The ABC’s of PC

This post is to welcome you to the world of PC acronyms.  Until PST, I was unaware of how much PC/U enjoyed using abbreviations. 

During PST, us PCT learned all about TB, ABC, malaria, Schisto, and received many vaccines from our PCMO’s.  The PCMO’s told us that if we get injured we are entitled to FECA.  Depending on the severity, you could find yourself recuperating in South Africa.  You receive a per diem and some PCV’s who have had to travel there ending up saving their money to buy a refrigerator and a toaster oven, which means cold beer and cookies.  Not to shabby…

The dynamic duo of health PM and PS spent many hours educating us on HIV/AIDS (hopefully you know what this stands for!), MCT, PMTCT, PEPFAR, VMMC, FP, VCT, M&E, VHT, PACA, VSLA, RUMPS, WASH, and ABC.  We also had PCRV’s come in, who are RPCV’s who have applied for a specific job for a specific time frame, anywhere from 3 months to a year.  These people talked to us about PMI, IRS, and LLIN. 

Our wonderful PC/U staff, made up of the CD, SSO, PM, PS, PCMO, in addition to others spent many mornings, afternoons, and evenings with us.  They talked to us about the US Dollar exchange to the UGX, how to bucket bathe, wash clothes, how to respond in the event of having to implement the EAP, the history of the GOU, the importance of using the VRT and the SAP. 

During training, I ran for and got elected as one of my training class representatives to serve on VAC.  This means every three months I will travel to Kampala to sit in on meeting with the CD and other PC/U staff to address different areas.  Essentially I will help my training class be heard in areas of concern, praise, ideas, etc. 

It was during this time that I was assigned to learn R/R, a language spoken in the Southwest region of the country.  I had approximately six weeks to learn, study, and practice before taking my LPI, which I had to pass at a level of Intermediate Low.  I got Intermediate Med.  Bam!

Upon completing PST, we were sworn in and officially became PCV’s.  This meant that we had completed our FSV, CBT, and CBC.  The 45 of us would now move about the country.  Many of us will not see each other until IST in November.

Since being at site, I have started to think about what PC/U programs I would like to get involved in.  These include Camp GLOW, Camp BUILD, MCH, start an IGA with at risk women, and WASH… I was thinking a program with school children called, “Happy Handwashing Hour.”  Catchy.  I have been introduced to some of the members on my LC, which helps increase my network here in my village.  Hopefully they will assist me with getting the word out about programs that I anticipate doing. 

As many PCV’s say, these next two years will go by quickly and before you know it you will be at your COS conference and will be an RPCV.  That is if we do not ET beforehand!

Now you didn’t think I’d leave you without a key did you?! 

PC: Peace Corps

PST: Pre-Service Training

PC/U: Peace Corps Uganda

PCT: Peace Corps Trainee

TB: Tuberculosis

ABC: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

PCMO: Peace Corps Medical Officer

FECA: Federal Employment Compensation Act

PM: Program Manager
PS: Program Specialist

MCT: Maternal Child Health

PMTCT: Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission

PEPFAR: President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief

VMMC: Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision

FP: Family Planning

VCT: Voluntary Counseling and Testing

M&E: Monitoring & Evaluation

VHT: Village Health Teams

PACA: Participatory Analysis for Community Action

VSLA: Village Savings and Loan Association

RUMPS: Re-Usable Menstrual Pads

WASH: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

ABC: Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms

PCRV: Peace Corps Response Volunteer

RPCV: Returned Peace Corps Volunteer

PMI: President’s Malaria Initiative

IRS: Indoor Residual Spraying

LLIN: Long Lasting Insecticide Net

CD: Country Director

SSO: Safety and Security Officer

UGX: Ugandan Shilling

EAP: Emergency Action Plan

GOU: Government Of Uganda

VRT: Volunteer Reporting Tool

SAP: Strategic Action Plan

VAC: Volunteer Advisory Committee

R/R: Runyankore/Rukiga

LPI: Language Proficiency Interview

PCV: Peace Corps Volunteer

FSV: Future Site Visit

CBT: Community Based Training

CBC: Competency Based Curriculum

IST: In-Service Training

GLOW: Girl’s Leading Our World

BUILD: Boys in Uganda In Leadership and Development

IGA: Income Generating Activity

LC: Local Council

COS: Close Of Service

ET: Early Termination

From Stilettos to Chacos

I never claimed to be much of a fashionista back in the States, as my daily outfit choice consisted of workout clothes or jeans and a t-shirt, with my hair in a messy bun to top it off. 

Prior to my departure though, I would say that this slowly began to change.  With a body I was more proud to dress, I found myself wanting to take more pride in my appearance.  With this came an appreciation with updated fashion, which I took full advantage of.  Especially because I knew that my options would be limited in Uganda.  AKA skirts below the knee.  I found myself dressing nicer for work, nights out with my family and friends, and just in general.  These days are of the past and now hang in pictures that line the walls of my bohemian, romantic, concrete jungle house.  These days will not occur again for two years.

Little did I know the wonder of Chacos…

For those who know me, I don’t own stilettos for the simple fact that’d I break my ankle if I tried to walk.  Instead I wear Forever 21, 3-inch heels with Dr. Scholl’s insoles because they are so incredibly uncomfortable.  But they get the job done when you need a night out on the town or have Christmas services to attend to.  I stole the catchy title of this particular blog post from a PC friend, whose blog is titled such.  And she can rock stilettos!

Anyway, do a Google Image search for “Chacos” if you don’t know what they look like.  They are not the most fashionable footwear out there but when living in Uganda, fashion is not high on the priority list as much as, “sustainable, grassroots development work.” 

I only wore my Chacos once before leaving for Peace Corps.  I was with my Mamasita and her best friend.  We went out to go and eat Pho and see the movie Footloose.  I remember when we left the house my Mom glanced at my feet.  That was it.  She didn’t even have to say a word for me to know that she was thinking, “You are wearing those.  Out of the house?”  My outfit wasn’t completely outrageous.  I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.  Shocking, huh?  I explained that I wanted to break them in.  Secretly, I wanted to know what outfits they wouldn’t look completely ridiculous in.  Apparently jeans and a t-shirt were out of the picture.

Fast forward ten months later.  I wear my Chacos everywhere and with everything!  I wear them with skirts, shorts, dresses, and jeans.  I wear them to town, to the club, and the market.  I wear them in the sun and in the rain.  I wear them when I hike.  These shoes/sandals are freaking incredible!  The best support in the world.  Prepare yourself family and friends… Come August 2014, this is what I will wear when I step off that plane and will continue to wear when we find ourselves at Finnegan’s on a Saturday night or Sam’s the following morning. 

Now go on… Get out there and try on, or better yet, buy a pair and reap from the benefits!  I forgot to mention the best part.  The tan lines. 

Time Is (Not) of The Essence

Time in Uganda moves at a very different pace than it does in the USA.  For example, during our homestay thank you event, which was supposed to start promptly at 9a, began at 11a.  I asked Maama wangye omu Uganda (my Ugandan Mom) why she was so late when she was clearly dressed and ready when I left the house that morning at 8a and she replied, “Eeh Tara, I drank my tea, walked around, talked to Ssenyonga [her husband], and waited until the sun was higher to leave the house.”  Another example, during satellite training my fellow trainees and I were invited to an event where we got to meet the President.  That’s right.  The President Museveni.  You would think that an event of this capacity would begin on time.  Ha!  He was scheduled to arrive at 2p.  He got there closer to 4p.  TIA.  This is Africa.

I am 2 weeks into my service as a PCV and all I can think about is how this African concept of time is going to affect me upon my COS (Close of Service) in 2014.  I mean in the states I was told, “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is never acceptable.”  Thanks Chico Housing (AKA Hemlata) and parents!  Well at this rate, I may return and not realize that when you say class starts at 2p, you actually mean 2p and not 5p.  I am sure readjustment will be interesting in and of itself and is something I will conquer when the time comes.  This is just one of the many cultural differences that makes me appreciate this country more and more every day. 

Nonetheless, this has prompted me to bring my Nook and iPod everywhere.  Meetings.  Bus parks.  Restaurants.  It is something to pass the time.  I am keeping a book list to see how many books I can complete in 2-years time.  Check out the link at the top.  At this rate, this list may be more books then I have ever read.  Who would have thought I needed to travel 8,000+ miles to read The New York’s Time Top 100 book list. 

Next post… All about my site, cooking for one, traveling, and hopefully… drumroll please… pictures of Uganda and my house!  Cross yo fingers!

P.S. I started the Insanity workout yesterday with Shaun T and holy toledo.  He knows his stuff.  My Ugandan neighbors must think I am crazy when I leave my house to shower and my face is bright red, dripping with sweat.  Tomorrow I am going to a gym in Ishaka with a fellow PCV to hunt down a personal trainer.  He costs 5,000 Ugandan Shillings ($2 USD) for 90 minutes.  Apparently he knows his stuff. I am slightly nervous that come Saturday I may not be able to move.

P.P.S. Happy 24^th Birthday to my wonderful, little sister Julie!  I’m wishing you the best from the Southern Hemisphere and am completely envious of your day filled with pedicures and Italian food… Have a very special day  :)  Love you!