Untitled
on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 09/May/2009 08:34, 34 days ago
In and out of AfricaAlthough I have become increasingly fond of individuals and have bonded with situations I still find it difficult to have a romantic view of Africa, like so many other people. Masindi seems to be continually revisited by people who have worked here in the past under various umbrellas and have fallen in love with the place. Some dream of living here one day. On a bad day I feel no such endearment and can only see poverty, hardship and suffering. Of course, for most people, part of the romantic dream excludes deprivation of any kind (human, social and economic). They would live in a stylish house with staff and have the means to access trappings that we are accustomed to in 'developed' countries. It seems our colonial history is not just part of our heritage, it persists to this day.My own interests in foreign lands started with a love of geography from quite a young age, probably 10 or 11. I was fascinated how peoples' lives were shaped by their landscape, climate and religion. By the time I was taking Geography 'A' level I was studying the continent of Africa and the set book by Jarrett was never far from my side. As I learnt about the Cape to Morocco I never thought that these were places I would like to visit one day. That is something others would do. Throughout my adult life I have met many people who have had connections with Africa, mainly through their work as doctors, nurses, teachers, farmers and Government Officials. Almost all talk affectionately of their experiences in Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Boundaries have shifted and country names have been changed but not their feelings. May be these only come after the event and are nurtured from afar. May be my wide-eyed view on this land will soften once I am back permanently in the UK.Meanwhile I am looking for a way of living here that is true to myself and the Ugandan people around me. I want to learn everything about them I can while I am here. I cannot segregate myself any more than I can isolate myself in my western values. Yet to what extent can I immerse myself in the African way of life? I consider myself to be luckier than most volunteers because my work as a Community Nurse is village based. I get to meet real ordinary people everyday, I see how they live and work. There's no dressing up or getting out the best china. Most of it is totally humble and raw. These past 2 weeks I have been going out with Stephen to mobilise (give advance warning) for nets sales. Several times we have gone deep into the Bush looking for our Village Volunteers to help us. We have found most of them in their 'gardens' digging, sowing and weeding; barefooted, clad in old soiled clothes and wielding simple crude tools, their one 'going out' outfit hung on a nail inside their hut. There is no shame or embarrassment on either side. They are proud that I am visiting. I am happy that I am made so welcome.Against this background I do continue to indulge myself from time to time. A week ago I joined 2 other volunteers at the Masindi Hotel and ate steak and drank a glass of red wine. I now have use of a telephone Internet modem allowing me ease of contact with family and friends. I have a purse with money, which I share sometimes. I don't do this to impress but just to resolve difficult situations. I hope I am not seen as 'Lady Bountiful' but as someone who cares and who respects the needs of others. Next week I am starting Runyuro classes again and each Friday evening I shall be joining the Masindi Mother's Union.I suppose giving a mixture of myself is the best I can offer. I bring something of myself from outside of Africa and I bring that part of me which can only flower in Africa. In Ugandan and its neighbours' soil shoots are appearing everywhere. I hope that I will grow too.