July 21: Displaced for a Day

It's hard for many of us to imagine what it would be like to be forced from our homes for over twenty years, but on July 21, 2007, sixteen students gathered in Montara to experience just a little of what being "displaced" might be like for millions in Uganda.

Setting Up Camp

"I'm here to support the kids in Uganda," said Jonathan, a student attending the event, as he finished cobbling together his shelter for the night with duct tape and pieces of cardboard. Just the night before, he told me, he had been on a plane from across the country, and was still jet lagged. "I want to be here," he said.

Over his box a large event sign hanging on the parking lot wall read, "We forego our comforts for the displaced of Uganda," and his own cardboard home was decorated with the word "peace" in multiple languages, from Japanese to Latin.

Around him on all sides, the Montara U.S. Post Office parking lot was turning into a modern day Hooverville. As they hefted boxes from their parent's cars upon arrival, students laughed and joked about who was going to have the best cardboard shanty. One student, Holden, went for style as well as function, with a peaked roof design, complete with painted red-brick chimney and swinging front door! Another group of friends arrived with a truly giant box that slept three without any addition.

Learning About the Crisis

After setting up camp, the group was joined by a very special guest speaker, Obert, from Zimbabwe. The group was riveted as he shared stories of growing up in Zimbabwe, working many hours picking tea at just nine years old just for the privilege of attending school. He also shared stories about children being forced to be soldiers in Africa, like what is happening in Uganda.

"Thank you for your love and compassion for Africa," Obert told the students, mentioning how he had been helped greatly in his life by a Montara family.

After five minutes of silent reflection or prayer for those in Uganda, the group was encouraged to paint or write something on a paper-covered wall related to what they had learned or how they felt. One corner read, "We have to believe we can make a difference."

The Fog and Rain Sets In

What began as a warm Saturday night, perfect for the event, actually became cold and drippy as a drippy fog set in around midnight. Boxes began collapsing as wet tape and soggy cardboard gave way in the mist. By 3 AM, many student's shelters had turned into little more than papery goo.

Remarkably, no one went home, even when faced with the rain! In fact, The Greenhouse staff remarked that no one even complained, despite the challenges of the night.

Grins at Daybreak

When the 6:30 AM wake-up call went out, laughter and grins circulated through the camp as students saw what was left of their shanty homes. After cleaning up the parking lot, the event came to a close with many students grinning widely and saying, "This was great! Can we do it again next year?"

-Ian Patterson for The Greenhouse Staff