A Grateful Life, Living with Love and Joy

To Gulu,

(at the pre-school teaching the kids 'Ring Around the Garden'. 

They loved it... lots of laughter filled the air!)

It has been over a month since I have started my journey here! I have learned so much, my heart is full. Yet my North American mindset is upset. Driving around town, I see such a need for basic needs such as food, clean water, clothes, and homes.It breaks my heart seeing kids playing with tires and ripped clothes. They live with so little, yet you would never know. I would say they are richer than us North Americans because they have joy in their faces and have love in their hearts.


This past Sunday was a great example of this!
I was able to slip out of "Adult Church" to see what the children were up to. The first thing I noticed was their big smiles as they were all singing, laughing and dancing (a small clip is on my facebook page). The next thing I noticed was their clothes. They were so clean, yet torn and very worn out. A little boy got up to get some water, and there was a massive hole in his shirt. Some of the girls' dresses were not even done up properly because they grew out of them, yet it is their Sunday's best.  It is so hard seeing this, but I kept a smile on my face as I enjoyed the laughter that filled the room.

Another example is at the preschool (picture above). Most of the uniforms are ripped and too small, yet they are so happy to be in school as many children cannot afford it. These kids are so proud to show off their stickers on their torn clothing. Honestly, I used to get upset if a thread was coming undone in my shirts. But these kids are excited because they have clothes- don't even get me started on giving some brand new clothing out in the communities! (Cue the waterworks!!)

I have learned that even though the people here have very little, they make the most of it. This is such a big life lesson and something I will dearly hold on to for the rest of my life.

Another thing I learned is not to take the essentials for granted. That includes my toothbrush!
When we went to a village, some team members handed out toothbrushes. These children ended up hugging their brand-new toothbrushes! Some have never brushed their teeth with a brush, they chew on sticks and rinse with "clean" water. These kids were smiling, laughing and showing it off to everyone! Some were even trading with their friends to get fun colors. Once we gave the toothbrushes to the children, there was some left for the adults. The tears in their eyes and the endless hugging showed how something so little can make an impact. Honestly, I wish we were able to hand out toothbrushes to everyone is Gulu!

In school, I was taught about the basic needs of a child. Let me tell you- that does not apply here! Some may only have one meal a day, drinking dirty water, and clothes so ripped you can see their little tummy! But they play, dance and sing with not a care in the world.  I have never seen a child without a massive smile (except the ones that cried and ran away from us Canadians!) in Gulu. They don't have much, but they make the most out of every little thing!


To get more frequent updates check out my Facebook page - To Gulu With Love 
As well as the organization I am working with - World Embrace on facebook OR. Worldembrace.org 

If you want to join my biweekly newsletter email me - re@worldembrace.org with the subject of Newsletter

If you want to financially support my journey go to:
lakemount.ca 
on the menu bar:
- click give
- click one time gift
- click Missions Other
- in the next line click Shelre Gulu Internship

Until next time,
With love.

Shelre.