Hoima Town.

Hoima Town is a District in western Uganda, which is home to approximately 43,000 people.  The Hoima District is bordered by Buliisa District to the north, Masindi District to the northeast, Kyankwanzi District to the east, Kibaale District to the south, and Ntoroko District to the southwest.  Hoima District and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is separated by Lake Albert, which is to the west of Hoima.

Hoima is located 230 kilometers (140 miles) northwest of Kampala, the capitol of Uganda, which is also the largest city in the country.

Agriculture, specifically food crop, is the backbone of Hoima's economy.  Crops grown include: sorghum, maize, millet, cocoa, peas, sweet potatoes, beans, coffee, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and coffee.  Hoima is also a large producer of cotton and tobacco. 

Hoima has also been nicknamed "Oil City" because of the recent discovery of crude oil in the District.  

Bunyoro is a kingdom in Western Uganda.  It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in East Africa from the 13th Century to the 19th Century.  It is ruled by the Omukama of Bunyoro.  The current ruler is Solomon Iguru I, the 27th Omukama (King) of Bonyoro-Kitara. King Solomon Iguru's palace is located in Hoima, which is pretty neat! The people of Bunyoro speak Runyoro.  This is the primary language spoken in Hoima Town.  Both Runyoro and Lugandan are spoken here.

Like most towns in Uganda, Hoima is characterized by poverty, underdevelopment, dirt roads, and unplanned infrastructure development.

Most people in Hoima travel by foot or boda boda.  I got on a boda boda one time and swore to Jesus that if He allowed me to live through that experience, I would never get on one again.  I am a woman of my word.

The majority of children attend Primary School.  Uniforms are the norm and the children are eager to learn.  I am excited to spend time with these children and bring much needed school supplies to that area of the world.

Hoima Town is truly such a beautiful place, filled with the most beautiful people.  I am incredibly blessed to be able to return to this part of the world.  

These people I come into contact with while I am in Hoima will know of your love because of the love and support you have shown me during this time of preparation.  This place has changed my life for the better and I am thankful to share it with all of you!

The Ocean is Costly.

Traveling anywhere these days is much too expensive.  But crossing an ocean is costly.

A trip of this magnitude is not something that I can do on my own.  The graciousness and generosity of others will allow me to return to Africa.  Because not only is the cost of travel expensive, but arriving in Uganda empty-handed would just be silly.

I hope to bring medical supplies, items for the orphanage, and products to sustain the locals.

Medical Supplies:

- sugar (yes, sugar)

- tylenol, advil, ibuprofen (adult and children)

- bandages, gauze, medical tape

Orphanage:

- clothing

-toys 

Products:

- mosquito nets

- vegetable seeds

If you feel compelled to support me financially, please donate at the link below. (You may need to copy and paste it.)

http://www.gofundme.com/6zkmlk

*I am eternally grateful for any donations given.  You are truly changing the world.

The Story.

Well, as requested by the masses, here is my blog about my return to Africa. :)

It was my Sophomore year of college.  I decided I would embark on an adventure of sorts during my Spring Break.  And that is when my love for Africa began to blossom.  In March of 2007, I arrived in South Africa.  I spent my time there working at an aids orphanage.  I was never afraid.  I was never afraid of becoming sick or harming myself.  The way I saw it, I was enhancing their quality of life.  I was providing love to the forgotten ones.  The majority of the babies/children were literally left at the gate of the orphanage.  

This sweet girl was dropped off at the orphanage almost immediately after birth.  She was found in the dirt the following morning at the entrance of the orphanage.  She was positive for AIDS.  And I loved her so much.  She passed away a few months after I returned to the states.

You see, in the slums of South Africa, medication necessary for life simply isn't available.  So many lives are cut far too short because medical advances haven't reached some parts of the world.

I left South Africa with a broken heart.  I knew the fate of those children and I wanted so badly to stay.  My love for Africa had officially begun and I knew that my life had changed forever.

An opportunity came my way at the beginning of my Junior year.  It involved Africa and I knew I couldn't say no.  This time, I would venture to Uganda.  In December of 2007, I found myself in Hoima, Uganda.  Immediately my heart was stolen and I knew that part of it would always remain in the area with huts and dirt-laden roads and the most beautiful of people.

I spent my time roaming throughout the village and volunteering at an orphanage.  I would spend hours with families discussing Christ and our religious beliefs.  We would share stories about our lives and exchange thought-provoking questions.  

Hoima became a part of, what I consider to be, my home.  I established great relationships with many people there and knew that it was only the start of something good.  

I returned home, only to begin planning my next return.  It was my Senior year of college and life was more hectic than I care to remember.  But I always had something to look forward to.  Africa.  

In December of 2008 I went back to Africa.  My experience in 2008 was far different than that of 2007.  This time, I spent my time at the local hospital and orphanage.  These two places weighed heavy on my heart.  

I was also fortunate enough to spend a few days at a resettlement came near the border of the Congo.  People fleeing the civil war that was happening in the Congo ended up at this resettlement camp.  And they were thankful.  They were thankful for shelter, food, and peace.  It was their oasis from the chaos.  There was a large lake that separated the Congo from Uganda. I will always remember the red tint of the water that separated war from peace.

After our time at the resettlement camp, we returned to Hoima.  A few short days later it was time to say goodbye.  This had to be one of my hardest goodbyes to date.  

I knew that I would always be involved with this area of the world in some capacity.  I also knew that it would be quite some time before I would be able to return again.  I was graduating from college in 2009 and immediately starting Grad School.  My life would become a roller coaster of research papers and exams.  Traveling would not be an option.  I always prayed that I would be allowed to return at the right time.

I also knew that I wasn't getting any younger.  I desired marriage and wondered how Hoima would fit into that picture.  I began praying for a future mate that would support my adventurous spirit and heart for Africa.  And this guy happened.

Brian was supportive from the moment we met and even liked my tattoo! (It is the outline of Africa and says nkugonza, meaning love in Runyoro).

Brian and I agreed to go to Uganda together and I am so excited to say that we are making that a reality this summer!

My heart is consistently brewing at a rapid pace for the people of Uganda.  I dream about their faces and tell their stories of heartache and praise.  I stare at my feet and dream about the roads they’ve walked down.   I am so unlikely and He deems me worthy.

I covet your prayers for the group of us that will be traveling there and desire your prayers for the people of Uganda.  He isn’t done with them yet.  He isn’t done with us yet.  He isn’t done with me yet.

Until All May Know,

Erica