Arrival in Uganda

Well, here I am, in Uganda! I have never been here before, but similarily to the way I felt when I arrived in India, there is an odd sense of familiarity. Perhaps it is that I have spent the past few years in new places, or because I feel a connection to cultures other than my own. Either way, there is something so alive about the developing world. Everyone has a purpose and appears to be going somewhere or selling something, for the most part there is a sense of hope, and foreigners are more than welcome (with a few shouts and grabs).

I came to Uganda feeling rather calm, as I figured I really had nothing to lose. Life had been less than ideal over the past little while and I reached the conclusion that I may as well be somewhere new and interesting trying to help others. And, well, to be truthful I had also reached a point where I needed to put the lessons I have learned over the past year to practice, so in a zombie like fashion, I travelled for 24 hours to show up in Uganda.

I have great feelings about this next adventure. I already feel like I have a family here, I have seen more genuine smiles and warm welcomes in the past few days that I can count. My friend Lilu (who I went to Kings' College with) calls me daily to check-in, and I had a personal driver over the weekend, Richard, whom I now consider a friend.
I deploy to Karamoja tomorrow which takes approximately 12 hours by SUV. Karamoja is a region that is considered a 'humanitarian emergency' populated by a nomadic tribe of warriors (the Karamojong), 80 percent of whom live below the poverty line. As Lilu has explained to me, we live very simply and from the land. I will have more to say on Karamoja over the next little while. But until then, I find comfort in being surrounded by likeminded compassionate souls.

Here's to adventures and selfless service! Out and out.