On Pondering,

I'm searching for the time and energy to write more on my trip to Uganda. It was hard, and inciteful and beautiful... I gave a short presentation to my colleagues yesterday simply sharing some of the stories I heard. I realised I need to take some time to formulate some thoughts which are a step further than 'I'm not sure where the hope is' ... so watch this space. I'll get there...!

Re-entry

I am back from foreign places in one, rather tired piece.

I'll be uploading some bits and pieces from my trip to Uganda partly to remind me of what I actually did each day, and eventually I'll get some of my more reflective thoughts on here too.

Needless to say I found the whole experience ponder-provoking.

More to come on this and more...

Last bits

... of packing up the house. I didn't pack any of the invading ants. I killed them.

Everybody needs good neighbours

... to tell you what's really going on in their country. Plus I made pancakes for the first time today!

If you want stories

... you just have to listen. I've had the privilege of talking with both students and teachers throughout my trip - and the whole of today in fact.

Yes, I asked about gender equality

It's been refeshing to talk to some of the girls and women about their views on gender, and also to observe myself some of the complex relationships found here.

I am told in no uncertain terms that education is the key, and that women can do as much as men if they work hard. When it comes to marriage, I was surprised to hear the girls (ages 16-19) explain they want to finish their education before finding a husband that will share with them and understand them, and that they would probably wait until their late twenties. I think I may have met some of the new generation of African women, empowered and influenced by the Western world with positive and negative consequences - which they themselves explained to me. We went on to discuss what was hard about living in Uganda - the poverty and corruption and what they would do about it.



Here's hoping I have just met members of the future Ugandan government.

Busy day

... church with the students who'd not yet gone home for the term, and a visit to Mary's house.

Observations of the white girl

My conversations with students have been most enlightening. I've also developed a lilt to my accent which helps them understand my english, but makes me sound utterly ridiculous. However I may try and hold to some of the sayings and unique sentence constructions as I do wonder if a different approach might help me in Cornwall...

I was asked by two students if it was true that 'lazy people in the UK get given money by the government'... and we discussed at length benefits, pensions, tax, the NHS. I've been asking what the students think of the UK, and all I can get from them is that it must be 'very nice' and 'very green'. And their favourite music? By far - Jay Z, Beyonce and Rihanna.

Oops

I told Dad fairly confidently that the bank closed at half 4. He is now sitting next to me (correcting my typos) having missed the bank by 5 minutes. It closed at 4. Oops.

Still, exciting times here...

Oh my, it's hot...

...but we did bring some rain with us during the past two nights which has been much needed. There's been a drought here in Uganda, and the rainy season never really came. So there's a food crisis and prices have shot up. Is the UK still whinging about the credit crunch?

Anyway, all is going well here. My dad and I have got back into the swing of African life pretty quickly and amazingly he remembers some basic Lugbara. We've even been watching West Wing most nights!
If you want to know more of what my parents were doing here have a look at their blog.

We've been in Uganda a week today, I'm currently sitting in an Internet Cafe in Arua, Northern Uganda while dad is at the bank. Most of the students from the secondary school where my parents lived and worked left today, but I managed to have a few good conversations with some of them before they left. I've also had the opportunity to talk with teachers, and with other Brits and missionaries in the area.

I'll stagger my blog entries to avoid waffle. It's worth a try anyway...

p.s. it turns out that, just like my father, I too melt at 27 degrees. This could be interesting...

The longest assembly

... and notice that despite being in 30 degree heat, I still wore black. That's commitment (and stupidity) for you.

Crowned Connect 4 Queen

... as I took on some students during a rare time away from chores and study for them.

Church

.. at the school, they were overwhelmingly welcoming and the singing raised the roof!

Up North

... to Arua where we met the principle and head of governors of my parent's former school at Cathy's. After a short adventure to town and a look at Arua Cathedral (pictured) we drove the claimed car back to Ushindi Secondary and my parent's Ugandan home.