Dear friends
How do 8 weeks of complete isolation affect the community of a children’s village? What challenges, but also which positive experiences do children, mothers, families and directors make during this time?
We invite you to a live video- and telephone-conference with Kids of Africa, Uganda. This Sunday, 6 pm. And we write about the eighth week in isolation, and attach an unabridged letter from our protégé, Aisha. Learn more from her description – read it or join us this Sunday!
Visit our zoom conference call with Kids of Africa this Sunday!
It works really easy (we are all not “Digital Natives” either):
If you don’t have a zoom, you can either download it or simply join by phone using one of the local dial-in numbers below:
Topic: A live update from the Kids of Africa
Time: Sunday, 10.May.2020 06:00 PM Zurich
- The participants have the possibility to participate in the conference with sound and camera. However, they do not have to and can only watch / listen by leaving the camera and microphone switched off.
- If you want to join the discussion, mute your microphone at the beginning of the meeting and activate it only when you want to join the discussion
Meeting-ID: 899 4417 7275
Password: 209378
Click here to join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89944177275?pwd=eHNkVmtmQVA0ZXkwVHNURnpWNzhBQT09
In case you prefer to dial-in, quick dial mobile:
+41225910005,,89944177275#,,#,209378# Schweiz
+41225910156,,89944177275#,,#,209378# Schweiz
Dial-in according to current location
- +41 22 591 00 05 Schweiz
- +41 22 591 01 56 Schweiz
- +41 31 528 09 88 Schweiz
- +41 43 210 70 42 Schweiz
- +41 43 210 71 08 Schweiz
Search for a different phone number for your local dial-in: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbX1zKw8Q1
Just try! And contact us if you have any questions. We are happy to help!
The most important experience
If we had to make a single point, this is it:
The crisis has brought our children, families and community together like no other experience. They have learned what it means to take responsibility – for themselves and for the weaker ones. This invaluable experience of 8 weeks of self-sufficiency will shape them for a lifetime.
And because we prefer to emphasize the positive in life, I will only mention this experience. We are grateful for this.
A letter from a protégé, Aisha
After I announced Aisha’s letter to you last week, she typed it up. I would like to offer it to you unabridged and in her language.
Work, Rhythm, Recovery
Finding the rhythm is central in every life. That is why our experienced directors, Dorte und Tage Budolfsen, started right at the beginning of the isolation, together with everyone in the village, to plan a balanced weekly and daily schedule.
As far as the weather allows, each day starts with running and gymnastics. This is followed by practical work in the field, the workshop or the household. Time for quiet activities – such as reading, games, creative design or learning in small groups – is also planned. And finally, there is still time for games, which the children organize themselves (our own Champions League is still wrestling for the champion) or a dinner together around the campfire. How lucky that nobody in our village had a corona infection – for our many immunocompromised children (HIV, malaria) this would have been very dangerous.
Flood
While other parts of Africa are experiencing drought, Uganda and East Africa are affected by the worst floods since 1964. Lake Victoria – on whose shores we live – is 68,000 km2 in area, about one and a half times the size of Switzerland, receives water from a total of 14 rivers and feeds only one river on the other side, the mighty Nile. Its water level has risen over 3 metres in recent months, flooding entire settlements in some places. The result is an increase in fatal infectious diseases such as bilharzia, tuberculosis and diarrhoea. In addition, the water on the shore is often poisonous because the numerous rose farms often discharge their chemical waste unfiltered into the lake.
Fortunately, our homes are not yet affected – the height distance to the water is still less than one meter. Alone, one third of our banana plantation, our vanilla and our citrus plants have died under the water.
What next?
Many things are still unclear. While in Europe some lockdowns are being loosened, the one in Uganda has just been extended. We will keep you informed and thank you for your support in this crisis.
Warmest regards
Your Burkhard Varnholt