Week II - Day 5

We Are Family – 7/28

It is so good to be loved by people who don’t share your bloodline! The Wamala and Sekabembe families have showered us with heaps of love, hospitality, and generosity. Spending the day with them was like be among my own family.

We broke bread at the Kampala Golf Club (yes, Ugandans golf). At the table were two of Becky Wamala’s brothers, Emmanuel (Emma) and Joe. Her sister Beatrice was also present with her husband Barnabas Sekabembe. Bob, Becky’s son was present as well as Ruth, the wife of Joe Wamala. The eight of us shared stories and laughed as we chowed down on some super delicious food. When given the opportunity to share how my friendship with Becky developed, I teared up and became emotional at the thought of actually having a big sister who has loved, encouraged, and corrected me over the years.

Becky is the first African woman to allow me access into the “inner circle” of sisterhood that so many women from various African nations share yet many African Americans rarely experience with them. It has been a true blessing to have Becky Wamala as a friend and because of our friendship, here family has treated us just the same.

Beatrice shared information with me about people I should get to know when I return to Kampala. Ruth and I couldn’t stop talking about food, grocery shopping and cooking. And Emma….if not for Emma, we would have been totally lost and bored in Kampala. Emma went out of his way to ensure that we were having a good time.

I also met a first cousin, Ann, who like my very own first cousins, was full of joy! We spent some time looking at the goods she had for sale and met her children too. If things don’t work out for us in South Sudan, we will definitely find ourselves back with our new family in Kampala.

Enjoy the pics!