up north

Orientation and training in Kampala was a whirlwind. I learned so much in such a short period of time, that I am still processing the details. It was wonderful and fulfilling to get to know the other people who will also be volunteering their time and skills in Uganda and Kenya through AJWS. We are a diverse group with varying experiences, motivations, and interests, but all of us are eager and excited to become a part of something bigger than ourselves; to act as catalysts for global change in solidarity with the organizations that are hosting us.

Yesterday I moved up to Pader, Uganda. It took nearly 8 hours to get here from Kampala and in many ways feels like a different country. Pader is small—one commercial street, a small market, and overall has a very rural feel. I am excited to learn more about this community, as from what I understand it has grown out of a former IDP camp. Before the war in Northern Uganda fizzled out a few years ago, Pader district was subjected to much violence. Peace feels somewhat precarious here, but of course I have no true basis to back that feeling up. I have found everyone to be very friendly, but shy. Whereas in Kampala many people would say hi to me because I look different, people here seem quieter and more reluctant. I wonder if that has anything to do with the way development work has been approached in this area. There are many NGO signs, though most are gone now. The organization I am working at is located in the WHO’s former office. I know because the sign on the gate is still there.

It is the weekend now, and according to my counterpart, the town is mostly empty over the weekends. People work here at NGOs during the week, and then disperse to Gulu and Lira for the weekends. It’s an interesting dynamic, but right now I am just observing and trying not to place any expectations on my time here. (trying, trying, trying).

I am staying in a guest-house which is basic, but adequate. I seem to have running water sporadically. There is a sign in town that says something like “USAID groundbreaking water project!” It’s so interesting to see signs with familiar development organizations on them. For better or worse, everyone wants credit for their contributions, I suppose. It bothers me, but I haven’t totally figured out why yet. I will keep you posted!

It is very hot and dry here. Before I arrived the only description of Pader I saw was “dusty.” While I agree with that depiction, I hope by the end of my time here I will have additional insights to share! It is lonely here, but I think that it will improve as I meet people/feel more comfortable being alone.

My motivations for working here are varied, with some being more altruistic than others. I haven’t deluded myself into believing that my presence here makes any difference to anyone but myself. I want to learn and if in the process I also teach, I will be satisfied. I am trying to think of ways to measure success, because my old paradigms will not get me very far in this situation!

*A note on pictures and why there aren’t any in this blog (yet). I have a strong feeling that photographs, though powerful, can be exploitative. It seems rather voyeuristic for me to take a photo of my town and show you just how different it looks from your town, before I even know this place. Similarly with photographs of people—showing you a photograph of a stranger is not productive. It only gives a false sense of connection. Anything I could show you would be grossly out of context. When I am more comfortable here and am able to accurately (though still biased by my own perspective) present my surroundings, I will show pictures.

if anyone has questions, I’d be happy to try and answer them.

mjb