The Christmas holiday was such a great time spent in Seeta with my host family. My friend Madi arrived safely to volunteer with Global Hands of Hope for 3 months. My host sister, Doreen, got married in January, and we have been getting ready for the start of a new school year at Suubi Children's Center in the Village of Bukeka. It has been a bust couple of months, but very worthwhile!
School started yesterday (February 6), and the day was spent getting all of the sponsored children fitted into their new school uniforms and shoes. I wish I could have captured a picture that best described sense of pride that the kids and the parents had, and also the looks on their faces as some of these kids have never worn shoes before! The kids who are sponsored each recieved a School Uniform, A t-shirt and shorts, socks, shoes and a small back pack. Today on my way into the village on a Boda (Motorcycle Taxi), my heart was so happy seeing the kids walking to school dressed in their new clothes and having them turn around shouting "Good Morning Madam Alicia!!!" with the biggest smiles on their faces!
We are expecting to have around 80+ kids this year. 37 of them are sponsored! The classes are still getting organized as we wait to see which parents will bring their child back for another year. In the next 2 weeks, we should have an accurate count on how many kids. It is going to be a wonderful year! We have gone back down to 3 classes (Baby, Middle and Top). I am working with Teacher Jennifer, and it is really good, because we grouped the kids according to age, and some of the 5 and 6 year olds were in Baby class last year and will be needing a LOT of extra help to catch up. But these kids are smart, so I think that they will catch on pretty quick.
I have had an amazing time here in Uganda for the past 5 months. I have had so many experiences that many people don't get to have. I am so lucky and Blessed that God brought these people into my Life. When I came to Uganda, I had only been able to fundraise enough money for 1/2 of my trip and a one way ticket. We origionally thought that funding might continue to come in, but things don't always go as planned. As of now, there is a possibility that I will be coming home a few months early. I believe in what we are doing here in Bukeka. In the short time I have been here, I have seen change and improvement. Even something as small as The kids starting to come up to me on their own and hug me! I know that I can continue to do what God brought me here to do. I know that if funding comes in, It would be great to finish out my year, but I also know that God has filled my time here with so many amazing and lifechanging things! Please keep me in Your prayers as I try to figure out funding. If you feel led to donate to myself or to sponsor a child, please email me at she_she55@yahoo.com or my mom at salliebodine@yahoo.com. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Lots of Love, Alicia
(Note from Nikki) - Here are 3 pictures that Alicia has put on facebook recently. Love Love seeing these beautiful faces! We may have a new fundraiser in the works, but no details to share quite yet. We will keep you all informed when we have more info. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers for Alicia and the kiddos!
