Uganda? That's right!

Howdy family & friends!

I know that many of you are probably wondering what on earth I will be doing in Uganda this summer....right? Well, let me tell you! Due to the generous support from The Center for Leadership and Civic Education at Florida State University, I have won a scholarship through the Serviceship program that has funded my entire summer of service!

I will be volunteering in Uganda for 8 weeks, from May 15^th – July 15^th, 2008. I will be serving in the village of Bulenga, Uganda in a village program that is called Kyosiga Community Christian Association for Development (KACCAD). This village program was established in 1994 and is a community based youth program of The Real Uganda. KACCAD was founded to improve the standard of living in Bulenga through supporting income generating activities, skill development, youth education and health care access.

However, KACCAD is especially committed to empowering orphans and vulnerable children, women, children from child-headed households, people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, single mothers and people with disabilities. As a volunteer, I will be able to delve into such volunteer activities as:

• Community mobilization for HIV/AIDS testing/education
• Tailoring training to out of school youth
• Typing and computer skills
• Setting up Databases
• Tutoring children in reading and writing in English
• Training in safe motherhood skills
• Education of birth control and reproductive health education
• Establishing Leadership workshops/seminars

Now, just in case you were wondering, here is a bit more information on Uganda...

If you look at the map at the top of the page, you can find where I will be staying within Uganda. I am going to be living and learning in a village called Bulenga. This village is 15-20 minutes by bus to the west of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. So...if you look at the map it is in the pink district of Wakiso.

It is also neat to realize where exactly Uganda is in East Africa. It is bordered by Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

And in case you did not know...Uganda is among the poorest countries in the world with a per capita GDP of around USD$280 (1999). It has the smallest economy (6.1 billion - 1999 EIU estimate) of the three members of the East African Cooperation (EAC) - Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The relatively small domestic market and low purchasing power of most of the population will limit growth for some time to come. Current regional conflicts also prevent the development of export markets. Uganda's aspiration to become a regional hub for finance and trade is unlikely to be realised until export markets are better developed.

Oh, and before I go, the two languages of Uganda that I will confront are Luganda and English. While many locals speak English, it is almost always broken and spoken with a heavy English accent (so it is going to be a big challenge)! If you want to practice with me...look below:

LUGANDA: ENGLISH

Jebale ko - well done (used as a short greeting)
Kale, nawe jebale ko - ok (response to jebale ko)

Oli otya - how are you?
Wasuze otya nno - how was the night? (morning greeting)
Osiibye otya nno - how is/was the day? (afternoon/evening greeting)
Gendi - fine
Bulungi - good/well

Mulimutya - how are you? (to a group of people)
Jetuuli - we are fine

Kyi kyi - what's up? (pronounced "chi chi")
Eh Banange! - My friends! (used like "for heaven's sake")

Sula bulungi - good night
Weraba - good-bye

Nnyo - very (as in "bulungi nnyo")

Webale (nnyo) - thank you (very much)

Wange - pardon me?

Ye - yes Nedda - no

Ssebo - sir
Nnyabo - madam
Mukwano - friend

Sente meka - how much is that?
Mas ow - stop (used to stop public transport when you want out)
Wano - here (used to stop boda boda transport)
Wali - over there
Wansi - down
Wa gulu - up

*Much of this information came from my volunteer program guide from Global Volunteer Network, the international organization that places volunteers with The Real Uganda (and therefore KACCAD).


Thanks for reading my first post! I leave for Uganda on Tuesday, May 13th (which is 8 days)!

Peace & Love,

Beth :)