Trip to Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp

Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp.

     “They killed two missionaries, burned two of our vehicles, and our buildings as well; that was during 2004 ” said Elly. “They didn’t like the work we were doing here”, continued Elly, speaking of Muslim’s in the area. Elly is the leader of a Christian organization called “Here is Life” (HIL), located in Northern Uganda. Here is Life began in 1988, in response to the war of 1979-1986, that left the area in an unstable and very needy condition. Since 1988, HIL has evangelized and discipled people in the area, as well as met physical needs that arise. “This area was very friendly toward Christians before 1979. However, after the war in 1988 when HIL began, many Christians were scattered. "We discipled the people and were building churches, but that is why we were attacked in 2004” Elly told us. Thankfully, the hostility from Muslim’s has greatly decreased and Christians and Muslims live peacefully together in this area today.

From left to right: Edward, myself, Anthony, Susan (holding the baby), then three HIL workers, Elly (seated on the far right).

     Here is Life is a partner that World Renew (WR) works with. I was on a trip to visit the partner, along with friends Anthony and Sara Sytsma, and another WR staff member Edward Etanu and his wife Susan. The purpose of the trip was to see some of the work that is going on in the refugee camps. It was also a way for me to learn what a partnership with WR and a local organization, in this case, HIL, looks like. 

Elly, leader of HIL, shows us a pit latrine (outside toilet) that they build for a refugee family. 

      When the conflict in South Sudan began in 2016, HIL began working in Bidi Bidi, the nearby refugee camp that was created to handle the flow of refugees from South Sudan. Currently,  Uganda has over one million refugees, mostly from South Sudan. Follow the link to learn more about the conflict. https://www.cfr.org/interview/understanding-roots-conflict-south-sudan Bidi Bidi is one of the largest camps in the world at close to 250,000 people. “We went into the camps when the crisis began in 2016, to see what we could do. We realized that there was a great need for pit latrines (outdoor toilets), since people were defecating in the open, which greatly increases the risk of diseases” said Elly. “After some time when most people had latrines, we targeted the vulnerable population, the ones’ who could not build a latrine for themselves” continued Elly “People who are elderly, have a physical disability, woman or child run homes”. While have latrines have been the current focus of HIL in the camp, they also do other programs, such as peacebuilding and trauma healing for refugees. Here is Life would also like to launch training on income generation, such as sewing, baking, and agriculture in the Bidi Bidi camp.

     As I left the camp at the end of the day, I had a heavy feeling that stuck with me. Here were 250,000 living in less than ideal conditions because of tribal conflict that has wreaked havoc in the country. The camps are places where idolness and poverty create habits and lifestyles, such as prostitution and laziness, in the youth. 

The grandfather is seated on the ground in the center of the photo, with his grandchildren spread around him.

     The sad story with the family pictured above is that when the whole family came to the camp, the parents (the ones who gave birth to the children pictured above) of the grandparents told them "you stay here with our children, while we go back to South Sudan and find a job". However, the grandparents later learned that their children had NOT gotten a job, but had joined the army in South Sudan. 

     The trip really made me grateful for the work that HIL is doing. The whole situation with the conflict in South Sudan and the refugee crisis is very complex. Please pray for the work of HIL and for the refugees at Bidi Bidi. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving dear family and friends!  

This is indeed an important time to stop and reflect as we gather to share a meal and to be grateful for the lovely community we have in this season of our lives.  Eric and I will get together with the expat/international community on Thursday- it is a group of people from different parts of the world who live here in Mbale for ministry, work, a short-term volunteer opportunity or just for a visit. We will post those pictures next time! It is guaranteed to be a good meal with enjoyable conversation and guaranteed to be no snow or cold weather J

Once again, we are in awe of the full month that just passed us, since we last updated you all on the blog.

Pre- garden

Our garden now!

Eric has continued to work in our home garden and it's beautiful! His diligence and attention to caring for it provides us lettuce, a local green (like collard green/spinach), cucumbers, and beautiful flowers to enjoy on a regular basis. There are tomatoes, sweet corn, onion, peppers, carrots, eggplant, and bananas growing so we look forward to the harvest that is coming.

My most favorite farmer!

Towards the end of October, we drove up to the northern part of Uganda and Eric met with a few farmers up there to learn about their work while I went into South Sudan to visit my old school where I used to work – Leadership Academy of South Sudan (LASS). I was able to be apart of the 4^th graduation at LASS! It was so special for me to witness the continual growth and to celebrate the hard work that the students and staff have put forth. I deeply love that place!

Sunrise on my way to LASS

Graduates!

Actually, Eric and I are heading back to northern Uganda this weekend to visit this latest graduating class as I will be a part of the orientation day program as we welcome these students into the LASS alumni group and to speak to them about university. Eric will also visit the farms that he is connected to in the region.

In early November, Eric was able to travel with some of his good friends and coworkers to the refugee camps in a different part of northern Uganda, he will share more about that on another update.

During the time that Eric was traveling to the refugee camps, I went with the university that I work with for a community day to a mountainous region in the east called, Bududa. We went because there was a terrible mudslide that came down one of the mountains on a Thursday afternoon in late October. Over 200 people died, including many children who were in classes at 2 of the primary schools that we wiped out from the intense water that was carrying huge boulders, strong waters, and debris. I went with about 5 staff and 45 students, we broke into groups and went around the community to listen to their stories, pray with them and give them some household goods (that were raised by the students) as they rebuild after this horrific tragedy.

Buildings destroyed right next to where the landslide came 

This used to be land where houses and businesses were

Huge boulders that came from up that mountain, where the landslide started

This was not a river before but was formed because of the massive landslide

Normal everyday work usually involves us going to the university (LIU) to teach classes, have meetings, and attend various programs. Eric will often go to the PTC farm (where he worked last time that he was here) that is a bit out of town. He really enjoys working with the guys there as they continue to build a sustainable farm with quality procedures and practices. Somedays, our pup Kona and I will go out with him to enjoy the peace and beauty of the countryside.

Cows at PTC farm

Eric working with the farm manager and staff

Kona LOVES to go for a drive to the farm and see life around Mbale!

I have been working alongside a peacebuilding radio program called One Tribe for several years by organizing some of my former LASS students to translate and record the radio programs. We have also begun a partnership with LIU to begin developing a peace studies program. So, earlier this month, the director of One Tribe and some of the team came to visit us in Mbale. They have become good friends of mine and it was a gift for Eric to meet them and for us to work on these partnerships together.

The director of One Tribe, Elizabeth, and one of the student recorders/translators, Juma

Two of the student translators and recorders, Idris and Chris

Lastly, we cannot forget to appreciate the Penn State football season! Eric and I are committed to watching the games each weekend- it’s a fun tradition that we started and really enjoy it! There is another American family here who are Penn State alum, so we watched the Nittany Lions play Wisconsin last week together with them!

Penn State fans in Mbale, Uganda!

Whenever you think you are carrying a heavy load, just remember this motorcycle driver who is managing to transport these chairs!

These are two of our dearest friends in Mbale, Rhonda and Katharine

Thank you for your love, care, and support :)

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!

Love, Lauren and Eric