On Monday we met with Pincer and learned about their initiatives in Uganda. I collected materials to bring back to the Center for Civil Engagement, so students from UT can come to Uganda and intern with Pincer. I think Erin and I will make a folder and present it to the Baker Center.
Yesterday we met Alex and Philip of Break Dance Uganda and then went to National Theater for Contemporary African dance lessons. I wish someone had taken pictures during the lesson! We warmed up, learned how to jazz walk, then learned some African styles. In the end, we were doing all of these trust exercises. Our teachers were 7 professional dancers. One of them, Samuel, wants us to find out how to get him on the tv show So You Think You Can Dance.
Plans have potentially changed slightly and we may go to Jinja on Saturday for a traditional marriage ceremony with Winnie's family. If we do that, we will travel to Gulu on Sunday. I'm itching to get to Gulu, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to go to the introduction ceremony.
Dustyn and Cody have arrived safely in Uganda, and we're waiting on the 4 others to fly in tonight. We're about to be a small army of muzungus.
I haven't been taking many pictures, but I'm in the process of trying to upload a few to facebook. Once they are on there, I will get them to my blog. It may be a few days, but I'll try to have something soon!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Kampala
Well, team 1 (Erin Cagney, Rachel Principe, Julia Zagaya, and Lindsay Merriman) and I have arrived safely in Uganda. After 36 hours of traveling, we arrived at Winnie’s home near Luzira, an area in southern Kampala. Thankfully, all of our luggage arrived with us, and we had no trouble at any of the airports or on our flights.
On our first day, Saturday, we woke up early and headed into downtown K’la. I thought it would be good for the girls to get a feel for some of the hotspots around Kampala Road. After changing money, we bought water at a petrol station called Caltex then regrouped inside the popular Western restaurant Nando’s. We then walked to Parliament and then National Theater, where we did some souvenir browsing and inquired about Luo language lessons and African dance lessons.
While at national theater, I began texting all of the contacts in our Ugandan cell phone to let our friends know I was back in the country. Vincent, aka Vinny, met us there and the reunions began. He spent much of the afternoon wit h us, and we will finally travel with him to Naggalama on Wednesday to see his school and his art studio.
I also surprised Barnie, the concierge at the Sheraton, and he nearly cried. I spoke to Jeff Korondo by phone, and many others, including Tom from Pincer by SMS. I don’t know that I can describe how good it felt to see and talk to everyone and arrange to meet up soon.
After leaving the Kampala Road area, we went to meet Winnie at Lugogo shopping center for groceries and toiletries. She had a late meeting, so we took public transport back to Luzira. I haggled unmercifully with the conductors for the matatu’s (the public transport taxi), to no avail. We had to pay their asking price of 700 shillings, or about 0.30 cents).
That night Winnie’s househelp, Brenda, made a traditional Acholi meal for us. The others got to try the combination of plantains, malaquan, and beans for the first time. We were all exhausted and slightly sunburn and fell asleep soon after dinner.
On Sunday, we woke up around 8:30 for church at Victory Church of Christ in Luzira. The sermon’s message was all on preparing for expansion both for the church and within individuals’ lives. We arrived a bit late and missed worship, so we stayed for the beginning of the next service to listen to the songs.
After church, we came back to Winnie’s and all passed out. I slept for nearly 3 hours and woke up feeling sick. I think I was dehydrated and overheated from sleeping in a stuffy room in the middle of the afternoon. After eating some fruit and drinking some water, I felt much better.
Sunday evening we went to La Bonita Theater in downtown K’la, a swanky place with retro decorations and balcony seating. One of Winnie’s goddaughters was directing a play on AIDS education and cross-generational sex put on by a local high school. It was rather long but had it entertaining parts. Toward the end, the male actors danced to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” I couldn’t stop laughing.
The rest of the team arrives on Wednesday evening, and we’ve been preparing for their visit. I spoke to Ali from Kope Café on the phone today, and he has arranged for us to all stay at HEALS Youth Center while we’re in Gulu. It will be convenient to town and the kids’ activities, and all of us can stay together.
I’m already dreading January 5th when we leave for home and scheming my next visit.
PS- Our Ugandan cell number is +256775899287 if you need to reach us. It’s fairly inexpensive to call via Skype. There is an 8-9 hour time difference however, with Uganda being ahead of Tennessee.
On our first day, Saturday, we woke up early and headed into downtown K’la. I thought it would be good for the girls to get a feel for some of the hotspots around Kampala Road. After changing money, we bought water at a petrol station called Caltex then regrouped inside the popular Western restaurant Nando’s. We then walked to Parliament and then National Theater, where we did some souvenir browsing and inquired about Luo language lessons and African dance lessons.
While at national theater, I began texting all of the contacts in our Ugandan cell phone to let our friends know I was back in the country. Vincent, aka Vinny, met us there and the reunions began. He spent much of the afternoon wit h us, and we will finally travel with him to Naggalama on Wednesday to see his school and his art studio.
I also surprised Barnie, the concierge at the Sheraton, and he nearly cried. I spoke to Jeff Korondo by phone, and many others, including Tom from Pincer by SMS. I don’t know that I can describe how good it felt to see and talk to everyone and arrange to meet up soon.
After leaving the Kampala Road area, we went to meet Winnie at Lugogo shopping center for groceries and toiletries. She had a late meeting, so we took public transport back to Luzira. I haggled unmercifully with the conductors for the matatu’s (the public transport taxi), to no avail. We had to pay their asking price of 700 shillings, or about 0.30 cents).
That night Winnie’s househelp, Brenda, made a traditional Acholi meal for us. The others got to try the combination of plantains, malaquan, and beans for the first time. We were all exhausted and slightly sunburn and fell asleep soon after dinner.
On Sunday, we woke up around 8:30 for church at Victory Church of Christ in Luzira. The sermon’s message was all on preparing for expansion both for the church and within individuals’ lives. We arrived a bit late and missed worship, so we stayed for the beginning of the next service to listen to the songs.
After church, we came back to Winnie’s and all passed out. I slept for nearly 3 hours and woke up feeling sick. I think I was dehydrated and overheated from sleeping in a stuffy room in the middle of the afternoon. After eating some fruit and drinking some water, I felt much better.
Sunday evening we went to La Bonita Theater in downtown K’la, a swanky place with retro decorations and balcony seating. One of Winnie’s goddaughters was directing a play on AIDS education and cross-generational sex put on by a local high school. It was rather long but had it entertaining parts. Toward the end, the male actors danced to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” I couldn’t stop laughing.
The rest of the team arrives on Wednesday evening, and we’ve been preparing for their visit. I spoke to Ali from Kope Café on the phone today, and he has arranged for us to all stay at HEALS Youth Center while we’re in Gulu. It will be convenient to town and the kids’ activities, and all of us can stay together.
I’m already dreading January 5th when we leave for home and scheming my next visit.
PS- Our Ugandan cell number is +256775899287 if you need to reach us. It’s fairly inexpensive to call via Skype. There is an 8-9 hour time difference however, with Uganda being ahead of Tennessee.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Safely in Uganda
Well, it's day 3 and the team and I are adjusting well to Uganda. So far, we've been visiting with Winnie and meeting up with old friends. Everything is in place for the rest of the group to come on Wednesday night. Good news, as well. We're staying at HEALS while in Gulu. More to come soon.
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