Wrapping Up

Holy cow I never blogged. I am so sorry avid blog readers. (All 3 of you) The internet, as you can probably imagine, is not so good here in Africa and for some reason Blogger is particularly bad. When I get home I'll blog about some highlights!

Today we have been packing up the house and cleaning! It is crazy I leave to go home in 2 days! My time here flew right by! It's been an excellent adventure here and I have loved every minute. Even crashing on a boda, (I'm fine don't worry, just some scraps) taxi rides, and the many hours of traveling.

This past weekend I went rafting on the Nile! It was scarier than I anticipated but so awesome! I loved it! I'll post pictures up when I can.

A lot of amazing things have happened here that I have been blessed to be a part of. My favorite thing was this past week we had an Eye Camp at the Health Clinic up in the mountains. It was so cool! I tested people vision and it was really fun to just be able to interact with the people. There is a school up by the Clinic so we get to play with the kids and that was probably my favorite part. They brought out their drums and this awesome Xylophone they made out of wood and started dancing! They pulled all us Mzungus to get us to dance. Oh it was so fun!

There are a couple stories that go along with the Eye Camp that I'll post about later! Really amazing things happen in Africa! Thank you to all that have donated and supported me! This experience is truly a once in the lifetime experience and I feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to have it.

Smiling Faces

Before I came to Africa I was promised multiple times that even though there may be a language barrier that people would feel my love just by my being there. What a wonderful promise huh? So with that promise I have been looking for ways that that promise has come true, and boy has it.

My favorite thing about Uganda is this- being anywhere in public and seeing people staring at me with a kind of confused look, then I flash them my expensive smile (thanks Dad, you were right, worth every penny) and sometimes slowly, you see a smile take over their previously confused face.

If the most that I can do while I'm here is put a couple smiles on peoples faces that is fine by me. It's the best feeling ever, try it! Not only will it make the person you smiled at happy, it will make you ever-so-happy as well.

Loving life here in Uganda. Thanks for your support, and smile a someone today, ok?

Here are some of my favorite smiles so far-

All in a Days Work

These past 2 days I got to help build a school out of mud! It was an exhausting yet totally rewarding experience.

We got to the school and it was just a structure made out of wood. There were men mixing mud with their feet. They began making little mud pies for us to start filling in the walls. They underestimated how much mud we could carry. They all thought us Mzungus didn't know how to work and that we weren't very strong. But we showed them.

We just took piles of mud and plopped them right into the walls. to cover some of the wood we would take a handful and just throw it at the wood. It was the best part. So satisfying to hear the PLOP and have it stick in the exact place you wanted it to. So fun! 

The men that were mixing the mud were so nice and such hard workers! For some reason they would always make the mud piles smaller just for me and gently place them in my hands as if trying hard not to hurt me. What a kind gesture. 

Erin and I really bonded well passing mud in our assembly line. We were giggling so much I'm such we hurt more than helped the line by slowing it down and dropping lots of mud. Sorry team..

Such a fun yet exhausting couple days. The school looks great and the kids came and helped yesterday and we were so amazed at how helpful they were! They were so excited for their new school! 

Yea, Mzungus can be hard workers too! 

What an exciting two days. Exhausting, but so exciting. I love Uganda. 

Living Accomadations

So my Dad was walking me a bunch of questions about my living situation. So here are the answers to those questions.

Do we have air conditioning?
In Africa Dad? No!

Do we need air conditioning?
Not really. There is nice air flow through the house. Sometimes it gets hot at night, like I have a sheet as a blanket, but it's not terrible.

Do we all use one bathroom?
We have 3 bathrooms for 20 people. About 9 people use my bathroom. It's not really bad because we don't shower very often..haha

Do we have a kitchen?
Yes we have a kitchen. We have a cook named Sam that makes us dinner. So far everything has been delicious!

Do we have a TV?
No. We have our laptops and such and we have Wifi. Which is such a blessing.

Those are the questions! Tomorrow we are hiking Sipi Falls and it's supposed to be beautiful! I am so excited! Most recent exciting news is that there is a place in town that sells movies for a dollar. Like any movie you can get for ONE DOLLAR. I got 7 movies today. So excited.

The Pearl of Africa

Today was an amazing day but it also was exhausting!

We woke up early to go to the Health Clinic and getting there was quite the experience. First we took Bodas (motorcycles, that's a whole other blog post) over to a gas station and there we got in a taxi. If you thought the taxis in NY were bad you have no idea. These taxis are 16 passenger vans but do they just put 16 people in them? HEAVENS NO! They stuff at least 22 people in at once. At one point some Ugandan man was basically sitting on my lap. It was ridiculous. I wish a picture could have captured the madness. But it was far too cramped to even get out my camera. It was an hour ride in those crazy taxis.

The Clinic serves a bunch of little mountain towns and so to get to the clinic you have to hike for about an hour. It was so hard. My legs were already wicked sore from running yesterday and just traveling and whatnot that it was really tough. And it was basically an hour hike all up a very steep hill. The views were absolutely gorgeous. I wish that the cameras could have captured the beauty of the lush rolling hills dotted with villages. It was incredible.

We finally get to the Clinic and there is a school right next to it and all the kids came and greeted us. "Hello, how are you?" They were adorable. So kind and so polite. Love those kids. 

The Clinic is atop this mountain with absolutely gorgeous views all around. The people that work there are so so so kind and grateful for us to be there. They kept saying "God bless you," "Welcome to Uganda, you are most welcome," "This is now your home too" Such amazing people. They gave us a great tour and the clinic is small but amazing. So much good being done here! We helped make visual aids about basic health care things. 

One of the workers that lives close by made us lunch and it was delicious. It was Motokae (smashed plantains) and Posho (basically flour and water) with some beans and cabbage to put over top of it and we ate with our hands and it was wonderful. So delicious.

After that a little cute boy held my hand to walk me up the hill back to the clinic. So adorable.

After that we watched some of our team members teach the workers in the clinic CPR and how to take vitals. It was so fun to watch them as they learned. They were so eager and willing to learn. It was great.

After that we started to head back and instead if walking down we got a boda and it was so terrifying. Down steep hills and over little wooden bridges. Luckily we had a great driver. Then another crazy taxi ride and we finally got home.

I was so stinkin dirty and gross but only had enough time to rinse off before we went to a couple missionaries home for dinner! They live like right around the corner from us and they are adorable and their food they fed us was delicious. He gave us all sorts of advice from reading the Book of Mormon to marriage to saving money. Thank you kind sir. 

Overall today was a great day. Totally tired but totally loving this beautiful country. It truly is the gem if Africa.

Finally Made It!

I MADE IT! I'm in Uganda. Currently sitting on my bund. Top bunk to be exact. Let me just start by saying this is unreal. I still don't believe that I'm actually here. Maybe it's the jet lag and exhaustion but this is ridiculous.

Here is the run down of my travels-

I woke up Sunday morning super early remembering that I needed to at least buy the next Harry Potter book to prepare for my travels. Bought the next two books and then went back to sleep. Then I woke up for real and got my things together said a prayer with my family and was off to the airport! I took my Malaria pill when I got to the airport on an empty stomach and quickly realized that was a huge mistake. I was seriously going to throw up in line waiting to check in. Luckily my mom came to the rescue and gave me some food and I was fine again.

Africa lesson #1: Never take Malaria pills on an empty stomach.

I said good-bye to my parents and headed for my gate. At my gate I met my travel buddies and soon we boarded the plane for our 14 hour flight to Ethiopia. I took a Zzquil and feel asleep quickly. I slept most the way but also squeezed in some reading, a movie and some TV shows. They fed us 3 pretty good meals and drinks periodically. I was lucky enough to have a window seat too!

The best part of the flight was when we landed and the whole plane started to clap. It was so wonderful. We got off the plane so grateful to be able to stand up and walk around. We had about a 3 hour lay-over and we played some games, slept a little, and just kinda hung out.

Our next flight was to Entebbe, Uganda and it was a short 2 hour flight. I sat down and fell immediately asleep and stayed asleep for pretty much the whole flight. We landed in Uganda and took some must have tourist pictures (not on my camera..sorry) and went to get our visas. I was a little nervous just because I was told they could be picky about our money but there were no issues at all! We got our luggage and headed off to meet our Country Director. We turned the corner and there was a million people waiting to passengers with signs. We must have looked like lost puppies because almost immediately an airport workmen lead us to our director. Maybe because we were the only "Muzungus." (Muzungus is what all the locals call us, it means white people.)

After we met our director we loaded in a van and started our 6 hours drive to our house. Once again I slept most the way but also just stared out the window awestruck that I was actually in Uganda. I was loving the land, the culture, the people, and there was even a beautiful sunset! Africa is gorgeous and I'm loving it already.

Time for bed now, tomorrow will be my first real day here and so far I know that I'm going on a run early and then going to paint a school. Should be an exciting day!

Bags are packed!

So like I leave for UGANDA tomorrow. Tomorrow. I can't believe it! Like really, it does not feel real. I'm hoping the 23 hours of travel that span from tomorrow and into the next day make it real for me. So much preparation, and I sure hope I don't forget anything. Is this real life??

My big to do list..

My mother who insisted on bug spraying my clothes

In the process of packing..

Almost There!

We are so close to meeting our goal for fundraising! This is the last stretch and so if you can donate, it would mean so much to me! Here is all the information of how to donate! A huge thanks to everyone who has already donated!

Checks can be made payable to HELP International with "Annie Turner" in the memo line. Donations can be mailed directly to HELP (455 N. University Ave. #212 Provo, Ut 84601) or through Network for Good online. For online donations, go to the HELP website (www.help-international.org) click on "Donate" at the top of the home page, and include Annie Turner in the dedication box. If you'd like more information please visit the HELP International Website (www.help-international.org) or email me at aturn126@gmail.com or call or text me at 703-945-8659.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots

I got all my shots! 4 shots man. 2 in each arm. Hepatitis A, Polio, Yellow Fever, and _______.  I also got my Typhoid pills and my prescription for my Malaria pills! It's so crazy it's becoming so real! I fly home tomorrow afternoon then am home for a couple weeks then off to Africa! How exciting is that!

Fundraising is going really well. You can still donate! Here is the information:

Checks can be made payable to HELP International with “Annie Turner” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed directly to HELP International or through Network for Good online. For online donations, go to the help website ( www.help-international.org) click on “Donate” at the top of the home page, and include “Annie Turner” in the dedication box. If you’d like more information please visit the HELP International website www.help-international.org, or email me at aturn126@gmail.com, or you can call me at 703-945-8659! 

Thanks to all who have already donating! You are not only helping me accomplish a life-long dream, but you are more importantly becoming a part of improving people's lives in a big way! Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Donations!

After sending my letters in last week I have had donations rolling in! I have already received almost $800 in donations!  How amazing is that!? People are incredible! If you are one of those people who have already donated, thank you, thank you, thank you!!

In other news:
I am currently in the process of renewing my passport! Pretty exciting! I'm also working on getting my wardrobe Africa ready! I need knee-length or longer skirts and light, simple t-shirts! I don't mind shopping at all! Especially for something as awesome as Africa!

Thanks so much for your support! I'll keep you updated!

FLIGHTS BOOKED

Today I found out that my flight to Africa has been booked!!! I am beyond excited! I am also scared because it is a freaking long flight. Ready for how long it is? I leave at 10:15 from Dulles and arrive in Ethiopia the next day at 7:45am (their time 12pm our time), then from Ethiopia to Entebbe, Uganda where I arrive at 1:05pm (their time, 6am our time)! Then from there I drive 6 hours to Mbale! That all adds up to be about 23 hours of traveling. So I think it's safe to say I will be accepting all ideas and suggestions to keep occupied while on the plane.

While I am a little nervous to be traveling so far away with everything going to be so new, I am over-the-moon excited! I am so blessed to be able to have this amazing experience and am so excited to start getting ready! Thanks for your support and donations being sent in! Let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

Check Your Mail!

My letters have been sent out! It took a lot of time, envelopes, stamps and paper, but it is done! Go check your mail right now if you haven't already gotten the letter! I would really appreciate the time you would take to read the letter and maybe even donate a little! Here is what the letter said if you didn't get one!

Dear Friends and Family,

This Summer I have an amazing opportunity to go to Mbale, Uganda for an Internship with HELP International. I will be going from July 15^th to August 15^th and could not be more excited! There are so many amazing opportunities to serve and I can’t wait to get started! But in order for my trip to be as effective as possible, I need your help. Let me start by telling you about this amazing organization, HELP International.

HELP International is an organization that was founded by some of Brigham Young University’s faculty in 1999. They started out just wanting to help Honduras after Hurricane Mitch, and now this organization has grown to send teams all around the world to help those in need. The Mission of HELP International is to empower people to fight global poverty through sustainable, life-changing development programs. HELP currently runs programs in El Salvador, India, Uganda, Peru, Tanzania, Thailand, Belize and Fiji.

A project I am hoping to start with other members of my team is a soccer program for the orphans in neighboring slums in Mbale. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from taking part of a sports team. I hope that my team and I can empower and increase the joy for these orphans! Not only will we teach them the basics of soccer but also the basics of good health and hygiene.

There are many other projects I will have the chance to work with and I would love to explain them all, but there are far too many. As I said before, in order to have the most productive and beneficial trip I need your help. The amount of good that can be done for the people in Uganda increases significantly with even a small donation! We are inviting you to join us in serving the people of Uganda by donating $35, $50, $100, $250, $500 or whatever you can! Checks can be made payable to HELP International with “Annie Turner” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed directly to HELP International with the provided pre-stamped return envelope, or through Network for Good online. For online donations, go to the help website (listed below), click on “Donate” at the top of the home page, and include “Annie Turner” in the dedication box. If you’d like more information please visit the HELP International website www.help-international.org, or email me at aturn126@gmail.com, or you can call me at 703-945-8659.

Thanks for your undying support to me over the years. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I will be able to update my blog while in country so you can easily know what your donation has done to help those who really need our help. Here is a link to the team blog we will keep this summer: http://ugandambale.help-international.org/. Also, here is the link to my personal blog I will be keeping about my experience in Uganda: http://anniedoesafrica.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Annie Turner

HELP International website: www.help-international.org

Team Blog: http://ugandambale.help-international.org/

My Blog: http://anniedoesafrica.blogspot.com/

My E-mail: aturn126@gmail.com

My Number: 703-945-8659

Letters on Letters on Letters

This week my goal is to get mt fundraising letters out. This has been a daunting task for me. I feel bad asking people for money, but I remind myself that it is for such a good cause. There are so many opportunities to serve in Uganda and I am blessed to be able to be a part of it. And I guess by asking for help paying for this trip I am giving others the opportunity to get involved too.

Today I got the letters printed out and let me just say it literally took 15 minutes for all 100 of the letters to print. I was on campus on so many people came up and asked why I was printing a whole rems worth of paper. It was semi-embarrassing but it was also fun to tell random people about my plans for the Summer! Tonight hopefully we will get a good number of letters addressed and sent! Let me know if you're interested in getting a letter! The letters look great too thanks to Victoria Hall-Tipping! Check out her website!

There will also be a Newsletter sent out every week from Mbale so if you are interested in getting the Newsletter via e-mail, pass your e-mail along! (My e-mail is aturn126@gmail.com, or facebook me!)

So, be looking out for my letters and really any donation helps! If you know of anyone who would be willing to help me out pass on the information to them! Let me know if you have any questions!

This Time For Africa!

Welcome to my record of my amazing Africa adventure! It's already been an incredible journey getting to where I am with actually going to Africa that I can't wait to see what other amazing things will happen! The anticipation of what's to come is killing me! 

If you want to know the details of how I came to the decision of going to Africa, read about it here! http://annieturner126.blogspot.com/2012/12/oh-africa.html

There is a lot of planning that has to go into going to Africa, I hope I can handle it all. The most important thing to do right now is gather the funds. I'm in the process of writing a letter to send to close friends and family to ask them for their support. I am also working on planning an online campaign. 

Right now if you are interested in helping me out here is the info you need:

Checks can be made payable to HELP International with “Annie Turner” in the memo line. Donations can be mailed directly to HELP International or through Network for Good online. For online donations, go to the help website ( www.help-international.org) click on “Donate” at the top of the home page, and include “Annie Turner” in the dedication box. If you’d like more information please visit the HELP International website www.help-international.org, or email me at aturn126@gmail.com, or you can call me at 703-945-8659! 

I will be periodically updating this blog with the how fundraising is going and how planning in general is going! Thanks for your support!