Uganda Mission 2016 - Solo and Hopeful!

Oil Otya! Jambo!  Hello! I made it safe and sound to Uganda, smooth flights, smooth customs with all the supplies!  I am fine - balungi!  It was a great busy fruit filled day today conducting business, in the bustling massive chaotic city of Kampala, for Hope 2 One Life. This involves a community/village model we adapted called PRESM  - Post (LRA) war Recovery, Empowerment and Sustainability. The original pilot project for the model was in partnership with Family Empowerment Uganda - Canaan Farm which is doing well and mostly sustainable (now growing by leaps and bounds actually). This is where Emmanuel clinic is located and the first of many solar, water, drip irrigation, village health team training, school love packs, vocational and women's micro finance projects and recently teacher and farming training has occurred.  It is "music to our soul" when there is enough sustainability to become almost "out of a job" in an area and then be able to expand into other villages and war torn areas who also want the training and invite us to come along side them to give a hand up, rather than only hand outs that go away or are used up quickly with no long lasting benefit. These areas are remote, lack traditional leadership due to 20 plus years of being stagnant during the war. Many struggle to barely survive, yet the people have simply beautiful hearts and souls. They are human beings too, who have suffered long and wish for the same things we all do: to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy for a better life for their children.  Community development is a long slow process and there is no quick reward. The process of streamlining the management of the projects with our local, on the ground, Ugandan partners has been a much needed process for the success and benefit for those in need. The CBO - Community Foundation for Development was formed to help manage the expansion and projects. Since it has been 10 months since I and the last team was over, and many projects were implemented following, in particular water, farming and a goat rearing income generation projects. Some things went well and some things got held up for months or had problems. Yes, it was way too long for me to come - I was a little busy at home to say the least!!  Today, was a   a 2 and a half hour meeting of the minds with our dear and loyal contract project manager and wonderful friend and lawyer (who is about the smartest, wisest, logical and generous business person/mentor I have ever met, yes ever...and that includes any of the 25 years of sitting in hospital meetings in the US and listening, watching and hearing ideas and plans go round and round and wondering.... when is something actually going to happen?).  It solidified why I was destined to come alone on this trip.  A plan and path going forward became very clear (God's plan - not my conflicted internal plan - I should realize by now it is never my plan!) ...as I humbly and respectfully visit all of our projects and lead persons, one by one....listening, sharing, hearing, problem solving...loving - at times with toughness. I have had some deep emotions rise prior to and while preparing for this trip (maybe it is all night shift delirium and lack of sleep - Ha!) but whatever it is... There is a job to be done and a potential breakthrough to be gained. I have decided in my weakness and apparent neediness, with literally ....years of my blood, sweat and tears (mostly joyful ones) hanging out now in the wide open sea of the universe...to share this with all of you, my friends and family, Hope 2 One Life volunteers, supporters and donors - and invite you to become my "virtual team".  Steve, you always wanted to come with me on a trip and your health didn't allow it - this is also  for you Steve Charlton , enjoy as you are welcomed home my dear.  Come along and carry me along angel friends. I thank you! God, I thank you!   The map is where I will be headed next, Kitgum, Palabek, Awal, Gulu, Opit and Awere. Some areas are very remote and lack access to internet so the posts may be a bit intermittent - lucky you!!  Don't worry tho, I am in good hands - His hands!   But first...I will take you on a wild ride and shopping trip in the big city of Kampala - always a fun adventure! - Nadine Solo and feeling hopeful! - Nadine Hart, PA-C Co founder, president/chairman Hope 2 One Life, Inc