Fay Kakai's Blog

Gratitude during Quarantine

When it appears that the air
is filled with not just the Coronavirus but with uncertainty, fear and anxiety,
it can be hard for us to fill our minds with positive thoughts, let alone
gratitude.

According to the World Health Organisation, as of March 26th 2020, there were over 400,000 confirmed cases worldwide and over 20,000 global deaths as a result of the virus. There were also 200 countries, areas, and territories with reported cases. The pandemic, known as the Coronavirus, Covid-19, or “Rona” (by millennials on social media), has shaken up the entire world without any respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender, income or social status.

Almost every news site, blog
or social media post is filled with these statistics and concerns and though
valid, they are not my reason for writing this post. I’ve been
self-quarantining for 17 days and counting, and I’ve found that though the
situation is far from ideal, there are a few things I am thankful for. As per the Serenity Prayer, it’s important
to focus on the things that we can control (social distancing, washing
hands, what we consume, helping others, our thoughts), and not obsess over the
things that we can’t control (the government’s response, statistics and facts,
the world’s situation and spread of the virus).

So here are a few things that are fortunately within my control that I’m focusing on right now, and that I’m grateful for.

Spending less money

You probably didn’t expect that to be my first point, did ya? However, if we’re not hoarding toilet paper, surgical masks, and who knows what else, this is a great time to save. Now, I’m not negating the real economic uncertainty that a lot of people are facing with industries plummeting and increased job uncertainty. However, from a spending perspective, this is a great time to save.

No social gatherings. No trips. No outdoor entertainment. For the last two weeks I have only spent money on groceries. Whatever I would have spent on anything else, has been saved and I’m grateful for that.

Time alone to plan and strategize

Most of us are always busy. Busy with work, busy with school, busy looking after everyone else. This period of self-quarantine presents an excellent opportunity to take a step back and have a moment of stillness and creativity. A moment to plan and strategize for when the quarantine is over and set some new personal, business, and/or work-related goals. I’m a firm believer that one does not need to wait for the 1st of January to decide to make a change in one’s life. I’m grateful that by being “forced” to stay indoors, I’m able to be more intentional about my future aspirations and I have uninterrupted time to think them through and devise a plan and strategy.

Time to focus on the priorities

Self-quarantine has created an atmosphere where our priorities are tested and brought to the forefront. From physically spending more time with immediate family to calling, texting and Skyping loved ones around the world, the quarantine has highlighted the important aspects of life that are many times taken for granted. I’m grateful for the time it creates for students to focus on school through distance learning, or the workforce to focus on work for those that are able to work from home. Even if one is not a full-time student, this is a time where new skills can be acquired through various online courses and resources.

Attention to health

With the sensitisation and
awareness that has been spread by everyone concerned in regard to personal
hygiene and physical health, this season of quarantine could leave us all healthier
individuals and hopefully, with transformed lifestyles. From consuming immunity
boosters, to eating better, to washing hands after touching public surfaces;
I’m grateful that these health concerns are being spread on a global scale. The
truth is, it’s not just the Coronavirus that threatens our health and immunity,
there are several other viruses and bacteria that cause diseases that real people
die from every single day. I hope that these healthy practices will not stop
when the Coronavirus is no longer a threat.

Let’s all do what we need to do to fight this, and let’s also remember that there is a silver lining that we can all be grateful for.

What are YOU grateful for? Let me know in the comments below. Xx

For information on the Coronavirus, visit www.who.int and www.cdc.gov

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Published on March 26, 2020 10:17

Nafplio, an enchanting Greek paradise

Nafplio,
like many other small towns, is one of those places that you rarely hear about
unless you’re actually in Greece and most likely having a conversation with a
local. Abroad, Greece is more famous for its islands (the likes of Santorini and
Mykonos) hence I like to think of places like Nafplio as hidden gems, true
pieces of paradise that not that many people know about.

I travelled to Nafplio from Thessaloniki via bus. And yes, it was a solo trip. A couple of people have mentioned to me that I am “brave” for doing this. I still don’t understand why travelling alone is considered brave, more people should do it…but that’s a blog post for another day.

It took me two bus rides to get to Nafplio. One from Thessaloniki to Athens (about 6 hours on the road) and another from Athens to Nafplio (about 2 hours on the road). I love road trips and it’s been a while since I took one. I was quite excited to travel from Northern Greece to Southern Greece by road, so as to take in the vast views. Unfortunately for me though, I fell asleep for most of the Thessaloniki – Athens leg of the trip. I remember waking up to the sight of snow-capped mountains and the most amazing greenery and architecture. I believe we passed Mount Olympus (Greece’s highest mountain) however, I barely managed to fumble for my camera and get a shot from the bus window.

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While in Nafplio…

Palamidi Castle

Nafplio felt homey to me because, despite the winter, it’s a lot greener than Thessaloniki (where I live). The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the gorgeous, enchanting Palamidi Castle, resting effortlessly on top of Palamidi hill (the castle is actually a fortress that was built in the early 1700s). After grabbing a cup of Greek coffee to-go (when in Greece…), I asked the lady at the coffee shop how I could get to the top of the castle. I was directed to the starting point of the legendary 999 steps that I would climb in order to make it to the top. I didn’t hesitate, despite having the wrong shoes (I always seem to be wearing the wrong shoes), I pulled out my camera, and started climbing.

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The view is definitely worth the climb! I was thrilled to make it to the fortress as the views along the way had already made my day. I was able to get a panoramic view of Nafplio from above. At the top, I explored the insides of the historic archaeological site until the cold wind started to get the better of me and I made my way down.

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Bourtzi Castle

Nafplio has a second castle, on the water! I took a walk to the port (somehow my feet could still move, even though I’d really put them to work at Palamidi) and simply gazed at the castle. One can take a boat to Bourtzi Castle (when the weather allows) and I’ve read that several musical and cultural events are held at the castle during the summer.
PS: a trip for another day.

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More Nafplio views

The next day, I was up for some more exploring and picture taking. I saw more of the city as well as the scenic Arvanitia beach. While looking across at the beach, I noticed a man casually swimming in what must have been ice-cold water…now that’s daring!

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[image error]Can you spot the man swimming?

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Have you visited Nafplio before? Do you know of any other “hidden gems” in Greece or the country where you live? Let me know in the comments below. X

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Published on January 07, 2020 11:54

What I learned in 2019

As we draw closer to the end of 2019 and the start of a whole new decade (where does the time go?), I can’t help but think about what an amazing, crazy, exciting and adventurous year 2019 has been. There have been some highs, there have been some lows and as per usual, there have been enormous lessons.

This is
what I learned in 2019.

The importance of patience and trusting God’s timing

There is a
saying I was reminded of recently that goes something along the lines of “when
man makes plans, God laughs.” Oh, how true this is. 2019 has taught me not to get
so fixated on my plans but to trust God’s perfect
plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11). God has shown me time and time again this
year that he will not withhold any good thing from me – I truly believe that.
If it was withheld from me, then it was not for my long-term good.

I started a Digital Marketing company at the start of this year and like many start-ups, we had our challenges. Interestingly though, towards the end of 2018, I had applied for a Master of Arts degree in Digital Media, Communication and Journalism and then completely forgotten about it. Around the time when I felt I needed to take a step back from my new business and look at a fresh approach and a new way of doing things, I got accepted into the MA program that I had earlier applied for.

The content of the program is perfectly tailored to my needs, my passions, my interests, and my skills and it’s in a country that had been on my bucket list for years. I couldn’t have planned it better myself (if I’d had it my way, I’d have done my Master’s degree a long time ago and I’d have chosen a more general program that’s not as specific to me). I’m glad I didn’t have it my way.

I also
learned to trust God with my relationships and in leading me to my future
spouse. Every person that was not meant for me was withheld from me in one way
or the other. I know from experience that when a relationship doesn’t seem to
be going the way you planned or envisioned it can sometimes feel like your
world is falling apart and yet, it’s actually the contrary. 2019 whispered, “be
patient Fay, trust God’s timing.”

The power in pursuing your dreams

As we grow,
it becomes easier and easier to settle. The world seems to echo “settle down
and get married” or “settle down and get a job.” There is nothing wrong with
any of those things when they align with our personal goals and purpose. There
is something wrong though when we are settling for less than what we truly
believe we deserve. The more I’ve travelled and interacted with different
minds, the more I’m convinced that you’re never too old, or too young for that
matter, to dream bigger and to pursue those dreams. In 2019, I have constantly
challenged my thinking, and I’ve refused to settle for less than what I believe
I deserve.

Here is another example. After I got accepted into the MA program in Greece, I had to go through the daunting process of applying for my visa. I call it daunting because for starters, Greece doesn’t have an embassy in Uganda and because this was a long-term visa that I applied for, I had to travel to Nairobi, Kenya and carry out the process there. Ultimately, acquiring my visa involved two separate trips to Nairobi and about two weeks of visiting numerous offices in Kampala to get numerous documents signed and verified.

Everything eventually worked out and now I’m more determined than ever to make the most of my time here in Greece. What I learned from that experience was that when you have a dream, push through and pursue it because when you do it leads to new goals and new dreams. Nelson Mandela famously said, “after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” I’m currently learning another language (not Greek) in order to pursue some new goals and dreams. But that’s a story for another day.

The value in continually learning

Speaking of learning, 2019 has taught me to never stop. As another, even more popular, proverb goes, “knowledge is power,” and I don’t believe we can ever know too much, whether it’s academically or in terms of our personal development and self-discovery. My focus in 2019 and prior has been the latter. In my E-book that I wrote this year I talk about how travel aids self-discovery and how as long as we are alive, we should be continually stretching and learning new things about ourselves. One thing I know for sure is that I am still learning, I definitely haven’t arrived and I will persistently be “figuring it out.”

And guess
what, I’m okay with that.

Your thoughts? What have you learned in 2019?
Let me know in the comments below. Xx

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Published on November 18, 2019 00:00

Moving to Thessaloniki, Greece

I moved
country! Well, temporarily at least. It’s been less than a week in
Thessaloniki, Greece and I’m already completely fascinated and charmed by the
hustle and bustle yet cultural and friendly ambiance of the city. Thessaloniki
is the second largest city in Greece and is located about 520km north of Athens,
at the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea.

Thessaloniki is pretty easy to figure out and many archaeological sites, museums and points of interest can be accessed from the city centre, on foot. This was my first adjustment as coming from Kampala, I’m used to getting around with a car, Uber or boda boda. Walking around the city as a newbie is a wonderful experience though, that I wouldn’t trade, as each turn and every corner offers a unique and amiable view. Narrow streets, flower shops, lots and lots of coffee shops and eating places, a mixture of very old historical buildings existing right in the middle of contemporary ones. Thessaloniki is very easy to fall in love with.

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Within my first week in Thessaloniki I got to see The Arch of Galerius, The Rotunda and the popular White Tower of Thessaloniki, all within walking distance of where I was staying.

The Arch of Galerius and Rotunda

The Arch of Galerius and The Rotunda are neighbouring monuments right in the heart of Thessaloniki. Built in the years 298 – 299 AD, The Arch of Galerius was originally an octopylon (eight pillared gateway) however, today only three of the eight pillars remain. Its pillars consist of elaborate, artistic mouldings that I found to be quite intricate and interesting. Take a look.

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Meanwhile, The
Rotunda was built in the year 306 AD and was once a church which was later converted
into a mosque and then converted back to a church again. The Rotunda is now a historical
monument and is the oldest of Thessaloniki’s churches. In fact, some sources claim
that it is the oldest Christian church in the world.

Day trip to Lake Naivasha, Crescent Island and Lake Elementaita, Kenya

I didn’t plan for this particular trip. However, thanks to Instagram, one of my good friends discovered I was in Kenya from my recent posts and excitedly told me she had a forty eight hour layover in Nairobi (she’s a flight attendant), for the very first time. To make the most of the wait, she and her colleague had a full excursion planned … and she convinced me to come along. The trip was to Lake Naivasha, which I hadn’t visited before. Needless to say, not much convincing was needed.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha is part of the Great Rift Valley and is a fresh water lake located in Nakuru County, Kenya. It’s about a two hour journey by road from Nairobi. En route, we made a quick stop over at a Rift Valley viewpoint, to break our journey and take in the scenic views.

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Before we knew it, we had arrived at Lake Naivasha and we were all set up for a boat ride on the lake. The boat ride was calm and interesting and not quite like any boat ride I’ve had before. Long tree trunks protrude from the waters of Lake Naivasha where the mainland once was, before the lake expanded due to heavy rains. We witnessed what our guide referred to as “Sport Fishing” – where men spend hours standing on the tree trunks hoping to catch some fish. The other fascinating thing about Lake Naivasha was the large number of hippo families spread out over the lake. We got very close to quite a few hippo families as we navigated our way to our drop off point, Crescent Island, located on Lake Naivasha.

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Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha

Crescent Island is a private island sanctuary and wildlife reserve located on Lake Naivasha. As we approached the island by boat, we spotted the masai giraffe and a herd of impalas grazing by the island shores. Our guide took us on a walking tour of the island (also known as a walking safari) that lasted about an hour and a half. We spotted impalas, zebras, waterbucks, wildebeests, pelican birds and of course, the masai giraffes.

I was amazed at how bold the animals were, particularly the zebras. On my last walking safari, I could hardly get near any zebras without them shying and running away. This time though, we got pretty close. It was an amazing experience. Take a look …

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Final stop, Lake Elementaita

We left Lake Naivasha and drove about another hour north to Lake Elementaita. We originally thought we would visit Lake Nakuru to see the flamingos (I have very fond childhood memories of a road trip from Kampala to Lake Nakuru and a giant sea covered in pink). However, our guide informed us that the flamingos migrated in 2013 due to an alarming increase in water levels on the lake. They are now found on Lake Bogoria and Lake Elementaita. The number of flamingos on Lake Elementaita was significantly lower than my memories of Lake Nakuru as this time, the flamingos merely dotted the lake. Nonetheless, it made for a stunning landscape and a gorgeous view.

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Have you visited Lake Naivasha, Crescent
Island, Lake Elementaita or Lake Nakuru before? What was your experience like?
Let me know in the comments below. Xx

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Published on September 03, 2019 22:00

Girls Trip to Nyali Beach, Mombasa

We (my friends and I) literally just got back from a short, mid-week holiday to Nyali beach in Mombasa, Kenya. I decided to write about it while it’s still fresh and vivid in my memory. It was such a great time – mostly comprised of frolicking and taking photos on the beach, lounging by our resort’s infinity pool and taking advantage of the non-stop supply of cocktails (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that the resort provided all day and all night.

We stayed at Voyager Beach Resort and opted for the all-inclusive package (which I highly recommend in case you’re ever visiting Voyager). The package includes accommodation, all meals, all drinks, snacks throughout the day as well as high tea in the evening. The resort is complete with three swimming pools, three restaurants and a supervised kids’ play area with various games and activities throughout the day. Activities for adults are provided as well and the ship-themed nature of the resort entails a different unique experience for each day of your stay. For example, our first night was Italian themed and our second night was Kenyan themed, with the respective food, dancers and entertainment. Find out more about Voyager Beach Resort and their rates here.

Getting there

We used the SGR Madaraka Express Train. It was my first time taking the train from Nairobi to Mombasa and I was curious to find out what sort of experience it would offer. It was a great choice. The train is affordable and it’s faster and calmer than travelling by road. We paid KES 1,000 (about USD 10) for ordinary one-way tickets. The train also has a VIP section that goes for KES 3,000 (about USD 30) each. The ordinary section was comfortable enough and great for budget travellers. Snacks and drinks are also available for sale on the train.

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Frolicking Nyali beach

Nyali beach is a popular destination in Kenya for both locals and tourists because of its long, white sand beaches. We had access to the beach, which was literally a stone’s throw away from our room, right from our resort. We were excited to check it out, take a stroll and take pictures. A lot of the beach is covered in sea weed, which was the major difference between Nyali beach and Diani beach, in my opinion. I visited Diani beach about three years ago and the expanse of clear, white sand is forever etched in my memory.

We wore Kitenge (African fabric) outfits and somehow, we felt that the seaweed added to the overall character of our pictures.

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Lounging

Did I mention that our main activity of the trip was absolutely nothing at all (which is a legitimate plan if you ask me)? No adrenaline filled, touristy excursions … just the beach, the pool, the lounge and of course, plenty of food and plenty of drink. I couldn’t get enough of the infinity pool. Nothing beats taking a swim while watching and listening to the sound of crushing waves right below you. It was peaceful. It was reflective. In fact, I’d do it over and over again.

Stay tuned.

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Have you visited Nyali beach or Mombasa before? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comment section below. Xx

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Published on August 30, 2019 07:37

The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya

For an animal lover, one of the great things about Nairobi, Kenya is the fact that you can get up close and personal with your favourite animals, just a few minutes from the city centre!

During my last stop over in Nairobi, I visited the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This time, I couldn’t leave without visiting my absolute favourite animals (Giraffes) at the Giraffe Centre.

I’d visited the Giraffe Centre before however, it was a long time ago and my memory of the place was distant. I was excited to go back, and I was looking forward to feeding the Giraffes.

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About Giraffe Centre

The Giraffe Centre was founded in 1979 to look after, protect and breed the endangered Rothschild’s Giraffe, a species of Giraffes found only in East Africa. The Rothschild’s Giraffe can be identified from its lower legs which are plain white, without any markings. The Giraffe Centre is currently looking after and breeding 12 Giraffes with baby Giraffes released into the wild at the age of 2-3 years.

I discovered that the Giraffe Centre is right next to Giraffe Manor, a beautiful boutique hotel that I’ve been eyeing on Instagram for its stunning imagery! The same Giraffes at the Giraffe Centre visit the Giraffe Manor in the mornings and evenings and often share breakfast with hotel guests. It’s a very exclusive hotel though and one has to book their stay months in advance.

Back at the Giraffe Centre, the Giraffes coexist with a few Warthogs as they usually do in the wild. Giraffes and Warthogs have an interesting relationship. Warthogs rely on Giraffes for their good eyesight and ability to spot danger from afar due to their height, while Giraffes keep Warthogs around because the Warthogs’ poor memory makes them an easy target for predators, thus allowing the Giraffes to get away, when faced with danger.

[image error]Giraffe Manor

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[image error]Warthogs coexist well with Giraffes

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Feeding the Giraffes

The centre
has two main feeding stations where we patiently waited as one of the guides
lured the Giraffes towards us. When the Giraffes were finally close, I couldn’t
help but marvel at how graceful, gentle and beautiful they are, to every
detail, my favourite being their eyes. Giraffes look like they wear permanent
eyeliner and mascara. The staff at the centre are extremely helpful and they
made sure everyone got to feed and take a picture with a Giraffe. Thanks
Newton, Maurice and Nicholas – you really made the trip worthwhile!

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The Nature Trail

I got to go on a nature trail as well during my visit to the Giraffe Centre. If you know me, you know I love some greenery and the trail was a calm stroll through the forest sanctuary where the Giraffes feed. I learnt more about the centre, how the Giraffes are looked after and what exactly they feed on. Again, my guide was very knowledgeable which made the stroll that much better. At the end of the walk, we came to a beautiful view point of the lustrous Ngong Hills.

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[image error]View of the Ngong Hills

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Have you visited the Giraffe Centre before? What do you love the most about it? Let me know in the comments below. Xx

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Published on July 29, 2019 10:08

Exuberance at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Kisoro

Kisoro is such a charming town. It welcomes its guests with rolling hills, mountain scenery and views of beautiful Lake Mutanda. Rushaga Gorilla Camp in Kisoro is located on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to about half the world’s population of the rare Mountain Gorillas including several habituated groups, which can be tracked.

I talk about my Gorilla Tracking experience here.

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First impressions of Rushaga Gorilla Camp

For starters, it’s not just a camp but rather an exquisite luxury lodge consisting of 12 luxury tents, 2 family cottages and 12 standard rooms. I stayed in one of the luxury tents called Bweza, which is so thoughtfully designed with a mix of tent canvas, timber, volcanic stones as well as concrete. The luxury tent also comes with a private deck and the most exquisite view, overlooking the dense forest.

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The food and the Batwa

I loved the restaurant. Again, for the thoughtfulness that went into its design and the unique ambiance it delivers. The chef outdid himself too, providing delicious, well-presented 3 course meals as well as a breathtaking breakfast on my private deck! I arrived in the evening and as we waited for dinner, we were entertained by a group of traditional dancers. The next day, we had another group of dancers that came to sing and dance for us. This time, from the Batwa community.

The story of the Batwa is very moving. They are one of the last groups of short-statured also known as ‘pygmy’ people. When Bwindi Rainforest was gazetted as a National Park in 1992, the Batwa, who lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the forest, were forced to leave and create new homes. Today, most are landless and live in poverty and while they have adapted to the changes in their environment by adopting new economic activities and thus traditions and identities, they continue to face challenges to their survival.

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Other facilities and activities

In addition to the above, Rushaga Gorilla Camp has attractive
conference room facilities, a relaxing massage parlor and several activities
provided by the lodge. Some of these activities include:

Art and craft makingBird watching on the edge of the forestNature and forest walksBoat rides at Lake MutandaExcursion to Muhaginga National Park for Golden Monkey trackingFishing excursions

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp and the lodge manager (with a very unique name – Powerman), was extremely helpful and gave me a tour round the entire property, allowing me to have a look at some of the other exquisite room options.

Find out more about Rushaga Gorilla Camp, their rates and activities here.

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Published on May 22, 2019 03:00

Tranquility at Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi

If your idea of tranquility is a cozy green haven overlooking Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda’s most stunning lake), then you’re going to want to read on.

Bunyonyi Overland Resort, as the name suggests, is strategically situated right on the banks of Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, south-western Uganda, overlooking the still blue lake. Lake Bunyonyi is believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyinka and the fourth deepest lake in the world. The name Bunyonyi translates to “place of many little birds”, but what makes the lake most stunning are the 29 dotted islands on the lake and the lush green terraced hills that frame it.

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First impressions

I stayed in cottage 16, one of the 22 cottages found at Bunyonyi Overland Resort. The resort also boasts of 8 wooden cabins, 18 furnished safari tents and two dorms. I loved the variety of accommodation options and the fact that there is something for everyone. One can also choose to camp right on the shores of the lake! Even though I arrived during the night, I couldn’t help but notice the giant chess board right in front of the restaurant and made a mental note to check it out during the day time. I ordered one of my favorites – pork chops and mashed potato before retiring for the night.

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Views for days

The next day the weather was beautiful and perfect for taking a stroll round the lodge. Lush, exuberant greenery canopying over the still and peaceful Lake Bunyonyi welcomes you at every turn. The resort is complete with a massage parlor on the pier, a sunbathing and swimming deck and a jetty … did I mention the amazing view?

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Things to do

In addition to simply enjoying the peace and tranquility of the lodge, I took a boat ride onto the lake. I love being out on the water. The cool breeze, coupled with sunshine, is so welcoming. Plus, there is always something to learn. As we left the dock, I had a clearer view of the resort in all its glory, subtle structures peeking out of thick greenery. Our boat captain took us past Bwama Island, the biggest island on the lake complete with a church, school and about 500 inhabitants. We then spotted Punishment Island, the smallest island on the lake infamous for murder and abuse of women as recent as the early 1900’s! The Bakiga (people from Kabale) used to leave unmarried pregnant girls on this small patch of waterlogged grass to die of hunger or while trying to swim to the mainland. This was a punishment for the “shame” an unmarried pregnant girl brought to the family as well as her failure to collect a bride price. Thankfully, this horror practice got abandoned in the first half of the 20th century.

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[image error]Bwama Island

[image error]Punishment Island

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A scrumptious lunch awaited after we docked. This time I ordered fish curry and rice (a must try when you visit the resort, especially the cray fish!). Aside from the food and the boat rides, other activities include bird watching, mountain biking, fishing as well as community walks. Find out more about Bunyonyi Overland Resort, their rates and activities here.

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Have you visited Lake Bunyonyi before? How about Bunyonyi Overland Resort? Let me know in the comments below. Xx

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Published on May 16, 2019 02:08

Easter in Kabale with Bakiga Nation

Easter weekend was something else! From plastering a new classroom at Buhandagazi primary school in Rukungiri on Good Friday, to camping on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi (and dancing late into the night by our campsite in a desperate effort to keep warm). From visiting Kakomo Primary School on Saturday and then drinking enturire and miserably attempting to learn the Kiga traditional dance during the Rukundo Eguhemo (Let Love Prevail) event in Kabale. Not to mention rounding it all up on Easter Sunday at Grace Villa (a home for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable girls), listening to stories from the home’s founder, Ruth Ndyabahika, watching the girls dance and cutting and sharing a celebratory Easter cake.

Eventful and humbling is understating it.

Good Friday

Our first stop was at Buhandagazi primary school in Rukungiri. After a joyous welcome consisting of singing, clapping and sharing lunch, we participated in a foodstuffs auction at the school’s nearby church. Auctioning foodstuffs is a common practice in village churches especially during holidays such as Easter. The auction was fun and once we concluded our bidding and listened to a few remarks from the elders of the school and the church, we went outside to participate in the main activity – plastering a new classroom for the school.

Quite frankly, we didn’t labour much as professionals were hired to complete the job. However, it was satisfying to know that Bakiga Nation had raised the money to have this need accomplished for the students of this school. This is an ongoing project that Bakiga Nation is invested in and every year, a new block or classroom will be added until the full need is met.

We completed our activities before the sun went down and drove to Kabale for the night.

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Saturday

Kabale is cold! Arriving at nightfall, we pitched tents for the night at the most beautiful spot, overlooking the marvelous Lake Bunyonyi. I wasn’t looking forward to getting into a cold tent and was thrilled that we had a campfire setup when we arrived, alongside Silent Disco. I soon realized that the more I danced, the less I’d need to shiver by the campfire. Having three amazing music stations to keep switching through made the task that much easier! I hardly got any sleep. Partly because I stayed up dancing and also because no matter how many layers of clothing and blankets I used, the tent just wasn’t warm enough. I made a mental note to check into Bunyonyi Overland Resort the next night.

Once we were all up, we made a quick stop at Kakomo Primary and Secondary School in Kabale to make a delivery. 500 kilograms of maize flour and 1,000 books donated by Aponye group of companies. The students welcomed us on arrival, their faces expectant and exuding gladness. I wasn’t sure if the happiness was because they were about to receive new books or simply because they had visitors from Kampala. Either way, it was awe-inspiring to witness.

Speaking of awe-inspiring…

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We proceeded to Rose Gardens in Kabale for the Rukundo Egumeho event organized by Bakiga Nation. Rukundo Egumeho translates to “Let Love Prevail.” The cultural event usually takes place twice a year in Kampala and is organized to bring people together to socialize and celebrate culture. This was the first one of its kind in Kabale district, complete with vendors selling merchandise, local food, drinks like enturire, traditional dancers, music and games.

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Easter Sunday

Our last day was bittersweet. Before we set off for Kampala, we made a visit to Grace Villa in Kabale. Grace Villa is a home for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable girls run by a very lovely lady called Ruth Ndyabahika. Ruth has dedicated her life to looking after and raising these girls in a safe, healthy and loving environment making her a mother to over 200 girls. A few of them stay at Grace Villa while others are placed in loving homes close by. The girls are one big family and meet at Grace Villa every weekend for skills sharing, coaching and sports. Ruth told us a bit about the organisation’s self-sustaining and income generating projects and the girls danced and sang before we left. We brought them the foodstuffs we had gathered from Friday’s auction and they shared a delicious Easter cake with us before we prayed together and set off for Kampala.

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For more about Grace Villa or to support a child, visit their website www.gracevillauganda.weebly.com or send an e-mail to grace.villa.info@gmail.com or contact Ruth directly on +256774188087/+256704321627.

For more about Bakiga Nation, visit their website www.bakiganation.org

How did you spend your Easter Weekend? How often do you support or participate in charity work/events? I’d love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below.

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Published on April 26, 2019 22:00