Thinking the trip

Stories and thoughts of volunteers to return from the trip to Gulu

Explain in a few words to my experience in Gulu is impossible; only say that Africa has changed me. If you do not see with their own eyes poverty, which have nothing even water that does not fail, but if you do not do well ...
My first experience at the Negri College where we finished two classrooms chemistry, humanly was a fantastic experience, I was fine with the local labourers, (about twenty children simple, cheerful who loved life, despite not having life had anything) because I left with the spirit of service for the brothers who need moral and material aid. After a few days I was one of them.

The two years at Santa Monica were very pleasing to the presence of the Sisters there dealt well with exaggerated care, and you did hear useful for them. For boys who took the CMM because it is immediately established between us and them a relationship of friendship and mutual esteem, children with no future many difficulties, but with a dignity and contagious joy that you are doing so many questions (sleepless nights). If I were in their place?
Col. CMM I had an immediate positive impact on the enthusiasm that sent our dear Gianni and Tarcisio me that endured for two months.

Rubi - Kampala, January 2004

To my dear friend Lilli dreaming the Italy
Lilli had a dream, the dream Lilli Italy. Lilli was tall, slender, beautiful as her land of Africa. Lilli worked, dreamed of a better life. Lilli little laugh, how could?
By Lilli remember her flight sad, his gentleness but occasionally result in a beautiful smile. Lilli had, like most Africans suffered, it saw his sad eyes that made a person to whom it was love. Lilli unfortunately the dream if it is brought.
I think Lilli for his dream has not happened not lost anything, but it is the Italy that has lost a bit of love, colour, dignity.

Lilli died in 20 years dreaming to Italy.

Bubi - Kampala, January 2004

It is impossible to forget ...
... The face of Elvira hard excavated from AIDS. Despite the knowledge that soon would leave only her three children, we knew how to give a beautiful smile and a picture to remember.
... The night in the hut: the dim light of the lantern left barely glimpse the outline of a door and a window nonexistent, and termites along the walls had the appearance of enormous stalactites. Relaxed on a blanket, eyes aimed hour to hour at the door window to contemplate the moon and the stars, listening to the birds singing night and the voices of fascinating waterfall. All that night, out of time and space knew magic.
... The tenderness of her mother hippo who taught the little newborn, unable even based on the legs, to dive in the waters of the Nile.
... The sad eyes of orphans Bernadette our sudden arrival in their huts and roaring laughter when, for once, we were singing for them.
... The tremendous feeling that it feels like to live in a state of fear, mutilation and death suffered by the population, having an awareness now that nobody can put an end to this increase in violence

... Thanks although not explicitly said, the missionaries who has made us aware that in this difficult time our presence is important not only for the construction of schools, but also for a kind of sharing of their situation.
... Fishing on Lake Victoria: standing on the boat, Tarcisio struggled with the fish attached to his love, and around him were Piero, photojournalists, ready to write science, Brother Elio Cross with the harpoon, John and Peppino waiting impatient; in nearby boat female voices cheered the fisherman "shadow of the sun." And this is the face of Tarci light, mouth open in a cry of joy, eyes open and.. . To surface water. . . The son of Moby Dick, a step feline and fish caught is at the bottom of the boat (50 kg fish, not the boat)
... The official invitation received from Father Peter, pastor of Lacor, in part to ordination of a new priest. Near the bishop and the clergy, to the authorities and to missionaries, family members spoke to the crowd and we were not outsiders, but part of a single community.
... As in almost two months workers, caretakers, trade unionists, artisans, retired. . . People so different from each other, have led to the construction magna classroom. As this group, other groups that have followed over ten years have created a "miracle" school cutting and sewing St. Monica.

Women of August 1991

 
“Making the impossible possible"
This phrase of Pope John Paul II fits in perfectly with what they were volunteers of CMM in these 25 years Gulu.
I started in January 2004 with a group of nice people and very laborious, which have not spared any way to make it easier to stay girls of Santa Monica.
My experience has been very positive, people are sweet, greets you and the children will run and despite the civil war and deprivation are always happy and smiling.
The Africa remains at the heart even after I get back. The evening will seem to touch the stars with their hands because they are brighter and closer to us.
I hope next year to come back to give my little contribution to "making the impossible possible."

 

Carmen Montanari Germano Robbio (Pavia)

Waiting for departure
Without that almost no notice there is increasingly approaching the day when we leave for our much adored Gulu. Days that stretch, the heat suddenly broke out, we put in, in that period where everyone tends to feel more open and more free. Summer encourages us to leave, to open up to people, to think of the holidays, even at that particular "vacation" that we starters coming to Gulu we are preparing to do. For the most part the idea of these alternative holiday was born spent winter, but saw it as a distant episode, which wanted to think about without entering into too much detail. At least, let me clarify what I write is true for me, but I am convinced that will be shared by many of you. After all that is human in every period each focuses on what are the thoughts and concerns of the time that is living.
But that's become increasingly forthcoming departure, here's thoughts increasingly focus on that day full of expectations, even for people like me is not the first time that is experienced. This will leave two groups during the summer, one in July and one in August, whereas some will serve down for the whole period of two months.
The premises seem very good, many young people, especially in the group of August. And so increasingly we are full of expectations, even those typical day for a normal holiday. I believe that! Role of a holiday is to relax to our mind away everything we tires and I believe that this role or make a fully-fledged African experience. When we are there among our friends Ugandan let us invade from that office and from the desire to live that they have so much more intense than us, let us invade from the peace that nature still has African, let us invade from that detachment our problems today that we will see them in size considerably reduced. Discover what will be good to be loved for what we are, for the love that we give, we will discover what is not good to be judged for what others want us to be what we want, what we have, what mission and as far as I do. Unfortunately this rarely happens in a society "evolved" as ours, therefore it will be infinitely beautiful rediscover our dear friends in Africa. I can, at this point, wish all a happy holiday and extend best wishes to all Ugandans to which our vacation will give them comfort, love, closeness and material aid.
 

Daniele Miriani - June 2001

My experience in Africa
I left for Uganda on 23 July. I wanted very much experience of this kind and I had the opportunity to know, even for a short time, the reality of Gulu.
Personally, I am glad of my experience, because I was able to help and I felt useful. On the job (at the Catholic school St. Monica cutting and sewing) tasks were assigned according to the capabilities and tendencies of each. The men were employed in maintenance activities, we have girls instead stained the walls of the school, and railings. Life yard is spent serene and there were also moments of fun, indeed, "exhilarating", which hardly forget episodes, which fortunately occurred thus move further days. The nuns, who for years know the Center Missionary Magentino and have a great esteem, have expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the work done through small gestures of great affection, such as invitations to lunch.
There were also opportunities for recreation with visits to the park, waterfalls and a trip on the Nile. The visit of the orphanage was the most painful, because there can not prove that a sense of sadness and despair at the sight of all those children alone, some sick, in need of love and care; to partly offset those involved need the doctors, missionaries and distance adoptions. Near the Magenta House stands a magnificent cathedral and I noticed the devotion with which the local population comes to the Mass, which is characterized by engaging songs and a great participation. From what I understand, for the locals the priest besides being a spiritual leader is a figure of reference in life. With regard to daily life, everything has been far different from what I expected and in a clearly positive. Before leaving I had heard many things about Africa, I had heard of "endemic zone", "poor areas", "guerrilla zones" "high risk". I was tired of this afro-negativity.  I have noticed, however, that there exists a reality very different from what was described by reports and the news media. It is true that in that area, for a long time, there is a civil war and that scarce job opportunities are a problem. But despite all the people live, you take just want to go to school, make small jobs and do everything to assert their dignity. Finally, the experience in Uganda is truly remarkable, reserve many satisfactions, and deserves to be lived with the knowledge that it is a commitment that requires seriousness and a spirit of cooperation. I thank the capocantiere, the "distinguished gentleman", Franca, Alexander, who helped me and accompanied him on this trip.
 

Debora Tenca - October 2003