Ululations from the GrandMums
We were worried about the Ugandan grandmas, concerned that they were going without to make sure their grandkids could eat. So we sent Bishop Bameka a few bucks to purchase some food supplies for the vulnerable grandmas and mothers in the Kawete vicinity. A while back, he responded and sent along a few photos. He wrote:
“Hi Rudy! It was joy and ululations ayiyiyiyih from the grand mums.”
And then yesterday—Easter Sunday—Violet (who served as WGLO coordinator while we were in Uganda 2004-14) wrote and sent more photos.
“Dear Rudy—Thank you for the funds for purchase of food and non-food items for the elderly. They were so happy to receive the food since most of them had nothing at all to feed their children. Majority had to beg around their neighbors to get what to feed their grand children. All could not believe you still had them at heart.”
Violet included some photos, which are heartbreakingly sweet. We haven’t been in Uganda since October 2013. Looking at familiar, now a bit more grown, faces sent memories running down my cheeks.
Here’s Zaituni and her momma. Zaituni was one of the very first kids we met in November 2004. Her mom, poor as could be, would often send a live chicken or a handful of eggs back with us to Kampala.
Sweet Violet knows most Kawete folks by name, keeps an eye out for the elderly, and shows the rest of us how compassion can be a way of life.
Here’s Joshua (who rang the car-wheel bell as a call to worship and who played the cowhide drums during the service, Helen (great difficulty hearing but always showed up for class), and their momma (one of the school cooks).
Hmm. Looks like quite an array of responsibility.