Where the heart is

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Uganda’s independence from British rule. Unlike many countries, Uganda’s independence didn’t mark the end of their struggle for freedom, but the beginning. In the 50 years since gaining their independence, the people of Uganda have endured a 7 year reign of terror by Idi Amin, followed by another 6 years of total anarchy, and numerous rebel groups whose only objectives were to leave as much death and destruction as possible in their wake.  It has only been in the last 25 years that Uganda has begun the recovery process, and still they are met with government corruption and a disparity of wealth that puts the United States to shame. Yet, in the face of all of this adversity, the Ugandan people have remained hopeful for the future. This blog post is dedicated solely to the people of Uganda—it is devoted to making sure that as many people as possible are told of their unbreakable spirit, unconditional love, endless joy and the infinite amount of hope that they have for their country, their children, their future and for one other.

I’ve been sure for quite some time that my heart was in Uganda…what I’ve been less sure of is why it was here and what led it here in the first place. But today, while riding through town on the back of a boda (yes, the previously mentioned death machine that I vowed to never get on) and watching the Independence Day celebrations, the answer to those questions became abundantly clear—

Why is my heart here? It is here because of Ugandans.
How did my heart get here? It followed the pure joy and happiness that is abundant in the hearts of the people of Uganda.

There are no words that could EVER do the people of Uganda justice. These are people that, in the 50 years since their independence, have suffered more heartbreak and tragedy than anyone should ever have to endure…more than us as Americans can even begin to imagine. Yet, I have NEVER witnessed such perfect and true happiness. I’ve visited numerous villages which have no running water, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, no FOOD—you name it, they are in need of it. Except for one thing. There is one thing, without exception, that is plentiful in these places and that is smiling, happy people. Not only are they truly happy, but they are beautifully kind and wonderfully selfless. They would give you the shirts off of their backs and the shoes on their feet, if only they had shirts on their backs and shoes on their feet. The pure happiness of these people is usually explained away with a simple “oh, well this is all they’ve ever known…they don’t know that they’re missing anything”.
I call bullshit.
They see us with our clean clothes, bottles of water and fancy cameras. They see us and know that we don’t have to wonder where our next meal is going to come from, when that next meal is going to come, or IF that next meal is going to come. They see us and know that we have never experienced anything remotely close to the tragedy and devastation they have witnessed and somehow overcome. They know exactly what they don’t have. They are painfully aware of how much is available in the world, and how very little they have of it. But, here’s the difference…they don’t see it as missing any thing. They don’t feel sorry for themselves for what they don’t have, they feel truly blessed for what they do have.

In a place where so very much is lacking, joyfulness abounds.

As I said before, there is no way to adequately describe the people of Uganda…their spirit and happiness is something you have to experience firsthand to fully grasp. I will be forever thankful that, somehow, my heart knew this. Thankful that, long before I did, my heart decided to come here to live amongst their joyful hearts. Thankful that we, as human beings, cannot live without our hearts—if we could, I may never have found my way here. So whenever people tell me what a huge heart I have for coming here, I know exactly who I have to thank for that. If my heart is big, it has nothing to do with me. It is only because it has been with the people of Uganda for so long—it has fed off of their joy, love, kindness and hope—things of which Ugandans have more than enough.

all of my love and happiness,
Bliss xxxx