AWF visits Bono birthday wells in Africa

[Dianey]

Since so many of you have been steadfast supporters of the Bono birthday well campaigns, we wanted to share news of our trip to Africa to visit those wells.

AWF board members Angela Martens and Rob Trigalet are currently in Uganda. They are visiting many of the wells that were funded by U2 fans through the Build a Well for Bono's Birthday fundraisers. Including the ones described here
http://www.u2.com/heartsminds/index.php?mode=full&news_id=1276

We are featuring a blog of their trip and are posting entries as we receive them. Here's the latest one. To read the rest please visit our web site www.africanwellfund.org

September 03, 2006


Kampala, Uganda



I've read about this place, I've watched the programs on TV, I've seen the statistics on the poverty but there is nothing, nothing that can prepare you for the sights & sounds & smells,the mud & tin shacks, the masses & masses of people, the traffic that makes driving in Manhattan look like a picnic. (Hats off to our driver, Julius who didn't even blink) And all that was just the the dizzying, frightening, exhilirating, our senses drive from the airport to downtown Kampala.As I'm writing this from the Namirembe Guest House on a hilltop overlooking the city with the sound of gospel choirs drifting up the hillside and it's just overwhelming, the heartbraking poverty and yet the beautiful, friendly people that we've met so far.
Today, Steve arrives & then tommorrow we meet up with Anthony from Africare.

"Blessings, blessings not just for the ones that kneel...thankfully."

Posted by Rob at 08:42 AM


AWF has a Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/africanwellfund

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Raise money for the African Well Fund just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by Yahoo!

www.africanwellfund.org

 

[Carek1230]

This is excellent. Godspeed to all on this mission, this trip and I thank you for sharing back with those of us who have contributed to this worthwhile cause.

 

[Jeannieco]

This is excellent. Godspeed to all on this mission, this trip and I thank you for sharing back with those of us who have contributed to this worthwhile cause.

Amen, I double that!
So glad to read about the journey and feel that we have helped in some way!

 

[ME2U2]

So looking forward to reading about this trip and hopefully seeing some pics as well. And thanks for bringing Africa just that little bit closer to us. The more we learn the better we understand.

Take care everyone.

 

[Dianey]

So looking forward to reading about this trip and hopefully seeing some pics as well. And thanks for bringing Africa just that little bit closer to us. The more we learn the better we understand.

Take care everyone.

there will be pictures and hopefully video as well

thanks for all your support!




AWF has a Myspace - www.myspace.com/africanwellfund

 

[verte76]

This is great. Keep us posted!

 

[sue4u2]

Awesome, Dianey I will pass this around to people who often say "but what can I do".

 

[Dianey]

Awesome, Dianey I will pass this around to people who often say "but what can I do".

Thanks!!!

 

[Dianey]

here's the latest blog entry - the wells they visited were among the very first "Bono Birthday" wells - everyone who has supported these fundraisers should feel very proud of their contributions

September 05, 2006


Water Is Life



Mbarara, Uganda

Yesterday we met with Africare’s Country Representative in Uganda, Anthony Ngosi and then drove south 4 hours to Mbarara. Then this morning we met with Paul, Francis, Dennis, Gad-Sam and the rest of the staff from the field Africare field office in Ntungamo who are such a dedicated and passionate group of men and women. Then from there, they took us to meet the District Chairperson of Ntungamo, JW Karazaarwe, who wanted to personally thank everyone at AWF for their contributions to his district which works in close partnership with Africare. He went on to say to us that “water is life” and that it is the building block upon which many other programs have been based upon such as Child Health programs, Behavioral Change and HIV / AIDS Nutritional programs.

From there it was onto the village of Kyangara where we were greeted by about 200+ community members with overwhelming joy and celebration. At first, it was a bit strange for us to be regarded so highly by these beautiful, smiling, singing people but then I came to realize that it wasn’t us they were holding in such high regard as much as the idea that a small group of volunteers can come together and make such a life changing impact and so I want to pass that on to each and every one of you who have donated your time, money and energy to AWF.

After the water committee from the village gleefully showed us the hand pump well that was provided by Africare with the funding from AWF, we asked to see where they used to get their water from. We were taken for approximately a 1km hike down a very steep hill to a stagnate pool filled with algae. It was here that the elder of the community expressed his thankfulness that AWF “would come here to this place and walk with us”. I only wish each of you reading this could have heard that his words in person. I know I had a lump in my throat.

What a humbling day.

I want to leave you with this quote from District Chairperson Karazaarwe:

“Such a program that addresses the sentiments of people can never fail.”

I’ll try to write more tomorrow. Goodnight everyone and good job!

Posted by Rob at 05:33 PM

 

[bonocomet]

That was wonderful to read. Thanks
Hearing things like that makes me feel like we really can make a difference.
Thanks again.