Diary from a visit to Uganda

HUNGARY Summer 2009

3/8/2009

We arrived at Entebbe airport on August 3 at noon. We were welcomed by Father John and Father Emmanuel. On the way to Kampala, we saw the first images of a beautiful country Uganda. Small houses, shacks, little shops, lots of motorbikes and cars, red dirt, red mud and people. Children playing, barefoot children, children in school uniforms of different colours, young people carrying baskets of nuts, music, open air markets, exotic fruits, marabou and lots of greenery. We arrived in the capital, in the Namungoona district where we were to be hosted. We were welcomed with a meal and left to rest.

4/8/2009

We met the Bishop of Kampala and all Uganda, Jonah. We were impressed with his knowledge and his impeccable Greek. He welcomed us, informed us about the country, the situation, the work of the mission. He gave us his blessing and started the tour of the Namungoona area. We saw the hospital, the AIDS information offices for young people and women, the primary school, the high school, the printing press, the church of St. Nicholas, buildings to house orphaned children. It was all so different from what we are used to seeing in Greece. The children all sleep together, one on top of the other, each school class has a minimum of 80 children, they eat the same food almost every day and yet they are happy, friendly and eager to learn. Later that day we visited the parish in Kabonge. A small parish with lots of sweet little children. We walked into the classrooms and were greeted so warmly that we were made to feel uncomfortable. We then visited and toured the parish of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Degeya in the parish of Father John Kibouka. We had lunch there… Very tasty!!! The area is so beautiful, a paradise on earth despite the poverty, shortages and needs.

5/8/2009

It’s our shopping day, a little help we thought we’d offer. We went downtown. Here there is asphalt and some big buildings. We bought food and notebooks. We learn that these only last for ten days. The children are many!!! We departed again for Degeya, where we met all the teachers and school teachers. We admire them. Here the job of a teacher is literally a vocation. The children were very happy with the notebooks they got. So much so that it was touching. We were very fortunate because we were able to have the baptism of 21 children and the groundbreaking of a new building to house the teachers. We saw other new buildings being built nearby. The church of St. Constantine and Helen and a clinic (donated by the Brotherhood). Finally, we visited the novice nuns at the center and delivered a used computer.

6/8/2009

It is the feast day of the Transfiguration Church in Degeya where we went together with Metropolitan Jonah. The atmosphere was festive, the church was packed with people and of course children… many children!!! there was also an ordination of two priests. A celebration followed with choirs, music, dancing and food. The newly ordained priests gave a speech, the Bishop did the same just before in the church. We didn’t understand the language, we only caught a few words in English. And yet… We felt like we were hanging on their lips. Then they also spoke in Greek and thanked us very much for being there, but they also thanked Greece through the mission for all the years of support they have given us.

7/8/2009

This day included visits to three parishes in Katente, Luwayo, Bugolo with Father Emmanuel as our guide. All three parishes were beautiful, hidden in the thick vegetation of the country, but with many shortcomings and problems. But the people who welcomed us were again friendly, optimistic, hospitable. The children were happy, looking at us curiously. We visited the town of Jinja and in particular the point where the Nile River starts from Lake Victoria as the last parish, the one in Bugolo is located near this area.

8/8/2009

We said goodbye to the Metropolitan, unpacked our suitcases, filled them with pineapple and unforgettable and touching memories that will remain in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives and departed for the airport of Entebbe. Our escorts remained at the airport until they were sure we had passed passport and check-in and, as there was no visible contact, they left. Many times when we see something on TV, no matter how shocking and impressive it is, there is always a “safety distance”. We all get comfortable with that distance.

But seeing them in person we truly realize that it is not a film but reality. There we understand that each of us can really do something. It’s not as hard as we think.

The total number of Orthodox parishes in Uganda is 100 and we only managed to visit 5. But we have never seen so much poverty and at the same time so many happy and beautiful children. But there you will see neither gold nor silver and luxuries, nor priests who became priests for the salary. There the work of priests is 24 hours a day. Thank you all very much for the wonderful hospitality and for the opportunity to see this country and the work that is being done up close. We certainly reviewed many things.

Konstantina & Ourania Tzimoulis