It has been fifteen long years since I left my motherland of Kenya to pursue higher education and better opportunities in the United States. There is a lot of familiarity and differences between Uganda and Kenya and being here reminds me of my childhood and the experiences that made a huge impact in my life and shaped me into who I am today.
I had been counting down to our Uganda study abroad trip for months and we were all so excited when we arrived in Uganda besides we couldn’t wait for daylight so we could begin our study abroad adventure. The following day, we explored a few historical landmarks that have been previously mentioned by my fellow classmates on their blogs. It has been a week since we arrived and I have had such an amazing and enlightening experience. I am greatly humbled by the hospitality of the people of Uganda. Gone are the days when most people knew their neighbors or welcomed strangers in their homes to get shelter from the rain. The trip to UYDEL (Uganda Youth Development Link) has been the most amazing experience for me. The organization provides vocational skills such as sewing, culinary skills, electronics repair, motor cycle repair, craftsmanship, hairdressing, dance in addition to counseling.
The organization’s leader, employees and students were so openhearted and they made us feel so welcome. The amount of effort put towards our visit was evident and it was clear that this was a place of refuge for most of the students who had been victims of exploitation and various circumstances associated with poverty. We have experienced great hospitality accompanied by infectious genuine smiles in each place that we have visited. Yesterday’s lectures at Makerere University provided a better insight on the association between alcohol consumption, HIV/Aids, and injury in Kampala. Time is moving fast and we only have twelve more days of learning and cultural excursions.
My experience so far has taught me to try to make the best out of every situation, appreciate the small things in life and to never take anything for granted. The deputy dean for the school of public health at Makerere University, Dr. Orach encouraged us to “fight and make a little dent” in everything that we do. This trip has highlighted some of the reasons that led me to choose a career in public health and it is my goal to make a difference in the world.