The Beginning

With a little help from luxurious first class (cheers Jamie) and having a few days in Johannesburg; travelling to Uganda this time was a breeze. To say goodbye to the people you love and live daily with is one of the hardest things to do. Weeping my way through Sydney’s airport security, the guard was genuinely concerned if I should walk on the plane and at the time I wasn’t so convinced myself. When God’s got your back though and wants you to do it he will comfort you.

Johannesburg was exciting, Sarah’s cousin of a friend connection was wonderful! Kyla and Andy were such lovely company; we were so dearly welcomed and made to feel at home.
Hiring a car in Joburg shalt return on any to do list again. Regardless of how you plan or how many maps you may feel comforted by....due to the zero road signs these will be of no service to you.

Yes, due to the roads and my shocking almost amusing direction skills we got extremely lost! A pastor appeared amongst our chaotic driving, drew us a new map and we were directed behind him to our destination. Went to the Apartheid Museum – history of SA, Nelson Mandela (Kyla has met him lots of times – imagine that!) ate at the craziest casino – the unbalance of wealth is uncomfortable. I really wanted to see Nelson Mandela’s home growing up, but were advised as 2 white girls not a wise idea, as his home is in Soweto, the heart of the ghetto ha. Due to the fact I have horrid direction skills (as warned previously) I managed to get us in the heart of Soweto instead of home. All good quickly managed to get out and it was still light :)

The last leg to Uganda’s Entebbe airport was full of a serial concept of returning and the unknown certainness that lie ahead. I walked off the plane and it caught me – i could SMELL Uganda again! – in a good way :) i cant describe it, it just has a smell that i love. Everyday smells here are stomach irritating, between general hygiene and the burning of rubbish one does not care for that. But there is something in the air that is...just Uganda.

I felt relieved to be welcomed by Carl. Carl is the head of the Trauma Rehabilitation in Gulu. The work of this field is truly transformational. After discussions, seeing programs and thinking and praying for some time I have keenly accepted Carl’s offer to work alongside the Trauma team. This means yes, I will be working with Sarah...Who would have thought of how this would work out! It feels like this will be an exciting and learning journey! Carl would like us to start networking with other NGO’s and discussing ways to address certain issues, stigmas and mental health issues for the community as a whole...start the movement of a Mental health forum. Only God knows where this will be going.

Sarah and I have been living out of our suitcases. There are volunteers for Watoto staying at our guest house too which is nice and the staff are beautiful. I was delighted to just have a bed, clean sheets, HOT water and yes, a toilet you can actually sit on. I don’t think i will ever adjust to hand washing; machines are to never be taken for granted! I am thankful i have been kindly advised of the soap clothes live through rather than the toxic bleach i was killing mine in. The guest house is honoured to have the only pet bunnie in Uganda ha Oh God knew i was going to miss Zimi. I could be partly to blame why locals think westerners are strange.

Picking up our freight...now that is a memory i have somewhat repressed. In short – my first glimpse to the dodgy workings here. Took half a day, a lot of patience, discernment and incentive to not give up and live without it. Paper works were lost...i was not allowed through the security check point so formed a lasting friendship with the officer and bribes, bribes and more bribes. Victory however is now ours, regardless of Sarah’s possessions being changed into my luggage and vice versa.

Slowly settling in...seeing and experiencing all those special things i love about Uganda. Used to your normal size spiders and crawlies popping up everywhere but some i don’t think i will ever remain calm around. Back to the life of mosquito nets, medications and what seems to be a constant unsettled stomach.

Ill be popping up what I’ve been doing over the past weeks soon.

Love x