24 October 2007

Hi all!
I have had a busy almost three weeks as training finished and I am settling into my home in Kyotera. After I finished my future site visit, the final week of training flew by! The only parts of training that I will miss (in fact, I already do!) are my language teacher (Herbert) and my homestay sisters. At the end of training there is a homestay family thank-you event during which I performed a traditional dance of the Bugandan (lots of shaking while wearing feathers on one's behind) while wearing a gomez (traditional dress inspired by the British fashion of the turn of the century...think 1980s fashion fauxpas times infinity -- except I really enjoyed wearing it!!). I don't even have words to describe the ridiculous fun, but soon I shall move into modern times and be able to attach photos that will hopefully speak for themselves.
After saying goodbye to Luweero, it was hello to Kampala!! We had a great time relaxing and stretching our legs -- we had a tour and several meetings at the American Embassy, a pool-party (with pizza!!) at the ambassador's house, time for shopping -- it was a surreal end to training.
Swearing-in was a beautiful occasion. We left for the ambassador's residence in the early morning and it began to rain. As we slowly made our way through the city, the sun broke through the clouds and before us appeared two of the most complete and vibrant rainbows I have ever seen. Stretching from one end of the city to the other, they almost perfectly held the largest mosque I have ever seen at their very center. Breath-taking! Once at the residence, as the conclusion of the ceremony, a fellow trainee (another Julie from Connecticut -- small world!!) and I gave a speech in Luganda, Runyankori and English. When our class chose us, it seemed like a great idea and we were both looking forward to it. At the time of the ceremony, when we realized that we would be surrounded by the US Ambassador and the Prime Minister of Uganda among other official-ish folks, we were more than a little nervous. Everything turned out well and we were off to our sites.
So, now I'm in Kyotera, Uganda. As I mentioned before, it is south of Masaka and very close to the Tanzania boarder. So far, so good. I'm finding one of the greatest challenges to be staying in the moment and not trying to live the two years all at once. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it is how I feel. My organization ANPPCAN continues to welcome me warmly and has agreed to assist me in a project targeted at widows groups and post-test clubs so that I may work with them on protecting the inheritance rights of their children. Property grabbing (by clan members or distant relatives) is one of the ancillary effects of HIV/AIDS throughout much Uganda. Uganda's Children Statute allows for the inheritance of property regardless of age and sex. But the reality for many orphans and vulnerable children is that they find themselves literally having land and houses stolen from underneath their feet upon the death of parents and guardians. Mpola, mpola as they say in Luganda...slowly by slowly.
As October draws to a close I am missing Barbara and family, our dog Ben, friends, the fall season (the foliage, apple cider, caramel apples, pumpkin pie...don't get me started!), and the smell of crisp air that will soon usher in winter. That being said, I am blessed and fortunate to be doing what I'm doing. There are certainly perks: At about 6 each morning thus far, I have walked out my front door, up the stairs, onto the roof and watched the sun rise while doing/trying to do yoga -- nearby, a steaming cup of coffee awaits me and mountains, valleys and forever appear on the horizon...

Peace ahead,
Julie