10 June 2012

I think of my father often here. Eating and enjoying a small bag of peanuts or popcorn reminds me of stories of his childhood. Walking on dirt roads, I share things in common with him now that I hadn't in the past. I was born to him in an age of technology he did not understand. Likewise, I did not understand his lack of desire to be up on the latest way of life. Maybe this trip is making me understand that my dad didn't need to be caught up on the newest gadgets. That being a boy on a dirt road and living the life that matched it, his level of advancement and life in the US is just fine with him.

29 May 2012

Today is my eleventh day in Uganda. I feel completely settled in. Although most of the customs feel foreign, I don't feel the need to constantly compare them to my own. I am not sure if I can attribute that to my better understanding of the world or of myself.

19 May 2012

I am writing from Uganda. When I wrote my bucket list last November, one of my goals was to visit Africa. Little did I ever imagine that it would be checked off six months later.

This is definitely an experience that I know is gigantic, but I also know will take a long time in recovery. Nothing that I have seen so far has shocked me. I have seen these things on television and read about them in textbooks. However, there is also a deep sense of sadness that these things do exist. It is a much different thing to decide to live a certain way and to have no choice. In a world that has so much amazing, it is incredible to see the other side of it. Yet, spirits are high and people are kind. I think that is what I will learn most, our shared ability to love and be kind to one another.

Last Day What?!

I'm leaving tomorrow morning. Not to sound cliche, but this trip went by super fast and I can't believe that it is over. I will be blogging more when I get home, some stuff I wrote during the trip and couldn't post due to internet & power issues, others will just be because I needed time with my thoughts post trip.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure I may sob uncontrollably during most of my goodbyes tonight. Oh boy.  Leaving you all with this quote for now- see ya in the good old U.S. of A. Thanks for reading during my time here, hope you keep reading when I return home.

“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” 


Uganda see you! You have been most excellent.

Kiddos

I've not written much about the children here despite spending the majority of my days with them. I think mostly because I cannot allow myself to look at them as victims. I know them as the kids that they are in the present. I do my best to just be present, and not think of the circumstances that brought them to this place. Every once in a while though, the kids will cry in such a way that reminds me. I remember Lynne always saying how differently children grieve, and how a scrape of a knee cry can quickly turn into a I miss my family member cry. I am pretty sure I've heard this cry now. The sound is haunting.

Lights

I have one week left before I return to the US. People from back home keep asking me what I miss most or what I can't wait to do wen I get back. And although the idea of sushi from my favorite restaurant and DVR'd Mad Men will be greatly enjoyed upon my arrival, I think what I miss the most is the convenience of power. Power is a struggle here. It goes off at some point almost every day. I've actually written this post in my notebook as there is no power. I'm not complaining that I can't blog because the lights went out. But this culture has manifested itself in the 21st century not relying on power. Electronics are put on hold (which can be kind of nice for an American with too many of them). But things are time consuming here, because you can't depend on the power being on whenever you so please. I wonder how much more developed this place would be if the only time they worried that power will be cut off is because of an unpaid bill and not just because that is the way it is.

Red dirt economics

Unless one is on the main road, most streets here look like the one below. That one is in front of our house and actually one of the best groomed. Most roads here would not be considered passable in the US, with giant holes covering every few feet of ground.

The red dirt consumes everyone here, although the natives barely notice. Taking one's shoes off at the entrance of a home is much more upheld policy than any sort of law that exists here. The dirt stains everything in sight. The soles of the foreigners' feet tell this the most, as the contrast in color reminds us that we are not from here. Somehow, by chance, we were born in a place for better or worse, we can hold our representatives accountable for their actions. If we don't want holes in our road we have the right to demand that they be fixed. Paying taxes gives us power to demand our wants and desires because we have invested in our community.

I am about the furthest person away from claiming I have a good grasp on economics. However, I do understand the idea that free markets work themselves out and that people's needs will be inevitably met. But as I walk these uneven, rocky, red dirt roads every day, stepping in pools of water and trash because there are no drains or sewage or sanitation, I'm not entirely sure that they do.

Where did June go?

I haven't felt particularly inspired to write about Uganda. I feel like I should be writing something profound about this place; how the children have moved me, how poverty cripples infrastructure, how inspired I feel by the people I've met, and other things of that nature. And although all of these things are true, I have no desire to write about them. I think I have had no time nor need to process my experiences yet and that is why I can't really write. I am just really content living them.

But because I am an avid blog reader, I recognize the ridiculousness that is to have a blog and not update it. Therefore, I will catch you all up on some things from the last few weeks.

I visited the Nile River. You know when denial is not just a river in Egypt? Turns out it isn't just a river in Uganda, either. It starts here and we took a little boat and got to go around it for a little while. Very cool!

In children news, I've made no attempt to steal any. Most of the children here are in boarding school, so we spend most of our time with the youngest kids who are here. They are full of happiness and joy despite coming from awful circumstances. Many of them were abandoned at BKU from families who could not care for them for some reason. Many are orphans from HIV/AIDS or from the war. Most have seen and experienced things that no one should. I can't imagine watching my parents be murdered or surviving on the streets with my siblings begging for food. Although these are facts that one does not think about all of the time, every once in a while you hear more details of a kid's story and it takes you down. In the land of I know the importance of grief counseling, I wish I could talk to them more about that stuff. But most of the kids here are more concerned with being swung around and looking at videos on volunteers' computers, and I can't blame them for that.

Some pictures around my hood

Sondra

Not been posting as much as I'd like. Busy week. One of our kids had severe malaria and it was a bit dicey for a bit. She is better now but only because she was able to get treatment here quickly. Infrastructure is bogus here and a poor African child under 5 doesn't tend to survive malaria. It is a terrible statistic I've read a hundred times, but putting an actual little person that likes to be spun around in circles next to it is heartbreaking

One Week In

I've been in Uganda for a little over a week. It feels like I've been here for much longer. Perhaps because the other interns had been here for a few weeks when I arrived, there has been less time for adjustment and more encouragement for diving right in. Victoria, the head of Bright Kids is a mastermind. I wish she would teach all things international development. She gets it in every aspect and it is amazing to see it in practice and not just in theory.

I feel like we've done so much this past week. The Florida State interns are building a health clinic for the orphanage and we visited another health clinic to get some ideas of supplies and things we will need.  There is 1 doctor and 1 nurse assistant who do everything. It is crazy to think how much is outsourced in the US. The doctor does all of the lab work as well as regular GP stuff, minor surgery, and labor and delivery.  The picture below is some dude named Stanley. I'm not totally sure what he does there, but he told me how he is a faith healer on the side and blessed me in Luganda and told me I was in for a miracle. We were also blue polo twins. Win.

We also went to a parent teacher assembly this weekend. I hadn't met the girls who went to the school yet, so it was a bit odd to think I'd be representing the 'parent' portion. The meeting was very US-like in the together we will make a difference aspect. The starting over an hour late and running for 3 hours aspect was definitely very Ugandan. And exhausting.  I was excited to meet the girls. When we got home we got to hang out with these guys.

Bright Kids Uganda

I'm volunteering at a place called Bright Kids Uganda. The first picture is of the volunteer house where I am staying. It is also the BKU office. I have my own room, sleep under a mosquito net, and share a bathroom with two other interns.

When I arrived at the orphanage, a good chunk of the kids had already left for boarding school. I have spent most of my time with the smallest kids and those that go to school nearby. From left to right: Faith, Issac, Kato. I would snatch Issac up in my pocket.

All of the kids need sponsorship. BKU's goal is to get all of the kids in good schools in order to break the cycle of poverty.  Check out their website and make a donation if you can!

Some Catch Up

21 May 2012

In typical Ugandan fashion, the power went out when I was going to start this entry. It is my fourth day in Uganda and the lights have gone out every day at an unannounced time. My travels here went relatively smoothly. A red-eye from Newark to London. A sleeping pill which helped me be awake and alert for the 10 hour layover in London. During the layover, met up with my study abroad BFF Soma for some major catching up over cocktails (not sure if that went well with the malaria pills I was starting that day, but whatevs).  Boarded another red eye to Uganda. With amazing luck, managed to be seated in the seat in front of a mentally unstable woman.  She yelled at the flight attendants about what she wanted to eat (I WANT RICE!), not putting her seat belt on, and accusing them of stealing her luggage. She was angry at the man sitting next to her because she wanted to sit near the window, and punched the back of my chair 3x because I was invading her space. When she wasn't doing this she was talking in Luganda (Uganda's native language) to herself in a melodic, rhythmic way the entire time... for 8.5 hours.....awesome. Although making all of us feel a bit crazy, the flight arrived safely which what was most important.

Fast forward to the regular settling in stuff, I learned that my iPad plan did not match up with Uganda's internet plan.  Everyone here carries little flash drive modems that calculate personal use.  The iPad doesn't support USBs and can only pick up wireless signals. So I pretty much bought the most expensive book on the planet.  Oh well! Instead, I will be using Kim's donated laptop for my time here. Thanks Kim!

Just wanted to catch everyone up as I've been a bit MIA. Will write more about everything soon!

Uganda Eve

I leave tomorrow! I'm totally not freaking out or at a panic.

If you know me at all, you know that I'm a big fan of doing random things that I probably have no business doing.  I have a lot of "There was this one time I did this..." stories.  They usually start off innocently enough and end up involving flying an airplane or leading an anti-war protest in Europe.  I was able to pick up another one of these stories since I've been back in New Jersey.

I am a big believer in being prepared for terrible situations.  Past work experience has showed me the value of knowing CPR and First Aid.  Since I knew there was a clinic with not a lot of staff at the orphanage, I thought it would be a good idea to learn how to take blood pressure as well.  Not that I thought I would necessarily use this skill, but I think it's a good thing to know how to do in general. What started off as a request to learn how to do this ended up in riding on a 12-hour shift with Paramedics.

I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to Sean and Jim for letting me ride with them.  I had no idea what this shift would be like other than me trying to get out of the way.  I was able to get up close and personal with real people in need, digested lots of medical terms, and learned some more about the ins and outs of first response. You guys are awesome, and I know all 'no big deal' about what you do, but please know it was very much appreciated.  Also, a thanks to St. Joseph's Healthcare System and to Sonia S. for making this happen.

Also thank yous are in order for: Kim S., Sonia F., Dianne F., Jodie J.,  The Bickmore family, the Santos family and my brother for making some in-kind donations to the orphanage.  The kids are getting some school supplies and the orphanage is getting some working laptops and a camera because of them.  Thanks again!

Last Minute Plea

Everyone has been so wonderful on the donation department.  I've not asked for many things from many people, but I will be bringing lots of stuff to the orphanage.  This is my last open call ask, and I'd be down for picking up wherever in the NJ region.  

There is a clinic at the orphanage, and they are always in need of:

 

Pain killers, fever reducer, cough syrup, anti-diuretics, re-hydration salt, burn spray/ointment, ibuprofen, latex gloves

That kind of stuff. If anyone is interested, email me: mariac@gmail.com

 

So I just can't go to Uganda?

Before I go into my post topic, I wanted to answer a new question I received last night.  Sara Levenstein wanted to know my thoughts about Uganda's gazelle situation.  I honestly knew nothing about the gazelle situation in Uganda, so I told Sara that I would look into it and get back to her.  After some research, I feel comfortable saying "some seem to reside in Northern Uganda, but I don't know if it's an actual situation"  I feel like there is some sort of Jersey Shore joke here, but for the sanctity of gazelles, I will refrain.

So, you can't just buy a plane ticket to Uganda and start your travels.   There a few things to do beforehand in order to go:

Immunizations:

 I had to get seven! Most were boosters from childhood, some were brand new, six of them went in my arm and one went up my nose.  In the days following, I had a fever, aches, swollen glands, and broke into hives for two days.  All during the last week and a half of the semester.  My timing, like always, is impeccable.  Malaria pills start next week, and will be taken every single day until the end of August.

VISA:

This one caused most anxiety.  Having my passport out of my possession for almost two weeks so close to my depart was a bit nerve-wracking.  But luckily it got here yesterday.  Add on some international health insurance and everything is set paperwork wise.

10 more days to go!

Whoa, Uganda?

"Whoa, Uganda?" tends to be most people's reaction after I tell them what I am doing for the summer.  Perhaps I am saying it too nonchalantly, similarly to expressing a trip to the post office or market.  I suppose part of me has to say it that way to normalize it in my own brain.  Almost 10 weeks in Africa is super exciting and nerve-wracking, and definitely not part of my norm. So me making this trip as normal as possible needs to happen, or my nerves might make me throw up a little bit.

For the most part, everyone has been very supportive. People have been doing a superb job sending me well wishes and sounding most excited about my journey.  Others have raised some understandable concern.  Sub-Saharan Africa is no joke. I get it.

I've compiled a list of questions/comments I've gotten so far about this trip. Please feel free to add on any you'd like answered and I will do my best to do so.
  
Q: Uganda! What will you be doing there?
A: I will be working in an orphanage called Bright Kids Uganda  They have a lot of different sustainable projects that I will be helping with. I also hear a lot of soccer is in my future.

Q: Where will you live?
A:  There is a place for volunteers to live on the grounds of the orphanage. 

Q: Be careful not to be eaten by cannibals!
A: I will be very careful not to be eaten by cannibals. Luckily for me, Idi Amin has been dead for almost 10 years.  The 70's were some crazy times.

Q: Are you not afraid of Somali Pirates?!
A: I'm not.  Mostly because I'm not going to Somalia.  And because Uganda is landlocked.  Fingers crossed on being pirate-free.

Q: KONY! Is that why you are going?!?!?!
A: No, no, I am not off to track an international warlord that is the #1 guy on the International Criminal Court's list.   

Q: When do you leave?
A: May 16th. Newark-London; London-Uganda
  
Q: Who are you going with?
A: I am traveling solo.  However, 2 of my classmates will be at BKU volunteering or completing their internship (at different times) during my time there.

Those are my FAQs. Please keep checking back, I'm going to try and post as regularly as I can leading up to the trip and while I am there.