Field Visits!

Since the second term started on May 24th for schools in Uganda, I’ve been able to progress with my field work on Peace Education. With four secondary and four primary schools in my case study covering 3 districts, let’s just say I’ve been doing some moving around. I have a week and a half of field visits left and then the tedious task of gathering all my data into a report begins.

So just to give you an idea of what I experience on a daily basis … pictures!

Pece P7 Friday Assembly

Peace Education Instructor at Police Primary

Pupil writing down her lesson during a Peace Education Class


Sign at Police Primary

Police Primary School Vision

Pupils at Pece P7 who participated in my research & their teacher Santa

Gulu Primary Guidance and Counseling Room

Gulu Primary

Students at Gulu Primary

Peace Education Class at Gulu Primary

Gulu High School Peace Club (2 pictures)

3 young men walking around GHS

Student standing in front of Gulu College

Home, Are We Limited to One?

SO, It finally happened … I thought it never would … because I’m just not that person … I’m not that person who gets homesick.

However about 2 ½ - 3 weeks ago I realized that I was. I know it may be strange that I remember the time my homesickness came, but to be honest I’m surprised that it came at all.

You see, I really seldom get homesick. My immediate family is not extremely close, but we are not distant- we love each other, but we don’t hover- we worry about each other, but we may not express it every time we feel it-

As for my extend family: my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents and best friends- They are all proud of me. Their well wishes and blessings have kept me so, that I’ve never been able to become too homesick.

Even in my 1 ½ years of staying on campus at UT, I was never the student who just couldn’t wait for break. It just didn’t hold the same appeal. I may have been excited about getting a break from school work, but never about just going home.

Actually during my first semester at UT, I stayed on campus for Fall Break. While everyone pilled into cars and headed home for the 3-day break, I refused to go. I had school work to do and it was just 3 days. I didn’t understand the hype. I knew traveling back to Memphis would distract me from work so a friend and I decided to tough it out and stay on campus … It was like a ghost town. I didn’t quite understand why people just had to leave.

However, I think I’m starting to get it now.

While I’m able to hold out much longer, others are not as “tolerant” of being away from home. But I think I may have found my limit- and it has nothing to do with the length of time- nothing to do with being in a foreign country …

But it’s the feeling of not being able to travel back home when you have the urge to see family and friends. To be able to travel back to a much familiar space and time- to be in the environment that you grew up in

If I were living in Uganda and could fly back home at any moment’s notice then I don’t think I would have gotten to this point- to feeling like this. But since I was suppose to leave in May and pushed my date of departure back to July I had gotten used to anticipating that I was leaving in May. Well, May has come and gone and my subconscious took notice.

I remember saying to myself one day, “Man, I just want to go home!” but I felt guilty right after thinking those words. All the wonderful experiences I’ve had here, all the growth- the knowledge I’ve gained. All the people who’ve touched me, their stories and hopes- the places I’ve seen … the things that put me in awe of this beautiful country … I hated that I had ever thought such words. To just want to go home-

I shared these same feelings with a very astute woman and she told me straightforwardly that it happens to all of us-

That simple- It happens to us all- even me.

The words of my mentor, Dr. Rosalind Hackett reminded me that it wasn’t me wanting to leave Uganda, but me wanting to just be home … at least for a little while!

Right now, the feeling of being homesick retreats and comes back like a tide. It hits me in waves. Whether it stems out of an email from my mom that makes me want to just run across the ocean to see her or a silly/sincere message from a best friend on facebook or a small reminder in my day that makes me have a flashback of home- but when the feeling comes my heartaches and a wave crashes upon my shore.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder- apparently in my case.

I am truly thankful to God for the truth of this statement though. Through this journey and separation, my mother and I have become closer. She still tries to overprotect me and she worries entirely too much, but the “I love yous” and “I miss yous” are exchanged on a regular between us. There’s a hint of new openness between us too. It’s nice and I hope it lasts. To be honest my journey to Uganda has brought my entire family a bit closer. OH the unexpected consequences, well let’s call them gifts, of researching and living in Uganda! I would have never thought!
…

They say:

“Home is where the heart is” – As my mentor reminded me
“Home is wherever your key can actually open the door” – a friend once claimed
“Wherever he laid his hat was his home” - The Temptations

All of these statements hold some truth to them so I’m challenging this notion of what home is. Is it where your family is? Is it where your friends are? Your work? Your job? Your school? Where your possessions are? … now, that’s something to think about.

Where is home for you? Are you really just limited to one place? … Oh, I sure hope not!
For me, my arms are open to the world- especially to all the places I’ve yet to go! Where my travels lead me- where a piece of my heart stays will be home. And when I’m away from one of my homes for too long I won’t shy away, but expect my homesickness to remind me that I don’t want to leave where I’m at because I’m tired of being there, but that a piece of me somewhere else would like a chance to be reclaimed … at least for a little while :)

“For heaven’s sakes are you condemning a whole generation in the Acholi sub-region to being carpenters and tailors?”

That statement hit me hard. It’s like the aftershock of when you try and open a door that you absolutely know is “open” and with all confidence you grab the knob and push with your whole body just to find that you’ve slammed your face into the door because it is in fact, very much “locked” … It hit me like that.

I was in a meeting with the director of a community-based organization in Gulu who shared with me some very eye opening information and more on the harsh reality of the educational situation in northern Uganda.

When researching, you sometimes get to a point in which you can predict what a participant might say and what your results may look like. You think you know everything there is to know about your particular subject. And for me, I felt as if the majority of the people I was working with shared the same sentiments as I did about the power of community and local initiatives. In general they do, but I’ve finally found the gray area.

Right now, the gray area includes finding out that one of the local organizations that is a part of my study has been speculated of being guilty of nepotism and mismanagement of funds leading to loss of a donor and funding. As much as I believe in community I was faced with another “locked door” situation. But I wanted to address this first before getting into the topic of this post. I’m learning that there may be no formula to running a successful program/initiative- whether run by locals, foreigners, expatriates, a mixture- Locals may understand the situation better, but you find that outsiders grasp that much as well. There is still power in community and local initiatives, but I have learned not to discount those that are not.

I am grateful though. The learning never ends so I am keeping my mind, heart and more importantly EARS open.

…

Talking with the director, some very interesting information came up. He said: “Today most of the interventions are people [the youth] being trained in vocational skills and what are we talking about- carpentry, tailoring, bricklaying and concrete laying”

It doesn’t sound “bad” at first does it? To give the hope of a better future through vocation to thousands of Acholi and Langi youth who don’t have the opportunity to continue their formal education. But as I’ve learned, these vocational skills programs discriminately outnumber those providing scholarships for secondary education and disproportionally outnumber programs for university sponsorship.

So what are we looking at here? … Exactly what is being suggested- The northern community of Uganda will not be able to compete on the same level as the rest of Uganda- especially with central. The Acholi and Langi continue to remain marginalized in accessing meaningful education. When local/national political and civil positions become available who will be qualified to run for them? The carpenters and bricklayers of the north?

I would take the time to discuss the UPE an USE (universal primary/secondary education) but we all know that these two governmental initiatives to aid education in the north are “free in theory” so I shall not misuse time and talk about it.

BUT

I believe that this wouldn’t be such a dire situation if there were more scholarship programs for tertiary education and if access to all levels of education was higher in this region. Yes, things take time and reconstruction is a tedious and extensive process, but it does not mean that the best solution is to settle.

In a way everyone is caught up. Donors don’t like to fund projects that they cannot immediately see the results for. Many NGOs and CBOs receive funding for 1, 2 years and after they must search or renew for that same funding. So there is a real struggle to secure funding for 6-8 years. But with education, “long-term” funding is the name of the game. What we are seeing is organizations and initiatives catering more towards these vocational programs because they will receive funding for them AND in 1 or 2 years donors see results.

A friend put it this way: “Sponsorships don’t pay off in the short-term. You keep sending children to school, but it takes years to realize what the pay-off has been and many donors are not that patient … yet if you are really to make a long-lasting intervention that is the way to go; you’ve got to make for posterity, you’ve got to cater to the future of this region.”

This is creating a lack of human resource in northern Uganda in fields such as medicine, law, administration, politics and among all things education! I would love to see many more youth from the north be able to compete and compete favorably with their counterparts in the rest of the country. After all that has happened in and to this region and people- the bureaucracy of aid is hindering true growth …

So the question still remains “Are we condemning a whole generation in the Acholi sub-region to being carpenters and tailors?”

Comments are welcomed.

One Day I'll Wake Up

This is not a dream. This is not a dream. This is not a dream. This is my life.

Have you ever had to tell yourself that? In good situations and in bad- that what is happening around you is actually real.

Well I’m saying it now, but for me it’s the good kind of realization. And for that I am grateful
If you’ve been reading then you know I’m living in northern Uganda- Gulu to be exact. This journey started in January and sadly it is coming to an end soon. And by soon I mean mid-July.

I looked at the calendar today and I have a little less than 8 weeks … see I know what you’re saying, “8 weeks? That’s a really long time” … and my reply would be along the lines of, “not when you’ve been here for months” … “and not when you can’t even count how many things you’ll miss between the time you leave and the time you return”

…

I ate dinner alone tonight. I met up with the crew (Erin, Dustyn, Rachel, Whitney and friends Jeff and Sam) for dinner at a traditional foot spot called Tofique- But I left to eat at Mealtime because Tofique was finished with a lot of the dishes I actually eat.

Which leads me to tell you some of the things I will miss the most:

Malakwang and sweet potatoes! traditional beans and rice, rolex, chapatti and motoke, roasted corn, the chicken. Oh the FRUIT: bananas, pineapple, mangos and apples. Yes, I can get these fruits in the States but they taste so much better here :)

I’ll miss the Gulu market, the evening sunsets, the neighbors children running up to touch my hand and occasionally walk me to the road.

I’ll miss the stars because you can see them so well versus back in Knoxville or Memphis. I’ll miss the moon which lighted the sometimes difficult path back to our house at night.

I’ll miss the landscape … the beautiful beautiful landscape. The majesty of the Nile, the vibrant green hills.

I’ll miss riding on bodas

I’ll miss traveling … to the village, to Kampala to Kitgum. I’ll miss the fresh air outside of town. I’ll miss the people- all the people I’ve met and their stories.

I’ll miss, I’ll miss, I’ll miss and keep missing until I return

However, things I will not miss: the bad roads (but I’m sure every Ugandan would say the same thing), the jeering men & extreme change in weather (hot or rainy- take your pick)
…

So as I walked back to our apartment from dinner at Mealtime I told myself, “this is quite in fact a dream- a very vivid dream” and I congratulated my conscience for crafting such a detailed and magnificent dream. The walk home made me think about how much I’ll miss the cool night and the breeze as well.

I know that for about 8 more weeks I’ll get to wake up here in my second home. A place that is so real that I think it’s a dream sometimes.

For months now, I’ve been planning how and when I’ll be coming back. I'm hoping next summer. Because I know that one day I’ll wake up …

and I won’t be in Uganda anymore.

“Really All The Students Have Been Affected …

they may not have been abducted themselves, but maybe their parents were abducted. Or simply they were all forced to live in a camp. So in one way or another all the children have been abducted. All of them have something to say about peace and the need for peace”
-Educationalist for the Pincer Group International Limited.

Living is Gulu sometimes it’s hard to believe that northern Uganda was once a war-zone- The site of brutal killings and rape, mass murders and child abductions. I wish I didn’t have to start this post by recounting what was, but it’s important to note that these things did occur- That they happened and the people affected are the people I meet and talk with everyday …

Like I said it’s sometimes hard to believe. Even when I travel to districts and regions such as Amuru, Pabbo and Kitgum I know that these roads were once dangerous and impassable. Remnants of the war come in different forms: a destroyed school building here, a IDP camp there, from the physically disable who you see on a weekly basis to the mentally disturbed people moving about with no clear direction … it comes and goes through your mind and you remember the history, the stories, the lives lost and those still living with the cost of war.

I mean the “cease-fire” was in 2006 so everything is “freshly post-conflict” and yet the resilience here is inspiring and unbelievable.

But recently I was overwhelmed with what was … and sadly what still is.

I’ve been volunteering for the Acholi Education Initiative (AEI) for about a week and a half now. AEI was started in 2001 by a cross section of Acholi society in Gulu, Kampala and in the Diaspora under the auspices of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative. Their vision is to empower war affected youth for sustainable peace and development in the country.

My first task before going out into the field was to organize and file student profiles of youth who are beneficiaries of sponsorships from the Netherlands & Irish embassy, War Child Canada and DANIDA. It seemed like an easy job. I’m not much of an office person so I was anxious to get out into the field. But as I continued removing student photos, labeling them, filing them by school name I started to notice the handwriting inside their individual folders.

Each folder contained a different style of handwriting and I discovered that they were filled out by the students themselves. There was a pattern among the files because AEI works with the most vulnerable war-affected youth (most are orphans). I scanned folder after folder in which students recounted how they lost their parents …there was malaria, AIDS and natural causes, but most of the students' parents were killed by the LRA rebels and even by the Karomojong.

For one girl, after her father was killed by the LRA her mother was murdered because her brother escaped from LRA captivity. And a young boy’s eye was removed after he attempted to escape for the first time.

No article, no report, no statistics can come close to the vivid voices of these children. Nothing can record what they themselves can write down about what happened to them and their families.

I physically felt heavy. My heart sank to my stomach. My eyes, blurry, stayed glued to the pages even though my mind instructed me to stop reading. If you were a victim of abduction there was section for that. Some were in captivity for as little as 1 week and others for as long as 1 year. These boys and girls are usually the eldest too and they all claim their younger brother and sisters as dependents.

So who is taking care of them if they are orphans? Well for those who lost one parent they are struggling with a single-parent income. And for those who lost both parents, their new caregivers range in age. But mostly they are 26 to 35 year old peasant farmers and maids and then you may have a grandparent taking care …

It was hard for me to continue filing. I had to take a few moments to breath. Their faces stuck in my mind. The eeriness of the white and black portrait shots of more than 150 students. File after file- a story to tell. It seemed like something out of a movie. But it’s the reality all around me.

The situation is dire especially since acquiring funding is extremely difficult these days. Even one of AEI’s donors has decided to withdraw their support this year citing a number of reasons, but one included that the “war is now over” … but to me, NOW is the most critical point to support CBOs like AEI. What you invest in now will set the trend for things to come since you are rebuilding from war.

These community-based and grassroots initiatives are so important to these communities and are essential to the rebuilding of the north. And I believe in community. There are so many initiatives on the brink- trying to survive on the little donations and funding that they have. They’re not yet “big names” they are not “well-established” so they get looked over for grants and funds. But I say INVEST in them! especially when there is little money to go around.

“We understand the people. It is easier to talk from the African context” – Bishop Ochola

“I’m a teacher myself and I have taught in the classroom since 2006 and I know the problems that our students here in northern Uganda are going through” -Innocent Achaye, founder of a new community initiative called Pearl Africa Education Initiative

“I told you in our selection process we involve the community members and so we have the support of the community members themselves, the local leaders and even the students are very grateful for what is going on so they are willing to cooperate with us. They are really willing. And you see here the working environment is good” – Susan Alobo, project coordinator for AEI


I am not saying that funding should be directed away from the national and foreign governmental organizations and agencies, but that there should be a preference for grassroots initiatives to the point that they don’t need to give their ideas and programs over to well-established organization and hope that it gets picked up. It’s a real struggle to see these initiatives survive off as little as 2 million UGX for 2 years and the kindness family and friends …

I hope to gather more information on this topic of CBOs in education and the power of grassroots initiatives as I further my research for my Howard H. Baker Scholar appointment in the coming weeks.

For now, I’m not sure how these initiatives will keep providing services for the community and a part of me thinks that they will not be able to in the current economic climate. But like I said, resilience is abundant here.

Acholi Dance Festival

About two weeks ago, I was invited by a friend who works for Gulu Public Primary to witness an Acholi cultural dance festival & … It was absolutely AMAZING! There were about 6-7 groups who performed almost a dozen dances with traditional costumes and instruments.

Dances included:
The Raka-Raka (for Courtship)
The Bwola (for Peace) &
The Otole (Warrior Dance- which was performed solely by elderly Women)

The festival was sponsored by The Watoto Church, Gulu Theatre Artist Company and the War Affected Youth Association.

I left with my heart full !!! Again, I will let the pictures speak for themselves

Peace Education in northern Uganda

Many of you who are familiar with my postings know that I am a second year student at the University of Tennessee pursuing research on Peace Education (PE) in northern Uganda. I have been here in Uganda since January 22nd. Recently I changed my departure date from May 17th to July 13th- Giving me almost 3 more months to continue researching … and eating malakwang and sweet potatoes :)

Proud to say that significant progress has been made- Like I’ve said before, I’m learning so much and I’m continuing to learn each and every time I go out into the field. This post is my effort to try and share with you the things I’ve discovered about the current implementation of Peace Education in secondary schools.

Here it goes …

Looking at the educational infrastructure of northern Uganda reveals a system devastated by war. Some of the best teachers and administrators fled the region during the insurgency. Schools in the rural were destroyed and those in the municipality were overcrowded with children from the greater north. Resources, learning materials and basic facilities were in short supply and today they remain insufficient. Around 90% of the Acholi & Langi people were relocate to IDP camps and as many of you know, countless children were abducted.

Now with a state of relative peace in the region I find myself wondering how people are copping with the gaps left in the schools by war. Who is helping to rebuild this sector and how is education being used to prevent a return to conflict? These questions pointed me in the direction of Peace Education. USAID, SPRING (local civil-society organization) and UMECS (United Movement to End Child Soldiering) have initiated a pilot-project that will introduce and incorporate peace education and guidance and counseling in 7 schools: Lira Palwo in Pader, Pabbo Secondary in Amuru, Kitgum Alliance High in Kitgum, Sir Samuel Baker, Sacred Heart Academy, Gulu College and Gulu High in Gulu District as well as Unyama National Teacher’s College.

A report from SPRING highlights the pilot project’s peace education goal: “This is intended to bolster reconciliation and national healing, following decades of armed conflicts in several parts of the country … to build a culture of peace on a systemic basis will begin, starting in schools and emanating into the communities.” SPRING’s director for Peace and Access expressed that she thought this initiative would “help the region avoid future conflicts”

My Findings …

So far I’ve visited Kitgum Alliance, Gulu College, Gulu High and Paboo Secondary in relation to this study. Each giving me a unique look at how this pilot-project is working on the ground- I am still looking to observe some of the peace education activities like drama, dance, debate and the actual class-room discussions, but this must be pursued when the 2nd semester begins in late May.

However, select interviews with staff from SPRING, the Ministry of Education & Sports, teachers, faculty and students of these secondary schools revealed that different schools have different methods of incorporating the new peace education curriculum. Some like Kitgum Alliance put it in the timeslot for teaching every Friday, while Gulu College has a slot in the curriculum everyday in-between subjects like history and physical education.

Whatever way they wish to incorporate it, all the teachers trained in PE follow a teacher’s guide on related topics of gender, human rights, freedom and democracy, social justice, environmental sustainability, vulnerable groups, culture, violence, conflict mitigation and management, development of inner peace, peace itself, and how to relate and socialize peacefully with others around you . Most instructors are firm believers in PE. Many recalled that before the teaching of PE the students did not know how to relate to each other in a “peaceful” manner. Every dispute would somehow erupt in aggression. Now they say that those cases have decreased and even their relationships with their pupils have improved.

Personal Accounts ...

From a PE instructor when asked what they have gained from training and teaching: I have gained … because when before I received this training I used to abuse drugs, like maybe taking alcohol but it has changed my lifestyle and nowadays I don’t take it … they said before you teach somebody, stop somebody from doing something you have to also changed your style …

From a student on how PE has helped her: Helps me to develop … it developed my means to be of help in the community

From a student on if PE was needed in school: Yes, because if there is peace in northern Uganda then we will even study well and our government will also plan well for us

From a teacher on if PE can prevent a return to conflict: You know when we create a culture of peace especially from this generation, the young ones we believe are going to avoid any future occurrence of similar atrocities because they will develop knowing what is suppose to be done as far as peace is concerned, they will know how to prevent violence, they will know how to mediate, they will know how to resolve conflict, so we believe this generation is so lucky that they are going to utilize what is being taught

…

Students are becoming peace actors themselves. In some secondary schools they have become youth counselors in which their peers can come to them for advice first. Although nothing formal has been recorded what’s most exciting to hear is that students take these topics of PE and discuss them with their families. The pilot was just implemented in February, but my hope is that over the student’s first break since engaging in PE the teachers will record and ask the students how they were able to affect their community- adding another dimension to PE

So much more I wish to write about, but for the sake of the few who read my postings let me wrap up!

Students and teachers link peace education directly to having and maintaining a peaceful state in northern Uganda. I’m not sure how practical this is, but the belief is there … and because they see the two as connected and interrelated there is a good chance that this pilot-project, if successful and extended across all of Uganda, will decrease the likelihood of a return to conflict in northern Uganda and will act as a preventative measure for future conflicts in the country.

Me: What does Peace mean to you?
Youth at Kitgum Alliance: Really Freedom

Wa Winye: Listening To The People

So as promised, here is my blog about Music for Peace … And other things :)

MfP is a movement to transform conflict zones in Africa through the power of music. It was started by a good friend and fellow core-Jazz for Justice member Lindsay McClain. She recently graduated from UT in December 2009, but during her undergraduate years she traveled to Uganda five times and eventually designed a major around her work.

Now living in Uganda she works with the Justice and Reconciliation Project. She is also acting as exchange coordinator for MfP. So as her roommate I was enlisted to help! Music for Peace’s goal is to build artistic and cultural exchange between the conflict areas of northern Uganda and Sierra Leone. While attending a conference in Ghana last year she met a Sierra Leonean artist from Freetong Players International … They talked … Got to know each other’s background … brainstormed … and the rest is history!

Now MfP with the support of the Jazz for Justice project (JfJ) is sponsoring a peace music competition here in Kitgum and Gulu during the month of April which will allow one local artist to join Lindsay and northern Ugandan artists Jeff Korondo and Jahria Okwera to Sierra Leone in May (15-23) for the cultural exchange as well as a music festival.

It’s all so exciting! And wonderful to see how people are getting interested in the movement. Lindsay and Jeff Korondo have put a lot of work into this and we are all hoping for its success. If you are back home and would like to donate please visit musicforpeace.wordpress.com ! We are at the half-way mark for donations and we have two events left: A competition TODAY in Gulu and the finale competition next Friday. Please feel free to donate. (instructions are on the site)

… Also let’s not forget my other roommate and JfJ member Erin Cagney, an Anthropology honors student, who has a project of her own in which she is working with Bishop Ochola to turn Acholi traditional folktales into cartoons to distribute to schools. These stories are so important to the culture here and due to the war the tradition of telling them has been all but lost. There will be 30 booklets in all, each containing a different story. The project is in it infancy, but we hope in the next year at least several copies of one book will be published. Then from there we can apply for funding to publish more. The title of the series is “Ododo Na Moni Yoo” translated "This is my story."

Then there's CreatEd … it stands for Creative Education. It is a pilot project started by fellow JfJ core member Dustyn Winder. He will be joining us in May to implement this project in two schools (one rural and one in the municipality) The goal of the project is to promote cultural reinvigoration for northern Ugandan youth through the melding of Acholi artistic traditions with popular culture. And if successful it will be implemented in more schools!

SO A LOT is GOING ON! … And other projects are in the works too :)

Just thought I would share with the folks back home all the awesomeness that is happening here. All the good things being pursued by young students- And the best thing about it is the fact that Ugandans are ALL involved in these projects. Their voices are not pushed into the background. I have seen this happened before- In fact it is happening right now with the LRA Disarmament Bill and Northern Uganda Recovery Act being pushed through senate right now. We all support recovery in the north and an end to the LRA insurgency, but many of my friends and I do not support the bill’s provision for a “military solution”

Living here has allowed me to see that the people of northern Uganda do not support the decision for a military solution either. And rather than the groups back home listening to that sentiment, they have turned a deaf ear to do what they think is best. Three rather influential organizations: Resolve Uganda, The Enough Project and Invisible Children have banded together using their thousands of followers to push for this bill. These organizations aren’t “bad” but they do have the tendency to either misrepresent the situation in northern Uganda or do things like now push for a solution that the Acholi and Langi people do not want. Those of us in Jazz for Justice do not wish the bill to fail, but we cannot support it under these conditions.

So I challenge everyone to research and look more closely at initiatives that you think are “helping people” and decide for yourself whether it is actually benefiting the people on the ground or is it making you feel good as a person. Be informed- Educate yourself- And you can be that change agent- the person that can find a way to do it better. Humanitarianism is not black and white. It has areas of gray so it’s important to listen. To listen to your instinct and more importantly to listen to the people-

I’m sure with time I will create my own initiative like my JfJ friends. But for right I’m helping support their projects. In the meantime I will be here, listening to the people of northern Uganda with an open mind and heart.

Wa winye

Or “Let us Agree” … And I hope that somehow everyone can agree so that we can move forward together

Now She Is Rising ... Still

It’s morning … and I’ve just gotten myself out of bed- Actually, it’s almost noon … The girls are still sleeping. I’m not sure why I’m up now because we had such a busy time last night helping Lindsay and Jeff Korando with the launch of Music for Peace (musicforpeace.wordpress.com). BUT I will save that event for my next blog …

Last night, we arrived around 8PM to help set up and Erin and I worked the door until about 3AM. We made it home close to 4AM (sigh) … just thinking about it makes me want to go jump back in bed … but I’m up … my body would not let me lie and my mind woke up racing with thoughts between here and nowhere. You know that place. Where despite all your attempts to go back to sleep you return to every now and again. A place of endless random thoughts of life and love, growth and stillness, confusion and understanding –

So despite my efforts I woke up in that place and this time instead of fighting to return to my sleep I rose to greet the bright African sun, the noisy children outside, the cool breeze, the neighbors’ crying babies and the stillness of our house

I rose this morning and yet I feel as if I am still rising. That is, to new heights— of learning, loving- joy and truth in both its forms of ugly and beauty to somehow find myself and God in unfamiliar places.

I know that I am not the same as I was before I came. I’ve gained so much.

This trip … this journey to Uganda has allowed me to experience a culture other than my own. Where on some days I feel detached and on others I fit right in…

At this moment, this exact second I’m no longer worried academically as I was as a freshman. Yes, I still second guess myself- sometimes I wonder if I can live up to all the titles I’ve acquired- A College Scholar, Baker Scholar, core-member of Jazz for Justice and Amnesty International UTK … the list goes on and on.

So far, I’ve been able to keep it together, but I’ve always worried people would discover that I’m not as great as those titles describe me to be … that I’m not some extraordinary student, that I’m a little black girl from the inner-city who happened to escape her surroundings of frequently replayed scenarios of dreams deferred, lives broken and violent encounters.

But Uganda, she has allowed me to take that and push it aside. I’m not worried anymore. I know failure and triumph go hand and hand so I embrace whatever comes to me and especially what does not

Living and studying in Gulu with the Acholi people has allowed me to see the resilience in them. They are deeply concerned about their future. They are tired and weary from war and heart-broken over destroyed cultural practices, traditions and infrastructures … but they will not give up. They believe in the power of cultural revival, the healing in reconciliation and the importance of education for rebuilding their lives and society.

And I … I believe with them. Two-decades of war devastated this region. The LRA and its leader Joseph Kony are currently in other regions in Sudan, DRC (the Congo) and CAR (Central African Republic) bordering northern Uganda reeking havoc and destroying lives there. Psychosocial trauma here is a growing problem, many people are still in the desolate IDP camps and poverty is abundant.

Despite all of this and then some I rose this morning to noisy children laughing, singing and playing, to busy mothers and fathers preparing for the Easter celebration tomorrow, to the stillness of our house versus the outside world … Northern Uganda is rising. She is rising from conflict with strength and conviction in an effort to move forward to just a sense of normalcy and familiarity with the environment she has known for centuries.

And I am rising with her, intertwining our hopes and dreams as we go ...


This blog is dedicated to Mrs. Jennifer Alejo. My 12th grade English Teacher who I affectionately call Mama Mcgawl- Mama, you reach down in all of your students to show them a part of themselves that was hidden. You reached into me and showed me that I could be more than what the world told me I could be. You pushed me academically when no one else would, you relentlessly encouraged me and you let me go with all confidence into the world to defy what Maya Angelou calls “the odds and gods” to "sing my song." Thank you.

Resilience

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit the sub county of Awach. Erin, Lindsay and I were escorted by the War Affected Children’s Agency (WACA) to witness traditional dances and songs by a youth and orphanage group. Although we stayed longer than expected the experience was amazing.

Most if not all of these young people have been directly traumatized by the war.

The video would not upload, but the pictures explain themselves ….

Traveling the Span of Uganda in One Week: The Faculty Mentor Edition

Honestly, I think we traveled the span of the country in one week.

(from the south) Entebbe --> Kampala (to the north) --> Gulu (and then more north) --> Kitgum (which happens to be 40 miles from the border of Sudan!!

What’s the reason for all this traveling? … Well, I’m glad you asked!

Before my departure for Uganda, my faculty mentor Dr. Rosalind Hackett and Erin’s faculty mentor Dr. Tricia Hepner made plans to visit us during UT's spring break. Erin and I were pretty excited about their arrival.
Then as the weeks passed and we realized “Hey, our professors will be here in 2 days!” we began to panic. Had we done enough research/field work to receive their stamp of approval? Had we made significant progress in their eyes?? Did our data and efforts reflect what we reported to them through email??? ….

Then there was a little thing that I like to call “ The Hackett Effect” … Only few students have experienced it- the exhaustion, the non-stop moving, the begging to take a nap! All the things you become familiar with when you have the pleasure of spending time with Dr. Hackett in Africa. She’s amazing. She has more energy than any two people and she can keep going past the average person's limit … so, let’s just say the effect is real … and I’m a survivor ;)
We couldn’t have accomplished more in one week than if we had brought an official delegation of people from UT.

BUT moving on. The activities of the week: The girls and I made the trip down from Gulu to Kampala by bus. Thanks to the incredible planning skills of Lindsay, we arranged transport and hotel accommodations for our awesome professors, and then we picked them up from the airport on Friday night.

The following morning we spent the entire day in the comfort and homey environment of the hotel’s dinning and living room area. Many friends of Dr. Hackett’s and The Jazz for Justice Project (JfJ) stopped by, including the co-founder of the Northern Ugandan Girls Education Network (NUGEN), Betty Udongo. We managed to only leave the hotel at the day’s end to have dinner. And boy was that a TREAT! I think we must have found the BEST Mexican restaurant in all of Kampala “Lotus Cantina!" So that was our first day. Things only picked up from that point. In six days we managed to meet with representatives and staff from Refugee Law Project, Gulu University, the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies and Gulu University’s chapter of the Rotary Club. Not to mention the great meeting we had with Gulu’s LCV Chairman and presidential candidate, Norbert Mao.

Next, in what I like to call HIGHLIGHTS of the week: All the different types of cuisine we enjoyed! If it wasn’t Mexican that first night, It was Turkish on Saturday, Indian on Monday, Traditional (Ugandan) food on Wednesday, Ethiopian on Thursday …but some of the best food of the trip was traditional, served to us at Bishop Ochola’s home in Kitgum.

Still with all of that, the most wonderful development of the week came out of a board meeting with Gulu University deans, faculty and staff. After three very lengthy meetings, a partnership was struck between GU and UT. The first installment of this partnership is an international service and study aboard program that would take place as early as next summer in Gulu! From there, we hope to open a formal exchange program between students and allow faculty from UT to come and do guest lecture series. Everything is still in its infancy, but the commitment is there from both parties.

As a student who came here independent of a study abroad program, I welcome the idea of more UT students participating in international service learning. I’m overjoyed to share the gift that is Uganda with others. And what an unbelievable gift it is.


P.S. All that worrying that Erin and I did was for nothing. They were very impressed (phew!) and everything worked out :)

Busy Week. Big Results. Great Memories

1st Picture: War Memorial in Kitgum
2nd Picture: A school that was destroyed and abandoned during the war. Took this picture on our way back from Kitgum- the school wall is riddled with bullet holes
3rd Picture: 3 lovely little girls coming home from school right next to the Pincer office
4th Picture: The Professors standing on the hill of a Catholic Church overlooking Kampala- Breathtaking view
5th Picture: Lindsay, Erin and I at the Miracle Center Church

Too Little Time … So Much To Do

Some updates on my research for all you academics out there! “Eh em” (Clears Throat)

There has been a slight change in plans BUT everything is still on track thanks to the “pow-wow” between a creative team of faculty mentor (Dr. Hackett), committee member and faculty advisor (Dr. Hepner) recent college scholars graduate (Lindsay), honors anthropology student (Erin) and northern music artist (Jeff Korando) …

I’ve gained a better focus and I am still operating under the program I designed for College Scholars: “Post-Conflict Education.” But for the purpose of my time here I will be studying Peace Education in Schools- specifically the implementation of “Peace Clubs” in primary schools and the integration of a peace education curriculum in the secondary schools

Peace Education is a broad term, but it is used to describe a range of activities including promoting peace and nonviolence, teaching conflict-management skills and encouraging tolerance in schools and the community.

My initial comparative study on NGO, local and foreign educational programs was a little too broad for the time that I’m here. The good thing is, is that I have a ton of background information for my focus and a large pool of connections to help me visit schools where there is a peace education curriculum. AND even greater, the agency that I volunteer for, The Pincer Group International Limited, is the group that established “peace clubs” in primary schools! Can you say divine appointment?!

So YES, research is going well … so well in fact that I might stay a little longer … till maybe around mid July …

A change in plane ticket may be on the way!

Atye Ka Kwano Leb Acholi

I am Learning Luo …

For the past week Erin, Lindsay and I have been taking Luo language lessons- one hour, every morning. Luo is the predominant language spoken in northern Uganda. For this region of the country there are three main dialects: Acholi, Langi and Nebbi, which happens to also be the name given to the people here. It gets a little confusing but Luo is of the Nilotic language family and it’s even spoken in parts of Sudan and Kenya!

It’s just more exciting to learn in this setting than to sit in a classroom following a generic curriculum.

I’ve always had trouble learning Spanish back home. I would learn a long list of vocabulary words and conjugations, picking up tricks here and there to help me remember … but the drive wasn’t there. Even having a Mexican-American best friend to talk with didn’t motivate me! My frustration with moving at the same pace as every other Spanish class fueled my desire to learn a different language. We were never allowed to slow down for a section that was giving us trouble or speed past those things that we already knew. If you weren’t on the same page as the other classes, you weren’t following the rules. My instructors didn’t have the freedom to use their own teaching styles which made me feel constrained … When and if they did deviate it was like a breath of fresh air, but most of the time if was like Charlie Brown’s teacher [insert sound effects here].

BUT I haven’t given up on Spanish, especially when Luo sounds so much like it (with a little French and Chinese twist) it’s so interesting!

Being immersed in the Acholi culture has given me a real advantage and a huge opportunity to learn more than I ever would in the classroom.

When I can get up every morning, a little past sunrise, and have the coolness of the day usher me to my lessons … When I can say “Wan Nen” to my friends instead of “See you later”… And when I can be set apart from all other foreigners because I’m simply trying to learn … It just feels right.

And it’s more fun!

I’ve found that truly learning a language creates laughter … and I’ve smiled more and more since starting my lessons :)

Image: Sunset in Gulu

African-American Daughter of the Moon - WANGO'O

In one of the most unexpected experiences of my journey here I received my Acholi name.
For some time, I had been hoping to receive a name. Friends who’ve traveled here before me already had their names and used them quite frequently. I was beginning to become jealous.

For one, I found that my name “Jayanni” is not only difficult to pronounce back home, but it’s very difficult for Ugandans to pronounce, spell and remember. I dread greetings because even Erin and Lindsay’s names present a challenge for people. You can guess what happens when I say “Hello, I’m Jayanni!” …

But about that unexpected experience: One word. WANG'OO. Wang’oo is the traditional practice of story-telling by fire for the Acholi. Its significance and use, however, goes beyond that. It is used for counseling, marriage and funeral arrangements, teaching (especially for the youth) and learning of gender roles (just to name a few) … But because of the war it was largely discontinued- and for some, destroyed.

We were invited to sit in on a Wang’oo as guests of The Pincer Group- An education consultation agency. They put together that night’s Wang'oo in a village a few miles from Gulu Town. It was apart of their peace and cultural reinvigoration projects for the war-torn region.

We sat around a blazing fire with elders, women and youth from the village. After receiving a warm welcome, we were prompted to sit down in some of the more comfortable chairs there. Lindsay and Erin introduced themselves using their Acholi names of Aber (ah-bear) and Adyer (i-dee-ay) … Next was my turn and they quickly asked why I did not have an Acholi name. Embarrassed, I replied that I was waiting to receive one … The elders conversed among themselves and my name was presented to me.

ANYADWE.
Pronounced: an-yad-whey … It means daughter of the moon. It is given to the most beautiful.

I was extremely flattered and honored to receive such a name in such a way. One elder promptly rose from his set and embraced me tightly, calling me his daughter. He said I had left, but now I was returned- The emotions that fell over my body were deep and brought tears to my eyes. Was I home? My dark skin, textured hair and facial features the only things physically connecting me to my African heritage. Everything else that made this person before you was shaped by America and my experiences growing up as a black girl in the U.S.

But that did not matter. I was returned and although 300-400 years removed from Africa by slavery, oppression, Jim-crow, segregation, racial discrimination, institutionalized racism and all such efforts to integrate blacks into American society … I, was still his daughter. I was STILL a daughter of Africa.

Yes, most Ugandans are confused by me. A Black-American, but even more so a dark-skinned Black American …

It’s known that the U.S. media disproportionally shows fewer images of blacks in mainstream television. And when they do they are brown-skinned to light-skinned Blacks (remnants of slavery) … and if Rap/Pop music videos (usually the unintelligent kind) are the only thing that is allowed to permeate African society, then there is neither a fair nor diverse representation of us … AND what is being taught in the schools here that would warrant such confusion? …

I do believe that West Africa may be different though. Their perception of Black Americans may be much more varied. There has been little travel to east Africa by African-Americans, which may explain largely why I confuse so many people who try to figure out my ethnicity and nationality.

I’m am proud to own my confused identity though- Whether it is here or back home.

To be simply American or African is to not acknowledge history, my heritage and the truth. I am African-American. Being black in the U.S. will always be a different experience from anything ever presented in film, television or video. And though many (of all races) try to recreate it on TV and in movies- This identity can only be lived … and loved because it’s neither or- It is many things. I am only one representation of it.

Africa is a tremendously diverse continent with a long list of ethnic groups, languages, dialects, cultural practices, religions, beliefs and yes shades of skin. So where do I fit in? …

Guess I will let you know when I find out!

This doesn’t begin to explain everything though- these words, my words- because like I said this identity can only be lived … and loved because you know of its struggles, of its triumphs of its failures, its quiet strength, its mistakes, its resilience, its ugly and of its immense beauty.

This House is Not a Home ... Yet

So I thought it would make for an interesting read if I posted a little something about moving into our house … Here it goes.

AHHHHHHH! … would be the perfect way to describe the process of moving. I myself am a first timer. I have never rented a house before. So to do it in a foreign country is … yeah.

As soon as we arrived in Gulu, Erin and I met up with a Ugandan friend, Jeff, who had been looking for our house since last semester. We proceeded to drop off our things at our hotel and proceeded to go inspect the houses. We started out looking for a furnished house, but we would learn that that was just unrealistic … It took us two days to see them all, but we had six options. One beautiful yet expensive house, one very nice house that did not have running water (umm no thank you), 2 very shady and awful hole-in-the-grounds, a nice house by Gulu University (too far from town though) and then the one we finally decided on in Pece :)

It was a tough choice. The house by the university was just as nice as the one in Pece. The only thing holding us back from it was the distance. What we would pay each month to boda into town would cover how much extra rent we would pay for the house in Pece. The choice seemed obvious, but we still had to consider how our third roommate would feel about the decision when she arrived.

The “we would be closer to town” argument won of course and the “it’s getting too expensive to stay in this hotel another night” pushed us to pick the house in Pece. All in all we made a good choice. The house has two bedrooms (one very huge), an awesome living room, bathroom and a very nice kitchen. But it all had to be cleaned, the walls had to be painted and it HAD to be fumigated (which is something we are still waiting on)

My first night in the house: I felt liberated from staying in Kampala and hotels. I had privacy … I could settle down, make it a place of refuge if I wanted, and call it home … eventually.

It had been a hectic couple of days, because in a week Erin and I had looked for a house, decided on a house, worked out a plan of payment, had 3 meetings with our land lady, finalized the lease agreement, spent 3 days pricing and shopping for house items, ordered bed frames, a table and chair set and a living room set. PHEW! I’m exhausted just thinking about it. In between all of that we made countless runs to the bank and various areas of town. Sadly my research took a back seat during that week …

Our third roommate and friend, Lindsay, arrived from the U.S. a few days later. Her arrival would add relief and a little more stability in our lives. (Considering this was her 5th visit to Uganda and this time she bought a one way ticket)

Now, MOVING IN! … well that was more easy said than done. As of this moment we are still moving in. Today we moved in our living room set. Tuesday my shelf will be ready.

Most of our frustration living here has not come about from finding this place, but from everything that needs fixing! And by everything I mean EVERYTHING!

Plugs, electrical wiring, door handles, a sink pipe, window panes! BUT the two biggest things: Electricity and Water! … Blackouts are frequent here so we expected it. However we didn’t anticipate it to be everyday! With phones and computers needing to be charged, tempers began to flare. Having no water for days at a time did not help.

The Good news is that they fixed our water problem today, but for some reason it ran out again this morning. (I’ve learned not to get my hopes up). If we could have water AND electricity together, running at the same time for at least a week then my faith in our “house crew” would grow … Not to mention that every time they repair something they break two more things. It’s becoming a habit that needs to be broken.

So as of now I’m taking it one day at a time … just like everything else. We still have plenty of repairs left, but with furniture coming in and the bond growing between me and the girls, this House will become a Home.

Success Stories for Humanity

The day of my birthday brought with it many things. For one, it gave me a chance to take a break and relax from the chaos that surrounded moving into our house. In a week and a half Erin and I went house hunting, found a house, signed a lease for 6 months, ordered furniture, shopped intensely for about 3 days, started repairs and unpacked the loads of clothes we had in our suitcases … We were exhausted.

When my birthday arrived we decided to unofficially designate it “Rest Day.” In the past my birthday always involved a lot of "hoop-la" and excitement, but being in Uganda is enough excitement to last me a lifetime.

Spending the later part of the morning and afternoon by the only pool in town (Acholi Inn) we made plans to have dinner at the fabulous Indian restaurant in town later that day.
So the day brought with it rest and relaxation, but it also brought something unexpected: A meeting with Bishop Ochola and Archbishop Odama! … We took the 15-20 minute boda ride out to Gulu Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Residence.

Words cannot describe what all took place as we sat and listened to them talk. They were humble and talked openly about the war and their hope for sustainable peace. Each gave so much of their time that Archbishop delayed one of his meetings that night to continue talking with us! …

I felt as if I were somewhere else. Tears began to swell in my eyes as they talked about the troubles facing the north. A military solution to stop the LRA was not an option to them. Both were looking to rekindle the peace talks as Archbishop Odama said “War [fighting] does not give birth to peace … Don’t get tired of talking … and listening.” A military solution to bring an end to the LRA would mean that the people would lose. “Their children are not coming back,” Bishop Ochola remarked. He was concerned that they would not be able to tell their stories … to tell the truth about what happened to them in the bush … Who else would tell their stories if they are all killed?

It all began to weigh heavily on my mind. My mind flashed back to a few days before when I’d read an article criticizing the religious leaders for their recent visit to Kinshasa (DRC). They met to talk about ways to bring about a peaceful end to the conflict. But, some organizations and officials are now supporting military action simply because the “peace talks” have failed time and time again. Archbishop knowing this said, “Military action is easy … and then you regret it [because you forget] this is a human being”

So forward and honest in their thinking that I was little astonished. They saw humanity as one collective body and that the struggles of one should be of concern to all. They told stories of triumph and forgiveness in which they properly named, “success stories for humanity.” They said if more people were exposed to these stories they would not push for military intervention … some of the most influential leaders like Mandela, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Jesus “For those of you who are Christians,” are well known examples of success in the mist of oppression, Archbishop stated …

I can’t recall how long we stayed, but it was dark when we departed. With my heart full, I replayed their message in my head … letting it marinate … letting it stick

I can still hear Archbishop say, “If humanity wants to spare themselves,” and Bishop Ochola finishing his sentence saying “Forgive”

What a lasting image of strength and hope

Celebrating 20 Years of Me!

So I wanted to give a brief "shout out" to myself ---> Today is my 20th Birthday!!! Whoo!!!

The funny thing is that because we (Erin, Lindsay and I) have been so busy moving into our house, furnishing it, shopping, having repairs done and trying to pursue our research, I almost forgot about my birthday. (very unlike me since I usually start celebrating about a week or two in advance!)

Through all the stress and excitement I had to remind myself daily that this special day was coming up.

I am very grateful and thankful to have made it to 20 and I'm even more thankful to celebrate 20 years of me in the "pearl of Africa"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me and everyone else who shares this day of birth!

Meeting The Bishop

“I can’t wait for you to meet Bishop Ochola,” Erin exclaimed after she received a surprised phone call. I was not expecting to meet him so soon, but he was in town and wanted to have Erin and I over for dinner. I was really anxious, but I tried not to let on. Besides all the personal stories that Erin had to share from her time spent with Bishop, I had read about him in numerous books and articles.

Bishop Ochola is the retired bishop for the Kitgum diocese in northern Uganda. He serves as the leading peace builder for the northern region which has suffered through more than two decades of war. His efforts have brought national and international attention to the war and those who have suffered from it.

When we arrived to the part of town that Bishop was staying, he sent for one of his family members to retrieve us. He gave us a warm welcome and apologized for us getting lost. We walked up a small hill to the cozy house behind a steel gate. Upon entering the house I was met with laughter as small children were herded to the back so that the guest could have a place to sit. They would come say hello later and peep through the door to catch a glimpse of us . . .

By the time I had met Bishop Ochola I saw him as a larger than life figure. But as we started to chat, I felt more like I was talking to my grandfather.

With his calmed aged voice he casually mentioned that he would soon be traveling with Archbishop Odama to Kinshasa (DRC) to engage in peace talks. His larger than life figure came back to my mind as I sat with interested eyes and ears.

Then the time came for me to tell him a little bit about myself. So, besides all the general things, I was able to inform him of my research study in Gulu. He instantly started to talk of his work with the Acholi Education Initiative. After which he explained his sentiments about education the Acholi culture and his upcoming visit o the U.S. . . .

BEST part is that he even agreed to meet with me for an interview once I arrived in Gulu . . . It was a once in a lifetime opportunity!

I shall let you know how it goes!

Oh by the way, I might get a chance to sit down with BOTH Bishop and Arch Bishop tomorrow !!! We will see how it goes.

My Research? . . . Eh, Let Me Explain

I've been so busy here that I've failed to explain exactly why I am here! My apologies.

So in a few short words ---> Here it goes . . .

I am a student at the University of Tennessee and through the College Scholars Program I have been given the opportunity to design my own interdisciplinary program.

Program Title: Post-Conflict Education in Africa.

This semester in Uganda is dedicated to my research study in Gulu. I am conducting a comparative study of governmental and non governmental, foreign and community-based educational programs in the post-conflict setting of northern Uganda.

I will be working with NGOs and CBOs in the region. I HOPE to get a volunteer position at Pincer Group (I will tell you a little bit more about them in my next blog).

So, for the next 3 1/2 months I will be interviewing, carrying out participant observations and gathering data as I lay the ground work for my senior thesis.

A lot of my blogs will be about my research study ...

So I hope it keeps you interested just as much as my social posts!

Ok, explaining myself ---> CHECK!

First Day

Hmm... Where should I begin?

My first day in Uganda was spent in the capital of Kampala on Saturday. We arrived late on Friday night and Erin was eager to show me the city in the daytime. We took a Matatu (taxi bus) to the city from Luzira where we are staying. Kampala is ... bustling. There are people everywhere, shops everywhere, traffic is very hectic and at times scary, the people are friendly. I love it.


Erin and I visited the National Theatre. I recognized the building from the documentary "War Dance" (which I recommend that you watch).

However, I must tell you that before we took an impromptu tour of the National Theater, I had a little shoe incident …

It all started when I was rushing behind Erin and my sandal fell off. I quickly put it back on to hear Erin say, “I’m really worried about some of the sandals you brought,” in which I replied, “Ah I’ll be fine” … 10 seconds later my sandal broke and I was forced to walk barefooted, sandals in hand, to the small market place around the back of the theater. I was never more embarrassed as Ugandans chuckled and laughed at the girl whose shoes could not handle the streets of Kampala. I quickly bought a new more sturdy and decorated pair of sandals. The Ugandan woman that I purchased them from said I could leave my old ones there at the shop. So I did. I like to think that I left a piece of me there and took away something new. Maybe it's a sign of things to come?

Later, after much walking around, Erin took me to purchase a phone at the Sheraton Hotel. We rested a bit after that and were pleasantly surprised that we were not jet-lagged. With Erin’s great directional skills we found a nice internet café-

Going through emails, messages and setting up blogs I found myself getting restless the hour we spent at the café. I was ready to leave so we could return to the streets of Kampala . . . My first day was going very well. We had lunch at Nando’s and were soon (later) joined by Vincent (Vinny). Vinny is a friend of The Jazz for Justice Project and an art school teacher and freelance painter and artist. We talked for a bit and decided to explore the city a little more before the National Theatre opened up for a contemporary dance performance that night.

We checked out Oasis, Garden City and The Movie Theaters. Much of it was to pass by the time until the dance performance. It seemed like we were holding up, but as the day carried on jet-lag started to set in and we were not ready for our body’s response to it! We enjoyed the show, but we were a little too elated for it to be over because of the jet-lag . . . HOWEVER,

I would soon be awakened by one word: BODA! We took a Matatu back to Luzira, but since the stretch of road to our place of residence was very lengthy and DARK we decided (rather Erin insisted) that we take Bodas up the hill . . . Having heard my share of Boda stories I was not too eager to hop on the back of a speeding motorcycle where your seat belt was whatever you could hold on to. After a few (many) bumps and ditches we arrived back to the house. After getting off I felt a little wired. I had survived! And it was … enjoyable. But, I don’t think I could ever get as good as to ride with no hands as some people do here … but hey only time will tell!

Until the next post-

Now She Is Rising...

Hello Everyone. Greetings from Uganda!

"Now She Is Rising" is a line from Maya Angelou's poem entitled "Africa" ... I believe it is a befitting title that describes Uganda as well as myself. I'd heard my share of stories about Uganda before arriving- The people, the food, the culture, the history and so on. When Erin and I arrived she would say, "That wasn't there before" and, " When did they build that?" I realized that the "pearl of Africa" is reclaiming her title ... she is rising. And I hope to get to know her better in the weeks ahead.

As for myself, I am on a new journey. I'm traveling, learning, growing ... I am too rising. To where? I have no idea at this point, but I invite you to join me as I discover. These are my reflections- These are my stories . . .