County Seat Newspaper
of Clare County

Michigan to Africa: Local Tina Morton Falls in Love with Ugandan People

Posted

Harrison resident Tina Morton never guessed that attending a craft show in the Leelanau Peninsula would lead her so readily to Uganda. Viewing items for sale by participants in the program Kids First Uganda at the Suttons Bay Craft Show and learning more about the program, Morton immediately made the decision she wanted to go to Africa.

Though she claims to be surprised she would decide to travel halfway around the world to serve a program helping in the poorest slums, anyone who knows Morton isn’t surprised. A caring teacher for many years, she is busy in her retirement as a substitute teacher, victim advocate, active in her church and a past Human Trafficking Coalition member. Morton says she believed she was “driven spiritually to go to Uganda. I didn’t want to sit in meetings. I wanted to work hands on with people to make a difference in their lives.”

In January Morton made the trip to Kampala, Uganda with the organization Kids First Uganda. Kampala is Uganda's national and commercial capital bordering Lake Victoria. Built on several hills, the citizens who are the wealthiest live in the highest areas. The areas Morton visited were mostly the poorest slums downhill that flood every year. Women and children in the Kids First Uganda program primarily live in the slums and join the program for education and to learn skilled trades paid for by sponsors of the non-profit program. Kids First Uganda is volunteer based and uses all donations for its program.

Morton’s three-week trip took four airplanes and about 40 hours of travel each way. Even with the expense of travel – most incurred in airfare, travel necessities, gear, vaccinations, antimalarial medication and other personal expenses – Morton never had a second thought. She prepared by watching YouTube videos, Googling local customs (Morton wore skirts below the knee during her trip), and reading about what to expect. She traveled with the Michigan director of the non-profit, Mary Taylor, who was able to emotionally prepare her for seeing the living conditions in Uganda.

Describing the first day when she was greeted by drumming, dancing, hugs and a lot of smiles, Morton beams when she talks about the women and children in the program.

“They were wonderful, considerate people,” she said. “It’s evident how much this program has changed their lives and they are grateful. Children can go to school. Women are learning skills to feed their families, pay their rent and improve their lives.”

There is no public school in Uganda and many families cannot afford to send their children to school. Two years ago, 15 children were sponsored to go to school and this year there are 65. Sponsors can pay for a child to go to school where young women are given training in sewing and tailoring, cosmetology and culinary arts. Low interest micro-loans are given to the women to purchase equipment and supplies to begin their own businesses. The soccer program for children has produced university level scholarships for students.

One of Morton’s favorite experiences was attending the wedding of a young woman who had been a student through the program. It was a first for the program and she describes it as a “beautiful cultural experience.” Another highlight was a trip to the zoo with the children. Many had never been to a zoo and the first-time experience brought them considerable delight.

“There was also a playground and a swimming pool, also a first for many of the children,” Morton said.

Carried along with them on their trip from Michigan were nine 50-pound duffel bags full of soccer equipment to support the soccer program. They returned with those duffel bags full of handmade items purchased from the women which will be sold at craft shows this summer. A main mission of the trip is purchasing goods to bring back, contributing to the women’s income and independence.

Morton keeps in touch with those she met in Africa and had been in contact with them as early as last week.

“I’m very worried about them as COVID-19 is now in Uganda,” Morton said. “This is a new problem for them in an area already stretched for resources. Their country is closed, locked down. They cannot be in cars or ride motorcycles. They can walk to a nearby store but otherwise would be arrested and in prison for two months. Food prices have already doubled.”

While worried about they will fare during the pandemic, Morton spoke again of the women’s considerate and generous spirits.

“They are caregivers,” she said. “They took care of us and kept us safe during our trip. Many families adopt or foster children – they are always taking in children. Many people live in small places taking care of each other. Little homes full of children”

Morton is already planning a return visit in 2022. In fact, when I spoke with her to set up our interview and asked how her trip went, her first response was: “If it wasn’t for Don [her husband], I wouldn’t have come home.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here