Faux Pas - Uganda Hi Bob: I am going with a Medical Missions Group to Watato, Gulu, Uganda in Sept. I have been asked to find out what we should be aware of so as to not to make any huge Faux Pas. Could you give me a head's up where to find info or pass on any you have found yourself. Have a meeting tomorrow (no less) and need some info ASAP.
Thanks for any help.
be safe I hope you and all your friends are ok after hearing of the bombing in Uganda. I guess your time in Africa is winding down and you'll be heading home soon. BE SAFE.
Anne
Good one Hey Bob. This was great, especially stuff about Gramps. The State Department should be advised to never grant passport to the Nicks.
Feel kind of dumb since my first comment is to a joke post, but I can never think of anything to write for the darker ones. I typically just sit at my desk in shock for a half hour, anything that crosses my mind sounds so inane.
And Now, For Something Completely Different... After the last few updates, this is quite the change in gears! Glad to hear that you're still enjoying yourself, even as you learn about some pretty heavy stuff. Plus, I'm thinking Kyle would enjoy the dance clubs more than Rich or Baez...he seems to have a higher success rate than they do (no offense gents).
Americans could probably benefit greatly from a routine Umuganda in their lives, but I think you hit the nail on the head that people would rather just complain to some authority figure and leave it at that. It's kinda sad because you get a sense of a stronger bond within a community when it can work together on a project. I'm glad our fraternity strives for that, but we still have the whining and moaning as well. By the way, your last post was chilling. I wanted to leave a comment, but I was just speechless. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to see it rather than read about it.
It seems to me you will be having a very unique experience in Rwanda. Opening the flood gates and allowing the memories of those wicked atrocities to pour out and be discussed in a healing manner might do so much for those suffering from grief, anxiety, and depression. I'm glad to see you are posting again and I'll refrain from extensive comment until I hear more from you on the history of genocide in Rwanda. I learned a great deal about it through my church when I was young but I have forgotten so much. I'm glad to see there is a mall named after me in Rwanda, MTN, Far out. Keep posting and be safe. - Dude
Language Hey Bob, sounds like things are going well in Rwanda for you. Are most of the Rwandans you meet speaking English? All the former exiles in Uganda (including President Paul Kagame) learned English rather than French, which had been Rwanda's sole official language until after the genocide. So I was wondering if there is now a linguistic divide in Kigali society between English- and French-speakers.
Relay I am sure you or Bosco would not mind in fact you may intend for it but I am bound by copyright laws and must ask your permission to share this text with some people at home. May I?
Error Thank you for calling attention to the grammatical errors in concert with the originating post. They can be a headache to read through when uncorrected.
Bosco Bob,
That is a terrible story, but one with a great underlying message of hope. It really makes you think about your life here in the states and that even on our worst days, we are so fortunate. I'd love to see this trip inspire the house and alumni to do something to help out these people and show them that their hope is not for nothing, that people do care.
Bosco Hey Otim! After reading Bosco's story it made me think about how we think we have a bad day when a few things go wrong. These people have to or had to worry about surviving the day. I was wondering if they have any kind of local news coverage on television? Do they have a local newspaper. If they do how often is it published? Love, Dad
Wow, what is there to say? And here in America parents think their children should have the perfect life and the best of everything, even if they cannot afford it. There- parents pray their children live.
How lucky, to live here and have such opportunities before you.
Bob we are so proud of you for making the most of your opportunities !!
Possible philanth Bob,
I apologize if this seems crass, but I feel this would be a great opportunity for us philanthropically. If you feel this guy is trustworthy, maybe we could find a way to work with him to put on his rehabilitation programs. That we would could avoid cookie cutter charities with high administrative costs and make sure almost all the money makes it on the ground. Be it supporting materials we send him that he can't get there, or just funds to support his programs. Maybe start the psi-u child war victim foundation or something? If you think we can send him things without him skimming off the top, this could be really great for accreditation and improve our global focus. Kick the crap out of anything the CSO does.
"You are reading"--so are we Thanks for the insights into daily life. A simple statement of fact like "You are reading" might mean something other than what it appears to mean. A Peace Corps friend of mine called such statements "the present obvious tense". Here's a good example: "You are here," someone might say to you shortly after you arrive somewhere. There's no arguing with the fact, but what purpose is served remarking upon it? Linguistically, it might just be a pretext to open up a space for conversation. The acceptable bounds of "small talk" vary from culture to culture. In Africa, "small talk" can be about quite small things--thanks to the present obvious tense.
Can't wait to see you in the Kaunda suit!
Bob, when you get home I think you are going to need to write a book about your travels! You will need to spend a lot of time on the computer though! Love your stories!!
Ko'pongo Hi Bob, Thank you for writing about your time in Africa. It is so very interesting and it's nice to know how you're doing. I printed out your first six entries for Nana to read and she was enthralled. She was so quiet that I thought she had fallen asleep. If you write more, we won’t mind. If you post pictures, we won’t mind that either. Stay safe. Love, Mary Ellen
Hi Bob Hi Bob,
This is really nice, being able to follow your trip through your blog. Mary Ellen, Nana and I went to Meggie's graduation party yesterday in Montrose. Our cousins Esther and Michael were also there. Andy took Michael and me for a ride in his fire truck. He gave us a personalized tour of Montrose. It was a lot of fun. Nana wouldn't go for a ride :-). It was her birthday and she didn't want anyone to know.... it was funny because I kept telling her to embrace her age, I am 52 and proud of it. We missed you and are really glad you are enjoying your trip. You will hold these memories for a lifetime. Take care and come home soon. Love, Kathryn
Hey folks! Welcome to my travel blog. First off, allow me to apologize for becoming a blogger. Now that I got that out of the way... This travel blog will be the best way for me to keep in touch with people while abroad. The blog will allow me to document my impressions for myself and others while they are fresh in my mind. Thanks to the blog, you will be able to follow along with my impressions, experiences, and reflections. The site provides maps which I will update for geographic reference and pictures I will load along the way as I take them.
Nothing is more frustrating than ret... full info
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Faux Pas - Uganda
Hi Bob: I am going with a Medical Missions Group to Watato, Gulu, Uganda in Sept. I have been asked to find out what we should be aware of so as to not to make any huge Faux Pas. Could you give me a head's up where to find info or pass on any you have found yourself. Have a meeting tomorrow (no less) and need some info ASAP. Thanks for any help.