Wow, so, more than a week has gone by… and I’m not sure what to share here today…
Since I’ve moved in with my parents to save up some money before departing halfway around the world, I’ve been working several jobs. Three in fact. And while I’ve narrowed those down to one current place of employment the closer the date draws near, I’ve been sure to keep a list of things that still must be done, so I’m not going stir crazy with cabin fever.
I’ve been bingeing as much of the shows that I love, seeing the movies I want to see, and doing as much as I want to do, because I certainly won’t have as frequent, or easy, access to those while I’m away.
Over the course of the last few months here in the states, my excitement has ranged from heavily tinted with rose-colored optimism, to tempered significantly by anxious realism. And now, with the date so near, and my list of needs and wants all but completed, I can say with conviction that I am ready to begin. Those who know me even just slightly, you know I’ll be jumping into my work and my training feet first, so even with so much coming down the proverbial pipeline, I’ll be meeting those challenges with confidence and grit. If I didn’t, I don’t think I could call myself much of an anthropologist.
And because I told you I wasn’t sure what to share with you all: Here’s some interesting facts about Uganda that you might not know!
- While English and Swahili are the official languages of Uganda, there are more than 50 unique languages and dialects spoken. And I’ll be learning one of them!
- Uganda remains one of the poorest nations in the world, despite an ever-increasing economy under the current regime, with half the population living off less than $1.25 (USD) a day.
- Uganda is home to over 60 protected areas, including: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- There are seven telecommunication companies serving more than 20 million subscribers. More than 95% of all internet connections are made through mobile devices.
- Uganda has a literacy rate of 66.8 percent as of the 2002 census, with the divide between male and female literacy being extremely significant. (76.8% male vs 57.7% female)
- Human rights, including LBGT+ rights, remain a pertinent concern of the world stage. While the death penalty is no longer in effect, non-heteronormative behavior carries the risk of jail time.
So, there’s some good and fascinating, and there’s some bad and disconcerting. But there’s still so much to learn, and so much to experience, and so much to do!
Now, just a head’s up: I still intend to update you all up until, and including, the day of May 31st, but after that, it will be some time until I can next connect with you all. We are diving straight into training as soon as we arrive, and they’ve said we will not have much in the way of time the days following our arrival. Thank you so much for understanding!
Till we connect again!
Peace, Love, and Uganda 