This Too Shall Pass

My biggest concerns when leaving America for Africa was how my emotional and mental states of mind were going to adapt.  Obviously this came after my family, friends, dog, gym, and spinach, banana, apple juice, and ice breakfast protein shakes.   

Up until the past couple of weeks, I have been great.  I was in what Peace Corps calls the Honeymoon Stage.  Please refer to the image at the end of this post.  Now don’t get me wrong, I experienced culture shock when I saw children in the streets begging for shillings, being introduced to the taxi parks in Kampala (Google an image), and having to watch for baboons and elephants crossing the road on a day drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park.  But this is nothing compared to the isolation one has at site. 

My site location could not be more ideal.  My original site had me far off the beaten path.  My closest volunteer would have been approximately 45 minutes away, up and down a dirt path.  I most definitely would have gone crazy.  Now I live in a well-populated area, where you can find eight Volunteers within a 30 minute, 3,000 shilling ($1.20 USD) taxi ride.  This means that the weekends are muzungu (white-person) friendly and typically include American food.  A definite boost for my mental health.  Now do not get me wrong, I absolutely love hanging out with Ugandans.  This is what the Peace Corps is all about…  Cultural exchange and friendship.  I am fortunate to work with a very intelligent group of Ugandans, who I enjoy walking through town with, attending the gym with, and talking about cultural differences.  The community members are great as well and most know me by my Runyankore name of Kyomuhendo.  Meaning: precious.  Thanks host mom! 

Things at site have been very, very slow.  There has been talk about relocating.  There have been rumors in local newspapers about the hospital being closed; therefore we are not getting any patients.  The hospital staff sits and watches television in between talking porridge for breakfast and matooke and beans for lunch.  These are issues that I do not know how to tackle.  These individuals are unbelievably intelligent and extremely hospitable, but the motivation is lacking for various reasons that are out of my control.  AKA commission.  AKA money.

These issues have not helped to contribute to the fact that the past week has been really difficult in terms of being homesick.  I miss my family.  A lot.  I thought the pictures lining my walls would help.  It does, but not as much as seeing them in person.  Then I log on to Facebook to see my friends’ statuses about new and exciting life events, only to realize that I am not there to help celebrate and congratulate.  I would kill for the gym, to see the familiar faces that occupied the free weights, spin bikes, and treadmills next to mine.  I miss my Mama’s cooking.  I miss running water that doesn’t run out when your hair is full of shampoo.

Even with missing all of these things in America, I love Uganda.  I love every moment that each new day brings.  I love the conversations that I have with Ugandans – about my family, friends, American healthcare, President Obama, and dispelling rumors that vampires are real.  I love that I have reconnected with my faith.  I love that I have time to read, reflect, and ruminate about my future.  I love having to decide what to eat for dinner – oatmeal, popcorn, or eggs.  I love feeling like a princess when I sleep under my mosquito net.  I love being in a country that got to celebrate a gold medal at the recent Olympics and bring in their 50^th year of independence.  

I have so much to look forward to in the coming months that my funk should pass.  I have Thanksgiving at Lake Bunyoni (again, Google an image) and Christmas with newfound friends.  I will be reunited with my training class for In-Service Training in which case we will then tackle rafting the Nile River.  I have been selected as a camp Counselor for National Camp GLOW.

There will be highs and there will be lows.  There is no doubt that these are what will make me a better-rounded individual.  This is just all a part of the experience that is the Peace Corps.  

You Must Be 48’’ To Ride

Even given my brief travel throughout Uganda, I am confident that I live off of one of the nicest roads in the country.  This has mainly come from other PCV’s stories and my exploration of the dirt roads that exist out in the deep villages.  More on that later.

Most of my travel is from Mbarara to my site, which is a simple 30-minute taxi ride on a paved road, minimal potholes, and no crazy winding roads.  Granted the taxi drivers will crush nine to ten full sized humans in a 1988 Toyota Corolla, five in the back, four in the front, including one in the driver’s seat, plus a couple babies and a flock of chickens in the trunk, the drive is relatively pleasant.  The two lessons I have learned is to one, bring an iPod to drown out the blasting Ugandan music they blast over the speakers, and two, the more people there are to squish you in the better.  It replaces the concept of seatbelts, which are clearly not a viable option.

Since being at site, I have been able to accompany the hospital staff into the surrounding villages when they go on antenatal and treatment clinics.  Now these are the roads I do not envy!  We are talking the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, minus the awesome troop vehicle.  The hospital has a truck, in which case I feel somewhat safe and secure in.  Lately though the truck has been out of commission, which means we get to take the 1990 Toyota Corolla.  It’s a popular car option.  When we go over the humps and bumps, I am terrified the bottom of the car is going to fall off, leaving us to Flintstone it to our designated location.  My head bobbles like those dolls, leaving me with a pounding headache by the time we arrive, in which case I have screaming babies receiving immunizations to help ease the pain. 

I understand this is all a part of the experience of living in a developing country with a developing infrastructure.  Like I said, many roads are pleasant to drive on – Kampala to Mbarara, Mbarara to Ishaka – and many roads are getting work done to make the drive more pleasant – Masaka to Kampala, Mbarara to Kabale.  These are the trips where I can even manage a to take a catnap.  With the good comes the bad though.  And oh are they bad.  My friend who lives about an hour from me is approximately 14 kilometers, 8.69 miles, off the main road, where you have to travel in a taxi up a terrible dirt road with 12-14 other Ugandans because the driver wants to ensure he will get his moneys worth in the event no one wants to travel the opposite way.  This trip, which would take between 15 and 20 minutes in America, takes 45 to 60 minutes in Uganda. 

Traveling in this country is one of the most tiresome adventures yet also one of the most rewarding.  You tend to met incredible people, like a young woman about to graduate with her Masters in Business Administration who has traveled to Australia, and you get to answer all sorts of questions about America, such as, “I heard that there are no cars in America and that you all take airplanes to your destinations.”  Sheer entertainment.

For those under 48’’ and booking their tickets to come and visit yours truly, bring a booster seat.  That way you can guarantee a seat to yourself.  Maybe.  Even those under 60’’, AKA Juls, just know that you will find yourself between four Ugandans in the backseat, one who is probably breastfeeding her child. 

This is Africa.

Coverdell Worldwise Schools Program

Since 1989, Peace Corps has had the Coverdell Worldwise Schools Program in place, which allows current PCV’s to connect with classrooms back in the States to share their experience.  One of the main purposes of this program is to meet goal number three: “Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.”  I knew I wanted to partake in this awesome, experience-sharing program so I contacted my wonderful second and third grade teacher, Mrs. Boerio and she was in!  Below is the letter that her second grade class should receive in about a month.  I am excited to continue communicating with them throughout the year!  And when my little sister Lexi successfully finishes her credential program in May, I hope to begin communicating with her future class.

Without further a due…

Dear 2^nd Grade Cheetahs,

Hopefully this letter made its way across Africa and the Atlantic Ocean and is now finding itself in the hands of the wonderful class that I will have the privilege of corresponding with over the course of this school year.  If not, I hope whoever is reading this will forward it onto the address on the envelope.  It’d mean a lot!

I should begin by introducing myself since chances are the only person who knows me is Mrs. Boerio.  My name is Tara Matthews and I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda.  Peace Corps is a part of the U.S. government that sends volunteers all around the world to developing countries for two years to help others less fortunate than us.  What this also means is we do not get paid during the time we are helping.  I get a monthly budget, which comes out to about $6USD a day.  No Starbucks coffee or movies and I walk everywhere since I do not have a car. 

I have been in Uganda since May and since my arrival I have studied Runyankore/Rukiga (a local language), learned about the local culture and history, and met the President!  I am now working as a health volunteer at a local hospital where I go out into the villages - with no running water or electricity - and give health education talks while the doctors administer shots to babies and tablets (medicine) to adults.  I also hope to work in the primary schools with children your age to do health-related programs, like Happy Handwashing Hour!  If it works out, maybe I will come to and do it with you all when I get back in 2014. 

So.  You are probably wondering where Uganda is.  Well, have you heard of Africa?  Cue the map.  It is a big continent that has 54 countries and Uganda is located in the East, in between the Congo and Kenya.  Uganda is located on the Equator, which means that the weather is like summer year round.  It also means that there are not four seasons.  Instead we have two, a rainy season and a dry season. 

The people of Uganda are incredibly humble and welcoming.  People will invite me over for tea (and do not make me pay!), the women at the market will give me extra tomatoes, and children will come up and hug the muzungu (white person).  The scenery of Uganda is very lush and green with hills, trees, and fields filled with tea plants.  The weather is a comfortable 70-80 degrees but you must always remember to bring your rain jacket because you never know when a storm will happen!

What has surprised me the most since living in Uganda is that the people eat the same food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Seven days a week.  Can you imagine eating Mac-n-Cheese or PB&J sandwiches for every meal?  It would get boring!  There’s one more thing that has surprised me… About one hour, imagine two episodes of “Shake It Up” on Disney Channel, from where I work is Queen Elizabeth National Park.  I can see elephants, kob, baboons, water buffalo, and many other wild animals living in their natural habitat.  No fences or zookeepers to feed them.   

Here is an idea… I want you all to think about the similarities and differences that exist between America and Uganda.  What I mean is what do you think you have in America that Uganda has and what do you think you have in Novato that is not available here in Uganda.  Maybe you all can make a list and Mrs. Boerio can send them to me.

When I was in second and third grade, I attended Lu Sutton and guess who my wonderful teacher was?  That’s right.  Mrs. Boerio.  You are all very lucky to have such a fabulous teacher.  I miss her!  She will make you love school! 

Welbale kushoma!  (Thank you for reading!)

Tara

P.S. Maybe some of you do know me… If any of you ever visited 5 Little Monkeys, I worked there with my sister.  I was also an umpire for Novato Girl’s Softball so if you played, chances are we met. 

Notes to Mrs. Boerio:

- I have a blog (http://whatareugandado.blogspot.com/) where you can enter your email address and get updates when I post.  Feel free to share with the class!

- I have a Skype account (tara.ann.matthews) so maybe we can arrange a video chat or phone call…

- I also have a phone that I could call you on and I get a good deal to call the USA so we can arrange something through that!

- Each time I send a letter, I will send you an email with the content just in case something happens on the way.

- I recently sent some letters to my family and it seems to take about a month to get to California… That’s Uganda’s “postal service” for you!

- If the students have any questions, let me know and I am more than eager to answer!

- Feel free to write if money and time permits!  It is best to number letters (to keep track) and to use a lot of tape.

P.P. S. I am excited to communicate with you and the your class!  Hopefully your students are equally (but not more) awesome than your students of 1995-1997!

Things I Am Learning

Where to begin?  I guess an apology to all of my dedicated readers who eagerly sit at their computers, awaiting an email update or new Facebook status when I make a new post.  I know it has been awhile and I made a promise to my family that once a week I would update them through this ever-exciting blog.  Well, this is where that promise begins because I have a feeling that things are finally start to pick up at site.

I have been relatively busy at site attending outreaches that go deep into the outlying villages.  There are anywhere from two to four outreaches a week and include immunization and antenatal to diagnosis and treatment.  Essentially this means lots of babies being weighed under trees, shots, and HIV tests galore!  I have been learning how to conduct counseling to the patients and how to work alongside my Ugandan staff members.  My organization wants me to start conducting health education sessions at the beginning of the outreach, which is exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.  I have asked our lab technician to assist me with this, as he will serve as my translator and will be able to continue this after I leave in two years.  Peace Corps is all about sustainability! 

I have been networking more with the schools in my town so I have the ability to initiate secondary projects that I have in mind.  I do not anticipate beginning anything until the next school term to give myself time to do a need assessment and see if any other PCV’s would be interested in working with me.  We shall see…

Recently there have been many opportunities within Peace Corps for me to get involved in projects and areas that will help me expand my service.  I have applied to be a counselor for National Camp GLOW, Girls Leading Our World, which takes place in the beginning of December.  Camp GLOW gives the attendees an opportunity to learn about healthy living, money saving, goal setting, leadership, HIV/AIDS and life skills.  Most importantly they get to have fun and possibly for the first time realize that they are special, important, and unique.  Sounds awesome right?  If you want to donate, please do so here: www.peacecorps.gov/donate and search by the project number 617-057.  Bonus: It is tax deductible!  I have also applied to be on the Malaria Think Tank, which essentially is a group of PCV’s who have decided to dedicate some of their service to the fight against this deadly, and very much preventable, disease.  It is my understanding we will collaborate project ideas, work with other PCV’s, conduct trainings, and make malaria one of the forefronts here in Peace Corps Uganda.  Finally, I am sitting on the Volunteer Action Committee (VAC), which means I, along with seven other PCV’s, meet with the Peace Corps staff to bring up areas of concern, praise, and what we can all do to continue to enhance the program. 

What else have I been learning?  How to cook!  Let me tell you, cooking for one is one of the most difficult things I have ever done, especially without a refrigerator.  This means that my weekday meals are limited to popcorn, eggs, cabbage, beef jerky (from America, thanks Mama and Dad!), apples, and protein shakes.  But come the weekends and you have entered Restaurante A La Tara!  Since there are many volunteers living around the area, we are able to come and cook together.  We make Mexican.  A lot of Mexican.  Homemade tortillas, my incredible salsa, guacamole, and cheesy taco meat with American seasonings.  Macaroni-n-Cheese.  With bacon.  Shepard’s pie.  Potato soup.  Chicken flavored noodle soup with mozzarella grilled cheese on multi-grain bread.  It’s delicious. 

My best friend Emily and I were talking on Facebook some time back and she asked me what I have learned.  I thought I would share…

“I have learned to appreciate every single thing that crosses my path… People, places, and opportunities.  I have been able to simplify my life to the important things that help me get from each day to the next.  I have learned how to recognize how important the small accomplishments are and not necessarily the large ones. 

After everything from the past, I have realized how important every relationship is that we make with others.  You never know when people will no longer be in your life and so it is so important to cherish, learn, and connect while we can.  This goes with my family, my friends, God, Ugandans, and myself. 

The best part?  I only anticipate learning more and more over my time here…”