Out of Africa

[benny05]

According to John Edwards's post read on his blog (or a piece of it):
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Little background - we had a tough time getting here. We started in NY thinking we were going from NY to Brussels, to Entebbe, Uganda, but because of flight problems, we ended up changing planes in NY, flying to Brussels, then on to London, then on to Nairobi, then finally Entebbe. For two nights the only sleep we got was on airplanes. As soon as we arrived in Entebbe we went to a hotel, took a shower, and then flew to northern Uganda - Kitgum.

We flew on small, prop planes and landed on a dirt runway in Kitgum. Not only was the runway dirt, but the roads were dirt too, and very rough. We went to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) campaign outside Kitgum - IDP's are the same as refugees, but they have not crossed a country border. Many of the people in this camp have been stuck there for several years, some for twenty years. When we got to the camp we were greeted by a crowd of people singing, banging drums, and welcoming us. We had performances by a women's group and a children's group, then we proceeded to my favorite part, speeches.

Most of the village had gathered in a tree covered area where we met. I spoke for a few minutes and a translator told the crowd what I was saying. I then sat under a tree with three adult IDPs and lots of children. They told me the stories of what they've been through and what there hopes were. I met a little girl, about a year old, whose mother said she had never smiled - her father was killed by the LRA. I touched her cheeks, tried to get her to smile, and it ALMOST worked. I toured the camp, and the living conditions were awful - open sewage, little water, malnourished children.
(photo credit: Vanessa Vick)

There were also kids there that had been abducted by the LRA, forced to commit atrocities against others, including their own family, but had escaped and come back - the entire place made a huge impression on me. I will never forget it.

The next day we flew on a slightly larger prop plane to a shorter, dirt runway in Lira - another region of northern Uganda. We went to many places, including another IDP camp where we spoke in a crowded building with children peering into the windows from the outside. We visited the home of a family who had recently returned from the camp - there I saw a young girl who was an orphan that had been taken in by the family - her name was Lilly, and her parents had been killed by the LRA. She was about eight or nine years old, carried a baby in her arms, and one on her back. She's about the same age as my daughter Emma, and the look in her eyes was as different as night and day from Emma's (his 8 year old daughter, note from me)- it was heartbreaking. She was providing childcare for these babies instead of going to school.

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My part of this:I had to grow up fast, but not like that 8 year old.

No matter what you think of John Edwards as a politician, I was glad he was asked by the International Rescue committee to help make an assessment on how to best give humanitarian aid to those who were displaced for a long time in a war-savaged country. There are many considerations such as "we can fund you" but what are your plans for sustainability in the long run.

[wildhorses]

1. sometimes I think we should run the Kerry/Edwards ticket again

I mean after all they really did win...they just got robbed:shrug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

3. You mean the Kerry/Edwards ticket ...

and yes they were a good campaign. Its hard to believe that it was only 2 years ago that we were in a Presidential Election year. Everywhere in my city I saw Kerry/Edwards stickers and signs in yards. Still to this day I see people with Kerry/Edwards bumperstickers on their automobiles and I always smile :) because that is a sign of hope.

[wildhorses]

5. thanks..I fixed it...what I get for posting bleary eyed

:blush:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

8. You're welcome :)

:hi: :hug:

[zonkers]

4. I've been thinking about Gore Dean.

[wildhorses]

6. I saw somewhere on here today a Gore/Obama sigline

:shrug:


it is going to be interesting...

[benny05]

7. But what do you think about the International Rescue folks?

Which is part of this thread? I think it's cool they asked someone who speaks out against poverty to help make an assessment in a war-ravaged country..and to give some hope to them.

[zonkers]

9. Don't know much about IR but third world poverty is a worthy cause.

Their decision to invite JE is a nice fit. He is high profile and like you said, poverty is centerpiece of his message.

[wildhorses]

10. like zonkers, I don't know much about it...

but, it sounds like they are trying to do some good...maybe you could post a link:shrug:

[Robeson]

2. I've never been big on Edwards, but I will say this....

...you'd never see a Republican doing that, or in those pictures.