Moments ago I received information on my host family. After hearing from a number of former interns looks like I have been placed with a really interesting family and above average house.
HOST FAMILY PROFILE
Family: Mrs. Mubiru’s family
Intern: Jocelyn Cook
This is a single parent family. The home is located in Masaka town. It is about 2 minutes walk from Vi offices. The house is a permanent house with 4 bedrooms, living room, a kitchen, dining room, toilet and bathroom. There is electricity and running water in the house.
Mother: Mrs. Mubiru.
Children: -
1. Anthony Mubiru, 26. He is a student at university.
2. Naome Namubiru, 25. She is a treasurer at Masaka Municipal Council.
3. Esther Nambi, 24, works with an NGO, Compassion International, in Masaka District.
4. Victoria Namutebi, 22, also works with compassion international. She is based in Rakai district.
5. Suzan Namyalo is a student in senior six. She is in boarding school.
6. Lliian Nansubuga is in senior five at Masaka secondary school.
7. Stella Nabagala, 23.
8. Annet Nabattu who completed senior four
9. Favour Nkinzi. She is one and a half years. She is Naome’s daughter.
Most of the children in school are in boarding school.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Return to Africa
As far back as I can remember I have longed to be an advocate for the voiceless and provide a face to the stories many hear about, yet fail to recognize as truth. More often than not when I share with people topics I have researched or individuals I have encountered, I hear the standard response "I just cannot believe in this day and age these travesties continue."
I have always believed one person can make a difference and silly as it may sound... the illustration in A Bug's Life where the ants realize the power their seemingly small and perhaps perceived insignificant work has on the collective whole is a wonderful reminder of the power we hold. A similar illustration comes from the story of the boy and the starfish. When tons of starfish had washed ashore and were dying, a boy started picking them up and throwing them back into the water. Someone pointed out to him that he couldn't possibly save them all so what difference will he make. The boy replied, "To that one starfish, a big difference".
In 2005, three months before graduating with from college, I had the opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone with a number of peers and medical professionals. In country, more often than not, I found myself paralyzed by the vast health and economic disparities. Traveling through the country in our vans my eyes would gloss over with tears as an utter feeling of helplessness welled up within me. Days spent watching children wearing little to no clothing sift through smoldering garbage looking for items they could make use of; babies dying from dehydration, malnutrition and other treatable diseases was (and remains) infuriating. Plaguing me, the question remained, "What can I do to help change any of this?"
Much has happened over the past four years. I graduated from college, recently wed and soon will complete my Master's degree in Global Studies and International Affairs. Three days after returning from Africa I buried my mother, then moved to Boston, researched some really amazing (and heart wrenching) things and have found true happiness.
I could keep my job in Boston working with tremendously nice people and spare myself the discomfort of returning to Africa, away from my husband, away from a toilet, indoor plumbing and a really comfortable bed. I could spare myself the stomach burning anxiety associated with flying, the time consuming lather with Deet to hopefully be spared from Malaria and drink and eat how I please. However, I know such a choice will leave no contentment. My days and nights will be spent yearning to return, wrestling with the questions "What can I do to help change any of this" never knowing, never stepping out in faith to try to change a thing. My heart and the children of Africa deserve more than desire and lip service. I don't know what the future holds or how my experience in Uganda will help change anything but I know I must go.
In six weeks I will depart for Africa thanks to donations I have raised and saved to support this three month volunteer internship. On April 4, 2009 I will step off a plane in Entebbe, Uganda with great anticipation. The following three months I will live with a host family and be immersed into the Ugandan culture.
I will be working with the Buddukiro Children's Agency. Buddukiro works with street children in Masaka, addressing issues of HIV/AIDS prevention, access to education and vocational training. Throughout my graduate studies I have focused my research on the efficacy of international aid to African countries, reproductive health services and child/human sex trafficking. I am excited to work with Buddukiro to expand the services they currently offer by designing and implementing my own project to address these critical issues.
As exciting as this is, obviously there is much anxiety as well. My first trip to Africa I was single and traveled, ate and stayed with a group of friends from college. Soon I will step on the plane alone, fly 30hrs (FYI I white knuckle it to NY and that's only a 45 minute flight) and I will be introduced to some strangers who will be hosting me in their house and feeding me for the next three months. I'll have no translator and have my fair share of getting scammed at the market as my ivory skin will invite such a scenario. I will pack all my gear in a backpack 1/2 my size and travel with only 3 pairs of shoes (yes, only three). My family will see me off, the plane door will shut and sail into the sky. It all seems a daunting right now, but I know the kids, my work and the project I anticipate creating will unequivocally make my current shortness of breath worthwhile!
Thanks so much for your interest, support and for joining me on this journey! Please check back often for updates and embarrassing stories, I trust they will be plentiful!
I have always believed one person can make a difference and silly as it may sound... the illustration in A Bug's Life where the ants realize the power their seemingly small and perhaps perceived insignificant work has on the collective whole is a wonderful reminder of the power we hold. A similar illustration comes from the story of the boy and the starfish. When tons of starfish had washed ashore and were dying, a boy started picking them up and throwing them back into the water. Someone pointed out to him that he couldn't possibly save them all so what difference will he make. The boy replied, "To that one starfish, a big difference".
In 2005, three months before graduating with from college, I had the opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone with a number of peers and medical professionals. In country, more often than not, I found myself paralyzed by the vast health and economic disparities. Traveling through the country in our vans my eyes would gloss over with tears as an utter feeling of helplessness welled up within me. Days spent watching children wearing little to no clothing sift through smoldering garbage looking for items they could make use of; babies dying from dehydration, malnutrition and other treatable diseases was (and remains) infuriating. Plaguing me, the question remained, "What can I do to help change any of this?"
Much has happened over the past four years. I graduated from college, recently wed and soon will complete my Master's degree in Global Studies and International Affairs. Three days after returning from Africa I buried my mother, then moved to Boston, researched some really amazing (and heart wrenching) things and have found true happiness.
I could keep my job in Boston working with tremendously nice people and spare myself the discomfort of returning to Africa, away from my husband, away from a toilet, indoor plumbing and a really comfortable bed. I could spare myself the stomach burning anxiety associated with flying, the time consuming lather with Deet to hopefully be spared from Malaria and drink and eat how I please. However, I know such a choice will leave no contentment. My days and nights will be spent yearning to return, wrestling with the questions "What can I do to help change any of this" never knowing, never stepping out in faith to try to change a thing. My heart and the children of Africa deserve more than desire and lip service. I don't know what the future holds or how my experience in Uganda will help change anything but I know I must go.
In six weeks I will depart for Africa thanks to donations I have raised and saved to support this three month volunteer internship. On April 4, 2009 I will step off a plane in Entebbe, Uganda with great anticipation. The following three months I will live with a host family and be immersed into the Ugandan culture.
I will be working with the Buddukiro Children's Agency. Buddukiro works with street children in Masaka, addressing issues of HIV/AIDS prevention, access to education and vocational training. Throughout my graduate studies I have focused my research on the efficacy of international aid to African countries, reproductive health services and child/human sex trafficking. I am excited to work with Buddukiro to expand the services they currently offer by designing and implementing my own project to address these critical issues.
As exciting as this is, obviously there is much anxiety as well. My first trip to Africa I was single and traveled, ate and stayed with a group of friends from college. Soon I will step on the plane alone, fly 30hrs (FYI I white knuckle it to NY and that's only a 45 minute flight) and I will be introduced to some strangers who will be hosting me in their house and feeding me for the next three months. I'll have no translator and have my fair share of getting scammed at the market as my ivory skin will invite such a scenario. I will pack all my gear in a backpack 1/2 my size and travel with only 3 pairs of shoes (yes, only three). My family will see me off, the plane door will shut and sail into the sky. It all seems a daunting right now, but I know the kids, my work and the project I anticipate creating will unequivocally make my current shortness of breath worthwhile!
Thanks so much for your interest, support and for joining me on this journey! Please check back often for updates and embarrassing stories, I trust they will be plentiful!
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