UgandAshis 61 on Uganda

UgandAshis 61 On Uganda

Kampala, November 2009

On Uganda.

The greater part of this tour of the USA was focused on Darfur and yet increasingly there is time, space and a place to talk about the current issues of Uganda. The trip led to the following states: Michigan, Minnesota, Idaho, Kentucky, Texas, California and New York State. Over the last 3 years and 5 visits to the USA slowly there has been an expansion of themes on which I speak. Shifting from Darfur and the plight of the Darfuri’s; their resilience, humor and dignity to that AND medical presentations, Phoenix Global Humanitarian Foundation, the book Utmost, volunteering in Uganda and Oneness.

Let me give you some examples of people of all ages who wish to visit and support the vision of PGHF. In San Antonio two groups are interested in coming to visit. One group of medical students is interested in doing a month rotation in either the first or the fourth year. One student is even contemplating to stay for several months and she shares the same passion I have for developing of platforms for online teaching and knowledge exchange. The other group is from the Incarnate Word University and I am curious to hear what they would like to do; I know that they have projects in Gulu.

In Boise, Idaho two registered nurses, one with a flying license are eager to come over and help out in a clinic. In Minneapolis a friend is coming back to Uganda to start her research for a doctorate in Public Health Nursing and another friend wants to visit Africa for the first time.

Everywhere I go I invite people to come to Uganda. It is very easy to judge a country or a whole continent from afar and I realize from people that have come that their perspective of medicine and/or of Africa has changed radically. A Dutch surgeon in training called me yesterday. He stayed with me for 6 weeks and his girlfriend came as well for a 2 week holiday. As we often discussed; all is possible in Africa, things that you expect to be easy are near impossible while the impossible can be a piece of cake. Coming feeling, smelling, touching and being in Africa will make an impact on all.

There are those who end up not liking Africa: flies, poverty, corruption, cheating, dirt, war, violence and passivity are their mind images of the continent. All of the above are present here yet there is also: spiritual wealth, honesty, friendship, nature, peace, brotherhood and a dynamic society. The question is always is the cup half full or half empty; both indeed! You see what you want to see.

Friends young and wise will come and visit over the next months; let them form an opinion of a nook of Africa, being Uganda. In my mind they are the bridge builders that will make the world a true global village. Strangers become acquaintances leading to friendship and then a global family.

Namaskar,

Ashis