Saturday, January 31, 2009
The Latest News
To all those anxiously awaiting news of Jamilyn's adventure, she has arrived in London and is attempting to make the most of her time between flights. She will soon be boarding a plane bound for Entebbe, Uganda near Lake Victoria. From there, she will be traveling to the capital of Kampala for a short stay while awaiting the official start of her African Adventure!
Monday, January 26, 2009
It takes a village...
I think many of us are familiar with the African proverb "It takes a village to raise a child". In recent weeks I’ve been beginning to suspect that “It takes a village to send Jamilyn to Africa”. I have been so blessed and thankful for all the love, support, and practical help that I have received from so many. There is no way I’d be able to embark on this amazing journey if it wasn’t for so many supportive friends and family.
From throwing me two of the most amazing bon voyage parties to helping move things to my shed to fixing fences to taking my pets for six months to making the most incredible cake for my party- my friends and family have been incredible during this process.
Thank you to so many who are making this possible.
From throwing me two of the most amazing bon voyage parties to helping move things to my shed to fixing fences to taking my pets for six months to making the most incredible cake for my party- my friends and family have been incredible during this process.
Thank you to so many who are making this possible.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My prayer
Dear God:
I want to be of be of service. Use in me in Uganda to be an instrument of thy peace. I know you have called me to this work. You have given me skills that I hope to share with the teachers around Kibale. Please grant me the strength to do a good job in the work that I have been sent to do. Let me be open to all the lessons that I am suppose to learn. I know this is the next step in my life and on my journey as a Christ follower and a spiritual person.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
The Prayer of Saint Francis
The above has always spoken to me, I even used it in my fathers funeral when he passed in 2001. It seems all the more relevant as I get ready to live among another culture. I know to be successful in my work, I will have to adapt culturally and to be an instrument of peace.
I want to be of be of service. Use in me in Uganda to be an instrument of thy peace. I know you have called me to this work. You have given me skills that I hope to share with the teachers around Kibale. Please grant me the strength to do a good job in the work that I have been sent to do. Let me be open to all the lessons that I am suppose to learn. I know this is the next step in my life and on my journey as a Christ follower and a spiritual person.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
The Prayer of Saint Francis
The above has always spoken to me, I even used it in my fathers funeral when he passed in 2001. It seems all the more relevant as I get ready to live among another culture. I know to be successful in my work, I will have to adapt culturally and to be an instrument of peace.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Visitors Welcome
Many of you have asked about coming to visit. I checked with the zoo and they actually are encouraging me to have visitors! They feel it will ease my transition to have friendly faces from home. For sure I will be there Feb 1ish though Aug 1.
According to lonely planet "Uganda is Africa condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination."
Here are the details:
Getting to Uganda
You will fly in to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria about 40km south of the capital which is Kampala. Entebbe International offers direct connections from Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Cairo, Johannesburg, Dubai, London, Amsterdam and Brussels. I believe I will be flying on British Air to London than to Entebbe. I think we'll fly from Greensboro to London then to Entebbe. It'll be two overnight flights with a 10 hour layover. I think flights range from $1500-$2000.
Getting to Bigodi/Kibale National Park
You'll want to arrange for a tour company to make the five hour trip from Kampala to Bigodi. Once I know who we are using, I'll let you know.
Where to stay
There are few places to stay in Bigodi where I'll be living. One is www.traveluganda.co.ug/safari-hotel-bigodi, which is run by the family that I'm living with. You can make reservations online. There are also other places in Bigodi, in Kibale National Park or in nearby Fort Portal.
What is there to see
Other than coming just to see me there are lots of great things to see and do in and around where I'll be living.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
I've never been much into birds but I can't wait to explore the wetlands. Birdwatching and swamp walk activities are available daily at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary just outside Kibale Forest National Park. The sanctuary was formed to protect the Magombe Swamp, a haven for 137 bird species. The sanctuary is operated by the local community.
Kibale Forest National Park
The more I read on Kibale the more I can't wait to see all the plant and animal diversity. Here is a great description from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
In addition to the sites right around where I'll be, the entire country looks amazing. Again from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
General information on Uganda from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
According to lonely planet "Uganda is Africa condensed, with the best of everything the continent has to offer packed into one small but stunning destination."
Here are the details:
Getting to Uganda
You will fly in to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) which is located on the shores of Lake Victoria about 40km south of the capital which is Kampala. Entebbe International offers direct connections from Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Cairo, Johannesburg, Dubai, London, Amsterdam and Brussels. I believe I will be flying on British Air to London than to Entebbe. I think we'll fly from Greensboro to London then to Entebbe. It'll be two overnight flights with a 10 hour layover. I think flights range from $1500-$2000.
Getting to Bigodi/Kibale National Park
You'll want to arrange for a tour company to make the five hour trip from Kampala to Bigodi. Once I know who we are using, I'll let you know.
Where to stay
There are few places to stay in Bigodi where I'll be living. One is www.traveluganda.co.ug/safari-hotel-bigodi, which is run by the family that I'm living with. You can make reservations online. There are also other places in Bigodi, in Kibale National Park or in nearby Fort Portal.
What is there to see
Other than coming just to see me there are lots of great things to see and do in and around where I'll be living.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
I've never been much into birds but I can't wait to explore the wetlands. Birdwatching and swamp walk activities are available daily at the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary just outside Kibale Forest National Park. The sanctuary was formed to protect the Magombe Swamp, a haven for 137 bird species. The sanctuary is operated by the local community.
Kibale Forest National Park
The more I read on Kibale the more I can't wait to see all the plant and animal diversity. Here is a great description from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
The chimpanzees are the stars at Kibale. There are hundreds and hundreds here, plus great hordes of monkeys, giving this small national park (admission 1/2/3 or more days US$20/30/50) one of the highest primate population densities in the world. It’s not as strenuous as tracking the gorillas. The chimps tend to keep a safe distance in the tall trees, chomping on fruit and defecating at will, but it’s still a fascinating experience for the uninitiated. An excitable chimp makes mountain gorillas look decidedly shy.
From the park headquarters at Kanyanchu, guided walks in search of the chimps (3km to 5km, two to four hours) can be arranged along well-marked tracks. The walks start at 8am (the better time) and 3pm and cost US$70 per person, plus park fees.
Other things to seeIn addition to the sites right around where I'll be, the entire country looks amazing. Again from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
Uganda is home to the highest mountain range in Africa, the Mountains of the Moon in the Rwenzori National Park which is not to far from Bigodi. It is the source of the mighty Nile, and around Jinja offers the best white-water rafting in the world! It has the highest concentration of primates on earth, including the majestic mountain gorilla, one of the rarest animals on the planet. Head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a chance to get close to these great apes.
On top of all this, the scenery is so striking that it looks like an oil painting, the beautiful national parks see far fewer visitors than in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania, and the capital, Kampala, is safer and friendlier than most in Africa. In 1907 pioneering tourist Winston Churchill called it the ‘Pearl of Africa’. He was right.
General information on Uganda from www.lonelyplanet.com/uganda
- Borders
Safe and accessible land borders with Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania;
- Seasons
Wet (March to May, October to November), dry (December to February, June to September). Uganda can be visited at any time of year. It is about 75 degrees year round and will drop down to 50 at night. The hottest months are from December to February.
- ATMs
Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Mbarara
- Budget
US$20 a day in town, US$50 in parks
- Capital
Kampala
- Visa
US$30 for one month; issued at most borders
- Languages
English, Luganda
- Money
Ugandan shilling; US$1 = USh1760
Monday, January 12, 2009
What will I be doing....
For those of you who are I wondering what exactly I'll be doing in Uganda for 6-12 months, here are some details from my job description:
Work with Uganda UNITE Coordinator, John Tinka, to become a part of the Bigodi community and to establish a working relationship with UNITE teachers in Uganda
Work with Zoo Education Specialist and other Zoo staff to design evaluation tools to assess program success.
Work with Kibale Fuelwood Project and KAFRED in establishing an environmental education science center at Bigodi.
Work with Zoo Education Specialist, NC teachers, Ugandan UNITE teachers and other NGO staff to continue development, pilot testing and implementation of environmental and conservation units in Ugandan classrooms.
Provide opportunities for students and UNITE teachers to travel to Kible National Park for programs to increase their understanding of conservation and the environment in which they live
Arrange occasions for researchers working in and around Kibale to go into classrooms to share their work and knowledge of forest ecology with students & teachers
Establish professional development opportunities for Ugandan UNITE teachers
Regularly visit UNITE schools to observe teachers and co-facilitate lessons, providing feedback, coaching and supporting teachers in an effort to enhance their teaching skills and raise their capacity to incorporate inquiry-based learning and small learning communities, thereby establishing a sound platform for delivery of an environmental curriculum
Work with Uganda UNITE Coordinator, John Tinka, to become a part of the Bigodi community and to establish a working relationship with UNITE teachers in Uganda
Work with Zoo Education Specialist and other Zoo staff to design evaluation tools to assess program success.
Work with Kibale Fuelwood Project and KAFRED in establishing an environmental education science center at Bigodi.
Work with Zoo Education Specialist, NC teachers, Ugandan UNITE teachers and other NGO staff to continue development, pilot testing and implementation of environmental and conservation units in Ugandan classrooms.
Provide opportunities for students and UNITE teachers to travel to Kible National Park for programs to increase their understanding of conservation and the environment in which they live
Arrange occasions for researchers working in and around Kibale to go into classrooms to share their work and knowledge of forest ecology with students & teachers
Establish professional development opportunities for Ugandan UNITE teachers
Regularly visit UNITE schools to observe teachers and co-facilitate lessons, providing feedback, coaching and supporting teachers in an effort to enhance their teaching skills and raise their capacity to incorporate inquiry-based learning and small learning communities, thereby establishing a sound platform for delivery of an environmental curriculum
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Packing list
To answer the question of what exactly does one take for six to twelve months in Uganda, my packing list is below.
The biggest challenge so far has been the clothing. Given the unique environment of Uganda’s jungle, I need clothing that is quick dry, odor resistant, offers sun and insect protection, plus size, and is easy to hand wash! That's a tall order for clothing and unfortunately those pieces are expensive.
first aid kit
hiking boats
tevas
sneakers
koolmax socks
hiking socks
zipoff pants
short and long sleeve shirts
long skirts- needed for when I go in the schools. Woman don't wear pants in Uganda
day pack
mp3 player
nalgene bottle
gaitors- to keep my feet dry when I'm in the park. Uganda has two wet seasons.
biodegable soap
sun hat
journals
small books
hand crank flashlights
head lamp
water resistant wrist watch
good camera
bug repellent - 30 % deet- must wear this all the time
sunscreen
rain suit
water filter
electrolyte powder
anti marial pills
binoculars
travel towels
feild guide
The biggest challenge so far has been the clothing. Given the unique environment of Uganda’s jungle, I need clothing that is quick dry, odor resistant, offers sun and insect protection, plus size, and is easy to hand wash! That's a tall order for clothing and unfortunately those pieces are expensive.
first aid kit
hiking boats
tevas
sneakers
koolmax socks
hiking socks
zipoff pants
short and long sleeve shirts
long skirts- needed for when I go in the schools. Woman don't wear pants in Uganda
day pack
mp3 player
nalgene bottle
gaitors- to keep my feet dry when I'm in the park. Uganda has two wet seasons.
biodegable soap
sun hat
journals
small books
hand crank flashlights
head lamp
water resistant wrist watch
good camera
bug repellent - 30 % deet- must wear this all the time
sunscreen
rain suit
water filter
electrolyte powder
anti marial pills
binoculars
travel towels
feild guide
In less than a month....
In less than a month, I will be living on the other side of the world among people who I've never met before. It's sort of like freshman year of college all over again but on a much bigger scale!
I'm excited to meet the people who I will be living and working with in and around Kibale National Park. I've read that even though all the hardships that Ugandans have had to face in recent decades, that they are some of the happiest people in all of Africa. I'm excited to see what people are like when you take away all the "extras" that we have here in the states and get down to what's really important. I can't wait to meet all the school children that I will be working with for the next six months to a year. I am hoping that the children will keep me from getting too homesick. In addition, I can't wait to see all the wildlife and vegetation . Kibale has 250 different kinds of trees and 70 different kinds of mammals including 11 species of primates! As a comparison, the US park with most variety in tree species only has 25!
People often ask me what I will miss the most and honestly I have no idea. At this point I think it will be my two adorable kittens (one who is laying beside me as I write this), my dog, and my friends and family. But I'm sure I will return with a new appreciation for running water, indoor plumbing, high speed Internet, and McDonald's.
I've had a lot of time in the last two month's since I accepted the position to reflect on why I said yes. Honestly, a lot of it comes down to why not. I am 31, single, and have no dependents except for my three pets. My parents have both passed away so I have few who depend on me at this moment. In 2008, I got a strong sense that I was single for reason. Maybe I was single in my early to mid twenties so I could help take care of my folks when they were sick. But what was I suppose to be doing with this time now. I believe God has a hand in all things - when I saw the position it all clicked maybe this is what I suppose to do. I have the skill set to train the teachers in Uganda and I'm "free" to go. In addition, to why not and my strong sense that this is what I am suppose to be doing in 2009, it also relates 20 years of believing in Carpe diem. Ever since I saw " Dead Poets Society" in 1989, I have tried to live by Carpe diem or Seize the Day. We only get one chance at this life so lets make it the best it can be.
I've "seize the day" in the past: being a Christian clown, living on a living history farm for a summer, chaperoning a group of high school students to Costa Rica, driving across country, living in London, just to name a few but I think my biggest adventure is yet to come in a little less than a month.
I'm excited to meet the people who I will be living and working with in and around Kibale National Park. I've read that even though all the hardships that Ugandans have had to face in recent decades, that they are some of the happiest people in all of Africa. I'm excited to see what people are like when you take away all the "extras" that we have here in the states and get down to what's really important. I can't wait to meet all the school children that I will be working with for the next six months to a year. I am hoping that the children will keep me from getting too homesick. In addition, I can't wait to see all the wildlife and vegetation . Kibale has 250 different kinds of trees and 70 different kinds of mammals including 11 species of primates! As a comparison, the US park with most variety in tree species only has 25!
People often ask me what I will miss the most and honestly I have no idea. At this point I think it will be my two adorable kittens (one who is laying beside me as I write this), my dog, and my friends and family. But I'm sure I will return with a new appreciation for running water, indoor plumbing, high speed Internet, and McDonald's.
I've had a lot of time in the last two month's since I accepted the position to reflect on why I said yes. Honestly, a lot of it comes down to why not. I am 31, single, and have no dependents except for my three pets. My parents have both passed away so I have few who depend on me at this moment. In 2008, I got a strong sense that I was single for reason. Maybe I was single in my early to mid twenties so I could help take care of my folks when they were sick. But what was I suppose to be doing with this time now. I believe God has a hand in all things - when I saw the position it all clicked maybe this is what I suppose to do. I have the skill set to train the teachers in Uganda and I'm "free" to go. In addition, to why not and my strong sense that this is what I am suppose to be doing in 2009, it also relates 20 years of believing in Carpe diem. Ever since I saw " Dead Poets Society" in 1989, I have tried to live by Carpe diem or Seize the Day. We only get one chance at this life so lets make it the best it can be.
I've "seize the day" in the past: being a Christian clown, living on a living history farm for a summer, chaperoning a group of high school students to Costa Rica, driving across country, living in London, just to name a few but I think my biggest adventure is yet to come in a little less than a month.
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