BY MAEVE GALLAGHER
In June, along with 21 other students from the University of Ulster, I travelled to Uganda to build houses for impoverished families in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, a worldwide organisation dedicated to eradicating poverty and homelessness.
Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world. A typical house is made of mud and wattle with grass thatch roof that is in constant need of repair, even so much as a slight leak can destroy the fragile houses. Most families lack even the most basic facilities, for example, beds and washing facilities. Families including young children as young as three years walk long distances to obtain clean water and sanitation facilities are extremely inadequate. Large families live in overcrowded urban slums, with no sanitation or drainage facilities thus leading to poor sanitation and spread of disease.
In some way we thought we were prepared for the culture change, but nothing really can describe the feeling you get when travelling through the country and experiencing the people; it resembles something other than reality. Open aired shops, no walls, no roofs, with objects for sale everywhere. Hygiene was non existent. Frail, malnourished animals roamed the streets and barefooted half clothed chldren played with old tyres in the dust.
In the 'Achile' Headquarters, just outside of the capital city, Kampala, tens of thousands of families are living in huge masses in a densely packed area where the land is dry and water scarce. There are no drainage systems in this area and as it is on a high area, heavy rain gushes down from the top of the hill flooding people's possessions and destroying their homes which are made of dry mud. Disease is prevalent; most families have been through with the pain of losing many children and siblings through disease which is difficult to control in these horrendous conditions. Children have very little clothing, if any. These families were described as a local as living in 'no man's land' owning nothing, and having nowhere to go. All of which are awaiting Habitat funded housing. (All families apply for housing and are selected on priority basis, the number of children, sickness, etc.)
Our work on site began at 7.30am until 4pm in the evening. The work was hard in the heat and strenuous for everyone, but knowing the people we were doing it for stopped us from all the urges we had to complain. We became acquainted with families and children who had already moved in to their new homes built before our arrival, and quickly became aware of their gratitude to us for giving our time to help them, something they can't really comprehend in their world.
We worked alongside 'the masons' - locals wh were employed by Habitat as labourers. Building materials are very sparse, probably the most complex item was a wheelbarrow. Foundations were dug and filled by hand, scaffolding was erected from slender tree trunks and tied together in strategic knots with fine rope. We quickly learned the are of pointing, plasatering, bricklaying and roofing. As we worked with the masons, we formed friendships which we will never forget. We had them saying, "What's the craic?" and other versions of typical Irish banter.
We also had two football tournaments where our team played the Ugandans. This was of great entertainment to the crowd that had gathered.
Aside from the building, we also visited orphanages and schools from the surrounding area. The orphanage proved to be a very humbling experience for everyone and I don't think anyone was left untouched by the occasion. We were greeted by masses of screaming children and waving hands, who suddenly burst into joyous song. They were so happy it made me sad. A huge lump had formed in my throat and as I looked around at my team mates it was evident they felt the same. No one really said a word, no one could. We were shown around the orphanage and introduced to the conditions these little children live in. One hundred children per room, some lucky enough to have a mattress, others slept on the floor. Each child had their little tin box in which everything they possessed was packed into and the key to which they kept tied around their necks. Not a toy in sight, yet each child had nothing but smiles and loving embraces to give.
At one stage I noticed little children started pointing at my sandals and gasping with excitement. They thought my gold sequinned Primark flip flops were real gold. Well,nothing could deter me from the shame I felt standing in those shoes. A lot of tears fell that day.
In total our team built seven houses. At the dedication ceremony we learned the true value and worth of all our hard work. One heart rending moment in particular was when a woman fell to her knees and thanked God that she wouldn't have to sleep outside anymore.
The families, labourers and children we had the honour to meet, shared with us their life and faith. They are resilient through the suffering, death and pain of losing children, parents, brothers and sisters. They give everything, yet have nothing. However, the one thing they do have is faith. And this faith has helped them become a people I will never forget. They acept what hardship life throws at them and they take it graciously. I don't think I heard one of them complain about anything. The only tears I saw anyone shed were the tears of gratitude and happiness.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, very generous neighbours and sponsors for all their kind donations and support and all who made this trip possible.
Maeve Gallagher is a student from Omagh.
