I had hardly stopped fist pumping in the air over Spain’s victory in the World Cup when I heard the news about the simultaneous bombings in Kampala, Uganda. What caught my eye immediately, besides the death toll in the senseless attack, was that one of the locations of carnage was the Ethiopian Village restaurant in Kabalagala. When we were in Uganda in June we stayed … Continue reading Kampala World Cup Massacre
Ndagire Sarah walked the red dirt carpet in her perky hairdo and a beautiful blue and white gown. She carried herself like a rich lady in a gomesi, the formal dress of women in Uganda. When I saw her I was overcome with tears of joy. I had met Sarah in 2006 when she was so sick with HIV/AIDS that she could hardly breathe. She … Continue reading Deed for Life
Sad to see the United States go down to Ghana in the 2010 FIFA World Cup but also glad to see Africa still in the game. The energy in the streets of Kampala was amazing while we were there. People would crowd outside of bars and stare through the windows of stores to watch the tiny televisions tuned in to the games. I’m sure they’re … Continue reading We are the World (Cup)
Just returned from a three week trip to Uganda where we did more video production for BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org.) The highlight was seeing women who were dying of poverty just three years ago celebrate paying off homes they saved for and built themselves. In a joyous ceremony BeadforLife presented 22 women with the titles to the land they sit on. The women paraded from home to home dancing and ululating, … Continue reading Out of Africa
Several of my friends and even my family think social networking is a waste of time. They won’t Facebook, Twitter or read blogs and can’t really understand what I get from it. I’ve found the most vehement opposition from my tango dancing mother and my friends who are cyclists. These are not ladies who exercise casually, but rather women who compete on the dance floor, do … Continue reading Favorite Friends I’ve Never Met
Chag Sameach. It means “joyous festival” and is a popular greeting during Passover. With the Jewish celebration of freedom here again I recall our very special Passover seder in Kampala, Uganda. I posted this as the very first story on my blog back in May 2008. My story also ran in the Denver Post in spring 2007. http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_5534210 Cinematographer Paul Hillman and I are heading back to Kampala, Uganda again in June to do … Continue reading Passover in Kampala
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who is one of the great advocates for women and the eradication of extreme poverty in the world, has written an article about BeadforLife and how people can get involved in the fight against global poverty. It is so exciting to have him as part of the bead circle. Hosting a bead party is a wonderful way to make a … Continue reading BeadforLife in New York Times
Many of you have come to this blog to watch the story about Juliette and read about her brutal acid attack in Kampala, Uganda (http://vimeo.com/5703299.) I had always considered the violence against Juliette and other women like her as personal. Jealous men destroy the lives of women who threaten them in some way. Nicholos Kristof of the New York Times writes widely on this subject as … Continue reading Acid Attacks: Personal and Political
Acid attacks are a brutal form of domestic violence in the developing world. Juliette tells the story of her attack in Kampala, Uganda and how the man who maimed her walked away. Despite devastating injuries she inspires with courage and optimism. HDNet World Report: Acid Attacks/Juliette’s Story from Vicky Collins on Vimeo. For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Juliette’s Acid Attack
Three years ago I was on the road in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Rosh Hashanah. As is my custom when I am traveling I find myself a service wherever I am. One year I celebrated Rosh Hashanah in Wilmington, North Carolina while covering a hurricane. Another time I spent Passover in Kampala, Uganda where we substituted Indian naan for matzah. There was Yom Kippur in Savannah, Georgia and a seder at a … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 3
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