Hope for Hearts is based in Las Vegas, a city known as a major tourist destination. Many people save up for months to travel to explore the entertainment capital of the world. But where do those of us who live here go on our vacation?

It’s National Tourism Week and I thought it would be fun to take a look at Uganda and Kampala’s tourism sites. Perhaps plan another trip to explore the country and city where our students are from. Here are the top 10 fun facts/insights I found while exploring these sites, in no particular order.

  1. Kampala City is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and commonly referred to as East Africa’s happiest city. The city’s name is based on the Impala antelope that used to roam the jungles where the city now sits.
  2. Kampala actually sits inside Buganda, a subnational kingdom of Uganda.
  3. Four of the most recent kings of Buganda are buried in the Kasubi Royal Tombs, a popular tourist site.
  4. Much like President Roosevelt ordered the creation of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, which are now popular US attractions, in 1880 Kabaka (King) Mwanga ordered the creation of Kabaka’s Lake, the largest excavated lake in Africa. The lake is considered to be one of Kampala’s top attractions.
  5. Independence Monument is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Uganda. Constructed by the former British Colonial Government prior to Uganda celebrating it’s first independence, the monument signifies a new born country free from colonialism and bondages. The monument features a man unwrapping a child and raising it to the sky.
  6. You can Kayak on the Nile River, the world’s largest river.
  7. The Uganda Museum is a must see for those looking to get an overview of Uganda’s history including exhibits that help you gain a deeper understanding of Ugandan music, culture, science, way of life, culture, paleontology, and industry.
  8. Imagine observing chimpanzees and gorillas in their natural habitat, swinging from tree to tree, feeding, playing, and more. That’s just what you can do when you sign up for chimpanzee and/or gorilla tracking through several tour operators.
  9. Another great way to experience the culture of Uganda is to take in a theatre show at the any of the country’s cultural centers. Two popular centers are the Uganda National Cultural Center and Ndere Centre.
  10. Uganda has several religious monuments from a variety of faiths. You can visit either tourist site to get more information and learn more about the attractions that interest you.

If you’re interested in learning more, or perhaps planning a trip, make sure you visit the tourist sites for Uganda and Kampala:

www.visituganda.com
www.visitkampala.net

Bon Voyage,
Cristen

Hippity Hoppity Easter’s on its way! This weekend many people around the world will gather to celebrate. Easter comes in two parts: Good Friday, reflecting Christ’s sacrifice and Easter Sunday, celebrating his resurrection. Did you know that in many parts of the world, including Uganda, people also celebrate Easter Monday as a public holiday? Check it out in the latest #UgandaFastFact.

For many Christians from around the world, Easter Monday is included in the Easter period. It’s a day of rest, often considered a public holiday, and encourages people to enjoy time outdoors as we see the rebirth of spring. Easter parades are also commonly held throughout the world, and in the US we celebrate with the official Egg Roll on the White House lawn.

One of the words that will surely be on a lot of Christian’s minds is resurrection as they reflect on the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, then you’ll recall last year we talked about the word resurrect in a special Easter edition of the weekend word. A resurrection doesn’t always have to refer to restoring someone to life physically, it can also talk about restoring the spirit to life. The way our children are undergoing a personal resurrection at our schools. They’re leaving behind a life of poverty and resurrecting themselves as self-sufficient individuals capable of lifting themselves to prosperity.

Because we are grateful for the sacrifices that Christ has made, let us show our gratitude by paying it forward and supporting the personal resurrection of those in need. Learn more about how you can support the resurrection of an orphaned child in Uganda by visiting: hope4hearts.org/donate.

With Love,
Cristen

St. Elizabeth Girls Academy Turns 19

February is a special time of year, not just because of Valentine’s Day, but it also marks the anniversary of St. Elizabeth’s Girl’s Academy (SEGA) in Uganda. SEGA is the reason Hope for Hearts exists, and in honor of their 19th anniversary, we’d like to share 19 fun facts about the school.

St. Elizabeth Girls Academy Turns 19

  1. 1998– St. Elizabeth Girls Academy (SEGA) founded.
  2. Father Mugagga Lule – Co-founder and President.
  3. Mission– To assist orphans in Uganda, East Africa, lifting them from poverty to prosperity through primary education, vocational training and life-skill classes.
  4. Kampala – SEGA’s hometown.
  5. 1 Acre– Girls live in tents and buildings on one acre of land dedicated to the school.
  6. 300 – Number of girls (and now boys too) served on average each year.
  7. Birth-21– Age range of children supported by the schools.
  8. – Number of counseling and guidance sessions each girl receives every week.
  9. $25 – Amount it costs to purchase a handmade necklace to support Hope for Hearts efforts to fund education and provide a hand-up to children in conflicted areas.
  10. Seamstress in Training– One of SEGA’s programs that offers women home-based business opportunities.
  11. Culinary Training– A SEGA program that helps girls gain practical experience so they can start their own restaurant business or gain employment in Uganda’s culinary industry.
  12. Banquet Services– A girl-led service SEGA provides to outside businesses and organizations. Girls participating in the banquet services program receive hospitality training that prepares them for job opportunities for life after SEGA.
  13. Auxiliary Programs– In addition to educational and vocational training, girls at SEGA receive: spiritual development and support, recreational activities,  sports programs.
  14. Nuns– The very special ladies who serve as protectors, teachers and spiritual guides for the children at SEGA.
  15. Self-Reliance– SEGA empowers kids with survival skills for self-reliance, lifting them from poverty to prosperity.
  16. Profile of Prosperity– Najjuko Resty “Kalisizo” went from being a maid and a prostitute to a self-employed seamstress living in St. Balikuddembe thanks to the education and services she received at SEGA.
  17. $240– Cost of providing one-year of education to a child at SEGA.
  18. $3,750– Average monthly cost to feed students at the school.
  19. You Can Help– hope4hearts.org/donate – Link to where you can make your tax deductible donation to lift children from poverty to prosperity in honor of SEGA’s 19th anniversary.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that’s certainly true. Support from people like Father Mugagga, the nuns, myself, and most importantly – you, our children not only survive, they thrive. Please help us celebrate this important milestone by making a donation of $19 or more, and help us provide many more years of education lifting a child  out of poverty to prosperity.

“My success depends on others doing their part. Success does not depend on any one person, but by every person fulfilling their responsibility to give back to the whole.  As humans we are independent, but we are not meant to live in solitude, but in a living and loving communion with others.” – Father Mugagga Lule, Co-Founder and President, St. Elizabeth’s Girls Academy

Warmest Regards,
Cristen

It’s been awhile since our last #UgandaFastFact so here’s a little bit of knowledge you probably didn’t know about Uganda: NRM Liberation Day is celebrated on January 26.

The country has seen a lot of turmoil throughout its history. For 70 years spanning the 18th and 19th century, Uganda was controlled by Britain.  They didn’t gain their independence until 1962 (if you recall, Oct. 9 is celebrated as Independence Day in Uganda).

Milton Obote was the first leader to take on the role of Prime Minister for the country, but his years in office were not without civil rights abuses and corruption. In the 1980’s the National Resistance Army, under the political National Resistance Movement led by Yoweri Museveni, fought against, and eventually ousted, Obote. on January 25.  On January 29 Museveni took the reigns as President, promising a fundamental change in the politics of Uganda.

Since then, Ugandans celebrate NRM Liberation Day on January 26. However, with Museveni still in power 30 years later, citizens have started boycotting the holiday claiming governmental corruption, vote rigging are still rampant in Uganda’s political system.

The political unrest is leading to a rise of militant groups. And as a result Uganda is part of a major famine currently taking over South Sudan, which we talked about during our Thanksgiving post. As these militant groups take over the country, more people are forced to flee their homes as refugees, leaving behind crops that help sustain the population and adding to the current food shortage. Food prices are skyrocketing, and it’s hard for humanitarian aids to get enough food supply in to feed everyone.

While NRM Liberation Day was originally created to celebrate the people’s freedom from a corrupt government, the countries work is far from over. It may be awhile until the people of Uganda are able to find their happiness and contentment. Until then, and now more than ever, it’s time for humanity to come together and provide whatever aide they can to get through this tumultuous time in the country’s history.

Hope for Hearts is doing its part to help by providing basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter to orphaned children in Uganda. We also supplement these basic necessities with educational opportunities and by providing a loving home and family – which many of these kids long for. However, we are not immune to the sky-rocketing costs of food during the famine and turmoil in Uganda. You can do your part to help by making a donation to Hope for Hearts so we can continue to provide for the hundreds of children in our schools.

With all the political unrest happening right now, it’s hard to say if and when the people of Uganda will find peace, happiness, and a new reason to celebrate yet another liberation day. Until then, all we can do is show our support as much as we can.

Click here to make a donation.

With Love,
Cristen

#UgandaFastFact

This weekend America is celebrating Memorial Day, a day that recognizes those who have died while serving in our country’s armed forces. On Memorial Day we take time to remember, honor and celebrate those who fought to protect our country. History class has taught us that many countries have fought in wars over the years. Have you ever stopped to think about what Memorial Day in another country might look like?

Today’s post is the first of a series we’re going to call Uganda Fast Facts – meant to educate you on the country our students are from. #ugandafastfact

Ugandans have a fairly new holiday similar to Memorial Day that they celebrate. In 2001 the Parliament of Uganda declared June 9th as National Heroes Day. The holiday recognizes those who sacrificed their lives to restore peace and security to their homeland during the Guerilla War (fought between 1981-1985).

Unfortunately, this holiday can be quite divisive in Uganda. The war left many scars for those on both sides and there is no widespread agreement on which of the war’s fallen should be honored. The important thing to remember on this holiday is to celebrate those who laid down their life fighting for what they believe in – bringing peace to their country.

Last year in a statement to recognize the National Heroes Day, Minister for Presidency and Kampala Capital City Authority Frank Tumwebaze said “Giving dedicated service to one’s country is the clearest manifestation of patriotism.”

That’s what celebrations like National Heroes Day and Memorial Day are all about. Celebrating the patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, for the betterment of their country.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Peace & Love
Cristen