Well I guess I should probably finish this blog. I really slacked off the last month because I realized how soon I was leaving and got super blog lazy. I said goodbye to all of my friends in Mbale on my birthday and came home the next day. It was so hard to say goodbye. When the plane landed in Salt Lake I realized what was happening and almost stayed on the plane. I felt like I was in a dream. I couldn't believe how nice everything was.
I came home to carpet, took my first warm shower, and washed my clothes in a washing machine all while the power was still on. I still feel super awkward around white people and want to hug every black person I see on campus. Its a problem and I'm lucky to have friends to restrain me. I hope that I never forget the things that I saw in Mbale and the friendships that I made. We have so much but often don't take the time to appreciate the important things in life. We don't need a lot to make us happy. I have been so blessed in my life and have a lot of responsibility to give back. I hope that I can go back soon.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Soccer Camp, Dental Camp and Womens Health Camp
This week was packed with camps. On Sunday we had a soccer camp for the boys of summer set soccer academy. The main event? A game of Mzungus vs the academy. They killed us, but that's a given. We had people tripping over each other, others screaming when the ball came towards them and we even kicked the ball the wrong direction. We were one hot mess.
After the camp we taught classes on leadership. I was teaching a lesson on prioritization and started it out with a demonstration filling a bottle with rocks and sand and related it to getting important things done first. Afterwards I asked them what they thought we would be learning about and almost every time they said, "the weathering of sand and rocks!" Ha Ugandans are all about thinking outside the box.
Tuesday we held a dental camp at an elementary school. We examined over 300 students and extracted 50 or more infected teeth. Don't worry we had a dentist and anesthesia. We gave each of the kids free toothbrushes that had teeth removed too so that they wouldn't hate us too much the next time we came back. We taught about dental hygiene and entertained all 300 kids during the camp. We had to change a lot of our games though to things like goat goat pig instead of duck duck goose.
Wednesday was the big day. The women's health training I have been planning for over a month. It went better then I could have imagined. The women were so eager to learn and listened attentively for all 4 hours we taught and asked some great questions. We made family planning bracelets that were a huge hit. The women loved them. The highlight of my day though was holding a 3 year old on my lap that would mimic every word I said. I'm sneaking her home next time we are at the village.
After the camp we taught classes on leadership. I was teaching a lesson on prioritization and started it out with a demonstration filling a bottle with rocks and sand and related it to getting important things done first. Afterwards I asked them what they thought we would be learning about and almost every time they said, "the weathering of sand and rocks!" Ha Ugandans are all about thinking outside the box.
Tuesday we held a dental camp at an elementary school. We examined over 300 students and extracted 50 or more infected teeth. Don't worry we had a dentist and anesthesia. We gave each of the kids free toothbrushes that had teeth removed too so that they wouldn't hate us too much the next time we came back. We taught about dental hygiene and entertained all 300 kids during the camp. We had to change a lot of our games though to things like goat goat pig instead of duck duck goose.
Wednesday was the big day. The women's health training I have been planning for over a month. It went better then I could have imagined. The women were so eager to learn and listened attentively for all 4 hours we taught and asked some great questions. We made family planning bracelets that were a huge hit. The women loved them. The highlight of my day though was holding a 3 year old on my lap that would mimic every word I said. I'm sneaking her home next time we are at the village.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sipi Falls
I saw a seat belt for the first time in 5 weeks Saturday. WE were driving to sipi falls and Andy and I got first class treatment... the front seat. I almost would have rather been stuck with a million Africans in the back though than watch my life flash before my eyes as we weave in and out of cars. Even if I did have a seat belt on. It wasn't just my life I was worried about either. We almost hit 23 children, our driver wasn't stopping for anyone.
Hiking Sipi falls was hilarious. We had a crowd of 15 African kids following us. On the first falls we were hiking down to the base and had to go down a steep mud hill. We each had Ugandans on both sides of us helping us down but were still sliding everywhere. On the way back I literally had 2 boys pushing me up the hill. It actually was causing more problems though since they were pushing my bum and I was keeled over laughing. We gave quite the show at Sipi Falls.
Hiking Sipi falls was hilarious. We had a crowd of 15 African kids following us. On the first falls we were hiking down to the base and had to go down a steep mud hill. We each had Ugandans on both sides of us helping us down but were still sliding everywhere. On the way back I literally had 2 boys pushing me up the hill. It actually was causing more problems though since they were pushing my bum and I was keeled over laughing. We gave quite the show at Sipi Falls.
The Runner
W went up to the mountain village again this week to solidify our plans for the women's health classes we are teaching. The village didn't like my name so they gave me a new one... Khalai, meaning beautiful. I know, exactly what my parents should have named me in the states.
On our way home from the village the kids were just getting out of school. The village is a couple hour hike from the closest road so most of the kids have never seen white people. They were terrified of us. We got some good entertainment from running at the mob of black faces and watching them scatter. The best reaction I had was when I walked behind one of the kids and turned him around. The moment he saw my face he screamed, B lined it towards the side of the mountain and started sprinting down the mountain through the jungle. I watched him for a couple minutes to see if he would ever stop but he didn't. Just kept running and running. He is probably still out in the jungle running as we speak.
On our way home from the village the kids were just getting out of school. The village is a couple hour hike from the closest road so most of the kids have never seen white people. They were terrified of us. We got some good entertainment from running at the mob of black faces and watching them scatter. The best reaction I had was when I walked behind one of the kids and turned him around. The moment he saw my face he screamed, B lined it towards the side of the mountain and started sprinting down the mountain through the jungle. I watched him for a couple minutes to see if he would ever stop but he didn't. Just kept running and running. He is probably still out in the jungle running as we speak.
Recap
This past weekend we went to Jinja to visit the source of the Nile. We got there expecting to be able to walk right to the source but found a sign charging Ugandans 2000 shillings and non Ugandans 1000. Yep, racism still exists. Luckily we had Suzanne the expert bargainer with us though and we got them to lower the price for us.
We payed a guide to take us on a canoe to see the exact source and expected him to tell us about Lake Victoria and the Nile. Unfortunately it was dinner time and our guide was starving. When we asked him the difference he said, "This water is stagnant, this water isn't, can we go back now" I'm now very educated on Lake Victoria and the Nile feel free to ask me any questions.
Monday was the forth of July and as 23 Americans in Uganda we felt we should celebrate. We made hamburgers and french fries and sang the national anthem. The meat was sketchy but we made it work. If you want to see the excitement check our our you tube channel, Help International Mbale.
We payed a guide to take us on a canoe to see the exact source and expected him to tell us about Lake Victoria and the Nile. Unfortunately it was dinner time and our guide was starving. When we asked him the difference he said, "This water is stagnant, this water isn't, can we go back now" I'm now very educated on Lake Victoria and the Nile feel free to ask me any questions.
Monday was the forth of July and as 23 Americans in Uganda we felt we should celebrate. We made hamburgers and french fries and sang the national anthem. The meat was sketchy but we made it work. If you want to see the excitement check our our you tube channel, Help International Mbale.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Ugandans Say The Darndest Things
Lately we have gotten some great comments from our Ugandan friends...
While chasing two little kids one turned to the other and said, "Did you know mzungus eat people?"
From the workers outside our house, while Whitney and I walked with Devin, "Fantastic chicks man, they're majestic!" Obviously he's been watching too many American movies.
Getting my bag scanned before entering a hotel, while the metal detector is beeping frantically, "No bomb?" He didn't even pause to open my bag...made me feel real safe.
While out on a run in the morning with Whitney a Ugandan friend passed and said, "Whitney you are running but still getting fat."
While chasing two little kids one turned to the other and said, "Did you know mzungus eat people?"
From the workers outside our house, while Whitney and I walked with Devin, "Fantastic chicks man, they're majestic!" Obviously he's been watching too many American movies.
Getting my bag scanned before entering a hotel, while the metal detector is beeping frantically, "No bomb?" He didn't even pause to open my bag...made me feel real safe.
While out on a run in the morning with Whitney a Ugandan friend passed and said, "Whitney you are running but still getting fat."
Friday, July 1, 2011
Winnie Abby
Yesterday was incredible. I volunteered at the Maternity Ward again and witnessed 3 births. African woman are unbelievable. My personal responsibility was to take the placenta after it was delivered and dump it in a metal bucket with the rest. Such an honor I know. We also got to wrap the baby up and help the mother breastfeed for the first time. It was such a neat experience, words can't even describe it. To top it all off there is now a baby in Africa named after me and my partner at the hospital. Winnie Abby and you better believe she is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. Ha just like the two Mzungus she saw as she entered this world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)