Blogging from Philly, remembering Uganda: April 26-April 29th It was time to play the tourist my last 4 days. We headed 6 hours north to explore the border between Uganda and the Congo. The itinerary is a land/water safari in Murchison Falls National Park, and on the last day a visit to the Murchison Falls. ((Facts: Murchison Falls National Park derives its name from the Murchison falls where the mighty River Nile explodes through a narrow gorge and flows down to become a placid river whose banks are thronged with hippos, crocodiles, waterbucks and bufalloes.At the top of Murchis [View Full Entry]

---

---

I know I’m a bit... different. And I’m not talking the “trendy” kind of different that’s cool. I’m talking the “weird” kind of different. I’ve known it since I was a youngster and would have spring cleaning day in my barbie doll house (even in the winter). I never actually played dolls like normal girls. I just cleaned and organized their living spaces. My point being, is that I’ve got one week remaining. And while normal people might panic to leave the comforts of home, I panic to return to it. I guess that makes me feel weird. E [View Full Entry]

---

---

This last week I have worked alongside Soft Power Education, another non-profit I found online prior to this trip. Soft Power is a British registered, non-religious charity, working closely within the local community of Jinja. Their aim is to develop and improve educational facilities for children. Starting off initially by building two pre-schools for AIDS orphans, they now have constructed/renovated close to 30 schools, all made possible by monetary donations and volunteer work. This means, any donations made go 100% into the project...a big reason why I wanted to contribute myself. Afte [View Full Entry]

---

---

I knew the moment I met Stephen that he was someone special. There are certain people that just have a light around them... “good energy” I guess you could call it. Stephen Wante is 30 years of age and runs the El-Shadai Foster Home in Bugembe, right outside of Jinja town. The home offers shelter, compassion, counseling and support to app. 30 children, with ages ranging from 3 years to 20 years. The children’s background and home districts vary widely, but all tell the story of poverty, neglect, abuse, conflict and abandonment. The home is a family-style environment and t [View Full Entry]

---

---

Hey didn’t that guy used to work at ECRI....excuse me, I mean ECRI INSTITUTE? It’s true Bill and I worked at ECRI Institute together over the past year, but we didn’t know each other (the first and third floors are so far away). And it wasn’t until a week before his departure for Uganda back in February that we learned we would both be working in Africa. Bill Davis is 32 and on a second round as a Peace Corps volunteer. From 2002-2004 he worked with the Peace Corps in Tanzania as a Chemistry teacher and spent a good amount [View Full Entry]

---

---

A few photos meant to go on the first blog... [View Full Entry]

---

---

CYORF is an organization I found online, and have been exchanging a series of enthusiastic emails prior to my visit with the director, Edward Mutumbe. By the end of the week my schedule is already full, but I did have a few bags of clothing and shoes to give. I contacted Edward and expressed my regret on not being able to spend time with them as a volunteer, but I would be more than happy to drop off donations and come for a “quick” visit. We arrive shortly at the CYORF office early Friday morning and I am seated on [View Full Entry]

---

---

It didn’t take long to readjust to travel life. I’ve felt more comfortable during my 12 hour layover in London’s Heathrow Airport then I have since my return from travel last year. I love the airport environment because it is one where no one has to fit in. Everything from culture, currency, fashion and language vary. Where most people would cringe at the layover I sat happy and content giving my mind and body the proper time to transition from the chaos of philly life to the chaos of travel life. Using my backpack for a pillow I leaned back [View Full Entry]

---

---

Take your hand and hold it out in front of you, palm up. Now spread out your fingers. Yes, I think about that. That was the size of the spider I woke up to (add an inch or two for leg span), resting comfortably on the wall above my head. It was LARGE. Large enough to cast a shadow, large enough to see fangs. Linnea gets the point across when she comments that if we are to smash it, the carcass of a small dog, or even child could be inside. But this is where the communal living has its benefits. [View Full Entry]

---

---

My home before home... Dharamshala is nestled in the valley of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh in Northern India. The town is split into two levels, the lower being Dharamshala (where I am staying). The upper level, a few steep miles uphill, is christened McLeod Ganj, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, as well as an influx of Tibetan refugees fleeing the Chinese oppression in their homeland. The entire region provides a generous view of the Dhauladhar Mountain range and surrounding valleys at the foothill of the Himalayas. The view is so expansive that you can sit under [View Full Entry]

---

---