Monday, August 16, 2004
Philip Maher

As I write, I'm flying over Uganda in a 12-seater plane. The cool air is refreshing after sitting in the hot airport at Entebbe, Uganda.

The flight to Gulu is over an hour but it stops in Kitgum first. This is farther north than Gulu and closer to the Sudan border. Many of the children tell stories of being kidnapped from Kitgum. It's much less secure than Gulu. The towns are only 10 minutes apart by plane, but it's too dangerous to drive between the two.

On our plane is a delightful World Vision doctor named Irene. Before climbing on board, we chatted with her in the lounge while eating spicy samosas dripping in oil, washing them down with Coke. Irene is an example of hope in Uganda. She is a young woman launching a career as a doctor to help her people.