The Second Time Around

Nonexistent crowded lines, foreign sounds, and that ever familiar smell of the outdoors. The moment I stepped out of the plane in Entebbe I knew I was ‘home’. After a long 20+ hours of traveling, it was refreshing to be somewhere familiar. Other than my mission trips to Haiti, Uganda is the only other place I’ve returned to. This place that I had the privilege of living in for 2 months, 3 years ago, forever stayed on my mind. While preparing for this trip, I was overcome by nervousness. I was nervous that people wouldn’t remember me, nervous I wouldn’t remember them, nervous I wouldn’t click with the new Duke group I’m staying with, nervous things would be different from last time, just nervous. 

Day 1 in Kaihura, Uganda and I remembered why I cried 3 years ago when I left. I remembered why I’ve been planning my return since the day I left…because a part of myself belongs here. It feels right to be here, it feels free here, I feel love here, I feel God here. I was forever molded by the spirit of Uganda. I whole-heartedly mean this, Ugandan’s are some of the nicest people I’ve met around the world.

Kaihura itself hasn’t changed much. The changes I do notice are that Bringing Hope to the Family (the NGO we work with) is no longer renting spaces and has moved into new buildings. Most of the buildings were being built or about to be built the last time I was here and are now completed. Many of the buildings were created by Duke teams after me. It’s nice to see that we’ve made an impact the community truly benefits from. There is also a new cafe in town that sells coffee and pastries. I’m not sure how many non-foreigners go there, but it’s a pretty nice spot.

Seeing my students from 3 years ago has been incredible. I remembered most of their names, proving the large impact they’ve had on my life. Plus, they remembered mine which felt so sweet. So many of them have grown to be my height or taller! In 2012 I taught a P.3 (primary 3) class so now many of them are in P.6 meaning that they have one more year of primary school before they take the test to see if they qualify for secondary school. That’s huge for the students because getting in or not shapes the rest of their lives.

Hope Academy Primary School

One of my students is 8 years old and is just the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen. I got a chance to sit and talk with him and it quickly became apparent that he’s experience much more than most 8 year olds. He’s from Rwanda and came to Uganda with his Dad and sister because “they were killing people in Rwanda”. He hasn’t seen his mom or other siblings in over 3 years. I’m not even sure if he knows if they’re still alive. He lived with his grandmother for a little and she taught him Rutoro (the language of our district). He was then sent to my school (Hope Academy Primary School) as a boarding student and sometimes sees his grandmother during holidays. Most American 8 year olds can barely handle a sleepover, meanwhile he’s endured immense heartache, loneliness, unfamiliar spaces and faces, and yet still smiles. He is why I do what I do. If I can make him feel loved and special even for a little while, it’s worth it. I want him to know that someone is thinking of him, believing in him. This is just one of the heart wrenching stories I’ve heard from my students. These kids are incredible and believe me, if I could bring them home I would!

Our Guesthouse

Unlike my last trip, we are living in the NGO’s guest house instead of the separate house Duke used to rent. This means that we live in separate rooms of 2-4 people in each and there is not yet a common space just for us. Also new to this trip is that we eat at our worksites. Most of us work near the school so that’s where we eat lunch. Lunch is posho and beans everyday. I don’t think I could eat posho alone but with the sauce from the beans it’s not too bad. It’s a heavy starch that will certainly fill you up. 

Our house water tank.
Chris climbed up to check how much water was left

The water at the guest house wasn’t working when we arrived and then once it did start working the town actually ran out of water! I didn’t know that could happen. Don’t take for granted the value of water, especially if it’s clean! I was so happy one morning when it rained because I could stand outside and wash my face with something other than a baby wipe. No water also meant no shower….for a week. Funny because I think your body gets to a point where it no longer smells worse and worse. Everyday I’m here I’m reminded of how much of a surviver I really am. Things I thought I needed I’ve gone without, and survived quite well. 

Until Next Time,

*Nicole