Uganda – penned in moon dust

Give Me Your Hand #Thegirlwhotouchedthesky2 #child’splay #uganda #H #atozchallenge

April 9, 2024April 7, 2024 by moondustwriter, posted in a to z challenge, Uganda

I heard her say, “Grab my hand. I’ll help you climb.”

I wanted to see past my village.

“Maybe I can see my mama.” I said back.

“You can do it,”

I climbed the ant hill. It was 2.5 meters tall.

“No fall.” I heard my baby brother.

I smiled as I climbed. This was easy compared to everything we had lived through.

“I can’t see anything.” I called down.

“YOU WILL!!!” The voice called back.

We researched the white ant hill for a science project. There is an intricate network that keeps the colony cool. A friend built a home based on the concept. Yes, it was cool on a hot day and cold at night.

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
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The Girl Who Touched the Sky Part 1 #atozchallenge #child’splay #LRA

April 8, 2024April 6, 2024 by moondustwriter, posted in a to z challenge, Uganda

I’m a brave little girl. I have to be. Soldiers came to our village and took my older brother. My mama and papa hid me and my baby brother under goat skins in a garbage heap that soldiers set on fire. Mama and Papa both ran from the soldiers. I dug us out from under the garbage when the soldiers were gone. My one arm was badly burned; my brother was alive but hungry and scared. I took us to a stream to rinse off and get water.

“We can do this.” I coaxed him each day.

We waited for someone to come. No one did.

“We must find them.” I said more to myself than to the baby. The only foods we had were dried posho in pans left by the villagers.

This girl represents many who fled or were captured by the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). Her story is fictional – the details are not. Her story will continue for the next several day for the A to Z challenge

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
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Disguise #AtoZchallenge #child’splay #Uganda

April 4, 2024April 2, 2024 by moondustwriter, posted in a to z challenge, Education, Uganda

Today in our village school, we learned about different animals. Some of the animals in Uganda are hippos, gazelles, oribi, crocodiles, and giraffes. and elephants. Zebra used to live here but they died from a disease.

I also learned that a habitat is the place an animal lives. A habitat can be a river, a tree or for lions it’s in the savannah. I made a lion mask because I like the way they talk with a loud “Roar”. No one knew who I was because of my disguise – I wonder if my mama will recognize me when I go home?

If you could make an animal mask what would you be? I like the Zebra!

I have a love for children around the world and I am blessed to play and teach many of them. These anecdotes are fictionalized but true. You will capture what a day is like for a village child along with the challenges for many children. Thanks for visiting moondustwriter – Enjoy

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
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School in the Dirt #children #Uganda

March 7, 2022 by moondustwriter, posted in Education, Uganda

“Please teach us,” many children surrounded her.

Her arms were full of folders for a meeting in the hut down the path.

“Yes, of course,” She smiled as she set her things down.

A little boy proudly presented her with a stick that was perfect for writing in the dirt.

“We will start with the alphabet.” She placed her stick in the ground and drew a letter.

“A” a boy called out.

“Very good. Now we must all say “A.”

Several of the children knew their letters very well.

She tried not to frown as the two children a brother and a sister struggled. The teacher knew they had not been in school for some time and it made her sad. They tried very hard and finally got the sounds right.

All the children knew their numbers but addition and subtraction was much more difficult. One boy was very bright with all of his letters and numbers.

The teacher was called into her meeting. She shrugged as she felt that what she was doing was what was important.

Before she gathered her things, she gave each child a sweet.

“Well done,” she smiled.

Each child proudly carried something that belonged to the teacher.

“This is why we are in Uganda,” she whispered to herself as she waved goodbye to her pupils.

See Me? #poetry #uganda #children

February 3, 2022 by moondustwriter, posted in Education, moondustwriter, Photography, Poetry, poverty, Uganda

I lost my place

my finger couldnt hold

the place in the book

the story that it told

can’t count the days

my fingers arent enough

I play in the dirt

instead of learning stuff

teach me anything

I listen from my heart

I love when you read

we all enjoy the art

dont leave me in the dirt

my clothes begin to stink

challenge my mind

teach me how to think

So many children have been held back from education. In Uganda school is such a privilege. Education helps men and women achieve their dreams.

Never the Same #Uganda

May 18, 2021 by moondustwriter, posted in blog, nature, Photography, Poetry, Uganda

beauty is always changing

bold colour, broad lines

expect the unexpected

a raindrop fills your hands

smiles big as the horizon

and I wonder

why I ever leave

Cream Meeting Place #photography #Uganda

November 17, 2020 by moondustwriter, posted in art, Haiku, Photography, Uganda

It’s noon

sun radiates on cars and people

place to meet

swamp flower

radiant beauty like the sun

lovely Uganda

I marvel at the beauty of Uganda. Her people are also very industrious. The cars (top picture) are used for meeting places out of the sun. Children also get out of the heat and pretend they are driving even when the cars are stacked on top of each other – think of the view.

Thank you Cee Neuner for a community where photographers share beauty and life… This week’s prompt is cream or white colour.