I know that it has been a LONG time since I have updated this. I have just gotten so into things here in Africa that I have found it hard to find time to update it.
Well, on Tuesday I will be leaving where I consider my second home to be to go back to my first home. I am both excited and sad. I am so excited to go home and see everyone that I have missed dearly. But I have grown to love it here so much. I love so many people here and I dont know if I will ever see them again. But I have many good memories that I will always remember.
K, there is sooo much that has happened since I last updated that I cant write it all. So I will just summarize a few things.
The past month I have been working a lot with the eye camp that HELP International started and funded part of it. We got a huge donation from Sight Savers, an eye clinic in Kampala, and many from people back home. We went around to about ten surrounding villages, one or two a day, and screened everyone that came and they were able to see a doctor. Vision is a huge problem here that many people dont realize is an issue. We spent many hours each day at each village because there are so many people that have problems with their eyes. Anyways, we provided surgeries for those who needed it. When it was all over, we provided over 100 surgeries!! It was so cool seeing the reactions of thoe who had surgery. They were so happy! One man threw down his cane and yelled, "I dont need that stupid thing anymore!" It made me so happy! I am so glad I was able to be involved in a project that helped so many peoples lives.
I have done a couple of trips in this last month as well. I went to Rwanda for a weekend which was so amazing. And I just got back from Gulu. The bus rides on both of them sucked so bad! Esspecially because I get motions sickness in the back of vehicles and I am closterphobic. They pack the buses to the max! Oh, and on the way to Gulu, no joke... there were 188 speed bumps in the road! All one right after the other! Dont ask me why, but the U.S. did provide the funds for them. I found them pointless, but hey, why not?! I have come to find nothing to be surprising here in Africa. Anything can happen. We visited genocide memorials in Rwanda. It was so sad going to all those places where many mass murderings happened. You could just tell that everyone there has been affected by the genocide whether first hand or through the effects of it. We also attended the first and only branch in Rwanda! It was at the branch president's house which was a cool experience. There are only about 20 members but about 20 or more investigators that come every week as well. It definately was one of my favorite experiences here. About 3 weeks ago half of our group traveled up to Gulu and built some adobe stoves. They take about 3 weeks to dry. So the other half of our group went up this last week to finish the stoves. I was with the second group. Our main job to was put the chimney in and plaster the stoves which will make them last 3 times as long. Like Rwanda, you could tell many people's lives were affected by the war that just left Northern Uganda. We visited a few idp camps. Many people have left them and returned to their villages, but many are still scared to leave because they still fear the LRA. When those who return to their villages, many find that their land is no longer theirs or there is nothing there for them. So they return back to the idp camps. Many people that you talk to usually have a story of themselves being captured by the LRA and living in the bush for a while, or a member of their family has. After both these trips, I have come to appreciate America so much more! I have been so blessed to grow up in America and be given so many opportunities in my life.
Speaking of America, I was able to celebrate our Independence Day here in Kampala. The U.S. embassy invited all Americans to come and celebrate with food, beer, and dancing. Haha. Two of them were great! ;) However, everyone around us kept saying that our group has had too much to drink when we were the only ones not drinking. But we did bring the party! ;) Oh! And I cant forget the fireworks! Which were awesome as well! But I have never appreciated my country as much as I did that night. I love America!
Well, there are many more stories but I guess you will have to wait to hear them when I get home! Which is really soon!! 4 days!!! Love you all! See you back in America!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fried Grasshoppers!!
First let me clarify what is going on with the typhoid. I guess the reason we all tested positive for typhoid is because the immunization we all got before we came is still fighting that bacteria in our body so it shows positive in our blood tests. So actually none of us had typhoid! haha. It was fun while it lasted I guess. ;)
I spent a majority of my time this week at meetings for teacher trainings. A group came from Kenya to teach their curriculum to try to start it in Uganda. Dani, a volunteer here, her parents work a lot with this group back in America. We went to the trainings so that we can start going around to different schools and training the teachers. One of the things they do is teach the children through music and dance. I loved this! I can really see how children can learn more if you put something into a song and dance. It not only helps with making learning easier, but it creates group unity and when the teachers do these activities with them it puts the teacher more at the level of the students creating a closer relationship between them. I wish you could all be involved in these songs and dances. They are so fun! Anyways, Dani and I are going to be going around to schools in the area to do teacher trainings and teach them the music and dance method.
While we were attending these trainings, they fed us an amazing lunch each day. During this time I met a kid named Ishmel. He informed me that he has always wanted to try an American sandwich. So we made a trade. I am all for trying foods of the culture and fried grasshoppers are a big thing here. I brought him a PB&J and he brought me grasshoppers. It kind of creeped me out seeing their eyes before I ate them, but it actually was not too bad. It kind of tasted like a potato chip! But I still thing Ishmel got the better end of the deal!
Our friend Luta performs every friday night doing a comedy act at a local club. We thought we would go watch him and experience some of the Ugandan night life. Turns out that a Ugandan comedy show is bad lip sinking. These group of guys kept coming out all thugged out and pretty much just help up a microphone to their mouths and danced on stage. I guess it was funny? Then it kind of turned into a strip show when this girl came out with practicaly nothing on and starting dancing to Celine Deon and giving lap dances to the guys next to us. We of course got front row seats because we are white so we got to see it all! Yeah... it got kind of uncomfortable and we were about to leave when Luta finally came out dressed like a pot belly farmer. His dances were hilarious! He was the hit of the show! People come up to the performers they like and give them money. Luta made the most money of everyone that night. Another good cultural experience I suppose.
Its crazy to think that I have been here five weeks already and I only have five more weeks left! The rest of my schedule is jam packed up until I leave which is going to make the time fly! Lugazi feels like another home to me and I can't imagine myself being anywhere else right now.
I spent a majority of my time this week at meetings for teacher trainings. A group came from Kenya to teach their curriculum to try to start it in Uganda. Dani, a volunteer here, her parents work a lot with this group back in America. We went to the trainings so that we can start going around to different schools and training the teachers. One of the things they do is teach the children through music and dance. I loved this! I can really see how children can learn more if you put something into a song and dance. It not only helps with making learning easier, but it creates group unity and when the teachers do these activities with them it puts the teacher more at the level of the students creating a closer relationship between them. I wish you could all be involved in these songs and dances. They are so fun! Anyways, Dani and I are going to be going around to schools in the area to do teacher trainings and teach them the music and dance method.
While we were attending these trainings, they fed us an amazing lunch each day. During this time I met a kid named Ishmel. He informed me that he has always wanted to try an American sandwich. So we made a trade. I am all for trying foods of the culture and fried grasshoppers are a big thing here. I brought him a PB&J and he brought me grasshoppers. It kind of creeped me out seeing their eyes before I ate them, but it actually was not too bad. It kind of tasted like a potato chip! But I still thing Ishmel got the better end of the deal!
Our friend Luta performs every friday night doing a comedy act at a local club. We thought we would go watch him and experience some of the Ugandan night life. Turns out that a Ugandan comedy show is bad lip sinking. These group of guys kept coming out all thugged out and pretty much just help up a microphone to their mouths and danced on stage. I guess it was funny? Then it kind of turned into a strip show when this girl came out with practicaly nothing on and starting dancing to Celine Deon and giving lap dances to the guys next to us. We of course got front row seats because we are white so we got to see it all! Yeah... it got kind of uncomfortable and we were about to leave when Luta finally came out dressed like a pot belly farmer. His dances were hilarious! He was the hit of the show! People come up to the performers they like and give them money. Luta made the most money of everyone that night. Another good cultural experience I suppose.
Its crazy to think that I have been here five weeks already and I only have five more weeks left! The rest of my schedule is jam packed up until I leave which is going to make the time fly! Lugazi feels like another home to me and I can't imagine myself being anywhere else right now.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Oh typhoid...
This week has been interesting. I dont know what other word to use to describe it. So we had four people in the house get malaria and when Becca came back having both malaria and typhoid we decided it would be a good idea for everyone in the house to get tested. It turns out that about 12 people in the house have typhoid! I'm one of those lucky ones! But it seems really weird to me because the only sickness I have felt since I have been here is a couple nights and days of stomach pains. Other than that I have felt fine. The only other thing that could possibly be a result of typhoid is that my body is tired most of the time. Anyways, I'm taking pills for it and it will be gone in no time. The doctor said its just from the food that we buy in the markets or on the streets or possibly the water that we wash in. Either or, it's nothing to worry about.
So other than a houseful of typhoid and malaria patients, life has been good. Projects are still going and new ones are being made each week. We were able to celebrate a Ugandan Christain holiday on Wednesday. It was Martyrs day. What they people do is walk long distances to a meeting point and have a day full of celbrations, speeches, and music. To join in with the culture, some of us decided to pioneer with them. We were told it would be a 45 minute walk from Mukono to the meeting destination. So we took a taxi from Lugazi to Mukono and starting walking.... and walking.... and walking. The place never came! So we started asking people how much further it was and they said that it was going to be another two hour walk. Haha. Some people at that point took bodas (personal taxis) to the place, but a few of us stuck out the walk. We ended up walking about ten miles to this place and to top it all off, the last part of the walk it started pouring rain and we got soaked from head to toe! It was quite the experience. I'm glad I finished the walk even though my poor feet got a little thrashed from it. My feet are going to be in poor shape after this summer is over!
I consider our cook, Mary, as my African mother. She is the sweetest lady you will ever meet! I have grown to love her so much and I wish I could take her and her family home with me. She is such an amazing woman. She is from Sudan and her husband is still up there fighting in the war. She and her two daughters are staying here in Lugazi while the chaos is going on up in Sudan. I have got to know her more through helping her cook when I can and she just amazes me every time I talk with her. I love coming home to her welcoming smile and laugh. That sounds cheesy, but its true! But she received bad news on Friday that the woman who raised her died that morning. Mary lost both her parents when she was young. I have never seen her cry before, and it broke my heart to see her in pain. She is taking a bus up to Sudan for the funeral. I pray that she is safe and ask that your prayers be with her as well. The world needs more people like Mary.
I can't believe how each week flys by here. We already have our first wave people heading home next week and new people are coming this week. Looking back, the month of May seems a blur. It reminds me that I need to take advantage of all the oportunities that I am given here. This is such a small part of my life, but one that I am going to remember the rest of my life.
So other than a houseful of typhoid and malaria patients, life has been good. Projects are still going and new ones are being made each week. We were able to celebrate a Ugandan Christain holiday on Wednesday. It was Martyrs day. What they people do is walk long distances to a meeting point and have a day full of celbrations, speeches, and music. To join in with the culture, some of us decided to pioneer with them. We were told it would be a 45 minute walk from Mukono to the meeting destination. So we took a taxi from Lugazi to Mukono and starting walking.... and walking.... and walking. The place never came! So we started asking people how much further it was and they said that it was going to be another two hour walk. Haha. Some people at that point took bodas (personal taxis) to the place, but a few of us stuck out the walk. We ended up walking about ten miles to this place and to top it all off, the last part of the walk it started pouring rain and we got soaked from head to toe! It was quite the experience. I'm glad I finished the walk even though my poor feet got a little thrashed from it. My feet are going to be in poor shape after this summer is over!
I consider our cook, Mary, as my African mother. She is the sweetest lady you will ever meet! I have grown to love her so much and I wish I could take her and her family home with me. She is such an amazing woman. She is from Sudan and her husband is still up there fighting in the war. She and her two daughters are staying here in Lugazi while the chaos is going on up in Sudan. I have got to know her more through helping her cook when I can and she just amazes me every time I talk with her. I love coming home to her welcoming smile and laugh. That sounds cheesy, but its true! But she received bad news on Friday that the woman who raised her died that morning. Mary lost both her parents when she was young. I have never seen her cry before, and it broke my heart to see her in pain. She is taking a bus up to Sudan for the funeral. I pray that she is safe and ask that your prayers be with her as well. The world needs more people like Mary.
I can't believe how each week flys by here. We already have our first wave people heading home next week and new people are coming this week. Looking back, the month of May seems a blur. It reminds me that I need to take advantage of all the oportunities that I am given here. This is such a small part of my life, but one that I am going to remember the rest of my life.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
I'm even starting to look African!
Well... I spoke too soon on my last blog... I got sick the day after I said that I wouldnt get sick the whole time that I'm here! It was only a 24 hour thing, but it sucked staying in bed all day! It's no fun being sick and it's even worse being sick in Africa. But its all good now, I'm back up and running. Speaking of running, I wish I would have brought my running shoes because some people ran a half marathon along the Nile yesterday that I would have loved to do. They said it was so beautiful! I am getting so out of shape except for all the walking I do each day. But I miss having a gym to go to.
The power has been going out a lot this week because of the weather. It was out yesterday when I usually update my blog. It rains like crazy here!! In fact, it rained so much yesterday that part of the brick and cement wall around our house erroded from the ground being too soft. So our gaurd had to work extra hard las night because as of now people can just walk into our yard.
I have African hair!! No, it's not a black girl fro... but it will do I guess. I spent six hours on Friday getting my hair braided. I got dark brown extensions and had them braided in with my hair so the blonde mixed in with the brown makes a cool design. My hair has never been so thick and long! Its half way down my back and I cant even grip all my hair in one hand! It's so heavy! Haha. But it looks awesome!
We went to Kampala yesterday, the capital of Uganda. It was nice spending a day in the city. We had some amazing Indian food, went and watch Angels and Demons in the theatre, and shopped for anything that looked somewhat like American food. The movie was really nice, it was like being back in the states for a few hours. It's funny how things switch up here, I spent very little money back home on food, but here... I spend a lot on food when I leave Lugazi! There is not much of a selection in Lugazi. Good thing food is pretty cheap in Uganda.
As for the work, things are going pretty well. We found another womens group to work with. They really want business training most of all. I am going to work a little bit with youth ourtreach this week and we have a couple ESL classes set up as well. I am volunteering with the LDS church this weekend to work at an immunization clinic. So that should be good. The work is getting more prosperous as we go along and its crazy how time is flying by.
The power has been going out a lot this week because of the weather. It was out yesterday when I usually update my blog. It rains like crazy here!! In fact, it rained so much yesterday that part of the brick and cement wall around our house erroded from the ground being too soft. So our gaurd had to work extra hard las night because as of now people can just walk into our yard.
I have African hair!! No, it's not a black girl fro... but it will do I guess. I spent six hours on Friday getting my hair braided. I got dark brown extensions and had them braided in with my hair so the blonde mixed in with the brown makes a cool design. My hair has never been so thick and long! Its half way down my back and I cant even grip all my hair in one hand! It's so heavy! Haha. But it looks awesome!
We went to Kampala yesterday, the capital of Uganda. It was nice spending a day in the city. We had some amazing Indian food, went and watch Angels and Demons in the theatre, and shopped for anything that looked somewhat like American food. The movie was really nice, it was like being back in the states for a few hours. It's funny how things switch up here, I spent very little money back home on food, but here... I spend a lot on food when I leave Lugazi! There is not much of a selection in Lugazi. Good thing food is pretty cheap in Uganda.
As for the work, things are going pretty well. We found another womens group to work with. They really want business training most of all. I am going to work a little bit with youth ourtreach this week and we have a couple ESL classes set up as well. I am volunteering with the LDS church this weekend to work at an immunization clinic. So that should be good. The work is getting more prosperous as we go along and its crazy how time is flying by.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Only in Africa!
Oh the adventures of this week! Where to begin.....
Well, starting Monday over half of the house got sick with food poisoning and random other sicknesses. I told myself that I was not going to get sick, and I didn't! I was one of the few! I haven't had any problems with any kind of sickness so far and I intend to keep it that way! In fact, I have only gotten two mosquito bites since I have been here! I guess I don't have good blood or something. But I'm okay with that. That kind of threw off our schedule for a few days, but we all eventually were up and running again.
I had an exciting week at the hospital. I was able to witness the birth of a little baby boy. I was just volunteering at the right place at the right time and they asked me if I wanted to watch the birth. Of course I said yes! It was really cool to see. Also this week I was able to watch a surgery. They had to remove and ovarian cyst. Half of the ovary was infected, so they just ended up cutting it off. And a man with polio came in with horrible bed sores. He has nobody to take care of him and doesn't have enough money for skin graphs, so all the doctor could do was cut off the dead skin. It was very sad. There are some advantages and disadvantages to being a white person in Lugazi. We pretty much can go wherever we want and see whatever we want to see just because we are white. However, we get over charged for most things here. We have to barter most of the time because they are not being fair. And you get kind of tired of the stares all the time.
On Friday night I experienced the highlight of my trip to Uganda so far. There is a group of kids that do African dancing for weddings and such. Six of us from the group pretty much got a personal show. What people would go pay $100 for, we got to see for free! So these kids ranging from about 5 to 18 dance to make money to send local orphans to school. We are working with them with our youth outreach. They are so amazing!! There was this one little boy who just melted my heart. He would always look back to make sure that you were watching him and that the camera was on him. And he got so into it with the biggest smile on his face. After they performed a couple of dances, they put furs around our waists and made us get up and dance with them. This got the biggest laugh from the surrounding crowds. I think the whole neighborhood was there! Some were crying because they were laughing so hard. I guess mzungus don't know how to dance. Through this, I met the most inspiring kid! His name is Luta. He is about my age I think, maybe younger. Anyways, he is heavily involved with the youth outreach while also attending school and working to put himself through school. In fact, he told me that he uses 50% of his income for himself (school, books, etc.), 30% goes to suporting his mother because his dad died a couple years back, and 20% goes to youth outreach. I talked with him for about twenty minutes or some that night and I wanted to cry the whole time. He has such a big heart and wants so badly to give back to the community through helping kids. He is so inspiring. From that point, I decided that a lot of my time here is going to be helping with youth outreach.
Saturday I went bunji jumping!! It was 44 meters, about 150 feet. It was awesome! I was so nervous the night and whole morning before! But they counted me down and I just had to shove the nerves behind and jump. I don't even know how to explain the feeling... just awesome! I went bunji jumping over the nile... what up?! ;)
And today I just got back from eating an amazing dinner at the branch presidents house. One of the best meals I have had since I have been here. I actually think I am gaining weight. Most of the guys that come lose weight and the girls gain weight. This is because they guys don't get as much protein in their diet as the did in America and we eat a lot of carbs here, hence the girls gain weight. I didn't think it was possible for me to actually gain weight!
Like I said... only in Africa!
Well, starting Monday over half of the house got sick with food poisoning and random other sicknesses. I told myself that I was not going to get sick, and I didn't! I was one of the few! I haven't had any problems with any kind of sickness so far and I intend to keep it that way! In fact, I have only gotten two mosquito bites since I have been here! I guess I don't have good blood or something. But I'm okay with that. That kind of threw off our schedule for a few days, but we all eventually were up and running again.
I had an exciting week at the hospital. I was able to witness the birth of a little baby boy. I was just volunteering at the right place at the right time and they asked me if I wanted to watch the birth. Of course I said yes! It was really cool to see. Also this week I was able to watch a surgery. They had to remove and ovarian cyst. Half of the ovary was infected, so they just ended up cutting it off. And a man with polio came in with horrible bed sores. He has nobody to take care of him and doesn't have enough money for skin graphs, so all the doctor could do was cut off the dead skin. It was very sad. There are some advantages and disadvantages to being a white person in Lugazi. We pretty much can go wherever we want and see whatever we want to see just because we are white. However, we get over charged for most things here. We have to barter most of the time because they are not being fair. And you get kind of tired of the stares all the time.
On Friday night I experienced the highlight of my trip to Uganda so far. There is a group of kids that do African dancing for weddings and such. Six of us from the group pretty much got a personal show. What people would go pay $100 for, we got to see for free! So these kids ranging from about 5 to 18 dance to make money to send local orphans to school. We are working with them with our youth outreach. They are so amazing!! There was this one little boy who just melted my heart. He would always look back to make sure that you were watching him and that the camera was on him. And he got so into it with the biggest smile on his face. After they performed a couple of dances, they put furs around our waists and made us get up and dance with them. This got the biggest laugh from the surrounding crowds. I think the whole neighborhood was there! Some were crying because they were laughing so hard. I guess mzungus don't know how to dance. Through this, I met the most inspiring kid! His name is Luta. He is about my age I think, maybe younger. Anyways, he is heavily involved with the youth outreach while also attending school and working to put himself through school. In fact, he told me that he uses 50% of his income for himself (school, books, etc.), 30% goes to suporting his mother because his dad died a couple years back, and 20% goes to youth outreach. I talked with him for about twenty minutes or some that night and I wanted to cry the whole time. He has such a big heart and wants so badly to give back to the community through helping kids. He is so inspiring. From that point, I decided that a lot of my time here is going to be helping with youth outreach.
Saturday I went bunji jumping!! It was 44 meters, about 150 feet. It was awesome! I was so nervous the night and whole morning before! But they counted me down and I just had to shove the nerves behind and jump. I don't even know how to explain the feeling... just awesome! I went bunji jumping over the nile... what up?! ;)
And today I just got back from eating an amazing dinner at the branch presidents house. One of the best meals I have had since I have been here. I actually think I am gaining weight. Most of the guys that come lose weight and the girls gain weight. This is because they guys don't get as much protein in their diet as the did in America and we eat a lot of carbs here, hence the girls gain weight. I didn't think it was possible for me to actually gain weight!
Like I said... only in Africa!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Here we are helping build adobe stoves. Most women cook in the home where the living quarters are too. It is really bad for her and her family. Worse than second hand smoke. So we help them build a stove with 2-3 burners and once it it finished and they can do it on their own, we will give them a chimney so it can escape the house. We have already build a bunch and plan on building a lot more.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I am a Mzungu!
This week has been busy with finding what areas and project that we wan to work in. I have tried many different projects and I have decided that my main focus is going to be volunteering at the hospital, working with womens groups, and teaching literacy classes. From the moment I walked into the Lugazi hospital, I knew that I wanted to do something to help even if it was just donating my time there. We are so blessed in America to have the health system that we do. In most areas of the hospital, all the patients are kept in one large room together. The infectious patients are where the operation patients are. It is overall an overcrowded unsanitary place compared to what we have in the states. They need so much help. I am now the teach lead over the pediatrics section of the hospital. I want to start up some classes there to offer to the mothers whose children are being treated where we would teach sanitation and HIV/AIDS awareness. Also, the asked if we have a social worker in our group because a lot of the mothers could use something like that. So will work in that area as well.
We are starting classes this week on Tuesdays and Fridays for locals to come learn to read and write. Many women come because they have very few english skills and that really helps increase their business. You don't get far if you dont know how to read and write and speak english. We also are going to work with some other womens groups and teach them business skills such as budgeting. Those are my main areas of focus as of now.
It is amazing how much I am craving American food! They don't have many snack foods here! No oreos, french fries, hardly and chocolate, and no ben and jerrys!!! I am living off peanut butter and banana sandwiches (the bread and peanut butter just dont cut it), my granola bars I brought, and Marry's cooking. She cooks for us each night. It is the same thing each night with one main thing that changes up every now and then. It's really good! She is an amazing cook! But i'm not sure how long I can eat the same thing each night! We are in charge of getting our own breakfast and lunch. Their fruit is AMAZING here! The pineapple and avacados are to die for! I also have a rolex a few times a week which basically is an omelette on chipate bread. We went into Jinja yesterday. It is more of a tourest destination so a lot more eating choices. We found an american restraunt. I pounded so much food!! I'm afraid that when I get home I'm just going to pound everything that I didn't have here! Which is pretty much everything! I'm going to get fat!! =)
I have tried uploading pictures onto my blog, but the computers are so slow here that it's not going to work. So you will have just have to wait till I get home to see them.
We are starting classes this week on Tuesdays and Fridays for locals to come learn to read and write. Many women come because they have very few english skills and that really helps increase their business. You don't get far if you dont know how to read and write and speak english. We also are going to work with some other womens groups and teach them business skills such as budgeting. Those are my main areas of focus as of now.
It is amazing how much I am craving American food! They don't have many snack foods here! No oreos, french fries, hardly and chocolate, and no ben and jerrys!!! I am living off peanut butter and banana sandwiches (the bread and peanut butter just dont cut it), my granola bars I brought, and Marry's cooking. She cooks for us each night. It is the same thing each night with one main thing that changes up every now and then. It's really good! She is an amazing cook! But i'm not sure how long I can eat the same thing each night! We are in charge of getting our own breakfast and lunch. Their fruit is AMAZING here! The pineapple and avacados are to die for! I also have a rolex a few times a week which basically is an omelette on chipate bread. We went into Jinja yesterday. It is more of a tourest destination so a lot more eating choices. We found an american restraunt. I pounded so much food!! I'm afraid that when I get home I'm just going to pound everything that I didn't have here! Which is pretty much everything! I'm going to get fat!! =)
I have tried uploading pictures onto my blog, but the computers are so slow here that it's not going to work. So you will have just have to wait till I get home to see them.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I am Namutebi!
I arrived in Lugazi around 10:30 pm Friday night after two very long plane rides. We were greeted by Aunty Peggy as we call her. She is the acting mayor of Lugazi right now while their elections are going on. She is like our mother here in Lugazi. The drive to our place from the airport was crazy! They drive so crazy here! But something I do like about their driving is that they give certain signals to cars behind them to tell them that there are cops ahead. What helpers they are!
We are living in a house that is really nice in African standards. It is a gated house with our own personal guard. It is going to take some adjusting to... squatters for toilets, showering outside by a pump in my swimsuit, currently no running water, and sharing a room with 5 other girls with bunkbeds. But we are living like kings compared to other people in town.
But that seems all negative right now. There are so many great things here that outweigh all those things that don't even matter. We are the talk of the town. It's like a parade every time we walk the streets. The kids all yell muzungu (white or rich person) and all run towards us while everyone else stops to watch us walk by. Everyone is so kind and always says hello wherever we go. I meet so many new people each day. I went to church in Mokono today. It was seriously the highlight of this trip so far. I went to the primary class with about 10 kids in the ward. They asked Kristen and I to teach them a primary song because they dont have a piano to play the music on so it's hard for them to learn all the songs and they don't really know how to read music. So we sang it for them a few times, wrote it down so they could sing along, and we ended up singing that song about 20 times before we were through. But they are always so desirerable to learn something new. The kids are amazing learners! So smart! Everyone in the ward is very kind! Some of the nicest people I have met and I have only met them once! We are going to keep going to this ward and will be getting callings soon.
I am slowly adjusting to Ugandan life, picking up some new Lugandan words, being able to walk basically right next to passing traffic, shouting Obama's name down every street (they love Obama here, he is there hero), and picking up their accents while mine is changing for them to understand me.
I love it here and my love for this place grows stronger each day! There is so much need for help and I am so happy that I can be here to help.
Oh... I better explain my title. Namutebi is my new African name. Pretty cool huh?!
We are living in a house that is really nice in African standards. It is a gated house with our own personal guard. It is going to take some adjusting to... squatters for toilets, showering outside by a pump in my swimsuit, currently no running water, and sharing a room with 5 other girls with bunkbeds. But we are living like kings compared to other people in town.
But that seems all negative right now. There are so many great things here that outweigh all those things that don't even matter. We are the talk of the town. It's like a parade every time we walk the streets. The kids all yell muzungu (white or rich person) and all run towards us while everyone else stops to watch us walk by. Everyone is so kind and always says hello wherever we go. I meet so many new people each day. I went to church in Mokono today. It was seriously the highlight of this trip so far. I went to the primary class with about 10 kids in the ward. They asked Kristen and I to teach them a primary song because they dont have a piano to play the music on so it's hard for them to learn all the songs and they don't really know how to read music. So we sang it for them a few times, wrote it down so they could sing along, and we ended up singing that song about 20 times before we were through. But they are always so desirerable to learn something new. The kids are amazing learners! So smart! Everyone in the ward is very kind! Some of the nicest people I have met and I have only met them once! We are going to keep going to this ward and will be getting callings soon.
I am slowly adjusting to Ugandan life, picking up some new Lugandan words, being able to walk basically right next to passing traffic, shouting Obama's name down every street (they love Obama here, he is there hero), and picking up their accents while mine is changing for them to understand me.
I love it here and my love for this place grows stronger each day! There is so much need for help and I am so happy that I can be here to help.
Oh... I better explain my title. Namutebi is my new African name. Pretty cool huh?!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Goodbye America! Helloooo Africa!
The time has finally arrived! I am leaving to Uganda, Africa in only two days! I will be flying out of Salt Lake City at 8:30 Thursday morning, and after long hours of flying and a few layovers I will arrive in Entebbe, Uganda around 8:15 Friday night. After which I will take a two hour drive to where I will be living for the next four months of my life... Lugazi!!
Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa," as deemed by Winston Churchill during his African explorations. It is a landlocked country bordering Kenya, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Rwanda, and Sudan. It is also lined by Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. It lies on the equator with mountain ranges on both the eastern and western borders. It is filled with lush green hills and red sand. I met the ambassador of Uganda a few months ago, having the opportunity to serve him while i working in banquets at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. He excitingly informed me that I haven't eaten real fruit until I have tasted to fruit of Uganda.
It's hard to believe that I am finally going! I have spent many hours and days in preparation for this adventure. I want to thank all those who have donated and given of their time to help me achieve this goal. I am excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time. But most of all, I am ready to go give four months of my life in helping the wonderful people of Africa. So as they say it in Luganda (the language I will be learning a lot of), Nneetegese! I am ready!
Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa," as deemed by Winston Churchill during his African explorations. It is a landlocked country bordering Kenya, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Rwanda, and Sudan. It is also lined by Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. It lies on the equator with mountain ranges on both the eastern and western borders. It is filled with lush green hills and red sand. I met the ambassador of Uganda a few months ago, having the opportunity to serve him while i working in banquets at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. He excitingly informed me that I haven't eaten real fruit until I have tasted to fruit of Uganda.
It's hard to believe that I am finally going! I have spent many hours and days in preparation for this adventure. I want to thank all those who have donated and given of their time to help me achieve this goal. I am excited, nervous, and anxious all at the same time. But most of all, I am ready to go give four months of my life in helping the wonderful people of Africa. So as they say it in Luganda (the language I will be learning a lot of), Nneetegese! I am ready!
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