March 2012 Uganda Trip: Day 2

Our cultural immersion continued with an up-close encounter with the Ugandan economy. Escorted by Joseph, a choir alumnus, we plunged into the Oweno marketplace, shopping list and shillings in hand, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of clothing vendors in search of some disco pants.

We continued into the open-air produce market, purchasing g-nuts, beef and a live chicken. Unfortunately, pork would have to wait as the majority of the butcher shops in the marketplace are Muslim and find pig unclean.

After lunch at the African Children’s Choir headquarters, we climbed back into the SUV, this time with two girls from the choir, on our way to see where they used to live. We parked near a coffin store and followed Teresa as she retraced familiar steps to her home.

Ducking under sharp-edged corrugated tin and dodging puddles, we ended up in a rectangular mud hut with Teresa’s mother who was obviously excited and proud for her daughter.  It was remarkable to learn that this willowy single mother had not only built this hut with her own hands, but had wired it herself as well.

We climbed back into the SUV and arrived soon after at the home of Margaret where we met her mother and baby sister. It was an honor to see the joy in her mother’s face as she heard about what her daughter was learning.

We capped off the day with dinner, spending time with Ivan, another choir alumnus who is building a business based on supporting the wireless telecom industry.

All in all, It was humbling to be part of this organization that is genuinely making a positive difference in the lives of some truly deserving children.