Dear Family and Friends,
The photo above is of Richard, our taxi driver. We met Richard last fall and have been involved in a micro-finance project with him. He is actually standing in front of it! On Belay Ministries, our nonprofit, made him a loan for the car in January. Before this time, he rented his taxi, then made payments monthly. What he paid in rent payments could easily have covered a car loan. However in Uganda, car loans are not available, or the interest is so high that it is not practical. So Richard was basically giving a good bit of his monthly income to make his rent payments. He paid for all maintenance, gas and insurance.
He has been paying back our loan, depositing payments in a bank in Kampala. He will pay off the loan in about 10 months. At that point, he will pick a fellow taxi driver and make him a loan to buy his own car; this loan will be repaid to Richard with a small amount of interest. When it is paid off, Richard will find another driver and repeat the process. His life has been changed by this project! His monthly income has increased and he can now afford to send his girls to a better school (and afford to feed his family!)
The highlight of today was going to Richard’s home and having the privilege of meeting his darling daughters and lovely wife. They live in a village just outside of Kampala. The roads were incredibly bad! We bounced along, until we came to a truck blocking the way. We were close, so Richard parked the car and we walked the rest of the way, over bricks and rough stairs. The walk in itself was an experience; we were "muzungu’d" all along the way, of course! Jerry had brought outfits and books for the girls and a new Bible for Justine, Richard’s wife as well as a new Harmonica/book for Richard. They were so thankful and excited.
Their house has 5 rooms including a kitchen, two bedrooms, living room, and an as yet unfinished bathroom. The floor is concrete. They do not have electricity or running water. There is a spigot and outhouse outside. Lights are run on a battery and kerosene. Richard built the house himself. No permits are required. Basically in Uganda, you build what you want.
We had such a nice visit. The girls are absolutely darling and warmed right up to us. Daisy is the oldest at 6, Oprah is 4 and Divine Mercy is 18 months. They are all bilingual. Daisy was reading to me in English. Divine Mercy was somewhat subdued as she is recovering from malaria, which kills so many children as well as adults here.
Justine had sent their friend Livia to a local shop to get cold drinks for us. Livia is a friend (relative) who did not have a place to live, so she moved in with Richard’s family and helps with the girls and housework. We walked around Richard’s property. He has about 1/3 of an acre. Then the girls and Justine walked with us back to the car. Justine told me how her parents had both died when she was 9 years old, just one month apart. She was raised for part of the time by her older siblings, and then at a children’s home. There were 5 children in her immediate family, but her father had 14 total with various step mothers. Justine also told about how she would like to return to university and become a dermatologist. She also wants to have 3 more children, all boys! Below is a photo of this beautiful family.
After leaving Justine and the girls, we made a quick stop to see Douglas’ home. He lives in a one room apartment without running water, a kitchen or bathroom. The outhouse/bathing area are outside as well as a spigot for water. He does not understand why we would want to have hot water. His place was so neat and tidy. He has a bed and a dresser, a TV and DVD player. His apartment is in the yard of his landlord and all are surrounded by a tall solid locked fence. He feels very safe there. Here we are below, as Douglas opens the door to his home.
We had dinner at the hotel, which was expensive, but no one got sick! A long night followed as it is hard to sleep on these braids! I would love to take them out, but don’t want to hurt Gorett's or Miriam’s feelings (my hairdressers)!
Much love to you all,
Cathi
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