Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Back in the U.S.S.R
A slight reference to The Beatles for you. For me, it's back in the U.S.A. Not as catchy.
There isn't anything too exciting to post about as far as travel is concerned, however I did have a pretty fun layover in London. We were able to see all the things a tourist should see in London and I quite enjoyed a delicious meal of fish and chips. Also, I love London. I think that it deserves another trip and a lot more time. It's good to be back home, although I can't stop thinking about what all of my African friends are doing now.
Stay tuned for a couple of picture posts to come on this blog, but in the meantime, I will return to updating my other blog, The Chronicles of Provo, seeing that I return to my Alma Mater this upcoming Wednesday for the Fall Semester.
Thanks for everything and don't forget the people in Africa!
Monday, August 18, 2008
It's the end of Uganda as I know it
Sadly, this week is my final week in Uganda. Time has gone by very quickly. I remember thinking when I arrived in Uganda that this is just like a transfer of my mission, six weeks long. And just like a mission, it is over before you know it. But this post isn't about that. It's about all the things I have done here and how amazing this experience has been.
Uganda is truly unique. Since being here in Africa, I have had the opportunity to see two other African countries, Kenya and Rwanda. Uganda pales in comparison to development to both of these two countries. And the interesting thing about this fact, these two countries neighbor Uganda. What is it about Uganda that is so different, and why is it so far behind in development? I don't really have the answer to these questions, but I am glad these questions exist. If not for these two questions, I would not have had the opportunity to come to this great place and work along side the people here to improve the quality of their lives and eliminate poverty.
Two more members of our group left back for America today, which leaves us with only 9 volunteers left, and by next Sunday, we will have all left Uganda. When volunteers are close to leaving, I think that it is normal to reflect back on what exactly you have accomplished in the time that you have been working. I don't think that all of the things we have done this summer can be measured, or even should be measured, but I would like to reflect on a few things that I will always remember about my time in Uganda.
1) Orphanages - I love the kids here in Uganda. They are never not excited to see a white person. They will literally come running as fast as they can down the rod, yelling at the top of their lungs "Mzungu Byeeeeee!" or "Bonga" (Luganda for rock or "pound it"). They have so much love, it is hard to not love them back. And all of them have the most infectious laugh. I have spent a good portion of my time with the children at one of the Children's homes here in Lugazi called Capstone. The director, Mike, is a good friend of mine now. I will not forget him or his kindness to us, but mostly his kindness to the orphan children he looks after. At this children's home, we have painted, watched movies on a projector we brought with us, played soccer or football as they call it here, and just spending afternoons with the children. Whether that time was spent asking them questions, or them asking us questions, singing and dancing with them, I loved every second of my time there. One of the most memorable time with these children was taking a new orphan boy named Silvah shopping for his own clothes and his first pair of shoes ever. I wish I could take them home with me!
2) PWDs - People with Disabilities. In addition to our weekly meeting with the parents of these children with disabilities, I have assigned myself to visit 4 of the children on a weekly basis to help them overcome their disabilities. First is Sam. Sam suffers from hydrocephalus, water on the brain. He is also blind and has no ability to walk due to severe deformities in his legs. Sam is very poor and his family cannot afford a new wheelchair for him to use. Through our home visits, Sam has learned how to crawl. As a result of reaching this goal, HELP was able to provide same with a new wheelchair customized to his body and conditions to assist him in mobility. The goal was for Sam to be able to crawl to his new wheelchair, and be able to use the wheelchair all by himself, in order to give him the freedom of mobility. One thing I learned from Sam, In America, we see the wheelchair as a form of confinement, but in Africa, the wheelchair sets someone free. Next is Fiona. Fiona has a condition similar to down syndrome, but different. She is deaf and dumb. Through our weekly visits, Fiona has learned how to communicate through a communication mat. A place mat with different pictures of different items such as food, drink, bed/rest, latrine, and emotions to help her communicate with her mom better. She is the most active little girl I have ever seen and spend 5 minutes with her, she will wear you out. But once she sees how tired you are, she will come lay on your lap and give you the biggest hug and hang on until it's time for you to leave. Next is Sheila. Sheila has no use of her right hand, with some brain damage issues as well. She is able to communicate very well, but is quite a bit slower than the othre children. Through our weekly visits to Sheila, she has begun to be able to grip things with her right hand. While the grip is not strong, she is able to hang on to things if they have a strap or handle, making it much easier for her to help her mom around the house. Finally there is Diana. Diana has the exact same disability as Fiona, but more severe. With Diana, we have started to teach her how to write though, because she is able to hear, but she has no ability to speak. There is much work that needs to be done here, but at least she is learning how to write and that comes with many other hidden skills that might not be apparent yet. I love all of these kids and I wish that I was a qualified Doctor and could come back to Uganda to operate on them all for free. One of the great things about our PWD efforts here in Lugazi this summer has been a contact that we established for them. There is a hospital outside of Kampala called Katalemwa Cheshire Home (see previous posts for link). This hospital has agreed to come to Lugazi and hook up with our disability group here to properly diagnose these children and their disabilities, provide them with free medication where possible, and start all who need assistance with mobility on the right track to be able to walk or use certain limbs again.
3) Adobe Stoves - I never thought I would be part of this project from the start. But it has turned into something I love. I have spent a significant amount of email time and posts on this blog to tell you about these stoves, but I love them because they are something that you can really see is making an immediate difference in the lives of everyone who cooks in Uganda. Firewood is so expensive here and the health risks associated with the smoke at huge! The stoves reduce the amount of wood needs to cook food, therefore eliminating cost, and they funnel the smoke away from the cooks and children at the primary schools we have built them at. Overall, I think we will have completed 24 stoves here in Lugazi, but more importantly the knowledge we brought with us for these stoves has been shared with the community and we have already seen others start to build them on their own.
4) Volunteering at the Hospitals and working with the AIDS role models - There isn't much to explain here, but let it be known that a volunteer at the hospitals in Uganda is allowed to do many things that only Medical Doctors are allowed to do in the States. For example, change the bandages of multiple women who had c-sections, and change catheters. Both of which I have done. Disgusting, but memorable to say the least.
I love Uganda. The people are amazing and so welcoming to help. One thing that I have been thinking a lot about lately is the thing I would like to close this post with:
Uganda is truly unique. Since being here in Africa, I have had the opportunity to see two other African countries, Kenya and Rwanda. Uganda pales in comparison to development to both of these two countries. And the interesting thing about this fact, these two countries neighbor Uganda. What is it about Uganda that is so different, and why is it so far behind in development? I don't really have the answer to these questions, but I am glad these questions exist. If not for these two questions, I would not have had the opportunity to come to this great place and work along side the people here to improve the quality of their lives and eliminate poverty.
Two more members of our group left back for America today, which leaves us with only 9 volunteers left, and by next Sunday, we will have all left Uganda. When volunteers are close to leaving, I think that it is normal to reflect back on what exactly you have accomplished in the time that you have been working. I don't think that all of the things we have done this summer can be measured, or even should be measured, but I would like to reflect on a few things that I will always remember about my time in Uganda.
1) Orphanages - I love the kids here in Uganda. They are never not excited to see a white person. They will literally come running as fast as they can down the rod, yelling at the top of their lungs "Mzungu Byeeeeee!" or "Bonga" (Luganda for rock or "pound it"). They have so much love, it is hard to not love them back. And all of them have the most infectious laugh. I have spent a good portion of my time with the children at one of the Children's homes here in Lugazi called Capstone. The director, Mike, is a good friend of mine now. I will not forget him or his kindness to us, but mostly his kindness to the orphan children he looks after. At this children's home, we have painted, watched movies on a projector we brought with us, played soccer or football as they call it here, and just spending afternoons with the children. Whether that time was spent asking them questions, or them asking us questions, singing and dancing with them, I loved every second of my time there. One of the most memorable time with these children was taking a new orphan boy named Silvah shopping for his own clothes and his first pair of shoes ever. I wish I could take them home with me!
2) PWDs - People with Disabilities. In addition to our weekly meeting with the parents of these children with disabilities, I have assigned myself to visit 4 of the children on a weekly basis to help them overcome their disabilities. First is Sam. Sam suffers from hydrocephalus, water on the brain. He is also blind and has no ability to walk due to severe deformities in his legs. Sam is very poor and his family cannot afford a new wheelchair for him to use. Through our home visits, Sam has learned how to crawl. As a result of reaching this goal, HELP was able to provide same with a new wheelchair customized to his body and conditions to assist him in mobility. The goal was for Sam to be able to crawl to his new wheelchair, and be able to use the wheelchair all by himself, in order to give him the freedom of mobility. One thing I learned from Sam, In America, we see the wheelchair as a form of confinement, but in Africa, the wheelchair sets someone free. Next is Fiona. Fiona has a condition similar to down syndrome, but different. She is deaf and dumb. Through our weekly visits, Fiona has learned how to communicate through a communication mat. A place mat with different pictures of different items such as food, drink, bed/rest, latrine, and emotions to help her communicate with her mom better. She is the most active little girl I have ever seen and spend 5 minutes with her, she will wear you out. But once she sees how tired you are, she will come lay on your lap and give you the biggest hug and hang on until it's time for you to leave. Next is Sheila. Sheila has no use of her right hand, with some brain damage issues as well. She is able to communicate very well, but is quite a bit slower than the othre children. Through our weekly visits to Sheila, she has begun to be able to grip things with her right hand. While the grip is not strong, she is able to hang on to things if they have a strap or handle, making it much easier for her to help her mom around the house. Finally there is Diana. Diana has the exact same disability as Fiona, but more severe. With Diana, we have started to teach her how to write though, because she is able to hear, but she has no ability to speak. There is much work that needs to be done here, but at least she is learning how to write and that comes with many other hidden skills that might not be apparent yet. I love all of these kids and I wish that I was a qualified Doctor and could come back to Uganda to operate on them all for free. One of the great things about our PWD efforts here in Lugazi this summer has been a contact that we established for them. There is a hospital outside of Kampala called Katalemwa Cheshire Home (see previous posts for link). This hospital has agreed to come to Lugazi and hook up with our disability group here to properly diagnose these children and their disabilities, provide them with free medication where possible, and start all who need assistance with mobility on the right track to be able to walk or use certain limbs again.
3) Adobe Stoves - I never thought I would be part of this project from the start. But it has turned into something I love. I have spent a significant amount of email time and posts on this blog to tell you about these stoves, but I love them because they are something that you can really see is making an immediate difference in the lives of everyone who cooks in Uganda. Firewood is so expensive here and the health risks associated with the smoke at huge! The stoves reduce the amount of wood needs to cook food, therefore eliminating cost, and they funnel the smoke away from the cooks and children at the primary schools we have built them at. Overall, I think we will have completed 24 stoves here in Lugazi, but more importantly the knowledge we brought with us for these stoves has been shared with the community and we have already seen others start to build them on their own.
4) Volunteering at the Hospitals and working with the AIDS role models - There isn't much to explain here, but let it be known that a volunteer at the hospitals in Uganda is allowed to do many things that only Medical Doctors are allowed to do in the States. For example, change the bandages of multiple women who had c-sections, and change catheters. Both of which I have done. Disgusting, but memorable to say the least.
I love Uganda. The people are amazing and so welcoming to help. One thing that I have been thinking a lot about lately is the thing I would like to close this post with:
People in
Saturday, August 9, 2008
I think that's crazy
Saturday morning. Lugazi, Uganda.
The phone rings, our former cook, Irene, frantically asks our Country Director for the Mayor's phone number, and asks if she can come over. I follow Jackie out the door as quickly as the call came. When we arrive at Irene's home, we find two police officers arguing with our friend Pastor Bill, over a photograph that was taken of these two particular police officers, by Pastor Bill's wife, Linda. Background information is as follows. A girl turned up missin in Lugazi this morning and the last man seen with her was a friend of this particular Pastor. The two police officers, out of uniform and not carrying ID, charged into Pastor Bill's home demanding the location of his friend last seen with the girl. After being refused any information by the police officers, Bill, skeptical of these two men who may or may not really be police officers, pushes them out of his house. In the process, his wife took a picture to capture the two men's identity, just in case. We arrived, in the middle of this chaos and also just as the mayor was arriving. Tha mayor sat down with the pastor and one of the police officers and tried to figure things out. After, getting realtively nowhere, they decided to go to the Police Department and speak to the director to see if this really was "official business." And I find myself, escorting Pastor Bill to the Police Department. At this point, I'm not actually sure how I got involved or who volunteered me to go with Pastor Bill, but what I do know, I don't feel comfortable. I might end up in Ugandan Prison, just because of my association with this man. I realize that I might be in a lot of trouble, but afterall, we are good friends with the Mayor. Still, a scary place to find yourself, when you are 100% not connected with any of the chaos of the morning except that you came along to help a friend, not knowing what kind of "help" they needed, or trouble they were in. Well, long story short, I am writing this all to you know, so I am not in Prison. Nor is Pastor Bill. The director determined that taking a photograph was not a crime, it was protection. And the best part of the whole story... while we were discussing this issue with the director (well, I didn't discuss anything. For the first time in my life, I kept quite the entire length of the meeting) a report came from a different officer that the girl had been found. She had run away. No one was to blame. So we all agreed that this was a big misundrestanding, the Pastor and the Police officer made up and are now friends, and most useful of all, I got the phone number of the Director of Police, who gave us his promise that he would do anything he could to keep us safe. Not that we are in any real danger here, but lets be honest, it's nice to know the police are on your side when you are thousands of miles from home.
Tonight we are going to Mbira Rainforest lodge for dinner and a campfire. I can't wait.
In other news, you really should check out this hospital. They are an incredible partner of our now in working with People of have Disabilities. One of the projects we are working on here in Lugazi. Leave a comment!
The phone rings, our former cook, Irene, frantically asks our Country Director for the Mayor's phone number, and asks if she can come over. I follow Jackie out the door as quickly as the call came. When we arrive at Irene's home, we find two police officers arguing with our friend Pastor Bill, over a photograph that was taken of these two particular police officers, by Pastor Bill's wife, Linda. Background information is as follows. A girl turned up missin in Lugazi this morning and the last man seen with her was a friend of this particular Pastor. The two police officers, out of uniform and not carrying ID, charged into Pastor Bill's home demanding the location of his friend last seen with the girl. After being refused any information by the police officers, Bill, skeptical of these two men who may or may not really be police officers, pushes them out of his house. In the process, his wife took a picture to capture the two men's identity, just in case. We arrived, in the middle of this chaos and also just as the mayor was arriving. Tha mayor sat down with the pastor and one of the police officers and tried to figure things out. After, getting realtively nowhere, they decided to go to the Police Department and speak to the director to see if this really was "official business." And I find myself, escorting Pastor Bill to the Police Department. At this point, I'm not actually sure how I got involved or who volunteered me to go with Pastor Bill, but what I do know, I don't feel comfortable. I might end up in Ugandan Prison, just because of my association with this man. I realize that I might be in a lot of trouble, but afterall, we are good friends with the Mayor. Still, a scary place to find yourself, when you are 100% not connected with any of the chaos of the morning except that you came along to help a friend, not knowing what kind of "help" they needed, or trouble they were in. Well, long story short, I am writing this all to you know, so I am not in Prison. Nor is Pastor Bill. The director determined that taking a photograph was not a crime, it was protection. And the best part of the whole story... while we were discussing this issue with the director (well, I didn't discuss anything. For the first time in my life, I kept quite the entire length of the meeting) a report came from a different officer that the girl had been found. She had run away. No one was to blame. So we all agreed that this was a big misundrestanding, the Pastor and the Police officer made up and are now friends, and most useful of all, I got the phone number of the Director of Police, who gave us his promise that he would do anything he could to keep us safe. Not that we are in any real danger here, but lets be honest, it's nice to know the police are on your side when you are thousands of miles from home.
Tonight we are going to Mbira Rainforest lodge for dinner and a campfire. I can't wait.
In other news, you really should check out this hospital. They are an incredible partner of our now in working with People of have Disabilities. One of the projects we are working on here in Lugazi. Leave a comment!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Pictures
To whom it may concern:
I would like to take a quick moment to explain exactly why I have not posted any pictures on this blog from Uganda or sent any home in my emails. I promise, this is the last post for today...maybe.
Reason: viruses. Viruses have free reign on computers in Africa. I do not think they know what anti-virus software is. So that being said, I do not dare upload pictures to my jump drive from the computers at home, because every virus would then transfer over to my jump drive and destroy the computers at home. In fact, it has already happened. Someone else figured this out for us. Also, we have unfortunately found out that these viruses also transfer over to cameras when you plug in your camera to a computer to download picture from the card, erasing all pictures and destroying your camera. I am not about to risk any of those things. I just want you to know that I have tons of pictures and can't wait to share them all with you when I return in a few weeks. Time goes by so fast...
Until that time, send me an email! james.uganda@gmail.com
I would like to take a quick moment to explain exactly why I have not posted any pictures on this blog from Uganda or sent any home in my emails. I promise, this is the last post for today...maybe.
Reason: viruses. Viruses have free reign on computers in Africa. I do not think they know what anti-virus software is. So that being said, I do not dare upload pictures to my jump drive from the computers at home, because every virus would then transfer over to my jump drive and destroy the computers at home. In fact, it has already happened. Someone else figured this out for us. Also, we have unfortunately found out that these viruses also transfer over to cameras when you plug in your camera to a computer to download picture from the card, erasing all pictures and destroying your camera. I am not about to risk any of those things. I just want you to know that I have tons of pictures and can't wait to share them all with you when I return in a few weeks. Time goes by so fast...
Until that time, send me an email! james.uganda@gmail.com
10 things you might not know about Uganda
1. the price of goods/souvenirs increases significantly if you are a mzungu.
2. every Ugandan loves a food called Matooke (unsweetened bananas - more starch-like)
3. they speak a beautiful language called Luganda and laugh every time I try to say the few words I thought I knew
4. water at your house can actually run out and you must wait for the whole tank to fill before you can use water again for any purpose (dishes, showering, etc.)
5. related to number 4, the water is never hot here, which is strange because most Africans think drinking water is too cold. Therefore they actually wait for the end of their meal to drink their water so the water has a chance to heat up.
6. pineapple and mangoes are delicious here and are cheaper than dirt
7. power/electricity is available, but only when it wants to be.
8. the cost of a taxi to Jinja depends on the driver - that goes for the cost of anything.
9. if you do not support Manchester United or any other UK soccer club, you are an outcast.
10. the people are the warmest, friendliest, most religious, loving people I have ever met. They are truly amazing. Especially their children.
2. every Ugandan loves a food called Matooke (unsweetened bananas - more starch-like)
3. they speak a beautiful language called Luganda and laugh every time I try to say the few words I thought I knew
4. water at your house can actually run out and you must wait for the whole tank to fill before you can use water again for any purpose (dishes, showering, etc.)
5. related to number 4, the water is never hot here, which is strange because most Africans think drinking water is too cold. Therefore they actually wait for the end of their meal to drink their water so the water has a chance to heat up.
6. pineapple and mangoes are delicious here and are cheaper than dirt
7. power/electricity is available, but only when it wants to be.
8. the cost of a taxi to Jinja depends on the driver - that goes for the cost of anything.
9. if you do not support Manchester United or any other UK soccer club, you are an outcast.
10. the people are the warmest, friendliest, most religious, loving people I have ever met. They are truly amazing. Especially their children.
How we get around
1. Foot - this would be our main mode of transportation in Africa. Probably because it is easiest and no one can try to rip you off by overcharging for walking.
2. Taxi - picture the most ghetto bus imaginable, subtract any comfortable qualities, and you have a Ugandan taxi. They are truly amazing. There are 5 rows available for 3 passengers, but I have never been on a taxi with less than 18 people. The most I have been with on a taxi is 24 + chickens. Speed limits? Ugandans have never heard of such a thing.
3. Boda-Boda - I learned that this term has been shortened from what it once was, "border-border." These are motorcycle taxis usually seating one comfortably, plus the driver, but I have been on/witnessed many boda-bodas with whole families hanging on for dear life. These are by far the funnest way to travel, but also the scariest in traffic. You would only ride one of these in Kampala if you were suicidal.
4. Private taxi - you hire a driver, they drive you around in whatever ghetto car they might have and you pay through the nose for it. However, they are effective if you are in a time crunch and you would like a little more leg room.
And that my friends, is how we do it in Africa.
2. Taxi - picture the most ghetto bus imaginable, subtract any comfortable qualities, and you have a Ugandan taxi. They are truly amazing. There are 5 rows available for 3 passengers, but I have never been on a taxi with less than 18 people. The most I have been with on a taxi is 24 + chickens. Speed limits? Ugandans have never heard of such a thing.
3. Boda-Boda - I learned that this term has been shortened from what it once was, "border-border." These are motorcycle taxis usually seating one comfortably, plus the driver, but I have been on/witnessed many boda-bodas with whole families hanging on for dear life. These are by far the funnest way to travel, but also the scariest in traffic. You would only ride one of these in Kampala if you were suicidal.
4. Private taxi - you hire a driver, they drive you around in whatever ghetto car they might have and you pay through the nose for it. However, they are effective if you are in a time crunch and you would like a little more leg room.
And that my friends, is how we do it in Africa.
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