Wrapping Up Uganda

Here's Susan's latest email from Uganda....

Dear Friends,

Diane and I have had a wonderful time here in Kampala.  We have a much better understanding about UHR and the other two organizations that Milton works with.  UHR is a very solid program but they need assistance in a variety of ways.  I have some ideas to share that are very do-able in helping Milton with his remarkable program.

For those of you who had the UHR experience a couple of years ago when they came to the United States, I want you to know all of the kids have grown considerably - physically and matured.  Their dancing is way beyond what we all saw two years ago.  And I wish you could meet the kids that did not come to our area!  I just love being in a place where the people are so friendly and outgoing!

Of course there has been more to my trip than UHR.  Uganda has developed or I should say Kampala has developed way beyond what the city was when I lived here 4 years ago.  I have been off to my old haunts and have re-connected with several people I knew when I lived here.  I connected with an art gallery owner and I may have a Ugandan art exhibit at my apartment in Troy for a Troy Night Out mixed in with Diane's fantastic photographs of Uganda.  By the way, Diane is having a photography exhibit at RPI, her reception is on August 15th.  We intend to do a Uganda awareness at her receptions - and sell a few items to raise some funds for the extended UHR family.

We are off for lunch today with Milton, Naomi, their babies and the Norwegians that currently fund the UHR program.  Tomorrow we are having lunch with former Greenwich girl, Leslie Nielsen and Tuesday we are packing up and flying out via Amsterdam.  We land at JFK on Wednesday afternoon.  It will be good to come home but I know I will return soon and often to Uganda.

Be well and be in touch,
Susan

First week in Uganda

Susan sent another update yesterday-

Dear Friends and Family,


I have been in Uganda now for a week! The time has flown by so quickly. Each day brings new surprises and meeting up with old friends both in the UHR troupe and other people I once knew! Kampala is an exciting city. The guest house where my friend Diane and I are staying is a lovely oasis after being in the hustle and bustle of a very busy and developing city!


We are gathering so much information about and for UHR and two other organizations that are assisting street kids in getting off the streets. Lots to process and lots to share upon our return. It is great Diane is a photographer - our story will be easier to tell accompanied by her photographs.


We just returned from an interesting occasion. The UHR troupe was performing at the University art center for an opening of an art exhibit using the native Bugandan bark cloth. Prior to colonization the Bugandan kingdom clothed themselves in bark cloth - this Ugandan artist has created some very cool fashions made out of the bark cloth - the opening of the exhibit included a performance by UHR and the honored guest was the Prince of Buganda.


I am so happy to be back in Uganda - in many ways I feel I never left - except this time I do not have a car... We have been mostly taking special hires - which are taxis. Always negotiating a price. Gasoline is about $10 a gallon here...


For those of you who know and love Milton and the UHR troupe - they are all well and happy. We have seen all of the kids who came to Greenwich - except Sophie. Sophie just had a baby - but she is still training with the troupe. Tonight Milton was performing with a Greenwich Central School baseball shirt on - and to think yesterday he was appointed the minister of Education in his kingdom! We met his babies last Sunday - beautiful and Naomi is lovely.


I could go on and on - but I will save more for later.


Be well and love-

Susan

Susan Gordon is in Uganda

Just got this email from Susan....

I am just getting to computer time. slept in after an amazing day yesterday with Milton and the kids. i feel so inspired and have many ideas about what I want to do here in Uganda now and in the future. it was wonderful to reconnect with all of the kids - not only the ones that came to the USA but the kids who did not and who I knew when I lived and worked here four years ago.


I spent many hours with Milton - we had lunch at the University together away from the compound and his busy life. today he is being appointed as the Minister of Education in his kingdom of Uganda and tomorrow he goes to his kingodm for the official ceremony! this is great appointment for him - not bad for an orphan kid who eventually got a college education and has created an incredible social program here in Uganda for former street kids - and the kids stay in his program and now several are going to university - working at jobs to do it! no loans and no families. we could all learn so much from these people!


Tonight the troupe is performing at the national soccer stadium for the opening ceremonies for all African soccer games (big/huge tournaments) - the President of Uganda will be there and so will Diane and me. Milton put us on his crew list to take pictures! I am very excited!!!


An example of the kind and honest people the Ugandans are. This morning the front desk person at Mamba came to me with a pair of glasses and a note. Diane had left her glasses in the taxi we took from the airport - the driver found the glasses this morning and returned them to us with a note. That is Uganda.