Learning the Colors in Luganda

Oweyo! I asked Sherinah to teach us a little more Luganda (if you want to read the first lesson, click here). Today she will teach us a little about the colors!

After you learn the colors, why don't you play "I Spy" with a friend but use the Luganda words for the colors instead of the English words!

My favorite color is bulu. What is your favorite color?

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Meet Karen Nakawuma

We are continuing to introduce the SNH staff! So please meet Karen Nakawuma, Vice Secretary of SNH.

"My name is Karen Nakawuma. I am hearing, studying bachelor of procurement and logistics, know Uganda sign language and often act as interpreter during ministry meetings.

I am also assistant secretary of SNH. I love being a part of this amazing ministry because I know that as a team we shall achieve our goals."

About Shamim "Sherinah" Nakiyemba…Sherinah is a Compassion graduate and attending Kayambogo University in Uganda. She is the director of Sherinah's New Hope Ministry and has a huge passion for helping disabled children and teaching them about Christ. Sherinah enjoys traveling, meeting new people and spending time with children.

Ugandan Fruit & Vegetables

Oweyo! Wasuze otya. Amanya gange nze? (If you don't know what that means, check out my post about Learning Luganda.) A few weeks ago I shared about Ugandan Food but I thought today we could learn a little bit about the types of fruit that grow in Uganda!

Many different types of fruit and vegetables are grown and eaten in Uganda. Some of the common vegetables are cassava, sweet potatoes, peas, cabbage, carrots, spinach, onions, garlic, eggplants and beans! Do you know what a cassava root looks like? Here is a photo of a man holding a cassava root (photo credit: Impatient Optimists):

Casavas are generally prepared like potatoes! They can be baked or boiled, eaten plain, mashed, or in a stew!

Some of the fruits grown in Uganda may be familiar to you like bananas, mangoes, guavas, oranges, lemons, pineapples, avocados and tomatoes! But do you know what pawpaws and jackfruit are?

This is a photo of a pawpaw tree with the fruit growing (photo credit: Traditional Oven):

And this is what the inside of a pawpaw fruit looks like (photo credit: Meridian):

Here is a photo of a jackfruit tree (photo credit: Parrikar)

And this is what the inside of a jackfruit looks like (photo credit: Wise Geek):

Are there any fruits or vegetables that are grown in Uganda that you would like to try?

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Meet Charles Owilli

We are continuing to introduce the SNH staff! So please meet Charles Owilli, Chair Person and Project Coordinator of SNH.

"My name is Owilli Charles Odui,I am deaf person(hearing impaired). I am married man with my wife who is not deaf. One of my 6 children is deaf too.

I am a secondary school teacher at school for the deaf for over 15 years.

At SNH I am the chairperson at the executive committee and the board of governors.

I am glad to be part of SNH committe and I love the work we do change life of children with disability here in Uganda."

About Shamim "Sherinah" Nakiyemba…Sherinah is a Compassion graduate and attending Kayambogo University in Uganda. She is the director of Sherinah's New Hope Ministry and has a huge passion for helping disabled children and teaching them about Christ. Sherinah enjoys traveling, meeting new people and spending time with children.

Learning Luganda

Oweyo! Wasuze otya. Do you know what that means? Keep reading to find out!

I asked Sherinah to share with us about how to speak a little Luganda! There are 68 people groups in Uganda and although the national language is English, many people groups speak their own languages. Sherinah, in addition to speaking English and sign language, speaks Luganda!

Sherinah taught me a little and I want to share it with you!

Hello = oweyo
Good morning = wasuze otya
My name is = amanya gange nze
How are you = oli otya
Thank you = webalenyo
Goodbye = welaba

Webalenyo for learning a little Luganda with me! Now go try our your Lugandan with your family!

If you would like to learn more about the different people groups in Uganda and how to pray for them, the Joshua Project has a great resource, which you can check out here.

Welaba! Until next week!

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Meet Walabyeki Grace

We are continuing to introduce the SNH staff! So please meet Walabyeki Grace, General Secretary of SNH.

"My name is Walabyeki Grace, I am a deaf young man [who] just graduated at the university of Uganda. I was studying bachelor of arts and industrial design. And I have learnt that hearing loss has not limited my ability. I am capable of doing amazing things and I have learnt to be of help to the needy.

Thus through my friend Sherinah, I was able to practice my ability by taking part in SNH activities and looking after those children who are part of this amazing ministry looking after those children who are part of this amazing ministry. Additionally I am the general secretary and head of secretariat."

About Shamim "Sherinah" Nakiyemba…Sherinah is a Compassion graduate and attending Kayambogo University in Uganda. She is the director of Sherinah's New Hope Ministry and has a huge passion for helping disabled children and teaching them about Christ. Sherinah enjoys traveling, meeting new people and spending time with children.

Ugandan Food

The World Travel Guide shares about Ugandan food! One meal of Posho, Matoke and Rice can be seen below (photo credit goes to Guide 2 Uganda):

Some types of food found in Uganda are:

• Cassava (a starchy root, commonly made into flour).
• Chapati (Indian-style flat bread fried in oil).
• Grasshoppers (the crunchy, deep-fried insects are a popular street food).
• Luwombo (stew made from meat, vegetables or fish steamed in banana leaves).
• Matoke (a green banana, often steamed in its own leaves and mashed).
• Millet bread (a mixture of millet and cassava flour, eaten with peanut or meat sauce).
• Posho (made from white cornflower, this starchy staple is similar to polenta).
• Samosa (deep-fried savoury pastries filled with vegetables and sometimes meat).
• White ants (a popular fried insect snack). (The World Travel Guide)

And if you would like to prepare your own Ugandan meal, Compassion shares this recipe:

Ugandans eat many foods, including bananas, corn, rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, beans and indigenous vegetables.

Peanut Soup 1-1/2 cups dry unsalted peanuts 3 cups chicken stock 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce salt 1 tsp. soy sauce 1-1/2 cups milk, scalded croutons

In a blender or food processor, combine the peanuts and some chicken stock. Puree. In a saucepan, combine the pureed peanuts, the remainder of the chicken stock, onion, hot pepper sauce and salt to taste. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soy sauce and milk, and continue cooking over low heat for another 5 minutes. Garnish with croutons and serve hot. Yields 6 appetizer-size servings.

If you would like to learn more about Ugandan food, I encourage you to read about the Five Unmissable Food Experiences of Uganda and The World Travel Guide.

About Hannah Hinojosa...Hannah is a long time Compassion sponsor (she was Sherinah's sponsor) and writes about her sponsorship journey at Because of Shamim. In addition to being a wife and mother, she is a part-time math professor and loves to read.

Easter Giving

Easter is one of the most important days for Christians. Easter Sunday commemorates the day when the Almighty Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead. Different traditions and activities are observed during the celebration of Easter Sunday.

Religiously, Easter is celebrated with prayers and singing songs of praise to the Almighty. In more secular world, this day marks the day when children hunt for eggs. There are also bunnies and eggs and people wear nice clothes. Different Easter dessert recipes and feasts are prepared during this day.

Easter can also give you a time to recollect inspiration and rekindle your bond with God. It is time to reflect upon yourself. Giving Easter cards is one of the most heartfelt way of sending your Easter greetings and wishes to your family and love ones. Sending Easter wishes greetings gives you the opportunity, not just to rekindle your bond with God and your family, but also spread the inspiration that the spirit of Easter gives.

If you would like to help provide an Easter gift to the children of SNH, please email sherinahnewhope(at)gmail.com or message us on Facebook for more information!

About Shamim "Sherinah" Nakiyemba…Sherinah is a Compassion graduate and attending Kayambogo University in Uganda. She is the director of Sherinah's New Hope Ministry and has a huge passion for helping disabled children and teaching them about Christ. Sherinah enjoys traveling, meeting new people and spending time with children.