GiftsValerie Greenfield -- Toronto, ON
As I sat in bed each evening under the protection of my gauzy mosquito net, I pondered the nature of gift giving here in Uganda. For SCAW, the process began with a $30 donation, often given as a gift to honour a friend's birthday, retirement, anniversary, or life. Our distribution team had so much fun reading the labels as each photograph was taken and it was quite exciting when a familiar name was recognized. It brought home a little closer. It seems hard to believe that this gift of a bedkit can become a life-changing event for a recipient. The joy on the face of a child he or she received a bedkit was indescribable. Such simple items to those of us who have so much have the potential to alter a life. A mattress means a comfortable sleep. A mosquito net means a night free from the relentless biting of mosquitoes that cause malaria. The gift of a good night's sleep means that a child can go to school the next day and learn. For the children of Uganda, an education is the only way out of the cycle of poverty and ill health. The whole family celebrates the distribution of the bedkit. Without exception, at all sites, families dressed in their very best clothing and for the SCAW team, especially those of us on a first trip to Uganda, the sight of these beautiful, frighteningly poor women in their traditional dress was an emotional experience. It is every picture I have ever seen of Africa only it is real and I am here. The sense of occasion is indeed a celebration of thanks, love and gratitude from families to the SCAW team and the donors. We accept this gift with joy.
Tears were often shed by SCAW members as we received gifts. The Ugandan people in each community gave us their best. be it their dress, singing, traditional instrumental music, or dance. Our arrival at the distribution site each day was greeted by loud cheering and clapping. Teachers often had taught the children songs of welcome for our arrival. It was a moving experience to stand in front of 500 children dressed in their new bedkit clothing while listening to their gift of music. It was a delightful experience to dance with the people to the rhythms of drums and dongo (xylophone). I was in awe at these receptions and so very grateful for these enriching cultural experiences. The Ugandan people say that when a gift is given, you must give back. This team has given out 6,000 bedkits and in turn we have been given memories that will last a lifetime. For us, like the Uganda children we are forever changed. |
