Day 7 village visit 1

Today was a day filled with adventure and sadness as we visited the families of the village of Buwundo. Surrounded by mud huts, chickens, goats & cows we find children from toddlers to age 7 playing in the dirt with sticks and sucking on sugar cane. When they see Ivan’s van, they rush to the roadside in hopes that he is bringing them a treat. Betty & I had purchased some biscuits and we walked into their space with our hand out stretched with a treat. Some had never seen “muzungos” (white people) before and it was a scary thing for them, some tears were shed. Although we see living conditions we felt to be unimaginable, they did their best with what they had. The dirt yard was often swept, a colorful drape was hung over the doorway and most of the children easily gave us a smile and a grateful kneeling thank you. I wished that I could visit every day and bring them something good to eat. They are God loving people and appreciate the little that they have.

Today Betty & I were taken to the village of Buwundo, a short distance or 25 min walk for the children. Proper transportation is expected as it is unsafe for the children to be on the road due to crime, children being taken for farm workers or other unpleasant jobs. Our hearts went out to the young children we visited,  running to the road as Ivan’s van approached. They know there will be treats which is better than the sugar cane pieces they chew on for some sustainable. The children although unsure of the “muzungos” (white people) they ventured close to get a treat ( biscuit cookies). Some were playing in the dirt with sticks or searching in the patches of grass near their homes to pass the time away. We did notice that the children all seemed to be under 8 yrs of age. After asking ivan, he explained that children as they reach that age, both boys & girls, are sent off to fetch water or firewood, some go to work in the fields for pennies a day, cheated of a fair wage because they are children and cannot produce as much as an adult. Without school many children continue on this vicious circle of poverty. SACU has brought many children out of the vulnerable life they were living into one of education and a chance to dream of a bright future. A job, fair wages and an opportunity to help their family. Life in the village is beyond any level of poverty one sees in Canada or the U. S. and we are so grateful that SACU, with the help of the sponsors and donations,  has paved the way for a future for the SACU students.