An Unexpected Greeting in Lingeria Village

Today Shanna and I walked to one of the villages, Lingeria. On our way out of the SHIM camp, Keeky asked if we heard the loud disturbance outside. A man from Katonga, was caught stealing a mattress. A large crowd was surrounded the man as they escorted him to Lingeria where the island’s jail is located. A local told Keeky, “We do not tolerate thieves here.” Keeky and I thought it ironic about their quick response to thieves but lack of response to the defilement of their daughters.

The purpose of going to Lingeria was it gave us something to do while the women’s bible study was going on, walking to Lingeria requires us travel towards the top on the hill of the island allowing for some spectacular views and photos, we could buy soda and biscuits (cookies), visit women and children in the village, take more photos, visit the primary school, and I could talk to Madam Jan. Madam Jan is very passionate about preventing defilement and has an interesting story about speaking out against a man who had defiled a girl and in the end her young daughter, around 3 years old, was murdered with poison. Madam Jan invited me to speak to a class tomorrow at 9am. Which is early. Breakfast is at 8:30, and then the 20 minutes walk up the hill and rocks. But it is worth it. Amanda the breakfast cook may cook early, if not I have packed plenty of oatmeal and as long as I get a cup of coffee I am good to go!

We completed our much needed tasks, with spare time to sit by the water and enjoy our soda and biscuits listening to the “waves” crash among the shore line. Storm clouds are rolling in rather quickly. Whoever said it was dry season was mistaken. The past week it has been raining every day, it even hailed yesterday! As we were walking back, I noticed a large crowed by the prisons. Me being me, nosey, I have to see what is going on. In the midst of the small people that has gather, the LC1 from the other village is here. This man I have tried several several times to meet one-on-one. Anyhow, he proudly showed us the man and his wife who was caught stealing the mattress. The mattress was on the other side of the room. This room is similar to my hut in Niger. The wife was not at all happy. They told the men that they stole is because they were poor. The men in the group asked us to take their photo, they want it in the paper. They had the man and his wife come out and hold the mattress! I couldn’t believe. Over a mattress, which here is a large piece of foam, and nothing over their young daughters being raped. But emotions aside and I didn’t have the time to start a public health teaching session, the rain clouds were getting closer and crossing over the rocks in the rain is dangerous, I took the picture. The wife refused to hold the mattress or look at the camera. I would not want to be that man locked in a room with her!

The whole point of the this blog was to share that I met on the men who helped saved the boat and my life! I noticed this man had what looked like burns on his right forearm. The skin was pink in areas and appeared to be healing. I asked the LC1 what happened to his arm. Turns out that he was the assist pilot on the boat that I was on. Assist pilot means that he “drove”. “steered” the boat since the regular pilot was not able to work that day. His name is Wakori from Kytonga, one of the villages on the island. I shook his hand and fighting back the tears, thanked him for his courage for saving the boat, explaining to him that he saved my life and everyone’s life that day and I am so grateful for him. My parents from American send their greetings. (meaning thanks, love, etc) His face lit up, being know me in American?!?!The LC1 told me the other man, the conductor (who takes the money from people and whatnot) was badly burned. He was able to return to his village last Monday. His name is Kasimu from Marindi village. Finally a way to track this man down to properly thank him. It will be a true honor to meet this man and his family.



P.S. I heard about the snow in South Carolina . . . did I mention I am sunburned from today's visit to Lingeria :p

Dobson Volunteer Service Program and Donations

Before I left for Uganda I applied for the Dobson Volunteer Service Program. This program can fund up to 50% of the cost in exchange for a minimum of 10 presentations. Presentations are used to educate others in not only your experience but also the importance of volunteering.

I recently found out the Dobson Executive Board selected me!!! They have awarded me the highest amount possible: funding for 50% of my trip. What a huge huge blessing!Eve more so because I had to pay out-state tuition this semester, which I did not budget when was planning for the trip in the fall. Because of the money situation, I had debated about whether or not to come until the week prior. Trying to determine if it was going to be worth it, and how I was to pay the bills from when I graduated and when I got one of those big-people jobs my dad keeps telling me to get.
Beyond the money is the the opportunity to educate others. When I come home from Peace Corps Niger, I was able to give presentations. My friend Jerilyn alllowed me to speak to her high school English class. I had a blast reliving moments and seeing the students faces with some of the pictures and stories. The students were not only learned about another culture and way of life, but I was able to reflect more of my experience and how I grew through preparing for the presentations and the students' questions and comments.

I do not have the paperwork with the requirements for reimbursement yet, it was sent to my home. I do know that I am required to demonstrate dedication to the initiative by raising the remaining funds. As you may know, most expenses were paid for prior to my departure and donation of tangible things were given to me at Christmas. Leave it to me to try to raise money for the trip during the middle of my trip. What can I say, I was meant for and adapted very well to Africa's concept of time.

Brent, my boyfriend, has been kind enough to figure out how to set up a donate button on my blog. He placed it in the top center of the page.
I do not have the exact total for my trip, it was only an estimate prior to my departure. The estimate was between $4,200 and $4,500. An actual total will be determine within my first of being home. My goal is to raise $2,000. I do not have a time frame because I do not know the requirment details. If donations exceed this amount, I want to donate the additional funds to SHIM, intended for the man who saved the boat and my life. I am still waiting for updates of his medical status, as well as who he is and where he lives. If this is not possible then funding for future anti-defilement projects.

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and encouragement.

Hugs from across the ocean . . .




"The Dobson Volunteer Service Program is a capstone service experience at the University of South Carolina. Participants engage in meaningful service internships and have the opportunity to make a positive impact in communities that have limited means to care for themselves in South Carolina and other locations, both inside and outside the United States. The University of South Carolina community has a strong ethic of service and continually engages in service locally, nationally, and internationally. The program is available to USC undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty who meet selection criteria. Participants compete through an application and interview selection process. The goals for all participants engaged in the Dobson Volunteer Service Program are to develop an increased sense of civic responsibility and academic self-confidence; achieve higher grades; enhance leadership ability; develop critical thinking skills; and to deepen their understanding of national and community problems. By combining formal study with service to the community, students find that their learning takes on greater depth and meaning."


http://www.sa.sc.edu/stlife/dobson.htm

Week 7

Happy Monday!!!
I can not believe it is already March and I am starting my 7th week. Time has flown. It seems the days can last forever where the weeks go by like days.

I only have a few moments to write. It has been raining the past few days so electricity on the island is scare. The SHIM building is run by solar panels. So if there is no sun, there is no battery life for lights and charging phones, laptops, etc.

I have started working with the high school students on the island. They are just like American kids. The first activity with them, Experiencing Violence, they were given a scenario and were to come up with a 3 minute skit, drama, or song that let up to the scenerio. Luckily, Shanna was recording with the video camera because wow, these kids took it to the next level. A few times I almost peed my pants!!!
The skits were easily 10 minutes and full of excitement. With my American mind, I was sure that the teachers were going to ask me to leave, or not come back. But the teachers enjoyed them! They said that it helped them get to know their students better. There were over 100 students,so we did not have enough time to finish the groups. This afternoon, I am going done to the school to finish up the lesson, and reconfirm Friday's time.

The practicum is going well. The more information I gain, the more confused I become. Luckily, Gloria, a Ugandan SHIM staff member, is on the island this week. Gloria has been a lifesaver. She understands my exotic accent and my English. So she can translate my English to Ugandan English and Lunganda.

Health wise, everything is going well. Still gaining weight. I figure with my schedule when I return home, I'm just stocking up!
I have this fabulous flip flop tan on the top of my feet. That, my arms, and my face is the only thing that is tan. Fortunately I am hearing that it isn't that warm in Columbia yet.

Well I am off to visit a mother in one of the villages. She has a fabulous story/history that I will share later. But her 3-4 months baby girl, who was born several months early, came down with malaria this week. She is back from the hospital, but still sick.