Radiovagabond

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode er jeg i Slovenien – det eneste land i verden med "LOVE" i sit navn.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i februar 2020.

In this episode, I'm talking to a previous guest. His name is Curtin, and I got to know him on a Nomad Cruise from Barcelona to Brazil. This was back in 2018, and we recorded an episode about his extraordinary life when we got to Brazil.

Curtin is an American man who put his life on hold to go to Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022 – not to fight but to help the locals survive.

First, he went to Poland and soon started bringing food, toys, and other things across the border to the people of Ukraine.

Then after a while, he went further east to Kyiv and even all the way to the front line, putting his own life in danger.

His time as an aid worker in Ukraine and many years as a nomad is now over. He's on his way back to the USA to teach history.

We are lucky that people like Curtin unselfishly go out of their way to help people in need.

Listen to the first episode I did with Curtin in 2018.

In a world consumed by chaos and strife, There lived a man named Curtin, a beacon of life. When war ignited in Ukraine's land, He decided to lend a helping hand.

He ventured to Ukraine via Poland, a land nearby, Bringing food, toys, and aid to supply Through sleepless nights and tireless days, He worked in ways that defied worldly praise. Not to fight, but to uplift, he did strive, To bring solace to those barely alive. With danger as his constant companion, He embraced the risk, fueled by compassion. In November, he took a break, With nomad friends, memories to make. A vagabond appearance, a scruffy guise, But greeted warmly, love shining in their eyes. Now, his time as an aid worker draws to an end, His nomadic years are also reaching a bend. Returning to his homeland, a new role awaits, To teach history, sharing knowledge's gates. We are fortunate, blessed for souls like Curtin, Who ventures where hope seems uncertain? They put their own lives on hold, unafraid, To extend a hand, providing aid.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode er jeg i Sri Lanka og deltager i The Festival of the Tooth in Kandy – og siger min mening om at ride på elefanter.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i februar 2020.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode er jeg i Dakar, Senegal på det vestligste punkt af fastlands-Afrika.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i februar 2019.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode ankommer jeg til Japan.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i september 2017.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode er jeg til min første Pride og har en snak med en trans kvinde.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i september 2018.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

I denne episode gør jeg noget, jeg ikke er stolt af. Lyt med for at finde ud af, hvad det handler om.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i februar 2018.

Anything but First World Problems

· There's nothing good to watch on TV.

· I can't decide what to order from the extensive menu at this restaurant.

· I have too many clothes and not enough closet space.

· The barista at my coffee shop spelled my name wrong on my cup.

· My phone is too big to fit comfortably in my pocket.

· Oh no… My phone battery is dying, and I forgot my charger.

· I can't find my favourite flavour of sparkling water at the grocery store.

Do these problems seem familiar to you? These are first-world problems, and I'm just as guilty of having them: I've been frustrated when my phone was dying, and I'd forgotten my power bank at an Ed Sheeran concert in Atlanta. And you've heard me complain about Starbucks getting my name wrong on an overcharged cup of tall Americano.

In this episode, we're going to be dealing with other problems, like:

"Should we give our 13-year-old baby girl away to be married to an older man, or should we keep her here and risk that she will be abducted and turned into a sex slave."

That's the kinda stuff we'll be dealing with in this episode, as Susan Laker will tell her life story.

WARNING

It's also a story that will be hard to listen to. It's heartbreaking, and with so many graphic details, that will not be suitable for children. At the same time, I feel this might be the most important episode of The Radio Vagabond that I've done up until now.

My name is Palle Bo. Welcome back to the third and final part of my miniseries from the Acholi Quarter in Kampala, Uganda.

INTRO

I hope you have had a chance to listen to the first two episodes from The Acholi Quarter in Uganda, where Susan Laker, a small but mighty woman in her late 30s, took us around. She's the co-founder and leader of 22STARS Foundation's work here, always helping children and families in need with a big smile.

But let me tell you, her journey wasn't always a straight path. This tale is a wild one, full of crazy twists and turns. It could be a movie, maybe something like The Color Purple, set in Uganda.

CHILD BRIDE

Her parent gave her away to be married when she was just a child. She was angry at her parents when this happened and didn't understand why.

"I was 13 years old when I was force into early marriage by my parents."

Most of us would say that there is nothing that would justify that. But her parents had a good reason.

"By that time, I didn't know the reason. I was just mad but later on, you realize they did that to protect me from being abducted from the LRA Rebels."

LRA REBELS

The LRA Rebels, or "The Lord's Resistance Army," was a rebel group operated in Uganda and other Central African countries, started by Joseph Kony in 1987.

The LRA would typically attack villages at night, using guns, machetes, and other weapons. They would kill or maim those who resisted, burn down homes, and loot property. They would then abduct children.

They used to abduct children, even babies, from their mothers and were forced to march long distances to LRA bases deep in the bush. And were then subjected to brutal initiation rituals, during which they were beaten, sometimes with their peers, and forced to kill other children or adults.

The abducted children were then trained as soldiers and used to attack civilians, other rebel groups, and government forces, using guns, sticks, and pangas – large, heavy, machete-like knives. The LRA's tactics of abducting children were particularly savage and brutal. The children were forced to serve as soldiers, porters, and sex slaves.

The group often targeted vulnerable communities, including schools and churches, and used violence and intimidation to abduct children. And then, the children were subjected to intense physical and psychological abuse.

They used violent initiation ceremonies to break the children's spirits and force them to commit atrocities. The children were often forced to kill or maim their own families or fellow abductees to break their spirits and brainwash them into cutting ties to their former lives.

The LRA also used brutal methods of discipline to maintain control over the children. This included beatings, torture, and even execution.

Susan gave me examples of how brutal the methods were:

"They cut off your lips, they cut off your private parts – like the breasts. If not, they put the padlock. They tie your lips, and then some are beaten to death. Some they chop of their neck. They were killed. Those who tried to escape, they were stoned to death."

In addition to their role as soldiers, the girls among the abducted children were often forced into sexual slavery and forced marriages.

"Some of them ended up giving birth and some of them ended up dying giving birth because they were so young. Some of them died because they were mistreated. Also, there was no in facility to take care of a pregnant woman, so some of them got sick and died because there was no medication."

The children were also used as human shields in battles, which put their lives at even greater risk.

JOSEPH KONY

In 2012, a video campaign called "Kony 2012" from the organization Invisible Children went viral, bringing international attention to the LRA's atrocities and Kony's role in them. The campaign and its creator, Jason Russell, set out to make Kony famous, and they definitely succeeded in that.

Joseph Kony was born in 1961 in a village in northern Uganda. He grew up in a Catholic household and was initially drawn to religion but dropped out of school and joined the rebel group led by a distant relative, Alice Lakwena. She had claimed to have received messages from the Holy Spirit and was leading a rebellion against the Ugandan government.

When Lakwena's rebellion failed, Kony formed his own group, the LRA, in 1987. And like Alice Lakwena, he also claimed to have a hotline to God. He said that he was a spiritual medium and that his commands came directly from the spiritual world and were not to be questioned.

Kony was known for his mysticism and claimed to have supernatural powers, including the ability to turn bullets into water and to communicate with spirits. He was also notorious for his brutality and didn't just have his brainwashed followers do all of the dirty work. He's believed to have personally participated in many of the LRA's atrocities.

So, he was a self-appointed messiah and said his government was based on the Ten Commandments. But then he went on to break every one of them.

In 2005, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Kony and four of his top lieutenants for crimes against humanity and war crimes. However, he's managed to hide, and still to this day – almost 20 years later, Kony's whereabouts are unknown.

Although the LRA's activities have declined significantly recently, the group remains active. It has been responsible for sporadic attacks and abductions that continue to be reported in the region.

The LRA's use of children for soldiers, waiters, and sex slaves has devastated the abducted children and their families. Many of the children who escaped or were rescued suffered from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

SUSAN'S PARENTS' CHOICE

Enough about the LRA and its creepy leader, Joseph Kony. I just wanted you to get a little bit of perspective on what Susan's parents were trying to save her from when they gave her away for early marriage at the age of just 13.

It's just so hard to fathom. What a choice for parents to make.

"Should we keep our child here with the risk that the brutal LRA Rebels will take her and turn her into a sex slave – or maybe cut off her lips and private parts? Or stone her to death… And maybe brainwash her and she will come back here and kill us in our sleep. Or should we give her away to be married to that older soldier, who will probably do what he likes and most likely get her pregnant soon but then might also be able to keep her alive…?"

I have no idea if this was what Susan's parents were thinking at the time. We can only speculate because this is so far away from anything most of us have even thought about having to consider.

Think about that before you get frustrated that there's too much to choose from on a menu at a restaurant or that you have too many clothes and not enough closet space.

SUSAN'S SON

I met her son, Derek, just before I sat down with Susan to hear her story. And we're not talking about a little boy. No, he's a grown man. Taller than me and very handsome. I know that Susan only is in her late 30s, so I'm very surprised to find out that she could have a son in his mid 20's.

"I ended up giving birth to my son at the age of 13 – the boy you just saw. And at the age of 14, I had a miscarriage, because it was so soon, and I was so young. And then at the age of 15, I gave birth to my second daughter, who is now 22."

Let that sink in:

At 13, she was sent off to marry an older man and had a baby within a year. Straight away, at the age of 14, she got pregnant again but had a miscarriage. And straight away again, she got pregnant for the third time and had her second child at 15, basically when she was a child herself.

I don't know much about the father of her kids. Maybe he was a good man who felt it was his right because she was his wife, and he protected her. I don't know more about him than what Susan just told me here. I was just about to ask her about that when she told me that he suddenly – and unexpectedly got sick and died.

"Then their father mysteriously fell sick for one week and passed on. I didn't even know he was sick. I didn't know what he suffered off anything."

There she was, at 16, a widow with two children. So, she went home to her parents, who forced her to marry another soldier – for her safety.

And shortly after that, she had another baby. Three children and two husbands – still as a teenager.

THE SECOND HUSBAND DIES TOO

Susan's new husband was sent to Somalia as a soldier and never returned. She never heard from him again, and Susan was getting increasingly frustrated and unable to feed herself and her children.

Not only was Susan frustrated and hungry. She was also suffering with her health and getting more and more weak. Then in the middle of all this, they were kicked out of the house they were in.

As things got increasingly hopeless, Susan's sisters came to her aid. They helped her get on a bus here to Kampala. Susan barely made it to Kampala alive. She was unconscious when the bus arrived in Kampala with her and her three small children. Immediately she was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with HIV, cancer, and tuberculosis.

AFFORDING MEDICATION

When Susan Laker defied all odds and she was able to fight herself back to consciousness and life for her children, she was just 23. She had a ten-year-old boy and two girls nine and four.

She managed to stay alive but was now faced with another problem. The children didn't go to school, and Susan herself couldn't read, write, or speak English. That meant that she couldn't get a job making decent money to feed herself – and now also afford the expensive medicine for her tuberculosis, cancer, and HIV.

KIDS WORKING AT THE QUARRY

She was too weak to work, so she had no option but to have her children work for her. A ten-year-old, an eight-year-old, and a five-year-old crushing stones in the stone quarry from early in the morning every day.

As you heard in the latest episode, this is hard work and poorly paid.

On some days, the 10-year-old boy, Derek, crushed enough stones to make 1000 Ugandan Shillings, the 8-year-old girl, Peace, could 500 shillings, and the little 5-year-old girl, around 200 shillings.

That's 1700 shillings and not even half a dollar – 41 Euro cents and 48 American cents for a long day of hard work from early morning.

FIGHTING DEADLY DISEASES ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Susan was on strong medication when all of this was happening, which you should not take on an empty stomach. So, the doctors gave her some food and milk before the medicine. And that helped. After nine months, she was tuberculosis-free and ready for chemotherapy to fight off her Stage 2 cancer.

Another nine months later, she was declared cancer-free too.

She also got treated with medicine to keep the HIV virus suppressed, and after five years on medication, her CD4 counts showed that the virus was not detected anymore.

Of course, she still takes her HIV medicine every day, but she is fully recovered from all three deadly diseases.

And at this point, we've almost come full circle from where we started in the first episode. This was around the time when Susan met Stella for the first time in 2008.

Stella helped Susan, who went back to school and learned to read and write – and speak English with Stella when she came back a few years later. Together they founded 22STARS paper jewellery business and the 22STARS Foundation.

SUPORT 22STARS

With a lot of willpower and a bit of luck meeting the Dutch/German woman Stella Romana when she did, she managed to turn life around for herself and her children. And together, they continue to do the same for many more people in the community.

Again, go to Foundation22Stars.org to see the different ways of supporting.

If you want to get involved with the good work 22STARS Foundation is doing, helping families in Uganda, go to www.foundation22stars.org, and see what you can do. You can sponsor a child or support emergency needs by simply donating to one of the different programs, such as nutrition, microloans, computer lessons, music classes, or medicine. I've linked to all this in the note section of your podcast app and theradiovagabond.com.

Thank you to Susan Laker for sharing her inspiring story.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.

Velkommen til Flashback fredag.

Tag med, når jeg tager til min første baseball kamp nogensinde – og er vidne til en Major League homerun.

Denne episode blev udgivet første gang i december 2017.

Welcome to part 2 of a mini-series of three episodes from the Acholi Quarter in Kampala, Uganda. If you've heard the first part, you would know that it's a quarter with challenges, that's getting help from a foundation called 22STARS. They also make jewellery from recycled paper, and 22STARS helps them sell it worldwide.

You should go back and listen before this one if you haven't heard it.

DON'T CALL IT A SLUM

In my work with these episodes, every time I've read up on this quarter, it's been referred to as "a slum." Maybe it's just me. But I'm not too fond of that label. So, I looked into what can be classified as a slum area. Here's what I found:

"The housing units in slums are usually substandard and lack Basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation, ventilation, and electricity. Slum areas are characterised by high population density, with many people living in small spaces. And they typically lack access to basic services such as health care, education, and sanitation facilities.

Slums also often have poor infrastructure, including unpaved roads, limited or no access to public transport, and inadequate sewer system. Plus, often with a high level of poverty and unemployment which can lead to social problems such as crime, drug abuse, and other forms of social deprivation."

So, with that definition, the Acholi Quarter in Kampala, Uganda, can be classified as a slum, but it is so much more. It's also a vibrant and lively neighbourhood that bursts with energy and personality.

" While it may be a factually accurate description of the living conditions in the Acholi Quarter, the use of the term "slum" can also be seen as stigmatizing and degrading to the residents who live there.

So, instead of using the term "slum," it may be more appropriate to use terms such as "informal settlement" or "underserved community" to describe the Acholi Quarter while also acknowledging the challenges faced by residents and the need for greater investment in infrastructure, services, and opportunities."

From the moment I step foot in this bustling community, I'm swept up in the sights, sounds, and smells of everyday life. In this episode, I'll walk into the area with Susan Laker and Nicholas Basalirwa from 22STARS. This organization has done much in recent years to improve the living conditions in this area, such as initiatives to provide better housing, sanitation, education, and access to services.

WALKING TOUR IN THE COMMUNITY

In the latest episode, they gave me the lowdown on the microloans they've been handing out to help small local businesses, and now they're showing me some of the success stories. As we walk, the aroma of sizzling street food surrounds us. Vendors are hawking everything from grilled meat skewers to piping hot samosas. And then, there it is: "Rolex." I'll get back to that.

As we weave through the area, Susan points out some small businesses that have benefited from 22STARS' microloans. It's clear that this organization has significantly impacted the community, and first, we meet Ashan Grace, who has a small food stand.

Susan introduces her:

"She's one of our beneficiaries. She has one child in the project, and she is also benefiting from the small business loans. She was making beads before, but because of Corona, she had to go back to selling food. She's doing very well. She goes to the big down and buys vegetables and then, she splits them into a small quantity so that it can meet the level of the community. Because here, no one can afford to go to the supermarket and buy at the high price. But when she buys in bulk directly from the vehicle this one is sold at 100 shillings."

GETTING A ROLEX

Beyond its reputation as a bustling hub of activity, Acholi Quarter is a testament to the resilience and strength of its people. This is never more evident than when Susan introduced me to Abdul Doreen. Despite her disability, Abdul is up at the crack of dawn, making one of Uganda's most beloved street foods: Rolex. This delicacy features a perfectly rolled chapati filled with eggs and veggies – the kind of dish that'll make you forget all your troubles. And no, the name has nothing to do with the fancy timepiece brand. It's actually a clever combination of "rolled" and "eggs."

"She has three two kids sponsored by 22STARS and she does not let the disability put her down. She's a very strong woman. She starts very early in the morning at six o'clock and here until afternoon. After 2-3 hours of rest, she's back again to be here in the evenings."

This community was established by refugees who had fled from the conflict in northern Uganda. Despite facing insurmountable challenges, they have created a thriving and tightly-knit community. It's nothing short of remarkable.

Many locals have started their own businesses, ranging from retail shops to tailoring and hair salons. There are a lot of outdoor shops where vendors sell everything from vegetables to delicious street food.

Despite the numerous obstacles that Acholi Quarter has encountered, it remains a place of hope and inspiration. The people here are a shining example of the power of community and the incredible strength that can be harnessed in even the most trying of circumstances.

As I speak with the locals, I am struck by their warmth, sense of humor, and unwavering determination to build a better life for themselves and their families. It's truly inspiring to see firsthand how they've turned their struggles into triumphs.

DRINKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

As I looked around, I couldn't help but notice a group of guys having drinks in the middle of the afternoon. It got me thinking, so I asked Nicholas if alcoholism was a problem in this community.

"Unfortunately, yes. Alcoholism is a significant issue here, and it has contributed to high rates of domestic violence. You see, in this culture, women are expected to work and respect their husbands. However, most husbands drink heavily during the day with the other men. When they come home, they take out their frustrations on their wives, resulting in a lot of domestic violence."

Nicholas went on to explain that due to high unemployment and a lack of education, many people here end up turning to alcohol as a way to escape their problems. They spend their money on booze instead of providing food for their families. Most women are not even allowed to work by their husbands, but as they face mistreatment, they yearn to start working. Unfortunately, their husbands won't let them; if they try to, they face severe beatings.

Despite these challenges, things are starting to change.

"That's why the small business loan program is such a great thing. Most of the people benefiting from it are women, and it's been very positive for the community. Others are changing their mindset as they see how these women are developing at a rapid pace."

It's heartening to see that progress is being made, but there's still a lot of work to be done to address these deep-rooted issues.

WEATHER OF KAMPALA

Kampala experiences a tropical savannah climate characterized by two rainy and two dry seasons. The rainy seasons are from March to May and from October to November, while the dry seasons are from December to February and from June to August.

During the dry seasons, the temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C (77-86 F), and the humidity is relatively low. The weather is pleasant, and there is minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. So, this is also the best time to visit Kampala, but that also makes it the peak tourist season and accommodation and travel costs may be higher during this time.

During the rainy seasons, Kampala experiences heavy rainfall, and flooding is not uncommon. The temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C (68-82 F).

Kampala is 21.71 mi (34.95 km) north of the equator, so the temperatures don't change much. Overall, the area has a warm and comfortable climate throughout the year, and you can enjoy the city's attractions anytime.

STONE QUARRY

As we ascend to the hilltop, we arrive at the quarry – a gritty place where laborers hack away at rocks and building materials. It's nestled smack in the middle of the teeming Acholi Quarter, where life is raw and unvarnished. Beyond the quarry, there's a water hole that locals have nicknamed "the beach." But make no mistake; there's nothing idyllic about it.

As Susan shows me around, she points to the pulverized stones that litter the landscape. "These used to be whole rocks, but we crushed them to pieces," she says. "Now they're just scars on the earth." She goes on to explain that when it rains, the water fills the "beach" with a murky brown liquid. "That's when we have no work to do, and our families go hungry," she laments.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and many in the community turned to craft beads as a way to survive. But when the pandemic hit, and the market dried up, it was back to square one. "People suffered a lot," Susan tells me, her voice heavy with emotion. It's a stark reminder that life in this part of the world is a constant struggle, and resilience is a quality that's in short supply.

The quarry is a place where physical labor meets danger head-on. The workers toil away, extracting stones and breaking rocks using hand tools like hammers and chisels. It's a grueling process that requires strength, endurance, and a willingness to put oneself at risk. Susan gestures towards the waterhole, where the rocks are brought after they've been broken down. "The men bring the rocks here and break them into medium-sized pieces," she explains. "Then, the ladies and children crush them into smaller pieces. These stones are used to build the concrete houses you see around here."

The work is backbreaking, and the conditions are far from ideal. The dust kicks up, making breathing hard and causing respiratory problems and other health issues. "These workers use a lot of energy and time, but they're paid very little," Susan tells me. "A full 20-liter bucket pays only 200 Ugandan shillings – not even one Euro. So, they have to work from dawn to dusk to earn just 1000 shillings." It's a harsh reality that underscores the challenges faced by those working in the quarry every day.

CHILDREN WORKING HERE TOO

As Susan pointed out earlier, it's not just adults who work in the quarry – children can be found here too, which is a grave concern given the hazards involved. Many of these children are forced to drop out of school to support their families, who can't afford the cost of education. This deprives them of formal education and exposes them to physical harm and exploitation. It's a vicious cycle that needs to be broken, and the 22STARS Foundation is working hard to do just that.

"When we put the children in our program, we take them out of the quarry," Susan tells me. "We pay for their school fees, uniforms, and provide them with daily meals. We also offer business loans to their parents to help them generate income." It's a comprehensive approach that has yielded positive results. Every Sunday, the foundation cooks a hot meal for every child in the program, ensuring they don't go hungry.

The 22STARS Foundation is one of many organizations combating child labor in the quarry. Together with other NGOs and government agencies, they're raising awareness about the dangers of child labor and offering alternative education and livelihood opportunities for children and their families. These initiatives include scholarships, school fees, and vocational training.

As we look down at the waterhole, a few children swim in the murky brown water. It's a stark reminder of the unsanitary conditions they're exposed to daily. Thankfully, the foundation also provides donated clean water to the community. Susan points to some new concrete buildings built thanks to a fundraising effort. "Before, people lived in mud houses that would collapse in heavy rain," she explains. It's heartening to see tangible progress being made, but there's still much work to ensure a better future for the children and families living in the Acholi Quarter.

MEETING THE QUARRY TYCOON

As we prepare to depart the quarry, I'm introduced to Achan Scovia, a woman who has lived and worked there her entire life. She started crushing rocks at just five years old, but now she's a "Quarry Tycoon," according to Nicholas. With a microloan, she could employ other workers to make her job more manageable, and she sells the stones she extracts. Nicholas and Susan speak highly of her, describing her as a savvy businesswoman.

She started crushing stones in the quarry when she was just five years old, but already when she was just one week old, she was out here on her mother's back when she was working here in this dusty quarry. Not exactly a healthy place to be for a new-born.

She was born into a family of quarry workers and was exposed to the dangers of the quarry from a very young age. Unable to afford to send her to school, her parents gave her away in marriage to a man who also worked in the quarry. They had two children, who also grew up working in the quarry.

"Quarry kids, quarry parents, quarry grandparents."

Susan laughs as she describes the generational cycle of quarry work in Achance's family, but she is also optimistic about the future. Thanks to the support of organizations like 22STARS, Achance's grandchildren can attend school and have a brighter future ahead of them. It's a small but meaningful step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and providing new opportunities for families like Achance's.

FINAL WORDS FROM SUSAN

We finish this episode with some impactful words from Susan Laker:

"I know, with the good impact we are doing, these are new generations with new jobs. We are getting doctors, nurses – no more quarry workers. So, we are driving the poverty out of our community through education. That's why my t-shirt says, "Education is the key." It's the best way to drive disease and poverty out of the community. Out of Uganda. Out of Africa.

Because when you are educated about HIV, these chronic diseases, and how to control yourself from getting infected. That's why I say it's the way to drive out diseases. Because I had malaria, I had to go to the hospital and treat myself. But back then, no one thought anything about it. Some even said that I was "bewitched", and that it was black magic. And they end up dying because it's malaria! It's got nothing to do with black magic, but they say that because they lack the education.

They don't know that you have to see a doctor if you feel a symptom. So they end up dying. And they don't know that they have to sleep under mosquito nets to prevent getting infected with malaria.

But when you're educated, you know that you must sleep under mosquito nets to protect yourself from mosquito bites. That you have to see a doctor in case you have a sign.

And that's why when someone asks me, "What is your favourite gift?" I always say that it is taking children to school, finding them education. That would be the best gift in the world. Seeing the world change, seeing my community change.

That makes me very happy. That makes me forget my past and feel like I've done something good to change the world."

GET INVOLVED

If you want to support 22STARS – either by donations or by helping out in any other way, go to Foundation22stars.org. And if you're interested in becoming a wholesaler or buying some of their amazing jewellery for yourself, go to 22stars.com.

Like they say on the website: "For every item purchased, we will help a child in need." One pair of earrings is five pencils, one bracelet is one dental care, one clutch is one set of clothes, one necklace is one meal.

NEXT: SUSANS OWN STORY

That's it for this episode from Kampala, Uganda, in the next. And the last one in this mini-series will focus on Susan's story. Hear how she got angry when her parents gave her away to be married when she was just thirteen years old, and she also had her son at that age. And hear why that maybe was a good thing.

Remember to share this episode if you think that some of your friends should hear it.

My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you.