Holly CCSD

Three weeks till the day I begin one of the biggest journeys of my life! The reality of actually going to Uganda is setting in and I am beginning to become very anxious. My name is Holly and I am from the Classroom and Community Support Workers program at Douglas College. When in Uganda I will be doing my practicum at an outreach program as well as a school for children who have disabilities in Masaka.

Go back two years when I entered this program and I would of not seen this opportunity coming, I have never stepped outside of my comfort zone when it has come to trying new things and this is sure a way to start!I have so many mixed emotions when it comes to this journey because on one hand I am completely ready to learn and experience Africa and what it has to share with me. Then there is this other side where I am completely stressed about being away for such a long period of time(5months) and coming back ready to start a new chapter of my life.I guess all I can do now is enjoy my time before I leave and then cherish every moment I have in Uganda. I know this is going to be one of the biggest learning opportunities I will ever get and I can not wait to share it with you all!

Holly

Emily CODS

And the countdown begins.... There is a little less than 4 weeks until we leave. My name is Emily and I am one of the students going to Uganda to do my practicum for my co-occurring disorders citation. I will be working in the regional hospital as well as a small rural community.

I will be leaving my cozy apartment to experience a completely different lifestyle on the other side of the world. I am equally excited and nervous. It's funny because all this sunk in while talking to my 10 year old niece a few days ago. She asked where I was going and that was easy enough to answer but then she asked why I was going. Well,  the simplest answer was that I'm going to learn and experience. She seemed satisfied with this but then I began asking myself what were my goals and thoughts... I will be learning about the mental health system there and presently I work within our health system. What will the similarities be? And the differences? What will I be able to bring to my profession once I return? And then I stopped myself. I will have to wait to see what the trip brings but I am sure that I will learn and experience and that is good enough for me.

 



  

Michell - CSSW

My name is Michell, and I'm a Community Social Service Worker student at Douglas College. I'm almost finished all of my courses and will soon have my diploma. The only thing left to do is my practicum... in Uganda. If you had told me 2 years ago that I would be flying off to Uganda for 3 months to do practicum I probably would have told you you were nuts. I definitely did not imagine that this is where I would be at this point in my life, but I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and I know it will be an amazing learning experience for me. As much as people may not understand it, or may assume that I am going for various reasons, I am mainly going there to learn about myself, and to learn from the people of Uganda. Without this trip, I would probably go my whole life without any of the kind of knowledge I will gain from Africa. Everything happens for a reason, and there is a reason why this is the path I am on.

I'll be leaving on April 18th, just under a month from now. At this point, Uganda is one of the only things I can think about as it is going to be a major life change for me. I got the chance today to talk to a student who went last year and stayed where I will be staying in Kampala. Talking to her made me all the more excited for my trip, and it's also great to get some tips and advice from someone who has been before. During my 10 week stay in Uganda, I will be doing a practicum at the Katalemwa Cheshire Home which provides rehabilitation services to children with disabilities, with consideration of HIV/AIDS. I anticipate being in some challenging situations, but my hope is that with an open mind I will be able to grow from these experiences. As crazy as it may sound, I'm looking forward to being uncomfortable. It is the moments when you are outside of your comfort zone and faced with the greatest challenges that you are able to learn the most about yourself and what you are capable of.

That's all I will say for now, stay tuned for future posts!

Michell

Jaclyn -- Early Childhood Education...the countdown

Hello all,

My name is Jaclyn,I am 24 year old student at Douglas College. While in Uganda I will be finishing my last two practicums for my Early Childhood Education Diploma with Special Needs and Infant Toddler Citations.

Around this time last year our teacher took us to an information session about the Uganda Project. Now I am not going to lie when I entered the Early Childhood Education program at Douglas College I never imagined I would end my education with a trip of a life time to Uganda, and I was skeptical going into the information session. I didn’t understand how an Early Childhood Educator could make a difference in Uganda, or more importantly how I could make a difference… or if I even felt right trying to make a ‘difference’.

After the information session I thought, just do it, jump in! Seeing pictures of the past students working with the children, I saw how easily it would be to make a difference without going with an agenda. Now I do not mean ‘fixing’ any problems, or imposing my ideals of what is right and what is wrong, I simply mean being there, building relationships, and sharing and learning with the people of Uganda.

The questions I got the most after applying and being accepted into the project was “Why would you EVER want to go to Africa?” or “You know it’s going to be dangerous, right?” A lot of people couldn’t understand the draw, or the reason for an Early Childhood Educator to go to Africa, and like I did, they questioned what I would be able to do. In all honesty I do not have an answer, I do not know what specifically I will do, or how it will help, but I think that every person that goes there with good intentions and the mindset of learning alongside the people of Uganda will help inspire something.

So here we are now, less than a month till I hop on a plane and fly to what seems like a completely different world. And I still feel like I am in a fog, like this is not really happening yet. This trip will be here before I know it and yet it feels like I still have a year to plan for it.

What will I miss? Honestly I think I will be fine without my morning single single from Timmies, or my long hot shower after a really stressful day. The only thing I am worried about missing is my family and my friends. It will be challenging being in a whole new country, with a group of new people, and not being able to pick up and call my family or friends at a drop of the hat, because chances are they will be sleeping while I am awake (though I may just call anyways, so be prepared!).

What am I looking forward to? How many people do you know that can say when they were 24 they went and lived in Africa for three months while working at a hospital daycare center with children? Not that many! I am most excited to hear the stories of the people who live there. Yes Uganda, and Africa, have seen terrible pain and suffering, but with terrible pain and suffering comes tremendous joy, perhaps not joy as you or I would define it, but joy none the less. I am excited to see the resiliency of the children and the people and their spirit. I wish to really know the people, to know their stories, to share in their sorrow and their happiness, to be an ear/friend for someone who needs one.  That is what I look forward to.

 “Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. “--Albert Camus

For me this whole experience is about building relationships with the people I am privileged enough to encounter. Through this blog I hope to convey the spirit and joy of Uganda and its people, I hope to be able to share what the people of Uganda are doing that is working for them, because I feel people only ever hear the negative.

Well this is it for now,

--Jaclyn

Priscilla - CODS

ÍY ȻEĆIL HÁLE,
My name is Priscilla Bartleman and I am a Coast Salish woman from Victoria BC. I have been at Douglas College working on psychology and a citation in co-occurring disorders.
This is a very exciting time! - For the past year I knew that we are going. I have been getting ready to go but it was not until I went to get my vaccinations that it really hit me. When I was watching her mix the different vaccinations and get the needles ready I was overcome with curiosity. I wondered what practices and traditional medicine are in Uganda for things like Malaria? As an Aboriginal person I am aware of the sacredness of medicine and finding balance between traditional medicines and 'western' medicines. I honour my roots and I really hope to have opportuinty to share that honour with Ugandan practices.
My practicum is going to be in the hospital and in the community. I have taken it upon myself to create a side project and I am gathering some pictures of our Coast Salish art and crafts to share with the people while I am there. I am looking forward to hearing about the life, experience, knowledge and traditions of Ugandans willing to share with me.
I don't know what to expect, but I know I am going into this with an open heart, an open mind and with my personal and educational background to support me in this journey.

Courtney - TR

36 days left until we leave for Africa. Right now that is just a number to me without any meaning. All I can think about right now is my exams. I have 3 exams this week then I am finished school.  So I should be excited (and I am), but I have a 3 week practicum BEFORE I leave for Africa. I feel that it will finally sink in the day before I leave, or knowing me when i'm about to step on the plane that all my comforts of home will be gone.

No more Starbucks; comfy bed to sleep in; HOT showers (oh i will miss you the most); crunchy organic apples; mild climate; reliable electricity (these power outages will really test me); meat (I don't eat it, but I like knowing that I could if I wanted to); personal space (I need my down time); anything dairy - I love cheese and yogurt; and a GOOD bottle of wine to drown your sorrows when you've realized that you are completely out of your element. However, leaving behind a fast-paced culture has its advantages too.  No more late night emergency vehicles, TV's, and trains hooting while i'm trying sleep; being able to SEE the stars at night; being reminded of how good you got it back at home; nice sunny weather (even though it will be really hot); being referred to as an expert (even though that thought is scary, its nice to be looked up to like that); and ALL the yoga I can partake in:)

My practicum placement is at Shanti Uganda. I am really excited about this placement. The founders are yoga instructors from Vancouver, so I will be practicing as often as I can. Shanti Uganda is a birth house for maternal mothers to give birth in a safe and clean environment. There is also a community garden, workshops for teenage girls to learn about HIV/AIDS, and arts and crafts for women to sell for income.

I feel that some of my past travelling experiences will prep me for this journey; however, I don't think you can fully prepare yourself for a place like Africa. If there is anything that I have learnt from travelling before it is to go with the flow and to learn as much as you can. I definitely know that Africa will challenge me, but I know that I will be a better person because of it.