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Hey everyone!
I feel like its been weeks since I last posted on here. Here are a few updates on what I have been doing:
As part of my study abroad program, I am going to be doing either an ISP (Independent Study Project) or Practicum (basically an internship). I have chosen to do a combination of the two. Anyhow, two weeks ago I was busy meeting with my AD Martha to discuss my idea and meeting with some people who could make my ISP/practicum dream a reality.
Last week (the true reason I’m blogging today) was a week long excursion to Eastern Uganda. On Sunday we all piled into 3 vans and traveled 4 hours away from Kampala to the eastern city of Mbale. But before reaching Jinja we passed over the Nile River! Unfortunately we didn’t know that we couldn’t take pictures at this particular site (due to there being some government buildings there) and so we were delayed by some army men who wanted to take one of the kids on the program to the army barracks! After about 10 minutes of intense discussion the army men decided to let us go so long as we deleted the pictures taken from our camera.
The next day we visited the TASO Mbale site (TASO is a nationwide organization for Aids patients in Uganda) and the Child Restoration Organization (CRO), an organization for street children. We first went to the CRO where we learned about the work of the organization. Basically what they do is they take in street children aged 5 to 18. They provide education, health education, counseling and etc. to the kids before attempting to resettle them with family members or foster families from their community. An interesting fact about some of the street kids is that some come from Kenya (Mbale is basically a border town) but the CRO takes them in nonetheless. We then toured the facility: I saw some kids in class, the kitchen where they cook the children’s food and the playground that receives much love from the kids!
After visiting the CRO we then visited TASO Mbale. Like the CRO we started our visit to TASO Mbale by having the director of the facility explain the history and mission of the organization. After listening to his lecture we went outside where the TASO Mbale music/dance group performed some songs/skits on issues like family planning, staying safe and etc. They were so good. By the time they did two songs we had a very big crowd of kids and adults who also decided to listen in. At the end of their performance we were asked to dance with them and I’m proud to say that we “danced very well”
On Tuesday we traveled to Sipi Falls. We slept in very nice log cabins and hiked to a really pretty waterfall. Ever mindful of my camera (my last one broke at a waterfall site) I wisely choose not to trek down to the waterfall but instead enjoyed the view. That next afternoon we traveled to Busia (another town in Eastern Uganda) and our rural home stay!
We were all partnered up and sent out to various home stays in rural villages around Busia town. Hopefully the pictures will post so you can see…but I basically slept in this really neat hut for three nights and got to experience life in a very rural African village. My only regret from my rural home stay is that I got sick on the last day because it got really cold at night and I didn’t have adequate clothing or bedding. What I really enjoyed about my rural home stay was meeting the local women’s representative for the LC1 (the smallest level of government) and playing soccer with my host siblings.
After our stay in the rural home stay. We traveled to Buyengo where one of our directors is from and camped out at their family home. That night we had an amazing dance party and lots of people from the area came to dance with us. It was sooo much fun!!! I wish I had pictures but my camera was dead (lack of electricity for 3 days) and so I only have my memories.
On the way back to Kampala we stopped at this resort on the Nile and so we finally got to take legal pictures of the Nile. Yay lol.
Anyways, I’m back at my urban home stay in Kampala now. It’s my last week with my family before I move to a hostel to begin my practicum. So this week will be very hectic as I not only try to register for classes back home but also try to tie together the last strings for my ISP/practicum.
5 Things I love about Uganda!
I love the weather – not too hot and not too cold
I love the food – Matooke is great. I eat it everyday by choice!!
I love being able to walk around Kampala with a sense of familiarity
I love learning Luganda and speaking it with my home stay family (Muli Mutya! How are ya’ll)
I love love love the music – my favorite songs are: Yoyo, Zuena, Bbusu and etc.
5 Things I don’t love about Uganda…
When I come up with one I’ll let you know…lol
***Okay I meant to upload this blog on Monday but I couldn't until today. I don't have much time to write but I do want to say that today I visited the Ugandan parliament and got to sit in on a session of parliament. It was sooo amazing! Ill try to post a blog about that experience later. Tata for now
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Pictures Pictures Pictures!!!
Hey Everyone!
I finally gave up on trying to post pictures to this blog. Instead I have re-opened my Flickr account and have uploaded a few pictures to that website. Here is the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17020646@N02/sets/72157614788506141
Look in the future for more pics from my time in Uganda in the same set.
Other than the pictures everything is going well. Today I had my ACTL test in Luganda. I was surprised at how much Luganda I was able to understand and speak! In the next few days I will learn what I was rated (novice low, novice mid or high). Next Sunday I will be going to Jinja (another town in Uganda) which is exciting.
Last week was my first time taking the taxi home instead of riding home with my host mom. The first time was an adventure since I kept having to ask for directions from boda-boda men (they drive people around on motorcycles). But I eventually found my way and succesfully made my way home.
Alright hope ya'll enjoy the pics
Cynthia
I finally gave up on trying to post pictures to this blog. Instead I have re-opened my Flickr account and have uploaded a few pictures to that website. Here is the link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17020646@N02/sets/72157614788506141
Look in the future for more pics from my time in Uganda in the same set.
Other than the pictures everything is going well. Today I had my ACTL test in Luganda. I was surprised at how much Luganda I was able to understand and speak! In the next few days I will learn what I was rated (novice low, novice mid or high). Next Sunday I will be going to Jinja (another town in Uganda) which is exciting.
Last week was my first time taking the taxi home instead of riding home with my host mom. The first time was an adventure since I kept having to ask for directions from boda-boda men (they drive people around on motorcycles). But I eventually found my way and succesfully made my way home.
Alright hope ya'll enjoy the pics
Cynthia
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
My trip to Rwanda
Hey Everyone!
Sorry it’s been so long since I last updated my blog but I was on a week long excursion to eastern Uganda and Rwanda, and so access to the internet was very difficult.
Anywho, I really enjoyed my time in western Uganda and Rwanda. While in western Uganda I was staying in Mbarara (President Museveni’s home town) and my group and I visited one of the 12 millennium village sites that are in sub-Saharan Africa. The one in Uganda is located in Isingiro district and started in 2006. During the visit we got to see one of the local primary schools that benefited from energy-efficient stoves, the village bank (that urges community groups to establish bank accounts), an environmental organization, and the community hospital. The hospital was the best part of the trip to me. I have some pictures from my visit (hopefully they post).
We stayed in Mbarara for 2 days and then journeyed to Rwanda. Rwanda has really made strides towards development (at least in its capital city) since the 1994 genocide and this fact is most noticeable through the quality of its roads. While in Rwanda we visited the Kigali memorial center which documents the history of the genocide. Outside the center is about 5 mass graves that surviving relatives place flowers on. Inside is a museum type exhibit. Going through the history of the genocide is really sad and frustrating – especially since the “ethnic groups” were created by the colonists. Beyond that realizing the culpability of international players was disheartening. The saddest portion was the last exhibit. The door to this room has a dedication to the children victims of the genocide who would have been the countries future leaders. Reading about the horrendous ways some of these children died was just horrible. After going through the memorial I bought a view book and so if anyone wants a better glimpse into what the genocide was about and what the memorial documents just let me know when I return home.
After 2 days in Rwanda we went back to Mbarara for one night before returning to our home stays.
Okay on to other news:
Nancy – Uganda is an amazing country and I am so happy to be here. I’ve only gotten a slight stomach upset so far but I think I’m being pretty cautious so I doubt Ill get sick. And if I do I will definitely go straight to the hospital --- no need to repeat past mistakes! So far the mosquitoes here have not been as bad as the ones in Nicaragua. But I think that’s because the rainy season has not really started.
Having fun in Uganda is just like having fun in America. All the youths (people our age) go to clubs/dancehalls or concerts on the weekend. An interesting fact about there clubs is that all the people dance in front of mirrors. At first I thought it was weird but it’s grown on me and last time I went out I found myself dancing in the mirror!!! Also, they love to play 90s music or music from even earlier decades. But its all good.
Okay, I think this post is long enough. Hopefully the pictures will post successfully!!
The pictures have not been uploading. But ill try later on today!
Sorry it’s been so long since I last updated my blog but I was on a week long excursion to eastern Uganda and Rwanda, and so access to the internet was very difficult.
Anywho, I really enjoyed my time in western Uganda and Rwanda. While in western Uganda I was staying in Mbarara (President Museveni’s home town) and my group and I visited one of the 12 millennium village sites that are in sub-Saharan Africa. The one in Uganda is located in Isingiro district and started in 2006. During the visit we got to see one of the local primary schools that benefited from energy-efficient stoves, the village bank (that urges community groups to establish bank accounts), an environmental organization, and the community hospital. The hospital was the best part of the trip to me. I have some pictures from my visit (hopefully they post).
We stayed in Mbarara for 2 days and then journeyed to Rwanda. Rwanda has really made strides towards development (at least in its capital city) since the 1994 genocide and this fact is most noticeable through the quality of its roads. While in Rwanda we visited the Kigali memorial center which documents the history of the genocide. Outside the center is about 5 mass graves that surviving relatives place flowers on. Inside is a museum type exhibit. Going through the history of the genocide is really sad and frustrating – especially since the “ethnic groups” were created by the colonists. Beyond that realizing the culpability of international players was disheartening. The saddest portion was the last exhibit. The door to this room has a dedication to the children victims of the genocide who would have been the countries future leaders. Reading about the horrendous ways some of these children died was just horrible. After going through the memorial I bought a view book and so if anyone wants a better glimpse into what the genocide was about and what the memorial documents just let me know when I return home.
After 2 days in Rwanda we went back to Mbarara for one night before returning to our home stays.
Okay on to other news:
Nancy – Uganda is an amazing country and I am so happy to be here. I’ve only gotten a slight stomach upset so far but I think I’m being pretty cautious so I doubt Ill get sick. And if I do I will definitely go straight to the hospital --- no need to repeat past mistakes! So far the mosquitoes here have not been as bad as the ones in Nicaragua. But I think that’s because the rainy season has not really started.
Having fun in Uganda is just like having fun in America. All the youths (people our age) go to clubs/dancehalls or concerts on the weekend. An interesting fact about there clubs is that all the people dance in front of mirrors. At first I thought it was weird but it’s grown on me and last time I went out I found myself dancing in the mirror!!! Also, they love to play 90s music or music from even earlier decades. But its all good.
Okay, I think this post is long enough. Hopefully the pictures will post successfully!!
The pictures have not been uploading. But ill try later on today!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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 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
Saturday, February 14, 2009
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 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
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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!!
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!!
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