How We Got Here.

About two years ago, our family was officially introduced to Africa when we saw the documentary about the children of Northern Uganda, Invisible Children. It tells the story about the people displaced by civil war and the children kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers in it. It truly influenced our ideas about this poverty-stricken area of the world. I started selling t-shirts and organizing small fundraisers for the Invisible Children organization. Our church, The Refuge, played a huge part in these fundraisers by helping to distribute the shirts and collecting spare change to be donated.

Through The Refuge, we met Kevin Potter. He and his family are from England and they introduced the idea of traveling to the country of Uganda. The organization Kevin is a part of is called Cherish Uganda. Cherish Uganda works towards creating a long-lasting and stable environment for both children and adults of the country. Kevin invited me to go with them on the next trip. The reality of actually traveling to Africa had never really crossed my mind. It sounded so incredibly possible, that we actually considered it. When my dad said that he wanted to go too, it seemed perfect.

However, we did consider our options carefully. We looked at the possibilities of going to South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and some other countries through the organization, Mocha Club. Somehow, we were always drawn back to Uganda. Whether it was coincidence or providence, we discovered Come Let's Dance. Come Let's Dance is based out of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. It is an organization that works towards the idea of self-sustainability (in other words, helping Africans help themselves and not just a handout). The more we heard about it, the more we knew that this is where we wanted to be. Going through Come Let's Dance gave us the freedom to choose what projects and places we would be a part of. The people we have met through this organization have greatly exceeded our expectations, all of them being truly amazing people.

So, after months and months of raising money and hundreds of pounds of donations (a quick thanks to those of you who supported us in this trip and donated much-needed supplies) and constantly over thinking our expectations and plans, we're off!

We leave our family and friends in three days to the place that neither of us are completely convinced actually exists.

Please pray for our safety and travels while we're gone.

love.
katie