The Real Street Fighters

Hey All,
First of all I want to say another BIG thank you to Shane Harris and his company for giving me this laptop- it has been an absolute blessing- especially for my latest task of preparing 11 child sponsor progress reports! I really appreciate it, thank you so much!

So yesterday I walked down into town with Lisa to go to the Drop-in Centre. The centre, called Immanuel is run by a very special couple named Pam and Eddie. They gave up everything back in England to come to Uganda full time [volunteering by the way!] and run the centre. And whilst they won’t admit it, in a short 18 months they have made an enormous difference to many people’s lives. From the short time I’ve spent with them, I can see they are parents to many street boys- many who have not experienced the love of a ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy’. Something I think many of us take for granted.

My task for the morning was to interview all the street boys who are now sponsored by people in Australia and the UK to go to school. I thought it would be simple- prepare a progress report for all the sponsors about how their child is going at school and how their sponsorship has made a difference. I had my list of criteria outlined and the questions I would need to ask to fill out the profiles. My first interviewee was a boy named Hanington. I learnt his name, his age, his favourite subject at school, his report card and what he thinks about God. I took my notes then interviewed the next boy. After a while, things began to change for me. After each interview, Pam would fill me in about each boy’s background. Slowly this task became more than just writing a report- each of these boys had a story to tell. Each has been through many horrendous experiences. One boy, around 15, lost both his parents and now supports his 2 younger brothers- and sadly this is a common occurrence. These boys have been forced to grow up at a very young age- nearly all losing either one or both parents, undergoing abuse, trauma and poverty.

These boys are the real street fighters. Many are angry, hurt, and stubborn- yet there is hope. Through Immanuel and the love of God shown through Pam and Eddie, their pain and hurt has been chipped away- little by little. Whilst I heard many stories that you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy, there were success stories as well. Take Lucky for example- he is the only Christian in a family of Muslims. He came to Immanuel from the streets, seeking food and a bath. [Pam and Eddie provide healthy meals for about 40 street boys aged between 12-18, 5 days a week] Lucky was originally hesitant towards schooling- he’s lead a hard life- people have not treated him well- he was hurt, and had a lot of walls up- yet after some of his friends were sponsored to go to school, he too decided to give it a try. Part of the agreement of going to school is also going to live back home- so he moved back home with his mother and grandmother. And what a transformation there has been in this young 13 year old! He is now in grade 3, and is first overall in his class. He received first prize for handwriting and works extremely hard in his work- Pam said he studies hard outside school and just loves school- a big change since his initial reaction towards education! He is also a keen vegetable grower- he grows it for his family- and thanks to the support of his sponsor back in Australia he is looking forward to a life of purpose and hope.

Lucky is just one of many of the street boys who are working hard to change their life- and it’s not easy. These boys are sometimes pretty stuck in their ways- they’ve had to survive in the toughest of circumstances, yet I am so inspired by their stories. It makes any challenge I’ve been through look measly in comparison. It’s a good reminder for all of us to thank God for how blessed we are in Australia. All of us get it least one meal a day, we have someone that thinks the world of us, and heck, we wouldn’t even think about having to plan for our younger brothers or sisters futures as our parents are dying of Aids. We just have it so good!

Already in my short two weeks in Africa- I am being changed- there are so many people here- so many people craving love- craving someone to tell them they matter. For me a big example of this was when I was visiting an orphanage in Kampala. In one room, the orphans had written in chalk on the wall- “ Never Forget _______” and they would write their name. These kids want someone to know they care- someone to remember them, to know that their life is not wasted- that they matter and are here for a purpose and a reason. My hope for my time here in Africa is that if I can show one child that they matter- that I love them and they have a reason to be here in this world, then I have succeeded.

My message to my friends and family reading this is this: do your friends and family know how much you love them? Do they know that they matter in your life? Do you show them they have a purpose in this world? Because I’ve noticed that in a place like Africa where there are SO many people without love, without family, without hope- this is what they crave- to know that they matter. We have it so good in Australia- don’t waste our opportunities- don’t waste our blessings- because there are so many people who would swap in an instant to have what we have.

Peace out for now.
Olivia.