Action Aid and Kampala's Slums

Yesterday we went on a site visit in the afternoon to 3 slums that are located within the capital city of Kampala. Before splitting into 3 smaller groups we listened to a lecture about Action Aid and the local organizations that Action aid partners with in Uganda.

I was in the group for women/gender and went to visit a local organization called Mwawenda (probably spelled wrong). This organization goes out into the community and urges women to get HIV testing for themselves. They provide lectures to the community both women and youth on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and on how to be safe (ABC - A for abstain, B for Be Safe and C for Use Condoms).

After listening to the head of the organization explain the work of Mwawenda our group was dropped off in one of the slum neighborhoods. Houses in this neighborhood are extrememly small think the size of your bathroom...and can have up to 8 people living in that space. These houses are also very hot because they have iron roofs and little (or no) windows for ventalation.

I felt extremely awkward walking amongst their neighborhood ---- like a voyeristic tourist and the situation was not helped by the fact that a few of the students on the program where rudely taking photos of the people, thier homes, etc. without even asking their permission. I mean can you imagine, a woman is baring her soul and telling you about how she discovered she was HIV posititve and how she was on her death bed and all some people could think about was getting the best photo. (sighs) oh well, it was a learning experience and I can only hope that the students who acted so insentive will think twice next time ...since some of the other students told them that their actions were highly inappropriate.

Yesterday the traffic jam was non-existant! and so I got home really early. Everynight I watch East Africa TV (a music video station) that playes music from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Usually my two new brothers watch it with me and are able to translate the songs for me. Hopefully by next week Ill have a list of artists whose music I like and then can go and get some music!!

Alright Ttyl

P.S. One of my friends has already gotten sick on this trip. Keep your fingers crossed that all sickness stays far away from me and the rest of the group!

Cynthia

I love Uganda!

It's official... I love Uganda!!

I have just completed one full week of classes in Uganda and have been staying with my host family for about the same amount of time. Before coming to Uganda I had been worried that I would not like the food. I am happy to say that I like the food here. Its not as tasty (to me) as west african food, but it has something about it that is just wonderful to me. The main food crop here is a plantain based something called matochie (spelled wrong...of course) that is served with different soups or beans. A typical dinner for me consists of some soup/beans, the matochie, spaghetti and a chipati. I will try to upload pictures later so that you all can see what the food I am eating looks like.

I think i mentioned my Language classes before? But ill mention them again. I am learning soo much luganda everyday and I really enjoy greeting people in the streets with my limited knowledege. My typical school schedule is like so: I wake up early in morning around 6:20 to 6:30 and get ready for the day. I eat cereal (corn flakes) with hot milk....which is random but really delicious. And then my host mom, little brother and I leave. We wind our way down the unpaved roads of our neighborhood and if lucky miss the early morning traffic jam and are able to drop my brother off at his school. After dropping my brother we enter another traffic jam and slowly slowly slowly make our way into the city center. *On Friday, one man try to jump the curb to cut traffic but ended up breaking the sidewalk and getting his car stuck --- which only made the traffic jam even worse!!* Once we reach my host mom's job I then walk an additional 10 minutes to reach the SIT resource center where I have classes. After luganda classes in the morning...all of us who have classes @ the resource center are driven 5 minutes away to the Makerere University where we listen to lectures on different topics by different people every day. My favorite lecutre so far was the one given by Andrew Mwenda (owner of a local newspaper called the Independent) who spoke on how development for African countries is negatively impacted by too much foreign assistance and intervention.

After a long day of classes I walk back to my host mom's job. We brave the traffic jam (one time we got stuck for a full hour and never moved an inch!). Due to the traffic jam we always pick my little brother up late and so we have to pay 1000 shillings (about 50 cents). I am proud to say that I am his official picker upper....and so have the honor of explaining (mostly I just smile) why I cannot pay the 2000 shillings they want since they had to wait with my brother for so long. lol

Anywho, As I said i am really enjoying my life in Uganda. And I have learned how to brave the traffic! I don't even think twice anymore before crossing....but that doesn't mean Im not careful it just means that I have gotten over my debilitating fear of Kampala traffic.

Well I am running low on minutes. So Ill TTYL

Cynthia

I Have arrived.....take 3

Okay! So this is my thrid attempt at updating my blog from Uganda. The first time was on Monday and I ran out of minutes before the blog actually posted. The 2nd time was today...and I finished the post but experienced an error at posting. Now I am on my third time and have my fingers crossed that it will work!

Alright so I arrived on Monday spent the day at a wonderful day-resort place (forgot the name) where we basically relaxed and got to know one another and our staff. Everyone is soo nice and friendly and by the end of the day we were talking amongst ourselves like we had known each other for months.

This first week has been all about orientation. We have had numerous talks and excursions into the city of Kampala( the capital of Uganda). Even though most of the talks are on serious issues like (safety, health, sexual harrasment, etc.) they have also been very funny since the Ugandan speakers have a great way of turning even the most seriuos of issues into a joke. For example on our lecuture on health... the expert told us about the dangers of a tiny splash coming from the toilets when in use (lol) I don't know if you'll get the joke but take my word....it was funny.

We have also begun to learn basic or survival luganda. Oli otya ssebo How are you sir or Webale thank you sir and just examples. whenever we greet or thank Uganda people with these simple phrases they are delighted and even try to teach us more! Yesterday, my friends and I went to the market (Nakasero) and when we used these phrases all the people were very excited and willing to help us locate the stationery items we were looking for. One ssebo even escorted us to the proper portion of the market.

Yesterday, I also went to a local hotspot with friends, where we listened to music and watched the people dance. They mostly played american and caribbean music but every once in a while a Ugandan song would come on. The phone I bought came equipped with a radio (I know nice right?!!) and so Ive been listending to the music so that I can learn all the most popular songs.

lol, yesterday was a busy day. We also learned who our host families would be. Mine consists of 2 parents and 7 children. My dad is a farmer, my mom a banker, 2 of the kids are over 18, 2 are between 13 and 17, 1 is between 6 and 12 and the last is under 5. My house is going to be hectic!! but I love it! We get to meet them tongiht at a reception. Everyone is really excited about this but everyone (including me) is also feeling a little anxious...we just don't know what we can truly expect.

Oh yea. Uganda is a really pretty country and the grass here is soo green and lush (ive only seen central south Uganda). As with most developing countries the roads are very very hectic and crossing the road is a trial in patience and skill. We had our drop off in the city 2 days ago. Were we walked about the city of Kampala in small groups for 4 hours investinging different issues. My issue was the media (newspapers, televsion, etc.). It was interesting and I think I know much more about the city than I did before.

Anywho, I am almost out of time. But I hope to hear from ya'll. If anyone wants my local number or skype account just aks and ill email it to you. Also if you have any questions about what Uganda is like just ask and I'll answer in a future blog.

tata for now

Cyncha

Travelling is Busy Work!!

Heyzers!

Right now I am writing from the London Heathrow airport. I have a 8+ hour layover and after playing ice breakers with the other kids on my program all morning/afternoon I finally decided to seek out the internet.

Anywho: Yesterday (Monday) was a pretty hectic day for me. I woke up early so that I could finish all my last minute packing and then dashed off to the airport. After one layover in ATL I finally made it to NYC and promptly lost my phone! I was soooo upset but the staff of JFK were really nice and tried to find it. I had almost given up hope when 45 minutes later my name was called over the PA system and I got my phone back. It was the greatest moment of my life (lol...just playing).

Anywho, my flight from NYC to London got delayed becuase of snow in London so we didn't leave until 12 midnight! The London airport is soo crazy. There are soo many people from countries all over the world here. They said it is busier than usual becuase of the delayed flights but i am loving the diversity!

Next time you hear from me I'll be in Uganda!!