Uganda is commonly referred to as the Pearl of Africa which is not far from the truth considering her natural resources combined with a very hospitable population. Here are some crazy facts about her; Caesarian sections were being performed in Uganda way before 1879 when R.W. Felkin observed his first successful operation by indigenous healers […]
Pictured Above: A view of my family’s compound from the dining room. The blue door across the way is the entrance to the kitchen. And in the blue bucket to the left are thousands of coffee beans, all just roasted naturally by the sunshine and ready to be packaged! Yummy!
As we drove to Kasese, a town two districts to the Northwest of Rukungiri, I found myself missing home.
There are many entrances into the compound, all red iron doors that are locked by a padlock. The compound is big, I think I counted 12 rooms, but I could be wrong. Concrete lays in the center of the compound which is opened to the sunlight and moonlight. As I walk into the house back from my weekend travels, I yell “hello I’m home!” I hear my host mom (Maama) yell “Agandi” as a way of correcting me by not using the language…
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This is a great story of a college student at Cal Poly loving her summer internship with isla!
Pictured above is Rose and her famous smile.
In Uganda, 7.4% of the population suffers from HIV/AIDS. In Rukungiri District, 17.6% of the population suffers from HIV/AIDS, almost 3x the national average. From that 17.6%, around 30% of them are children who are born HIV positive. This issues affects Monic and her family. Monic’s story was disheartening and I feared for her and her niece, Rose.
I have met Rose twice now. When we meet, her smile takes up half of her face and her tongue sticks out between her teeth. She looks strong and normal. One could not tell by looking at her that she suffers from HIV. As she sits on my lap, she shows me all the good grades she has gotten in primary school. When she recieved a 73% on one of the homework pages she covers the score with her hand and turns the page…
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Pictured Above: The road to Vera Gardens Inn Ugandans do not smile, they laugh. And when they laugh it is something of power and joy. I am now in Rukungiri, a district and town in the Southwest of Uganda. It is much smaller and quieter than the capital, Kampala, where I began my journey. The […]
via Sun, Laughter and A Sustainable Future — julianna&uganda
It takes an intrepid traveler to go to Uganda as an isla, International Service Learning Alliance intern. To make an impact in the lives of the community they serve, isla interns are Continue reading “It takes Money and Grit”
Today marks two weeks and five days since I landed in Entebbe Airport to become the new International Program Coordinator at Foundation for Community Development and Empowerment (FCDE), the parent organization of isla, in Rukungiri District, Uganda. Traveling to a new place always excites me about things unknown and the Pearl of Africa doesn’t disappoint.
Written by Hafha Maani Ebrahimi for the Ugandan Sunday Monitor.
So the friend I was talking to and who seemed to be looking forward to traveling to East Africa, kept postponing her dream trip. The reasons were as varied as the colors of the rainbow. Once she cited political turmoil and instability, another time it was fear of malaria or Ebola and the excuses went on. It was time to have a serious chat with my friend. Continue reading “Do not postpone your trip to Africa”
Uganda, once a British protectorate, has two official languages, English and Swahili. Despite these being the official languages, in addition to English, the majority of the population speaks Luganda, the tongue of the Buganda people, or one of 50 local languages. Possessing a basic understanding of a local language increases your effectiveness in the field. Local people appreciate your effort to understand them and their communities.
Is worrying about learning the local language keeping you from accessing your intern potential? Fear no more. Below we have complied a list of the most important Rukiga (Rukungiri’s local language) words and phrases you need to get started!
Interested in learning more about our programs? Visit us at www.isla-serve.org
On the fence about committing yourself to an internship abroad? You may be just the person we’re looking for! Keep reading and see if we’re the right fit!
Continue reading “25 Signs an isla Internship is Right for You”
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