Hmmmm!! Uganda. Interesting country so far I have to say. Three weeks have
passed since I arrived in Entebbe International Airport, and the first thing I
can think of that describes what I have experienced so far in Uganda is ‘mzungu’.
Everywhere I go;from small children and even adults sometimes say ‘mzungu’.
They usually say it when greeting me and asking ‘How are you?’which apparently
is a part of Ugandan hospitality. But now back to the word ‘mzungu’. The
word has historic meaning and is only suited for foreign people.
When I go on the
streets, or to and from the orphanage I feel people looking at me because I’m
a‘special one’. It makes the day spicier for the local people and pleases me
very much, since they now can tell stories to tell to family, friends or maybe
even people in the taxis that they’ve met a mzungu!
Of course it’s not everyone who says ‘mzungu’, but I know they think
‘mzungu’ when they see me. It feels like I’m a person everybody knows, and that
they all think I’m an AWESOME person!
The word ‘mzungu’ and its meaning is something I’ll never forget it for
the rest of my life!
The school is special as well. The differences between the school in
Denmark and other western countries compared to the school In Uganda are huge,
especially when it comes to financial budgets, and of course materialism which
is a big part of western culture. The school doesn’t have fancy chairs; tables
etc. but the children still get teached in various subjects such as English,
math, religion etc. The children are very humble and respect that I’m here to
teach them in various subjects, and not here to tell them my life story and
what Denmark is like.
Though when break begins they want to know all about me,
which indeed is funny to talk about.
What seems normal in the western world is
just amazing here, and they’re all so curious, and probably think it’s amazing
a ‘mzungu’ is here to teach and talk to them.So far I’ve metthree teachers of
the school inclusive the principle Master Luke who has been such a good person
to me! He is very kind to me, and wants to do whatever he can to make my
journey here in Uganda memorable. Of course he and the two other teachers as
well are very curious on what Denmark is like.
One major thing they want to
know about is why Denmark is rich and how it’s possible for a small country
like Denmark (5.55 million citizens) to do so well on a global scale. Every
time they ask I feel their jealousness (jalousi) when I give them the answer
because in Denmark everything has to go fast like any other capitalistic based
economy.
Meanwhile in Uganda everything goes pretty slow. Many people have
their own shops where they only sell few things, like charcoal, vegetables etc.
In Uganda most people grow their own crops because it’s way cheaper than buying
the food in the supermarket.Then they might sell some of their vegetables or
fruit to people who don’t grow that vegetable or fruit and then earn some money.
Now back to the school which also is an orphanage where approximately 11
children live. When I’m not teaching the children at the orphanage call me
‘mzungu’. What a surprise, right? It feels like they like me more and more for
every day that passes. They can’t get enough of me, and they all want a piece
of me during the day. It’s difficult to satisfy them all but I try to do my
best and I think it goes pretty well so far!
Besides my main adventure, I’ll in the end of December go on a safari
with other volunteers who are working for Mzungu volunteers. The safari begins
the 23th and ends the 30th. During the days we will
experience the wilderness of Uganda, rafting on the Nile River and many other
things which all sounds like to be things I’ll remember for a long long time!
Besides all the wilderness experiences, other experiences may come as well
because mzungu volunteers is probably not the only group representing the
different places we’re going. According to Kennedy there are plenty of other
volunteers and travellers from all over the world on safari when we’re going.
If you want to volunteer then just join Mzungu Volunteers!!!! www.mzunguvolunteers.org , surprises
on the way for every volunteer. Experience
what i’m experiencing and feel what i feel. There is a life in volunteering as well. This is a little taste of what Uganda has to offer, but I know one thing
for sure! – And that is, I have much more to experience here in Uganda, and
it’ll happen tomorrow, the upcoming weekend, next week etc. Uganda is a country
full of adventures especially for volunteers!
Kristoffer
k.kaers@gmail.com
Find more photos online at http://www.facebook.com/Mzungu.Volunteers.Projects
Orphanage, school, safari, future adventure, life at home (Uganda)
Thanks for sharing this post. This is good you are gaining more experience from your trips and as you spend more time you will too much familiar with the environment and culture.
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