National Camp GLOW Uganda 2012: Bikes, Matatus, and Buses

Can you imagine coordinating transportation for 157 children across a country that depends wholly on faith for the timing and maintenance of their vehicles? We did that today. Chelsea and Leah arranged weeks ago with volunteers strategically placed around the country to escort the campers down to Entebbe. We worked together to get money into our bank accounts, chat with bus drivers in the bus parks, and remind the girls 673 times where to be and when to be there. By the end of the day everyone had arrived safely and camp had begun.

I traveled with the girls from Lira and Oyam districts today. While others' experiences were somehow different, ours was pretty typical of travel in this country. Three of us started at 7 this morning, had breakfast in the bus park and then proceeded to wrangle, call, and otherwise track down 19 Ugandan youth. Since it's a Sunday, the bus schedule was somehow... not there. A bus company that is normally reliable was non-existant this morning and so we had to haggle with other conductors before we found one that 1) had 22 empty seats 2) would take us to Luweero for 20,000/= (about $8) and 3) would leave soon soon. After four and a half hours of sitting, waiting, sitting more, buying a snickers, and waiting we were on our way. Once we left the bus park there was a small bit of panic as we coordinated via cell phone to pick up a girl who had not made it on time. As she finally climbed up the steps, the other campers erupted into cheers and we were on our way. (Again.)

Seven hours, some construction delays, and a bus change later we rolled into camp and were met with a sea of yellow teeshirts who were already busy getting to know one another and singing the camp song (lyrics below). The evening progressed with a delicious dinner of rice, beans, sweet potatoes and jackfruit, then some skits to go over the rules of camp, and finally bathing and bed time.

The girls, counselors and staff are all on cloud nine to finally be here, and we know the week is going to be all at once hectic, amazing, heart-warming, and possibly the most fun some of us have ever had. Please be sure to check back frequently for updates on specific projects and activities the girls are participating in.