My mother and I have just returned from an incredible visit to Africa – Uganda. Many of you have followed our story in Facebook/Instagram but most of you don't know the REAL reason for our visit to UGANDA precisely and not to any other place.
In 1954, my grandfather, Mr. Archibald Jonathan Clarke together with his wife Florence and three small children aged 1,5 & 8 began a long journey from the United Kingdom to Uganda which at that time was a long 3 week trip by boat. Mr. Clarke sat in his church in England heard an announcement that they were seeking volunteer constructors to go to Chile, so he offered to go, but at that moment the vacancy had been filled, but they offered him the opportunity to go to Uganda instead. So there they went!!
They landed up alone in a house that had no electricity, running water, beds or furniture. I don't even want to imagine what it was like to arrive at their destination, at night, with 3 small children in these circumstances...truly very hard.
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| Their first house where they arrived in 1954 |
For many years Mr. Clarke concentrated on building Christian schools, churches and to preaching the Word. In 1962 Uganda became Independent (It was a British Protectorate) and things began to get difficult, so my mother who was then around 18 returned to the UK with her 2 sisters and parents and six months later her father returned to Uganda not knowing exactly what the future held, and they said their good-byes never to see each other again.
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| Mr.Clarke standindg in front of the School he built 1954-55. |
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| Carol talking to the now headmaster 2018 |
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| Carol & Katie in front of the same School 2018 |
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| Mrs.Clarke in front of the School her husband built 1954-55 |
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| Mrs, Clarke standing in front of the church in Ngongera. Her husband built the roof. |
54 years later I have been able to accompany my mother Carol to the land where she grew-up in her childhood and teenage years. We have visited buildings that my grandfather built and homes that my mother lived in, places that helped to forge the character of a person that didn't really know for what she was being prepared.
I must add that my grandfather was an excellent builder, and not because I say so, the people there have said so, that more than 50 years later the buildings are standing as strong today as when they were built, and much stronger than any other construction of today.
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| Katie & Carol standing in front of the same Church. 2018 |
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| Church Ngongera. 1955 |
We decided to live the experience as a Ugandan lived and not as an on-looker or at least try to. So we have eaten, slept, gone to the “toilet”, and showered (without a shower) as they do, and it has been a precious experience.
I have promised to return, go back with my children to show them the legacy they have and what runs through their veins, the blood of unknown heroes such as my grandparents.
KMF
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| Carol seeing the inside roof her father built. 2018 |
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