I want also mention a person who had a real effect on me during my time in Uganda...
Benaleta is a fourteen year old girl who is part of the 52 kid foundation. The first time I met her, I overlooked her merely because I was surrounded by fifty or so other faces all greeting us. It was complete chaos, but as things began to settle down, there were some faces that stood out and some kids I would later get to know a lot better. One of those was Benaleta. She has a smile that takes your breath away and a laugh that is able to completely hide the impoverished life she leads. She is the most energetic girl I have ever met and I instantly grew attached to her. Over the course of the two weeks I saw her multiple times, one of those being at her house. Of all the home visits we made, Benaleta's home was one of the worst I had seen. It was hard to see the conditions in which such a brilliant girl lived. It also put much of my life into perspective for me, for here is a girl who is loving life simply because there is life to live, and not for the material things many of us deem necessary to be happy.
This girl is my role model and she does not even know it.
I miss seeing her and I can not wait until I am able to do so again.
I would also like to quickly thank John and Colleen for making all of this possible for me and giving hope to these children.
3 comments:
Beautiful note Lindsay. Thank you for all that you have done. John is off hiking on the Long Trail. I spoke to him and told him about your thoughtful message.
Lindsay, Caleb told me about the extent of writing that you did on the trip, and in reading this piece I can tell you have done a great deal of reflection. Thanks for sharing your moving thoughts, and for encouraging Caleb to go on this trip. I hope the two of you can bring your words and his photos together...maybe a slide show and sharing time. Mary Anne
LindsaY I am glad you had a great time in Uganda. It sounds like it was a life changing experience for you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I am sure the kids appreciate the time you spent with them.
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