You shower and the water turns black
Traffic stops because a heard of cows is crossing the street
A boda ride is your morning blow dryer
Cock roaches are your roommates
Your guard is terrified of dogs and carries a bow and arrow
You get grazed by a car mirror walking down the street
Your bathroom is a hole in the ground
You eat dinner in the dark because the power goes out everynight
30 in a car is normal
You wait 30 hours for someone to show up to a meeting
You pass around a tomato with flour on it to show how germs are spread in sanitation class and it gets eaten.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
African Life
African life is starting to feel normal to me. Its hard for me to remember if things that happen are unusual or not. Something that will never get old is being treated like a celebrity. We went to a school on Friday and we each had at least 10 kids holding onto our arms and stroking them. They couldn't believe we were real, they looked at us like they finally met Santa. The kids know very little English but all scream "mzungu, mzungu how are you?!" perfectly.
We went and explored a slum called Mooni after work last week and all the kids were running out to follow us on the street and hold our hands. Not everyone is a fan of mzungus thought, the baby's usually start bawling because we are so scary. Ha Its going to be a major adjustment when I get home and don't get the same response.
I had some crazy experiences this week. I volunteered in the maternity ward at the hospital and watched two live births. The room we were working in had 8 women lying on tables in labor. They were all dead silent not even a grunt from any of them. I was cleaning a wall next to one of the them and i look over not even 2 minutes later and she has a baby on her chest. She delivered right in front of me and I hadn't even noticed. I was stunned. African women are tough.
I have also started working at an orphanage where children go after their mother dies and their father leaves them. The kids are 2 weeks old to 2 years old. It is so hard to be there but I have fallen in love with some of the kids and somehow end up going back again and again.
Godfrey is a 6 month old who looks as if he is 2 months old. They have very little staff at the orphanage so he sits on a mat most of the day and sucks his thumb while shaking his head side to side to comfort himself. The are so starved of love and I wish so badly they could find good homes. The babies are not as responsive as other children and many are very sick. They don't have diapers so they sit most of the day in a soiled towel. It is a devastating situation but makes me want to do all i can to help prevent this problem.
Africa is amazing, I have moments where I look around and realize where I am and can't help but say a prayer of gratitude that everything worked together to put me here this summer.
We went and explored a slum called Mooni after work last week and all the kids were running out to follow us on the street and hold our hands. Not everyone is a fan of mzungus thought, the baby's usually start bawling because we are so scary. Ha Its going to be a major adjustment when I get home and don't get the same response.
I had some crazy experiences this week. I volunteered in the maternity ward at the hospital and watched two live births. The room we were working in had 8 women lying on tables in labor. They were all dead silent not even a grunt from any of them. I was cleaning a wall next to one of the them and i look over not even 2 minutes later and she has a baby on her chest. She delivered right in front of me and I hadn't even noticed. I was stunned. African women are tough.
I have also started working at an orphanage where children go after their mother dies and their father leaves them. The kids are 2 weeks old to 2 years old. It is so hard to be there but I have fallen in love with some of the kids and somehow end up going back again and again.
Godfrey is a 6 month old who looks as if he is 2 months old. They have very little staff at the orphanage so he sits on a mat most of the day and sucks his thumb while shaking his head side to side to comfort himself. The are so starved of love and I wish so badly they could find good homes. The babies are not as responsive as other children and many are very sick. They don't have diapers so they sit most of the day in a soiled towel. It is a devastating situation but makes me want to do all i can to help prevent this problem.
Africa is amazing, I have moments where I look around and realize where I am and can't help but say a prayer of gratitude that everything worked together to put me here this summer.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Cats, Cow Intestine and Face Paint
I survived my first week in Africa! This week has been an adventure to say the least.
For a house full of Muzungus in Africa, a guard is a must. Our guard David is a Ugandan who is 5'6'', is terrified of dogs, and uses a bow and arrow and sling shot instead of a gun. I sleep by the window and no joke it sounds like i'm playing one of those "sounds of Africa" CD's. The other night I woke up because an animal was right outside my window making the most horrendous noise. It sounded like a baby was choking. After about 30 seconds I heard a BOING noise like a bow and arrow and the noise was gone. So don't worry i'm safe because our guard is a ninja and has no compassion towards cats.
I also have not been disappointed by the reputation of African food. Already I have eaten fried ants, chicken that I watched them butcher, a fish head and the big kicker cow intestine and stomach. Luckily I was sitting next to a boy when the intestine was served and put it on his plate when he was looking the other way. He still doesn't know...
This week we did a sanitation outreach at what we thought was a local village. All 24 of us and 3 Africans piled in our "Muzungu bus" and headed out to Pallisa. We had no air conditioning, at the hottest time of day and were down wind (or lack of it) from our African friends. The ride ended up being 3 hours through the jungle. There were times I literally thought our bus was going to tip over. It was quite the adventure, I was in tears I was laughing so hard by the end.
The village welcomed us with drums and dancing. We All danced together. Including the 90 year old women who was definitely shaking what her momma gave her. We painted the kids faces while the parents were being taught and I think some of the kids will have nightmares for weeks of a muzungu coming at them with a foreign object. Even if its was just a paint brush.
The people here are so generous. I have so much to learn from them. After our outreach we went to a hut in the village where they gave us a feast (of cow intestines) and sodas. I couldn't believe they were going so far out of their way to thank us. It was so hard for us to sit in that hut being treated like kings when some of their children weren't wearing clothes and we knew they probably wouldn't be eating tonight. They will happily do anything for you. We ask for directions a lot and not only will they tell you where to go they will escort you there. Ugandan's are wonderful people and I'm loving my time here.
For a house full of Muzungus in Africa, a guard is a must. Our guard David is a Ugandan who is 5'6'', is terrified of dogs, and uses a bow and arrow and sling shot instead of a gun. I sleep by the window and no joke it sounds like i'm playing one of those "sounds of Africa" CD's. The other night I woke up because an animal was right outside my window making the most horrendous noise. It sounded like a baby was choking. After about 30 seconds I heard a BOING noise like a bow and arrow and the noise was gone. So don't worry i'm safe because our guard is a ninja and has no compassion towards cats.
I also have not been disappointed by the reputation of African food. Already I have eaten fried ants, chicken that I watched them butcher, a fish head and the big kicker cow intestine and stomach. Luckily I was sitting next to a boy when the intestine was served and put it on his plate when he was looking the other way. He still doesn't know...
This week we did a sanitation outreach at what we thought was a local village. All 24 of us and 3 Africans piled in our "Muzungu bus" and headed out to Pallisa. We had no air conditioning, at the hottest time of day and were down wind (or lack of it) from our African friends. The ride ended up being 3 hours through the jungle. There were times I literally thought our bus was going to tip over. It was quite the adventure, I was in tears I was laughing so hard by the end.
The village welcomed us with drums and dancing. We All danced together. Including the 90 year old women who was definitely shaking what her momma gave her. We painted the kids faces while the parents were being taught and I think some of the kids will have nightmares for weeks of a muzungu coming at them with a foreign object. Even if its was just a paint brush.
The people here are so generous. I have so much to learn from them. After our outreach we went to a hut in the village where they gave us a feast (of cow intestines) and sodas. I couldn't believe they were going so far out of their way to thank us. It was so hard for us to sit in that hut being treated like kings when some of their children weren't wearing clothes and we knew they probably wouldn't be eating tonight. They will happily do anything for you. We ask for directions a lot and not only will they tell you where to go they will escort you there. Ugandan's are wonderful people and I'm loving my time here.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Is This Real Life??
I am seriously living in a dream right now. I made it to Africa after almost 48 hours of traveling, and much to my surprise so did my luggage.
On the way to Mbale we drove 6 hours on a bus through the African country side. Just to give you a picture of us. 12 Americans and all our luggage smashed in a tiny car driving through Uganda where there are no traffic laws.
As we drove through the villages the kids would all point and yell Muzungu!! Which means white person and would giggle. Some even started chasing our car. To say the least I had a permagrin the entire drive.
The highlight of my week was playing soccer with a Ugandan boys soccer team. The boys ranged from age five to sixteen and to say they were amazing would be a huge understatement. The boys kept laughing at me and would say, "muzungu, whenever you get the ball just pass it to me ok?" Just picture it one white girl who has never played soccer before and isn't naturally coordinated with 30 Ugandan boys who basically walked out of the womb playing soccer. I'm sure it was quite the show.
We also went to a school and I tried to teach a boy how to play tag.... FAIL. He chased me forever before I realized he didn't know he was supposed to touch me. So I turned around and explained it to him and said, "Ok now your turn to chase me". BAD IDEA. He was a blur... so fast. All the kids just burst out laughing at me trying to run away from a ten year old. Definitely not one of my finest moments.
Everything hasn't been easy though. We went and had an orientation at a hospital yesterday and I saw things I thought only happened in movies. I wish I had more qualifications and could help out more because they are so understaffed and lack supplies. I was at an orphanage today and a boy fell and had a huge cut on his foot. I started to dress it with the little supplies I have in my first aid kit and immediately I had at least 20 people lined up to show me their ulcer, cut or bed sore. It was very hard, especially when I ran out of supplies. I wish there was more I could do but I know that any little thing helps make a difference. I love Uganda and can't believe I am here.
On the way to Mbale we drove 6 hours on a bus through the African country side. Just to give you a picture of us. 12 Americans and all our luggage smashed in a tiny car driving through Uganda where there are no traffic laws.
As we drove through the villages the kids would all point and yell Muzungu!! Which means white person and would giggle. Some even started chasing our car. To say the least I had a permagrin the entire drive.
The highlight of my week was playing soccer with a Ugandan boys soccer team. The boys ranged from age five to sixteen and to say they were amazing would be a huge understatement. The boys kept laughing at me and would say, "muzungu, whenever you get the ball just pass it to me ok?" Just picture it one white girl who has never played soccer before and isn't naturally coordinated with 30 Ugandan boys who basically walked out of the womb playing soccer. I'm sure it was quite the show.
We also went to a school and I tried to teach a boy how to play tag.... FAIL. He chased me forever before I realized he didn't know he was supposed to touch me. So I turned around and explained it to him and said, "Ok now your turn to chase me". BAD IDEA. He was a blur... so fast. All the kids just burst out laughing at me trying to run away from a ten year old. Definitely not one of my finest moments.
Everything hasn't been easy though. We went and had an orientation at a hospital yesterday and I saw things I thought only happened in movies. I wish I had more qualifications and could help out more because they are so understaffed and lack supplies. I was at an orphanage today and a boy fell and had a huge cut on his foot. I started to dress it with the little supplies I have in my first aid kit and immediately I had at least 20 people lined up to show me their ulcer, cut or bed sore. It was very hard, especially when I ran out of supplies. I wish there was more I could do but I know that any little thing helps make a difference. I love Uganda and can't believe I am here.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
sleep tonight?... Yeah right
I leave tomorrow! I'm so excited there is no way that I will get any sleep tonight. I feel like I'm 5 again and it's Christmas Eve.
Who knows why I'm so excited considering these are my travel plans:
flight to chicago
2.5 hour layover
overnight flight to london
12 hr layover
overnight flight to kenya
1.5 hour layover
flight to uganda
and after all that... a 7 hour drive to Mbale
Bring on the Jet Lag
Who knows why I'm so excited considering these are my travel plans:
flight to chicago
2.5 hour layover
overnight flight to london
12 hr layover
overnight flight to kenya
1.5 hour layover
flight to uganda
and after all that... a 7 hour drive to Mbale
Bring on the Jet Lag
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Time Machine
I leave for Africa in 3 days and I have a feeling they are going to be the longest days of my life. If someone could invent a time machine for me it would be much appreciated. I think I have repacked my bags 10 times trying to stay busy.
It doesn't help that my team keeps posting pictures of all their shenanigans on facebook. I mean come on people this is torture!
In 4 Days...
This is where I will be staying (I know its basically a mansion all thats missing is a ferrari for the garage)
This is what I will be riding:
And last but not least meet our team puppy Simba. Yes, our team took in a puppy off the streets, brightest idea? Probably not. He is cute though so that means he doesn't have rabies right??
It doesn't help that my team keeps posting pictures of all their shenanigans on facebook. I mean come on people this is torture!
In 4 Days...
This is where I will be staying (I know its basically a mansion all thats missing is a ferrari for the garage)
This is what I will be riding:
And last but not least meet our team puppy Simba. Yes, our team took in a puppy off the streets, brightest idea? Probably not. He is cute though so that means he doesn't have rabies right??
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