Today I just got back from being on the island for 4 days. This last Tuesday I picked up Geoffrey, my sponsor child, to take him back home on Lingera island. The boat ride over was great, and very relaxing I think it was because we used a private boat which made the journey a lot less crowded. On the way Geoffrey taught another person sign language. It was so great to see Geoffrey interacting with others where as before he would have been too shy to converse. I have seen first hand that it has given Geoffrey both joy and hope to be able to go to school and learn. By the time we docked at the island Geoffrey and the man and finished going through the sign language book.
As people were being carried from the boat, i decided that i should move in a position on the front of the boat as to make it easier for the person to get me out and carry me. however my idea of easier ended up being an embarrassing disaster. So I went to the front of the boat, but then i realized that I only put myself in a harder position for him to retrieve me. so I decided to climb the bow of the boat. I realized after the fact that climbing with a skirt wasn't the best idea, but who thanks before they act,(apparently I don't!). As I stuck my foot up and tried to pull myself up with my arms my grip slipped and I feel backwards into the boat. Everyone was so concerned for me and my safety, I felt so stupid after that. here this white person is climbing the front of the boat, what in the world was she thanking; I must of looked ridicules to the Africans. That was my embarrassing moment of the week! hope it lighted up your day!

~ROX

What's New?!?!?!

Hey all,
I know it has been a long time since I have updated my blog, and I am sorry about that. So here I am updating now to let you know that, Yes, I am still alive and well.
It has rained almost every day since I have been here, but I like it because it reminds me of home. I seem to have come during the rainy season, but my last two months here will be during the dry season, which I hear becomes really hot and humid. so the climate right now is just right for me, however, it's really cold for the Ugandans. I see a lot of them waring jackets in the middle of the day, it's funny because to me it's not cold at all. So here I am in a tank top and everyone else is waring long sleeves or a jacket.
I have really enjoyed working with the Spring of Hope staff! My third week in Uganda was my first week of meeting the staff, and doing home visits in the village with Emma (he works in the area of child development) and Mawazi (he is the field work coordinator). My fourth week I got to meet that teachers at the schools I am going to be helping with. I am working under Charles (he is the child sponsorship coordinator for the schools). My main roll is working with our 21 deaf children with Charles who is also very skilled in sign language.
In a couple of weeks from now both Charles and I have desiced to take our deaf kids to Entebbe Zoo. I am really excted about this because most of them, if not all have never been to a zoo before. Right now we are trying to finalize the detailes and put together a budjet for this trip, and God willing everying will go smoothley.
anyhow, that's what has been going on in Uganda so far.

may God bless and keep you,
`Roxanna