Reflections on Uganda: The Paved Path to Transformation

Traveling to Uganda used to feel like entering a space time-continuum.

Everytime I would step foot in the Entebbe Airport , it seemed like I had never left. The same woman worked at the local cafe, the same employees worked at Banana village (the hotel near Cherish), and the same consistent coworkers and kids at Cherish Uganda.

My July trip felt different.

For context, I first traveled to Uganda in 2010. My first time visiting Cherish was in 2013 and I had been nearly every year since. Due to COVID cancellations and my first pregnancy, I hadn’t been to Cherish since 2019.

I found myself overcome by all of the change (and perhaps some of the jet lag).

Cherish was the same place I’ve always known- a place full of joy and peace, however, it had changed significantly. It was my first time seeing the new, beautiful administration building and meeting some of the new faces on staff. The programs have evolved and a new generation of kids can be found learning in the classrooms.

Cherish felt older, wiser, and more deeply rooted. Cherish’s growth didn’t shock me - the world beyond Cherish’s gates did.

The change that quieted me can be summed up by the road leading to Cherish: The road Cherish sits on is now paved. It sounds simple, but this is huge.

(1) DUSTLESS vs DIRTY

The community is no longer covered in the red dirt that would billow during the dry season as cars bumped from pothole to pothole down the road. Villagers used to travel alongside the road with their faces covered in handkerchiefs. The dirt would leave everyone with a chronic cough.

(2) LESS PEOPLE WALKING

With a paved road, cars aren’t inhibited by speed bumps and many fatal accidents have occurred as children and adults learn to watch for fast cars before crossing the street. There is less foot traffic on the main road, and more walking paths tucked away in the village for safety.

(3) GENTRIFICATION

Just like we see here in Austin, gentrification is happening within the Ugandan communities we serve. The development of the peninsula and the paved road has made way for development– new restaurants and nicer neighborhoods are being built. This is driving prices up, leading to rent increases, and pushing many of the impoverished community members back to their home villages.

(4) MODERNIZATION

New home developments have more modern designs. Many new hotels have popped up along the road, including the trendy hotel we stayed at that had E! Entertainment playing on my hotel room tv upon arrival.

The new road in our community is a very real symbol for the change I felt around Uganda.

My question– what does this mean for our ministry? Does our community still need us?

The road gave off the appearance that the community we served was more developed, modernized, and cleaned up. Throughout the week, however, I saw behind the veil.

The community’s needs were alive and well, and they are still walking through Cherish gates every day.

I met a HIV+ woman whose liver was failing (due to years of taking her HIV treatment) and her HIV turning into AIDS. Her stomach was larger than mine when I was 9 months pregnant. She has to come in regularly to get fluid drained from her swelling, failing liver.

I hosted a photo shoot for new and expecting mothers. A group of pregnant young women came in, including one girl that I recognized from Cherish Primary School. She was in 7th grade the last time I was in Uganda four years ago. These pregnant girls typical have to travel to the government hospital for their care (which is where you go when you have nothing to offer). These young moms-to-be shrieked with excitement at the gift bags Cherish hospital gifted them: 1 pair of infant socks, 1 bottle, 1 pacifier, and 1 photo of themselves from that day.

Coming from a season of life in Austin, Texas where mothers don’t just get one luxury stroller but 2 for variety, it was a humble reminder that those we serve have very real needs.

We have made significant progress since my first trip in 2010,  and yet so much is the same. There is still a significant need. Thankfully Cherish is addressing those needs everyday.

And so can you.