December 15 – 21, 2019
As we approached the week before Christmas, the office was finalizing any work for the rest of the year; the office would be closed until halfway through the month of January. Naturally, I will not be lounging about this whole time, but with the apparent tradition of everyone hosting everything – from introductions, to weddings, to end of the year parties, to the holidays – there’s not going to be much time for serious working for a while.
Now, I realize that I haven’t explained what an introduction ceremony is, so here’s a brief synopsis. An introduction is like a pre-wedding celebration – a party that can often be more lavish, entertaining, and food-filled than the actual ceremony and reception. At an introduction, the bride-to-be brings her whole family to meet her future groom and his family. The two then “size each other up,” with pranks, jokes, and well-meaning insults and games to ensure their daughter is marrying into a proper and upstanding family. There are gifts galore, as this is a country where bride-wealth payments, or dowry, is still practiced. There is food, music, dancing, gossiping, and much more. More so than even the wedding, which is often a much more serious affair. Since I’ve become something of a veteran of these events, I can tell each of you dear readers, that they can be as joyous and fun as they can be tedious – we still run on Ugandan time, after all.
We also had more visitors from the UK this week, a graduation ceremony for those in the community who completed either the carpentry or tailoring trade programs, and the official opening of the tailoring facility situated near the health clinic. Mbale district also held their end of the year/Christmas party – to which I was invited with Spotlight on Africa. There was also the end of the year meetings in the office, as well as checking in with the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) before the New Year. It’s been a busy week, to put it mildly.
December 22 – 28, 2019
The week of Christmas, and it starts with Christmas shopping! Well, Christmas cookie shopping. I’ve bought a large amount of Christmas treats for everyone who’s made my life in Uganda so wonderful thus far, and it seemed a lot easier than buying individual gifts. And everyone seemed very touched, so I’m pleased with the results. I also got my own Christmas present from home, with snacks and gifts galore!
Christmas Eve, the Big Day, and the day after were spent in the village of Bukedea. This is my boss’ childhood village, and their get-away home-in-progress, so we worshiped in their small church, we ate way too much, we hiked with friends new and old, and I introduced the Ugandans to the wonders of the classic Christmas movie “White Christmas.” They very much enjoyed themselves. After returning to the city, I took my homestay mother from language training out to a nice dinner at a fancy hotel. It was a quiet and pleasant Christmas; one to remember.
And I hope all of you enjoyed your holy days – whichever you may celebrate!
The week is closed out with a trip to Jinja, and the source of the Nile, for New Year Celebrations with Peace Corps friends. We’re staying at the Nile River Explorers Basecamp, with plenty of enjoyable activities, amenities, and adventures at affordable prices. You know, should you find yourself in my neck of the woods…
It is such as joy to relax with good friends, to explore new places, to spend perhaps a little too much money, and to laugh harder than you have in quite a while. And the vacation is only beginning.
December 29, 2019 – January 4, 2020
Honestly, I never thought that I’d be experiencing the Nile when I wasn’t in Egypt, but I’m sure that’s something that many people just assume, considering what most people know about the great river. The river runs through four different countries, after all. To be near the water, in the water, on the water – it doesn’t much matter – water is my aesthetic, so I’m a happy man in this Ugandan town. We cruised the Nile for a short while. Visited the Source – where the Nile leaves from the great Lake Victoria. We went to a small zoo, and we went shopping – as visitors are want to do.
Welcoming in the New Year was spent in a modest party crawl around the city, and along the water. We danced and cheered and enjoyed a fireworks display over the Nile. We had a wonderful time – ushering in the next bout of the Roaring Twenties! Hard to imagine that was a century ago… And we all agreed to live in the spirit of our ancestors of a hundred years past: challenge the status quo, resist oppressive authority, speak truth to power, and live our best to better our species and our world!
I hope you all do as well. A Very Happy New Year to You All!
After returning home, I’ve relaxed, done some shopping and some chores, and waited for the new week to begin. I’ll be finishing up my projects – currently in stasis – at the health clinic until the office opens again. Then, I’ll have a grant proposal to compose, a health curriculum to design, and a report to send on all my work to the Peace Corps as the New Year kicks off with a bang!
January 6 – 11, 2020
This week was spent in the clinic, working as much and as thoroughly as I could to complete the training with the staff. Joined by a surprise visit by representatives from the District Health Office, as well as a very enjoyable visit from the Peace Corps Country Director: James Ham, most everyone was successfully briefed on the basics of typing and computer literacy. Everyone proved to be enthusiastic and capable students; they took to the information very quickly, with an eagerness to continue their own private practices. This was a welcome experience, as there are more projects and plans that require my attention moving forward.
The visit from the Peace Corps Country Director was a very productive meeting. Director James Ham seems very pleased with my progress, and he seems to be an excellent professional reference and peer to have in my life as we both continue our professional careers. No spoilers – as there’s nothing to spoil – but his connections could prove very useful. Not only for my future, but all of us serving here in country.
I have also spent the week composing, researching, and drafting the proposal for a grassroots level grant, sponsored by the Japanese Embassy. It is a simple enough design, and if we managed to secure their help with funding our imminently constructed new maternity clinic, we would consider that a massive success.
January 12 – 18, 2020
This week was divided between the clinic and the office, and was a very productive week to be sure. Everyone in the clinic has been trained in the basics of typing and computer interface. I have completed my cursory assessment of our patient database, and made contact with the developer to pass on my suggestions. I met with the head teachers of Musoto Primary School and secured our second coach for the upcoming Grass Roots Soccer training. I completed, and began accumulating feedback on, the grant proposal to the Japanese Embassy. I compiled the end of the year reports for Spotlight into a single document. I started my quarterly report for the Peace Corps, and I continued progress on a couple writing projects, even planning for a few new meetings in the coming weeks.
And with that, we have the conclusion of a busy month’s worth of days, fun, and work. I trust every one of you has been well these past weeks. As always, I thank you all for taking this journey with me, and I hope you all continue to Be Well, Be Wise, and Be Good to One Another. Until next time…
Peace, Love, and Uganda 