Day 6 - Home of Hope

​Another day started off with a bang, 3 more layers added to the building including the frames for the windows and the door ready to go. The team starting the day with the normal routine, slab down the machenga, then place the bricks down, until the heat started to pick up. Emma the building goddess stated that our team was working efficient, finishing at least 30 minutes early than expected. Following the general clean-up we headed off home, with the usual breakfast meal for lunch. Sitting around the table with the power out above us we enjoyed the relaxing quite time whilst practicing for an outburst of Zombies, no wifi, no lights - just another day in Uganda! 

---

​However, this was not just another day; this was a special day, bringing tears to our eyes. Later we would describe our feelings, ranging from sadness to joy. Today was the day we were invited into the Home of Hope, an orphanage for disabled children. This project has expanded over the last 10 years from just one inspirational women who ignored the laws of society. This woman, Edith, changed the lives of not only her child but 46 other children and the mammas and staff that have altered their lives for this project. One woman challenged society, suffered the consequences in order to educate and help children with disabilities.

Yesterday one of the children at the village came up to us, asking the agenda for the next couple of days. We talked about the Home of Hope and how this was a learning experience that was going to challenge us all. They told us how are you meant to help someone where there is no help there. This was hard to take in considering we had no idea what to expect at the home.

Taking this on-board, when we arrived to the Home it was a struggle to walk in, trying to keep a straight face the tears started rolling down our faces. 46 children, 25 staff members (some full-time, many part-time) all lying along the floor playing as if there was nothing strange about what was lying in front of us. Edith explained the struggle it took to start this project running; however she was not willing to give up on the hope of these children.

With the bare minimum in some areas the staff keep their enthusiasm in order to love these children. All the injustice broke the hearts of our team, yet a sense of satisfaction was revealed as one woman could have just given up, however she strives till this day for a healthy life for these children.

The pungent smell tore our worlds to bits, however through everything we placed ourselves besides a child and attacked them with love. Tickling them, holding them, cuddling them, we did anything to place a smile on their faces. Thinking about how we can help these children, today we helped them by bringing enjoyment to their lives. Although to we may not be able to change their conditions we healed their hearts through our passion and hope.

- Naomi Hart

---