We're Here and Ready to Rock 2015!!!

 Cick Here to View Our IndieGoGo Campaign!

 We have been working our butts off and 2015 

is on track to be one heck of a year!  

Please join our campaign to raise $25,000 by March 27th!

If you can donate, GREAT!  Even if you can't (I know times are tough and it can feel like everywhere you turn people are asking for money! Yeesh!) you can still be a huge help by sharing our story, emailing friends and family, sharing links on social media, or helping us think up new and exciting ways to fund raise!  

(I'm honestly considering panhandling and if that is illegal then...

 I'm NOT considering panhandling...) 

We are a small, grassroots organization doing BIG things to help Ugandan girls achieve a University education!  No other organization in our district is working on this issue, but WE ARE.  We believe that all lives matter, that girls matter, and that investing in the education of one young woman, is investing in an entire community.  

Because we are small, this gives YOU the chance to make a HUGE impact in the lives of these brilliant young women.  Can you get on board the "Love Train" and help us raise money and support for this simple yet VITAL cause?!  

We Love You and Appreciate You!

Thank you!!!!

Slumber Parties and B-Boyz

This was from an email sent on 8/4/2011.

Hello!

I only have a moment to write, but I wanted to get this out real quick!  SO... right now I am at Nazareth Orphanage in Nyendo after a long and exciting day.  To back up, there have been some really awesome moments this past week.  After a few low spots, my attitude has shifted and my outlook is much brighter!  I think being away from friends and family and tossed into a new situation can be tough on anyone, let alone being in Africa and dealing with the stuff I have to deal with on a regular basis.  So, I am feeling much more adjusted and things really were not THAT bad before, just kind of negative and difficult for a few days.  I was able to email a few people in more detail, so I am sorry if this is scattered or you've already heard some of it.  I wish I could just show you a glimpse of what I am experiencing here because email does not seem to cover it all. 

Sunday, 2 female volunteers and I went to a graduation party for one of the teacher's at Hope.  It was about an hour away and we rode in a special taxi with the teachers and staff of URF.  All of the students rode in the back of a truck!  The party was really cool, and the funny thing was the moment I got out of the taxi a bunch of kids yelled, "Kate!"  I am not sure how people know my name, but I will take that as a good thing.  It feels really good to walk through the village now, and instead of yelling "Muzungu!" or "Munene!" they yell, "KATE!!!!"  It is pretty awesome, I must admit.  Anyways, we got to the party and of course immediately my stomach started killing me.  I will not go into detail about what followed, but it was a traumatizing experience and one I will not forget!  haha. 

After that, we were sent to a room where they put HUGE bowls of food in front of us and we ate with our hands.  This would have been fine, had my stomach NOT been killing me, so needless to say, I ate what I could but was sweating and keeping my eye on the door the whole time.  It was pretty ridiculous!  The party was for a Muslim guy, and Ramadan started recently so there were a lot of religious speeches that I did not understand that went on for about 2-3 hours.  Then, they had different groups of people do dances and one was the Bazungu dance.  I seized the opportunity to show em my stuff, and it was pretty cool!  Everyone was screaming and cheering for me and it was so much fun!  After a few more hours of dance, and witnessing incredible snippets of culture, it was time to go home.  We had to follow the students who were in the back of the truck because the roads were really bad and we had to make sure none fell out.  (Seriously.)  There were about 50 kids in the back of the truck.  I had to cover my eyes half the time it was so scary!

When we got back to the school, it was too late for some students to walk home so they had to sleep in the classrooms which are just concrete.  The kids were complaining and said they were in "prison".  I said, "It is just one night!  No big deal!"  And they said, "Fine, you sleep here!"  So.... I did.  Haha.  They were completely shocked, but it was worth it.  I came down with my flash light, a pillow, and my ipod and camped out with the students.  I felt like a mother hen, tucking her little chicks into bed.  The funny thing was, I tucked them in by playing Nicki Minaj's "SuperBass" video for them on my ipod, which was hilarious!  I think that moment will be one I'll keep in my heart for a long, long time.  It was just so funny, and so awesome all at the same time, and all the children finally fell asleep.  They loved it!  After getting eaten by bugs for a few hours, I finally snuck out and went back to my bed, and the next morning the students who I slept on the floor with all smiled and winked at me.  It was a bonding experience for sure. 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/4JipHEz53sU - Nicki Minaj ~ Super Bass video

Moving on... the past few days I spent pruning banana trees, visiting students, exploring local villages, and taking a ton of pictures!  I am LOVING my camera and can't wait to show everyone what I have so far.  Getting to the good stuff... today, I met an Irish nun.  We talked about doing some volunteer work together at the local prison, and I was very intrigued by her.  I had a feeling something was about to happen and as I arrived to the church, I saw a group of boys break dancing.  I had a intuitive feeling I should investigate so I walked up and asked them what they were doing.  The guy said they are a dance crew from Masaka and are competing in a National B-boy competition starting next week in Kampala!!  I felt a rush and started telling the guy how much I love dance, and how it was my dream to come to Uganda to film a movie featuring dancers.  He got so excited and we talked for a LONG time and have a bunch of plans to get together for filming their competitions, some interviews, and even doing photo shoots for each crew member!!!!  This may not sound like much to anyone else, but it felt like fate to me.  I was at a random Catholic church meeting a nun, and then stumbled across the BEST dance crew in Masaka?!  How crazy is that?? I can't wait to see what comes of this, but I am totally excited and even more inspired.  I had that electric God shot feeling that has become all too familiar to me when big things happen.  I was looking for my story, and I hope and think I found it.  These guys are INCREDIBLE dancers and were just as excited to meet me as I was to meet them!  I will keep you all posted for sure.  For now, I gotta go play with the little kiddies. 

Love you all,
KTT

First Update on Shafic - 4/10/2012

This was an email sent to people who helped contribute money towards Shafic's first year of school, written on April 10, 2012.

Hello!

It has been awhile, but I recently received an email from my brother, Shafic in Uganda and he asked me to pass it on.  Thanks to your contribution, I was able to help him during my last trip to Uganda.  While I was there we began the LONG process of paperwork and steps to getting his passport, paid rent for his home, bought food to last several months, paid for transportation to and from various schools to interview and find the right fit, and most importantly we were able to pay for his first term at a vocational school.  This was my first attempt to sponsor someone in this way, and even HE could tell you I was very strict and kept records of every shilling spent!  With every step I tried to be very mindful about the impact the money and my decisions around that would have on him and his future. So, often times I found myself repeating things my parents had said to me or lessons they taught me.  I think, regardless of where a child is born growing towards financial independence and self-sufficiency is crucial, so I really tried to help guide him in that direction. Through lots of discussion and prayer, I decided it was important to have Shafic make most of his own decisions when it came to his future.  I think this helped him to engage and take responsibility for his actions.  Ultimately, it is his life and I just want him to be happy!  He decided to go to a vocational school, rather than pursue A level education and I think that was a great decision. He will have 2 more years of school and then hopefully will be in a much better position to get a job and become a self-supporting, healthy adult.  (If you would like me to go into more detail, please let me know and I can fill you in more on everything.)

In the mean time, here is the email he sent....

"Hello my sister thanks for the information you gave me and l want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who worked hard to collect and donate the money for my studies. I really appreciate all their help. Please let them know that I have completed my O level studies. I have also recently enrolled in a vocational school in Kampala to continue my education. I will be taking a course on travel and tourism management. I have been lucky enough to find a free place to stay and I am right now looking for a job so I can pay the rest of my fees. I want to thank everyone for their support and I would never have been able to get where I am today without their help. Could you please pass this on to those who helped me? Katie, if you want to let them know that I only have fees for one term then that is up to you. I also want to thank you for all your help. I love you my dear sister. I will talk to you soon.
 Your beloved brother"

So, from Shafic and I - THANK YOU for your generosity and your contributions.  He is onto his next step in life and taking things one day at a time.  As we all know, life is not always easy, but because of people like you Shafic is living, and surviving and thriving.  To see where he came from to where he is now, it is proof that there is a loving existence out there guiding and caring for us all.  I am humbled and privileged to be able to witness that great love and it encourages me to continue with my own work and passions.

As he mentioned, he does not have all of his school fees or his expenses covered for the next year.  I truly believe that something will work out, but from where we stand today we do not know how it will all unfold.  I am not in a position right now where it is possible for me to cover his expenses, but I am working hard and so is he.  If you are interested in continuing to help sponsor Shafic's education, please let me know and I can help make that happen. More than anything, I just wanted to say thank you and wanted to let you know that you made a difference in someone's life you've never even met.  It means so much and you are sincerely appreciated!   

Much love to you!

Katie

My Brother - Kabagambe Shafic

I wanted to share this story with you because I thought you might want to hear it, and because it is important to me.  Lots of people have asked me about my trip to Uganda, but this is not a story I often tell.  I originally wrote this on June 5, 2011.  So here goes...

----------------------------------------------

I have a brother in Uganda and his name is Kabagambe Shafic.  He is 20 years old and an amazing footballer, artist, farmer, cow hand, digger, dancer, clothes washer, french toast maker, party planner, leader, singer, and friend.  I love him more than words can say and he will forever be my family, my brother for life.  Shafic grew up in Rwanda and at the age of 3 he was taken from his parents during the genocide to live with aunts and uncles in Uganda.  His parents hoped to relocate there themselves, but went back for the rest of his siblings and the ENTIRE family was never seen or heard from again.... murdered in the fury and chaos of one of the swiftest and most destructive genocides in human history. 

I had the honor of taking Shafic back to Rwanda for the first time since he left, and experiencing that journey with him has changed me forever.  I don't think any one event in my life has impacted me more than this did.  Believe me when I say, I am not here to tell you a sob story or add any drama.  Simply put, this is a TRUE story - not a movie character, not some faceless statistic.  He is my brother and I love him with all of my heart.  His story is deeply personal to me. 

I walked through the Kigali Genocide Memorial with him, holding his hand, seeing the pictures, and hearing the truth about what happened during those dark and bloody days.  I fought back tears like I never have before and we walked in silence.  All I could do was pray because I felt completely unqualified for such an experience, but I did my very best and supported him the best I could.  We entered a room called "Orphans" and he started shaking his head, "No." Perhaps in sadness, in disbelief, or disgust.  Or perhaps because there were really no words he could say.  I am not sure.  Against the rules, he grabbed my camera and began taking pictures of the children and the plaques on the wall.  (Some of them are attached here.)  After a long silence, he spoke.  He said, "This is me.  These are my brothers and sisters."  Those words echoed through my body and it felt like someone punched me in the heart.  My mind swirled and part of me went into shock.  We kept walking.  As we moved on, I felt a speck of relief, thinking we had walked through the toughest parts of the exhibit but we turned a corner and came into a new room.  I kept praying and tried to remind myself to breathe.  Shafic went ahead.  I followed him into the next room where there were people crying and speaking French.  I scanned the room to see what the situation was.  There were thousands of photos, from floor to ceiling, and I realized they were the faces of people killed.  For one second, I thought, "Oh wow," but then I turned and saw Shafic in the corner and I stopped breathing.  The look on his face will be seared into my heart forever.  He was not skimming over the photos like an exhibit, he was inspecting them, looking at every face- he was searching for his parents.  

I am in tears now as I type.



I felt a part of myself die in that moment.  I felt the universe crack open and I could almost hear it happening.  It took every ounce of courage, prayer, and strength to not cry in that moment.  I wanted to scream out at the French tourists, "THIS IS NOT JUST SOME EXHIBIT!!!!!  THIS IS HIS LIFE!!!!!!!!!!"  But I stayed silent.  The room was spinning.  I walked over to Shafic and began searching through every picture, too.  I didn't even know what his parents looked like, but it just seemed like the right thing to do.  We went on and finished the entire memorial in silence.  Whatever pace he wanted, I was there with him.  Outside was our final stop - the mass graves.  We walked and I kept praying.  We walked down every path there was to walk on and we sat by the graves, reading the plaques.  I wanted to speak, but instinctively I knew this was perhaps the most delicate moment for him so I did not speak at all.  I just prayed silently and was present. 



Shafic taking a moment near the mass graves.
Kigali, Rwanda



Finally, we sat in a tranquil garden together and eventually the time was right to speak.  The words felt heavy at first, but then they began to flow.  He told me all of the details of what he knew and what happened to him and his family.  I listened, supported him, tried to lift him up, and opened my heart the best I could.  We prayed together for the people whose lives were lost and we prayed for his parents, his brothers, and his sisters. I imagined they were so proud of him and I hoped that at least some healing begun that day for him and for his parents.  I hoped they could finally rest in peace.  I already loved him, but in that moment, sitting in the garden, I knew that I would ALWAYS love him and that I would do everything in my power to be there for him, to help him, and to make sure that he is never alone again.

I am going to return to Uganda this summer and my goal is to get his paper work together so he can get a passport, and to get him enrolled into school.  He is finishing O Level now, but has nowhere to live once he's finished.  It costs about $500 US for one term with books and uniforms and lodging, so I am starting there, but ultimately my goal is to help him get a scholarship to a university in the USA.  That is his biggest dream in the world, and one I plan on helping to make a reality. 

I feel like Shafic was put into my life for a reason and now if you are reading this, he is a part of your life, too.  I am by far not a rich woman when it comes to money, but my heart has never been so full.  I feel it is my duty to honor Shafic and his family and to tell part of their story.  He is the best friend I could ever ask for and I am overpaid.  Sometimes it gets overwhelming because there are so many people who need help, who need money, who want something - I just decided, I'm going to try and do what I can.  Even if it is something small, or even if it means helping one boy feel loved... I'm just going to try.  If you want to help out, too, email me and we can talk.  This is just the beginning.  If you would like to donate money, that would be wonderful!  Lord knows, I can't do it alone, but I hope you know this email is about way more than just that.  Your support and a prayers mean the world.  I hope you find what I have found, and I wish you all the joy and love that one can wish.  Thank you so much.

All the best,

Katie Michelle Thompson

Photos taken by Shafic at the memorial

Pause

A break from old journal entries... these are my thoughts from today. I honestly do not know where I am going with this, but I felt compelled to write....

Got into work today, kind of happy, kind of not.  Chatted with a former student from Uganda who claims he is in danger, checked my email, got some coffee... you know, the usual.  I have been doing a lot of thinking lately - soul searching, seeking... and trying to find my way.  It is clear that I am at my best and happiest when I am in Uganda, but WHY?  That has been the #1 question for me over the past 2 years.  What is it about Uganda?  Is it possible to find that same fulfillment, peace, joy and love here in America?  Is it possible to be THAT happy wherever I am in the world? My spiritual advisors and friends tell me yes, but so far that has not yet been my experience.  My family is here, I have a great job here, my friends are here, running water and electricity are here, but why is it that those things are not enough to make me truly happy?  (Ugh.  "Enough."  I feel guilty even writing that, but that's how it feels.) 

This morning, my thoughts were racing - a negative, dull hum, quite similar to the noisy, broken AC unit behind my desk.  "I'm tired.  I'm too fat.  I'm not good enough.  The damn AC unit is broken.  What's wrong with me? I'm not a good friend.  I'm scared.  I'm alone.  I can't do it." ...and on and on!  It wasn't until I noticed the AC unit's rattle, that I noticed and listened to these thoughts flowing through my own head.   What is that?!

I do know that whatever THAT is, is absolutely silenced and gone upon arrival to Uganda.  The hum of the world and the buzz of insecurity, of anxious apartness, of not enough is GONE.  For me, the struggle, the inner fight is over and I am in the flow of life, my soul is content and I am at peace with myself and the universe.  I've tried explaining self-loathing to my Ugandan friends.  How it can be common for Americans to hate their own bodies, to spend tens of thousands of dollars to see plastic surgeons to alter the way they look, to spend hours crying, analyzing, comparing, and staring into the mirror pinching fat or wishing to be different.  (That could be and probably will be an entirely different post.)  My Ugandan friends drop their jaws and stare, utterly confused.  First, how does anyone get that much money, and WHY would they spend it on that?!?  And second, why on Earth would someone hate themselves or want to change the way God made them? 

Ah, if only I viewed the world (and myself) that way. 

The things that torment me and many of my friends seem not only trivial but entirely useless and FALSE in the faces of poverty, death, sickness, homelessness, and orphaned children.  How can I hate myself so much, after all that God has given me? All the chances and opportunities I've been given... a loving family, 2 healthy parents, a huge house to live in, education, friends, clothes, a car to drive, and on and on.  How can I tell myself, "I am not enough. I am not worthy of love." When it is clear that I AM loved not only by God, but by so many others?  Looking in the faces of starving children abandoned on the streets, orphaned by disease, war, or otherwise I can see just how much I love them and how nothing else matters.  If I can see they are the most precious, beautiful beings, just because they ARE, then is it not true for me as well?  And certainly, the things they have or don't have, the way they look or dress, the things they say- do not even matter at all.  It is WHO they are that matters, and who we all are, are children of God.  I try to remember these valuable experiences and lessons every day, but for some reason it becomes harder the longer I'm on American soil.  Maybe this is the next step or test on my spiritual journey?  I do not know.  In today's "work, eat, sleep, accumulate, win, hoard, protect, secure" life, it is scary to let go or break out of what is familiar.  Doubt and fear dog my every move, but I continue.  I do not know what God has in store for me, but ever faithfully, I try and fall, and try again.

Giving love and working to help others has shown me so much, and has given me great freedom in my own life.  It is my experience that when I have faith and leap, or take risks in service to others, God not only catches me but gives me a blissful life worth living.  Maybe for me there are more adventures and challenges ahead?  (I hope so, I'm only 28, afterall!)  Perhaps, settling into a secure, "normal" life would be lovely and is for most people, but unfortunately/fortunately for me I am called and pushed to do more.  Some days, I wish I wasn't, but I am starting to appreciate who and what I am, and what I stand for, and I am beginning to trust it. 

Thanks for reading my rambles if you made it this far.  :)

Love,

Katie

     

Your Vote = $1500

Hello!
Please visit my project page at http://bloggers.maker.good.is/projects/projectmorelove and click “Vote for this Idea” to vote for me! (Please use either Firefox or Chrome browsers.) Voting began yesterday and I have been waivering between 4th and 10th place out of 58... so with a little extra effort we could really win. Your vote could make the difference! 

Voting ends August 1st and each email address can only vote once. You will be prompted to register in order to vote (I know, annoying) but their website is actually pretty cool and you can unsubscribe easily after you vote. Please share with your family and friends and help us win $1500 for Project: More Love. This could be huge! Let's rally together and go for the win!

Love always,
Katie :)

Week One - 1st Journal Entry

1st Journal Entry - September 21, 2010


I started to write, but then George/Jude came and sat with me.  (Everyone is confused as to whether his name is George or Jude, so we just call him George/Jude.)  :)


Oh, Uganda... it is hard to begin. I lost my first journal on the plane and well, the traveling part was quite an experience.  Tomorrow, it will be one week here!  Hard to believe.  So much to say... I feel at home here in the evenings now... Martin, my mukwa, :) , Maureen, Shafic, Megan... We laugh so much!  Last night I stayed up late and they taught me how to use the latrine.  It was SO hilarious!  Apparently, the secret is to get really low, which I was not aware of.  I guess I will have to keep practicing my squats!  We laughed all night together.


Today, we went to George/Jude's house and I rode my first boda boda.  We walked maybe 5 miles there and I got to hear his story.  I feel perplexed as to what the answer is.  He kept saying he is trusting God will give him things, but its seems like to me, most people I've talked to here pray for things... I am not in their shoes and I have no clue of their struggle, but that is not how prayer has worked for me.  I have to pray for God's will for me and to be useful to others, not demand that God give me things.  But again, I am not in their shoes so I don't know.  I got the idea this week for our students to write gratitude lists.  Maybe that is somewhere we can begin?  The mindset just seems so negative and hopeless here and I feel like thinking that way must perpetuate struggle even more.  In my experience, positive thinking and energy is key, so we will see what develops there.


A week in review:  So far... riding in the back of a truck in the rain, the orphanage, comforting Makanga and holding him down while they razored off his syphilis boils - hearing his screams was REALLY hard to hear.  I had to fight back tears... seeing Brigette try to walk (she has spinal TB) and then her falling down and crying - I hate hearing and seeing kids really cry.  It kills me but I know I have to be strong.  Riding in WILD taxis.  Laughing and hanging out with Megan, our heart to heart talks... she is SO good with everyone.  It's amazing!  Long talks and bead making with Maureen, learning so much about Ugandan culture, meeting students, 2 dance parties, being called "BIG" daily and having to try not to let it get to me - wearing pink plaid rain boots to the latrine, trying to pet goats and be their friend, "helping" milk the cow, dogs jumping on me, snotty kids, poop smell, bathing in a little bowl with cold water, Auntie, Jjajja, Jjajja at the orphanage, all the babies there - love them so much but it is dirty as f*ck there.  Andrew my brother, meeting the elders, meeting Hanne (a German volunteer) and listening to her and letting her know she is not alone, Berni & Auntie my first night- so sweet, so kind, so hospitable, no idea what I was in for - CRAZY drivers, walking down the road like a celebrity, meeting TONS of little kids, trying to learn Luganda, teaching English, sleeping in a mosquito net, being dirtier than my brain can comprehend, getting over the shock of being in Africa, dealing with J--- when he always has to be right and "know it all", praying, finding acceptance as much as possible, serenity prayer, humility, living in a barn-like house (no ceilings), feeling sick, reading cards from friends back home, hysterically crying to Beth, Mom & Dad, trying to use the internet, realizing reality is tougher here than I imagined, realizing J---'s attitude was bringing me down and making me feel sad and stupid.  Talking to Megan was awesome and we both connected and I decided it is okay to just be me.  I'm doing my best. I don't need to take on J---'s guilt or ideas or drama.  I'm so grateful for Megan.  She is one of the sweetest, most fun girls I've ever met!


I thank God for keeping me safe so far and hope He can/will continue to guide me and help me do His will - to be of maximum usefulness.  As Fred says, I am not alone!  :)  SO AMAZING!!!!!  Yay.  I love Uganda and feel at home here in so many ways, yet realize there are probably more stark realities and wake up calls ahead.  Thank GOD for everything He has given me and the gifts and relationships in my life.  I love my family and friends and can't wait to see what each day brings.  Prayer will be very necessary since it is one of my only lifelines here - especially with J--- and Meagan and the people I meet and the circumstances I get into.  ha.  Sooooooo wild.  You just don't know until you know.  I'm in UGANDA.

I made it to the Equator!

Maureen and Shafic

George/Jude