October 4, 2011

October 4, 2011

102 girls!  I think I am still in awe that we reached over 100 in five weeks!  The girls were so loud and boisterous today, and Justine – a girl about the age of 15 – walks up to me at the start of the meeting and says, “How are you today, Lindsey?”

I whipped my head around, smiling, and told her I was fine.  It was the first time any of the girls have called me by my first name, and for me and their development, it was also a giant leap in the program’s success.  They are becoming heard, and we had a long talk today about utilizing their voices, if only to state their name.  Their voice, I told them, is who they are, and they should speak with confidence.  Then, I made them all stand up to state their name, and although some had to repeat it (If I could not hear them, they had to state their name a second time.), the majority stood up and spoke clearly.  Small steps…big numbers!

We joined forces with the local adolescent health center today, and we had our first speaker (Sister Prisca).  Although I couldn’t understand a word of what was being said, Moreen told me the girls enjoyed the talk and for that I am thankful.  I feel exposing them to other “adults” needs to be a rather slow process, as after talking to several of the Head Teachers, I understand why they would think adults are authoritative figures and not people who understand their point of view.

Moreen and I were talking about that after we left one of the schools, and she told me this culture truly believes that girls have nothing to offer.  So, they send the boys on to secondary school, and the girls – if they are lucky – find some sort of work (usually digging in the fields).  If they aren’t lucky, they could be married off to someone who treats them badly and treats their futures even worse.  Supporting the girls or encouraging them just does not occur.  No one even thinks about it.  I told her I have no concept of living in an environment where women are still oppressed, as women in the States have fought so hard for our rights.  I feel to some degree I am beginning to understand that fight, and I told Moreen we will get this community thinking about “it”.

   When I drove home today (in a much sturdier car by the way!), I could not get the grin off my face.  I kept saying Wow! aloud, and I am sure the new driver thought I was a bit off.  102 girls though!  I feel now we are really starting to make a difference.  102 girls!  Wow!

The driver also asked me what I thought of Uganda, and I realized the shift for me has occurred.  It has crept up on me, as I didn’t know it was happening, but I told him Uganda felt like home.  And, I wasn’t lying, and I wasn’t being nice.  Uganda DOES feel like home.  I love my work here.  I love the people I have met.  I love the experiences I am having.  I love Uganda.

And, realizing that, I think everything has somehow become easier.  Work seems to be falling into place.  I have been seeing some amazing sights with some of my new friends.  And, I wake up in the morning and am excited about seeing what the day will bring.  Perhaps constantly giving 100% finally allowed me to get 102. 

I still can’t believe it.  102!