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

Spring of Hope -BlogSpot

Hey,
here is a link to spring of hope's blog spot. We are hoping to update it on a regular basis. If you would like you can also fallow along with what I am up too at SOH by going to this blog page as well. thank you for all your prayers while I am here God is doing great things in Uganda, and I am really excited to be apart of them.

www.springofhopeuganda.blogspot.com

In Christ's Love,
~Roxy

hey, I have now been in Uganda for a month and I have learned so much about the culture and the way things are done over here. One thing I have learned about Ugandan culture is it's not wired to hold hands with the same sex, were we would take that as homosexual behavior to Ugandans its normal. When I am walking in Jinja I see guys holding guys hand and girls holding girls hands or even guys holding girls hands. This physical gesture only means that you are good friends nothing more.
So when I was in Kampala during deaf awareness week I had my first experience of holding hands with both guys and girls. Sometimes they even link fingers, when that happens it becomes really awkward, for me. So now that I have been here for a month I have held hand with a lot of people; when you are waking with someone from one destination to the other it's just natural to hold hands because you are both walking together and going to the same place so you might as well hold hands while your at it right? So when I come home and I start holding hands with any of my friends please don't take offence it, I am just warning you now it might happen!
that's all I have for now I will write again the next time I have fast Internet, hopefully that will be sooner than later.

~Roxy

I don't have a lot of time right now, but I wanted to write a quick note to let you all know that I am still alive. I just got back from Kampala yesterday. We went for the Uganda national Accosiation of the deaf (UNAD) awareness week. Spring of Hope decide to take 4 of the 30 deaf kids to this program Geoffrey, my sponsor child, was one of them. We took to boys and two girls Geoffrey, Emma, Falo and Ruth. Each one of those kids have very different personalities you will see when I post up the pictures. I will explain more about what we did in Kampala when I have more time on the computer. have a great day!!!!

-Roxy

Mail

Hey Family & Friends,
If you would like to write me while I am living in Uganda here is my address:
both packages and letters are fine!!!

Roxanna Schaad
P.O. Box 295
Jinja, Uganda
East Africa

P.S. If you are going to send a package smaller boxes are better they will arrive sooner. Also, you can email me as well: keyki04@gmail.com


looking forward to hearing from you,
~Roxy

Hey Yesterday I had a long day in Kampala with Andy ( who had to run arraigns) and Elijah. I got up at 6am and we left the bed and breakfast around 8ish. (this was the next morning after my flight.) We went all over Kampala and got stuck in traffic a few times. Ok, my first driving experience was slightly horrifying, but I got over it real fast. Man you really have to be an aggressive driver by honking and pushing your way through. (if you don't you will never get anywhere). This is quite a different experience than what I am used to back at the states. Even in New York, It was never this crazy. First off there are bodas everywhere, those are little taxi motorcycles, weaving in and out of traffic. They are very convenient when you don't want to sit through traffic because they only cost 500 shilling which is the equivalent of 25 cents in American dollars. We got to experience some rain as well, by some I mean a lot!!!! We went to a supper market which had pretty much anything I could get in the US all in this one little store, I would call it a mini Costco.
Right before I came to Uganda on Thursday-Saturday a riot took place in Kampala. More than 500 people were involved 21 killed and over 80 people injured. By Sunday, the day I arrived, it had all cleared up. here is the news about it if you want to know more about what had happened:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORD/africa/09/14/uganda.travel.alert/

Right now I am staying in a missionary's home in Jinja, I am guessing I will be over at their house a lot since I will be within walking distance from where I will be at the YWAM base. Every Sunday they have a church service that I was told I was invited to go to.
Today I go to the island with Andy, Karina, and Baby. I am really excited about meeting the people over there. Andy & Karina Smith are missionaries on an island off of Lake Victoria (the Third biggest lake in the world). I am staying with them this week, then I will be going back to the mainland on Friday with Teresha (who is the leader of Spring of Hope).
anywho, that's all I have for now I will update this blog again when I have another chance to use Internet.

~Roxy

Hey, I am in Amsterdam know!!!!! I found some WiFi at the airport over here so just thought I would update my blog. Ok, that's all I have for now. Just wanted to let you all know that i am safe. see ya!

Roxy

As I am packing and preparing myself for Uganda, I am just now realizing this is for real. In two days I will be getting on the plane that will take me to my destination, Africa!
One thing I am really nervous about is flying. It has always scared me to fly ever since I can remember. And now, this time I am going to be in the air for more than 12 hours!!! Please pray that God will give me peace on the airplane.

~Roxy

Hey all,
I am Starting a blog before I go to Uganda Africa. I leave on the 12th of this month so that's about 4 days from now. I am so nervous and excited all at the same time. I don't know at this point what to expect when I get out there, but I will find out sooner or later. While I am out there I am hoping to post pictures and keep up on my blog so you all will know what's happening in Uganda.
When I get out there I will be picked up by Andy & Karina Smith they are missionaries out there off of an Island of Lake Victoria. I will be saying one week with them then I will head back to the main land "Jinja" where I will meet Teresha of "Spring of Hope" and stay the rest of my time working at that school. I am really excited to meet Geoffrey my sponsor child. Hey is a little deaf boy who goes to the school that I will be working at for 6 months.
God has great things planned and I am really excited to be a part of them.