Finally Here!

After months of planning, two days of flying, and one day of driving from Kampala to Gulu (consisting of stopping only twice from our van overheating), I finally made it to my destination! I spent Tuesday in New Hampshire at the ChildVoice International headquarters where I got a quick orientation about the organization and what life would be like in Uganda. It was a lot of information at once and I got a bit overwhelmed. That night I flew to Amsterdam and then to Entebbe, Uganda. I then stayed Wednesday night in a hotel in Kampala, which was the first that I had slept since Monday night in New Hampshire. During our drive to Gulu, which was about a five hour drive north, we crossed the Nile River, saw baboons on the side of the road, and saw lots of villages and IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps. It was a long drive over many potholes, but we arrived to Gulu safely. From there, the Lukodi Center is about a 40 minute drive, but ChildVoice staff go back and forth from the Center to Gulu easily every day.

Immediately when I stepped out of the van at the center one little girl grabbed my hand and led me around the center. I could not understand her or speak with her, but she made me feel that she was glad I was here. My first night the 30 girls had a welcome ceremony for me where they sang songs to me and some of the staff gave a couple of speeches. I then had to stand up and give a short speech as well. Then everyone started dancing to music and the girls taught me how to dance.

Yesterday was my first full day at the center. It was a long, slow day. It is exhausting when you cannot communicate with anyone! I would say that is the most frustrating thing about being here. Yet, I am learning a few phrases in Luo, the language the Acholi speak. The children also know a couple of words in English, as they are learning in the school there. All the children are about 5 years or younger. There are 34 children or so, and most are babies. I was first taken aback when I saw all the younger children dirty, without pants, and with flies all around them. It is also hard to not do anything when they cry. The babies are always crying, but there is nothing that you can do about it. In America, I am used to mothers and teachers picking up crying children right away and trying to comfort them. That is just not what they do here.

I am learning a lot about the Acholi people's histoy by talking to people and through a book I am reading. I have learned that there is a lot more conflict, war, and killings in the past than I was aware. The problem goes back and is a lot deeper than just this last 20 year old war against the LRA. It is very complicated and I still do not know much, but I am starting to understand that there have been many troubling times for the Acholi people. I have been wondering, then, why I am here now. With all of the problems they have had, what good am I going to do here after this last war? Am I going to make any difference after this last tradegy? I just need to trust God that He knows best and called me here for a reason.