Advertisement
Published: February 19th 2009
Edit Blog Post
It would be really hard to express just how much fun I am having over here. Despite the heat, where I am constantly sweaty and stinky, the more- than- awkward school bathrooms, and my quasi-unwanted nonhuman roommates, I have never been happier. It seems that this week was a mile stone- a kind of breakthrough. I feel more settled, normal, and starting to open up into my normal weird self. My relationship with Molly and Paul’s family is rapidly deepening as I’ve officially become Uncle Paul’s daughter, and his sons have officially started teasing me like they do the rest of their sisters. And since its been established that I can dance, they are often asking me to show them new dances- like salsa and swing- along with showing off my new-found African moves! Although I sometimes have this nearly unbearable pain from missing family back home, it’s comforting to truly feel apart of my African family- even if I still get confused on some of their names!
School seemed a bit more normal these past weeks. I’m figuring out my teaching schedule and the laboratory schedule and needs. I’ve given one lecture to the Senior 1 students on different
Boys at Wheeling
Literally climbing the walls! kinds of sciences they will be learning, such as chemistry, biology, physics and agriculture. In primary school, they only had one general science class. This is the first time these students are being introduced to specific science subjects. So it was fun to talk to this extra quite and shy class about the things they have to look forward to. Otherwise, I have spent time in several other classes just introducing myself and letting the students ask questions. Most questions are about my age, and if I’m married, what my favorite food is, do I watch soaps, how many children I want to have, and if I know President Obama. All very interesting subjects, but the ones that interest me the most are the ones about the differences in life in the USA versus Uganda. I’ve described how we drive on the opposite side of the road from them, that the US is not divided into clans and tribes like it is in Uganda, and how city sanitation is handled very differently than in Uganda. All the students have been very welcoming, and the girls seem very interested in talking about life in the US and what American boys are
like.
Last week I spent a few hours at another Molly and Paul school called Wheeling Primary, just doing some financial organizational things with some of the teachers from many schools. It was so much fun to be there because there were hundreds of children all under the age of 12! I had a large crowd completely surrounding me as I introduced myself and asked them various questions. Then I got to play football (soccer) for the first time since I’ve been here. Imagine nearly 100 children, one football, one mzungu, and absolutely no boundaries or organization. It was WAY too much fun!
Saturday I went shopping at Winoa market and bought a hat and two new shirts for less than $10. It was a huge outdoor market that carried everything from food to clothes to bathroom supplies and heaven knows what else. It’s the type of place that you have to be extra cautious of pick-pocketers- particularly for us white folk. We become a target for those kinds of things. But what’s slightly scarier is what would happen to the poor soul that was caught stealing. Here in Uganda, people don’t believe the police will do anything
My African Twin- Christine
People are always commenting on how we are alike- both in looks and personality.
to help them, so they take the punishment of crime into their own hands. If I caught someone- young or old- stealing my purse or from my pocket, and I reacted by yelling or anything, the people around me would beat up the thief severely, and then prevent anyone from helping him. Unless the police show up, the beaten thief will die. Seems very harsh for just a few dollars of cash. So as it is, a thief will often beg someone to call the police, because that is the only way his life would be spared. The police would take him to jail, where he would pay a fine after a few days and then be released.
The past few days have been about 100 degrees F (38 C). Much too hot for my taste and for most of the people here. It’s not often that the temperature gets this high. But the rain finally came today and cooled everything down.
I have met several volunteers from the U.K. and three women from the Pacific Northwest- two from Portland, OR., and one from British Columbia. One of the ladies from Portland had, 10 years ago, stayed in Uganda for a year like I am doing. So it was nice to meet with them and talk about their experiences. Plus, it was wonderful to hear the familiar West Coast accent.
As a final note: thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and communication. It really helps me not feel too homesick, and encourages me to keep on working hard. It’s such a blessing and dream come true to be doing what I’m doing. And do keep praying for my good health and the good health of those around me. I have not felt sick at all since I’ve been here, so your prayers are working. But several teachers and students at the school have been struggling with Malaria. So please keep them in your prayers.
I’ll be in touch soon!
Aleisha
Advertisement
Tot: 0.105s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 55; dbt: 0.061s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
thooper
Todd Hooper
Hey Aleisha.... So glad I found you on here! I'm now in Kabale with a guy called Colin from Ireland. It's really fun. We watched Manchester United play last night with about 100 other Ugandans, which was very funny watching them scream and shout! I hope all is well with you and everyone at Molly and Paul's. I miss it very much, I had a great time there and it was lovely to meet you also. Please thank Molly and Paul for me again. God Bless x Todd