Bright Future

Wow. So, I am in Africa. The journey here was long, tiring, but exciting. It wasn't until half way through my flight to Dubai that I thought to myself, "I'm a world away from home." I travelled in peace though, knowing that I was only a phone call away from home. Although I am on my own during this trip, more now then ever do I realize that this is an experience for my friends and family as well.

So, once I landed in Dubai, it got interesting. Security was high and there were thousands of people in every direction. Although I was only in that airport for a couple hours, it was quite memorable and nerveracking. Then, Uganda. As I got off the plane, I started seeing army men, a first in my life. I video taped bits of the ride to the Karmali home, but some things certainly stand out in my mind.

Children carrying bricks, pushing a wheel barrel, and working hard. It was a very heart wrenching drive as one side of the road may be developed, slums were creating a shadow on the other side. In a day, I have already witnessed the painful inbalance that Africa has. While we drove through the city and I saw hundreds of people, I could not help but to think to myself that many of them must be infected with HIV. Still, there is one part of the drive that is sticking out in my mind the most.

Two boys, siblings, one probably a few years older, were carrying what looked like clay from one area to another. They were walking and the older brother was carrying quite a bit more then the younger one, which was understandable as the younger one must have been around 5 or 6 years old. He looked at the younger brother though and yelled something. Instinctively, both of them dropped what they were carrying and the younger starting chasing the older, both showing off their smiles. I wondered to myself, how long have they been out there, it's Saturday. Do they go to school? Or is this what they do each and every day? Even if it is just today that they are doing it, how are they in such good spirits?

There is hope, there is will, and there is the future. These young spirited boys are part of that future. By the size of their smiles, all I can say is that the future must be bright. Until the next time,

Abid