Just another day in Uganda! These events happened on my last day in Africa, fitting really. Why wouldn't it be action packed?! Some Ugandan friends and I were in Jinja (the city which boasts the source of the Nile River) to explore a potential non-profit partnership for the school. The Uganda America Partnership Organization operates currently in central and northern Uganda. They actively engage in the development of Uganda through forming partnerships with Ugandans for a better future. Projects include building wells, orphanages, and a self-sustaining economic and community development project for widows and orphans crafting jewelry. Probably the most respectful part of what they are achieving is that the organization has NEVER given any hand-outs! Something many non-profits in the country who construct buildings or give resources (money), but offer no training or support of African leadership could learn from. Part of the landscape of Uganda are the signs of many NGOs scattered throughout, however most are short lived with empty buildings left standing and the lost hope of failed initiatives felt by communities.
Upon arriving in Jinja we were able to spend some time seeing the woman's project in action. We drove out to a rural community where woman were selling their jewelry back to the organization and receiving credit to their village savings and loan accounts. We were able to get a better feel for what the organization (and ultimately the locals) was achieving in these communities. It was an amazing success story! With time to burn until we met up with the group from the States for dinner we decided to visit the cousin (who lived in Jinja) of one of the friends I was with for tea. Little did I know he had an interesting living arrangement.
After picking up some tea we turned down a busy city street. I quickly realized it was a one-way street and we were traveling "against the stream". Unfortunately the friend driving was a little slower in realizing this than I. Not wanting to be that pesky back seat driver I gave him a few extra moments to realize our circumstances. However, others in the car beat me to the task, "yo man! you are driving the wrong way!" We were able to turn off onto a side street (two-way) with horns blaring at us and me (half-jokingly) telling Joseph (the driver) that up until this point I felt safe with his driving, but was beginning to seriously doubt my judgment. Within 5 minutes I realized where we were headed...jail.
We drove out of the city and through a run-down industrial section on the shores of Lake Victoria which I was told once boasted a bustling fishing industry. We arrived at a guarded gate and I was told we were at Jinja Prison. The cousin is a corrections officer and lives on the grounds. As we drove in my confusion gave way to inward laughter....seriously?! We drove past prisoners working on the grounds and proceeded past the various buildings and up a hill to the workers homes. At the top of the hill I gazed out the window and was met with an unobstructed few of the city and Lake Victoria...simply remarkable!
We had tea, chatted into the late afternoon, and played several games of checkers (with soda bottle tops). My friend's cousin was disappointed that we hadn't come earlier so he could have given me the tour and introduced me to some of the staff and residents. He asked if I had ever been in prison in the States. I joked replying that typically being in a prison means you are a prisoner! Later, I passed a soccer ball with some of the staff's kids as the sun sunk below the horizon and reflected sunset colors of orange and purple across Lake Victoria, my last sunset in Africa. I couldn't have asked for a better end to my time here.
Upon arriving in Jinja we were able to spend some time seeing the woman's project in action. We drove out to a rural community where woman were selling their jewelry back to the organization and receiving credit to their village savings and loan accounts. We were able to get a better feel for what the organization (and ultimately the locals) was achieving in these communities. It was an amazing success story! With time to burn until we met up with the group from the States for dinner we decided to visit the cousin (who lived in Jinja) of one of the friends I was with for tea. Little did I know he had an interesting living arrangement.
After picking up some tea we turned down a busy city street. I quickly realized it was a one-way street and we were traveling "against the stream". Unfortunately the friend driving was a little slower in realizing this than I. Not wanting to be that pesky back seat driver I gave him a few extra moments to realize our circumstances. However, others in the car beat me to the task, "yo man! you are driving the wrong way!" We were able to turn off onto a side street (two-way) with horns blaring at us and me (half-jokingly) telling Joseph (the driver) that up until this point I felt safe with his driving, but was beginning to seriously doubt my judgment. Within 5 minutes I realized where we were headed...jail.
We drove out of the city and through a run-down industrial section on the shores of Lake Victoria which I was told once boasted a bustling fishing industry. We arrived at a guarded gate and I was told we were at Jinja Prison. The cousin is a corrections officer and lives on the grounds. As we drove in my confusion gave way to inward laughter....seriously?! We drove past prisoners working on the grounds and proceeded past the various buildings and up a hill to the workers homes. At the top of the hill I gazed out the window and was met with an unobstructed few of the city and Lake Victoria...simply remarkable!
We had tea, chatted into the late afternoon, and played several games of checkers (with soda bottle tops). My friend's cousin was disappointed that we hadn't come earlier so he could have given me the tour and introduced me to some of the staff and residents. He asked if I had ever been in prison in the States. I joked replying that typically being in a prison means you are a prisoner! Later, I passed a soccer ball with some of the staff's kids as the sun sunk below the horizon and reflected sunset colors of orange and purple across Lake Victoria, my last sunset in Africa. I couldn't have asked for a better end to my time here.
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