Day 2

My life has forever been changed by this one day. In the morning, my Dad gave a lecture to fellow doctors and nurses about Urology, and my mom and I went to the Arche International Research Center. With all the money that we raised, we were able to buy computers to fill the center. I taught two sessions, but unfortunately, the power and internet went out during both of them! =( The people I taught were some of the nicest people I have ever met! They were so real, funny, and sweet! (If you are one of those people, I just want to thank you for teaching me so many things!!) Although we couldn't work on the computers, we played around with my school iPad, listened, to music, and ate chocolate! It was so much fun! =) After my second session, we went to the orphanage down the road from the center. (I was bitten like 8 times by mosquitoes =/) It was called Toro Babies Home. We donated rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, etc. They are supposed to house children aged 0-3, but they have made exceptions for some. My heart broke when I saw the 46 children. They were all so beautiful and loving!! We passed out chocolate to them (it was their first time trying it!). Some of the babies ate one chocolate for like ten minutes because they couldn't chew it- cutest thing!!! Each baby had a different personality- one sang random beats, one liked to hug everyone, one wanted attention, one sat on the side sullen, and several wanted hugs. They would hold my hand and walk with me. All together they sang "Happy Birthday"!! They all held onto each other and loved one another. I couldn't stop myself from crying (as you might see in the pictures) and I just wanted to take them all home! They were the cutest babies and they all just wanted love. Luckily, the women that take care of them are also sweet and loving. The Ugandan adults and children have forever changed my perception on life- I value my parents, life, family, and friends so much more; I see that in life, we take so much for granted, when the people who are less privileged value the smallest things. Everyone here jumped to get the chocolate, when we will throw an M&M because it fell on the ground for 0.2 seconds. They value everything in life. I think as a society, as God's children, and as humans, we should give back to the people who are less fortunate than us. Even making a small donation to a foundation can help someone in need.
I'm already 150% sure I'm coming back- I want to make it an annual trip!
Well I'm drained, so I'll post tomorrow!<3

Day 1

I haven't had internet connection, but I've been keeping a journal! Well my first day consisted of a 5 hour, 8 a.m. plane ride from Dubai to Entebbe and then a 5 hour drive from Entebbe to fort Portal! The drive was gorgeous!! The lands are so green, luscious, and rich! I slept most of the way, but I was still exhausted- I'm guessing it was my lack of sleep. We were escorted by police and the Prince drove us! (Just call me Princess Nina!!) We got to the hotel (which is beautiful!) and they were playing Akon, Enrique Iglesias, and Selena Gomez =) We went out for dinner and after the whole Lent (and some give ins) I finally ate chips/fries! Mmm =)
I've never worn so much insect repellent! There's so many people here that have gotten malaria and I'm freaking out! I just started taking the meds for it, but I was supposed to take it like 3 days ago. Whoops... =/
Everyone here is so nice! They all have a common goal- help the people of Uganda. They are driven and ready to get to work in order to help their people. I'm super excited to work with them!
Tomorrow is my first day of teaching computer classes! I'm nervous, but very excited! I'll be teaching basic computers to people of all ages.

<3

Dubai

Dubai is gorgeous!! It's like the New York of the Middle East and I love it!!! We went to the hotel where they shot Mission Impossible III! We also went on a sand dune safari where I rode a quad motorcycle, rode a camel, and got a henna tattoo! The camel's name was Shahim! Aww =)
Tomorrow morning (5am!) we are leaving for Uganda- 5 hour plane ride, 5 hour drive to Fort Portal.

Jet lag is ruling me! Dubai is eleven hours ahead of Cali and I'm randomly hungry and tired! Well I'm excited to finally get to Africa and help out as much as I can! Well it's 10:00 here and I'm going for dinner with family!

Happy Easter!<3

Packing

I.hate.packing.

My mom nagged me all day to do it, but I was reading a book. Oh well it was worth it. Let's see how much I can actually fit into the bag- the Kar's are known for their overpacked/overweight baggage.

So its 12 hours till my flight... STOKED FOR A THREE DAY TRIP! 

LAX -> Washington, D.C. -> Dubai -> Kampala, Uganda -> (police escorted 5 hour drive) Fort Portal, Uganda

We packed Jiffy's peanut butter and trail mix because apparently the kids love that! :) 

Okay, well my dad just told me to ttyl and pack! lawling?

<3

First Post!

First time bloggingggg! I'm going to try and blog every night about my trip and what's goes on everyday.

I, Nina Kar, will be traveling to Fort Portal, Uganda with my parents. We will be doing a mission trip there: my mom and I will be teaching the people how to use computers (which was bought for them after my family and I raised $$$) and my dad will be teaching doctors special procedures in surgery and will also be helping out in some medical camps! Apparently, we will be meeting one of the Princes of Uganda!!! (I see an opening door to meeting Prince Harry ;) - just call me Princess Nina from now on!)

For all of those who have heard about Kony- I will bring back the REAL scoop on whats the haps with that. Don't worry, I will not spare deets!!

It's probably time for me to really pack and do some homework!

If you want to keep up with my whereabouts and what's going on, this will probably be the place to go! I'll miss you all!

Everyone, have a very nice spring break and a very very very Happy Easter! <3

Ps- If you'd like to see the organization I'm going under, here's the link- http://www.archeintl.org/