Asayo's Wish Foundation

Asayo Update

Eden Rona — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:33:43 GMT

Last week we went to Lira to get some groceries and to use the Internet. This was the second time that I have ever gone to Lira and it’s easy for me to say that it is an awesome city! Judith, our cook, is from Lira so she came with us and showed us all over town. After we used the Internet at a way nice Internet Café, where we ate American pizza, Judith took us to her church group’s little shop where they were selling all kinds of African crafts. There were instruments, hats, pictures, and beads and beads beyond beads. The other interns and I bought a bunch of way cool naturally made things, but every one of us bought an odongo. It is a way cool instrument that is comparable to a hand harp. The kids always are playing them at the orphanage so we all decided that we wanted to learn. That means that the guesthouse has been full of beautiful plucking and strumming of cacophonous strings. At least we are trying.

Samantha got here last Saturday and I was relieved to finally have another girl intern! She totally is connecting with all of the children and they already absolutely love her. Yesterday while she was playing soccer she slid to kick the ball. A tingling sensation began in her heal but that didn’t stop her from finishing the close game. Finally she looked down and realized that… well I guess the only way I can really explain it is… her heal fell off. It was like a giant flap of skin waving in the wind. Kind of like a massive blister, thick blister, that peeled off… good thing Samantha is one tough cookie!

We have been introduced to some new games that the children play. One of our new favorites is called Oblada. I would say that it is a mixture between jump rope and cats cradle. They tie pieces of tires together to make a long stretchy rope. The object of the game is to jump in and out of the rope doing different patterns using your feet. It is so unbelievably tiring but a good exercise.

Speaking of exercise, the children are getting me into such great shape. The other day we were playing in the rain, dancing and jumping, when the kids told me to run. Just to run and they will follow. So I began to run. I ran for about thirty minutes straight and they just followed behind me laughing the whole time. I finally had to stop because I could barely breath, but I think the kids could have gone on forever. I was so tired and ready to go back to the guesthouse to rest but I should have known that the night was definitely not over. Right when we stopped running, they asked me to show them flips. Since I can never say no to children, I did a couple back flips for them. They loved them so much that they asked me to teach them how. I decided to start them at the beginning and teach them how to do back bends. Hours later, when my arms had turned to jello, I told the kids goodnight and went to bed. If I keep this up I will be one tough cookie to!

Asayo's Wish Foundation is the Place to be

Eden Rona — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 09:00:02 GMT

Most all of the children are back! To celebrate, we decided to have a big dance party with everyone. We got our hands on some sweet speakers, hooked them up to the office, and blasted some classic American tunes. This dance party wasn’t like any ordinary dance party though. See, dance parties usually consist of every person dancing, but our dance party turned into… circle around the “mzungus” (or white people) and watch them make fools of themselves. It was a very memorable night. Now and then I catch one of the girls puling one of my dance moves saying, “Look I am Eden!” The girls here seem to try to imitate and admire everything I do. I really am flattered. People in America don’t seem appreciate my armpit hair the way that they do here.

I got to meet the widows group for the first time since I have been here. The moment we stepped out of the car the cute ladies were screaming and shouting, waiving scarves over our faces, hugging us, and thanking us. They really are an amazing group of women. They welcomed us by singing and dancing for us. After we introduced ourselves, we walked around and mingled with each of the women. The language barrier did not stop us from communicating our love toward each other. They were all so humble and resilient. Truly, it was a humbling experience.

I taught a bunch of the kids how to make bracelets out of string. They absolutely LOVE making them. Everyday more and more kids are asking if they can make another bracelet or learn how to make a new kind. I actually think that if they continued making them that they could sell them and make some money.

Good to be back!

Eden Rona — Wed, 11 May 2011 05:35:00 GMT

I don’t know how I will ever be able to leave Asayo’s Wish Foundation Orphanage. I left for only two weeks to drop my dear friend Kylee off at the airport and I was unbelievably home sick. Not for my home in America, but for my home in Kaberamaido, Uganda where my new family is. I could hardly sit still in my seat when we approached the orphanage after a long drive back from Kampala. The moment I stepped out of the car I was immediately surrounded by these precious little angels. Hugging. Kissing. Dancing. Laughing. The children’s laughter echoed throughout the compound and I finally felt at home.

Now it is back to crazy games where I have no idea what is going on, but that doesn’t stop me from playing, and the kids roll on the ground laughing because I totally make a fool of myself. My hair is excited to be back also. It really missed all the little hands tugging, pulling, and braiding it in wild Africa doos. Since school is out till the 23^rd, I get to spend all day with the children. Well, most of them. Some went to go visit their guardians during the break and they still have not come back. I cannot wait for every single one to return!

Uganda: Exhibit and Fundraiser for Asayo's Wish Foundation

Sarah Asayo — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:28:00 GMT

Time: Friday, April 15 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: 15th Street Gallery, 1519 S 1500 E, SLC

UGANDA
Exhibit and Fundraiser
Opening Reception and Gallery Stroll
April 15, 6-9 pm
Exhibit runs through May 14, 2011

Exhibit features work from the Fetish Doll Project, a childrens art project organized by Trent Alvey in Uganda in conjunction with Asayos Wish Foundation. Also, work from Salt Lake artists with a portion of the sale going to the foundation.

FETISH DOLLS: Art Objects made by children of Asayos Wish Foundation, Uganda.

LOCAL ARTISTS: Trent Alvey, Susan Beck,
Justin Diggle, Jenevieve Hubbard. Lenka Konopasek,
Steven Larsen, John Sproul.

BERR BEADS: colorful necklaces, bracelets and purses made by single Ugandan mothers to help support their children.

Proceeds from sales go to Asayos Wish Foundation in Kaberamaido,
Uganda: childrens art, 100%; Berr Beads, 80%, local artists work, 20%; Thank you to the 15th Street Gallery.

Thank You and Happy New Year!

Sarah Asayo — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:54:00 GMT

As we conclude another successful year at Asayo’s Wish Foundation, I would like to thank everyone for all of your support. Thank you to all the sponsors, donors and supporters who make our work possible. To the many Volunteers who worked so hard: we could not have done it without you! To Family and Friends Thank you! Your commitment to our work has allowed us to reach new heights each year and has helped change the lives of many children.

I invite you to take a minute to meet some of the children we have impacted through this clip below.

Images like these remind me how much our work means to the children and how excited I am, with your help, to reach further in the year ahead.

A new year is an excellent opportunity for a fresh new start and I hope that you will continue to support us in the years to come as we give hope to many orphaned and destitute children.

Thank you again and Happy New Year,

Sarah Asayo

Wishing All our Donors, Supporters, Family and Friends A holiday Season Filled with Joy and Happiness

Sarah Asayo — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 00:56:00 GMT

Wishing You and Your Family

A holiday Season Filled with Joy and Happiness

Thank You for Your Support!

Dear Friends,

Asayo’s Wish would like to take this opportunity to wish all our volunteers, donors, supporters, and students, a Holiday Season filled with joy and happiness.

As we conclude another year at Asayo's Wish Foundation, I would like to thank you all -- for all of your support. Your commitment to our work has allowed us to reach new heights each year and has helped change the lives of hundreds of children in Kaberamaido, Uganda.

We must thank in particular those who have supported our Sponsor a Child Program; your generosity has made a profound difference in a child’s life.

We are very grateful for the kind and generous donations that we receive from our community during the holiday season.

We have big dreams and I hope that you will continue your support and join with us in 2011 and beyond as
we open the doors of opportunity for orphaned and underprivileged children.

We are so thankful for our donors, supporters, fans and friends. We couldn’t help children in need without you!

Thank you for your awesome generosity,

Sarah Asayo

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Donors and Supporters!

Sarah Asayo — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:41:00 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all our donors and supporters:

This is the time of the year for reflection, where we all need to take stock of our lives and give thanks for all our blessings and appreciate togetherness through family.

We at Asayo’s Wish are thankful for all of our donors and supporters who believe in the work that we do in Uganda Kaberamaido. Together, we are changing lives by educating orphaned/disadvantaged children and by improving a devastated community by helping disadvantaged women become self-reliant.

We are greatly blessed and privileged by the opportunity to bring hope to vulnerable victims of war, disease and poverty in Kaberamaido. We thank you for your trust in us and for so enriching our lives.

Thanksgiving is about more than turkeys and history... It's a time to reflect and give thanks for our good fortune. And here at Asayo’s Wish, we have a lot to be thankful for:

1. First, we're thankful for all the wonderful donors (individual and corporate) who fund us and help keep our doors open. It is so inspiring to see new gifts enter our system each time, and we've been blown away by projects--that our donors have supported ( an example is Brigid’s Blue Project for the Medical Clinic. We thank Brigid for her efforts and Connecticut college for allowing her to work with us and complete this outstanding project … Click this link to view a short clip about Brigid's Blue Book Project at AWF

2. We are thankful for Trivani Foundation for being a committed partner from the beginning… Trivani has believed in us from the start, and has been invaluable in pointing us towards partnerships, start-up funds, and mentors. Trivani has enabled us to help the children and women in Kaberamaido Uganda grow stronger, safer, and more self-sufficient each year. Trivani truly makes our work possible and helps us keep our door open. We salute you!

3. We are thankful for Security Metrics, who awarded us a $25,000 grant which we used to purchase a Brick Making Machine and funded useful life building skills activities for the children (e.g. agriculture, goat rearing, poultry, weaving, tailoring, and carpentry)… skills that can help them earn a sustainable income in their adult life. We also learned during our visit to their offices, their employees are pretty awesome too.





4. We are thankful for The Ashton Family Foundation, who awarded us a $7,000 grant which we used to purchase a Grinding Mill, Ground Nut Grinding Machine and constructed a house which holds both machines. The Grinding Mill is part of our self-sufficiency initiative; it is helping us create a sustainable livelihood for the foundation.



5. We are thankful for Campbell Scientific, for their donation of $3,000.00 which we used to pay for higher education and vocational training for the older children (16-18) in boarding schools.

6. To all those in our Child Sponsorship Programs… You continue to be a source of life and support for the children. Your generosity has blessed the children greatly. Your support has allowed the children to receive care at the orphanage and to continue to thrive. We thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, and actions. The children think of you fondly and often, you are in their prayers nightly.

7. We are thankful for our amazing college interns and volunteers, who help us with every aspect of our organization and believe so passionately in our work (Brigid OGorman, Lyndsi Hardcastle, Abigail Kreitler, Amy Lewallen, and Stefanie Hinman). You gave your time which shows your thoughtfulness and effort. You let the children and community of Kaberarmido know that they are not forgotten and that their needs too are worth your time. THANK YOU!

8. We are thankful for all of our corporate partners, who help us, expand our reach in an effort to spread the word about our mission and expand opportunities for even more children and women living below the poverty level.

9. We are thankful for our board of directors (Gwen Robertson, Leslie Louw, Philip Snelgrove and Andrea GoodHeart) under whose guidance and support we continue to thrive. Your sincere belief in our cause, thoughtful decision-making, and wise advice are the backbone of Asayo’s Wish and I look forward to working closely with you as our operations expand over the coming years.

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice” - Meister Eckhart

Here are some words of gratitude in the children's own words…

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but tolive by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,

Sarah Asayo

To all our volunteers and supporters... may your generosity return the same, many times over.

Sarah Asayo — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 08:46:00 GMT

Asayo's Wish would like to thank and acknowledge this summers interns... Brigid O'Gorman and Lyndsi Hardcastle... Your personal commitment was incredible! Thank you for your most valuable contribution which is truly appreciated. Please accept this as a message of my deep gratitude for your thought, care and contribution to the foundation.

Hey hey everyone!!! by Lyndsi from Kaberamaido, Uganda

Sarah Asayo — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:24:00 GMT

Hey hey everyone!!!

Guess what??? Today I diagnosed a man with leprosy! Well, ok, the doctor did, but I entered everything he said into the computer system because he is still pretty slow at typing. He knows how the program works and he can do it all on his own, which is great, but we had 50 people waiting outside the door to be treated so we kind of needed to go fast. We also saw a couple people with cancer, and all sorts of STD's, and basically everyone has malaria, and a babby whose ear grew over the whole so she can't hear, and a bunch of ulcers and hernias, and all sorts of cool stuff! I mean its not cool, but interesting, and great if we can treat them! There is a sergeon coming on the 21st to do surgery on all the people who need it, like that baby. He is actually the father of a girl named Elizabeth Durante. She was a student who came to volunteer and do medical work at the orphanage, and she is the one who told Brigid about it and got her to come here last year. BUT on the day they were supposed to leave last year, there were a bunch of kids going, they were hit by a drunk driver on the way to the airport and Elizabeth was unfortunately killed. That is why the clinic is named after her. So it will be cool when her dad comes here to see the work she started and help contribute himself.

I wish I could say the new bathrooms have been progressing as afast as the clinic. It has been two week and all they have done is dug the latrine hole (30 feet deep and about 20 feet long) And laid the foundation. The builder keeps saying he is bringing more men, that he is the best builder, and originally he said he would have it done in a week. So I had a nice little talk with him and told him it better be done in no later than ten days. And he proceeded to ask for more money!!! So we said, when we see at least ten men out there working and progress happening, then we will talk about giving more money. So he promised to have ten men out there working today, and low and behold, there were two. So we are going to fire him and get someone new tomorrow.

Also, I don't think I mentioned this, but one day when I walked to school to teach, one of the teachers was walking around whipping all of the kids who were late to school with a tree branch while they just laid there on their stomachs and took it!!! Some really little ones were crying and rubbing their legs and behinds. That just broke my heart at first, and then it made me really angry inside and it took a lot to control myself and not lash out at the teacher and start hitting him with the tree to show him how it feels! But today I talked to the head mistress (the principle) and told her what happened and basically laid out everything I have learned and research I have read about the effects of hitting children and how it is not effective, and it only teaches them to fear you and hate you and not want to come to school, not to mention it makes them more violent in general. So I told her to make sure she doesn't do it anymore and to make sure her staff stops too. Apparently corporal punishment was only banned a couple years ago, so some teachers still think that the only way for children to really learn is to hit them. Grrrrr. So not true. So the head mistress said she also agrees with this principle and she is having a staff meeting tomorrow and will tell all the teachers to stop it. Thank goodness.

I am almost done making clinic cards for all of the children and we will give those out Saturday. This has been the busiest week yet! I finally got to hang out with the kids again after two days of non-stop work and they had made me a basket! I mean from scratch, like straight from the bush with long blades of this really tough grass and it is beautiful!!! They are sush sweet and good hearted children. Then there was a big beautiful lightning storm that tore through the sky. The storms here put Utah summer thunderstorms to shame.

So, today we also managed to squeeze in a visit to the widows home where they make these beautiful necklaces out of straight rolled up paper! They spend all day making three necklaces because they have to cut and roll and varnish each bead seperately. They would sell for at least $15 in america, but they were selling them for only $1.50!!! So I bought a bunch for souvenirs and gifts

I am sooooo ready to go on a safari on Monday. We are going to a place called murchison falls on the Nile and we will take a boat ride one day to see the hippoes, then drive through the game park to see the big animals like Elephants and Giraffes, then we will hike the waterfall and also go stand on the equator and see the source of the Nile. I am way excited!!!

I hope everything is going well for all of you and you are happy and having good summers!!!

I love you all!!! Sorry this is so long!

Lyndsi Lou

The end to the Blue Books

Lyndsi Hardcastle — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:20:00 GMT

This week is just taking in patient medical records and transcribing them into the computer software. Monday was so exciting, it was a long day, we worked from 10am to 7pm seeing patients and me working on the comptuer writing down all their information and making clinic cards. You wouldn't have been able to see the exhaustion on my face though, I was so excited to really get my project done. It was an amazing feeling to take people's blue books and transcribe their medical histories into our comptuers and then hand them a clinic card! I am so thankful everything is working out. So here is how it went yesterday. The doctor and Lyndsi were in the medical clinic. He was treating the patient and Lyndsi was recording what he said on the computer as that patient's intial visit. Then they would get their medicine from the nurse and come over the main office. I was in a room in the office with Moses (orphanage maneger). We saw people one by one. They came in sat down, gave us their blue book if they had one and waited until I finished. It was a slow process, but these people are good at waiting, and for me that is what my project requires so it didn't fase me how long it was taking. Moses translated for me and explained to them that their medical record is now in our computers and that they need to bring that clinic card to every visit at this clinic. We saw about 27 people yesterday and made them cards. Some problems I encountered are as follows. First about half the people had blue books, so the ones with out them I just created them a new medical record in the computer and that will be the begining of their history. Then there were some that had blue books that were written in from front to back! So these people I asked them if they could leave the book with me and I would do all the heavy transcribing later and come back around friday to pick it up again. Everyone agreed to that. Then there were some in which the hand writting of the doctor was illegible so some information we did not take down because you literally couldn't read it. That was pretty much all the issues I came across though.

Today was more of the same as yesterday. We started at 10am. Same procoss, they saw the doctor, got their medicine and came to me to get a clinic card and enter their medical record. At first on Monday people were not sure if they wanted to wait around for whatever I was doing, but by today (tuesday) word had spread that i was making clinic cards and that everyone got one with their picture and name on it. The clinic card acted as a lure to get people into the office and get me their medical record! Perfect! So today was not quite as exciting as yesterday, we were all exhausted from the work the day before and it was very hot and lots of people around. Towards the end of the afternoon I was getting really tired, my typing speed and skills were seriously deminishing and I was totally worn out. I'm sure Lyndsi felt the same way seeing as the doctor still can't type very fast, so she has to type every diagnosis and drug he prescribes, for him. Finally at 6pm, the solar power ran out and so we had to quite. It will recharge in time for tomorrow and we will start all over again.

Tomorrow I think I won't start taking new records until the afternoon. First we have to let the solar recharge and second I need to finish entering the ones that I kept from the people. We collected about 30 blue books that are packed with medical histories and we have yet to transcribe them into the comptuer becuase it would have taken to long while they were sitting there. So I kept them and they agreed to come back by friday to pick them up. Tomorrow I will spend most of the day entering those into the comptuers. Lyndsi can help with that as well, so it should go faster. I also expect we won't have as many patients as today(tuesday) or monday. Usually monday has the most people, then tuesday pretty close to the same but a few less, then wednesday even less, same with thrusday and by friday there are almost none. So that should give me time to catch up on the ones I am holding captive.

The kids have been missing us and probably wondering why we have been so MIA the last couple days, but it will be an exciting event to see their faces when they are finally holding their first solid proof of identity-complete with picture, birthdate, gender, and address.

Time is passing quickly, but things are great, and busy, and hecktic at times, and still wonderful.

Kaberamaido update by Lyndsi Hardcastle

Sarah Asayo — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:08:00 GMT

Hey everyone!!! Hope all is well!!!!

Check out my pics on facebook if you haven't already. It is sooooo beautiful here! People and places inclusive.

Right now we are in Lira again picking up more medical supplies for the clinic. People have malaria like it is a runny nose! So that medicine goes fast. We have a great new nurse helping now though, and she is so smart and good with kids. I am going to help one of the wellfare managers enter all of the kids personal info into the computer, like their birth date (if they have it) their home village, parents names, and their story of how they arrived at asayos wish. I was asking him about that alot yesterday and he said most kids parents died of HIV. There are about 5 kids who have it themselves. And a bunch of other kids were orphaned by landgrabbers-people who come to steal your land, and who will kill to get it. So sad. And a few of their parents were killed by the LRA rebels back in the war. And then others were just found wandering the streets and thats all we know. The kids all seem very close though. They are each others family now. They are soooo grateful to have been taken in by Asayos Wish Foundation. I guess it is the only orphanage in Kaberamaido. Some people want their kids to live there even if they are not orphans. I know almost all their names now! Entering them into the computer system helped a lot with that Also, today we are going to buy a swing set for them. Oh and the hole in the ground is gone!!! I dont know if I mentioned it before, but they have a water pump, and below it they had a big hole for excess water to run off into, but it was a huge hazard! Mosquito central, and things were falling in it constantly. It was only a matter of time until one of the kids fell in. So in two days they totally filled it with rocks, covered it with a tarp and burried that with more dirt and now its gone! And the workers only charged 40 bucks for the whole thing-labor, materials and all! The kids were very happy about that. More room to play!!! They are definitely keeping me in shape, they ALWAYS want me to play soccer here, run there, play dodgeball here, teach them baseball there...its so much fun! But I am so worn out at night that I sleep right through the noisy frogs and animals that come out at night and seem to party outside our window. Its great. And a lot of work. And the kids are such an inspiration of hard work with a happy attitude. You wouldn't believe how they mow their lawn!!! Maybe I mentioned it, but they basically have these long machettis and just start hacking away! Their arms are ripped! And they sing the whole time They have a big music competition on Friday with all the other schools, so that should be exciting. We bought them drums today too. A few kids have even taken a liking to the Ukelele so I am trying to teach them to play whenever I have time. They are so talented.

Anyhow...I hope you are all happy and healthy!!!

Keep me updated!

Love you all tons!!!

Lynds


Brigid slashing the grass                             Lyndsi and the kids


Brigid and the twins at the clinic                 Lyndsi playing the Ukelele


Brigid and Lyndsi at the clinic                      Lyndsi and one of the twins at the clinic

Progress

Lyndsi Hardcastle — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:50:00 GMT

Things are progressing slowly but surely here. The new nurse and I entered allllllllll the medicine we have in the pharmacy into the computer system so the Doc can prescribe it easier. I think it was the first time she has ever touched a computer so we had to teach her some computer basics, but she caught on quickly, and with practice she will be a pro. That is the one thing I am a little worried about. This new system is awesome and simple and wonderfully convenient, but will people actually take the time to use it and learn to operate computers? We want to schedule time for all the workers/managers to practice. Maybe give them sentences to type or something. Brigid and I also started entering all of the kids old health records they kept in blue books into the computer. That has been really fun. The kids love getting their picture taken and measured and everything. And it is a good feeling to put all this talk of a new record keeping system into action now. I feel great and its not even my project! I can only imagine how fulfilling this must be for Brig. Between working in the clinic all day, playing with the chitlins all night, and everything in between, the time is flying! We will be packing up to come home in no time! I have mixed feelings about that. Brigid managed to get TONS of donations from people which is awesome so the place is really starting to improve. The builders started on the new bathrooms for the boys and some other people are working on fixing this huge mosquito/falling hazard hole in the ground by filling it and covering it up. We taught some of the kids how to do puzzles and they loved it! They would keep working on them all day if we didn't make them stop and change activities. They are so bright and full of life! The phrase "kuri dogi" has come in handy-meaning dont hit-as some of the kids are still learning that violence is not the answer . Teaching is becoming really fun for me as I get more used to the students and they get more used to my accent! I really love teaching.

Well, thats the update for now. Let me know if I left anything out that you want to know about.

Greetings from Kaberamaido!

Lyndsi Hardcastle — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:09:00 GMT

so we are here sitting back at the divine mercy guest house in Kaberamaido, its about 8:20 pm here. its me (Brigid), ken, and lyndsi, having cokes and watching the tv and using the computer.

Today was the busiet day every!! jane had said on the radio last week that our clinic would be open today, monday, of course we were assuming we would have a nurse and perminant doctor by now, but we have neither. So i went up to the clinic and there were literally over 50 people sitting on the ground, on the side of the building and all in the hallways of the building. I was so overwhelmed, i didn't know what to do. I only knew the basic things like how to treat malaria and fever, cold, flue, parasites, stuff like that, I have learned here and I can diagnoss it and prescribe the right medicine, but these people had tumors, swellling ankles that explode, oh the leaprosy lady came back again. Wow so anyway we called a nurse to come for the day to help me, I started seeing people until she arrived. All of the people think that because I am white I know everything and becuase I am in the medical clinlic and i am white I must be a smart doctor. Even the nurse kept calling me docotor and asking me how I would like to treat them, I was finally like listen lady I am a student I am here to observe, learn and help out, not treat people with leaprosy!! As you can tell by my tone I was a little stressed about the situation. I used the doctors office and saw one person at a time. it was mostly children the whole time. We went all morning and afternoon and did not even make a dent in the amount of people waiting, they just kept coming, it even got a bit closteraphobic! The nurse that came was not as good as the other nurse, she did not teach me as much as the nurse that had stolen things, but at least she wasn't a thief. so finally at about 4pm we told them we were finished for the day and that they should wait and come back next monday. we are suppsed to have a perminant doctor by then, we better I don't think I can handle another day of that. If perhaps I were more educated in the medical feild it would have been easier, but still I think even a doctor would have been over whlemed by the the amount of people. the temperature in the hallway was over 100 degress from so many people breathing and coughing. even the nurse said she though the whole town showed up to get treatment.

so after my break I went back up to the clinilc and ken and i put the printers into there rooms. We have all the computers set and ready in there rooms and networked together. let me tell you about that first. we did that yetsterday. We attached the four base plates (security plates) to the four desks in the four different rooms. So all the laptops are now in there perminant postition, secured down to the desk. we also hired a carpenter to bolt down the desks, so the desks are secure also. The carpenter did the networking as well. Ken came back from kamplala yesterday with the longer network cables and the carpenter and him wired the two buildings with them. All four compters are now running on the same network, one thing that is done is done on all the otehr computers. its really kinda cool! I am happy it worked out like that. So anyway today we put the printers in. They are secured down to the desks as well. There is one in the doctors office with the laptop and one in the main office with the laptop.

Everything is going well. the only problem is that in the one building the ground outlets don't work, we are having an electritian come and fix it tommroow. Once that is back on line then all the comptuer and printers will be running perfectly! Next step is to start teaching the staff how to use them. they are so eager. even the kids keep asking, will you teach me brigid! I can't wait to start, but we really need a doctor to treat the patients so that I can type the information in for things to run smoothly. there is still a lot of work to do but we have plenty of time.

Lyndsi went to visit the kids who go to boarding school all day so she wasn't here to help either. She said they were wonderful kids who are very intelligent. She went with Jane to find out what they need and make sure they are happy and healthy. She teaches them English every Tuesday and Thursday now too. The kids here are awesome and so talented and smart!

Well, we are happy and safe and wish you all the best, and hope to see you here in Africa to experience this for yourselves some day!

Brigid and Lyndsi

The Night Stars

Andrea GoodHeart — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:24:00 GMT

It has been about a month since I was in Kaberamaido, Uganda.

As I was out late the other night (in Salt Lake City, UT - where I live), my friend glanced heaven bound and said "look at all the stars". I looked up...the sky was sprinkle with some stars but nothing like I have seen in Kaberamaido. I quickly flashed back to one of the nights I had been playing late with our children (on our property in Kaberamaido).

There is no electricity in Kaberamaido. Quite truthfully, there is no electricity for about a 75+ mile radius. The only way there are lights at night - is for a few people who can afford a generator. We have one for the children but it runs only for a couple of hours after the sun goes down.

It was time for the children to head to bed. As the "lights turned off", I walked back to the volunteer house (about a long city block walk). It was pitch black out...but the sky was incredible. Every inch of space was filled with stars. Bright ones and small ones, clusters of many to a smattering of a few...but packed so tightly together.....the sky lit up brighter than a Christmas tree. It was difficult for me to find the constellations I grew up with. They were buried among the numerous shining stars.  I could not believe the amount stars. I stopped immediately and just stared until the crook in my neck told me it was time to move on.

The beauty of that night sky is almost impossible to put in words. It is one of those 'you got to see it for yourself' kind of moments. I thought of all the nights I camped as a child with my family.   As the day gave away to dusk and dusk to night, my dad would point out different star constellations. I only wished he was with me that night - to share in the spectacular night stars. He passed away in 2002. But on second thought, maybe he was...whispering in my ear - each constellation’s name as I found it amongst the crowded starry night.

I am so blessed to see the grandeur of an African evening night.

By the time I got back to the volunteer house, everyone had already headed to bed. I quietly slipped into my room, changed into my jammies and crawled under my mosquito netting. I laid there reflecting on the evening with the children. You would think that out in Kaberamaido, it would be peaceful and quiet…no close neighbors, no radios, no barking dogs, no noisy cars…..think again.

There is a lively orchestra that performs a symphony – every night!!! It is made up of every kind of frog, bug and bird that wants to perform late into the evening. We sleep with our windows opened due to the heat – so it is as if I have front row seats to the performance each night. I had to smile as my thoughts of the children were accompanied by this wild collection of performers all trying to out play the next. You would think it would be a chaotic ‘noise’ but it was not. They played an African melody that is not performed anywhere else.

A priceless memory that I look forward to revisiting on my next trip to Africa.

Hill Country Ride for AIDS

Abigail Kreitler — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:27:47 GMT

Every year when I return from my adventures in Uganda I ask myself the same question: “What can I being doing to help AWF when I’m not at the orphanage?” I, like many others, get so wrapped up in work, friends, and family that I don’t set enough time throughout the year to devote to fundraising, organizing, educating, etc. So I’m challenging myself to set aside a certain amount of time every month to do something for the kids or for the Foundation as a whole. This includes meeting with other non-profits to see how we can combine our efforts, harassing my family for donations, writing letters to the kids and to my sponsor child, and networking with pharmaceutical companies connected to my work.

This month, however, I will be riding in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS (http://www.hillcountryride.org/site/TR/HillCountryRideforAIDS/General?px=1338842&pg=personal&fr_id=1090) with some close friends. The goal of the Ride is to raise money and awareness for those “living positively” in Texas. I’ve chosen to expand on this and use it as a way to raise awareness for the global HIV/AIDS problem and to hopefully network for AWF. In that vein, I’ve chosen to ride in the name of a little girl at Asayo’s Wish! The same little girl Rachelle speaks of with so much love (she obviously affected many of us). She will be in my thoughts as I conquer those hills, as will everyone who donated to the cause!

I challenge all of you to make Asayo's Wish an integral part of your life!

“Because of you and this great community you are creating, this Ride is more than just a bike ride, or just a fundraiser. We will always remember why we do this Ride, and will not stop riding until every person living with AIDS has the care they desperately need. The services you make possible enable thousands of wonderful people to maintain a dignity and quality of life that we take for granted every day.

Whether you know someone with AIDS or not, thank you for realizing we are all in this together. We will never forget the people we have lost to AIDS. They added an unforgettable joy to our lives, and continue to teach us what it means to really live. We all stand on their shoulders, and will honor them with every mile pedaled, every hour of service.”

-David C. Smith, Executive Director, Hill Country Ride for AIDS

Liz's Dream

Stefanie Hinman — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:49:00 GMT

My roommate, Liz Durante, as long as I knew her, had a dream of going to Uganda.
She’d read about the war in the north, and desperately wanted to go and work
with the kids “over there”. So when she found the opportunity to join the group
of Vassar EMTs for the March 2008 Asayo’s Wish trip, she knew instantly that she
wanted to go, and she asked me if i would join her.

I said yes, but more, I think, out of a need to keep up with Liz than through any
serious desire to go to Uganda. Where she went, I followed, even halfway across
the world.

So we went, in March 2008. We interviewed patients on dusty mats outside the
orphanage, we counted pills into plastic bags, we rubbed the backs of sick
children who’s names we didn’t know and who’s language we didn’t speak.
As Liz put it, “we experienced the joy and shared in the grief. We Loved.”

And I liked it, but mostly I liked experiencing it with Liz, watching her
blossom into the doctor she was meant to be. I liked seeing her so completely
happy and engaged in what she was doing.

Indeed, I liked it enough that when she decided to go back the next year,
I agreed to follow her again. And when she decided not only to return, but
to return as the leader of a group of Connecticut College students, to give
others the chance to share her experience, I was willing to plan meetings,
to send emails, to lead training, to make her dream happened.

And when the car crash on the way to the airport destroyed her dream of traveling
to Uganda at the same time that it took her life, I watched her family and friends
donate to build a medical clinic in her name and considered it done. Liz wasn’t
there anymore to ask “will you come with me?”, so I didn’t plan on going. Uganda
wasn’t, after all, my dream. It was hers.

...Until one day this January when I received an email from Sarah, letting me know
that there were still spaces on this March’s trip, and then, a few hours later,
found an old run form in my car from a rugby game that Liz and I had worked together
with “Stefanie Hinman, EMT-B” written in her handwriting. I took it as a reminder
that even without her, I am an EMT, and that she expected of me, as much as she
expected of herself, to put those skills to use where they are needed. So, with much
grumbling, I signed up for this year’s trip, to see the Elizabeth Durante clinic,
and to appease her spirit. I signed up, though I fully expected to feel useless and
miserable without her there to guide me.

But when I arrived in Kaberamaido, things didn’t go as I’d expected. I organized the
clinic, I taught in the schools, I formed deeper bonds with the children, I studied
their language. I found that, even without Liz, I loved being in Kaberamaido. I loved
the people, the children, the work.

The clinic is built and stocked, for now, but the work there isn’t done. If it is to
continue to provide health care to those that need it most free of charge, It needs
a steady supply of medications and funding for health professionals salaries.
The orphanage is beautiful, the children are happy and healthy and well fed, but they
still need bigger dormitories, better schools, continued access to healthcare.
Somehow, I found myself committed to continuing to try and provide for them.
Liz’s work didn’t end with her. Liz’s dream didn’t end with her either. It continued,
and somewhere along the line, it seems to have become my own.

“I challenge you to sort through the rubble. I implore you to Love completely.
I ask you to help me and the people of Kaberamaido. Peace and Love, Liz Durante”

Children looking through the window of the Elizabeth Durante Clinic pharmacy

In memory of Elizabeth Durante (5/3/88 - 3/7/09).....in our hearts always.

Sarah Asayo — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:11:00 GMT

As many of your already know my story - about five years, I was inspired to reach out to the orphan children in my village in Uganda. It was a small dream at the start.... my funds were limited. I started with sending money to a church minister to help him feed the orphan children on Sundays. As word traveled, the handful of orphans became 18 children truly needing food every day. Then the 18 became 25 and they needed shelter. I could not support them on my own so I reached out to family and friends for help. They embraced my dream and it grew.

Three years ago, my dream was shared with a student at Connecticut College who shared it with others at the college. They wanted to do more than just donate - they wanted to join me as I traveled to Uganda - to give from their hearts - sharing their talents.

One of those students was Liz Durante. Her dream was to become a doctor and help those who were in need. Liz and her best friend, Stefani Hinman joined the other students and traveled with us to my village - Kaberamaido, Uganda. During their time in Kaberamaido, they jumped right in to support the local doctor and meet the needs of not only our children (then reaching approx 150 orphan children) but also the local villagers. Liz fell in love with the children and surrounding community. This inspired her - even more - to stay the course of her dream of becoming a doctor.

Last year, Liz and Stefani carried "our" dream of serving these children to others at their college and again, gathered medical donations and volunteers to join us in our good-will mission of meeting the needs of the our children (now approximately 180 orphan children). On the morning of our trip, an accident tragically altered the dream of helping the children for Liz, Stefani and their group of volunteers. We lost Liz in a car accident.

With four of us already at the airport and not knowing what happened, we boarded the plane hoping the other students had only been delayed. It wasn't until the doors closed for take off - did we find out what happened. For the 8 hour flight - we quietly cried. Once we landed in London, we quickly gathered together to make plans to immediately return to the states to see what we could do to help. One of the other volunteers asked us a very thought-provoking question "What would Liz want us to do?". It stopped us all in our tracks….then one by one - the response was the same - "she would want us to go on and fulfill her dream of serving the children". With very heavy hearts, we boarded the next flight to Uganda.

Then the miracles started to happen. Liz, Stefani and the other students had gathered close to 20 suitcases worth of medical or school donations. All their efforts to bring these needed supplies to the children and villagers seemed lost. If they tried to ship them over - most of the items would be stolen before ever reaching the children. But - one of the students, Brigid O'Gorman was traveling later than the others due to a personal commitment. She was inspired (possibly by a guardian angel named Liz) to see if she could take all the suitcases. Quickly, one of Asayo's Wish board members who was not able to travel with us, Gwen Louw, started making phone calls to the airlines, to Brigid, to the school, etc. The end result - the airline approved Brigid to bring 12 suitcases (policy is only 8) - a miracle. Quickly the 20 suitcases of donations were repacked into 12 (thank you Brigid). One of Liz's dreams was fulfilled - getting the medical donations to the children.

During this time, Liz's family was dealing with the tragic loss of their daughter but saw through their pain to make this loss result in good. A fund to build a medical clinic for the orphan children was quickly set up. Many of Liz's family, friends, fellow students and even strangers donated to this fund - another miracle.

The medical clinic location had already been in the plans but the funds made it a reality. We had the honor of humbly gathering on the sacred location. A minister blessed the ground for the good it would bring to not only the children but local villagers who did not have the means to go into town for medical help. With the help of Brigid's family donation - along with the donations made in memory of Liz, the medical clinic stands completed - another miracle.

We are blessed to be able to call Liz our friend. She touched not only the physical needs of the children but also their hearts. They remember her and asked for her by name. We explained to the children that she was not able to come but she is with them in their hearts. And it is the same for us. Liz will always remain in our hearts - to inspire us.

As we start to pack for this year's trip to the Asayo's Wish Children's Village in Kaberamaido Uganda - our hearts carry the love Liz had for the children. Stefani, along with Abby, another one of Liz's friends have collected medical donations. This time to fill the shelves in the Elizabeth Durant Medical Clinic. It will be our privilege to fulfill Liz's dream by dedicating the Elizabeth Durante's Medical Clinic in her honor. Liz's dream is alive and continues to grow. The life saving services the clinic will provide will result in people saying - "I am alive because of the clinic". And we know, they are alive because of Liz. Her name will be carried on for the good she believed in. She blessed my life, she blessed the children's lives, she blessed the villagers lives - by sharing her passion. And now the clinic stands as a testimony to her dream.

And truthfully, I believe that Liz is close by - watching over the children she loved.

With love from all of us here at Asayo's Foundation

We would like to wish our sponsors, donors, supporters and staff a Happy New Year and all the best for a happy, prosperous and healthy year ahead!

Sarah Asayo — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:48:00 GMT

Thank you to all the sponsors, donors and supporters who make our work possible. To the many Volunteers who worked so hard: we could not have done it without you! To the Family and Friends your support is essential to us. Thank you to ALL who helped us prevail this year!

To me personally the year 2009 brought very radical changes... I miss those we lost too early and cherish the time we had with them. I will never forget this year and what it meant to me.

I wanted to remind you that we alone are the masters of our own destiny. We are free to choose our own paths at any time and consciously create the future we want for ourselves. Never be afraid of changes in your life. A new year is an excellent opportunity for a fresh new start.

A very wise man once said to me: "I never regret things I've done, but I regret many things I have not done".

I wish everybody a very happy, healthy and successful New Year.

All the best to everybody... your friend,

Sarah Asayo

As Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, may Peace be your gift and Joy your blessing all year through!

Sarah Asayo — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:40:00 GMT

May Christmas kindle the fire of hospitality in your soul and a friendly flame of charity in your heart all year round.

… a poem on behalf of the orphaned children …

Dear sponsors and friends,

I wish I could mean as much to you
each minute of the day
As you have meant, my dear sponsor,
to me.

I wish I could brush the gray out of your skies
and leave them only blue;

as you have done for me

I wish I could say the kindly things
that I so oft have read in your letters,
And feel that I could revive your soul
the way that mine you've reawaken.

I wish I could give back the joy and hope
that you have given me,
Yet that were wishing you a need

I hope will never be;

I wish I could make you feel
as blessed as I, who travel on
Undaunted in the darkest hours
with you to lean upon.

I'm wishing at this Christmas time
that I could but repay
A portion of the gladness
that you've spread in my life;

And could I have one wish this Christmas,
this only would it be:
that God may send you

the sort of friend/advocate that

YOU have been to ME.

From all the children ...and all of us at Asayo’s Wish Foundation

Have a blessed Christmas!

Sarah Asayo

Happy Holidays and a thank you to all of our Donors, Sponsors and Supporters - we love you and couldn't do it without you!

Sarah Asayo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:18:00 GMT

We extend a huge thank-you to all of our donors who make our work possible. Our individual and organizational supporters truly are the ones who enable us to help children and women in Kaberamaido Uganda grow stronger, safer, and more self-sufficient.

Without the kindness and generosity of our contributors, Asayo's Wish Foundation could not continue to care for the orphaned children and widowed women...

We celebrate Elizabeth Durante’s Life of service and Honor her memory... May 3, 1988 - March 7, 2009. Liz traveled with Asayo's Wish Foundation in 2008; she spent her spring break in Uganda providing medical services to children orphaned by War, Aids and Poverty... she loved and cared for the children like they were her own. A clinic was built in her memory- the clinic will help to enhance the quality of healthcare available to the orphaned children she loved so much and the community of Keberamaido. Liz continues to change lives even today... She will be missed tremendously… We send our love to her Family. Colossal word of thanks and deep respect for the men and women who made this clinic a reality...

Elizabeth Durante teaching first aid March 2008, Uganda

A word of thanks to our dedicated committee members (Gwen, Leslie, Becky, Andrea, Philip and Judd) you are my rock... and volunteers (Connecticut University students -Stephanie for all the medical supplies, Elizabeth- will be in our hearts always, Brigid -for engaging the children in sports, Meredith- for how you connected with the children and played with them at there level, Abby- for your gentle heart, your kindness and healing hands) Amy- for your fearless heart, your willingness to tackle the unknown and heal the sick children, Robert – for the courage to reach out and change young lives, we love you and couldn't do this without you! The children's lives have been truly enriched because you took part.... Many thanks, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

We are very thankful to everyone for all the support you have given us. We are especially grateful to our major and most dedicated donors:

Trivani Foundation - you are our anchor, thank you for your compassion and devotion towards the children and the women of Kaberamaido district, because of you the children eat 3 meals a day and can go to school and the women can now hope for a brighter sustainable future. Megan, thank you for being a friend and for caring... a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

Megan at the AWF Orphanage - Uganda

Security Metrics - no words on earth can articulate our gratitude; you stepped up to help when we were faced with shrinking resources, the time we needed you the most... Thanks you for being that hope for us and the children... Thank you for stepping up, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you...

We would like to acknowledge a few of our corporate sponsors and supporters:

Campbell Scientific, Inc - thank you for your donation

Cinnabar Media - for organizing the walker-a-thon

Angels in Actions - for your moral support

I love Lotus - for your encouragement

Ashton Family Foundation - thank you for your donation

Kyani - for the walker- a- thon and in kind donations

Friends - thank you for your donation

Cherry Hills Elementary - thank you for your donation

Geico Philanthropic Foundation - thank you for your donation

....a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

HUGE word of thanks to all those who are sponsoring Asayo's Wish orphaned children ... You may never know how much you mean to your sponsored child... but know this, you are their life line, you have made a deep impact in a child's life, changed the course of their life and given them hope; you will forever be remembered THANK YOU! May you be immensely blessed!

Sponsored child - Abuko

...we ask for your forgiveness if we have not motioned you, a detailed list of all our valuable donors and supporters will be posted on our web site 1^st week of January 2010...

We are very thankful to everyone for all the support you have given us... for every dollar you donated, for every phone call you made to us in support, for every email of encouragement, for a word of acknowledgement of our work and most importantly for your prayers... we love you and thank you

And I say this again, this Christmas, our prayer is a prayer for all of you who protect us, support us, and care for our work to serve the poor. As we enter this year's Holiday Season, we know there is always hope.

Merry Christmas and many prayers,

Thank you,

Sarah Asayo
P.O. Box 206
Midvale. Utah. 84047
www.asayoswish.org