Things have been going well here in Uganda. I have had some very insightful experiences lately. During our PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) visit last weekend I began to realize how stifled creative thinking is in this country. Starting in education they are taught recitation… and sometimes it seems a bit like the blind leading the blind. They have no arts and little phys ed., so let it be a warning to anyone out there that its imperative that we keep these subjects in out education system. As people get older this lack of creativity falls out into business practices and even what they eat. There really is a lot of options for food here, much of which is organic. However, people eat really the same thing for almost every meal: matooke (think of mashed potatoes but its bananas), tilapia, peanut sauce, irish potatoes, eggplant, pumpkin, sometimes chicken…. But always prepared the same way. It’s a bit sad to see such a lack of creativity, but it seems that it will leave a lot of room for us to help and to hopefully be able to draw creativity out of others in our villages and in our organizations.
I have also found out that I will be working with UWA in either Queen Elizabeth NP or Murchison Falls NP. The official announcement goes out on Weds as to who everybody’s organization/location will be. We can all hardly wait. Everyone is very jealous of my placement, but I keep getting reminded by the country director that I will be very secluded. I think I can deal with that—I will be living on a national park in Africa for Christ’s sake!!!! The diversity in these parks is amazing—what you think of when you think of “Africa.” So because I am “secluded” and in a park I have told everyone here that they have to visit me, and everyone seems pretty stoked about it. Uganda has 10 NPs, I plan to go to all of them in the next 2 years. There are also two big peaks, but in opposite sides of the country which I plan to summit. There are 3 other guys in the group who are climbers, so we have a great little rock climbing team.
As for personal life, homestay is goin well. It has definitely been an insightful experience. My lung crud is clearing up and I am feeling much better. We all got together last nite for a PCTs birthday and had a good nite unwinding. We are almost halfway through training and a lot of us, me included, cannot wait to get to site.
Hope all is well at home.
Love,
Bri
Hey Sabrina!
Sounds like you are having an amazing time! It’s great to read the updates, make sure to keep them coming
-Shaundra
I miss you guys so much and I miss Africa more than I thought I would when I left. I even miss the smells and the trash on the ground. Mostly I miss you guys and the kids. I am going under the knife soon but after I heal I am reapplying for Uganda and might be seeing you in August. I need someone to write me like a letter of recommendation from our group but I dont know who would. I didnt know you guys that long. Well congrats on the placement it sounds great.
hopefully I will see you soon, tell everyone HI!!!