Before arriving in Uganda, I wondered what daily life was like for fellows in their various placement sites and communities. Specifically, what would life be like in my little neighborhood of Sseguku, just nine kilometers outside of Kampala?
My living situation is unique in that I am very immersed in Ugandan culture as the only foreigner in my neighborhood. However, Kampala is just a quick ride away if I want a taste of city life. I get the best of both worlds!
I must say that I have had some of the most memorable times of my fellowship thus far around my neighborhood. I have a daily opportunity to practice my Luganda when I buy produce and my all-time-favorite street snack, mandazi, essentially a ball of fried dough. I also enjoy the delightful, daily banter of “good morning”, “how are you…no…how are YOU?” and “have a good day!” as I walk down the road to the local boda (motorcycle) stage where I can now successfully bargain. Here, I feel open to greet everyone and everyone greets me. I even have some goat friends that frequently accompany me on the road.
One of my next-door neighbors, Robina, is a special gem, a bright spot if you will. She comes out daily to knock at my door in her gomesi, or traditional Ugandan dress, making sure that my family and I are well. She especially wants to know how my mother is doing. Robina and my mother have been able to exchange gifts a few times now through me. Robina’s most recent gift to my mother was a large piece of very colorful silk cloth that my mother plans to have made into a dress before coming to meet Robina when she comes to visit me. True cultural exchange! Robina and I often share food and stories, and I find that our type of simple conversations as people from different backgrounds are truly characteristic of how genuine connections grow locally and globally. I was even invited to be part of her nephew’s birthday party and was able to shuffle along to some of the catchy, bounding Ugandan beats and was accepted openly by her whole family.
A trip to Jinja led to another one of my favorite community experiences when I was invited to make chapati bread early one morning with the neighbor of another fellow. I could feel, as I was surrounded by smiling faces, that my thoughts were also taking on a different shape like the dough I was kneading. I realized this fellowship experience was not solely about the tasks from moment to moment, like forming the perfect ball to subsequently flatten (which is harder than it looks!), but rather derived from sharing ideas and actively listening to people with whom I share the moment.
Living in another country isn’t just about someone learning from you or what you have to offer. It’s a dynamic exchange of ideas and information. I have the privilege of seeing daily Ugandan life, culture, and customs right outside of my front door. I am grateful to continue being so openly welcomed here by my neighbors who greet me with unwaveringly wide smiles everyday as I walk to work on the small dirt path leading toward Entebbe Road.
