Winnie

       I have had numerous requests in the past couple months to introduce you to a woman that has become a big part of our family here in Uganda; Theo’s nanny Winnie.  We first met her in October of last year and the only English she understood was “How are you?”  Since then, we have grown to love and appreciate her for who she is and welcomed her into our family with open arms.  And as of this weekend, we had the privilege of meeting her beautiful family.
 

       Winnie was born one hour outside of Mbarara in 1993 in a district called Isingiro, to loving parents Joseph and Justina.  She was the youngest of five, with 3 brothers and one sister.  Her father also had five other children with his other wife, who Winnie lovingly refers to as her step-mother.  Her family was Catholic and regularly attended church, although they never had the money to own their own Bible.  When she was still a baby, her father died of malaria and at the age of 5, her mother died of what they believe was cancer.  Her eldest brother Richard was 12 at the time and he took on the role of parent, raising 4 little ones, along with the assistance of his older step-siblings.  Her father’s land was divided between the sons and the daughters were left to fend for themselves or get married.  Richard lovingly accepted Winnie into his home and she has lived there ever since.  She helps in their plantation and takes care of her nieces and nephews.  In return for her work at home, her brother sent her to secondary school for two years, but then could no longer afford it.


Winnie, her brother Richard and his family, in front of their home
(We stayed in the room on the right)

Theo & Gifty

       Richard is now 27, married and has four children of his own: Jordan (7), Ignatious (6), Gifty(3) and Promise (1.5).  He maintains the land his father gave him, keeping a couple goats, chickens and Theo’s favourite, a little piglet.  They are the most beautiful little family, full of laughter, determination and appreciation for what little they do have.  We also had the privilege of meeting Winnie’s brother Gerard (2^nd youngest), who lives in the adjoining plot of land.  He is only 23, loves to dance and can’t wait to have a family of his own someday.  Theo was particularly taken with him, much to the jealously of all the neighbor ladies that wanted to carry him, haha!  Our visit actually made a little history in her area as we were the first Muzungu (white people) to ever pass through, let alone stay overnight in a mudhome.  What an experience!

Andrew, Gerard and Richard, outside their home

       Winnie is a beautiful woman, full of spirit and purpose.  She is a tomboy in disguise, with her love for fashion and makeup, side by side with her love for football (soccer) and card games (quite a masculine thing here)…a girl after my own heart!  She has dreams of becoming a tailor and having a family of her own someday.  She hates cheese and is quite picky in the North American food she is willing to try.  She is fearless and it shone through when learning how to swim in Nairobi and her willingness to move to camp to help us out.  She is kind, gentle and patient with Theo, chuckling as he screams in her face, or calmly singing to him when he is hurt.  Winnie is always grateful and never complains, even though she has to hand wash poopy diapers day in and day out.  We can truly say that living in Uganda without her would not have been the same, and that we are blessed to have her in our lives.

Win introducing us to her best friend

       As we head back to Canada in a month, Winnie will also have to leave camp and the many friends she has made there.  For the time being she will move back in with her brother, but only for a short time.  We have arranged through ACTS to send her back to school to learn to become a tailor and hopefully purchase a sewing machine.  We are currently still researching the best school and where she will stay, but we are sure it will all fall into place over the next month.  Supporting her into a worthwhile career is the least we can do for all the love and support she provided my boys while I got the chance to live out my dream.

~M~