What past participants have said about their trip to Uganda…

Mark, I have taken some wonderful trips through the years. Over time I have come to see what I especially like about each one. All trips had great things about it, along with some disappointments. The description of the BFL trip included so very many of what makes a trip memorable for me that I found it hard to believe; I had to read it all again. I was ready to sign up immediately. And I was not disappointed in any way, no disappointments at all. Each and every great opportunity listed was there just for the taking. When I got home, many people asked me, “How was the trip?” My answer: “Without peer!” Each time I talk about the trip my enthusiasm is remarkable to my listeners, so many months after the fact. Just today I was asked again. When there is time for only a sentence or two I find I explain this was a trip of participation not just observation; that is the difference, I think. My alternate one-word response is quoting the announcement with the very welcome news “This is not a luxury trip.” Alice, 2008

This was a life changing trip for me. Mark is a gifted leader with excellent people skills, a fund of knowledge and the rare combination of laid back and responsible. The Ugandan people are like none other that I have ever met. Despite extreme poverty they are joyful, generous, contactful and an inspiration to be around. Don’t miss this trip! Joanne, 2008

I was fortunate to travel to Uganda with Mark and Bead for Life in March, 2008. I heard the phrase, “life changing experience,” frequently as I planned for this huge adventure. Well, that is what it was for me. The itinerary for our trip was a wonderful mixture of hands on involvement and cultural tourism. Mark made sure we came away from Uganda with a sense of its culture, its strife and its hope. I felt we made true personal connections with people, which was my primary goal in making the trip. I am still in touch with a young woman I was able to sponsor in vocational training and a young man who taught me to build brick and mortar walls in Friendship Village. Bead for Life has found a formula for changing the lives of Ugandan women and their families. Meeting these women, dancing with them and visiting them in their homes changed me forever. I will go back – I have more to learn from Uganda. Celia, 2008