A view from Uganda

For three months, Lise Sievers has been experiencing an extremely different lifestyle in Uganda than what she’s accustomed to in the United States.

The Red Wing resident traveled nearly 8,000 miles in January to adopt two African children. Sievers observed firsthand the stark differences between life in America and Africa. She shared her thoughts with others through her blog, http://africanadventures.areavoices.com.

March 27, 2012

Here in Uganda I take to heart something I once took for granted. The concept that all men (and women) are created equal. We have rights that give us leave to pursue Life, Liberty and Happiness. … Here in a country ruled by corruption and abuse of even basic human rights the mere thought that they could somehow achieve equality is in truth an impossible dream.

I thank God everyday that he chose to give me a family that lives in a country that values education, liberty and human rights.

March 29, 2012

Light switches will now bring a smile to my face as will flushing a toilet, electric washing machines (you know we actually wash everything by hand) and driving a car. The thought of driving through Caribou Coffee has my mouth watering as well as the thought of cold milk.

March 30, 2012

My snack of fried soybeans somehow reminds me of popcorn and I look forward to the day that I can show my new young daughter the simple joy of a movie theater and animated princess’s dancing on the screen as we are entertained by Walt Disney.

April 23, 2012

Home is where the heart is, and although my heart reaches out to my new children … Red Wing is home.

I think how the kids rush to get to the bus stop early in the morning, the children here walk for miles everyday to go to school. I know when my children are at school they are safe, cared for and even fed a nutritious meal.

Life in Uganda is harsh. The average calorie intake for school children in Uganda is 50 calories a day. There is no such thing as obesity in the children of Africa.

If your parents can afford to send you to school, you go. If not, you dig in the garden, walk miles for water everyday and pray that you will lay down at night safe from the dangers surrounding you.

Tags: travel