A few days ago I accompanied Alfred and Esther on a field mission to Nakawuka. Jimmy was the driver. Jimmy was the one who drove me to Kamwenge and we got along well in each other’s company so I was pleased to see that he would be the driver. After being here for almost two months I feel very much at home and the staff at ADRA whom I first had a difficulties connecting with have now become very open and welcomed me in many ways.
It has rained today to everyone’s surprise. A drought was expected and the government has requested everyone to be careful with the goods and to store a lot of food before it would lessen in the markets and the prices would rise. However like the radio station jokingly said about the rain, is that when drought is expected by the meteorology it always rains and vice versa. However one of the concerns now is the amount of babies that will be produced since when it is “cold” (In of course African terms, and not cold in European terms) Africans search for heat and a lot of babies will be produced. The amount of family members in African families is extensive. When I say that I only have one older brother they get very surprised and question why. Here there is a high number of family members but also high numbers of mortality. The average life span is 44 years old, and this is apparently a lot compared to what it used to be. The traditional values are also very intriguing. There is countless number of clans in Uganda and two people of the same clan can not marry. For example if my mother would belong to the monkey clan and my father to the dragon clan (Yes that is what they are called) I can not marry from those groups, but I can marry a man from the pig clan. Then I automatically become a pig clan member. All that belong to the same clan are considered to be brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters is a common term and when they refer to this you do not know if they mean a blood relative or a clan member.
Whilst listening to the radio we turned off from the main road and continued our journey to Nakawuka. The sandy roads were clear red and the rain was pouring down. We arrived to a simple building by a petrol shed in the centre of Nakawuka. When I speak of petrol shed I mean two pumps that are rotated by hand. We entered in to a simple office with a big table in the middle and two computers on the side. The Community based group eventually came and a meeting was held about advocacy. The group was given a task of writing a constitution of their rights and this was now going to be reviewed. After the meeting Alfred was going through some further details of the project with the others which would just take a short while. I could join if I wished but I decided to go to the car and wait. Jimmy and I sat in the car and we were talking about everything and nothing. We were comparing Europe and Africa in matters of love tradition and culture. I had my mp3 with me, so he was listening to some of my music and I his. It was a nice talk but we were seated in the car for almost four hours. I was wondering how much longer this “short” meeting would take, and I went in to speak to Alfred. He apologized and said there were two cars so Jimmy and I could go if we wished. I was ok with that, but wished he would have said this a bit earlier. Nevertheless I did enjoy sitting and talking to Jimmy. Back home sitting and waiting in a car for four hours would seem like a waste of time, but is it actually ever a waste of time? Every moment in life is a learning experience even if it is just sitting still and doing nothing but reflecting on one’s own thoughts. I have got a completely different understanding to time since I arrived here. “Africa time” does tests my patience sometimes but I have got much more patient in these matters which I am pleased with and needed.
The following day we headed off to get some exercise and a swim. Rebecca and Eric accompanied us. Rebecca is the housemaid of the Karlsson family and Eric is a friend. Eric is Ugandan and has been to Norway once in the intent of selling books. The most common words he learnt there was "Nej tack" and "icke pengar" (which is no thanks and no money). He constantly uses those phrases :) I am not a big fan of exercising but standing on the treadmill and overlooking the beautiful scenery placed me in the right mood. Then we took a hop in the swimming pool and it was just great. We were trying to teach Rebecca and Eric how to swim. It was an amusing sight. Then other Africans were intrigued and Elin ended up being a swimming teacher for about four Africans.
After being in Uganda for almost two months and having close relations with the Country director of ADRA and his family, I have realized how much I love it here. Even though I do miss a few people at home, my longing for going back is limited. I feel like I have become a part of the family here, with Thore, Siri, Robin and Elin. Moreover the people here like my neighboors Purity, Joseph and my relations with the ADRA workers have just grown. However, I have been through this many times before, meeting for a season and then parting. Some situations are best enjoyed with a time limit. Nevertheless like my mother always says, “to meet and then to part is the hardest thing in human heart” and this is true.
I have always wanted to work with humanitarian aid since I was young and all of my choices have been towards this direction. Yet this has not come without any sacrifices. You need to have a special character to be willing to give up the commodities and stability that Europe can offer, and not everyone I have met has been willing to do so. I am soon done with my masters and I need about one more year of experience in this field, so I am in a situation where I am asking myself this question. Am I actually prepared to give up my stable ground now that the opportunity lies before me? Since I got here I have been able to make a few connections, and I myself have searched for some volunteer or job offers within the ADRA offices. Some possible offers have been placed in front of me. For example a position in Niger which is the poorest country in the world, and it is 45 degrees hot during their cold season (Though, I do not know if I can bare the extreme heat). I am also still awaiting replies from some other offices around the world. There are a few things hanging in the air. I might end up anywhere but as long as I am making a small difference in any way I can, I am pleased. This all sounds very abstract, even for me, but I am waiting with anticipation of where the nearest future will lead me…
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