I was asked to be ready at 6:30 in the morning to accompany George and Esther (ADRA development workers) to Wakiso district once again. They would be having a meeting with beneficiaries. It was still very dark when I woke up, and by 6:30 I was standing outside the office but no car was to be seen. The driver fetched me at 7:45. Puh… Africa time, but at least I got a chance to see the sunrise. It was amazing. I saw the bright sun rise up and the darkness was now exchanged with light. At times when you stand still and observe the nature you get amazed what a perfect function everything has. I do not understand how some people can think all of it is a coincidence and doubt the fact that there is an intelligent design behind it all.
When they finally fetched me we headed on a three hour drive. George was explaining the programme of the day. It would be a long day since a lot of work had to be done. I was looking forward to being on the field and see the meetings held with the beneficiaries. We eventually reached our destination. This area was unlike the other field work projects. It was not dry and sandy but very green. The nature was like a garden of trees embracing the path we drove into. On the side of the path some beneficiaries were seated on the green grass. George picked two passion fruits from a nearby tree and gave them to me to eat. It was delicious. I took a seat next to Esther. An old lady who was one of the beneficiaries took a seat next to us. She was wearing a torn green dress and her breasts were showing. She was smiling and apologized for forgetting to put on a bra. The old lady was very nice and talkative. Esther kept telling her how pretty she looked. The old lady wore a red pearl necklace for the occasion and looked very pleased to be pampered with flattery from Esther. Esther questioned why her skin was lighter than most Africans and she said she had some mixture from Rwanda. Apparently they can be lighter in skin. The old lady said she had 14 children and only 4 were still alive. The other ten had died of sicknesses. She also said she can not walk. She asked Esther to call one of her grand children to take her to the hospital, and Esther asked for the number to do so. However the old lady had no number. Esther said that it is sad that the grand children don’t to their duty and visit their grandmother.
The meeting began and a lot was discussed. Some of the things mentioned were problems the community had. They said they are too big families and each household has about 15 children. They expressed that the only water resource they have is only a km away but people from that area plant eucalyptus trees and build homes just by the water so the water resource is drained. They also expressed that other locals invade their area and the grassing land of their animals. Then Esther brings up the perspective of advocacy. She explains the importance it is for the community to speak to each other and to advocate for their rights. She went further into details about how they need to explain to the other members in the community of how their actions destroy the water. Regarding the grassing dispute they arrangements amongst them need to be established. They need to work as a group and to reach an understanding as a community. I do not speak the language so most of what was said was translated to me. Nevertheless the facial expressions and the body language of the beneficiaries spoke the loudest. I felt a sense of resilience from the beneficiaries of what was said. I felt that the mindset the beneficiaries were in and what Esther was speaking of was not on the same level. It is not necessarily a matter that Esther was speaking in difficult terms, but the beneficiaries did not fully seem to buy the concept of advocacy and human rights. However these communities have during the years received a lot of service delivery (Goods and training in skills) from ADRA. Now it is time for them to be empowered and act for themselves than just thinking in terms of receiving. When we were later seated in the car I asked Esther about this, and she said that the beneficiaries do not fully buy the concept of human rights and often tells Esther. “Human rights can work in the west where it belongs, but not in Africa”. I asked Esther if she believes in Human rights. The otherwise quite timid woman said loudly- yes I do. In this case I used myself as a tool and I told her I have a background in human rights. She then eagerly spoke a lot about human rights and I could really see her passion about the topic. She said I do believe Africa needs human rights in order to stop the criminality and corruption that goes on. Some fellow Africans say that it is impossible to do so here. She continued saying, if it works in the west then why should it not work here? What creates the misery? It is people themselves. And if people are aware of their rights, change can take place. The question is how to make this recognition of human rights appeal to the beneficiaries. Change is possible but takes time, and it starts by first making an impact.
The days are swiftly passing by in Uganda, and now two months have passed since I arrived here. Tomorrow Alexandra a good friend of mine from Sweden is coming to pay a visit and we will be travelling to Kenya and Tanzania for two weeks. I am looking forward to some backpacking adventure. Since I came to Africa I have got a different energy and I find myself more active which is nice considering I have got the nickname couch potato by some J. I spend the days in the office or in the field. In the evenings I play badminton with Elin, Robin and at times the neighbors or the workers of ADRA. Sometimes Elin and I go for long walks with the dogs, and yesterday evening we went running. The Africans were just staring and others were laughing at us Europeans just running for the sake of running. Halfway school children accompanied us and ran next to us. The sun was setting and we were running up and down a hill path. I know I will miss Africa and the people, but I cherish the days I have here, even if they only feel like a moment. The truth is that everything passes and all we have in life is a collection of moments. This is a moment I will cherish and bear with me.
