I can blog!!

Thanks to Jaclyn, I am finally on the blog as promised :) Computers have been a challege, but here in Uganda not being able to be online seems like a ridiculous complaint.  It is about 915am on Thursday morning and I sit with a few members of the group waiting for the rain to clear before we can catch our boda boda's to our various practicums. (boda boda.....a motorcyle taxi that is not the safest way to travel when the roads are flooded by heavy rain!) My first couple weeks here have been so amazing that it will be difficult to put into words but I will do my best to paint the picture for you.  The first thing I noticed is the smell in the air.  It is like sweet campfire and sandalwood and I had to laugh when I discovered what it was.  Masaka, and likely most of the country, does not have the best waste management program, so people create piles of garbage mounds and burn it into ash.  It was a strange sight when I saw a group of women up on a hilltop surrounded by smoke, smoothering the fire with swift swats of torn cloth.  We all laugh now when we take a breath of "fresh" air :)  Another observation is the rich green lush trees and bush that make up this place.  It is tropical, and I look out the window and see banana, pineapple,mango, jack fruit, guava, and passionfruit trees. The ground is lined with many different vegetable and root plants, as the soil is very rich and crops grow quite easily.  The roads are a dusty taracotta, and the contrast of that with the shades of  green can only be captured in my mind; sorry folks, but the pictures will never do justice.  Other than the exterior beauty here, the warmth of the people is what truly has made this experience so beautiful so far.  I have spent most of my days at Anaweza Skills and Talents Project with Julius, our supervisor.  The best way I can describe this place is as a drop in centre for at risk and vulnerable children.  The kids are so gentle and sweet that I can't even believe the day will come when I say goodbye!!  I am really trying to not think about that and live like the Ugandans, and appreciate everyday as it comes.  I have yet to spend much time at Kitengessa school and community library, but when school is back in session on May.14 I will split my time between there and Anaweza.  I could write and write forever of all the things that have happend so far, but the best thing I can say is I am happy and comfortable here.  There is an unexpected ease, and although there is heartbreak and sadness, and much work to do here, I can't help but feel the positive determination of the people I am working with.  I hope I can always focus on that, and contribute something great with my time here.  Well, after being a no-show on the blog for a while, I hope I have made up for it!  Until next time.......
Lesley