Yesterday afternoon after a slow stroll through the village
we sat under a shade tree and it wasn't long before the usual entourage of
children gathered around. Two women came out of a grass thatched hut carrying
two silver platters draped with a decorative doilies. Yes, silver
platters. As I looked around at the kids who had no shoes on I wasn't exactly
surprised that we were being served something sweet but the Canadian in me did
feel a bit of guilt.
Many times since we arrived the locals who appear
to have so little, have offered us so much. These women presented us
with coca-cola sodas and cookies and then I heard the echo. The most commonly
asked question. "When are you going to come back to Uganda?"
Every time I'm asked I think to myself, I never want to
leave, therefore I'll never have to 'come back.' Of course that isn't an
appropriate or accurate response so I laugh and say "not soon enough my
friend."
As blessed as my Ugandan friends may feel to have
me here, the truth is Uganda will be with me wherever I go. It is the
cooperative way to want to help others so they can help themselves. As a
cooperator and Canadian I wonder, do they realize how much their stories have
helped me?
Lacey Chyz
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