Hi friends and family!
I wish I could share with you all everything I've experienced over the last week alone. It's been incredible! The first week here was Team Leader training, so only with the 13 other Team Leaders, 7 of which are Ugandan. They are so friendly, having worked with Mzungus in the past few years through UVP... they tend to understand our 'strange ways'.
"Mzungu" - depending on where you are, this phrase could mean "white", (which apparently I qualify for... not white enough at home, not black enough here... hahaha), also "foreigner" "European", and "rich"... I've already started identifying as such, though I'm not sure I will ever be okay with how much people stare at me. The kids are one thing, but when adults, both men and women (though men stare more openly) stare, it's kinda hard to resist yelling "BOO!" to get them to stop. I imagine making a greater spectacle of myself is not the point.
We visited our village a few days ago. It's called "Nawansega B". It's referred to as "B" because the original "Nawansega" is SO HUGE that the needed to split it in half. Unfortunately this means right down the middle of the town center road. The right is "A" and the left is "B". Our house is probably the best in all that I saw in the village when we toured around (which only took us 4-5 hours by foot... granted we stopped several times to speak with the villagers at their homesteads). It's "big", made of concrete, has floors. Three small "rooms" with doors, which I guess is rare. We also have a living room and a *small* table and chairs. By "small" I mean about a foot off the ground, like what we might find in a kindergarten classroom... The walls only go up about 10 feet before they stop, so you can hear everything in any room you are in. The latrine and the bathroom *washhouse* are outside in the back. We live in a gardening village, and I look forward to fresh mango as frequently as possible. The kids follow me around when they think I'm not looking, staring and giggling at me. I try to be nice to them, and went and sat with a few and introduced myself. Learning Lusoga is difficult, but hopefullly I'll be well-adapted by the end of the summer.
Yesterday, Julius and Reagan (two Ugandan Team Leaders) took the rest of us Int'ls to Jinja, where we visited the Main Street (aka "Mzungu Street", with Mzungu prices and souveniours that are probably not even from here), and then we went down to the Nile. I wish I could share some of the pictures I took with you. It's HUGE. The source, Lake Victoria, flows right into it. We took a boat ride, and then returned back to town. We then ate at the most Western restaurant we could find, wanting to avoid Matoke, Rice and Beans at all costs... and hopefully have access to some vegetables, or salad. We did! It was expensive, but worth while, especially if we only get to do it once a month or so.
The rest of the interns arrive today. I have no idea how all of us will fit in our current guesthouse. But Ugandans have the ability to fit people EVERYWHERE. There are so so so SO many people. Trash litters the street. They burn it to get rid of it, and we only get clean air once every hour or so. In the cities, I can barely breathe, the exhaust, burning trash and smell of everything is so strong.
I am excited to meet the rest of my team, and get to know our village more. We officially move in on Friday. I'll keep you updated on progress as we actually begin working. Our goals for the summer are overwhelming. The village is so huge, and we have so many people who need help. I hope I don't lose faith and become overwhelmed. The need here is astounding. Everyone everyone everyone needs something. And not something small or negligible, but seriously impairing. It makes me very sad.
Anyways, I got internet way after the rest of the Int'ls, who are waiting for me. We decided to come to town today without any Ugandans, to try out our bartering skills and see how it is without them. Woo, big scary world out there! Seriously, Iganga is very intimidating because of how crowded and busy. The drivers drive like they do in India, if not worse. It's terrifying.
Anyways, I am well. I will try to blog every week or so. Sorry this was so long.. had a lot to say! Love you all!
I will have email access on my phone, if I get EDGE in the village, so please feel free to email me: amehrotra08@gmail.com.
I wish I could share with you all everything I've experienced over the last week alone. It's been incredible! The first week here was Team Leader training, so only with the 13 other Team Leaders, 7 of which are Ugandan. They are so friendly, having worked with Mzungus in the past few years through UVP... they tend to understand our 'strange ways'.
"Mzungu" - depending on where you are, this phrase could mean "white", (which apparently I qualify for... not white enough at home, not black enough here... hahaha), also "foreigner" "European", and "rich"... I've already started identifying as such, though I'm not sure I will ever be okay with how much people stare at me. The kids are one thing, but when adults, both men and women (though men stare more openly) stare, it's kinda hard to resist yelling "BOO!" to get them to stop. I imagine making a greater spectacle of myself is not the point.
We visited our village a few days ago. It's called "Nawansega B". It's referred to as "B" because the original "Nawansega" is SO HUGE that the needed to split it in half. Unfortunately this means right down the middle of the town center road. The right is "A" and the left is "B". Our house is probably the best in all that I saw in the village when we toured around (which only took us 4-5 hours by foot... granted we stopped several times to speak with the villagers at their homesteads). It's "big", made of concrete, has floors. Three small "rooms" with doors, which I guess is rare. We also have a living room and a *small* table and chairs. By "small" I mean about a foot off the ground, like what we might find in a kindergarten classroom... The walls only go up about 10 feet before they stop, so you can hear everything in any room you are in. The latrine and the bathroom *washhouse* are outside in the back. We live in a gardening village, and I look forward to fresh mango as frequently as possible. The kids follow me around when they think I'm not looking, staring and giggling at me. I try to be nice to them, and went and sat with a few and introduced myself. Learning Lusoga is difficult, but hopefullly I'll be well-adapted by the end of the summer.
Yesterday, Julius and Reagan (two Ugandan Team Leaders) took the rest of us Int'ls to Jinja, where we visited the Main Street (aka "Mzungu Street", with Mzungu prices and souveniours that are probably not even from here), and then we went down to the Nile. I wish I could share some of the pictures I took with you. It's HUGE. The source, Lake Victoria, flows right into it. We took a boat ride, and then returned back to town. We then ate at the most Western restaurant we could find, wanting to avoid Matoke, Rice and Beans at all costs... and hopefully have access to some vegetables, or salad. We did! It was expensive, but worth while, especially if we only get to do it once a month or so.
The rest of the interns arrive today. I have no idea how all of us will fit in our current guesthouse. But Ugandans have the ability to fit people EVERYWHERE. There are so so so SO many people. Trash litters the street. They burn it to get rid of it, and we only get clean air once every hour or so. In the cities, I can barely breathe, the exhaust, burning trash and smell of everything is so strong.
I am excited to meet the rest of my team, and get to know our village more. We officially move in on Friday. I'll keep you updated on progress as we actually begin working. Our goals for the summer are overwhelming. The village is so huge, and we have so many people who need help. I hope I don't lose faith and become overwhelmed. The need here is astounding. Everyone everyone everyone needs something. And not something small or negligible, but seriously impairing. It makes me very sad.
Anyways, I got internet way after the rest of the Int'ls, who are waiting for me. We decided to come to town today without any Ugandans, to try out our bartering skills and see how it is without them. Woo, big scary world out there! Seriously, Iganga is very intimidating because of how crowded and busy. The drivers drive like they do in India, if not worse. It's terrifying.
Anyways, I am well. I will try to blog every week or so. Sorry this was so long.. had a lot to say! Love you all!
I will have email access on my phone, if I get EDGE in the village, so please feel free to email me: amehrotra08@gmail.com.
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