Saying Goodbye and on to New Beginnings!

A few Saturdays ago we had a farewell party for all of our homestay families where we thanked them for welcoming us into their families as if we were their own children.  I gave the speech in Runyankore that our group wrote thanking our families.  Surprisingly they were all able to understand me perfectly and apparently I had no “American accent”?? That’s hard to believe.  The day was filled with us singing the American national anthem (very poorly may I add) and at the end performing the Macarena in front of the families.  This was by far the best part of the day. We had everyone stand up and do the dance with us- everyone seemed to love it, especially my host mother… Later that evening she was practicing the dance moves at the dinner table!

I had a family photo we took framed and gave to my family as a thank you gift along with postcards of Huntington Beach and Big Bear and some other printed photos of our time together.  They loved it and were sad that I was leaving, but very hopeful I would return for Ruth’s giveaway ceremony in August.  I was sad to say goodbye to them all Monday morning as they accompanied me out to the roadside.  Although my homestay experience was tough- no electricity, water, toilet or indoor shower, I wouldn’t trade it for anything! They were so welcoming and accepting of me as being part of their family and I will always cherish the memories I had living with them! I wish homestay had been a bit longer, however, I know I will visit and keep in touch with them in the future. 

So, I left my homestay in Kinoni and boarded a taxi with a few other trainees to head to my future site! I landed in Muhonga, a trading center nearby my site.  As soon as I stepped out of the taxi I was swarmed by atleast 10 men wanting to drive me or take me on their boda boda to wherever I was going.  It was very overwhelming, especially since I had so much of my things with me! Luckily they left me alone after I spoke a few words in the local language and then my supervisor arrived in a car to pick me up.  I was very surprised when a nun exited the car…yes my supervisor is a nun, sister Kamukama!  She is so sweet and was so excited to finally meet me.  We made the trek to Kitanga (Chi-tanga), which is located about 20 mins off the main road down a dirt road.  It is SOOO beautiful here- very green and mountainous.  I was pleasantly surprised to find my house (which is part of a larger guest house with 5 houses) to have electricity, a living area/ cooking area, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom with a toilet, and running water with hot water…yes I said HOT!!!! It is absolutely amazing and so much better than I ever imagined.  Now all I need is some visitors to come stay in that extra room of mine!  The only negative so far is I may not have internet access in my village, the network connection is not so great- so my communication via internet may be limited for the next 2 years…but we will see! 

Much of this area is Catholic and a lot of the buildings have been constructed through donations from the Italians.  The community is small with a church, health center (where ill be working), 2 primary schools (public and private) and 2 secondary schools.  The health center is a 5 min walk from my house and the church is directly opposite me.  There are SO many children around and they were excited to see me…they already know me as Kyomugisha (the Ugandan name my family gave me), which seems to be the easiest to pronounce, as “Chelsea” is very difficult for Ugandans to say…Ive settled with being called Chels.  Anyway, I don’t think my site could possibly be a better fit for me! I have all the comforts within my home, but get the village experience in a quiet community where everyone will know me.

Meals are provided for me if I do not want to cook, which is wonderful!  I ate my meals with a seminarian and one of the fathers who is a 90 year old man with few words….each meal he spends a good 10 mins mashing up his food before eating it…and let me tell you he has got this down to a science.  I will probably take some of my meals there and cook for myself some of the time, as the mealtime can be quite awkward.  I spent two days at the health center and was received very warmly by all the staff.  My counterpart is named Fausta, she is a nurse in her late 20s and very happy to be working with me!  My site visit was short, 2 days, and I am now back near the capital where I will do 3 more weeks of training and then officially swear in as a volunteer on August 7.  Wow time is really flying by!

Language group and our teachers- Fere & Bernard 

Milked a cow.. Not very easy!

Giving our language teachers their presents 

Host mother, Beatrice & sister Linda

Jen and I giving our speech to all the families

Group from Kinoni girls school performing for us

Macarena!!

Teaching our families the Macarena..mine loved it! :)

Fere, the sweetest, kindest person ever! 

My host father

Saying goodbye at the roadside :(

Entrance to my home

My bedroom

View from my bedroom window..not bad! 

Building I live in