We met last night with the first group of girls who are going through transitioning and training. The girls didn't all know each other before, but have already become good friends, and now have much to talk and laugh about together as they plan and prepare for a better life and a future filled with promise and opportunity, Tabitha and Betty
Our trip to Mbarara was to meet with Betty and Ishmael, who own hotels in Kampala and Mbarara and who want to help us help the girls in Ki-Mombasa. They told us they will offer employment in their hotels to girls from Ki-Mombasa once they have gone through transitioning and training. We are thanking God for Betty and Ishmael! We spent the night in Mbarara, and toured the hotel there. Betty and Ishmael were gracious and wonderful hosts. During a conversation with Betty [...]
We crossed the Equator yesterday on our way to Mbarara. We met with a wonderful couple, Betty and Ishmael, who own hotels in Mbarara and Kampala and who will provide employment to some of the girls from Ki-Mombasa after they go through transition and training. We will be on our way shortly to conduct a kick-off/demo meeting for what we believe will be the first Toastmasters Club in Uganda!
I arrived in Uganda safe and sound, and had a wonderful reunion with Tabitha and her family. While waiting for the gate to open at the airport in Amsterdam, I was talking with a woman from northern Uganda, and it took us less than five minutes to find a common connection, in the form of someone we both know. I'm always amazed and delighted to be reminded again what a small world it is! Tomorrow (Monday), we have a three-hour drive to get to our [...]
The first attention I paid to Hurricane Isaac was well before it built up to its full power or approached land. It was during a phone call with my daughter. My daughter lives near Orlando. Since Orlando is in central Florida and a fair distance from either coast, it’s not in as much danger of hurricanes as other Florida locations. Still, hurricanes there are not unheard of, and the area often bears the brunt of destructive and devastating rain and winds, even without full “hurricane” [...]
“100% scripted, 100% flexible.” That was one of the mantras we repeated over and over again when I was in Uganda last October, with an emphasis on the “flexible” part. Our plans and programs were carefully scheduled and prepared. But unexpected problems and challenges kept popping up, usually with little or no advance warning. We got used to it, and whenever something unforeseen happened – which was most of the time – we made whatever changes were necessary, and carried on with the program. I’m [...]
I’m going back to Uganda! The dream that began when I was there last October has grown and expanded and taken on a life of its own. It’s gathered momentum and interest. It’s generated plans and projects and new ideas. And it has become a passion and mission not only of mine, but of my friend Tabitha and a number of other people who want to see this dream become a reality. If you’ve been reading my column somewhat regularly in recent months, you know [...]
I woke up at 4:30 one morning last weekend, and couldn’t get back to sleep. Everything going on in my life crowded into my brain, as it often does during especially busy spells. When that happens, I know the tips and tricks I need to utilize to push things out of my mind so I can get some more sleep, but frankly, it felt like too much of an effort. So I decided to get up and get a few things done. I figured that [...]
Like many other people around the country, I’ve spent a good portion of my evenings over the last two weeks sitting in front of my television, watching the Summer Olympics. It’s ironic that an event like the Olympics – which showcases people who are among the most physically fit and active in the world, and who are competing and performing at the highest level possible – turns so many of us into couch potatoes. But starting next week, I’ll get back to normal – although, [...]
“The sun’ll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun…” I smiled as I listened to a powerhouse voice belting out the popular song from the musical, “Annie.” But I wasn’t at the theatre experiencing it live, or listening to a CD of the soundtrack in my car or home. I was in the checkout line at the grocery story. The singer – whom I couldn’t even see at first because she was so tiny and was on the other side [...]