Those are the most athletic Jews I have ever seen

5 Jews and 5 hours on a bus, from Kampala to Mbale, and we arrived safe and sound.  On the bus of course we met an Israeli couple going to Mbale to hike Mt. Elgon for the holiday.  (small world)

One of the boys in the group Aaron had a connection with one of the guys, Shabrach, from the Jewish community through his temple.  So the Ugandan Jew found us at the bus and took us to lunch and then to the Jewish Community.  It was about 15 minutes from town, and it was surrounded by nicely guarded fence.  As we walked in a guy at the gate said “shana tova” and his little daughter said “shana tova”.  I’m not going to lie, I never pictured a Ugandan to ever speak Hebrew to me.  It definitely took some getting used to this surreal image.  Some men walked up to us wearing beautifully knitted Kippas made by the community.  Of course we all bought one beause how else could we prove we went to Rosh Hashanah services in the middle of Uganda?  Then our friend Shabrach took us to the guest house in the community, and we met some nice muzungu’s there for the holiday.  I would say the whole experience was quite surreal, the whole time I had to keep reminding myself all these people are Jewish, and it was hard to break my mind from the typical Jewish stereotype.  The story of how these people congregated is quite interesting as well.  Apparently during the early 1900’s the village Chief started to practice the Old Testament because he simply liked it more.  Then the entire community started practicing the Old Testament.  Then one day a merchant came up to them and informed them that in fact what they were practicing was called Judaism.  And from then on, the community was Jewish!  Eventually the community expanded to around 1000 people around western Uganda.  The people in the community dated only 3 generations practicing Judaism, but converted Jews none the less. 

So its true, the Jewish community surrounds us no matter where we go! 

After settling in the guest house we went to explore.  We met some people of the community introducing themselves with such biblical names like Moshe, Shlomo, Rifka, Rachel, Issac …and so on.  The community continued to amaze me.  Then we found a soccer game between the Jewish High School and a school outside the community.  The Jewish team was winning.  Those were the most athletic Jewish people I have ever seen.* (this is a joke, not meant to be taken seriously ;)) 

At 6 we proceeded to the evening service.  We met the Rabbi who ran a beautiful short and sweet service.  All the prayers and the songs sounded amazingly the same.  I was so impressed hearing the little Ugandan children singing all the Hebrew songs.  I wish better words could explain the strange but comforting feelings of going to the service.  At the end we all got a sip of wine and apples and honey and a bite of challah.  I wish I could have thought to bring them more wine and apples and honey so people were able to get more than just a slice.  My friends and I thought of so many ways congregations from America could help support this community.  Even some team jerseys with a giant Jewish star on them, or soccer balls.  I do hope to go back there again during my stay there, and if any Jewish person somehow ends up in Africa, I highly recommend coming to experience this wonderful place.  Shana Tova, and Shalom.

Picture Montage

I apologize, I haven't blogged for a few days now and I feel like I've fallen behind a little.  So, instead of boringly listing out what I did the last two days of my excursion, I will show you some pictures from my past week :)  Enjoy the picture book!

 Luganda teacher/ master, Jackson trying good 'ol American Guac... Finger lickin' good.

    

Nothing like a little Pineapple wine to get us through morning class.

 The way a pineapple grows looks so unnatural.  Rwanda.

 Church memorial effected by Rwandan genocide

 Music listening pig in sustainable community outside Kigali, Rwanda.

 Cutest baby pig EVER

 Just a taste of Rwanda's beautiful pastures...

WILD HIPPO on boat ride in Western Uganda

Lions on game drive, Western Uganda

ENJOY!!!

A day of genocide remembrance

Our first memorial site was a church. In the first room was a room or all the cloths that the people killed wore. It was where church had been held and people went there because they thought it would be safe because it was a place of warship. Yet the killers trapped them within the room and there are bullet holes and blood stains Everywhere. Nearly 10,000 people had been killed within this vicinity. The second room held skulls and bones left from the people killed. Some showed batter cracks on their skulls and bullet holes. You can imagine the impact it had on our group. It is hard to find a balance between respecting and truly putting yourself in the situation. It is way too hard to fully understand the positions that these people have been through, and I hope Boone has to go through this again. The thing that makes this most difficult and real is that this has happened in my life time. And that though we come to these churches and such for memorial, people from Rwanda find memories of the genocide everywhere on every street. 
The final memorial we went to was the Kigali genocide memorial.  It was one of the most informative memorials I have ever been too including the holocaust memorials I have been too.  The highlights (better described as lowlights) of this memorial was the stages of the Rwandan genocide, the children's section, and the unique section which had a wall for different genocides that have happened throughout the world.  A quote used more than once that the rwandans use to describe the genocide through there eyes was "if you knew me and you knew yourself you won't kill me" 

All in all it has been a very emotional and information packed week. I will post pictures when I get a chance. Bye!

Refugee settlement

I also want to apologize for the spelling mistakes. I am typing on my itouch and sending on some free wireless at a coffee shop in Rwanda... Such good coffee by the way.


On Tuesday we attended the refugee settlement in Uganda. It had rwandans congolize somalians and Sudanese.  We had the opportunity to break up into small groups and talk to representatives from different nationalities.  I was in the congolize group.  It was a very difficult day, but very fascinating none the less.  The first thing the congalize asked was "why are you here, what can you do for us?" This was a question that took us back for sure.  It was hard to explain to them that we were studying and looking for ways in which we could develop communities without being intrusive.  Sadly and frankly disappointingly, when I asked how they felt about intrusive development from outside their community compared to self help, they said that they need outside help.  Unfortunately the culture and belief of outside help has been placed on them. They expect us to come and give them money and resources, but they don't have the will or goals to do anything on their own.  When we come they expect to get money and be handed help.  It was so contradictory of them because they were talking about how they feel like they have no hope for their children and their children's education and they cannot be employed. Yet, when we asked them what types of work they did in the congo, most of our group said teachers, nutritionists, lawyers, all skillful workers! And when we asked why they weren't able to create their own schools and health centers, they said because they dont get any compensation.  They were not able to see future goals, and were not looking to rise up but instead wait for help.  What upset me most was at the end of the session, a man who I thought was interested in my ideas and thoughts on how they could provide their own help, gave me a letter asking for help and money, and was not truly interested in my ideas.

Mbarara day 1

Get ready for a whole bunch of posts back to back.


Sunday night we arrived in mbarara which is in western Uganda. We went to a pineapple plantation that is supported and consulted by a government agency.  The producer if the pineapples actually does his own added value by making his pineapples into pineapple wine! (for all my frisbee players out there it is sadly not a $1.50 all the time) in fact it is 10,000 shillings for a bottle when an ordinary pineapple would be sold at 1,000. He makes much more for each pinapple when making the wine.  He also has great technique for utilizing his land. While he is growing pineapples he plants apples or mangos over it so that by the time the pineapples are dint growing the apple trees will be ready to produce. Very very interesting. 
We also visited a dairy production company.  It was a pretty ordinary factory.  But, what I found interesting was how they got their milk.  They have farmers from around the area join together and sell their milk as a group, and then the milk company processes it.  But in order to sell the milk to the company you must be a member if the group.  The company also goes around to the farmers and educates then on how to produce the best quality milk.  All in all a very cool day. 

SEAN KINGSTON HITS KAMPALA!

Best. Concert. EVER!

But seriously, I decided to go somewhat on a whim despite what some people said about it not being worth it.  They said it would be crowded, and hard to get into, anddd that he would only play for a little.  Let me just say that was all proven wrong!
We successfully got in through the VIP entrance easy as pie.  It was outdoors and the VIP section barely had anyone in it because it was still early.  We got awesome seats up front, and with out wrist band we got a strip of free drinks and food tabs!  We danced all night to the performers, and got to hear some great Ugandan music and Nigerian music from a new favorite of mine Flavor.  All in all, best night on my trip so far, and well worth my 25 dollars.

Tomorrow we head off to the West of Uganda, and then to Rwanda and I am very very excited to get out of the daily routine of class and home.  I'm not sure I will have access to internet for the week but I will try and take some notes for some lengthy blog posts when I get back.

Enjoy the week!

My Address: sorry for the delay!

I've had quite a number of requests for an address to send me things so here it is!!
Maya Perry

School for International Training
Plot 18, Kanjokya street
Kamwokya
P.O. Box 23431
Kampala, Uganda

Just remember that this is the African postal service and it is not the most reliable system in the world so don't be offended if I don't receive it for awhile, or not at all, but we shall keep our fingers crossed!
But, besides that I would LOVE stuff from the U.S.! Even if it's for me to give to people here, feel free!

Busy Busy Busy

Well, I have been quite busy this week.  Many assignments, and some intensive Luganda studying.  I believe I have finally completely broken down the awkward wall (and wall of trying to get them to like me) between me and my family.  Today I taught Maama Wange (my mother) Yoga sun salutations.  She stopped at the point where you are on the ground and started to do pushups.  One of these days I will post a picture of her, and you will see, shes a big lady!  The pushups were quite impressive haha.  My family was laughing at my jokes and as they were laughing, my sister said, " baby Maya, are you going to make us crack our ribs every day?"  and I said that that was my job untill they actually give me a job to do besides eat food and sleep.  (which is all they really let me do)  They tend to forget that I am 20 years old, and in fact quite good at cooking and chopping veggies.  (hence the reason for calling me baby maya despite my superior age to my siblings... so much for the culture of respect your elders)

Random side note:  I'm now fully obsessed with passion fruit... Who knew it was a real fruit??!?! I always though it was just a mixture of fruits, but nope, turns out it is the tastiest thing in the entire world!!!

Anyway, thats my que to sign off.  Hopefully I will feel more motivated to write about more educated and relevant stuff next post.

hasta luego!!!     oops ( not the first time I have used spanish instead of Luganda)

Uganda Pics!

So I've finally figured out how to upload pictures onto my computer!  This is going to greatly improve the entertainment of my blog for the little ones.
But first, I'm going to talk about a site visit our class went to today.  We visited one of the first successful social entrepreneurship companies ever!  Some of you may have heard of it, it's called Uga Stove.  Essentially, what makes this company AWESOME is that it sells environmentally friendly stoves that uses wayy less coal to run, and is sold at a low subsidized price... how do they do that? You might ask... Well, quite cleverly I must say.  Because the stove is so basic, it is specially designed to use a fraction of the amount of coal it would normally take to use an oven.  Because of this, it emits that much less carbon emissions into the atmosphere, and thus is recognizably benefiting the earth.  Because of this, the company has decided to use this eco friendly product to gain "carbon credits" from American efforts to reduce carbon emissions.  These credits turn into money given to the company which enables the company to sell the oven at a lower subsidized price, and makes it affordable to Ugandan's!! Genius and inspirational idea.  For more info here's the web site!!! I fully recommend you engage yourself in the company.  http://www.ugastove.com/

Now for something more friendly for the eyes...

My neighborhood pals Martha and Shalon

 Kampala streets

 Jinja waterfall

 Jinja, the source of the Nile

Near the waterfall

Thats it for today!!! Class tomorrow woohoo! Talk to you all soon.

Getting into the swing of things... kind of

So it's been a few days since I've found the time to sit on my computer and summarize all the crazy stuff that happens to me every day.  Now that I've waited 2 it's even harder.  But, here are some highlights:
Currently, it is tuesday at 10:00 pm and I am in my bed.  The pub behind my room is definitely NOT asleep... Last night I was lucky enough to wake up at 11 to them playing Justin Timberlake (great choice really).  Me and Klane hope to some day venture there to make some friends, but for now, we will live vicariously off the music.   
Now I guess I will rewind back to my first day of school... more importantly our journey hopping from taxi to taxi with my father Herbert and Klane.  He was nice enough to take us all the way to school!  So first of all, I'm sure you are all picturing a regular American yellow cab.  Now erase that thought and think of a van filled with 11 seats made of velvet that is covered in... you don't wanna know.  Then there are 2 seats on the right side of the van where the door is that fold up, so even if we wanted to get out, were trapped -  fantastic.  Now that you have a physical picture in your mind we can proceed.
Next paradigm shift in your mind is your belief that you tell the taxi driver where you want to go... mmm WRONG!  The taxi driver tells YOU where you are going.  So taxi's line up at taxi stages and scream out where they are headed and you hop in a taxi that is going that way.
Next task is getting there.  These taxi's are made for people who know exactly where they are going and where they get off... oh yeah, and for people who know Luganda and aren't Muzungu's.  Since they have no street signs for names of streets, you need to pick some landmarks to remember.  Then when the taxi stops near the Pink sign that says YogHURT (the equivalent of a street sign), you know it is your time to get off...
As impossible as it sounds, today, Klane and I managed to make it without messing up all on our own!!! I'm not ganna lie, I feel as though I can tackle anything now (except maybe for an explanation why Angela betrayed her husband when asked to testify for who murdered Marimar in the Philipino Soap Opera me and my mother watch every day.)
The other day on our way to school, we were walking down the street to the taxi park near my house, and found a lovely boy peeing right in the path that we were about to walk... then he just stared at us like we were the strangest thing he had ever seen.  For some reason peeing in our path was NOT the most baffling thing to me.
Oh snap, Sean Kingston just came on, this song is my JAM.
speaking of Sean Kingston, HE'S COMING TO KAMPALA THIS MONTH!! I still have yet to get a ticket but I'm working on it.  A VIP pass costs about 75,000 shillings (about 24 bucks... I think thats a good investment don't you?
Okay I'v rambled a lot.  Thanks for all the responses to my blog, it makes me feel good people actually care about what is going on here! Also, now that I know people are actually reading this besides my family (Don't worry fam, I'm still thankful you are reading this...love you!) I will definitely try and write more often!

Weebale (thank you) everybody!!!

Finally a Sistah

 

Finally a Sister with a capital S.

Yesterday we went to Jinja which is one of the sources of the nile... pretty cool, but somewhat touristy.  We went to a waterfall was the most deathly thing I have ever seen, basically a cliff with water going vertically strait down.  We also got a tour of some of the Buganda tribes history and culture.  The Buganda are the tribe of Uganda that speak Luganda... to be honest that is all I got out of the tour besides the amazing view.
Now to the more important part!  Today we met our homestay families!  My mother is Kate and my father is Herbert.  I have two sisters who are 19 and 13 and a brother who is 14.  We have running water most of the time, and if not we have what they call "behind" which is a nice tiled bathroom with a hole in the ground to do whateverr.  I have a room to myself, which is very lucky.  And my lunch was very delicious.  I am cousins and neighbors with a member of my group named Klane from Colorado.  He came to visit today, and tomorrow we will be taking the taxi into Kampala with my 19 year old sister and Klane!  Outside my window I can see some local shops, as well as goats freely roaming the streets.  The babies running around are the most adorable things I have ever seen!  Hopefully I will get to play with them even though they are not part of my family.  My mother says I eat too little on my plate, and that I need to shower twice a day.  Haha, thats more than I shower at home so this should be interesting.
Anyway, I better go hang out with my new family, and get ready for my first day of school!!  We have to be there 8:30 Muzungu time... (not Ugandan time)
Wish me luck!!!

Gyendi (I am fine)

Oli otya everyone!  Today I got my internet modem!!! Yay!  This means I can upload some of the pictures that I have taken.  Also, before I get to that, I wanted to share about a store I went to today.  It is a place run by battered women in Uganda.  They make very nice stuff out of very nice fabric right at the store.  I advise you all to look at the web site and maybe order stuff from it??  It is very important for people who care in the U.S. and have the money to buy this stuff, to support them financially if nothing else :)  I'm sure I will find out more as I go, but here is just a tid bit. http://www.watoto.com/livinghope

Just some cows on a truck....

A beautiful view of the 7 hills of Kampala.

Drop-off Day

Today, was a very interesting day.  Today we did what they call drop-off day.  This is when you are given a partner, and a topic, and we go out into Kampala and research that topic.  My partner was a girl named Emily, and our topic was the Economy, Trade and Markets of Kampala.  Yesterday we had a two hour lesson on basic survival Lugandan language.  Let me just say, I haven't learned another language since junior year of high school so this was quite difficult.  Some handy words I decided to remember were Oli Otya? (which is the equivalent of Whats up?)  Tonseera kubanga ndi muzungu ("DON"T OVER CHARGE ME BECAUSE I'M A MUZUNGU <White person>!)  So anyway, during our investigations in Kampala, we discovered a few things related, and unrelated to our topic.  One, was that even though we sound SOO unbelievably stupid speaking in Lugandan to Ugandans, The Ugandan's laugh and it is a good ice breaker... One thing we learned in our Cultural and Social norms lesson yesterday was that Ugandan's see greetings as a very important thing.  If you do not greet the person in the store they will not talk to you or assist you.  Once the Ugandan's laughed at our poor Lugandan use, they were very happy to talk to us and help us.  We talked to a bakery worker, an imported shoe store oner, and a book store attendant.  It was amazing how much these people could tell us about the economic standing in Uganda.  We also took a look at the local paper.  (now time for the boring stuff for all you adults out there; Kids you can skip this part until the next paragraph.)
Of course the inflation rate here is extremely rising, and at a rapid rate too.  This is effecting every person in Uganda because people are paying more money for the same amount of goods they were buying just a few months ago.  Also, we noticed that there is a higher demand for imported goods like technology, which is compromising for food exports.  Less and less money is coming into the country and more and more is going out.  I guess this is the great basis for entrepreneurs to come in and boost the economy!!!

Okay enough of that for today, more will come later (feel free to ask me for more info if you would like)
I am also going to try and put pictures up one of these days