Peace Corps service is all about embracing new experiences. Here is a running list of the bad (new) experiences, some from my owndoing, that have challenged me, deflated my spirits, and utterly grossed me out. Upon the conclusion of my Peace Corps service (October 2012), I can look back on them all and laugh. Nothing else can provide me with such fascinating, challenging, self-reflecting experiences as the Peace Corps.
1. I dropped my cell phone in a 10 ft. pit latrine. I had hopes of digging it out through whatever means possible. However, this was not meant to be. To the best of my knowledge, the light on my cell phone is still shining bright in the pit.
2. While visiting Sipi Falls near Mbale with other PCV's, I dropped my camera in, well, Sipi Falls. Luckily, my stupidity did not fry my camera. Unluckily, I had to pay $60,000 Ugandan schillings to fix it.
3. My Mac computer got stolen on a bus traveling from Kampala to Mbale. The thief snatched the computer from my pack. I was not aware that it was stolen until I arrived back at site. Mbale police were notified, but I'm 99% certain my computer is long gone. Thanks to my parents, I bought a new computer in Kampala, switching to HP and back to PC.
4. Due to the Ugandan diet/lack of variety, I had nausea and vomiting for a week. It was not a pleasant experience.
5. Last week, I got 3 mango flies on my left leg. A mango fly that had landed on my clothes laid 3 eggs on one pair of pants, attaching and entering my skin (once worn). The eggs/maggots were eventually extracted from my leg. This also was not a pleasant experience.
6. Three weeks ago, I got Nairobi Eye on my left eye. I was bitten by a beetle ant on my eye while I was sleeping. A day later, my left eye had extreme sunburn, skin irritation, and roughened/pasted skin. Until my eye was fully healed, Ugandan children were utterly terrified of me. "Ahh, look at the mzungu..."
In spite of all these experiences, I still have a very positive outlook on why I am here, my reasons for joining the Peace Corps, and the potential for great work at site in the upcoming 20 months. I cannot wait to see what the future holds. Bring on the mango flies!!!
Serving as a Peace Corps Community Health volunteer in Uganda.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Homestay Family 2.0 or Homestay Family 'not' 2.0...that is the Question..??
It is dangerous to join the Peace Corps with preconceived notions or expectations. Yet when one seemingly puts on hold his or her life for two years to serve a greater good, to abandon current luxuries and comforts in search of a greater purpose, to challenge him- or herself physically, mentally, and interpersonally, it is impossible not to start thinking ahead about the future and formulating assumptions about what one's Peace Corps experience may or may not be like.
(Before embarking on my two-year service to Uganda) I was certainly guilty of this.
One of my preconceived notions stemmed from the literature, narratives, and the first-hand accounts I read from prior Peace Corps volunteers about their experiences. Quintessentially, I imagined living in a grass-thatched house in a remote area, having to fend entirely for myself. I imagined having to 'toughen' it out. I imagined unwesternized customs in Uganda's capital city of Kampala. Most notably, I imagined living a quiet, independent lifestyle.
My "imaginations" could not have been further from the truth, hence Peace Corps's advice to come to Uganda without any preconceived notions or expectations.
Living more than two full months at site, my lack of independence and the semblance of a second homestay family (2.0) have most surprised me. Those who have read my previous blog posts know that I lived with a homestay family for my first 2 1/2 months in Uganda. I anticipated living solely on my own thereafter. I could not have been more wrong. The staff (Priests, workers, chef, friends of the organization) at Kachumbala Mission Dispensary not only eat, drink, and work together, but also live together. Instead of eating dinner by myself, for instance, I eat in a sitting room/common area with eight other people talking boisterously, watching T.V., and drinking "ajon" (local brew). Perhaps this shouldn't have come as much of a surprise, given Ugandans' familial and collectivistic tendencies.
It's as if I gained a second homestay family. What I lack in independence I gain in social and familial support. This is neither a good nor a bad thing; it's just 'different' from what I imagined four months back.
(Before embarking on my two-year service to Uganda) I was certainly guilty of this.
One of my preconceived notions stemmed from the literature, narratives, and the first-hand accounts I read from prior Peace Corps volunteers about their experiences. Quintessentially, I imagined living in a grass-thatched house in a remote area, having to fend entirely for myself. I imagined having to 'toughen' it out. I imagined unwesternized customs in Uganda's capital city of Kampala. Most notably, I imagined living a quiet, independent lifestyle.
My "imaginations" could not have been further from the truth, hence Peace Corps's advice to come to Uganda without any preconceived notions or expectations.
Living more than two full months at site, my lack of independence and the semblance of a second homestay family (2.0) have most surprised me. Those who have read my previous blog posts know that I lived with a homestay family for my first 2 1/2 months in Uganda. I anticipated living solely on my own thereafter. I could not have been more wrong. The staff (Priests, workers, chef, friends of the organization) at Kachumbala Mission Dispensary not only eat, drink, and work together, but also live together. Instead of eating dinner by myself, for instance, I eat in a sitting room/common area with eight other people talking boisterously, watching T.V., and drinking "ajon" (local brew). Perhaps this shouldn't have come as much of a surprise, given Ugandans' familial and collectivistic tendencies.
It's as if I gained a second homestay family. What I lack in independence I gain in social and familial support. This is neither a good nor a bad thing; it's just 'different' from what I imagined four months back.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
A Long-Overdue Post
The title says it all.
I apologize that it has been nearly 1 1/2 months since my last blog post. Intermittent electricity, poor network coverage, among other things, have made it difficult to update my blog as much as I would like.
A lot has happened since my last post. I have officially been at site for more than 1 1/2 months. Whereas time seemed to move at a snail-like pace during training, it has seemingly flown by at site.
What have I been doing for the past 1 1/2 months? I have been meeting community leaders, officials, and residents in Kachumbala; observing and learning about the different issues that affect Kachumbala residents the most and the services that Kachumbala Mission Dispensary (my organization) provides them; brainstorming ideas for projects that I can implement once I start working in mid-January; playing soccer daily with the neighborhood kids; going to Church every Sunday; traveling to Mbale and Kampala; and celebrating the holiday season with fellow Peace Corps volunteers.
In all honesty, however, work has been slow and at times frustrating. I don't think my organization really knows what they want me to do yet. All I know is that I'll be teaching about malaria (prevention/treatment), typhoid, hygiene/health, nutrition, and english/math, and leading a number of life skills sessions. Also, I hope to volunteer at a local orphanage, school, or children's outreach organization.
There has been no progress whatsoever on my house. Father Joseph, who has been traveling in America since I've been at site and is responsible for the finances/the construction and repair of my house, is returning to Kachumbala on Wednesday. I hope that I will be able to move in before my 6-month, in-service training in mid-January.
RANDOM
- I have experienced many 'firsts' while in Uganda. These include:
* Sleeping under a bed net
* Dropping my phone in a 10 ft. pit latrine
* Taking Mefloquine so that I don't get malaria, thus having 'vivid dreams' as a result
* Experiencing rapid weight loss in such a short period of time
* Eating food such as jack fruit, atap (millet bread), matoke, and posho
* Drinking ajon (the local brewery in Eastern Uganda) and passion fruit juice
* Accidentally leaving my camera in an Indian restaurant, but being fortunate enough to retrieve it a month later
* Feeling that I can speak another language, besides English or Spanish, with confidence
* Being the 'guest of honor' at a Ugandan wedding
* Witnessing a Ugandan baptism
* Being referred to as 'mzungu', or white person, everyday
* Being given the tribal name 'Apollo', meaning development in Ateso
* Having to cram in a 20-person taxi intended to hold 14 people
* Living without electricity for five consecutive days
* Purifying my water so that it is safe to drink
* Listening to President Musevini campaign to thousands of people 300 ft. from my site
- I am appalled at how poorly animals, in particular dogs, are treated in Uganda. Last week, I had to tell kids to stop throwing rocks at a helpless dog. One of the kids replied, "Why? We are having fun."
- For the past week, I've been having symptoms of nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Thinking that I contracted Guardia, Worms, or had food/water contamination, I went to the Peace Corps Medical Office (PCMO) in Kampala for treatment. It turns out that eating pizza, steak, and chicken in Kampala was the only real treatment I needed.
- I am still viewed by many people in my community as a funding source instead of a volunteer.
- Even though I am a continent and ocean away, I am still keeping up with my Boston sports. I was extremely pleased to see on ESPN's webpage that the Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford. For me, some things will just never change.
- Market days in Kachumbala are on Tuesday and Saturday. You can buy pretty much anything you want for cheap.
- I am celebrating Christmas in Wakiso with my homestay family. It will be great to see them all again.
With that, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year. I am celebrating with you all in spirit.
Until next time,
Bryan
I apologize that it has been nearly 1 1/2 months since my last blog post. Intermittent electricity, poor network coverage, among other things, have made it difficult to update my blog as much as I would like.
A lot has happened since my last post. I have officially been at site for more than 1 1/2 months. Whereas time seemed to move at a snail-like pace during training, it has seemingly flown by at site.
What have I been doing for the past 1 1/2 months? I have been meeting community leaders, officials, and residents in Kachumbala; observing and learning about the different issues that affect Kachumbala residents the most and the services that Kachumbala Mission Dispensary (my organization) provides them; brainstorming ideas for projects that I can implement once I start working in mid-January; playing soccer daily with the neighborhood kids; going to Church every Sunday; traveling to Mbale and Kampala; and celebrating the holiday season with fellow Peace Corps volunteers.
In all honesty, however, work has been slow and at times frustrating. I don't think my organization really knows what they want me to do yet. All I know is that I'll be teaching about malaria (prevention/treatment), typhoid, hygiene/health, nutrition, and english/math, and leading a number of life skills sessions. Also, I hope to volunteer at a local orphanage, school, or children's outreach organization.
There has been no progress whatsoever on my house. Father Joseph, who has been traveling in America since I've been at site and is responsible for the finances/the construction and repair of my house, is returning to Kachumbala on Wednesday. I hope that I will be able to move in before my 6-month, in-service training in mid-January.
RANDOM
- I have experienced many 'firsts' while in Uganda. These include:
* Sleeping under a bed net
* Dropping my phone in a 10 ft. pit latrine
* Taking Mefloquine so that I don't get malaria, thus having 'vivid dreams' as a result
* Experiencing rapid weight loss in such a short period of time
* Eating food such as jack fruit, atap (millet bread), matoke, and posho
* Drinking ajon (the local brewery in Eastern Uganda) and passion fruit juice
* Accidentally leaving my camera in an Indian restaurant, but being fortunate enough to retrieve it a month later
* Feeling that I can speak another language, besides English or Spanish, with confidence
* Being the 'guest of honor' at a Ugandan wedding
* Witnessing a Ugandan baptism
* Being referred to as 'mzungu', or white person, everyday
* Being given the tribal name 'Apollo', meaning development in Ateso
* Having to cram in a 20-person taxi intended to hold 14 people
* Living without electricity for five consecutive days
* Purifying my water so that it is safe to drink
* Listening to President Musevini campaign to thousands of people 300 ft. from my site
- I am appalled at how poorly animals, in particular dogs, are treated in Uganda. Last week, I had to tell kids to stop throwing rocks at a helpless dog. One of the kids replied, "Why? We are having fun."
- For the past week, I've been having symptoms of nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Thinking that I contracted Guardia, Worms, or had food/water contamination, I went to the Peace Corps Medical Office (PCMO) in Kampala for treatment. It turns out that eating pizza, steak, and chicken in Kampala was the only real treatment I needed.
- I am still viewed by many people in my community as a funding source instead of a volunteer.
- Even though I am a continent and ocean away, I am still keeping up with my Boston sports. I was extremely pleased to see on ESPN's webpage that the Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford. For me, some things will just never change.
- Market days in Kachumbala are on Tuesday and Saturday. You can buy pretty much anything you want for cheap.
- I am celebrating Christmas in Wakiso with my homestay family. It will be great to see them all again.
With that, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year. I am celebrating with you all in spirit.
Until next time,
Bryan
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Observations
- I am constantly amazed at the number of people that can cram into a matatu (Ugandan taxi van). I've rode in a 14-seat matatu that was able to cram 20 people. If you come to Uganda and ride in a matatu, be prepared to sacrifice your comfort.
- Conversely, I am constantly unamazed by the meat sold in Uganda. If eating fat is your thing, come here. But I am unable to stomach it.
- I am debating whether or not to get a dog. Is the companionship and security that a dog provides worth all the costs and care? We shall see...
- My house will not be ready until December...at the earliest. It is a good thing that Peace Corps training taught me how to be flexible and patient.
- I am seeing first-hand just how vital learning the local language is to community integration.
- Despite wearing long pants and bug repellant, mosquitoes are biting me. A LOT.
- I am grateful for the invention of the belt due to, in large part, all the weight that I've lost in the first 3 months.
- Being called "fat" in Uganda is actually a compliment, meaning 'good physique' or 'healthy'.
- When Ugandans ask me where I am from in America, and I tell them Northern Virginia near Washington D.C., it is assumed that I am either related to or friends with President Obama.
- Hidden Passion, a Mexican soap that airs at night on NTV, is my replacement for the American shows/sports that I am unable to watch in Uganda.
- Living in Uganda is like experiencing two separate worlds. Uganda's rural countryside has some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen, yet its cities' streets are filled with trash.
- If you are a football fan living in Uganda, you will either root for Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool.
- Driving (not that I would know) or riding as a passenger in Uganda are experiences in their own. There is no such thing as give-and-take. Speed limits, if any, are not really adhered to. Boda Boda (motorcycle taxis) accidents are one of the highest causes of death in Uganda behind malaria.
- I mentioned this in one of my previous posts, but it bears repeating: Ugandan women are some of the most hard-working, resourceful people I have ever met.
- Conversely, I am constantly unamazed by the meat sold in Uganda. If eating fat is your thing, come here. But I am unable to stomach it.
- I am debating whether or not to get a dog. Is the companionship and security that a dog provides worth all the costs and care? We shall see...
- My house will not be ready until December...at the earliest. It is a good thing that Peace Corps training taught me how to be flexible and patient.
- I am seeing first-hand just how vital learning the local language is to community integration.
- Despite wearing long pants and bug repellant, mosquitoes are biting me. A LOT.
- I am grateful for the invention of the belt due to, in large part, all the weight that I've lost in the first 3 months.
- Being called "fat" in Uganda is actually a compliment, meaning 'good physique' or 'healthy'.
- When Ugandans ask me where I am from in America, and I tell them Northern Virginia near Washington D.C., it is assumed that I am either related to or friends with President Obama.
- Hidden Passion, a Mexican soap that airs at night on NTV, is my replacement for the American shows/sports that I am unable to watch in Uganda.
- Living in Uganda is like experiencing two separate worlds. Uganda's rural countryside has some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen, yet its cities' streets are filled with trash.
- If you are a football fan living in Uganda, you will either root for Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, or Liverpool.
- Driving (not that I would know) or riding as a passenger in Uganda are experiences in their own. There is no such thing as give-and-take. Speed limits, if any, are not really adhered to. Boda Boda (motorcycle taxis) accidents are one of the highest causes of death in Uganda behind malaria.
- I mentioned this in one of my previous posts, but it bears repeating: Ugandan women are some of the most hard-working, resourceful people I have ever met.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
My Last Week of Training & First Week at Site
Here is a summary of my past two weeks - last week of training and first week at site.
Friday, October 15th: We were tested on how proficiently we learned our target language over the past 8 weeks. My Final LPI (Language Proficiency Index), taped for 30 minutes, consisted of a series of questions asked in Ateso about greetings, food, market/shopping/costs, and travel to our future site visit. In order to pass, the Peace Corps requires volunteers to score an "Intermediate Low", which is what I scored, meaning that I don't have to test my language proficiency again at the three-month, in-service training in Kampala. I still plan on hiring a tutor in Ateso so that I can become fluent in the language.
Saturday, October 16th: We had our homestay thank you event at RACO, which consisted of performances (dances, songs, skits, introductions) by each of the language groups, speeches by a couple of the volunteers, and lots of food. All of the homestay families attended, including my homestay mother (Ms. Betty), sister (Joan), and brother (David). It was a great conclusion to the end of training.
Sunday, October 17th: I packed up all my stuff, thanked my homestay family for their gracious hospitality, and bid farewell. It was bitter-sweet to say goodbye not only to our families, but also to the town of Wakiso. The town and residents of Wakiso have been incredibly welcoming to the 45 'mzungus' that moved in 8 weeks ago.
Monday, October 18th-Wednesday, October 20th: Volunteers and our site supervisors/counterparts met at the Rider Hotel near Kampala for a series of workshops on community integration, the expectations/responsibilities of volunteers and supervisors/counterparts, foreseeable issues and challenges, and safety & security training. On Tuesday, we visited the U.S. embassy. A number of the embassy officials who spoke with us were not only Peace Corps alumni, but also Foreign Service Officers. Hearing them talk about their work sparked a new career interest for me. The Foreign Service exam is ostensibly the most difficult exam to pass, but still a career in international relations (e.g. working at an embassy) or global marketing and living overseas are things I see myself doing in the future.
Thursday, October 21st: Our swear-in ceremony was today! Before we were sworn in as official Peace Corps volunteers, it started to downpour. Since Ugandans believe that rain is a sign of good things to come, it can be argued that it rained at an opportune time. All 45 Peace Corps trainees who boarded a plane together from Philadelphia in August were sworn in together as volunteers. We all stuck through the 2 1/2 months of training, and are now moving on to positive, sustainable work and development in our respective communities. Here's a facebook link about our swear-in ceremony: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233040&id=110634980913&fbid=440904650913&ref=mf.
Friday, October 22nd: I bid farewell to my fellow Peace Corps volunteers, and traveled to site to Kachumbala.
Saturday, October 23rd: I played soccer with secondary school kids in the village. It was evident just how out of shape I am.
Sunday, October 24th: To begin integrating into the community, I attended services at the Catholic Church next to my house. Father Paul, one of my work colleagues, delivered the sermon. My language skills were immediately tested when he called me up in front of the congregation of 500 people and asked me to introduce myself in Ateso. This is the translation of what I said.
Yoga Kere! (Hello all)
Ekirori ka Bryan, kede bukosi America. (My name is Bryan, and I am from America)
Arai eong eswaman atitai kede erionget lo Peace Corps. (I am a male volunteer working for the Peace Corps organization)
Alosi eong esisianakin aila kede aijar najokan, kede amusugun kede aimar toma osomero ko Kachumbala. (I will be teaching
good health and hygiene, and english and math in schools in Kachumbala)
Eyalama awunyun. (Happy to see you)
Members of the congregation found it hysterical that a mzungu could speak their local language. Afterward, I accompanied Father Paul to the nearby village of Chodong, where I witnessed my first Ugandan wedding and baptism. Ugandan weddings are very different from American weddings. Hundreds of people (the whole village) were crowded together in a small town meeting/conference center building. It was a very joyous occasion, with villagers singing and playing local instruments throughout the ceremony. I definitely got the Ugandan, cultural experience. Pictures are on facebook.
Monday, October 25th-Tuesday, October 26th: My supervisor, Rose, introduced me to a number of government, health, and religious officials in Kuchumbala, Bukedea, Sororti, and other surrounding communities.
Closing Thoughts:
1. I have yet to move into my house because it is still being worked on. I am told that it should be ready within two weeks. In the meantime, I am living in the guesthouse at my site.
2. In addition to the food, the constant, unwanted attention has been challenging. I clearly am the spectacle, the gossip, and the center of attention in my community. I sometimes feel like I am Harry Potter. Instead of being judged for my scar, I am judged on the basis of the color of my skin. However, I am fully aware that when a 'white person' moves into a small, Ugandan village, it is as much an adjustment for the white person as it is for the residents of that village. I am hopeful that as I integrate more into the community, the stares and cultural judgments (Americans are rich) will diminish.
3. I feel very fortunate to have such a great supervisor. To say that Rose is knowledgeable, resourceful, overprotective, and on-top-of-things would be an understatement.
4. I finally got a mailbox in Mbale. My mailing address is now:
Bryan Kobick
P.O. Box 1274
Mbale, Uganda
Hopefully, I will now figure out how to mail letters back to the States from the Post Office in Mbale.
Until next time,
Bryan
Friday, October 15th: We were tested on how proficiently we learned our target language over the past 8 weeks. My Final LPI (Language Proficiency Index), taped for 30 minutes, consisted of a series of questions asked in Ateso about greetings, food, market/shopping/costs, and travel to our future site visit. In order to pass, the Peace Corps requires volunteers to score an "Intermediate Low", which is what I scored, meaning that I don't have to test my language proficiency again at the three-month, in-service training in Kampala. I still plan on hiring a tutor in Ateso so that I can become fluent in the language.
Saturday, October 16th: We had our homestay thank you event at RACO, which consisted of performances (dances, songs, skits, introductions) by each of the language groups, speeches by a couple of the volunteers, and lots of food. All of the homestay families attended, including my homestay mother (Ms. Betty), sister (Joan), and brother (David). It was a great conclusion to the end of training.
Sunday, October 17th: I packed up all my stuff, thanked my homestay family for their gracious hospitality, and bid farewell. It was bitter-sweet to say goodbye not only to our families, but also to the town of Wakiso. The town and residents of Wakiso have been incredibly welcoming to the 45 'mzungus' that moved in 8 weeks ago.
Monday, October 18th-Wednesday, October 20th: Volunteers and our site supervisors/counterparts met at the Rider Hotel near Kampala for a series of workshops on community integration, the expectations/responsibilities of volunteers and supervisors/counterparts, foreseeable issues and challenges, and safety & security training. On Tuesday, we visited the U.S. embassy. A number of the embassy officials who spoke with us were not only Peace Corps alumni, but also Foreign Service Officers. Hearing them talk about their work sparked a new career interest for me. The Foreign Service exam is ostensibly the most difficult exam to pass, but still a career in international relations (e.g. working at an embassy) or global marketing and living overseas are things I see myself doing in the future.
Thursday, October 21st: Our swear-in ceremony was today! Before we were sworn in as official Peace Corps volunteers, it started to downpour. Since Ugandans believe that rain is a sign of good things to come, it can be argued that it rained at an opportune time. All 45 Peace Corps trainees who boarded a plane together from Philadelphia in August were sworn in together as volunteers. We all stuck through the 2 1/2 months of training, and are now moving on to positive, sustainable work and development in our respective communities. Here's a facebook link about our swear-in ceremony: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=233040&id=110634980913&fbid=440904650913&ref=mf.
Friday, October 22nd: I bid farewell to my fellow Peace Corps volunteers, and traveled to site to Kachumbala.
Saturday, October 23rd: I played soccer with secondary school kids in the village. It was evident just how out of shape I am.
Sunday, October 24th: To begin integrating into the community, I attended services at the Catholic Church next to my house. Father Paul, one of my work colleagues, delivered the sermon. My language skills were immediately tested when he called me up in front of the congregation of 500 people and asked me to introduce myself in Ateso. This is the translation of what I said.
Yoga Kere! (Hello all)
Ekirori ka Bryan, kede bukosi America. (My name is Bryan, and I am from America)
Arai eong eswaman atitai kede erionget lo Peace Corps. (I am a male volunteer working for the Peace Corps organization)
Alosi eong esisianakin aila kede aijar najokan, kede amusugun kede aimar toma osomero ko Kachumbala. (I will be teaching
good health and hygiene, and english and math in schools in Kachumbala)
Eyalama awunyun. (Happy to see you)
Members of the congregation found it hysterical that a mzungu could speak their local language. Afterward, I accompanied Father Paul to the nearby village of Chodong, where I witnessed my first Ugandan wedding and baptism. Ugandan weddings are very different from American weddings. Hundreds of people (the whole village) were crowded together in a small town meeting/conference center building. It was a very joyous occasion, with villagers singing and playing local instruments throughout the ceremony. I definitely got the Ugandan, cultural experience. Pictures are on facebook.
Monday, October 25th-Tuesday, October 26th: My supervisor, Rose, introduced me to a number of government, health, and religious officials in Kuchumbala, Bukedea, Sororti, and other surrounding communities.
Closing Thoughts:
1. I have yet to move into my house because it is still being worked on. I am told that it should be ready within two weeks. In the meantime, I am living in the guesthouse at my site.
2. In addition to the food, the constant, unwanted attention has been challenging. I clearly am the spectacle, the gossip, and the center of attention in my community. I sometimes feel like I am Harry Potter. Instead of being judged for my scar, I am judged on the basis of the color of my skin. However, I am fully aware that when a 'white person' moves into a small, Ugandan village, it is as much an adjustment for the white person as it is for the residents of that village. I am hopeful that as I integrate more into the community, the stares and cultural judgments (Americans are rich) will diminish.
3. I feel very fortunate to have such a great supervisor. To say that Rose is knowledgeable, resourceful, overprotective, and on-top-of-things would be an understatement.
4. I finally got a mailbox in Mbale. My mailing address is now:
Bryan Kobick
P.O. Box 1274
Mbale, Uganda
Hopefully, I will now figure out how to mail letters back to the States from the Post Office in Mbale.
Until next time,
Bryan
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Site Visit
My site visit to Kachumbala couldn't have gone any better. I met my adviser (Rose), counterpart (Peter), and two of the priests (Father Paul and Father Joseph), who all work and live at the worksite in Kachumbala. Kachumbala Mission Dispensary is an NGO founded by missionaries whose aim is to provide clinical and health services to the people of Kachumbala. While it's still unclear exactly what my role will be, I will likely be working at the health clinic (HC II) and at the primary and secondary schools in Kachumbala, teaching english, writing, and math to students.
Observations:
1. My house consists of two bedrooms, a toilet, and a bathing area. It still needs some work. The ceiling needs repair, window screens need to be installed, and the house needs to be cleaned (some staff are currently living there). Ruth told me that she would have it ready for when I move in on Friday 10/22. Furthermore, I do not have a kitchen because I do not have to cook for myself. Stephen, the chef, cooks for the staff (e.g. priests). I still want to do some cooking, though, once I move to site.
2. The people of Kachumbala were really interested in who the 'mzungu' was moving into their village. My first three months at site are particularly important for me to integrate into the community, assess community needs, and become comfortable living on my own.
3. Due to the daily morning Mass (the church is next to my house), I will have the privilege of waking up to the sounds of church music every morning. This is far better than the rooster crows I hear every morning in Wakiso.
4. My site is in a fantastic location! Not only am I 20 minutes from Mbale, but also just a short distance from Kumi, Sororti, Mt. Elgon National Park, and Sipi Falls.
5. I foresee two major challenges once I move to site. One is a lack of privacy - my house is situated right next to my worksite - from which I am accustomed to in the States. Second is educating local people about the Peace Corps' grassroots, community-assets approach. For example, Ruth told me that when Ugandans see a white person, they assume that he or she will instantaneously give them things/better their livelihoods/etc. This could not be more different from Peace Corps' capacity-building, sustainable approach of utilizing community resources and empowering local community members.
6. Eastern Uganda is beautiful. Kachumbala is unique in that it not only is surrounded by mountains, but also it has a multitude of distinctive rock formations (volcanic?).
7. It is increasingly apparent how overcrowdedness in the schools and the lack of teachers significantly affect educational learning in Uganda. The primary school in Kachumbala has about 900 students with only 12 teachers, the secondary school about 700 students with only 9 teachers.
There's only 1 week left until we move out of our home-stays. It will be bitter-sweet, but it is time to move on. Let the countdown for swear-in (10/21) begin.
Observations:
1. My house consists of two bedrooms, a toilet, and a bathing area. It still needs some work. The ceiling needs repair, window screens need to be installed, and the house needs to be cleaned (some staff are currently living there). Ruth told me that she would have it ready for when I move in on Friday 10/22. Furthermore, I do not have a kitchen because I do not have to cook for myself. Stephen, the chef, cooks for the staff (e.g. priests). I still want to do some cooking, though, once I move to site.
2. The people of Kachumbala were really interested in who the 'mzungu' was moving into their village. My first three months at site are particularly important for me to integrate into the community, assess community needs, and become comfortable living on my own.
3. Due to the daily morning Mass (the church is next to my house), I will have the privilege of waking up to the sounds of church music every morning. This is far better than the rooster crows I hear every morning in Wakiso.
4. My site is in a fantastic location! Not only am I 20 minutes from Mbale, but also just a short distance from Kumi, Sororti, Mt. Elgon National Park, and Sipi Falls.
5. I foresee two major challenges once I move to site. One is a lack of privacy - my house is situated right next to my worksite - from which I am accustomed to in the States. Second is educating local people about the Peace Corps' grassroots, community-assets approach. For example, Ruth told me that when Ugandans see a white person, they assume that he or she will instantaneously give them things/better their livelihoods/etc. This could not be more different from Peace Corps' capacity-building, sustainable approach of utilizing community resources and empowering local community members.
6. Eastern Uganda is beautiful. Kachumbala is unique in that it not only is surrounded by mountains, but also it has a multitude of distinctive rock formations (volcanic?).
7. It is increasingly apparent how overcrowdedness in the schools and the lack of teachers significantly affect educational learning in Uganda. The primary school in Kachumbala has about 900 students with only 12 teachers, the secondary school about 700 students with only 9 teachers.
There's only 1 week left until we move out of our home-stays. It will be bitter-sweet, but it is time to move on. Let the countdown for swear-in (10/21) begin.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Drum roll, please.....
We finally received our site announcements today, what we've been working towards for 7 weeks. Here is my assignment for the next two years:
Organization Name: Kachumbala Mission Dispensary
Location: Kachumbala in the Bukedea district (eastern Uganda), about 20 minutes from Mbale
Vision: For a healthy and prosperous community
Mission: To provide clinical and other health services to the people of Kachumbala
Goals: To reduce poverty by preventing sickness, mitigating the spread of disease, and helping to treat the sick
Job Description:
1. To make weekly work plans with my counterpart
2. To reach out to 3 sub-counties of Kachumbala, Kolir, and Kidongole in the Bukedea district
3. To attend staff meetings
4. To visit organized communities and schools in the community to conduct health meetings/trainings
5. To conduct training for community health workers
6. To conduct capacity building activities for the staff
I could not be more excited about this placement. We visit our site placements next week! Since I am so close to Mbale, it appears that I will have electricity, internet, and various means of transport. I will know more after next week.
In other news, we presented our self-exploration projects to our trainers on Friday. Becca and I presented on mental health awareness and advocacy. Our project is to plan, develop, and introduce a mental health awareness week in primary and secondary schools. Mental illness is an incredibly stigmatized issue here in Uganda, so there is great need for education and awareness. The week would include sessions on stigma, labeling/diversity, bullying, resource mobilization, income generating activities, and practical knowledge about the mental health field/mental illnesses. We received praise for the project proposal; I think it's a feasible project to implement once we're at site.
Also huge thanks to my family! It took a long time, but I finally received your packages. It is great to have some semblance of home which I can share with my home-stay family and fellow PCV's.
Organization Name: Kachumbala Mission Dispensary
Location: Kachumbala in the Bukedea district (eastern Uganda), about 20 minutes from Mbale
Vision: For a healthy and prosperous community
Mission: To provide clinical and other health services to the people of Kachumbala
Goals: To reduce poverty by preventing sickness, mitigating the spread of disease, and helping to treat the sick
Job Description:
1. To make weekly work plans with my counterpart
2. To reach out to 3 sub-counties of Kachumbala, Kolir, and Kidongole in the Bukedea district
3. To attend staff meetings
4. To visit organized communities and schools in the community to conduct health meetings/trainings
5. To conduct training for community health workers
6. To conduct capacity building activities for the staff
I could not be more excited about this placement. We visit our site placements next week! Since I am so close to Mbale, it appears that I will have electricity, internet, and various means of transport. I will know more after next week.
In other news, we presented our self-exploration projects to our trainers on Friday. Becca and I presented on mental health awareness and advocacy. Our project is to plan, develop, and introduce a mental health awareness week in primary and secondary schools. Mental illness is an incredibly stigmatized issue here in Uganda, so there is great need for education and awareness. The week would include sessions on stigma, labeling/diversity, bullying, resource mobilization, income generating activities, and practical knowledge about the mental health field/mental illnesses. We received praise for the project proposal; I think it's a feasible project to implement once we're at site.
Also huge thanks to my family! It took a long time, but I finally received your packages. It is great to have some semblance of home which I can share with my home-stay family and fellow PCV's.
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