Kigali

So I am basically awful at updating this. I apologize for that, but I don't really know how to explain this trip more than the basic details as I am still trying to process what is going on.

But I have arrived in Kigali, the last part of my trip before I go back to Gulu. The family I am staying with is pretty nice. I was hoping to upgrade from the bit latrine, but alas it was a no go. But the good news is that I am staying with my Gulu homestay and they just got indoor plumbing so that will be good.

One of the guys on my trip went home yesterday. He has been sick since the first weekend in Gulu and apparently has two bacterial and a fungal infection in his small intestine. It was really weird to have him leave. The group is definetly not the same without him. It also makes it so real that I am leaving soon too. I guess not "soon" seeing as I have a month and a half left, but the first two months have gone so quickly that I am sure in the blink of an eye I am going to be standing in the middle of the cone circle unloading the precious day campers from their cars.

Good-Bye Uganda, Hello Rwanda

So I am officially done with the Uganda portion of my program :(. Basically I am in love with Uganda and if I ever live outside of America... Gulu here I come!!! I posted pictures on facebook today so those of you with facebook are in luck! I am sorry that I haven't blogged more. I am still pretty caught up in the experience. While in Kampala we met with a ton of people who are really involved in different ways with the conflict. Like representatives from the International Criminal Court (which I have decided I strongly oppose) I mean within a day of indicting Bashir, there were already 15 aid agencies kicked out of Sudan. I really think they are very unaware of the ramifications of their actions. We also met with a man from the UPDF and learned about Bugandan culture. But all in all I was not a fan of Kampala. There was too much pollution and too much traffic for my liking.

Rwanda seems nice but I still feel like there is a lot more that I need to experience before I pass too much judgemnent.

I have officially decided to return to Gulu to do my research. I am going to look at how growing up in an armed conflict changes notions of onflict resolution.

Check out the pictures!

Amarii Matek

Hannah