I am patiently waiting for the Doctors to schedule our next meeting to begin moving forward with a plan for Kibooba. They know the background, have inspected the land and have so many ideas on how to generate income for the school. Most importantly, their plan will only succeed with the involvement of the citizens. It's not about 4 Oneworld just donating funds; it's about empowering the parents and guardians of the students to contribute their time into the various projects to help pay for their children's education. Some of the initial ideas include chickens, cows and planting vegetables for selling. By the end of the month I hope to have a plan in place for success. However, I know the wheels of progress move slowly in Africa and I am not putting the pressure of a deadline on myself.
Did I mention the beauty of this partnership with Makerere? Dr.'s Denis Mpairwe, David Mutetika and Connie Kyarisiima have all agreed to donate their expertise as their community service to Kibooba. Joel and the women's group representatives clapped when they learned of their kindness. I was fighting not to shed a tear. They felt that since the villagers, Friends of Kibooba and 4 Oneworld were all contributing their time that they would as well. Giving is contagious. Once one person gives from their heart others can not help but to return the gift. It started with Harriet and Joel and is reaching all across the world with people like you (my faithful blog followers). So whatever you do today, be sure to give. Give from your heart and watch as your kindness is multiplied.
I'll leave you with one of my favorite poems about giving.
Give by Hari Kartar Singh

Give from the Heart
Give Often
Give Much
Give All
Give Again
Keep Giving
Give To Strangers
Give To Friends
Give To Family
Give to All
Give Again
Keep Giving
Give Time
Give Money
Give of Yourself
Give All
Give Again
Keep Giving
Give Freely
Give Now
Give Joyously
Give without Thinking
Remember it is your soul that wants to give.
It is your ego that wants to own.
And when you give to others you learn this:
You need nothing for yourself.
To give is to be a child of Trust.
Trust is truth.
Truth is Divine.
To give is to heal,
To give unconditionally is to forgive entirely.
Giving demonstrates the Universe's abundance.
And, when you give, the Universe demonstrates it's abundance to you. Give
Give Now
Give Again
Keep Giving.