Today Uganda celebrates 50 years of independence from Britain. They certainly haven't all been wonderful, prosperous years. I've mentioned some of this before, the unemployment rate is nearly 80%, Idi Amin ruled for 8 years destroying so much, the infant mortality rate is 54:1000, over 800,000 extra-judicial killings, and many country people are still peasant farmers earning nothing besides potatoes and a few Ugandan shillings. A quote from a New Vision (newspaper) journalist, Arthur Kusini, reads, "If only our people could add hygiene, nutrition and disciplined behavior in sexual matters, we would eliminate 80% of all sicknesses." But there is still much to be thankful for, and much to look forward to and that is what is great about Ugandans, they are always thankful and excited! And according to statistics, since 1986 Uganda's economy has grown by 13-fold; that is much to be grateful for.
The kids were home from school today so after getting them up a bit late, and playing this morning, I made a Ugandan flag with each child and taught them that the red represents brotherhood, yellow represents sunshine and black represents Africa.
We had a special lunch of chips (french fries) and fried chicken with a tomato/cucumber/carrot salad. We made cupcakes for everyone, and attempted to make them red, but pink was as good as it got! Happy Birthday Uganda!
They are just too cute!! I want to pick them up and wrap them in my arms.
ReplyDeleteAwesome flags... never knew that was what the colors stood for!!
Love,
Michelle