We have finally decided the details of this year’s trip to Uganda.  

The Plan:  July 2, 2009 – July16, 2009

To leave July 2^nd (give or take a day, depending on flights) spend ten days on the ground in Uganda and arrive back in the states around the 16th.  It takes about 24 hours with layovers to get from USA to Uganda but that usually spans two days each way because of overnight flights.  The flight to Europe is about 8-9 hours and then another 8-9 hour flight from Europe south to Entebbe.    

Activities planned: [First six days]

·  Check on our ongoing projects: We will spend a day at the Orphanage and hospital in Nkoknjeru.  

·        A day at our new school in Father Lawrence’s village of Kayenje. We will check and assess the lunch program there.  We are feeding 500 kids a hot lunch everyday on $50 a day.  The children will have a full day of activities and entertainment for us.  It is their way of expressing gratitude.  Interacting with them and having lunch with them is a full, rewarding experience. Also, while there to check on the progress of the new teacher’s home we are planning to renovate.   

·        We also have a micro loan program we started last year in Uganda. We hope to spend a day assessing this project but also a hands-on experience/interaction with the recipients of these loans.  They will show us their small businesses and share with us how the program is transforming their lives/households for the better.

·        We will stop and visit Bishop Matthias at his home. Bishop Matthias is Father Lawrence’s bishop in the town of Lugazi.  He always has a feast waiting for us.   

·        We may also go to the home village of the Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Lwanga. We met him last year and he requested us to consider helping his village.  We hope to see the progress on a church he is building there.

·        We will visit the town of Jinja to see the Source of the Nile River and take a short boat ride out to the source.   

·        We will have two Sundays in Uganda.  So we will enjoy Mass twice while there. We will be able to experience the faith in Uganda and how people celebrate the Mass.  It is a unique and lively experience.    

·        Norberto wants to put together a half-day medical conference for a possible future medical mission.  While Norberto is in his conference we can take a quick trip to the Equator, visit the mall or craft market in Kampala for souvenirs or the Shrine of the Ugandan Martyrs.   

Activities planned: [last 4 days]:  SAFARI

Because we will have a big group we thought we might take four days at the end of the trip to go on safari.  Something Norberto and I have never done.  The resort we are looking at can be accessed through www.mweyalodge.com.

Day 1 of Safari

7.00a.m:  Breakfast

8.00 am: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park

The drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 8hrs away.

We will drive through Mbarara town where we will have a lunch break and then continue on to Mweya Safari Lodge, we should arrive around 5.30 pm. Just driving through the country is full of interesting things to see on the way.

Day 2 of the Safari

6.00 am: We drive out to see the game [a guided tour]. 

3.00 pm: we take a river boat on the Kazinga channel to see more game.

Day 3 of the Safari

8.00am: Breakfast

10.00am: Depart Queen Elizabeth National Park

We drive towards Kampala via Kabale, enjoying this scenic route and the land of the Banyankole people.

Stay overnight in Kabale Town at White Horse Inn to break the trip in half.

Last Day in Uganda

Last minute shopping in Kampala, walk the capital and lunch at the Speke Hotel

4.00pm: Depart for Airport with Farewell dinner at Lake Victoria Hotel, Entebbe.

8.00pm: Check-in at Entebbe for 10.00 pm departure

On the ground we will stay at the Ridar Hotel in Seeta.  We have stayed there each year and find it clean and safe and midway between all our destinations.  The cost can be up to $100 a night per room with a nice breakfast included.  But Father called yesterday and as regular customers, he has negotiated a $55 rate single occupancy and $80 rate double occupancy.  See www.ridarhotel.com.

The last three nights being at the safari resort will obviously be a little more expensive.  It is showing on the website $120 per night for a single and $220 a night for a double.  This also includes all your meals. 

TRANSPORTATION: 

We will need two cars if the group stays this large.  One will be Father’s SUV he has there and then we will rent a van.  We will have a driver that we have used every year named Matthias.  He serves as driver, translator, helper, and as a bonus is also a mechanic.  We have never needed him in that capacity but it is a nice thing to have in case we ever do.  The rental of the car, driver, food and gas will be split among the group. Gas is almost double in Uganda than what we pay here so that is a big expense.

We figure the cost of the trip on the ground (minus airfare) will be approx. $1,300 for 10 days.

WANT TO HELP WITH OUR MISSION?

For each of you intending to travel with us, it would be a rewarding experience for you to consider adopting a project and fundraise for it in your own community.  Then while you are there you will be able to see the progress of your personal involvement and efforts.  You will be able to bring back photos and information for your donors.  It is in this way that we have been able to increase the number of people interested in these causes and the work MIMA Foundation is doing. 

Please get on our website www.themimafoundation.org . Click on “MIMA Uganda” then “video” to watch our eight minute video that will show some of our past progress and some new projects we are working on this year. 

Finally ~

The earlier we make our plans the cheaper the flights and the more organized we can be.  We are planning a meeting here at home within the next two weeks for those serious about going.  Please let me know as soon as possible your plans.