Last Week in Paradise

My whole experience in Uganda was full of hard things, but nothing was as hard as saying goodbye to my friends. Everywhere I went, I left people in tears. They really cared about me, and I really cared about them. Four months ago I came to Uganda a stranger- now I can’t even walk to town without running into friends. Leaving them was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. 

There's nothing like being tackled by screaming black children. 

Even though it was hard, my last week in Uganda was the best yet. I kept busy up to the last day. From teaching Anatomy and Physiology to witnessing a 9 hour brain surgery, not a single day was wasted. Even during my last week I was meeting new people and making new friends.

 I finally got to teach an Anatomy and Physiology class to go along with my murals. Above is my good friend Stephen. 

On our second to last day we got to watch a 9 hour brain surgery. The human body is incredible! All summer I wanted to watch a brain surgery but there wasn't much free time. I was able to go to the hospital early in the summer and make contacts, but until the last week I was unable to go. Other volunteers who had visited were only able to shadow doctors doing normal check-ups but miraculously one of the surgeons recognized me from 3 months before and hooked me up with another surgeon doing a tumor removal. We were literally 2-3 feet from the surgery. Incredible. 

My last, and favorite, project was teaching the local street kids. My friend, Alex, (far right) a teacher at the school where I did my paintings, asked if I could come teach some of his street kid friends. Alex used to be a street kid and now spends his extra time and resources helping other kids who are going through the same thing. I spent all week praying and trying to figure out what I could teach these kids that would make a difference. I had a lesson plan- but as soon as I got up to teach, I put my plan away and taught a completely different lesson. I taught from the heart. It was the best lesson I've ever taught. And at the end of my lesson I had each kid write down a goal to work towards. These kids have bright futures. 

These are the goals they wrote. 

Three of my friends who helped me teach were professional Rappers, Beat-boxers, and Break-dancers. They have their own organisation that works with street kids. With or without help from people like me, Uganda has leaders working to push through poverty. It's the people like this that are shaping Uganda's future. 

My friend Alex, a premedical student. He's the top of his class in every subject but computer tech. 

I spent a day walking around town selling avocados (in the bowl on my head) for my friend Carol (yellow shirt). She has dropped out of school to sell produce until she can raise enough money to go back to school. She is only 12 years old. 

Even Immaculate cried when I left.. She's one of the strongest and kindest women I know. (My Dentist for both dental outreaches) 

One of the hardest goodbyes was to my primary class. I love each one of them so much! 

On my last Sunday, my friend Stephen (far left) was baptized. I got to attend 5 of my primary kids baptisms this summer. 

And now I'm home. And it's nice to be home. But I’d give anything to go back to my hypothermia showers and malaria net beds. I miss my Ugandan home. People here are different- not as talkative, not as kind, not as happy. It’s amazing how people in Uganda love so deeply and are so happy even when their lives are so tough. 

ALSO, the food here is unbelievable. This is an Avocado. I searched all over Walmart for Avocados.. I thought these were limes.. 

THIS is a Ugandan Avocado. And this Avocado isn't even a big one, it's just average. 

Being Home has forced me to learn to cook. American food just isn't as good any more. Even my roommate said this was the best thing she'd ever eaten. #crushedit. 

Even with another school year ahead, I'm already planning ways to go back. Uganda was a magical place. I think Uganda is the closest to heaven I've ever been. And that's why I have to go back. Next year. 

Any questions about Uganda, my trip there, or ways you can help, don't hesitate to ask.