Made it

I have now been in Mbarara, Uganda (home for the year) for almost 3 weeks. I was escorted from Lugala to Mbarara by Dennis, an amazing guy who, with his wife cares for over 20 boys who would not otherwise have a stable home or be going to school. He is also an amazing musician and has already given me a Lugandan singing lesson.

Dennis

Here in Mbarara I am staying with an amazing family who have been so welcoming and are one of our Australia HOPE International http://www.ahi.org.au/ partners here in Uganda. Pastor Willy, his wife, Anne, and their kids, Isaac (10), Rebecca (7), Favour (5) and Ezekiel (3) are all incredible in their own way. I think one blog I will write down Pastor Willy's story because it's pretty amazing (I really need to find another word but I like this one - it says what I feel). So I am here living in their house, eating their food, using their car (yes I have braved the crazy traffic) and going to their church. Pastor Willy is Senior Pastor at Uganda for Christ Evangelical Church which is quite large and, like all my experiences of African churches, quite loud.

Pastor Willy, Isaac, Rebecca, Favour, Ezekiel, Anne and me when I was there last July

I've been here, like I said, for a while and my plan was to talk about events that have happened in that time, however I'm thinking that maybe I'll just describe a few things and put photos of them so that you get a feel for where I am.

Mbarara is quite big. According to Wikipedia (the source of all reliable information) the population in 2008 was almost 100 000 - which, from the amount of development and building going on, I'm pretty sure has increased. So it's no Victor Harbor. And yet walking down the street with Pastor Willy or Anne, we are stopped every second step by someone they know. So it's like a big country town.

Mbarara's main street (with the least amount of traffic I have seen on it!)

Tribal culture is fascinating and confusing. Mbarara is part of the Ankole kingdom (I think - I am not an expert on this at all) and so the tribal language is mostly Runyankole. I say mostly because then there are several other languages that someone could be speaking and I wouldn't know. For instance I was being told the word for neck (here someone is not 'on your back' they are 'on your neck') and the guy telling me said it is this…………….. (I can't remember the word for neck) then he said 'or in Nyankole it is this……………'. So I was like 'what language was the first one?' and he said 'Lugandan'. So I have no idea how I am going to learn the language when I don't even know which language I am learning!

But I do know this. The Ankole are into cows. And milk. They drink tea that is made from milk (and are astounded when I ask for my black 'dry' tea with no sugar) and they drink it very sweet. (I recently made the dicovery that I can have hot chocolate so am very excited as I wont have to refuse hot milk anymore!)

And everyone thinks I do not eat enough. For those who know me in Australia - you know that I like food and eating. So when I come here and can’t eat half of what is on my plate, I feel bad. I have also been told I am too skinny so part of it I am sure is to fatten me up.

I feel like I stand out. Because I do. This town is multicultural but white westerners are in the minority. When I see another white person even I feel like pointing and yelling 'Mzungu' (white person) - which is the general reaction from school children whenever they see me. Even when I am in the car, if the window is down, I can hear 'Mzungu' as we pass by. It's a bit like being famous for no reason at all. Sometimes I even think of doing the 'Queen' wave. But the sight of another white person is so unexpected that I can understand the urge to yell and point.



'Mzungu! Mzungu! How are you Mzungu?'

 

Feel free to picture me yelling and pointing

 

When I say that Mbarara is multicultural I mean that there are many tribes represented here. Even though it is an Ankole area because of the size of the town it attracts people from all over. There also seem to be a number of Indians who tend to own businesses in town. Part of the colonial heritage of the place I guess.

Okay that's enough - I'm sure photos will be more helpful in showing you around.

Next time, I'll introduce you to some of the people I'm working with, some of the kids we are helping and some of the music team from church.

Also I feel like I need to add that although this blog is primarily to tell of my adventures over here and not to ask for money or anything like that, the reason I am here in Uganda is because I am moved to do something about the unequal distribution of wealth I see in the world. God has blessed me to be a blessing to others - so if you read my blog and are also compelled to do something about it please feel free to also be a blessing by donating to the cause of HOPE at http://www.ahi.org.au/

The needs here are overwhelming at times and life is a constant struggle for many. There are kids I meet and talk to who often go hungry. It isn't fair that it is that way. So I will do all I can to promote this cause because I know that the money that comes in will ultimately help those kids.

Bless ya,

Bron