With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"The Law is Male"
Today, each of us awoke in our personal suites at Kingfisher Resort. After a buffet breakfast, we rounded a corner to find ourselves in a conference hall with Judge David Batema, who had come to give us a lecture on gender equality in Uganda.
His Worship David Batema graduated from Makerere University Law School in 1989 only to realize that the laws in Uganda had male standards and came from male perspectives. He learned and determined that Uganda's laws are "male". The laws are made to cater toward men, their ideals, wants, and perspectives. He began preaching gender equality to magistrates before he even became one. He lives with the belief that “All human beings are born free and equal,” and he continues to spread this message to anyone who will listen, as well as some people who try not to.
To us, he stressed the difference between “sex” and “gender,” stating that sex is biological and natural while gender is the social construction of the differences between man and woman. These differences are created in our minds and often have to do with how we were brought up. These differences in upbringing became apparent when students from MUBS and Drake were posed with a simple question: “Whose daughter are you?” Students from MUBS replied with only one name, that of their father, while Drake students included the names of both parents. Mom, you are just as much as my parent as Dad and I would never think it as any different.
His Worship David Batema also commented on the religious aspect that leads some people to justify patriarchy. He explained that in the Bible, God created man first and gave him the Universe, which is why many believe that God gave all of the power to man. However, woman was not created until after this happened, which would mean man’s rule does not go as far as to include woman. I found this to be an extremely profound interpretation of the Bible’s teachings. Christianity is prominent in the Ugandan culture, and often leads people to believe things just because it says so in the Bible and without any additional education on the subject. I am glad that there are people who are forward-thinking enough to analyze the Bible and find the messages within rather than taking everything at face value.
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Kingfisher Resort
Hello from Jinja, Uganda!
Today we traveled from Kampala to Jinja. We spent the day at the rural village where we met with the people and discussed the new clinic we would like to build for them. Drake University, and the funds we make will be used for the building of the desperately needed clinic in this village. Also, we have paired up with a non- for- profit organization that has offered to help and match whatever we end up fundraising.
When our professors went to go meet with the "elders" the students broke off and went to play with the children. I chose to play soccer with a group of the guys and girls. Let's just say I am more than out of practice. But it did make me miss playing all the time when I was growing up. Dad, I am not opposed to getting a ball and going to pass around at the park, like old times, when I get back. But these kids were outstanding! They were so quick and had no problem to come right up behind you and slide tackle you for the ball. I had a great time!
After the long day, we got back on the bus and headed to Kingfisher Resort, also in Jinja. We are here for two nights, really just to relax and enjoy the days. We have a great pool and service, and amazing food. The room that we stay in are shaped like huts that are really cute and pretty cozy. The resort is right on Lake Victoria, which is absolutely gorgeous! A group of us is waking up at around 5:30 in the morning tomorrow to watch the sun rise over the lake. Then we are going to have a presentation about the different cultures and learn how to basket weave. We will have a pretty early afternoon just to relax and hangout by the pool. I can't wait, especially because we have been so busy the past few days.
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Today we traveled from Kampala to Jinja. We spent the day at the rural village where we met with the people and discussed the new clinic we would like to build for them. Drake University, and the funds we make will be used for the building of the desperately needed clinic in this village. Also, we have paired up with a non- for- profit organization that has offered to help and match whatever we end up fundraising.
When our professors went to go meet with the "elders" the students broke off and went to play with the children. I chose to play soccer with a group of the guys and girls. Let's just say I am more than out of practice. But it did make me miss playing all the time when I was growing up. Dad, I am not opposed to getting a ball and going to pass around at the park, like old times, when I get back. But these kids were outstanding! They were so quick and had no problem to come right up behind you and slide tackle you for the ball. I had a great time!
After the long day, we got back on the bus and headed to Kingfisher Resort, also in Jinja. We are here for two nights, really just to relax and enjoy the days. We have a great pool and service, and amazing food. The room that we stay in are shaped like huts that are really cute and pretty cozy. The resort is right on Lake Victoria, which is absolutely gorgeous! A group of us is waking up at around 5:30 in the morning tomorrow to watch the sun rise over the lake. Then we are going to have a presentation about the different cultures and learn how to basket weave. We will have a pretty early afternoon just to relax and hangout by the pool. I can't wait, especially because we have been so busy the past few days.
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Candy!
Here is one of the pictures that I got from today's rural visit. I ended up passing out some candy to the children, they were extremely excited!
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Life Goes On?
Hello Family and Friends!
Hope everything is going well for everyone! I can't express enough how happy I am to be here. Mom and Dad honestly thank you is not enough to tell you how grateful I am to be here. The past two days have been the most impacting yet.
We went to The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) which is the largest indigenous AIDS related NGO in Uganda. It has provided support to over 200,000 clients since 1987. The organization works to provide drugs to HIV positive people and also counsels their clients on how to overcome the social stigma associated with being HIV positive. We had the chance to tour the organization and see a lot of the clients.
This experience overall was really eye- opening, inspirational, sobering, and I have really learned a lot. We learn about HIV/AIDS in the United States in what I feel is a way too casual way. We depend on the social stigma and movies to tell us on how we should react and treat people who are positive. Personally, my perspective has changed after going to TASO. We toured the facility and met with many counselors who help patients to cope with their disease. All around us people sat waiting outside, in the halls, everywhere. Everyone was able to see the other people waiting to go in, it was as if no one had any privacy. After we went to the counseling offices we went to the labs where we went with doctors and they explained how people are tested and how HIV/AIDS really affects the body.
After that, we went outside and went to see the Children's Centre. This is where affected mother's and children, including infants, go during the day while they are waiting to meet with the doctors. It was so incredibly sad to see this. The children looked so sad, helpless, and sick. It actually hit my friend Mary pretty hard and she ended up passing out. It was really scary, but she is doing much better now. But we ended the day at TASO by listening to a few of the employees who are also HIV positive sing songs about the hope and fight against AIDS, that there will someday be a cure. It was very inspirational and moving. I truly wish the best to all of the employees and patients of TASO and hope they stay strong and continue to fight.
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Hope everything is going well for everyone! I can't express enough how happy I am to be here. Mom and Dad honestly thank you is not enough to tell you how grateful I am to be here. The past two days have been the most impacting yet.
We went to The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) which is the largest indigenous AIDS related NGO in Uganda. It has provided support to over 200,000 clients since 1987. The organization works to provide drugs to HIV positive people and also counsels their clients on how to overcome the social stigma associated with being HIV positive. We had the chance to tour the organization and see a lot of the clients.
This experience overall was really eye- opening, inspirational, sobering, and I have really learned a lot. We learn about HIV/AIDS in the United States in what I feel is a way too casual way. We depend on the social stigma and movies to tell us on how we should react and treat people who are positive. Personally, my perspective has changed after going to TASO. We toured the facility and met with many counselors who help patients to cope with their disease. All around us people sat waiting outside, in the halls, everywhere. Everyone was able to see the other people waiting to go in, it was as if no one had any privacy. After we went to the counseling offices we went to the labs where we went with doctors and they explained how people are tested and how HIV/AIDS really affects the body.
After that, we went outside and went to see the Children's Centre. This is where affected mother's and children, including infants, go during the day while they are waiting to meet with the doctors. It was so incredibly sad to see this. The children looked so sad, helpless, and sick. It actually hit my friend Mary pretty hard and she ended up passing out. It was really scary, but she is doing much better now. But we ended the day at TASO by listening to a few of the employees who are also HIV positive sing songs about the hope and fight against AIDS, that there will someday be a cure. It was very inspirational and moving. I truly wish the best to all of the employees and patients of TASO and hope they stay strong and continue to fight.
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Oh Uganda Food...
Uh Oh!
Yesterday was not my day... I am trying so many new foods and really trying to be as open as possible with the Ugandan food. I have found some meals that I like and some.... well I could do without. But I made a promise to myself to take at least a bite of everything. I guess it is fair to say that I took the wrong bite of something. I unfortunately missed the trip to the Secondary School, which is the Middle/High School. But it was great to catch up on some sleep and really relax because we have had so many busy days in a row.
Please don't worry tho Mom and Dad! I am feeling a lot better and went made it out with our group today. I can easily say that I am ready for some good home cooked American food when I get back :) hint hint
Hopefully I have given all of you enough to catch up on but please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments! I would love to hear from family and friends! I miss you all so much!
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
Yesterday was not my day... I am trying so many new foods and really trying to be as open as possible with the Ugandan food. I have found some meals that I like and some.... well I could do without. But I made a promise to myself to take at least a bite of everything. I guess it is fair to say that I took the wrong bite of something. I unfortunately missed the trip to the Secondary School, which is the Middle/High School. But it was great to catch up on some sleep and really relax because we have had so many busy days in a row.
Please don't worry tho Mom and Dad! I am feeling a lot better and went made it out with our group today. I can easily say that I am ready for some good home cooked American food when I get back :) hint hint
Hopefully I have given all of you enough to catch up on but please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments! I would love to hear from family and friends! I miss you all so much!
With Love from the "Pride Lands"!
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