Children in Uganda

Over the past two days, we have learned about the experience of being a disadvantaged child in Uganda.  From the abandoned and disabled children at the Good Shepard Homes in the city of Kampala who live in orphanages of around 300 children that swells to 600 during school lunch time to the 92 orphaned children living at Kids of Africa who are divided into small, tidy homes of less than ten with "mothers" who cook and care for them in small family units.  Meeting a government minister, Pius, who has UCONN and Hartford connections, yesterday gave us a window into the hope there is for the children here.  The schools forming, the clinics running and the many organizations working to make real change.  Watkinson students can be a part of that change. Volunteering, teaching and making meaningful connections with the children of Uganda...we have found so many ways to be engaged here.  Now with only 24hours until I leave, I look back amazed at the beauty of this country from the people to the land itself.  I could have never imagined all the potential ways we could work here.  I have a notebook of names, numbers, emails, ideas....a computer filled with pictures, spreadsheets and proposals...and a heart filled with hope and gratitude for being able to experience this place.  Thank you, Watkinson!  Thank you, Chris Maggio our host!  Thank you, Uganda!