Back to life. Back to reality.

May 31, the day I was leaving Uganda, I was in my office and realized that I was now unemployed. My dear friend Nina also mentioned that I was also homeless. This all led to me lamenting, "I am homeless and unemployed. Why?!" It is now July 31st and I am still homeless and unemployed. Why?! I'm really exaggerating. I am currently staying with friends in Seattle and watching over three Australian kids a couple of times a week. I'm doing pretty okay right now. I am anxious (in a good way) to finally get a job and a place of my own (well, I'll probably have roommates). I know all of this will happen in due time. I feel as though I should be more anxious (in a bad way). Yet I have come to realized how false security can be. I like to think that since I have been well educated, traveled, and know how to take care of myself that this should be my basis for everything turning out alright in my life. Yet I have come to realized that A+B does not always equal C.

I am not in control of my life. I thought that by July 31st I would have a place to live and a great job. Yet none of those have come about. I expected myself to be more sad or upset about my situation, but I feel okay; even content at times. Before I moved back up to Seattle I was telling a friend in Uganda to pray that I get a job in Seattle soon. She told me, "You can only do your best and God does the rest." That was strangely comforting to me. As Tiffany Gathers, I can only do some much. There are times when I have to just "throw in the towel" (Thanks Nette!).

I'm finding that since I've been back in Seattle all I want to do is take care of my own needs. I don't have to care for students anymore. I don't have to worry if I'm being understood or if I'm not dressed to cultural standards. I can just be me. In my attempts to become self-centered, I have failed at it. Since moving back to Seattle, particularly the Central District, I have come to love this area more and more. It is so raw, diverse, and has hidden beauty that I just want to be a part of. Last week I discovered this little forest that leads down to Lake Washington. I've lived in Seattle for six years and have never come across this path. When I got to the water I just sat there and looked at beauty around me. It was one of those moments I always have: this is my life.

Lake Washington with Mt. Rainier in the background

Life without a job is kind of boring after awhile. So last week I volunteered with the refugee organization, World Relief, I interned at in grad school. Even though I was an intern for six months, my first day back working with refugees made me want to cry. I could strangely identify what it is like to live in a land that is not your own. One guy from Afghanistan said his one year old baby is sad because he is used to seeing 10-15 people in the house. While in the area he currently lives in people just stay inside. My interactions with him made me realized how I felt in Uganda. I longed for the culture I understood. He was longing for the same thing. Regardless of the fact that he was escaping from his country for a particular reason, he still missed the understandings and relationships his country held.

The rest of my day consisted of being at the emergency room. I had to take a two year old Iraqi boy to the emergency room because he fell out of a window a few days ago. He had a noticeable limp, but was in good spirits. He is such a happy child and loves being around people. He became attached to me quite fast. He sat on my lap while we were waiting for the doctor. Here are some pictures of the beauty of having an iPhone with a front facing camera.

Wait for it, they keeps getting cuter 

My favorite 

Okay, there is a point to this blog. Since being back from Uganda I have learned that Uganda has taught me how to love and care for people better. Being in Uganda showed me how to identify with other people, believe in community development, and to be present. My year in Uganda has also taught me how to be a better resident of Seattle. Seattle is now the place where I want to be. As for right now, I am not longing to be anywhere else. I've been amazed with how life is strangely falling together while being here. So far I have run into the right people since returning to Seattle. Some have offered me places to stay, jobs, and even times just to catch up. I feel blessed right now and I feel like everything is in the right place.

Safari!

Alright! I have some updated pictures! These were all taken on the safari Nina, Shirley, Nasser, and I went on this past weekend. I don't have pictures of all the animals I saw since my camera doesn't have a great zoom. My hope is to get other pictures from Shirley soon. The safari took place at Murchison Falls National Park which is located on the northwestern part of Uganda bordering Congo (DRC). Enjoy!

Nina on the boat tour

Many many Hippos

Hippo!

Shirley and Nasser on the boat

Nina and I

Just being cheesy

Shirley and I

Leading up to Murchison Falls

Heading to the top of Murchison

Top of Murchison

Sunset

Nina and the baboons

I'm a sucker for sunset pictures

Giraffe 

Giraffes!

Hippo!

Elephants (zoom not really the best)

At the game park we weren't able to see any wild cats. We went to the spot where they usually are, but we did see any. That's the one downfall of going to game parks. You have no clue what animals you will see. I did see others animals such as warthogs, different types of antelopes and various types of birds. This is my second safari I have been on. I am starting to realize that having an amazing camera can really document the trip well. Stay tune for more pictures... if I get more!

*Update*

More pictures have arrived, courtesy of Shirley.

Warthog, or Pumbaa as our tour guide said

The four of us on the boat cruise

A better picture of an elephant

Giraffes! 

I believe these are Ugandan Kobs

Water buffalos 

Elephants!

A type of antelope... can't remember which type

Crested Crane (national bird of Uganda)

Red tail monkey (I believe that is what this little guy is called)

Reveals, Fears, and Tears

Preface: I wanted to write in April, but that month was a blend of ending the semester on campus, traveling to Rwanda, and doing a six day debrief with the students. I now have the time to write.

This might be my last post in Uganda. My last three weeks in Uganda are going to be quite busy. I am finishing up work and my friend Nina (or Nine-na as I like to call her) from Seattle is coming to visit from May 15^th until I leave on the 31^st. I can’t believe I only have three weeks left in Uganda. I have been waiting for this month to come. May not only signified my birthday (May 12^th by the way) or my grandmother’s 70^th birthday or the end of Uganda. It also signified my journey into finally being a settled person back in the US (Seattle to be specific). Yet as May snuck up on me, the weight of leaving now becoming heavy.

When I applied for this position I knew that I had hidden motives: to do Uganda right. The first time I was here I was enamored/distracted by the American student I was dating. Rightfully so as I should have been since he was my first boyfriend. Yet it took a lot of my focus away from being in Uganda and also in Rwanda. So coming back to Uganda this time was meant for me to have a second chance at it. I really don’t know what “it” is, but I think I accomplished it.

Being in Uganda has caused me to become a braver person. I’ve never really been timid, but I do know some times that I lack taking initiative. In Uganda, many times there are no textbook answers, you just have to find an answer. For instance, how many of you had to figure out how to get an international student back to the US who has forgotten their Green Card in the States? That is another story within itself. With this job I had to be the one who is figuring out answers to situations I never thought I would come across. I had to dig deep with researching and asking questions. I had no time to be timid.

I’ve also realized that things for me have come full circle for me while living in East Africa. It was like I left Uganda in 2006 with only having the circle being a third complete. The other two-thirds of the circle was complete when I went back to Rwanda in April. My eyes were freshly open to the country that was before me. The development of Rwanda showed me the determination of an African country trying to better itself after genocide. Rwanda is badass. The government is making it harder and harder for NGOs to enter the country. They want companies that will help to do business development in the country. Organizations that want to do handouts they want out of the country. Rwanda aims to be the next Singapore. Kagame (President of Rwanda) has a zero tolerant for corruption. No plastic bags are sold in the country or are even allowed into the country. In rural parts of Rwanda, they have better Internet access than people do in rural England. The country is developing so quickly and is also working at ways to keep Rwanda environmentally sound. Rwanda is a beautiful country and one that I recommend people to visit. Rwanda has been heading this way since I was first there in 2006; I just never realized it.

The resiliency of the Rwandan people is amazing. I got to help out with a reconciliation organization that helps victims and perpetrators reconcile by rebuilding victims homes and sharing a cow (Cows are very significant in Rwanda. They are a sign of wealth). All Rwandans are not reconciled, but to see the power of victims and perpetrators sharing life together is inexpressible. Again, as I have written before, Rwandans have an understanding of reconciliation that most people will never understand. Rwanda became more beautiful after my last trip there. It was like I was forced to see not only the beauty of the country, but also the beauty of the people and the power of reconciliation.

As the Rwandan trip ended and the last few days of working with students was on the horizon, I started to become anxious about my own leaving and homecoming. The students do a lengthy debrief based on their semester in Uganda and the Rwandan trip. Part of the debrief consist of facing the realties of going home. My homecoming in 2006 was the start of the worst two years of my life. Again, that is another story in itself. This time I want to have a better homecoming. Yet as I was thinking about coming home, this week I was confronted with the reality of going home: everyone has moved on in their life without me. Friends have moved out of state or out of the country. Friends have gotten married. Friends have gotten pregnant. Friends have found other jobs. I would like to think that life was put on hold while I left, but everyone’s life just kept on moving on.

My fears in going home are starting over again. I have to find a new job and figure out how to fit in with my social circles again. Those are things that were in the back of my mind when I knew I was taking this position, but those thoughts were sleeping until May. I am going to long for the safety of my life in Uganda when I get back to the States. My hope is that my friends will have patience with me and are able to walk with me through this journey.

So this is it. My time here in Uganda now only comes to a matter of a few weeks and not a few months. I’m going to cry all the way to the airport, which is an hour and a half journey. What will I miss about Uganda? I’ll miss the unknowns. Not knowing what type of meat I’m eating. Not knowing how long a car ride or a speaker will take. Not knowing if the guesthouse I am staying at has hot water. Taking bucket baths (the only times I get hot showers is by heating up water and taking a bucket bath). Sleeping to the sound of either overnight prayer meetings or clubs blaring their music. Being told I look like a Ugandan. Being called Stephanie, Tiffen, Tiffaan, or Fany. I’ll miss the hospitality of Ugandans, the pride Ugandans have, and the desire for Ugandans wanting me to stay. I’ll miss a lot about Uganda. Uganda has been good to me. I am a better person because of the country.

Epilogue: Thank you to everyone who has read my blog and have sent me personal emails. I have really appreciated them. I know this blog lacks pictures, but I’m okay with that. I might post some after I go on my safari on the 18^th-19^th with Nine-na and Shirley (from Grad school). I plan on keeping this blog after I get back to the States. Not sure how interesting it will be after Uganda. I wont be offended if you unsubscribe.

Also, if you want to learn more about Rwanda before and after the genocide, I recommend this book: We Wish to Inform You that We Will be Killed Tomorrow Along with Our Families. This taught me more about the genocide than I have ever researched before. 

Lastly, I was born on Mother’s day (tomorrow), which is why my mom only had one child since I was the perfect gift to her… just sayin’ ;) Feel free to shower me with birthday wishes.

Cheers!

Art and culture: Uganda

This semester I decided to sit in on a class called Community Art in Uganda. I wanted to sit in on this class since I m pretty artistically challenged. My art consist of writing my name down in cursive and tracing around my name over and over in different colors. I have been doing this since third grade. If my mother kept any of my art projects I would have proof. Anyway, I wanted to learn more about art in Uganda and to see how art is impacting Uganda. What I did not realize was how much my eyes were going to be open to the art and culture around Uganda.

One of my favorite events to attend in Uganda are the poetry slams that take place in Kampala the first Tuesday of the month. March was “The Battle of the Sexes” since March 8^th was Women’s Day (which is a public holiday in Uganda). The women spoke about how women rule this world. Most men talked about how women came from men. But then you had those guys who made the women swoon by talking about how much they appreciate the women in their lives. I loved seeing people around my age doing poetry. I had those brief moments where I sat there watching the performs and thinking, “Huh… this is in Uganda too.”

Two weeks ago was International student week on campus. The main events happened on Friday. The old football pitch on campus displayed the various countries represented at the university. Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Nigeria, and USA were the representing countries.  Each country wore their traditional wear (or at least what they would wear in their home country). The American students wore t-shirts and jeans. Each country also displayed the currency they used, pictures of what their land looks like, and different objects that were native to their country. The best part of the whole cultural gala was the free food that was offered. Hands down the best food there was food from South Sudan. Their food taste like a milder form of Ethiopian food. It was so tasty. Now Nigerian food was perhaps the spiciest food I have ever tasted. I cried a little bit. The American students made macaroni and cheese. I thought it was pretty good, yet the African’s did not. The trashcan held a lot of uneaten mac and cheese. I think the taste palate of Africans having various African food to American food was just too drastic for them. Yet I also think that Americans might like cheese way too much.

 Kenya and Tanzania

 South Sudan and Rwanda

Congo (DRC) and Nigeria

USA and Burundi 

 A mixture of various countries coming together with the American students

Lydia (office cleaner) and I trying Nigerian food

The best experience for me with international student week was giving Africans an American football to play with. Most of them started throwing it like a rugby ball. I did my best to display how to throw a spiral, but I kind of failed. They eventually got the hang of it… somewhat.

He knew how to work a football

This lady is from Rwanda

That night was the cultural gala showcase where each country performs their national anthem, show a video of their country, and do a country dance (unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the showcase). The American students did the Cha-Cha slide for their cultural dance, which the Africans loved. Anything that involves shaking your body gets a big rise from Africans. The African countries had great showcases. All I have to say about the night is that African have great pride in their presidents. When Kenya got up to present they said, “We have a president who is in America.” Africans really love them some Obama.

I took this picture of this poster in Eastern Uganda. It was displayed in a photo copy store. 

I would love to have this poster. It cracks me up. 

Okay moving on. The rest of my week was filled with art. I finally stopped by this pottery place I always pass by on the way to Kampala. I bought some mugs. They are not perfect, but they have such character. I also bought some paintings from a friend I know on campus. What I love most about my purchases is that I know the artist who made the art. I like knowing where my stuff came from and whom it is benefiting.

New mugs!

Painting courtesy of Steven Boyyi

On Saturday I went on a community art trip. We went about an hour away from the equator to an area near Masaka. There we met a gentleman who is using art as a way of doing community development. His organization is called Weaver Bird.  They take in various artists from around the world to teach them how to use art for community development. Since my Master’s is in International Community Development, I found his approach to development very compelling. It was so neat to see the village, Ndegeya, decorated in various colors, seeing a stage set up at the main crossroad for various community performances, and viewing women using their crafts as a way of making an income. That is what I love about community development. You are invested in a community and you use your particular gifts, talents, and skills to impact that area. His approach to community development has made the community come together to address various issues in the community. Issues ranging from family planning to healthcare are being addressed because he started off with using art to bring the community development.

A sculpture made out of Jerry cans (Jerry cans are what are used to carry water in Uganda and most of Africa) 

A wall where anyone can contribute their art 

My co-worker Rachel adding her art

One of the students in the art class 

My art consisted of writing "C'est Moi." French for "this is me."

Fun times in the massive jerry can

 The town of Ndegeya

I find it strange that I am writing about art and culture in Uganda. I’m writing about it like I never knew it was here. I think I underestimated Uganda. About a month ago I went to a dance performance called Are U-Ganda. It was about trying to define what an Ugandan identity looks like in Uganda since Uganda was colonized by the British, many tribes makes up Uganda, many people did not grow up where their tribe was from, many are educated, and many are influenced by Western culture. When I (and probably everyone else) think about Uganda, I don’t really think of slam poetry, pottery, celebrating cultures, art as community development, or trying to figure out what it means to be a Ugandan. Only in Uganda have I fully learned how art can be an expression of some many things. I’m not in a “third world country” or an “uncivilized-need-my-help-to-develop country.” I’m in a country where art is a way of expression regardless if it is for understanding culture, gaining income, or pleasure.