Sister Act: Marisol and Aleena

Our dedicated and remarkable building team and our Ugandan friends. 
Aleena and Marisol are on the bottom left.   Aleena is in grey.   Marisol is in light orange.Amanda and John, Aleena and Marisol's parents, are in the back center. John is in red, and Amanda is in grey.

SISTER ACT

Introducing Aleena and Marisol Tembrock

July 25, 2019:  Today we had to bid farewell to our two youngest volunteers and will miss them so!  They made a huge impact on the children, the other volunteers and the staff at Mwebaza school   Marisol and Aleena brought enthusiasm, vitality and energy to the construction and we would not be where we are without their help, dedication and hard work.

Marisol was our youngest volunteer and is the daughter of Amanda Woodward (A board member of Mwebaza and architect of both the container classrooms at Mwebaza Infant School and the school building at Mwebaza Annex) and John Tembrock. John is Mwebaza's solar engineer.  This was John's second time to Uganda helping Mwebaza.  It was the first time though that John brought the full family with him!

The family!   John, Aleena, Marisol and Amanda

Introducing Marisol...

At 11 years old and as a rising sixth grader, Marisol has already accomplished a tremendous amount and traveled extensively. 

When Marisol was asked what it was like to travel and work with her older sister and her parents, Marisol shared that it was a powerful experience.   Further, she explained it was extremely helpful to travel with people who knew how to build complex structures. But, this was not Marisol's first project.   An animal lover, with chickens, fish, cats, a dog, a guinea pig and a bunny -- Marisol had previously designed and built a chicken coop and a bunny hutch.    Helping on the container project allowed her to move on to larger and more complex structures - with bigger, lasting impact.

Introducing Aleena... 

At 13 years old, Aleena is no stranger to volunteerism.   Many days and hours have been spent helping Mwebaza - both in Africa and in Colorado - with the whole family playing a part.  The family's support of the Mwebaza Foundation and Mwebaza's efforts go back at least a decade!

On her own and with school friends, Aleena has dedicated time to helping the hungry, working in homeless shelters and even volunteering at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Aleena -- in the office at Mwebaza School.

The girls' first impressions of Uganda

Marisol shared that Uganda is much nicer than she imagined it would be.  Marisol was impressed with the buildings, the structures, the environment and the people she has met. 

Aleena shared how happy people from Uganda appear to be.   She found this striking - in a powerful way.   "They lack resources and that would make anyone sad and angry.   However, the people I have met are happy and they have an amazing energy.  It's so very special to feel appreciated."

Both girls were asked if they were enjoying their time in Uganda...

Marisol shared that she was happy to know she was helping people who were so very appreciative.  Marisol also spoke of the new foods she was able to try.  While initially the food seemed exotic -- Marisol discovered one new favorite -- A Rolex.  The Rolex is a popular Ugandan meal featuring a warm flat bread surrounding an egg. 

Aleena assured me that she loved it in Uganda and also shared her happiest memory!  "The greatest moment for me was when we first arrived at the school.  From the moment we stepped foot at Mwebaza, we were greeted with joyous children who were filled with warmth and gratitude.   They hugged us immediately and it was such a beautiful way to be welcomed."

What the sisters will miss most about their time at Mwebaza...

Both girls agreed that they would miss the children the most.  Aleena specifically spent time speaking about the sparkling personalities of the Ugandan children, their willingness to help with everything and their enthusiasm to learn more about us.

The Ugandan children loved interacting with our youngest volunteers -- Aleena and Marisol.  

The sisters will be missed greatly.  Marisol and Aleena were valued and important members of the team, They both provided critical help painting both the classrooms and the building's edifice, they taught local children to create friendship bracelets and showed them American dances and they helped keep the construction site tidy -- which allowed work to continue swiftly and safely. 

Aleena with her father John (Mwebaza's solar engineer.) at the Mwebaza School.

To donate to our extremely time sensitive and critical fundraising campaign that will enable us to finish the building that Aleena and Marisol worked so diligently on, please
click here

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