Members of my host family and me!

From left to right: Annet holding Sedrick, me holding Cathy, Christopher behind Hilda

Lots of happenings!

I have just finished my home stay with a family in Mukono. I stayed there the past two weeks, ending last Friday. They had a nine month old son name Sedrick, a four year old daughter named Cathy, a seven year old son named Christopher, a ten year old daughter named Hilda, and a fourteen year old niece named Annet living with the mother (Florence) and father (Christopher). The father is a primary school math teacher, and the mom sells treats to kids at the school and takes care of the baby during the day. They served me pawpaw, which I think is papaya. It is very good. Coming home from school every day, Cathy, the four year old would run to greet me and hug me. Every else says “welcome back!” when I get close to them. Hospitality is a way of life here.

We saw the Archbishop of Mukono (the town where I live) brought into power two Sundays ago. President Museveni also delivered a speech!

They live in a house right next to the school and have big tanks that collect rainwater that they use for everything. They do have electricity though.
One of my roommates decided to spend the rest of the semester with her host family. She loves singing with them.

There are red clay brick roofs outside of my classrooms. I really love my classes here, especially with the American professors. They have come from similar places as me and are relatable role models.

I decided to be a part of the debate team and the International Justice Mission here. In the United States, the IJM fights slavery and here it fights for the rights of widows.

This past weekend we went to the Source of the Nile. It is where Lake Victoria feeds into the Nile River. I also had a great time getting to know the Honors College students better.

This weekend my friend Kim and I are going to Kampala, the capitol of Uganda. I hope to update you soon!

Children at Church in Rwanda

My friend Esther and me with children outside of Masuza Church in Rwanda

Lunch!

In the middle portion is matoke (mah-toke-ay). It is a banana-like mashed plantain that is served at almost every meal. It sits on the dining hall's tray with beef and a potato to the right.

Rwanda and classes starting

I spent the last week in Rwanda! We left at 5 am to go to drive there. We drove about 8 hours, crossed the border (where an amazing Ugandan girl named Brendah helped me exchange money), and arrived just in time for tea. Tea is very popular here, and is pretty informal. UCU’s meal plan includes two tea times-morning and evening! Usually there is black sweet tea or milk tea that is sweet. Some places had instant coffee or drinking chocolate (hot chocolate with no sugar).

The girls spent the night in a one room dormitory for the 25ish of us. A minister met with us about Rwanda, and then on Sunday we broke up into groups and went to churches. My group went to the second most rural parish named Masuza Parish. We drove up and there were a ton of people milling around, and we later estimated there were about 800 people there. The service lasted almost three hours but seemed to fly by quickly. There were at least three choirs that sang, and at one point everyone got up in the congregation and danced around (mostly jumping) in the center of the room. It was exhilarating and loud and wonderful.

On the way back from Rwanda, we saw zebras on the side of the road! We drove by so quickly that I could not take pictures, but they do exist here!

The classes I am taking are Faith and Action in the Ugandan Context (F&A-our core study abroad class), African Literature (Lit), Introduction to Ugandan Politics (UP), East African Politics Since Independence (EAP), and African Traditional Religions, Islam, and Christianity (ATR).

Fun facts:
- White people here are called mzungus. Muh-zoo-ng-ews.
- Also, calling someone on the telephone without them answering is called “beeping.”

I hope to get pictures up soon, but the internet is not very fast here! Have a good week!