This Is Africa

Still adjusting but I'm able to find humor in the little things, thank goodness!!! So many whacky & odd-to-us/totally random things happen everyday and our only fitting response seems to have become "TIA" - This Is Africa:

We're watching a heated, town favorite Arsenal game and right with a few minutes left in the match, the power goes out. No one moves..no one complains.

We walk out of a fruit market and there are 2 policemen with massive AK 47s. Aint no thang. And by fruit market I mean, pretty much any store/bar/establishment.

It's pretty typical to find 3 or 4 of our housemate Deo's friends sitting on our porch at any given time. Deo's not home, and although they are our friends, too, when we open the door they follow us right in like they're our roommates. Maybe to borrow some soap. Maybe just to lounge. My favorite is when they start singing.

We also just added a hammock to our porch, so that is a crowd pleaser and used at all hours. Seriously, all hours..

Our 10am meeting with Hope Schools headmaster and Youth Center volunteer started promptly at 12:15pm. What, you thought 10 meant 10?

At training last week we arrived at the field to find a giant steer with massssssive horns grazing in the middle. He didn't seem concerned with moving any time soon. Kids begin playing around the cow. And during the U-15 boys match on Saturday (some of these "14 year olds" had facial hair..ahem.. TIA) a herd of cows ran onto the field, prompting a total of 3 time outs during the game. So good....mooooooo

Probably one of my favorites is waking up to:
a rooster crow
packs of rabid dogs roaming the streets
Celine Dion music
I can't decide yet.. but Celine really does have some pipes.

Last week though, we learned of some more serious obstacles with our work here, however I still think it deserves a TIA response: There is a nursery school (connected with Hope School, where we work) that took over half of the Youth Center last year and is slowly but surely building it's own space nearby. S-l-o-w-l-y but surely (TIA). It's tricky cause we want our space back, but we want to help the nursery transition. It's been an ongoing issue and now we've inherited it. We had a meeting with a man called Jacques from Hope School and he asked us for a loan to help complete the nursery space. A loan of $1,000! (This was just a few days after he told us how many people in town only see mzungus as having a lot of $. Interestingly, he didn't include himself) The loan discussion didn't come as a shock altogether, but it's still an uncomfortable place, especially such a short time in. Hopefully, we will use this as a learning opportunity and educate Hope School officials about realistic business practices and expectations. My suggestion is to just get out there ourselves and lay bricks!! I'm not sure how that'd go over.

This is the space where the nursery will go..eventually!

This has given us some issues to work through which is good cause we have something to focus on. I am still trying to settle into life here and each day is a new learning experience. Some days are better than others but that's just life! On Sunday, we are heading to Jinga to go white water rafting...it will be awesome to get out and explore . It's supposed to be beautiful!

FYI Courtney is leading the chapatti count with 15. Must eat more.

Thinking of you all.... Be well.

View from our porch


Me, Courtney, Adam

My name is not mzungu!

It's hard to believe it's been just one week since I got here...

First off, the landscape is stunning! It is so green and lush. There are hills after hills of beautiful trees and plants. Kampala (30 min ride away) is another story, it's like NYC Chinatown on speed. Plus LOTS of pollution. Ahh, city life.. I will definitely get some pictures up soon!

On Saturday, I moved into my house with Courtney and Adam. We also live with Deo, who is a local. He's very thoughtful and is really great with the kids in the soccer program. It's a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom...with a toilet!! And running water! Can you believe it?! Our kitchen consists of 2 stone fire pits - which if I do say so myself, I have become pretty adept at getting going - can you believe THAT is the question? I had trouble starting a grill with pre lit charcoal before I left (embarassing, but true). Each night is a new adventure with the electricity. That'll take some getting used to. Plus, it gets dark around 7:30 and it's not really safe for us to 'move at night'. We've had some entertaining talks by candlelight already.

Speaking of those kids! They're out of school for 3 weeks; we arrived in the middle of their first week. School starts back up Sept 6, so it was a nice to get here without having to dive right into everything. This week I feel a bit antsy though... don't get me wrong, I love just relaxing and hanging around, but since we are known as "mzungus"..(white people/foreigner) so it's tough to go anywhere, even down the street for food (more on THAT later!!! mmmm) without being stared at, called, hailed or any other means by which to get our attention. Usually it's just kids which is sometimes cute - they seem to almost sing "Hi mzungu" -but most times a bit overdone. I'm trying to have an open mind about it all and be as friendly as I can but sometimes it's just the last thing we want to hear! I really hope (believe?) once we settle in a bit more and people begin to realize we are here for a LONG time, then maybe our names will replace mzungu. Sometimes I feel discouraged because I want to try & build relationships in my time here, not just put on programs and trainings but many seem so hesitant against that forging that path but I really hope that it's just a caution and not something more steadfast. Hopefully once we get busy we won't even notice!

In the past week, we've attended a few trainings (soccer practices) I really do believe the youth involved appreciate it and will hopefully be willing to attend other events we put on. These trainings are sometimes their only chance for fun. If they are home, they would likely be doing chores so they are very disciplined because they know that if they aren't they will be sent home. Very different from the kids I coached in NYC...!

When the youth are back in school we will hold a day of training for girls and a day for boys, and then Saturday AMs for all kids. A few days a week, we will also be at a place called Hope School leading classes. I'm looking forward to having the art & English classes since the headmaster informed us there is no art teacher and she feels that is a very important part of their day! Just call me bob ross. Plus, we hope to get things going at the Ndejje Youth Center soon. First up is the big Welcome Party which I'm stoked about!! We were told today, parties here MUST include food. Um........ duh! Once the word is out about the center and interest is just through the roof (a girl can dream, can't she!?) we will be able to start planning programs for the community. Definitely more to come on that, I'm so excited!

What else can I share? Well of course, the food. It's like I've died and go to produce heaven. The pineapples are bigger than my head and the juiciest things ever and cost 50 cents. Bananas are a delicious staple and mango season is coming up! YES. Avocados are everywhere...need I say more? Tonight I discovered kikamando.. It's red beans mixed with chapatti, which is sort of a mix between the most delicious tortilla you've ever had and naan. The roommates and I have a chapatti count and yours truly is leading with 10, but I think Courtney just brought home 3 for dinner though..shoot!

Hopefully this covered the basics but I've gone on way long enough already. Will I ever be brief in my updates? Probably not..... but I hope it wasnt too painful...

Thank you as always for your support over the last week and good vibes as I traveled, too. I know have a long road ahead, but with each day that passes I feel a little more at ease. We wonder outloud a lot if we will ever feel less like outsiders, but are not so sure of that. Either way, I'm so glad to be able to share the ups & downs with you, at least virtually for now. Please know I miss you and think about home, (wherever that may be!) often...

And as I can hear some kids whistling the world cup theme, I will get back to my African life. Until next time...

Todays the day!

Well, my bags are packed & I'm finally Uganda-bound. All that's left are the flights....

This past week was spent in San Fran (for training, not a last minute vacation!) where I met the two people I'll be with in Uganda, as well as 6 others who are working with SWB for the next 10 months - 4 are going to Guatemala and 2 to Nicaragua. It was really an awesome group of people to be around prior to setting off and a special shout out & thanks once again to Ben, Myra & Mary for all their hard work..

I was pumped to get a more intimate look at our program in Ndejje and I feel re-energized about our work there. The program is at a really cool stage in its development..its fairly new and teetering on the edge of awesomeness. The three of us (I should intro my "co-workers" Adam & Courtney) have a really unique and seriously cool opportunity to leave our mark and create some worthwhile programs that will last way beyond our return to the US of A next June. I'm really looking forward to seeing what our new community wants and what types of programs, workshops etc, they feel they'd benefit from. My goal, if you'll indulge me, is to create a consistent (hopefully weekly!) program for girls in the community. I feel equipped with lots of cool games, ideas for workshops, and of course fun projects that I really hope are well received! MUCH more to come on this...

We also got the chance this week to work at the Oakland Refugee Soccer Camp; it was a cool opportunity to flex our coaching muscles in a new setting. I was with the older girls (13+) and although they were a hand full (was I like that, mom?!?!) we had a blast. I've put up some pics from our time at the camp.

Well, see ya on the flip side..of the world! Woah... can't believe this day has finally come.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support - for reading this - for your donations - for believing this could happen. Let's go have some fun!