Sunday, June 22, 2008

Rainbow House of Hope/Uganda


















I am so excited for this new post!  One of the places we spent lots of time at in Uganda was the Rainbow House of Hope in Kampala.  It helps orphaned and disadvantaged children.  One of the kids we met was a ten year old girl named Angela.  She was orphaned when her parents died of AIDS.  Each day we went there, I was drawn to her.  I didn't know at first that she was HIV positive but when I found out that she was, I knew that I could do something to help her.  One of the directors was this young guy named Timothy.  I loved him the minute I met him.  You just knew that he was someone special as soon as he spoke.  He takes care of all these abandoned, disadvantaged kids.  He makes sure the kids have food, medicine, clothing and whatever they need.  He runs the programs that they have in place and sleeps there with the kids that have no where else to go.  He teaches the kids how to play the trumpet and has a brass band that played for us each time we came to visit.
I spent some special time with little Angela where I learned more about her.  Each day we went there, she had the same dress on and it was pretty ragged.  I asked Timothy what she needed and he said money for food and medicine would be much appreciated.  I gave him $200 and told him to go and buy her some new clothes and shoes and get her whatever she needed.  He also said that there were some others who needed clothes as well so I told him to use the money to get whatever he needed for these kids.
When he told Angela that I had given him some money for new clothes, she dropped to her knees and kissed my hands and said thank you over and over again. It was very heart wrenching and made me cry!
Here is a photo of my sweet Angela in her ragged yellow dress.  I showed her and her cousin how to color and she made me a picture to bring home to my family.
I was so excited when I opened my email today and Timothy had sent me a photo of the kids he helped with the money I gave him dressed in their new clothes.  I was so happy to see them with their big smiles and new, clean clothes on!  The other kids are cousins of Angela's.  Angela is the girl on the right standing in front of the RHH.

9 comments:

Iva said...

They look so cute and happy in their new clothes! It is so good to know that these kids are in good hands! You are an amazing person for the time you took, visit and help these kids and for so many other things too;)

Leslie Behunin said...

Oh Holly...that must have made your year. You are so giving and selfless. Those who need it the most are always the most grateful. She's looks beautiful in her new dress!

The Dillon 6 said...

OK -- so I post silly things like my daughter dressing in tighty-whities, and random memes, and other random things. You blog about something life-changing. :)

Forester Family said...

Holly, That was amazing. You certainly made a difference. I think we all could benefit from seeing those truly disadvantaged. We are all so blessed. Thanks for sharing your story. Patsy

Sarah J. said...

Good reminder that it's the simple things in life that make us feel so good.

Zappe Family said...

What a wonderful experience.

Rebecca said...

wow! what an amazing experience and i just love how truly appreciative they are for every little thing. it makes you realize how much we take for granted. loved the post!

ammunk said...

I am so glad that you had the opportunity to help these kids! They look so happy and excited. What you wrote really touched my heart!

Rainbow House Of Hope Uganda said...

Hi the Jolley Family,
i hope that everyone in your family id fine and that all that you are doing is well.

i just want to say hi and to send u greetings from uganda and especially from Rinbow house of hope.

Yours, Timothy