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Doreen and memento

Catherine Andrlová acts as an absolutely balanced and mentally strong woman. In her head the idea was born with the name of Bwindi Orphans (from Bwindi orphans). She is quietly walking among the handmade baskets and beads, which in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, made ​​by woman named Doreen. She was 25 years old and only, when just a few days after the opening exhibition in Čelákovice, died.

Non-profit organization Bwindi Orphans whose main activity is the adoption of children from a distance, the museum organized an exhibition of photographs of Michal Příhoda in Čelákovice "Uganda in Pictures" and a lecture that the visitors should dedicate to the difficulties of life landlocked country of the black continent. The part of exhibition, which runs until 19 February, is also the long term project "Beads into the distance."

The more alarming is her message in the form of paper beads that Czechs can buy now. "The products we sell are from one lady who lives in Kampala and his mother fled civil war in northern Uganda. This job feeds her and her family, "says Andrlová, in the days, when she have no idea that health Doreen, apparently rapidly deteriorated. Doreen's death hit all those involved in the project. "Beads into the distance" is missing the main personality.

Kateřina Andrlová, founder of the project, knows what life in Africa and also implies that while it may help someone remind drop in the ocean, has huge importance. Doreen is the case now only memento. For all those who work on the project, but very strong one.

Uganda from east to west

The organization focuses primarily on children and their education. That could be crucial for the next generation of the population of Uganda. Bwindi Orphans managed to find adoptive parents nearly two hundred children from two villages in western Uganda and eastern tip - Buhoma and Soroti.

"I came into it so that the kids have approached me," recalls Andrlová at the time in Africa working as a guide. "I spent a lot of time in Uganda right in the village, from where come the children who we adopted in the project. At that time it became such a nuisance that is kicked out of school and it was clear that the studio can´t continue and so came to me and asked if I can somehow help them. It was very difficult to say that I can, and then I actually realized that I can, "continues in memories Andrlová.

"Before it was about 15 children, so I tried to give them to my friends and family, and we will help them in the school somehow. And what happened then? Whenever someone mentioned about his little adoptive darke, another came and asked if we do not have any children for adoption. And that's how it all began, and even worked for two years. Then we said that we have to give it form, "says Catherine Andrlová beginnings, standing on a small photo of African boy with sad black eyes.

A close relationship at a distance

Founder of the project also discusses the importance of directness in her work. "But we try to build a personal relationship between the sponsor or adoptive parent - how you want, and child in particular." Then it just depends on them how often they are in contact. Some children are able to e-mail or letter to tell you about many things, others remain timid. "Because we are not entering into it, especially those more rude kids get us to embarrassing situations. On the other hand, we do not want anything coloured on pink. Just this is the reality, "says Kateřina Andrlová. 

Adoptive parents are from the outset how much to understand how much does everything costs and what children need to study. On this basis they can then decide if to grant the ward and trifle more. It is not any mass collection from, from which would be possible build community infrastructure, but rather and painstaking job, but where you can see the results.

"School attendance in elementary school costs 5 750 crowns per year and this is everything - school supplies, medical care, lunch, uniforms and shoes required. The high school is 8500 crowns, because they are high school mostly residential, "says Andrlová details.

As in the Czech Republic, also in Uganda there are two main sectors of education - state and private schools. School attendance is there but two years longer, 11 years. For adoptive parents, so it is a long term commitment. Bwindi Orphans is trying to encourage children to private schools, which are more expensive. In addition, the children looking on leisure clothing and covers the cost of health care. In adults it helps with small business.

Photo: Alena Samková - Bwindi Orphans

Text/video: Klára Svobodová