Today, we were at the New Hope Orphanage & School in Entebbe, Uganda. This is a primary school were the children live. The school and sleeping quarters for the director, teachers (2) and all the students consist of two buildings. The floors are cement and the roof is tin. There is a toilet facility out back with 4 open stalls with a squat toilet in each and four shower stalls. For those of you that aren’t familiar with squat toilets, they are simple holes in the cement over an open collection unit. I’m trying to describe nicely what is ever so unpleasant. And—in a school with very young children with very poor aim--believe me—they are so very unpleasant. But, of course, this is how most of the world goes. And so we did too.

The girls sleep all in one room, stacked three beds high. I think I counted 38 beds in the room. My new friends showed me around their room with pride. Jamirah asked me to climb up and hang out on her bed. After this picture was taken, one of the girls went into her chest and dug out a present for me—two packs of cookies. I was so touched and tried to gently decline since she clearly needs them far more than me. But, it was very important for her to give me something and so I took them. This is the amazing love of Africa.

I am finding that my wacky sense of humor and my love of dance are breaking down barriers with almost all but the sternest Ugandans. Everybody loves to dance here and so do I. So, I use my most kick ass, groovin’ jive moves a lot as an icebreaker. Mostly, it makes the kids and adults crack up that some ‘mzungu’ –white person—has such spazy moves. It helps to ease into a heavy discussion by first connecting through dance and laughter.  I do try very hard to copy their dances and moves (which are amazing) and children and adults alike love to teach me. Even during a game of soccer with these kids from the orphanage, we shared dance moves. Everybody loves to laugh here and smiles come so easily. I love that.