Hello Love Wins Now supporters!  I’m excited to share with you about my most recent trip to Africa in February, 2025.  

 

This journey was led by a fellow Rotarian Carsten Schmidt, two other Rotarians, Tina Patton and Grant Hellwarth, a board member of BMV, (Bethany Miracle Village) Paul S. and myself.  We journeyed together, laughed, cried, danced and served!  

 

We went with a few different missions in mind.  To learn more about the education system in Uganda.  To actively help at the school BMV, the Bethany Miracle Village where Carsten is the President. To help them with some projects to enrich their students' future.  To learn about the BLI (Bethany Land Institute), that is connected to Notre Dame University. And of course, my main mission was to see our Love Wins Now students, to visit their schools, meet their parents and build stronger relationships! 
 

Our days started at exactly 8 am, (mine started sooner, due to my training schedule for my big race) and ended most nights around 9 pm!  Filled to the max with all things good!  For each of us, as soon as we laid down- we barely moved the rest of the night.  I tried to stay awake each night, long enough to say hi to my family, the time difference was a constant challenge for this. 

 

Some of the projects we did included: 

 

• Painting different parts of the school

• Digging and planting a vegetable garden

• Planting 60 trees

• Installing pencil sharpeners (turned out to be quite the challenge due to needing stronger screws and the correct screwdriver!)

• Feeding multiple meals to the children

• Dancing

• I was busy taking photos while some were blessed to lead a school lesson for the older kids

• Visit schools

 

We visited eight schools in total. Three of which our Love Wins Now children attend. 

   

We were greeted with song, dance, long speeches and celebrations.  We were the special guests at the BMV (school of about 400 kids) sports day, where the town showed up with parents, grandparents and even a Prince in attendance, whom I was honored to sit next to. It was an incredibly high energy, smiles all around sports day. We witnessed a fill-the-bottle challenge, musical chairs amongst the preschoolers, a race relay, and we also got to compete in a relay. We lost to the Ugandan teachers. Everyone thought it was hilarious to see us up and running. The older girls played netball (seems to be a favorite amongst the girl students), the older boys played baseball and an epic soccer battle. The winners of sports day…won a goat! 

 

At Bethany Land Institute, as we hiked the forest we quickly realized that we were being followed in the trees by a family of monkeys. Once a mile in, we noticed we were walking through tiny black ant hills that had infested each of us with painful bites. A new development in our never ending hike.  We planted trees in the BLI forest to help with their 1 million trees initiative. We learned in amazing detail about the Bethany Land Institute. https://www.bethanylandinstitute.org/ . To add to that initiative, we also planted 60 trees at Bethany Miracle Village… having the kids bring over all the trees and the water- it was one of those moments I will cherish forever.  The children were so eager and happy to help us, as we planted, we also prayed over and dedicated each of the trees to a family member!  

 

Father Joe and his incredible team hosted us!  Giving us a tour of the diocese, where we met with the Vicar and also attended a Sunday Service, receiving a blessing from Father Joe. We visited the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo and attended a service, where I received communion. Tina attended a different place of worship where they continued praising for over 5 hours! 

 

The lovely hotel that we stayed at for about a week had random blackouts.  That was a wild, exhausting experience.  Especially when it would happen while waiting for dinner.  Or when we would get back after a long day and have thirty minutes to relax. No AC and no internet. This rattled me to the core eventually and one of the nights, I tried to call home inbetween the blackouts crying. 

 

All the people we encountered had such joyful spirits and were beyond helpful in every vocation. The servers were so humble and attentive, being in the food industry myself for many years, I really admired them.  The food was interesting. Not bad, but not something I would pick at a buffet - except the fruit!  Luwero is said to have the best pineapple in Uganda and we had an abundance of fruit with every meal! (Pineapple, mango, watermelon, bananas.) Goats are a delicacy to eat and many places felt it necessary to bless us with them.  Even though Cocoa is grown in Uganda, and I was able to document the entire process of growing, our daily coffee consisted of instant Foldgers. (Starbucks at the airport was heaven, on my return home.)  

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Every school was a different experience. All a very jubilant experience that is!  All of the schools were primary learning- baby/preschool -P7, except two.  One of which, six of our Love Wins Now students attends.  An interesting fact… If a child is blessed to attend primary education, the chances of them going on to secondary learning is only 28%.  Of course, if you are not a part of that 28%, this is detrimental to their future.  There’s many barriers when it comes to education. Child labor, early marriage for girls or financial restraints on the family are the most common. Schooling is separated in three terms in Uganda. Three months on, one month off.  It is recommended that a child boards during all of their educational journey, but is most important during the secondary years. Living at the school provides extra time for learning. 

 

One of the schools we visited, Kasana St. Jude Primary School has around 1800 children.  They do not offer baby/preschool.  Grades P1-P7. Crammed with 50-80 students per classroom, with very respectful and incredible listeners. St. Jude offers mixed learning, both day and boarding. Like most of the schools we visited, they prefer boarding. The boarding education starts around 6 am and ends after 6 pm. Learning six days a week with a shorter class day on Saturdays. Sunday included mandatory church with extra tutoring available. This school was number 1 in their district. For those who do not board, their learning starts around 7 am.  I passed many of the day students walking to school when I would run in the morning.       

 

When a student boards, the parents have peace of mind knowing the children not only are receiving an education, but have a bed to sleep in, (this is a part of the requirements that is paid for when we sponsor a child, we purchase a mattress and sheets for them.  The mattress should last the student many years) and food to eat.  Many children when returning home (they call this the ‘Holiday’) do not have a bed to lay their heads on for the months they are at home with their family, and food is scarce. Seven out of the ten children we sponsor board. 

 

A common emotion amongst all the students who were in the schools that we visited, was joy.  They take their educational opportunity and ability to attend school very seriously and are extremely grateful.  Every student knows many children in their community who are not able to attend school with them.  They strive to excel and do not mess around.  English is now a mandatory language to be taught at all schools.  We were able to communicate with most of the children we met, but very few of the children’s parents speak English.  This is new to Uganda.  With 56 tribes- they understand the value of having an official language and it is great for us too! 

 

One of the schools that we visited, The St. Joseph Bukomba Primary School, with 150 children, lacked the very basics.  From supplies, teachers and food. However, the children (do not have an option to board at this school) show up daily with smiles and a willingness to learn. They do the best they can with what they have.  This school is functioning mostly with the support from a priest in the USA. 

 

Many schools are under-staffed with the teachers getting paid very little (less than $100 US dollars a month). They do not have proper supplies or facilities.  Education is so essential that schools are on every block, and yet still 20% of kids in Uganda are not enrolled in school.  We are not able to solve ALL the issues, but we can help a few children change their future! 

 

Being with our Love Wins Now kids was absolutely the highlight of my trip!!!  One of our LWN students shared that she would like to be a doctor,  and share blood with people that lack it most in hospitals while helping those people that also lack money. Because if she has enough she wants to share it with those who do not.  She is our one student, who has a yearly sponsor, and was gifted a book along with a family photo of her sponsor family in it. 

 

It had been two years since I last visited our students.  Being with them and giving them the items that we brought for them was extremely emotional for me. Some of the items we brought were: steel water bottles, watches, towels, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mathematical sets, deodorant, plates, cups, pencils and pens, stickers, shoes, clothes, candy and for the secondary students- Bibles.  (I had two suitcases full at 50 lbs a piece of goodness for the kids!) All the students were so thankful.  We were able to meet the mothers of the kids, saw where the kids lived and walked all throughout their community. We talked about the future and answered questions about the past.  We danced, took photos and we shared information about all the running I do to raise money for the kids.  None of them really run except in football or netball, but they all love to dance!  Eight of the ten children we have been sponsoring since 2020 use to be in the same dance troop. That is partly how we became connected to them to begin with. If you have been with us since the beginning- not only would you recognize them, you have seen them dance in past videos shared. The other two children are our Country Coordinators’ (Nalady) niece and nephew.

 

We visited the three schools:

• Amity- two students in S1, three students in S2, one student in S3

• Windsor- one student in B3, and one student in P5

• Real Standards- one student in P4, and one student in P5 

 

We talked directly to the administration at each school.  The schools all are excited for our learners and have high expectations and goals for them.  They were happy to meet us face to face and made a commitment that the children will start every term on time as long as the previous term is paid in full.  When a school term is 12 weeks long, missing the first 1-2 weeks waiting on donations really affects the children.  This is something we will avoid moving forward.  

 

We also were able to take a journey to the North western part of the country and stay in the Murchison Falls National Forest.  Mind blowing beautiful. We went on a morning Safari where I saw elephants (my favorite), giraffes, a couple lions in the distance, buffalo and many other neat african animals… We also experienced a boat ride where we saw more elephants, crocodiles, hippos and while cruising the Nile, the Murchison Falls.  What an incredible experience.  We stayed in a neat little villa in the national forest surrounded by wild life.  Leopards roam at night when the power is out, and a herd of wild buffalo slept right outside our door!  The resort took our safety very seriously and we were not permitted to be outside after dark. So once we were done with dinner, we were guided back to our rooms by armed guards. I was assured it was safe to run around the compound during the day, but to be cautious of the wild baboons and the other animals around.  I wasn’t informed of the possible lions roaming the land until our departure which made me question my running experience. The hotel staff laughed at me and said, while it may be rare to see a lion here, we were STILL in the National Forest and they do live here.  When I ran, I did stop to ask the guards what the footprints were that I saw on the path, he laughed and said baboons and that I was safe.  Before we left the North, we stopped at the Murchison Falls! One of the most breathtaking views I've ever witnessed!!!

 

Our traveling, wherever we would go, though might have lasted four to five hours sometimes, was so fascinating.  There was always so much to witness.  Every town and village with its slight distinctions. The local markets, the buildings and shacks.  Faith posted everywhere and everything was at a slow pace.  The fresh meat being sold on the side of the road, with turkeys or goats roaming, next to a doctors office or a woodmill. The landscape and vegetation is breathtaking, while the poverty and one’s way of daily living was eye opening and heartbreaking.  There was trash and sewage visibly all around while most kids roaming barefoot, playing with whatever object could be utilized as a toy.  The throwing of tennis balls out the Orange Bus we cruised in seemed to be a huge hit amongst all the little ones and their families.  

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My training runs while there were next level epicness!  From the gorgeous scenery, to the smiles and the curious baboons!  Every workout was an extremely hot, exciting experience.  All my workouts had to take place early in the morning, around the sunrise, so I was ready by 8 am for our morning breakfast briefing.  The nature and the incredible morning sounds added the perfect level of awe to this trip.  

   

The last few nights of our trip we stayed in the capital, Kampala.   Oddly, the mosquitoes were the worst at night in the hotel room here!  Though wearing bug spray and sleeping in a mosquito net EVERY NIGHT of the trip… I received multiple bites the last few days.  When I got back to the states, not only did I have to quarantine for work for a week, I was sick for the first few days and I thought I had malaria- but thankfully I did not.   

 

While in the city, I rode the local transportation a few times.  A taxi with the LWN families and then a boda boda (their form of a motorcycle) 3 separate experiences.  Though incredibly dangerous- it was something I'll never forget!  They do not offer helmets to the passengers and the visuals we witnessed on a Boda Boda… car seats for babies are nonexistent in Uganda. The city bussel is mindblowing, so many people cram into every nook and cranny!  We visited the local African artist market before leaving the country, and I met the actual artist that created some of the pieces that was in the resort in the North. 

 

Just like my first trip to Uganda… God was in ALL the details.  Everywhere we were protected and reminded of divine love, hope and the bigger purpose!  The last day in the country, we broke bread with some lovely nuns, experiencing wonderful hospitality and a feast while overlooking Lake Victoria.  I was not ready to leave any of the incredible new and old friends that we spent time with, yet I was exhausted and beyond ready to be home!    

 

I can’t wait to visit again and continue to do more with the kids we support and hopefully more children when we are in a space to do so.  Our commitment of love and support is changing lives and I am so grateful to witness it first hand!