Blogs from Mukono, Central Region, Uganda, Africa

Having been told my great grandfather set up a uni out in Uganda and got an OBE for his work out here i thought i should, and indeed wanted, to go and check it out. Unsure however whether i'd turn up at the place and been cordoned off as some loony ranting about a distant relative i hopped on a bus and headed to Mukono. I wandered round the Uni and eventually found Bishop Tucker College - the place my great grandfather played a part in setting up - with a plaque outside saying that it was built in the memory of Bishop Tucker by his friends (of which Edward Seabrooke Daniell was one - but it didn't say that!). (Bishop Tucker being the bishop of the area in the early 20century). In 1913 ESD became ... read more

I was transferred to Ntenjeru (pronounced "en-tan-jare-rue") on Wednesday. It's about 3 hours from the airport and 2 hours from Kampala. As you drive from Mukono Town to the village, the scenery changes dramatically from the city to a quiet, green place with bright red roads. The houses are few and far between. Most of the homes are small, around the size of a one car garage. In many cases families of 5-10 people will all sleep inside. There are all kinds of crazy dinosaur-like birds flying around. You can actually hear their wings flapping as they pass overhead because they're so big. The village is very safe and we don't need guards at night (unlike my previous placement in Tanzania). The pace of work here is difficult to get used to after months of craziness ... read more

Hi, I woke up in Africa today and it took me a few minutes before I remembered that I am twenty years old. Thats like grandpa status....I guess its a good thing. Well...happy birthday to me. This is my last week in Uganda. I don't even know what that means. I am so excited for everything ahead of me. Thats why it doesn't feel sad. Looking back to my original entries, I knew that Uganda was going to become a huge part of who I am. It certainly has. Its been an incredible couple of months here. How do you find words to conclude this experience? How do I explain how empowering it feels to know that I did this on my own? How do I say goodbye to my Ugandan friends, My leapyear group? ... read more

Ogambachi? I am entering my last week with MACRO! Strange stuff. Completely ready for this conclusion though. I plan to spend this week at home and go to the MACRO office during the day. I have a week and a half before Jillian comes to travel with me. I am going to use this time to get my homework finished so that when I get back to the States, I can focus on just re-emerging myself into American culture. I know myself too well to leave a billion papers weighing heavily on my back. I thought I had become a bit of a procrastinator in my old age, but apparently I am back to my old ways of getting home from school and doing my homework immediately. I think its my Dad's fault. Thanks dad... ... read more

Hi, I have arrived home safely from a wonderful week in Rwanda. My life continues to be bursting with goodness. I found out today that I got into UVM. I have decided that after all this traveling I am ready to settle into a community and become involved with a life consisting of a stable bed. This year has been the most incredible, life-changing, fun, challenging, experience of my life so far and as it winds down I really recognize my need for a stable home (at least for a little while.) Burlington is where I want to be. Funny, looking back a few years, I scoffed at my friends for staying in Vermont and look at me now. Back to my roots. These past two weeks have brought a plethora of experiences to my ... read more