Sarah Lee is in her third year at the University of Washington, studying Microbiology. During her time in Uganda, she was able to work in HIV/AIDS clinics, as well as with diagnostic testing for patients, in addition to spending much time with the kids at the orphanage. Sarah currently focuses on administrative support for Tusubira.
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Why do I want to help?

The reasons as to why I wanted to go to Africa before I actually experienced Africa were quite selfish. My thoughts were mostly on how cool it would be to say that I’ve been there, how awesome it would make me feel to help those in need… basically, like most people who dream about going there, I romanticized about Africa in the typical, “Developed world coming to save the day” mentality. Not so noble. But once I got there my naïve thoughts were forced to change through the reality that is AFRICA.

The first few days of my visit were, quite frankly, the most frustrating days of my short existence! Everything I saw from everything we were subjected to was clashing with my preconceived notions and my western way of thinking. I wasn’t ready for the hard truths of actually living here. I first blamed the obvious corruption and neglect of the Ugandan government. Then I saw that the corruption wasn’t just in the government, it trickled all the way down to the very bottom of the social system. I always saw it as government bad, people victims. What I learned was that it’s the entire system that’s bad, everyone, including the awful wealthy and politicians, are victims.

As it is widely known, Africa has been hit with the HIV/AIDS pandemic harder than any other continent. Combined with poverty HIV/AIDS has crushed and handicapped progress, leaving orphans by the millions. Children growing up without a positive adult influence in their lives; no one to love them and no one to teach them good morals. Instead you see so many on the streets fending for themselves. The poverty surrounding them teaches them to beg and steal instead of work. Instead of providing them with a means to get out of their hopeless situation, they are punished for something that is beyond their control. Seeing their hopeless situation in reality, I came to realize that those in power are the way they are because of the society they were raised or should I say “survived” in. I’m not trying to justify their evils and sins, but it helped me realize why there are so many “horrible” people in power. All they probably want really is to never go back to being poor again, and once crossing the line of no return it’s impossible for them to change. What’s sad is that those who blame those state officials and wanting change are doing the same things, just in smaller scale. They only think for themselves because that’s all the energy they have for.

That’s the ugly side of poverty and sickness. Survival is the only thing that really matters, no matter how you obtain it. It would be nice that once you’ve gotten to a comfortable level to lend a helping hand to a neighbor, but not knowing what that is like themselves, it’s hard to see the merits of such an endeavor and you don’t hear of it often. Why do I talk about this and not some inspiring story that makes me want to help? It was because of this that I wanted to give up; I became confused and didn’t know why I still wanted to help. But, I came to realize that this is my inspiring reality that burdens me to do something. This is the reality that the young orphans born into this hell have to grow up in. Those small smiling faces that have to face the harsh realities of adulthood in desperation and pain. Who are to help them, guide them, and love them so that they don’t end up like their parents and generations before them?
That’s where I see the future and where hope lies… in the countless children crying out for love and help. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to help a child in need, and that child growing up with success while learning to have morals of honesty, trust, and service. Learning that they don’t have to be alone, that it’s better to work together and help others succeed instead of just watching out for “number one.” That life is more fulfilling to share success then stepping on others just to get a few steps ahead. They can gain all of this just by being surrounded by positive adults whom they can watch and learn from. I think it’s so much easier to do something if you know what it is that you’re supposed to do. It has to be the same way with love and serving others. Showing a child love and help that leads them to success, teaches them what they are; making it easier for them to duplicate this towards someone else.

Coming to STAO helped me see that even though there are so much crap going on all around them (so much crap that I wanted to run away from them b/c at times everything seemed to be so hopeless) there are those self-sacrificing Ugandans that gave up EVERYTHING to love these innocent children, their future, to teach them to be different to raise them to be better. Pastor Nelson, goes without food and sleep to provide the necessities for the kids at the orphanage and he does all this only a primary 3 education. Pastor Ivan, gave up his business to live in poverty (literally zero income) taking care of the children on the orphanage grounds (He’s there 24-7 with the children). They aren’t an orphanage run by the U.S. or Canada. They are Ugandan, they are bringing about change within themselves. They are taking charge of their own problems; they are acting and living for change. That’s what inspires me. Change can only come if those needing change decide to change their situations themselves. U.S. and Canada can try to bring about change by pouring money into the countries through their wealthy NGOs, but change will never come unless the Ugandans start to grab a hold onto the reins. That’s why I want to support STAO. I see what STAO has done and strive for and I see and feel hope. They are about loving the children, providing them with basic necessities that would distract them from getting a good education and following up on their progress as a loving parent should. I want other Ugandans to see what their fellow Ugandans have accomplished and want to join them.