A Small World and a Flat Tire

My name is Diane Busch and I've been involved with ACT on many levels since 2012.  I've only had the pleasure of traveling to Uganda one time, and it was filled with new adventures and lovely people. In addition to meeting and working with many individuals that I had, up to that time, only corresponded with by email, a couple of things come to mind when I think of our trip.

2014 Travel Team (left to right): Karen Viele, Diane Busch, Roger Moll, Ginny Donald, Toni Stanfield, Michelle Busch, John Waechter, Sue Waechter, Bill Busch, Dave Viele and in front our two wonderful drivers: Christopher and Benson

First, while eating breakfast our first morning at the Adonai House in Kampala (Uganda's Capital), we met a young woman who had been raise din Uganda, but who had gone to college in the U.S. During our discussion we learned she had gone to school in Michigan, and when we talked further we realized she had gone to school with the daughters of one of my co-workers back in Michigan! Crazy small world.

The second thing we learned is how people come together with there is no AAA roadside insurance. About halfway through our eight-hour van ride from Kampala to Kabale, where we would be staying for the remainder of our visit, we discovered that many of the lug nuts holding on one of our van's wheels were missing and rest weren't in that great of shape. So, the driver decided to pull over to the side of the road before the tire went flying. What to do? Well, the community members of the small village we were near took care of us by coming to see what the problem was...and to also find out who these Muzungas (white/ghost people) were! We learned that we many have been the first white people some of them had seen - especially the children. Well, the men hemmed and hawed and took the wheel away. So, we enjoyed the children who had gathered around us by taking their photos and then showing them the pictures. They were amazed. A while later the group of problem-solvers brought the wheel back, affixed it to the van, and we were on our way. What an experience and education in people coming together to solve a problem. 

All of our travel teams have so many stories of the generosity and kindness of the Ugandans. It is a privilege to be able to be part of this continuing journey.

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