My days have been pleasantly busy in Uganda. In the last few weeks I have gotten to do several exciting things both in work-life and play-life. As for work, I hosted a meeting at my organization to discuss the research we conducted last month and the reports that I generated from the research. Basically, the research was a baseline survey trying to understand the extent and processes of gender and disability mainstreaming at the national, district, and sub-county (village) levels. We wanted to know how women and girls with disabilities are included in all aspects of social, economic, religious, cultural, and civic life. The research was fascinating and pointed out some serious, systematic gaps in how people with disabilities are treated in Uganda at all levels and in all sectors. To know of these horrible discrepancies is a burden, but to act upon the knowledge we have collected will be liberating for thousands (and arguably millions, as some estimates claim that as much as 10% of the population in Uganda is disabled. This is primarily the result of armed conflict and debilitating infectious diseases).
Along with this meeting, I was able to travel to the field in Bushenyi district (far western Uganda) last week to assist with and observe trainings of women with disabilities. We trained on gender, group dynamics and formation, and disseminated the research we had conducted there. I am a huge proponent of research dissemination and strongly believe that anything less than full disclosure is unethical. People who are a part of research deserve to know the results and potential benefits of that research. Luckily, western Uganda is arguably the most beautiful region in this country, and I was not disappointed with the time I spent there!
Another exciting thing that happened at work was an impromptu meeting with a very popular Ugandan hip-hop music group! These Ugandan super-stars have agreed to take on the advancement of women with disabilities as their personal project in the next few months, and in doing so will support the organization I work for greatly. It was very exciting to meet with them and talk about the importance of reproductive health rights for women with disabilities. They will certainly be great advocates for the rights of women and girls with disabilities in Uganda!
Outside of work I am keeping quite busy with weekly Luganda lessons, (soon to be regular) trivia nights, cooking with my roommates, and enjoying Kampala in its fullest. For Rosh Hashana two of my roommates and I hosted a dinner for fifteen of our friends. We did the same thing for Yom Kippur, only this time another of my roommates organized a great service, which helped us all reflect on our roles here in Uganda and development in general. Last week I attended the Uganda v. Kenya soccer game at the Mandela stadium, despite warnings from the embassy not to go. It was a fun experience, and I am glad that I went even though there were a few… questionable moments. The stadium was beyond packed, and the crowds were wild. It was intense to see Ugandan police officers literally lining the entire field with tear gas and shields, ready for riots. Luckily, the event went down without any major incidents, but unfortunately the game ended in a tie, squashing any hope for Uganda advancing to the Africa Cup.
This past weekend I went to an art opening at my favorite gallery in Kampala (AfriArt) and then headed off to Jinja for a weekend of expensive, adrenaline-packed thrills! We went ATV-ing and then white water rafting on the Nile. Let's just say, I ingested my fair share of parasite-infested Nile water when our raft flipped on a class 5 rapid. I had never been rafting before, but I think it might be my new favorite hobby/extreme sport. I also had a great time talking with my coworkers about why my skin "cooks" in the sun on Monday. That is so not public health!
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