The beginning of the adventure

It's been a week today since leaving Vancouver, and not even a week that I've been in Uganda and I can hardly believe the experiences I have had so far. I already feel transformed in so many ways, and I've had a hard time trying to put into words how it feels to be here. I've been surprised by my own adaptation to Uganda so far. Of course I have been very tired and I am still taking in a lot, but it's been a much smoother adjustment than I thought it would be considering how different every single thing is here from Canada. The first day here was very muggy and rainy and I was not thrilled to have power outages and cold showers, but I'm starting to appreciate it all. The change is actually quite nice. I haven't had a shower under an actual shower head since Saturday (sounds gross, I know), but you make what you have work and I don't have any complaints. The internet situation has been a bit testy but I get online when I need to. And I was actually cold yesterday, so I've already adjusted pretty well to the climate; being hot and sweaty feels normal now. I started practicum on Monday, which was a bit of a frantic situation. But without making it a long story, I am at a different site than what was originally planned, but still working with children with disabilities. The organization is called Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Uganda. So far it is an amazing place and in 3 days I have learned and observed so many incredible things. The staff Teresa and I are working with are so knowledgable and extremely helpful, and their programs seem to be organized very professionally. The organization is led by volunteers and parents of children with disabilities, and their philosophy is very much based around empowerment, information sharing, the rights of the child, and so many other positive things. They do a ton of outreach work, which we had the opportunity to participate in on our very first day. We went out into the villages to visit the families with children with disabilities who are considered their clients that they keep case files on. We build relationships with these families, the children, and check up on how things are going while trying to motivate positive attitudes and rehabilitation/therapy techniques that the parents can practice on their own with the child to improve their condition. Many children in Uganda and many of the ones I have met through practicum so far have cerebral palsy. I have seen other conditions as well such as autism and hydrocephalus, but CP seems to be very common. (Here's where you google cerebral palsy, I won't explain it). In most cases the children are quite malnourished, some 8 and 9 year old children are smaller than their 2-4 year old siblings. As some of you may know, the attitudes towards disabilities here differ from the ones at home, and it has become apparent that in many cases the childlren are not recieving the same care as other "normal" children. Needless to say, it's been quite the learning experience so far, and in such a short amount of time! I can only imagine what the rest of my 3 months will bring. Teresa and I are going out to Masaka this weekend to meet with the rest of the girls and do a trip to Lake Mburo on Saturday so I look forward to that and will post again soon.

Michell, CSSW

Finally There

Hello!

So I am finally in Masaka, Uganda! It was a very long and tiresome journey here but I am good and settled in. Exploring this city is going to take me the whole time I am here, if not more. Everywhere you go the streets are crazy busy and there is so much to see along the way. I am excited to be here and start this journey while sharing it with all of you. Yesterday was my first day visiting my practicum sights and you can say I was both pleasantly surprised and at the same time very shocked. Anaweza seems like a place that I will automatically feel comfortable and will have no problem jumping right in. I am ready to start making connections with these children and youth and begin learning from them. Julius deserves much credit for how selfless he is in the work he is doing and is really making a difference in these children's lives. My next stop this day was to Mary's home and the school she began Kakunyu School for nursery children and children with special needs. Going into Mary's home we were warmly welcomed and she gave us a tour. I found my body going into shock from everything I was seeing. It is nothing like I have seen in Canada and the ways in which children with disabilities here are living here is something I am going to have to begin to understand. Mary has taken on a very big and selfless task and it takes much strength and courage to do what she is doing. The school Kakunyu is beautiful. They have done a great deal making it a desirable place. The land it is on is very lush there is play grounds, classrooms which I beleive is a lot for the area they are in. Anyways there is still much for me to learn and it all begins tomorrow. 

First Impressions

Hello everyone! Sorry we haven't been able to post this past week. It was quite the challenge getting internet and phones running nonetheless I managed to get my computer running and assisted a few other students with their computers. When we first arrived I was speechless and amazed by how rich the area of Uganda is with beautiful trees and green space where ever I looked. I can now understand why the black stripes on the Ugandan flag represent the rich soil of the country. On our first night we arrived in Entebbe where we stayed at the Banana Village which was surrounded my monkeys, horses and roosters to wake us in the in the morning. The group pulled out our camera's to capture our first encounter with wild life it was amazing! On Friday morning we said our goodbyes to Diana, Michell and Theresa who safely arrived in Kampala that day as well as Courtney and Tara who left for their practicum sites. Janice, Shayna, Lesley, Holly, Emily, Priscilla and I were then off to Masaka! After winding through rough dirt roads we took a left at a bend towards to two large metal gates that led us into our living compound. It has 3 large huts including a kitchen and common area to debrief and hang out. In this area I feel very safe, we have guards day and night as well as secure locks for our doors. I'm sure this gives everyone at home some relief! Presently we are just beginning our practicums and getting a feel for the area. Half of us have greeted our practicum supervisors with Janice as our support. Over the next week the rest of us should have our computers up and running with stories about our placements. So far we have been welcomed with big smiles and such genuineness. Everyday I see something new whether it's a friendly shop owner who we share laughs with and take pictures with or the birds in the tree's with brilliant upside down nests!

Beginning the roller coaster ride...

Well I made it through school, my first practicum, packing and farewell parties. Now the only thing left to do is to board that plane. Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now, but the only thing I could think  of comparing it to is being on a roller coaster heading up the first big hill. The tension of knowing what awaits you, but having to be so patient is agonising. I feel quiet numb at the moment actually. It won't be until we board the plane that I will feel like jumping up and down with excitement (thank goodness for the seat belts).  I am looking forward to some nice warm weather and feeling the sun beam down on my skin; however, when I looked at the extended forecast it was calling for thundershowers all week with sunny periods and for some strange reason I find this very comforting.
As I make it over the first hump and plummet down into the unknown, I realize that I have many more hills to climb and descend, which will make this adventure a ride to remember.

Courtney - Therapeutic Recreation

Lesley

Today is the day!! Can't believe after nearly of year of planning my bags are packed and sitting at the front door ready to begin this adventure!!  I have a knot in my stomach the size of a grapefruit, but for me, its mostly due to the fact I have to get on a plane in a few hours! My anxiety is is not really connected to the "fear of the unknown", that I welcome and am exicted for.  I had the pleasure of speaking with a friend last night who has been doing work in Uganda for the past seven years, and his words and knowledge of the country and its people, reiterated for me that I am going to Uganda to learn, somehow contribute, and connect with myself and these people.  That is all I will say for now, as my mind is going a mile a minute and I don't want to start babbling, but stay tuned for more!
Lesley
xo

Shayna- Therapeutic Recreation

IT'S HERE, IT'S HERE, IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! I can't believe April 18th, our departure date, has finally arrived. It seems like we have been waiting for this day for 5 years, rather than just 1. The countless meetings, fundraising events, and emails are over and we will be stepping off the plane into Uganda in just over 24 hours.
Many people have asked me if I'm nervous. I don't feel any nervousness, although I'm sure that will come. I can't remember the last time I was so excited to meet new people, see new places, and really challenge myself. The transformative learning project one of our supervisors Janice Spencer is conducting asks the question "What are your expectations of yourself while in Uganda?". I hope to be able to see the numerous concepts and theories I've learned in the last 3 years to the situations and processes I will see in Uganda, I want to "connect the dots. At the same time I want to be able to remain present, and in the moment as much as possible. This can be a difficult task me for me. Most of all, I want to say yes and accept the challenges that will cause me to grow as a professional and a person.
Time to do the last of my packing and enjoy one last walk around my neighborhood with a freshly brewed coffee. The next time I write I will be in UGANDA!

-Shayna