And this time it is to Africa! Uganda bound this Saturday. I will meet with the team (part local, part short term consultants and the lead researcher who will be based in the U.S. but leading the conference/planning meetings next week before we present the 15 month plan to the World Bank Trustees). Essentially, I will be working as the Senior Program Coordinator, working to relay information to the U.S. and consultants when appropriate, I touch base with the lead investigator (Liz) 2x a week. There are 6 communities we are studying, and I will be working with the local partners to arrange all efforts/logistics and also doing some qualitative research, to ensure we meet our deliverables (a very overused grant word sorry!) by the deadline. I am trying to be vague, because I don't want to say too much over the interwebs for the sake of our research integrity-- this will be my first time with control groups, and I don't want to be the one responsible for mucking it up.
I am excited to start the work, but because there lots of unknowns on the agenda, I don't really have "feelings" per se. The feelings I do have are rooted from things I DO know:
- I know I will miss my family. I will be sad to get on the plane Saturday and have to just burrow my head into a People magazine to mask the true feelings and soldier on.
- I DO know I am worried about my body hanging in there. I get tense in my back carrying bags/traveling ever since the car accident, but luckily Ibuprofen works well and I am aware now of the powers of stretching. I expect to pack 2 big suitcases, 1 big & 1 small backpack, and purse.
- I DO know that I wish I living with instant family overseas, but that isn't possible, so I will be living either in a one room unit that acts as living/sleeping/cooking space or a two room house. Both options sound bleak, but I will explore my options in full when I get to the town. On the positive side, I will be surrounded by internationals living in the same compound as part of their respective organization's long-term or short-term contracts.
- I am excited (lie-but it will be good for my health) to have a break from TV. I have admittedly become way too addicted to "my shows". That said, I did get some dvd's of new tv seasons, b/c as recommended by many others who spend chunks of time overseas, there is nothing better than zoning out to a show at the end of a long day, especially when your laptop is the only thing working during power outages.
- I am looking forward to challenging myself to explore the continent a bit more. Hopefully I can meet up with some good Fletcher friends (including a dear friend who works in the embassy in Kampala-capital of Uganda) and we can see some new sites. I get vacation days on the Ugandan holidays, which is cool-- I look forward to making the most of International Women's Day!
- The project will be a leap pad (ideally) into another job, and that will make these 15 mos worth it all the more. I am thrilled to be signing papers for benefits, and to be part of a professional team in the field I studied and have wanted to work in. I get 15 months to 'wow' some folks, and meet some new folks along the way. I plan on making the most of the networking. Should be easy to do, seeing as I don't imagine myself spending a lot of time in my one room :)
I will be living in Moroto, Uganda. It is about 2 days of travel from Kampala, and the half-way point is Mbale. I have included the following links with information. Enjoy!
Best site for basic facts:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.html
Come and visit me- we will go to the Nile, the Murchison Waterfall, Hippo and Crocodile boat ride at sunset, and safari!! :
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda/northern-uganda/murchison-falls-national-park
Or try this park out? There are so many options, really. We can meet in Tanzania or South Africa too :)
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda/western-uganda/bwindi-impenetrable-national-park
Travel Tips:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda/travel-tips-and-articles/76859
Climate & when to go
Uganda can be visited at any time of year. Most of Uganda enjoys the perfect tropical climate. Temperatures average about 26°C (78.8F) during the day and 16°C (60.8F) at night. The hottest months are from December to February.
