UGANDA: Brad Penner – Branch Manager, Plum Coulee Branch, Heartland Credit Union
Saturday, June 16, 2007
What an experience!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
What an experience!
I was so privileged to partake in CCA's 2007 Coaching program for Uganda/Malawi.
I have been to Uganda in the Northern District of Pader, where the LRA has been quite active in the past years. This has caused the people to be driven off their farms and into displacement camps, where there is strength in numbers and the army units can provide some protection. Given these many years of trials, these people still have a lot of hope and are optimistic about their future.
The land is so rich and fertile, and the people so warm, hospitable and proud of their heritage. One location that we visited quickly organized the local village dancers and performed the Royalty Dance for us. It was an honor to be able to sit with the local villagers and share in their culture.
The people work so hard and yet are so content with what little they have. A farmer would open his 15 acre field by ox and plow and then seed his acreage by hand. The family would then tend to this crop by walking through the field and pulling any weeds that they could find. Many small children would be seen with a baby tied to their backs (babysitting) while the mother was out working in the field. This crop would provide food for the family and any extra would be sold for cash.
We visited several schools were the children would play soccer with a homemade soccer ball made from rolled up leaves and plastic bags tied together. The children are happy to meet the "Mzungu" and leased to be able to shake your hand. If you are driving through their village, the small children will come running up to the road, just to get the opportunity to wave and yell "bye, bye".
The country has so much opportunity! With the LRA now negotiating in peace talks, the people are hopeful that they can once again leave the displacement camps and settle on their farms. I will always remember this lifetime experience, and hope that CCA's Coaching Program will provide useful tools and ongoing support to help improve the country as a whole.
I am eager to return next year to once again touch base with my new friends from Uganda and my fellow colleagues.
Brad Penner
Branch Manager
Heartland Credit Union
Plum Coulee, MB
I have been to Uganda in the Northern District of Pader, where the LRA has been quite active in the past years. This has caused the people to be driven off their farms and into displacement camps, where there is strength in numbers and the army units can provide some protection. Given these many years of trials, these people still have a lot of hope and are optimistic about their future.
The land is so rich and fertile, and the people so warm, hospitable and proud of their heritage. One location that we visited quickly organized the local village dancers and performed the Royalty Dance for us. It was an honor to be able to sit with the local villagers and share in their culture.
The people work so hard and yet are so content with what little they have. A farmer would open his 15 acre field by ox and plow and then seed his acreage by hand. The family would then tend to this crop by walking through the field and pulling any weeds that they could find. Many small children would be seen with a baby tied to their backs (babysitting) while the mother was out working in the field. This crop would provide food for the family and any extra would be sold for cash.
We visited several schools were the children would play soccer with a homemade soccer ball made from rolled up leaves and plastic bags tied together. The children are happy to meet the "Mzungu" and leased to be able to shake your hand. If you are driving through their village, the small children will come running up to the road, just to get the opportunity to wave and yell "bye, bye".
The country has so much opportunity! With the LRA now negotiating in peace talks, the people are hopeful that they can once again leave the displacement camps and settle on their farms. I will always remember this lifetime experience, and hope that CCA's Coaching Program will provide useful tools and ongoing support to help improve the country as a whole.
I am eager to return next year to once again touch base with my new friends from Uganda and my fellow colleagues.
Brad Penner
Branch Manager
Heartland Credit Union
Plum Coulee, MB
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