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| Happy at the moment. And enjoying not wearing makeup or worrying about appearance while I'm here |
I love that I am here for quite a long period of time as I can get to know the place well, the boda drivers in the area I live now recognize me which is cool.
It's also nice that the local kids know who I am, I often walk down the street or ride on a boda and get kids shouting "Teacher Rachael!" which is so lovely.
It isn't ALWAYS a good thing, for example a lot of Ugandan boys/men walk along side me and try to chat to me. They often ask lots of questions and also want to "be my friend on Facebook"
The other day when one asked me what my name was I just wasn't in the mood to tell him so I just didn't respond, however just as he asked, a some kids from the school I teach at walked past and shouted "Hello teacher Rachael"... the timing was brilliant, so frustrating haha.
But in general I am really enjoying everything I am doing. In fact I LOVE it. It sounds so cheesy but at the end of every day I feel like describing it as "one of the best days of my life". (I am also seeing a lot of pain and poverty here but generally as a person I try and always view things with a positive mind - yes there is pain but how can I help and also noticing how people manage with less that what we have, how people can be happy with things we take for granted, and how people really appreciate life and have such strong faith that it actually encourages me.)
It's mainly just seeing the kids laughing and smiling that makes me so happy. I love chasing them and tickling them and generally having fun at the Village of Hope. Knowing the awful backgrounds that some children have, and seeing where they are now is just amazing.
The program that Andrew and I created for myself is great. I have adapted it to what I think is the best ways of being useful, and although I am constantly tired and always doing doing doing, it's good.
Anyway,
I have been thinking about how lucky I am that God has put me specifically HERE doing THIS, especially recently after talking to lots of different people I have met here...
I have spoken to a few different groups of English/American volunteers who I have met when getting food/drink in town etc and the stories and opinions I have heard have been so different to how I feel.
Lots of them were unhappy with the charity or organisation they have come to Uganda with. Some had to pay over £5000 for the trip and feel they have been "cheated" out of some of the money. Others feel their charity trained them well in the UK and briefed them, however when they arrived here it was completely the opposite and the organisation is not helping to resolve problems that they need help with.
Some people are not enjoying the actual work or programs they have been placed in, and some are here not really knowing what to do to be of use. Some have even quit and left to go home.
Hearing this is really sad because these people have given up their lives at home, work or education and being with friends and family to try and do something good, and it's just not what they hoped for.
I know lots of situations are different but I am just so grateful that I am doing what I am doing and staying where I am staying. I didn't come out in a team but I don't feel lonely. I was able to fund raise and manage the costs myself so I knew what I was paying for. I have (with help) created my own schedule to fit my needs and preferences, which involves me helping at several different organisations, also leaving some time to myself to reflect and relax. Where I am staying is good, I am looked after well and fed. HopeBuilders (Mainly Andrew) have introduced me to lots of people here who can help me and take care of me if I ever needed them to. I feel very safe where I am and the fact that I am spending time with the kids at the Village of Hope, teaching at their primary school, teaching a women's group and visiting a baby home and disabled home, provides a range of experiences for me and means I feel like I am being used to help in a positive way.
Not the most exciting post, no maggots or mice or children weeing on me, but the blog isn't just funny stories about silly things I'm scared of and I just wanted to talk about how lucky I am that God has placed me somewhere that I can be of help and really enjoy and learn every day without being worried or not making the most of the experience!
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