My name is Rachel.
I used to be an excellent blogger.
With 10ish days left in Uganda, and most of the team gone I figure I need to update just a bit on my rather incredible summer. Keep reading and you'll be rewarded with lots of pictures at the end!
First, nothing can ever adequately prepare you for visiting a 3rd world country. Sure, you can read the articles, look at the pictures and hear others tell you about it. But you really do not understand until you have seen it with your own eyes, immersed yourself in the culture and really lived it. It really is a whole other world over here and unfortunately no matter how many pictures I post or things I write about I don't think I could ever really do it justice. The culture is completely different--sometimes infuriatingly so--but surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) people are much the same anywhere you go. The people here may be dirt poor but for the most part they are so happy. Life moves at a slower pace here and people just don't stress about the unimportant things. I think this is something I could definitely learn a lesson from.
Things here start notoriously late, but hey it's ok. You just have to learn to go with it. Even though English is technically the official language here, the children grow up speaking Luganda. Some of them do not even start learning English until Primary 3. Therefore, there is somewhat of a language barrier. Most of the time this just keeps things interesting, but when trying to work with a partner it can be quite frustrating.
Also, there is so much to be done here. This country has so far to go. I nearly always feel inadequate when I look at the need that is around me every day knowing that there is only so much I am capable of doing both physically and financially. Rather than let this get me down though, I have tried to let it inspire me to throw myself into the things I can do and do them well.
I love how hospitable people are here. You are treated like family. It is a rare occurrence indeed when you visit someone's home and do not at least get one soda forced upon you. Even though I will be the first to admit I will not miss matooke one little itty bit, I certainly love those wonderful people who heap our plates with it when we are invited to dinner at their house. Church is also the same here. I love love love how it does not matter where in the world you go to church. It will always been the same. The gospel is the same and the Spirit is the same.
I love how excited the children are to see you whether it's on the streets, a their schools or at church. Getting chased down the street with accompanying yells of "Mzungu" just so they can give you a bonga (fist bump)is a pretty great experience even if it is exasperating at times.
I will not miss being crushed in a smelly taxi with four (and sometimes even five) people on a row made for three with a chicken under my feet and a backpack in my lap next to a window that has been screwed shut in 95 degree weather. Riding in the back of a taxi is the worst because the bumps are extra terrible back there. Taxis, with their next to none seat cushions are also the prime place to get numb bum.
Numb bum-numbness in your bum from prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position on things such as taxis, bodas, school benches, floors, plastic chairs, river rafts, buses, and so on and so forth.
However, I do love the organized chaos that is the public transportation system here. From our house you can hop onto a taxi or a boda to the nearest taxi stage and from there eventually end up anywhere in Uganda you could possibly want to go--Kampala, Jinja, Sipi, Mbale, Masaka, the equator, Rwanda--well you get the idea.
Nor will I miss the Uganda phrase "what?". Let me explain:
Many people here, especially the teachers, ask questions while they are talking to you. I have still yet to figure out when you are or are not supposed to answer. For example, we met with a teacher this week you uses this way of speaking a lot. We were talking about doing an assembly at her school. She says, "And you will do what?" Pause...look at my fellow HELP volunteer...start to answer...then she says "sell the pads."
or
"We will eat the what?"
"The Matooke"
or
"We will give them what?"
"The rubbish bins"
You can imagine how this can grate on the nerves just a bit.
(Note, your voice much go up slightly in pitch when saying what in order to make sure they know you are asking a question and who I am to question a Ugandan cultural practice)
One of my favorite projects I have been working on this summer got started a little too late unfortunately. I think it really has the potential to be great if only we can get it all done in time. A couple of us have adapted an already existing program that provides reusable sanitary pads for girls during their menstrual period. Along with providing the pads, we educate both the girls and the boys on puberty, menstruation, development, etc. We have teamed up with the Rotaract Club at Uganda Christan University to help us implement this program and sustain it after we leave. Not only am I super interested in this project but I also love working with Ugandan college students. It is a fun experience to make friends and work with people here the same age as me. I also really love this project because I have been involved with the entire process of planning and implementing it. We go to our first school on Tuesday and I do hope it goes well.
A safari is most definitely planned. Seven of the remaining nine of us are going to Murchison Falls next weekend (Aug 13-15) and I am more than a little excited. Let's be honest, this trip would be mostly wasted if I didn't at least go on a safari while I was here. We will see giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, alligators, chimps and 50/50 chance to see a lion. EEEEEEEEE!! I can't wait.
Oh, and did you know that the tallest waterfall in Africa is in Uganda? No?
Well it is.
Did you also know you can repel down said waterfall? No?
Well you can...and I did.
All 100 meters of it! I conquered that rock if I do say so myself.
It was quite possibly my very favorite weekend here in Uganda.
Just some things I've been doing regularly here:
Teacher trainings
HIV/AIDS awareness assemblies
Sanitary pads project
Recycling project
Football with the kiddies (it's been awhile since I've done that one though)
Helping cook over a charcoal stove and cutting vegetables in my hands with a handle less knife.
Showering in cold water
Not shaving my legs (except maybe a big MAYBE once a week)
Now I must do what?
Say good night!
