After spending a few days in Uganda, and even though it is my fourth time here, all I can think about is my feelings of gratitude and happiness, immediately followed by profound sadness and hopelessness.

Most of all, it takes so much energy to control my emotions, knowing that we are making such an impact on so many peoples' lives. You see it in their smiles, you feel it in their hugs. You feel it in their giant welcome as the earth literally shakes when our van arrives in their poor communities. But most of all I see it in their gratitude these Jews, Christians and Muslims express to our tiny organization, Global Village Connect, consisting literally of a handful of dedicated Minnesotans (mainly) who have taken it upon their shoulders to save the lives of these wonderful people.

Yesterday Debbie and I sat with our “Ugandan Kids.” These are nine kids ranging from 9-18 years old who we support in school and in life. Their life experiences included being raped and impregnated at 12 by her uncle. Another whose father beat him to the point where he lost an eye and later stole the goat given to him to help lift him out of poverty. Then there are the two little kids, now 9 & 10 whose father, with four wives and 19 kids left them on their own to support themselves. They lived in a rented room for $10 a month. When we found them doing odd labor and sick with diseases, including typhoid. Another was an orphan and was married off at 12 because nobody could care for her!

We have plucked them out of their terrible situations and now all nine of these kids are boarding at their schools. They consider themselves the lucky ones. They are now safe, have friends, go to school and are fed. 

I told them my wish for them was when they got older that they would have the opportunity to help others just like they were helped.

Debbie and I feel such sadness for what these kids have gone through and at the same time know they are safe. Debbie worries that she will never see them again. Deep down, I know she will. We gave them all hugs and told them they never have to worry again as we will keep them safe. 

How lucky are Debbie and I that we can have the opportunity to help others?

Mark & Debbie Glotter
November 14, 2024
Mbale, Uganda