So we’re back in Jinja for the night after spending an AMAZING week working with the Mirembe (meaning peace) Kawomera Coffee Co-op in a small village just outside of Mbale. Mirembe in unique in the way that in combines the three major faiths, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, to promote a message of peace between faiths and throughout the world. We lived with the founder of the Co Op, JJ Keki, and his family. Which includes 25 children, 15 of whom he adopted. We spent the morning enjoying Mama’s great breakfast before heading out to pick coffee berries, plant trees and learn of growing coffee, how the Co-Op benefits the community and fair trade. In the after noon JJ’s sons, usually Joseph A and Joseph B would take us around the area and show us some of the sights, including a cave which the Jewish people in the area used as a synagogue during the reign of Idi Amin, who only allowed Islam and Christianity to exist while he ruled as well as a rain drenched soccer match and lots and lots of card games.. We spent our last day in the areas on a beautiful hike through sipi falls. It was tough but we all made it to the top and enjoyed pb&j; at the base of amazing waterfalls with gorgeous views of the area. For our last night the family, most of who are musicians and/or dancers, to an AMAZING and moving farewell which included most of the family that stills lives in the house, singing, dancing and playing drums and guitar. It was a touching moment and a beautiful end to and an incredible week.
Tonight we’re off to a concert in Jinja and then tomorrow we’re headed to Fort Portal to work with the YES orphanage. We’re all having a brilliant time.
– Zach.
