Note: the images above are not mine, I am not the artist. This blog is not for profit, but if the creator can be credited, please reach out.
So, dear readers, a lot has been happening. To say the very least… The whole world is on pause due to COVID-19, and every single Peace Corps volunteer around the world has been evacuated back to the United States… Something like this has never happened before, in the history of Peace Corps, and these past weeks have not been easy for us. Put in summation, I was broken for quite a while; feeling too much all at once, and unable to process it well.
We were given 24 hours to pack up our lives. No time to finish projects, no time to say our goodbyes, no time for closure on our lives and the new families we made in our homes… Then there was a week of unbearable stress and broiling negativity. My fellow volunteers and I buried what we could with friendship, shared experiences, and unhealthy behavior, but each day only compounded the misery. Exponential rising despair, tears, shouting, and regret filled every corner of ourselves, and what we tried to hide.
I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, but least of all the country staff of Peace Corps Uganda. While we wallowed, they worked. They even came close to performing numerous miracles, all for our benefit. They showed an unprecedented level of compassion and professionalism, and above all love for us. They had welcomed us as family as well. Thank you to everyone at Peace Corps Uganda; you are cherished and wonderful, each and every one of you.
My workplace – one of the best of my career – Spotlight on Africa, had become my home. My coworkers: my brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles, and some of my dearest friends… And I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye. We left so much unfinished, it remains a hole in my heart – deep and wide. I was made an official member of the Mbale communities, a sibling, and with an authentic Ugandan name and everything. It is my hope, even during these unprecedentedly difficult and enigmatic times, to continue working remotely, as a consultant with Spotlight. At the very least to get the work we started further off the ground, and more and more into the hands of the communities we serve. All of our work was for their potential betterment, after all. So, to my family at Spotlight on Africa, each and every one of you means the world to me! I will be seeing you soon, one way or another! There’s still so much for us to accomplish; you all make an invaluable difference on our world.
My friends, and my family, Peace Corps and Ugandan, I love you all…
This isn’t where I want to be, but reality necessitates coming to grips. To make that reality better.
Told you Peace Corps worked some near miracles!
What will follow are photos left over from my time, and what little we had before misfortune took it all away. As I wrote a few moments ago, I doubt I’ll be going back to Uganda with the Peace Corps, as the soonest that would be is in over five months from now. I cannot wait that long, especially since it is still very much an unknown uncertainty at this point. Regardless, I want to thank you all for coming on this journey with me, for reading along, and for reaching out with your excitement, your comments, and your kind words.
This may be the final entry, or it might not. Either way, readers, you have my thanks. Be Well (in these trying times), Be Wise (when foolishness seems more rampant than ever), and Be Good to One Another! We need it now more than ever!
Peace, Love, and Uganda 