Schoolterm starts

Abato in action

On the 8^th of September it was finally the day we have been working towards. The third and most important school term of the year started at Abato school. We were curious, excited and couldn’t wait to finally meet the children. But as we had learned in previous experiences things in Uganda work a little differently than what we are used to. That begins with being on time. If some children would have been late, I think I would have understood that, but that most of the children and even some teachers being late is considered normal in Uganda seems off to me. Lots of children don’t even attend school at the first week. Why? I don’t know. I don’t get it. It’s just … weird. Fortunately Moses knows about the issue and I can honestly say that after he addressed the issue in a staff meeting we had, we witness some progress in terms of discipline and being on time when it comes to the staff.

Speaking of the staff: I haven’t had a chance to get in touch with all the teachers at Abato school yet, but I want to mention two of them that have really stood out to me. First there is Mr. Charles, who is a very thorough teacher even by German standards. He prepares lesson plans and has clear aims what the children should be able to do after his lesson. It seems like he is a very good teacher and that children tend to learn a lot from his lessons.
Second of all there is the new baby class teacher. She just started teaching at Abato school so one could say that she is as new as we are to the school. In just a few days, she has made some noticeable changes in baby class. Children seem to enjoy her lessons, learning new things and having fun while they are doing so. The way the teacher communicates with these little children is just loving, kind and warm hearted.

Abato has made some great progress with the school: Sanitation got a lot better, the water tank is a blessing for the kids, there are new doors for the classrooms and a lot of other changes that all affect the learning environment of these little kids. But I have to say that sometimes I think some kids aren’t able to notice these changes because of three strange looking young adults that have suddenly appeared at school. Every five minutes you hear some kid scream “Muzunguuuuuuuuu!”. Yes – we are there, and we are white. Anne, Christina and me are at school, helping the teachers, the janitor, the headmaster or the kids themselves with whatever comes up. From drawing posters to leveling land, from giving hugs to crying children to playing around with a lot of them. We are there and we seem to be the number one attraction for the kids. Some have been shy in the beginning, some have been outgoing from the first second but all of them seem to enjoy having us around. They notice the small details for example that our hair is different from theirs or they just laugh at funny sounding German songs. The love and admiration these kids have for us are incredible and it is just an awesome feeling to help them, play with them, teach them, work for them, or whatever involves them. These children deserve the best they can possibly get, and with the help of Abato foundation we will achieve the best for them. 

Julian

Getting to work

Making the Abato School more beautiful

On our fourth day here in Uganda we began working for the children. We drove to the Abato School early (it’s holidays at the moment – school term starts at the 8^th of September) and started painting the new doors. The school was completely without doors for 6 months but now Moses had the opportunity to acquire doors for the school and our first job was to make them more colorful. So Anne and I both grabbed a brush, some yellow paint and gave these doors a new and more inviting look. We also tidied up the classrooms and got rid of stones or beton pieces that were still in there from the construction works. We used a Ugandan broom to outdust the floor and I can honestly say I would’ve not thought that there was so much dust in these rooms. But with hard work, a good cause in mind and the help of our new little friend Edward, who is twelve years old and super energetic, we got the rooms to sparkle.

Julian

We have arrived

We are in Uganda!
Because of you!

That was one of the first things I had read when I was in Uganda. It is a big ad for some bank but it kind of fits why we are coming to Uganda. We are here because of the Ugandan people, especially because of the Ugandan kids. We want to help the kids in Mpigi. But first things first:

We went to Frankfurt Airport in the late evening of the 21^st of August and checked in with Emirates. Fortunately we hit a sweet spot there because are luggage limit was 60 kg and we had … 59.4 kg. I’d say we did pretty well in terms of packing. Flying from Frankfurt to Dubai went without any problems. We ate, watched movies and slept a lot during this 6 hour flight.

When we left the plane in Dubai we were stunned by the heat. 32 degrees Celsius at 7 a.m. – ridiculous! We went straight to our gate (and by straight I mean it is a 30 minute walk because that airport is freaking huge…) and we knew from the very first moment, that we were at the right place. The other people at the gate were almost exclusively Ugandan. There were like 4 other Muzungus (Luganda for white people), 10 asian looking people and the rest was black and talked loudly with that certain enthusiasm you learn to adore about Ugandans. The second flight also went smoothly but when we arrived at Entebbe we had our first shock. Just two of our four bags arrived with us, the rest went missing. We had to fill out a form and were told to call the airport tomorrow to check if the luggage had appeared. Well we had no other choice than to take things the way they were and head to Mpigi.

The Kalanzi family was very warm and welcoming and we met a lot of people on our first day. Because besides Moses, Kirabo and Arthur there were also five nephews (?) of Moses and Kirabo with them in the house. Moses showed us our rooms, we had dinner, and then we went to bed- Exhausted but happy to be in Uganda.

On day 2 we were shown around, met some kids and went to the school the first time, everything was really interesting and we had an amazing talk with Moses about Abato, and what his plans are for us. He wants us to support him in every aspect of Abato especially the external communication and other administrative tasks.

Our luggage has also been found and we went to Entebbe one more time to pick it up on day 3. Our real work with the Abato Foundation would start on day 4 of our trip.

Julian
                                                                                                                                                                       Deutsche Version

Now leaving Germany

Uganda here we come

This is it. The day we've been waiting for, for the past 9 months. All the preperations are made, we said goodbye to our friends and families and in just a few hours we are getting to Frankfurt International Airport and take our airplane to Uganda.

I have to say I could not be more thrilled right now. Of course there's a weird 'we don't know what's coming' touch to it as well and Anne and I are as nervous as we are excited I am still 100 percent positive about this. We are going to Uganda. We are going to Mpigi. And we are finally going to Abato. I especially can't wait to talk to Moses and Kirabo in person, we have chatted so much this year that it almost feels like I have known them for a long time.

Moses is going to pick us up at Entebbe (Ugandas Airport). I wonder how it will be, will he recognize us? We will recognize him? Will he hold one of those signs? I don't know. But I cannot wait to find out.

As you might imagine this is a super busy last day for us: Getting all the documents together (backs have been packed since Tuesday), hugging everyone goodbye, making sure we didn't forget any of the important stuff (you always forget something - but you have to make sure it is not the important stuff ;) ) We have also been featured in a local newspaper today. They are doing a series on us, our trip and our volunteership for Abato and yes my mum bought not two, not three but four copies of the newspaper. 

Our parents and siblings of course are the ones most worried and also the toughest to say goodbye too. Anne and I have both never spent so much time apart from our families and this will make it as harsh for us as for them. They all know how much we love them, so no need for expressing it here, right guys?

To finish this I just want to say: Next time you read something from Anne or me, it is going to come straight out of Uganda. Amazing pictures, experiences and stories and about to be written down here. Stay tuned everyone, talk to you soon.

p.s. I am so glad Anne is doing this with me - she is simply the most awesome person I have ever met. Can't wait to experience such an incredible new world together with her.


Julian
                                                                                                                                                                       Deutsche Version

Immunisations

A marathon of needles

To be honest I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to needles. I have always been afraid of needles including immunisations. Before I get one I have to focus, concentrate, don't let the fear get the best of me. You can probably imagine what it was like for me to hear about all the immunisations that are recommended for a trip to Uganda. Eventhough I know that my fear is irrational and that an immunisation doesn't hurt or something I got a little shaky before I got my first out of ten immunisations. 

In the end everything went better than expected: Turns out my 90's me was indeed afraid and couldn't stand needles but my 2014 version doesn't really mind anymore. I mean it wasn't fun but it wasn't terrible either. It's nice to overcome a fear and realising it.  

But there is still one thing, that isn't that nice. It's a specific german thing I guess because here we all have health insurance that usually covers our medical bills. Well usually but not this time. Immunisations for a trip are not in the basic package and so I have to pay for them myself which is a cruel amount of money. Nevertheless staying healthy is important and I think it is money well spent.


Julian
                                                                                                                                                                           Deutsche Version

You'll see...

Children's glasses for Uganda

I remember the first time I put on my glasses. Suddenly the world looked different - way more beautiful. I loved my glasses, my mum couldn't believe it when I told her I wanted to wear them all the time, I even insisted on sleeping with my glasses on.

We want to make sure that kids in Mpigi can get glasses if they need some, so we started a little project: Children's glasses for Uganda (German: Kinderbrillen für Uganda). Julian and I visited opticians in my hometown and asked them to accept donations of old children's glasses in their stores. Everyone we asked agreed to do so and eventhough were not sure what will actually come out of this, we're looking forward to receiving the glasses.

Anne

English Version

Fundraising for beginners

it's the little things ...

"Where's the money going to exactly? What happens with the money? Who knows if it'll really arrive where I want it to?" A lot of people would like to donate to charity but are insecure about whether the money will really arrive where it is supposed to. What people give to Julian and me will go directly to the children at Abato.

To collect some money my dad and I put together a handmade savings box, which my mum placed at the reception of her office. To inform the people about the Abato Foundation I also designed a flyer. We hope that our savings box will be filled until August so that we can bring the savings directly to Abato.


Anne

Deutsche Version

Tailoring school

the sewing machines are buzzing...

It is difficult to get a job without having graduated - especially for young women.

Abato managed to purchase six sewing machines and started a new project. The Abato Foundation wants to give young mothers that dropped out of school an opportunity to learn a specific profession: They measure, cut, and sew, until they finish the education programm and become a proud tailor. Right now the women in the tailoring school are making alot of new school uniforms for the children of Abato Junior School. They are doing such a great job in a very short time, you just have to take a look at the adorable uniforms the children are wearing to school. All thanks to these young women.


Anne

Deutsche Version

The joy of parenthood

King Arthur

Even through this is not directly linked to Abato it is still a huge thing for the friends of Abato and of course for the founders and leaders Moses ans Kirabo. The Kalanzi famliy has been blessed with a new member: On the 12th of February Arthur Mark Kalanzi has been born. Everything went well and the parents couldn't be more happy and proud. The little fellah will enlighten our days when we are finally in Uganda.

Deutsche Version

Schoolterm starts

"Finally going to school"

 When highschool students go back to school after vacation or so they may be annoyed by it. But every child, no matter if in the U.K., Germany or Uganda is proud and happy to go to school for the first time.
Abato Junior School opened it's doors for the children of Mpigi, Uganda on the 3rd of February 2014. 300 kids are getting a fair chance to the education, they deserve thanks to Abato Foundation Uganda.

The day starts early in the morning. The children line up and wait for their teachers to take them to class (which by the way is exactly how my elementary school started in Germany).

After wishing a good morning to their teachers they pray together (85 % of the people of Uganda are christian). Prayers are an important part of their daily lives.

The taught subjects are all the ones you may remember from your time in school: Science, mathematics, social studies, computer literacy (which you may actually not remember from your school time, but you can probably imagine how important this subject is nowadays), music and of course english.

With all the learning of course children also have to have some quality playtime. Abato Junior School has it's own playground for the students.

After a long period of playtime you also have to rest a little, and of course drink something to stay healthy.

The team of teachers, which Anne and I will support soon, is always looking out for the children, no matter if in class or at the playground. They are there to serve the children. In the picture you can see the teachers with the super proud founder of the school: Moses.
(a small riddle for you guys: Two of the people in the picture are not really teachers! Can you guess who?)

And just because I love this picture so much, here's my favourite shot from Abato Junior School so far. Isn't she just adorable?

I hope you could get an impression of what Abato Junior School looks like.

The current donations are used to make more school uniforms for the children, buy pencils, chalk, papers and other stuff that's necessary for the classes and to upgrade the building even further.

If you want to know how to donate please get in touch with us!
 

 Julian

Deutsche Version

a little behind schedule

Between university and catching up with Abato

It feels kind of good to finally be able to post something new again. As you guys might have noticed Anne and I haven't had the time to put something new up in the last few weeks. That's because we are both very busy with university projects/exams, working, I have just moved and Anne has suffered a leg injury. 

Eventhough we don't want this to be the case more often we are now in the comfortable position to have alot of new stuff to tell you about...
First thing (equals my next post) would be that school started on 3rd of February and is going really well. Shortly after all the excitement of the starting term Moses and Kirabo had even more exciting news: Their first child is born. His name is Arthur and the three of them are doing really good with their newest challenge called being a small family. We'll give you some details about that later this week. The next Abato-project is also in line. Moses came up with the idea of a tailoring school for women who weren't able to graduate. There women are taught how to tailor so they can earn their own salary later.
You see there's alot of excitement going on down in Uganda. Stay tuned as we give you more information about the listed subjects this week.

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Do you want to know anything specific about Anne and me going to Uganda? Feel free to write a comment or email us for further information!

 Julian

Deutsche Version

Booking flights

Just 11 months in advance

First of all, we wanted to get some information about the prices we'll have to pay for our flights. We crombed through several websites and checked airlines that connect Germany and Uganda. Out of question was that we will fly to Entebbe. The airport is about 4okm from Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Taking the country road, you need about 1 hour (3okm) to get to Mpigi, the city where Moses built up Abato.
Quite soon, there was a problem: No website could show any return flight. We're planning to fly back in April 2o15, after a backpacking trip we're planning.
We decided to get some help in a travel agency. To be honest, the advisor wasn't very helpful. She didn't get, that we have time, but no money. So we're very flexible about the dates, as long as it is as cheap as possible. We're going to visit some other agencies. But we're not in a rush: Airlines plan and publish their flights just 11 months in advance. For us that means, we can start looking for flights in May again. It does not make sense to book an outgoing flight now and later the return flight because it would be much more expensive. Same goes for booking a return ticket now and changing dates later.
So, we have to wait...


 Anne

Deutsche Version

What does Abato do?

Bricks for a school                                                           

After informing everyone in Germany that we are going to support Abato,
one of the questions that came up the most was “What is this organization doing? What’s their purpose, why support them?” 
Well I want to give all of you an example of what Abato does right now. This project impressed me very much and I am proud to show you #Bricksforaschool

Bricks for a school means that Moses and the Abato family started to raise funds by donation to build a school. And when I say build I mean they started at nothing and created a place where children can get the education they deserve.

The following is just a brief overview to show you the progress they have made, there are many more pictures and things to learn about the project…

    Deutsche Version

Let’s start with the place where the school was supposed to be built. 

This picture was taken before they started the construction.

At first Moses and his supporters had to clear the land.

The project is called bricks for a school because they even made the bricks themselves. In order to do so they pressed mud through a frame

and then later it is put on the ground and pulled leaving the brick on the ground wet.

 Many people were involved in building the school.

Together they made a lot of progress in just a few months.

With more donations coming in

they were able to start the construction of the rooftop.

They also focused on the outside looks and painted the school in a beautiful blue.

I cannot wait to be in one of these classrooms with the children.

The building grew and grew thanks to the passion and effort 

lots of people put into the project. 
Today the school is almost ready. They are giving it the finishing touch by now.

Even though they made it this far, there is still a lot that needs to be done. 

It all started with this

and they have come a long way ever since.

If you want to support them you can go to Abato website or contact us. As this project continues Abato does a lot more. Let’s help the children to learn how to help themselves because education changes everything…

Stay tuned we’ll provide you with more information and beautiful pictures of people who are trying to make a difference soon.

 Julian

We've got news

"You're not going there" and "What? That's freaking awesome!" 

Christmas. The whole family comes together and you meet all the good friends that you haven't seen for way too long. Every time Julian and I were nervous, sitting in front of our audiences and telling them about our plan to support Abato. Reactions were as mixed as expected: Our mums were the ones who protested the loudest. At least, Julian and I are good in doing a lot of persuading. Our friends shared our hapiness, were courious and asked many questions.
The first step is done and we are happy about every kind of support; support that we can impart to the children in Uganda.

 Anne

Deutsche Version

I love that song

Soundtrack of our trip

Shortly before we got the message that we will be with Abato in 2014 it was Anne's birthday. I got her a ticket for a concert of the famous german rapper Marteria. 
Shortly after we got the message the we will be with Abato in 2014 Anne showed me this:

The video is a collaboration between   musicians from Uganda and Germany and is shot in Kampala, capital of Uganda. We have officially announced it the soundtrack of our trip!










Julian

Deutsche Version

Looking for the right organisation

"it belongs to my childhood friend and soccermate"

Looking for an organisation that welcomes us as volunteers appeared to be pretty hard. Even though there are alot of agents that offer these kinds of opportunity, many of them ask for alot of money for their service. That's not what I wanted. There are a few that manage to give their volunteers a scholarship (e.g. weltwärts), but most of these organisations don't accept couples and for the few that did we were already too late with out application. A close friend told me to try and get in touch with the organisations directly. We searched the internet for organisations and wrote lots and lots of applications. Our motivation went up and down like a rollercoaster: Some answers gave us hope, but the majority was devastating. After a few weeks we let go of the initial hope to work with (and for) children in Africa. It just seemed impossible. We switched and started looking for any community service outside Europe. And then we waited...

... until Leonard Kazooka wrote me a message via facebook. Leo and I know each other from my trip to South-Africa in 2010. I was a little bit angry with myself that the idea of asking him didn't come to my mind earlier. So I told him about our plans and asked him if he knew an organisation that might need volunteers. Leo is from Uganda and told me about his "childhood friend and soccermate" who is the founder of a charity organisation named Abato. Julian and I immediately checked out their website and excitement came up. It sounded almost to perfect to be true so we hurried and filled in their contact-sheet. 
The next morning I had a friend request on facebook from a stranger. I almost ignored it (because you know - random facebook request) but Julian didn't: The request came from Moses Kalanzi, Founder of Abato Foundation Uganda! Oh my god - NOW I was thrilled! Julian and I put some info about us together and sent it to Moses. And then we waited...
...Every day we checked our inbox several times, everywhere we went we asked each other: "Do you think he already replied?" I expected every message that I got to be from Moses and every message that wasn't made me more nervous and curious. 

Then, on December 23rd, after seven incredibly long days, Julian and I got the answer we were waiting for:
Moses message blew my mind. I got so excited when I first read the long text that I didn't really understand half of it, I just couldn't believe it. We both said in front of the PC petrified. 
Julian broke the silence: "Anne, we are flying to Uganda..."


Anne

Deutsche Version

Decisionmaking

Conversations

To be honest with you guys, I don't recall the first time Anne talked to me about going abroad. I do remember that we often talked about it - going abroad for a longer period of time and I was always up for it, but we didn't know where or how or even what exactly we wanted to do. Then, around summer 2013 in a conversation that was about something totally different, Anne approached me with an idea: "We should do something good. In a country where people need help the most." She came up with the idea to volunteer, so we cannot only visit a foreign country, but also do something with the time we spend there. To really get in touch with the people, to learn about their culture and to learn from them while supporting them. Do I need to mention that I was thrilled?

Julian

Deutsche Version

Two Blogs - two languages

Adventure ahead!

Anne and I will go to Uganda in August 2014. In the beautiful heart of Africa we will support the Abato Foundation. To do so and to raise awareness for the mission of Abato we started this blog. In here we will update you with all current developments concerning our volunteership, our state of mind and projects of Abato. As you can imagine it is tough to keep people in Uganda and Germany updated but we'll do our best to present every post in English and German.

p.s. I apologize, trying to write in English and German actually makes both of it worse.

Julian