On our last day in Uganda, we went to Jinja to visit the widows that are part of the Akola bead project. What an amazing group of women! You can tell how much they enjoy making these beautiful necklaces and the accomplishment they feel when they can provide for their family by doing it. We then went to a small orphanage that is lead by a wife and husband who already have 6 children of their own! Katherine, who is with us from Birmingham brought along Bibles for the kids and seeing the look on their faces when they were receiving them is something I will never forget.

Back in Kampala, I had the pleasure of photographing sweet Merimbe & Joshua. I met Merimbe on my first trip to Uganda in 2007 in her small village near Jinja. She has sickle cell anemia and was not able to get the medicine she needed living there. It was clear when I met her that she was in pain and extremely weak…not having the usual energy of a child her age. Caleb, who is from Uganda and works for UAPO took Merimbe in to live with him and his wife and new baby Joshua. I cannot express how happy I was when I was told of their selfless act of generosity they showed by bringing Merimbe into their home. She likely will not live as long as most children her age, but I am hopeful that she will be able to have a joyful life regardless of how long it may be and that she will know how incredibly loved she is. Please keep Merimbe in your prayers.

Ok, so the pictures….it turns out that I take too many pictures; go figure So, I thought a short slideshow would be better and much less time consuming for me to put together. Here is the link where you can view the pictures from our time in Jinja.

http://clairesmith.myshowit.com/uganda

I am working on the Kenya pictures right now and will try to have the slideshow up later tonight.

xo, Claire & Ashley

We made it to Rome but had very limited internet in Uganda & Kenya, so I am late posting pictures from there Here are the first round of pictures from our time spent in Uganda.

We arrived in Kampala and the next morning set off to visit the area of Pader in the northern part of Uganda. Many of the people are still living in IDP camps from the conflict that went on several years ago with the rebel groups. Slowly, they are starting to feel safe enough to move back to their villages. We visited the area where UAPO is planning a community center and the village gave us a very warm welcome. They also had a dedication of a water well that was built in honor of our dear friend Glenn Graham. What a special time it was for us to be with Dabby & Will to celebrate the water well and Glenn’s life with everyone. Reminds me of how something so seemingly simple and accessible to us as water is the exact opposite for so many people in this world.

The next day we spent the day at Ranch of Jesus where the orphanage building is complete. The children began moving in a day or two before we visited so they were very excited to give us the grand tour and show us their beds. I already miss the kids! We had such a great time with them and it was such an amazing sight to see the orphanage. The last time I visited, the framing was the extent of what was there.

I will write before more tomorrow and post the 2nd half of pictures from Uganda. Hopefully I can get ALL the pictures from Uganda, Kenya, & Rome up BEFORE we leave to come home Sunday

xo, Claire & Ashley