Be Proud of Who You Are ~ Kagoma Gate, Uganda Day 8

Today we went to Kagoma Gate by way of our friend, Tabitha’s sewing studio.

We met Tabitha in 2014 and feel like we’ve always been sisters.

Tabitha runs the pad making project for us in Jinja. We brought her with us to Kagoma Gate along with Moses and Elizabeth the midwife. It felt like we were seeing our family again and made us so very happy.

Maureen Ellie and Tabitha in Kagoma Gate.

Tabitha and Ellie going over the quality of the MoonCatcher pads.

Ellie and the thousands of kids in Kagoma Gate School

At Kagoma gate we were greeted by hundreds of children all laughing and happy to see us.

Life at the Playground generously donated by The Giving Circle

Everywhere we looked, kids were swinging, sliding or going round and round the merry-go-round The Giving Circle of Saratoga Springs had provided them for their playground.

What happy kids. It certainly made us smile.

Life is very hard in Kagoma Gate.

A typical scene from the rural community of Kagoma Gate.

Phoebe, Tabitha, Elizabeth and I headed for a classroom of P5,6, and 7 girls to teach our menstrual management class.

Phoebe was a genius at encouraging these young girls to talk and be proud of who they are. I believe these children have hard lives at home and Phoebe gave them words to use to battle their obstacles. I was in awe of her, as I always am.

Tabitha handed out the pads that her sewing guild had made and spoke to each girl as she gave each of them a MoonCatcher kit.

Meanwhile, Maureen worked in the kitchen stirring huge pots of beans and then handing out plates of posho, beans and greens to each student.

Children in line for lunch.
Notice the handpainted portraits on the wall that we did with the children last year.

She was in awe of the hard work that the women do to prepare food each day for the 400 plus students in this school.

She wanted to help cut the greens until she realized that a huge machete type blade was used (cutting towards yourself) to mince the vegetable. She understood that we have no time for hospital visits. She was able to participate in handing out the food without embarrassing herself.

Another great day in Uganda to fill our hearts. These are happy and grateful people.