Public Health Internship in Uganda, Summer 2011: July 4 -- Happy Independence Day!

Hey team! Happy belated Independence Day!

Sorry I’m late on my weekly blog! We had a three day weekend and I haven’t been able to get on to the internet since. Just so you are all aware, I am fully cured of malaria, and feel phenomenal, especially after this weekend!

Last week flew by, with our village health team elections. Five officials were elected, one from each zone, except Bulumbo, which elected two due to size. All of the officials are women, which is pretty incredible considering the culture, our town, and gender dynamics here.

July: 100_1330 – VHT Elections, Day 1

Last week, I also learned how to make chapatti by hand … and am completely ready to do so at home for Father’s Day! (Shout out, Pa!)

Friday, the whole team came in for our mid-summer debrief. Can you believe half of summer is over already? Aside from feeling completely blown out of the water by the other teams’ progress (we seem to have landed in the least receptive village, which has posed problems for us when it comes to accomplishing things), I also feel incredibly inspired. I was very close to losing faith in this work and field because of how difficult things have been in our village, especially while I was sick. It was hard to keep a positive attitude while sick and tired. But this 3-day weekend and break were great for me. After seeing the kind of progress other teams have been able to make in their villages, I am ready to redouble efforts in my own such that maybe we will be able to have some impactful beginnings by the time we leave for the summer.

The rest of the weekend was incredible – like top 5 experiences in my life. After the mid-summer debrief, 32 of us interns all got on a coach (aka, a mini bus, so it was incredibly packed) and drove to Sipi Falls. This is very Eastern Uganda, and they speak a language different than both Lusoga and Luganda, so it was funny that not even our Ugandans could communicate in the local language. We stayed at a resort engraved into the side of a mountain across from three spectacular waterfalls called Crow’s Nest. It was green, lush, and you could hear the water rushing from all the way down the side of the mountain.

The next day (Sunday) we began a 10-15km, 5-6 hour hike down into the valley and up the mountain on the other side to see each of the three the falls. To avoid rambling about how beautiful the whole thing was, I’ll just tell you about my favorite part.

The second falls were above the first fall and the caves which we stopped at. They were much smaller than the first, and we came up to them from behind. We looked out from behind the falls and then almost all of us pulled off our clothes and ran into them. They’re called “showers” lightly, because the freezing cold water pounds down on your back from far up the mountain. It came down fast too, making it somewhat difficult to see. I stood underneath the falls, closed my eyes and was living a dream. It was absolutely incredible.

100_1402 – me in the second fall showers

The whole weekend has completely changed my perspective. I think Emily’s positivity has finally reached me (thanks, Em!) I am so excited for the next month. I have finally found beauty here… it took long enough.

I think the only way you’re going to get this is if I show you pictures.