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

Exploring Economic Opportunities and Cooperation

I am sorry we have been missing for the last couple of days; we have been having problems with the internet here in Nabagoye.  We are back and excited to share what we have been up to the last couple of days.

Barak sorting fresh coffee beans

Hand pollinating the vanilla bean (no wonder they're so expensive!)

On Wednesday, our first full day in Nabagoye, we had a great opportunity to learn about two different ways that the community supports itself economically. We started the day by visiting the Coffee Co-operative Mirembe Kawomera. This group of over 750 Jewish, Muslim and Christian farmers grows and exports coffee and vanilla and is starting to grow cocoa beans. The group has a developed a strong leadership structure that gives the power to farmers and allows for the group, made up of different religions, to work together to provide a better life for their families. On our visit we learned about how coffee is grown and saw the many of the steps between the red cherry that is picked off the vine to the tasty cup of coffee that we enjoy every morning.  After our visit, I am inspired to support the development of strong cooperative businesses and I have a new found appreciation for the work that goes into my morning cup of coffee. If you want to learn more about the cooperative you can visit their website.

Grinding the roasted beans

The Abayudaya Women's Association

After a tasty lunch of fry bread, beans and gnut sauce (very similar to peanut sauce), we spent the afternoon with the Abudaya Women’s Association. This group of over 70 Jewish women (only about 10 came to meet us) gathers throughout the region and supports one another in three areas: religion, social and personal support and economic development. Our conversation, which included three generations of women, included everything from gardens, to torah study to their jewelry business. I was struck by the love, support and creativity present within the group and I am excited about the new necklaces I am bringing how for myself and my friends and family.

Buying paper bead bracelets from the Abayudaya Women's Association

 Today was especially meaningful to me because I was able to see how the lessons I am learning at school, I am an MBA candidate at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, and through my work at Hacienda CDC in Portland is relevant all over the world, even in rural Uganda.

Alison Brown


Here are some more pictures from the day for you to enjoy

A typical daily chore

Girl carrying matoke

One of JJ Keki's 25 (!) children.  JJ is a founder of the coffee co-op