From T'filot to Toothbrushes, From Nets to Nile

We started off Thursday with a morning service led by the four women becoming adult b’not mitzvah this Shabbat. They had many familiar tunes, but the Abayudaya music was amazing. Everyone was adding harmonies, including the children, adding to the spirited sound. 

The four b'not mitzvah with Rabbi Sizomu

Hakafah!

After the service, many of the villagers, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians, gathered so we could distribute the mosquito bed nets and dental supplies that we donated on behalf of Mount Zion. As we walked around the village later, we noticed the toothbrushes and toothpaste being put to good use as we saw many kids enthusiastically brushing their teeth. We later learned that most people had previously been cleaning their teeth with twigs and leaves that they found. 

We also presented $750 from our group, which will be use for micro-loans.  It will help with start-up businesses without having to incur the steep interest rates that a bank would charge.  Once the business person earns the amount of their loan, they pay it back so someone else can borrow.   

We donated  many supplies (thank you Mount Zion!)

Women holding their toothbrushes

A demonstration of how to use a mosquito net

Children receiving their toothbrushes

There was a very long line for mosquito nets

The group on the bank of the Nile

 Later that evening, we traveled to Jinja to see the source of the Nile, which bubbles out of Lake Victoria. On the bank of the Nile we saw a statue of Gandhi commemorating one of the 17 places in the world that his ashes were spread. 

This morning (Friday) we saw an amazing performance by Hope Troupe Uganda, a music and dance group composed of orphans from many of the surrounding villages. Boy, could they move! They even got us up and dancing!

Hope Troupe Uganda

Hope Troupe Mount Zion

Now we are preparing for Shabbat with the community, and I mean the entire community, by making challah, slaughtering goats and chickens (actually), and cleaning up. We look forward to a special and relaxing Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom to all of you who celebrate!

-Eiden Spilker