tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91564649708340480592024-03-13T02:40:31.692-07:00Uganda Studies Program at Uganda Christian UniversityUganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-55409463128999194022021-01-14T09:14:00.005-08:002021-01-14T09:14:37.771-08:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: Cochin;">The Council for Christian College & Universities (CCCU) is no longer involved with the running of this program, USP@UCU falls solely under the legal umbrella of Uganda Christian </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Cochin;"><b>University. </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Cochin;"><b>For more information on the program visit our new website: </b></span><b style="font-family: Cochin;"><a href="https://www.ugandastudiesprogram-ucu.com">https://www.ugandastudiesprogram-ucu.com</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cochin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cochin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rBsFFPDnKOU" width="320" youtube-src-id="rBsFFPDnKOU"></iframe></span></span></div><span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><strong><p style="color: #0b3d91; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #0b3d91; font-size: 16px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">We are currently accepting<span style="color: #0b3d91;"> </span><a href="https://form.jotform.com/USPAdmin/start-application" style="color: #0b3d91;">applications</a> for Fall 2021!</span></strong><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The deadline is April 1, 2021.</span></div></span></strong></span><p></p>Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-85773006250986766312019-11-20T04:05:00.002-08:002019-11-20T04:10:02.380-08:00ANNOUNCING: the USP Newsletter!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
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To all our alumni, students, parents, friends, faculty and faithful blog follwers,</div>
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As many of you know, our world is ever-changing, perhaps more rapidly so in recent years. One of these changes involves a shift in peoples’ attention toward different social media platforms. With this in mind, we have decided to redirect our efforts and will no longer be writing blog posts. This is a bittersweet announcement; we love the blog and know that many people enjoy reading it, so we’re sad to see it go. At the same time, we are excited to have more time and energy to invest in the USP Facebook and Instagram accounts AND... *drum roll please...*<span style="font-family: , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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... We would like to announce that we will be sending out regular <b>USP newsletters</b> starting later this week! These USP newsletters will be relatively brief—but will fill the role of keeping you up-to-date on some of the exciting goings on with USP throughout each semester. We will be including updates from each of our three Academic Emphases (Social Work, Global Health and the Interdisciplinary Emphasis) as well as highlighting student experiences, alumni updates and various and sundry other UCU news from time to time.<b> If you are interested in receiving them—and we hope you are!! – please enter your email address <a href="https://cccuweb.wufoo.com/forms/q15re2981wl3a3l/" style="color: #954f72;">here</a>. </b></div>
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Last month while the students were out on Rural Homestays, I had some good time to reflect. I sat, listening to the rushing of a nearby waterfall, smelling the warmth of charcoal stoves cooking dinner, and feeling the refreshing chilliness of rainy season in the mountains all while overlooking the vast, plains below<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>stretching north from Mt. Elgon. I was struck – and continue to be struck daily by the beauty and holiness of this place. Uganda continues to teach us all, students and staff, so much. We are eager to keep sharing stories on our other platforms. Thank you to all who have faithfully read our blog over the years; we hope you continue to follow USP through our other social media platforms:<span style="font-family: , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://cccuweb.wufoo.com/forms/q15re2981wl3a3l/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Newsletter</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Instagram: ugandastudiesprogram</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/UgandaStudiesProgram/?ref=bookmarks"><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Twitter: @UGStudiesProg</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">“</span></i><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”- Mary Oliver</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-17437135062206938262019-09-16T06:59:00.000-07:002019-09-16T06:59:09.236-07:00A Note from the Blogger<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KulVM1gsYSM/XX-K2VB826I/AAAAAAAADvk/kAJPbA4sjFQ5bYLvpTMuDAhZ0wc4THvnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KulVM1gsYSM/XX-K2VB826I/AAAAAAAADvk/kAJPbA4sjFQ5bYLvpTMuDAhZ0wc4THvnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting my host mom in January of 2016!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Before I write more blog posts highlighting
students’ experiences and various emphases, I want to take a moment to introduce
myself. My name is Anna Ostrander, and I’m a USP alumnus from the Spring 2016
semester. I graduated this past May from Lee University with a degree in
chemistry, and I plan to go to graduate school to study environmental science
after this year abroad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Something our staff likes to talk about at
the beginning of the semester is the idea of one-degree changes. Simply put,
USP does not aim to be the “life-changing” experience that so many expect from
a study abroad program. Rather, the conversations and thoughts brought about by
USP result in a one-degree change in a student’s life trajectory. A one-degree
change does not alter one’s course in an obvious or immediate way, but after
many months and years and seasons of life, a person finds that one degree has
actually led to quite a large divergence in the path and a big difference in how
she or he sees the world. In my own words, USP is not so much life-changing as
it is life-lasting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">While I love the idea of the one-degree
change, personally USP produced a more significant and, in some ways, immediate
change in me. Perhaps it was my mere age and naïveté that made me especially malleable
and receptive to change (I did USP as an 18-year-old freshman in college), but
I’d say I experienced something closer to a 50-degree change. Reflecting on the
past few years, USP has shaped my worldview in ways that I am still
discovering. It expanded my view of God, made me more comfortable with
difference & tension, gave me a greater appreciation for answerless questions,
challenged me to value people over productivity, and continues to remind me to
be present and grateful.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHcW3mRAmuY/XX-LUjl21dI/AAAAAAAADwE/foBw5c94MA8gn1yU1pkw1xLBxJp0yoFagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3702.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHcW3mRAmuY/XX-LUjl21dI/AAAAAAAADwE/foBw5c94MA8gn1yU1pkw1xLBxJp0yoFagCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3702.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with my host sisters after 3 years!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">USP is such an integral part of who I am,
so coming back to be a Program Assistant was the most natural thing I could
have done. This program and this beautiful country continue to surprise me in profound
ways, and I am in awe of the people I get to work with every day. I’m excited
for the opportunity to guide students through this journey and look forward to sharing
more stories and updates as the semester goes on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"> Peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"> Anna Ostrander</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZ6-c33alsM/XX-LBQPgFdI/AAAAAAAADvw/XmRp8ZiVreEae93VTgHLroZSyJYjGbVoACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3351.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dZ6-c33alsM/XX-LBQPgFdI/AAAAAAAADvw/XmRp8ZiVreEae93VTgHLroZSyJYjGbVoACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3351.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful morning in Mukono.</td></tr>
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</style>Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-71483409819571702952019-09-09T01:13:00.002-07:002019-09-09T01:13:43.342-07:00The start of the Fall 2019 Semester!<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;">“One thing that pleases God is to
see his people sharing the small things they have.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> These
were just a few of the many moving words spoken to us last week during our time
in Rwanda, and they point to one theme USP will continue to build on throughout
the semester. I heard this quote while visiting an organization in Rwanda which
helps rural community members start their own savings groups. The words were
spoken in a very literal sense, referring to the group members sharing their
money and helping each other financially, but the words are true beyond just
the physical meaning. God delights in people sharing all the small things they
have, whether they be insightful words or unique skillsets, and this is
something USP highly values. In classes and conversations, students and staff
share the bits of wisdom that they are gaining, and at practicums, supervisors
get to share their expertise with the students. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
38 USP students arrived over two weeks ago, and it’s been a whirlwind for both
staff and students. Now that we’re finally settling in and getting into the
flow of the semester, I’ll briefly summarize what we’ve been up to here at USP.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Week
1 was a combination of orientation to Uganda and preparation for our 10-day
study trip to neighbouring Rwanda together with 10 UCU Honours College students.
On Monday, homestay students were dropped off at their homes and began the
process of getting to know the families they’ll be living with this semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L70fZAGPbXQ/XXExLSx6UrI/AAAAAAAADss/S_qCKLGhBCoaq8wflBMBr1nl90UsQaGLwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2403.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L70fZAGPbXQ/XXExLSx6UrI/AAAAAAAADss/S_qCKLGhBCoaq8wflBMBr1nl90UsQaGLwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2403.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby Lebs meets her host mom, Mama Elizabeth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ijeJlweRM4/XXExLtSBizI/AAAAAAAADsw/stVp6Y1AZTQmuj7YoLRJoPRr7duidUKZgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2406.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ijeJlweRM4/XXExLtSBizI/AAAAAAAADsw/stVp6Y1AZTQmuj7YoLRJoPRr7duidUKZgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2406.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amelia Schwartzkopf meeting her host mom. </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Tuesday of Orientation, all the students participated in a Mukono scavenger hunt, their first
foray into their new town, tasked with finding the grocery store, bank, and
other important locations. For the rest of the week, students continued
orienting to the campus and learning more about USP, while also preparing for our
week-long pilgrimage in Rwanda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Rwanda study trip is intentionally planned around 3 themes, beginning with the
country’s hard history of division and genocide, then moving into projects of
reconciliation and healing, and ending with a look at the story of development
in Rwanda over the past 25 years. The first day in Kigali, students visited the
Kigali Genocide Memorial and Nyamata Genocide Memorial, a former church and the
site of a major massacre in 1994. On Sunday morning, after a heavy first day,
students attended local churches, dancing and worshipping alongside Rwandans
and fellow USP and UCU students. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mg6QbsCf8zI/XXEybP21UcI/AAAAAAAADtA/1AsWrIGs6BU_151qkgZPofZDR3rl17ePgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2613.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mg6QbsCf8zI/XXEybP21UcI/AAAAAAAADtA/1AsWrIGs6BU_151qkgZPofZDR3rl17ePgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2613.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrace of Nyamata Genocide Memorial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwsxWW2-uU/XXEyak5qf2I/AAAAAAAADs8/tNKaRBp1T3IlJNBZOS4qqJ-hcdwm5IXOQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2682.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKwsxWW2-uU/XXEyak5qf2I/AAAAAAAADs8/tNKaRBp1T3IlJNBZOS4qqJ-hcdwm5IXOQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2682.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students and staff after Sunday morning's church service</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Monday, our group visited <a href="https://www.peaceinsight.org/conflicts/rwanda/peacebuilding-organisations/christian-action-reconciliation-and-social-assistance-carsa/" style="mso-comment-date: 20190904T2212; mso-comment-reference: RR_1;"><i><span style="color: black;">CARSA</span></i></a></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> (Christian Action for
Reconciliation and Social Assistance)</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">, an organizations which is actively
working toward reconciliation and healing. We heard from a panel consisting of
victims of the genocide along with their perpetrators. To see a man sitting
next to the man who killed his father, and to learn not only of the
forgiveness, but to witness the true friendship and healing that has taken place
between the two, was extremely moving and humbling. After hearing from them
about their process of reconciliation, we shared a meal together. It was a
beautiful opportunity to remember that we are all human, and we are all
brothers and sisters in Christ. One student, reflecting on his experience at <i>CARSA</i>,
said he was amazed to see that the relationships were “not just peaceful
cohabitation, but true reconciliation.” I thought that was a perfect way to sum
up what <i>CARSA</i> is aiming for: not mere tolerance of one another, but full
healing and love between former enemies. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWJbX3PVUQ/XXFBj4K3kNI/AAAAAAAADvY/iL0J6HN-_JsNc12glbpusQsJT6vzCFAWgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2710.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWJbX3PVUQ/XXFBj4K3kNI/AAAAAAAADvY/iL0J6HN-_JsNc12glbpusQsJT6vzCFAWgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2710.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USP and UCU students stand with genocide survivors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7qWW7bUwM/XXE4RSydFNI/AAAAAAAADtQ/hS3z_Stu7FUXXT2CJFNx1KcHJdvaoVKugCLcBGAs/s1600/Screenshot%2B2019-09-03%2B19.39.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AP7qWW7bUwM/XXE4RSydFNI/AAAAAAAADtQ/hS3z_Stu7FUXXT2CJFNx1KcHJdvaoVKugCLcBGAs/s400/Screenshot%2B2019-09-03%2B19.39.53.png" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fischer Marcus and Etienne playing tic-tac-toe together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On Monday afternoon and
Tuesday morning, we visited <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Inema
Arts Centre</i>, an art gallery in Kigali, where we experienced the healing power
of beauty and creativity through art and dance. On Tuesday morning, we visited <i>Imigongo
Art Center</i>, where we learned the traditional art form, <i>Imigongo,</i> using
cow dung and paint to make beautiful geometric designs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljJbMtaaGBA/XXE5eirCiEI/AAAAAAAADtk/tq0vPLlDG8cXgxPI1aQY3MYn2clw4hgGQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2230.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljJbMtaaGBA/XXE5eirCiEI/AAAAAAAADtk/tq0vPLlDG8cXgxPI1aQY3MYn2clw4hgGQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2230.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students learn traditional Rwandan dance at Inema Arts Centre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLnzpqrWInw/XXE6SzvxnRI/AAAAAAAADuE/eKIuwkHcxEYaTNzOnio-4-WEKv0Sq-zwACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2815.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1247" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLnzpqrWInw/XXE6SzvxnRI/AAAAAAAADuE/eKIuwkHcxEYaTNzOnio-4-WEKv0Sq-zwACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2815.jpeg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon Bolton & Caleb Hareb observe art at Imigongo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-truUFZa6E9M/XXE6Ss2GPCI/AAAAAAAADuA/gQXgnla0Hmg6ul8rq8t6YrFTIpfGq5vYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/681f6f38-71b0-4ca6-9e31-8a6787366073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="597" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-truUFZa6E9M/XXE6Ss2GPCI/AAAAAAAADuA/gQXgnla0Hmg6ul8rq8t6YrFTIpfGq5vYQCEwYBhgL/s320/681f6f38-71b0-4ca6-9e31-8a6787366073.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students' Imigongo masterpieces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM-mg9JpDOc/XXE5l6hakxI/AAAAAAAADt4/9WbHSCjE1HYHG01QH0sB3FyX7NHZR1_ngCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2825%2B20.00.47.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zM-mg9JpDOc/XXE5l6hakxI/AAAAAAAADt4/9WbHSCjE1HYHG01QH0sB3FyX7NHZR1_ngCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2825%2B20.00.47.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana BuDoff sifting cow dung at Imigongo</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, we had the privilege of listening to some
incredible speakers including Reverend Antoine Rutasirye, the former Vice
Chairman of the National Unity & Reconciliation Commission, and economist
Rev. Emmanuel Murangira, the Country Director for <i>Tearfund</i>. It was a great
opportunity for students to ask questions and gain clarification on some of the
information and thoughts they had been processing for the previous few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">On
Wednesday we visited the saving groups mentioned earlier, through </span></span><a href="http://www.hopeinternationalrwanda.org/"><span style="color: black;"><i>Hope International.</i> </span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We walked into a church that was
alive with singing and dancing and immediately felt welcomed and loved. Most of
the students joined in the dancing and clapping, and it was such a pure
expression of the joy the church should always have. Students were split into
small groups to observe the savings groups in action, and hear the hopeful
stories of how the members of each group had truly transformed their lives through
collective saving and the small loans they could take out to fund their
business start-ups or pay school fees. At the end of the meeting my small group
attended, one woman told us, “there is no such thing as loneliness in this
group.” I was teary as I sat and took it all in — the strength of the
community, the way everyone looks out for and loves one another, the clearest
example of true Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZkuCpQ4uf0/XXE7eGdqTHI/AAAAAAAADuU/V9O2ocvAMjYHS3ZzYBGvXi5NC1zFGl7QACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3209.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1567" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZkuCpQ4uf0/XXE7eGdqTHI/AAAAAAAADuU/V9O2ocvAMjYHS3ZzYBGvXi5NC1zFGl7QACEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_3209.jpeg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the savings groups give a warm welcome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57pjpQp2LSE/XXE7eZV8vYI/AAAAAAAADuY/n2wTlUio9OE2_Clq7Qka58x2rHfWql1MwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2887.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57pjpQp2LSE/XXE7eZV8vYI/AAAAAAAADuY/n2wTlUio9OE2_Clq7Qka58x2rHfWql1MwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2887.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Hope International savings group in action</td></tr>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> On
our last day in Rwanda, the Global Health Emphasis students broke off from the
rest of the group and went to a northern region of Rwanda to visit <i>Butaro
Hospital</i> and the brand-new <a href="https://ughe.org/" style="mso-comment-date: 20190904T2200; mso-comment-reference: RR_3;"><i><span style="color: black;">University of Global Health Equity</span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">. We ate lunch together with
medical students at the university before hearing from a panel of doctors and
developers who have built an amazing hospital there. It was intriguing to hear
about the health care system in Rwanda, and inspiring to learn the ways that
people are giving their lives to help people receive the quality health care
they deserve. We also, unexpectedly had the thrill of a lifetime for many
Global Health enthusiasts—of meeting and interacting with world renowned medical
anthropologist <a href="https://ughe.org/meet-the-team/paul-farmer/" style="mso-comment-date: 20190904T2200; mso-comment-reference: RR_4;"><i><span style="color: black;">Paul Farmer</span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">While Global
Health students were in Butaro, the Interdisciplinary Emphasis and Social Work
Emphasis students visited <a href="https://www.bridge2rwanda.org/" style="mso-comment-date: 20190904T2200; mso-comment-reference: RR_5;"><i><span style="color: black;">Bridge to Rwanda</span></i></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">, an organization which was </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">started in 2007 “to create opportunities for Rwanda's most
promising students to obtain a global education and to attract foreign direct
investors to accelerate Rwanda’s economic growth.” </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Our students had the opportunity to eat
lunch together with and converse with their Rwandan peers preparing to study
abroad in the US. For both groups, Thursday was an amazing time to come
together and learn from our global community.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCOtuyqgbKo/XXE8GxVJwJI/AAAAAAAADuw/KcS6ldFMJXAG413W_BcOp6i0ACHNvdLlwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCOtuyqgbKo/XXE8GxVJwJI/AAAAAAAADuw/KcS6ldFMJXAG413W_BcOp6i0ACHNvdLlwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_3087.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students from the USP Global Health Emphasis, UCU Honors College, and the University of Global Health Equity stand with GHE Coordinator Micah Hughes and Dr. Paul Farmer outside of UGHE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Xf7kw61pE/XXE8OHFZtsI/AAAAAAAADus/2J7dH8scmuw-tSaDuMz279NM1OYL-EZDwCLcBGAs/s1600/c85da389-d34f-4c56-a7d9-ac1fdba83800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Xf7kw61pE/XXE8OHFZtsI/AAAAAAAADus/2J7dH8scmuw-tSaDuMz279NM1OYL-EZDwCLcBGAs/s320/c85da389-d34f-4c56-a7d9-ac1fdba83800.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USP and UCU students pose with their new friends at Bridge to Rwanda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
wrap up the pilgrimage, the entire group made its way to Bushara Island, a
beautiful spot on Lake Bunyonyi in south-eastern Uganda. We spent a lot of time
just decompressing and enjoying the beautiful nature, but we also gathered as a
group to debrief the trip and discuss our thoughts and feelings heading into
the semester. Our director, Rachel, led us through a conversation with three
parts: <i>“my mind thinks, my heart feels, my will is formed.” </i>It was an
important time of processing and sharing where we all find ourselves now, and
preparing for what’s to come in the next few months. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WBUjCR4x9I/XXE9DAVp5PI/AAAAAAAADvA/TqEi9zv2BcIAq7AoZsIPo51LDH55l9U2gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3045.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WBUjCR4x9I/XXE9DAVp5PI/AAAAAAAADvA/TqEi9zv2BcIAq7AoZsIPo51LDH55l9U2gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_3045.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students and Program Assistants take a boat ride to Bushara Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9gjwBfhfcw/XXE9DcccwPI/AAAAAAAADvI/RMV-7GZjINMoN2bcEfDpwEWt5OxgtLwjgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3091.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9gjwBfhfcw/XXE9DcccwPI/AAAAAAAADvI/RMV-7GZjINMoN2bcEfDpwEWt5OxgtLwjgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_3091.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisher Marcus, Jordan Dokolas, Riley King, and Grant Dunaway sport some new hats from the island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdSM-XtCR0/XXE9DF3P3FI/AAAAAAAADvE/ATv0uEX3XGUTotE-fztFMp7dIJ7v1JEhgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3080.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdSM-XtCR0/XXE9DF3P3FI/AAAAAAAADvE/ATv0uEX3XGUTotE-fztFMp7dIJ7v1JEhgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3080.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Classes
started last Monday, and students seem to be doing really well given the
craziness of the past few weeks! Thoughts and prayers continue to be
appreciated by all of us here at USP! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Peace, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Anna Ostrander, USP Program
Assistant</span></span></div>
</div>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-85002598541880096242019-04-10T11:22:00.001-07:002019-04-10T11:22:10.419-07:00An Article From The Standard, By Sarah Choate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;">The following is an article written for the Uganda Christian University newspaper, The Standard, by our current USP student, Sarah Choate. Hope you enjoy reading what she shared with our UCU community. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: start;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USAtUTGOMm4/XK4zSb6A_YI/AAAAAAAADrE/Ir1eUgLVES4Wbmgih3LDkbzF1kJ5v3pwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6762%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1280" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-USAtUTGOMm4/XK4zSb6A_YI/AAAAAAAADrE/Ir1eUgLVES4Wbmgih3LDkbzF1kJ5v3pwQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6762%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I came to Uganda to be a part of USP from Arkansas in the USA. I wanted to come to Uganda because I have some friends who grew up here, and so I had a connection and wanted to see where my friends grew up. Also, I’ve never been anywhere in Africa before, and I’m the first one in my family to reach this continent. I’m thankful for this opportunity to get to see another country for an entire term, which gives me a chance to really learn to understand the culture and customs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATI-8aYyBN8/XKcjutDPr-I/AAAAAAAADqQ/OTjqUlsW4MA1lftP6Ct9LYkorXd0ct_7QCLcBGAs/s1600/53604431_2212298259085933_5405504955228356608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATI-8aYyBN8/XKcjutDPr-I/AAAAAAAADqQ/OTjqUlsW4MA1lftP6Ct9LYkorXd0ct_7QCLcBGAs/s320/53604431_2212298259085933_5405504955228356608_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah with her Mukono Host Mother,<br />
Mama Ruth Kareero</td></tr>
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Our USP [staff] took us to Serere for a week-long rural homestays. These homestays are valuable for USP students because we are coming from Western countries and are ignorant of what it’s like to live in a rural setting in Uganda. It’s amazing for us to have the chance to learn about it. I enjoyed small things such as shelling g-nuts with my host family, learning how to get water from the borehole, and trying to carry water on my head in a jerry can. I know that these things are commonplace to many of the students here at UCU, but for me I was learning for the first time how life works in rural Uganda, and many things were new.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cakH3K8Bpzw/XKckRRDk4kI/AAAAAAAADqg/U0-bOLDsOEo3Ox8LAyxuz9eqU53aGf_OgCLcBGAs/s1600/50898611_2183794795269613_4165616805328453632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cakH3K8Bpzw/XKckRRDk4kI/AAAAAAAADqg/U0-bOLDsOEo3Ox8LAyxuz9eqU53aGf_OgCLcBGAs/s320/50898611_2183794795269613_4165616805328453632_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah with her Mukono host sisters</td></tr>
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One thing I found myself reflecting on was the differences between American culture and Ugandan culture. I found that many people I met expressed a desire to travel to America. But I think that life in America, while it is easier in many respects, should not be idealized. I’ve realized that American culture is too fast-paced, and people become too busy to spend leisurely time together. Living with host families in Uganda has reminded me about taking the time to enjoy the small things in life, and that it’s important to make time for other people. Ugandan culture also places a huge value on respect, which is something that American culture is slipping away from. So while I understand that America seems ideal, I’m learning so much about things that make life so rich here, and that should not be undervalued. Even simple things like noticing the flavor of greens, or trying new foods like <i>atapa</i>, or learning to make chapati are small things that can bring me joy. Sometimes experiences are challenging, like stepping outside of my comfort zone to interact with people who speak a different language than me. I’ve been learning Luganda, but when I was in Serere, I didn’t really speak any <i>Ateso</i>, which is the local language of that region.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XM0w7w2jFYE/XKckBugiNOI/AAAAAAAADqY/zT_l6rcrk5MKk409UOtw1zKOJud7b1KyQCLcBGAs/s1600/52596326_2200506460265113_1437624531492536320_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XM0w7w2jFYE/XKckBugiNOI/AAAAAAAADqY/zT_l6rcrk5MKk409UOtw1zKOJud7b1KyQCLcBGAs/s320/52596326_2200506460265113_1437624531492536320_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah pumping water at her rural homestay in Serere</td></tr>
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I’m learning a balance, like any traveler, of pushing myself to do difficult things (such as learn a new phrase in a new language) and enjoying whatever life gives me (like taking morning tea).<br />
All that is to say, I’m glad I’ve come to Uganda. It’s been fun to see a new place and try to learn about a new culture. I would come back to Uganda because I feel that whenever you pour so much of yourself into trying to learn a place, you become invested in it and grow to love it. I’m thankful for everyone who has welcomed me and the other USP students and has made our semester so great so far.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf-QRA-F4_4/XK4yq1OTrLI/AAAAAAAADq4/9zCsaEg-j8QL7FTQG2Pr_mM20DzCL09VQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_6760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf-QRA-F4_4/XK4yq1OTrLI/AAAAAAAADq4/9zCsaEg-j8QL7FTQG2Pr_mM20DzCL09VQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_6760.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-90154107264378722732019-03-11T01:30:00.000-07:002019-03-11T01:30:34.551-07:00International Women's DayInternational Women's Day is celebrated globally each year on March 8th. Women are recognized for their achievements and contributions to societal development on this day all around the world. There is also a great push and many protests that occur on this days as an effort to advocate for the greater advancement in women's rights and bring awareness to different women's issues, as well as to promote equality for women around the world.<br />
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This week I've been so impressed observing and hearing of the preparations and attention that was being brought to International Women's Day in Uganda. Many organizations and business are closed for celebration of women in local communities. Many of the villages are having rallies in which they are holding education sessions and raising support for Ugandan women doing incredible work on the ground to advocate for those in their communities facing gender injustices. Being inspired by the incredible rallying this week for woman across the country, I reflected on many of the strong and hard-working women that I've encountered and been taught by.<br />
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My supervisor at my senior social work practicum placement taught me so much about the hard work and resiliency of women in this context. I learned so much from her about the many positive impacts that women are having in building up their community. She works as a Child Survival Program Coordinator for a Compassion International Child Development Center. Affectionately referred to as Auntie Liz, she works hard each day to empower some of the most vulnerable women in her community. She advocates on their behalf and for their rights and well-being. She leads sensitization lessons weekly by educating young mothers on the best practices of caring for children. She also teaches women valuable skills that equip them to support themselves and their children. Auntie Liz's client base is primarily made of young single mother's that do not have support of their families and have had little access to money for education. Auntie Liz taught me the value in empowering women around me at all times in order to build a stronger and better community.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Liz (3rd from the right) at St. Peter's Child Development Center<br />
and other staff from St. Peters with me and another USP student, Staff,<br />
and the former Vice President of the CCCU.</td></tr>
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I also learned so much about hard work and resiliency from my host momma on rural home stays. Momma Susan has six children that she has raised and supported through money she earns on her coffee farm. Each morning she goes out to her many coffee trees and picks, dries, and sells beans that then get imported to other countries. She spends long hours in her kitchen over her fire stove preparing meals for her family. When Momma Susan was young she hoped to become an ordained minister, but couldn't accomplish this because of a lack of money and education. She supported her parents from a young age and set some of her own hopes aside in order to sacrifice for her family. She encouraged me to become a pastor and to use my voice and passions to speak the gospel and show how powerful women in ministry can be! Uganda is paving the way for the global church in many ways by empowering women. Though her work is very different from my internship supervisors, I find it incredibly humbling the depth of heart she has for empowering women. She is working to educate her 4 daughters, and pushed me (her 5th daughter) to overcome challenges that I have observed in church, in education, and in life. I learned so much about what a strong woman is from her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ7c-D7DMUw/XIJ8N0cFRDI/AAAAAAAADpM/im_1NxFj3PE5b3pyzEgcCMcjg3Wl0OcjwCLcBGAs/s1600/11dea94d-cda4-45dc-9158-0c4ddae36a72.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ7c-D7DMUw/XIJ8N0cFRDI/AAAAAAAADpM/im_1NxFj3PE5b3pyzEgcCMcjg3Wl0OcjwCLcBGAs/s400/11dea94d-cda4-45dc-9158-0c4ddae36a72.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momma Susan and me after being dropped off<br />
for my week of Rural Homestay's in Kapchowra, Uganda</td></tr>
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I've continuously been inspired by women in Africa that are striving to fight for the rights and equalities of women all over the world. I will never forget stories I've heard of African feminist educators overcoming challenges to empower their communities; ordinary women who single-handedly ended war in Liberia through peace movements, leading to the first female president on the continent; African women who have built hospitals to end fatality in child birth by equipping midwives in rural villages; and the stories of the women in my own life that may never be recognized greatly for the work they do every single day. I've been wished a Happy International Women's Day by about 25 women and men on this largely celebrated holiday, which has reminded me, yet again, all that I have to learn from Ugandans. Lift women up. Support women. Fight for them. Celebrate them.<br />
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So here's to strong, passionate, resilient, brilliant women in this country. And to strong, passionate, resilient, brilliant women all over the world. May we know them, may we raise them, and may we be them.<br />
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Happy International Women's Day.Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-38676766027915982192019-02-28T05:42:00.000-08:002019-02-28T05:42:34.165-08:00Serere Rural Homestays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Two weeks ago, our USP coaster journey east to Serere, Uganda. There were many emotions and nerves as we drove deep into the village and began to drop students off with their new families for the next week. As they were dropped off, they quickly learned that "Yoga Noi" was the newest greeting in their vocabulary and that their Papa's and Tata's were so excited to welcome them in. The week </span>looked different for each one of these students, but many of them spent long days learning to cook with charcoal stoves, milking cows for the first time, fetching water from the local water pump, harvesting g-nuts and casava, and learning the language of Ateso. This week gave our students an avenue to disconnect from life in the urban settings where UCU is located and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to live in rural Uganda.</div>
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Since a photo is worth a thousand words, here are some of my favorite shots from the week </div>
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that will describe the experience better than my words ever could. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gracie Disher after being dropped off with her Jaja and Papa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPfr2bRYf7k/XHfXW163tUI/AAAAAAAADm4/rp6l7-i0r1os7QGKU8MZk25j-MraxLVYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPfr2bRYf7k/XHfXW163tUI/AAAAAAAADm4/rp6l7-i0r1os7QGKU8MZk25j-MraxLVYQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7671.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nazje Mansfield after being dropped off with her Tata</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie Davenport after church<br />
dressed in a traditional 'gomesi'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many students lived on farms!<br />
Some even got to see some births throughout the week<br />
including these small piglets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9VsJej9POo/XHfX79U39QI/AAAAAAAADnc/MXZHkNFLVbwpsdnjmfOzm-Ons-gVJ4SgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9VsJej9POo/XHfX79U39QI/AAAAAAAADnc/MXZHkNFLVbwpsdnjmfOzm-Ons-gVJ4SgQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7769.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senna Larson with her family visiting <br />
with USP staff during the week.<br />
Eating pumpkin that Senna had<br />
prepared earlier that day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda Scholl and Praise Olatunde with their host families</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hike to Sipi Falls during our Rural Homestay Debrief</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QU5UGPgDpnQ/XHfZAF5vCLI/AAAAAAAADog/3kTyQEw6QSs7Vi2goOXZHQqgbjCN1txtwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_7971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QU5UGPgDpnQ/XHfZAF5vCLI/AAAAAAAADog/3kTyQEw6QSs7Vi2goOXZHQqgbjCN1txtwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_7971.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moments before venturing back to UCU!<br />
We love our debriefs at Sipi Falls.</td></tr>
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We are so incredibly thankful for our Rural Homestay host families and everything they do for our Students. It has been another semester of incredible memories made and bonds that will last forever in Serere, Uganda.</div>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-72248173991631662402019-02-07T20:44:00.001-08:002019-02-07T20:44:54.326-08:00Thinking about applying to be a Program Assistant? You should!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you thinking about applying to be a PA for the 2019-2020 year? </div>
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Well, take it from a current PA... I really think that you should! 😊</div>
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My name is Jessica Mount. I studied with USP in the fall of 2017 and never imagined that I would be back so soon. My time as a student in Uganda was filled with so much joy, challenge, and growth... and I knew I wanted to return someday as soon as I arrived back in the states. When I saw the PA application open, I began praying and discerning if this was a good path for me and I quickly realized how much I waned to come back and work on staff with USP. I'm so thankful that I chose to apply and so thankful for the incredible experience that this has been. So, if you're thinking about applying or curious about the position, here is a glimpse at what my year as a Program Assistant has looked like! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's nothing a milkshake can't cure!<br />
Kevin Domanski after a long day<br />
at Nakasero Hospital.</td></tr>
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<b>Student Care:</b> As a PA, a lot of your time will be spent with USP students as they discover Uganda and all the wonderful things that they will learn. Journeying with students and supporting them in that is a huge part of this role. Sometimes that means late night conversations when a student is processing something challenging, other times it means taking a Saturday afternoon to bake cookies to bring them in class on Monday! Student care includes venturing out to Kampala with them for the first time to show them around the city, and it also includes venturing to Kampala with them when their stomach's aren't feeling quite right. Whether it's spending long hours in a hospital, or long hours on a taxi, both are opportunities for deeper engagement with students! Student care includes eating meals and introducing them to your Ugandan friends so they can join your for dinner. It means visiting them at their homestays, orchestrating events for them, and helping them acclimate to life here. This aspect of the job can be tiring at times, but it's so rewarding to see students grow throughout the semester!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Ivancic and Peter (our current<br />
Ugandan PA) eating chicken after a<br />
day spent in Kampala)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many evenings spent in the USP apartment<br />
as we prepared for Thanksgiving!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outing in Rwanda with all my Eddie,<br />
John, Rev. Thomas, and Rev. Emmanuel</td></tr>
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<b>Being on Staff:</b> Being on team of 11 other USP staff members has shaped my year profoundly. I've seen first hand how the staff depends on each other to meet every need and activity that comes up. I learned so much from the staff when I was a student, but I've learned even more getting to work so closely with them. Their passion for this program, for what they teach about, and for cultural engagement really helps to frame what this program is all about. Working with a team that was is so passionate about helping American college students engage well in this context has made me even more passionate about what USP teaches them as well. I've learned and grown so much through mentorship, friendship, and the wisdom of each staff member!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staff of USP Spring 2019</td></tr>
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<b>Professional Development:</b> Having studied in the Social Work emphasis, I work very closely on a daily basis with USP Social Work Coordinator, Lisa Tokpa. I've continued to learn so much about the profession from her by helping with the seminar class and through conversation of what students are learning. I've helped facilitate class discussions and Cross Culture Social Work meetings, graded journals, and conducted mid semester site visits! In my year of being a PA and working closely with Lisa and all the staff, I feel I have a clearer idea of what I am called to and what I hope to do with my degree. I've also gained so much confidence this year in how USP has equipped me to be successful in the future!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall 2018 Cross Cultural Social Work Meeting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah Wagar and her supervisor Rose<br />
at a mid semester site visit.</td></tr>
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<b>Other parts of the job:</b> This is a position that will keep you busy and keep you on your toes! There are many moving pieces and there's always something to be doing! A large part of the PA role is prepping and helping out on trips, including rural homestays and Rwanda. This includes stocking med kits, filling jerry cans, making lunches, and many other responsibilities. PA's are also responsible for updating social media, like Instagram, Twitter, and this blog! There's never a dull day and there are so many reasons we want you to be a part of this team! You will play an important part in the semesters to come!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PA Reunion at Thanksgiving dinner in 2018.<br />
Want to join this PA family (dynasty😉)<br />
I know you do! Apply today!</td></tr>
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If you are a USP alum, a recent college graduate and looking for an awesome opportunity to grow, learn and support others on the journey-- <a href="https://www.bestsemester.com/locations-and-programs/uganda/alumni?fbclid=IwAR3N95LftIZ6B1Rv28XoEx4lMwWVWtCxoG8MxTjyCEY2y_zClEWyh8LonIo">apply now and join the USP team!</a><br />
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-75708835766003762352019-01-29T04:25:00.000-08:002019-01-29T04:25:45.283-08:00Pilgrims and Monks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdqbUT-Exl0/XE_6eCAImRI/AAAAAAAADg0/tHCqf-3_2fo3l9t9WUAdZnwwGXNpMYjVwCLcBGAs/s1600/51AF865A-2BE3-4CD0-9A9D-406CABDA8B4D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="828" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdqbUT-Exl0/XE_6eCAImRI/AAAAAAAADg0/tHCqf-3_2fo3l9t9WUAdZnwwGXNpMYjVwCLcBGAs/s200/51AF865A-2BE3-4CD0-9A9D-406CABDA8B4D.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Ivancic with her host sister Miriam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 28 students of Spring 2019 have been here just shy of one month. In the process of adjusting to life in Uganda, they have been challenged and rewarded by diving headfirst into new relationships with people that will shape their time here and continue to shape them far beyond this semester. UCU roommates, students of the Honor's College, host families, practicum supervisors, and many others eagerly invite students to enter the space of their daily lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A framework that we continuously use here at USP is one of a pilgrimage. We borrow language from two theologians, William Cavanaugh and Emmanuel Katongole, as we encourage students to view themselves as pilgrims on a journey in search of significance and authenticity; seeking to move toward a center in communion with others and with God. The pilgrim looks inward to discover that home is often not stationary, but a road that runs straight through the heart. The pilgrim recognizes that it is in communing with others made in the image of God, that the character of God is revealed. Another key aspect of this pilgrimage journey is that a pilgrim must be dependent on their monks; the individuals that welcome them in as strangers, freely offering unwavering love and support. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie Olmstead with her family<br />
Rev. Frefrick and Mirica Kisitu</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For our 28 students, as they continue their search for significance, many will be looking to their new host families to be their monks. Our USP host families are an exhibit of Ugandan hospitality when they generously receive their new sons and daughters for the next four months. These families welcome our students into one the most vulnerable spaces of their lives, their homes. Our students depend on their families to provide for them and to teach them about the significance of culture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The following is a poem we share with students before they meet some of the most pivotal monks in their journeys.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Tourist or Pilgrim?</b><br />"I stand at the edge of myself and wonder<br />Where is home? Oh! Where is the place<br />Where beauty will last? When will I be safe? And where?<br />My tourist heart is wearing me out. I am so tired of seeking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For treasures that tarnish. How much longer, Lord?</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh! Which is the way home?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My luggage is heavy. It is weighing me down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am hungry for the Holy Ground of home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then suddenly, overpowering me with the truth,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A voice within me gently says:</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">‘There is a power in you, a truth in you</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That has not yet been tapped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You are blinded with a blindness that is deep,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For you have not loved the pilgrim in you yet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is a road that runs straight through your heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Walk on it.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be a pilgrim means to be on the move, slowly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To notice your luggage becoming lighter,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To seek for treasures that do not rust</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be comfortable with your heart’s questions,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be moving toward the Holy Ground of home with empty hands and bare feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And yet, you cannot reach that home until you have loved the pilgrim in you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One must be comfortable as a pilgrim before one’s feet can touch the homeland.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you want to go home?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There’s a road that runs straight through your heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Walk on it."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">~Macrina Wiederkehr</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the 28 students of spring 2019, they have began walking the road that runs through their heart, leading them home. In the great communion created by their new families, our students often begin to find their center; discovering that God is living within the monk and the spaces that they create. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Green with her host mom Monica Wanzala </td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-10359266058578092332019-01-15T00:25:00.000-08:002019-01-22T11:10:11.103-08:00Thresholds<br />
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Friends and Families of USP,<br />
<br />
Happy New Year! We hope that your time has been marked with rest and presence with those you love, and we are very happy to announce that our new Spring 2019 cohort has been on the ground in Uganda a few weeks now and are finding their "sea legs" quickly!<br />
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Today, I'd like to take a minute to talk about thresholds. These moments of time where we find ourselves briefly within two important seasons, not yet fully exited from previous one but also entering another, and where we find ourselves frozen for a moment. Not fully in either place. Armed with the perspective and time to try to answer the questions of where we've come from and where we're going. The threshold metaphor is part of the language that we use to talk about the experience of USP. During debrief, our director begins one of our processing sessions with the following quote:<br />
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<i>"A threshold is not a simple boundary; it is a frontier that divides two different territories, rhythms, and atmospheres. Indeed, it is a lovely testimony to the fullness and integrity of an experience or a stage of life that it intensified toward the end into a real frontier that cannot be crossed without the heart being passionately engaged and woken up. </i><br />
<i>At this threshold a great complexity of emotion comes alive: confusion, fear, sadness, hope. This is one reason why such vital crossings were always clothed in ritual. It is wise in your own life to be able to recognize and acknowledge the key thresholds: to take your time, to feel all the varieties of presence that accrue there, to listen inwards with complete attention until you hear the inner voice calling you forward. </i><br />
<i>The time has come to cross."</i><br />
// John O'Donohue<br />
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In our fast-paced American culture, it can be all too easy to wrap up important seasons in our lives and jump into the next one with all our strength immediately. We forcibly shorten these thresholds and ignore them into nonexistence, hopeful that if we just never stop moving, we'll never have to face the emotions that come from the loss of these closing chapters. But embracing thresholds and taking the time to just *be* is a huge lesson that many of us learn during our time in Uganda. Taking time to be fully aware of our lives as they happen to us is a new experience for many of us as we come to Uganda, and an incredibly important piece of the fabric of USP.<br />
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There are a few thresholds that are built in to our time at USP, where we carve out time between the end of one thing and the beginning of something else in order to take inventory of our hearts and center ourselves before moving forward. We have a few days set aside after we return from Rwanda and Rural Homestays in order to rest and reflect, and the culmination of our entire semester is almost five days in Entebbe answering the questions of "what just happened to me?" and "what now?" and enjoying the love and community of a group of people who came as strangers but are leaving as family.<br />
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And finally, we are experiencing a new sort of threshold in USP right now: the threshold of firsts. Students are spending their first nights with their host families, and going to their practicums for the first time, and are making their first forays into Mukono town for markets, great food, and swimming with host siblings. All these things that feel so unfamiliar and overwhelming right now, but students are engaging all the same.<br />
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I think we can all feel it, when we're on the edge of something big. This threshold we're in right now is one of new beginnings, and we're so very excited to see what happens next.<br />
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This is Louise, signing off for the year. Thanks for reading :)<br />
Stay tuned for some new developments from PA Jessica Mount.<br />
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<br />Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-28933076264548668012018-12-06T22:38:00.000-08:002018-12-06T22:38:16.144-08:00FA18 Farewell Dinner! Celebrating 15 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last night we celebrated the Fall 2018 semester Farewell Dinner with our host families, practicum site supervisors and coworkers, lecturers, drivers, staff and of course students. We are so proud of this group of students and their hard work this semester!</div>
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As is customary, among the many speeches of the evening, we have a staff speech. This year we shared collectively, speaking to the many things we are thankful for, and particularly God's faithfulness these 15 years. </div>
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You can watch our full staff speech-- all 30 minutes, full of kids, cats, fading sunlight, cell phones and of course your USP staff, OR if you're interested you can flip to the various highlights:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our Beginnings and Our students!</b> (start) </span></div>
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USP Director, Rachel Robinson </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The beautiful country of Uganda</b> (3:33)</span> </div>
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USP Office Attendant, Lydia Koma</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>15 years of partnership with UCU</b> (4:57) </span></div>
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USP Program Administrator, Lydia Wankuma</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Host Families!</b> (6:52)</span></div>
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Homestay Coordinator, Eddie Tokpa</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Honors College Partnership </b>(9:04)</span></div>
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USP Program Assistant, Becky Nairuba</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Practicum Sites and Supervisors</b> (11:50)</span></div>
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USP Social Work Coordinator, Lisa Tokpa</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Academics, our lecturers</b> (15:20) </span></div>
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Global Health Emphasis Coordinator, Micah Hughes</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Safety!</b> (18:23) </span></div>
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USP Driver, John Kabugo</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rwanda </b>(19:42) </span></div>
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Program Assistant, Louise Clark </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alumni </b>(21:05) </span></div>
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Program Assistant, Jessica Mount</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gift of Life</b> (24:14) </span></div>
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USP nurse Avrey Hughes</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>God's faithfulness</b> (25:52) </span></div>
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USP Administrative Assistant, Innocent Atimango</div>
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Just a few images of an evening full of goodness:</div>
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"Presence. Actively seeking to be present in each moment of each day is difficult, but so rewarding. I've struggled with perfectionism and anxiety for so long, and practicing presence is the best way for me to seek the Lord in the most overwhelming moments. I'm so thankful for the way that Uganda and USP softened my heart and gave me the gift of living life a little slower That's what it's all about, right? Living life together with faith, hope and love."<br />
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<i>~USP Alum, Katelyn Springer (SP'11)</i></div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-2001415351401389142018-11-28T06:16:00.001-08:002018-11-28T06:16:21.071-08:00The Night Shift<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToKoipAlt9A/W_1KKITHl-I/AAAAAAAADeE/Ajky1oi2L64e75okNVARSQ3UJVoqAxm_gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC08605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="400" height="230" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToKoipAlt9A/W_1KKITHl-I/AAAAAAAADeE/Ajky1oi2L64e75okNVARSQ3UJVoqAxm_gCLcBGAs/s400/DSC08605.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital main entrance in Mukono town.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's 6:00pm on a Friday night. The sun is setting behind Mukono hill, and campus is quieting down for the weekend. Homestay students are headed for the gates of UCU, home to their families for the weekend, and on-campus students are headed down to the dining hall for dinner. But you're a Global Health student and you're about to embark on a 12-hour hospital night shift. </span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You have the name of the nurse midwife and the doctor on call, and so you pull on your USP Global Health student scrubs, grab a cup of coffee--and head into town with a friend for your first night shift at the Church of Uganda Mukono Hospital.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As part of the Global Health Emphasis, all students do a 150-hour internship at a local healthcare organization in Uganda. USP partners with a diverse array of organizations offering internships in a variety of areas and specialties like nutrition, maternal health, physical therapy and geriatric care. The Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital, located in close proximity to Uganda Christian University, has a long-standing relationship with USP and is a significant part of the Global Health Emphasis. It is the internship site for several GHE students in any given semester, students taking Microbiology do their lab at the hospital, and others take the unique opportunity to shadow doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff from 7:00pm— 7:00am: The Night Shift. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times;">Over the twelve-hour shift, students experience what it's like to work at a hospital overnight and the diversity of cases that keep a hospital busy around the clock.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="color: #222222;">It's 2:00am. Since you arrived at the hospital, you've been in the operating theatre during an emergency C-section, a nurse has explained her perspective on the cultural and socioeconomic complexities of maternal health in Uganda, and you've taken tea with the surgeon on call. You're about to take a brief nap on a hospital cot when a patient comes in to the emergency department with a broken leg from a motorcycle accident. Adrenaline infuses your body with life again as you help the hospital team to care for this emergency. At the end of the night, you collapse in the back of the USP van as it travels back up the hill to UCU, exhausted but with a deeper </i><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><i>understanding</i></span></span><i style="color: #222222;"> of and appreciation for the work of nurses and doctors throughout the long night hours. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Spending a night at the hospital is an unique opportunity in many ways. When it's busy, you are able to observe procedures you may not be able to during the day. When it's slow--and it often is--you have the opportunity to spend real time with Ugandan healthcare professionals, learning through conversation and quality time in the wee hours of the night. The night shift at Mukono Hospital is above all a time to practice presence, being with patients who are in pain, being with health care professionals as they care for the patients, and being open to whatever happens--or doesn't happen--during a normal 12-hour day shift at the hospital.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether learning about maternal health on a night shift or sitting under a Mango tree learning about clean water, the Global Health Emphasis brings together observation, experience, and academic coursework with the goal of transformational learning.</span></span></div>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-14173536558930024602018-11-07T03:59:00.003-08:002018-11-07T04:00:49.400-08:00In Recognition of Social Work Supervisors<div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">This week's blog is guest-written by Lisa Tokpa, the Social Work </span>Coordinator<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> for Uganda Studies Program. Lisa </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">maintains relationships with all the organizations where USP social work students intern, teaches the social work practicum class, and supports social work students during their time at USP. You also may be lucky enough to end up in one of her general studies practicum classes! Thanks Lisa!</span></i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="color: orange; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>“You will know your vocation by the joy that it gives you.” </b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="color: orange; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>~ Dorothy Day</b></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every semester USP students embark on an adventure marked by growth that can only happen through relationships. One of these key relationships is between students and their supervisors. For senior social work students conducting at least 400 practicum hours, this relationship has even more potential to be transformative. But this doesn’t come without work. Just like any relationship, it takes honest communication and time, but can reap rewards even beyond expectations.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Fall 2018 Social Work Practicum Site Supervisors.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before students step foot in Uganda, supervisors gather together to connect and learn from one another’s experiences supervising American social work undergraduate students. It’s not an easy thing -- connecting with and teaching students from a very different context with expectations that have been forming over years, seeing exciting growth as they fully invest in one student who all-too-quickly leaves to make way for the next. But these professionals keep committing to a process that we are all committed to at USP – teaching the next generation the value of difference and diversity, and how to effectively engage in a globalized world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Working in the midst of incredible suffering, students are challenged by the joy that is emitted by these Ugandan mentors. With fascination, they can’t help but ask, “How do you keep going?” Supervisor’s responses, both verbal and in action every day, teach students about the power of community, humility in acknowledging our limitations, sustaining compassion, and continuing to be joyful in this broken world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We, as USP, are incredibly grateful to these amazing people who continue to be patient with our students, investing in their learning every day, and inspire them with a joy that cannot be explained. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I have learned so much about social work in Uganda and just being a social worker in general through my supervisor and coworkers. My supervisor is a strong, courageous woman who knows who she is and what her mission is in life. She has deep passion for working with children through Compassion and specifically for working with their mothers and fathers to ensure that their family is healthy and able to make the best life for them. She challenges me to be bold when working with clients and she has showed me how to deal with social issues related to Ugandan families, specifically domestic violence, within this cultural context. I want to be like her when I “grow up”. Social work practice here looks like a family welcoming you into their home, sitting with them in the comfort of their own house instead of in an office setting, maybe hitting guavas out of the guava tree in their yard and checking out their pigs and sheep, as well as maybe leaving their home with a giant papaya or stalk of sugar cane. They [co-workers] teach me to relax a little more in my role as a social worker; being open to the families we are working with while also maintaining professional boundaries.” </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> ~</i>Suzanna Knarr (Senior SWE)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzanna and her supervisor Liz Nanseko.</td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">"Doing my practicum at Kisoga Child Development Center has become my second home here in Uganda. My supervisor Miriam has helped me gain confidence to be open and comfortable when working with diverse clients. She shows humility to everyone she encounters and it is truly inspiring to see the hard work she does for her clients. She is so personable and relatable, and she plays a big part in my growth in the field of social work. "</i></div>
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~Kasey Wood (Senior SWE)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kasey and her supervisor, Miriam Kiwanuka.</td></tr>
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<i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">"When Rose greets someone, she <span class="">greets</span> them with love. When she speaks to someone, she <span class="">speaks </span>to them in love. When she is present with people, she is <span class="">present</span> in love. Over the past months I have had the opportunity to encounter what it means to love on a deeper level from my supervisor, Rose. From highlighting the importance of connections in relationships throughout the healing journey of patients and families, to being open about the concern for the well being of all people that walk through Acheru's doors; whether they are in the age bracket or not; Rose is <span class="">present in love. </span>Over the course of this semester, we have been using language around who our "monks" are while we are here in Uganda. These monks can be classified as people who accept and invite you on this season of life with them and guide you along patterns of living in Uganda. Rose has been a monk to me, and I am so grateful for her insight, humility, and presence of love as I venture on this pilgrimage through life in Uganda."</i></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">~Hannah Wagar (Junior SWE) </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah Wagar and her supervisor, Rose Nakabugo at Acheru.</td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-1702492956151738422018-10-30T12:02:00.001-07:002018-10-30T12:02:18.733-07:00Snapshots of Kapchorwa Homestays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUpO6ELHALg/W9ik95fux3I/AAAAAAAADco/nvFK4UI73yEzGiWOBVHuf0xI9tqM9SeLQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUpO6ELHALg/W9ik95fux3I/AAAAAAAADco/nvFK4UI73yEzGiWOBVHuf0xI9tqM9SeLQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4678.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last Friday morning, we loaded students and staff into the USP van and bus and left the slowly growing comfort of the Uganda Christian University campus, our Mukono host families, and our internships to learn about life in rural Uganda. As we leave Mukono, we quickly notice the houses and buildings growing smaller and more spread out. There are vast fields and swamps as far as we can see. Then we cross the source of the Nile River in Jinja. And finally, after a day of travelling, we turn up the small mountain road to Kapchorwa and the little van begins to climb into the clouds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We’ve said before that homestays are the lifeblood of the Uganda Studies Program, but it’s so true that we’ll say it again. We learn so much more deeply about places like rural Uganda when we’ve also experienced what it’s like to really live there. Whether it’s up on the mountain in Kapchorwa or out in the grassy flatlands in Soroti, USP students experience a new way of living—and therefore a new way of loving—through the wonderful host families who welcome them in.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily Bartel showing PA Becky Nairuba how she washes dishes at her Kapchorwa homestay.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This week, we bring you a tiny snapshot of some Fall 2018 students’ experience with their families in Kapchorwa and Sipi:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“My favorite memory with my host family was going on a hike with my sister to see a waterfall and visit family…and learning to make chapati and passionfruit juice!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—Emma Cann (Patrick & Violet Mutai)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The best moments for me during the week were sitting with my mama in the kitchen hut every night making dinner and having the best conversations.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—Payton Dierkes (Mama Judith & David)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Beauty was found in the simplest of things last week. I look back with so much joy on sitting out eating lunch with my siblings during a rainstorm, and taking a walk with my brother to a waterfall, both of which were filled with laughter and meaningful conversations that further made us family.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—Richard Guinta (Chebet Joel & Joselline)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“It was a time to reflect and experience God’s amazing beauty in the middle of the semester.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—Derek Twinney</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Picking coffee every day…really makes you appreciate that cup a day even more.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>—Alexa Spandrio (Maliche Martin & Mercyline)</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin Domanski with his host niece.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">USP is a program built around relationships. Everything we do here, we do in the context of relationships of friends, roommates, professors, supervisors and families who welcome us in. The experience of waking up on Mount Elgon, learning how to pick and roast coffee right where it’s grown, and live life at a "rural pace" with Ugandans would not be possible without the deep ties of these relationships with host families.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We love you, and thank you for all you do, host families!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miriam Thurber and her host mama.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwwQJBGfzNw/W9hORdAzT7I/AAAAAAAADbw/foYEdwR2FCMqRCdlkY3pefOvFS1niN_IwCLcBGAs/s1600/PHOTO-2018-10-12-21-55-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwwQJBGfzNw/W9hORdAzT7I/AAAAAAAADbw/foYEdwR2FCMqRCdlkY3pefOvFS1niN_IwCLcBGAs/s400/PHOTO-2018-10-12-21-55-50.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel Kim with his host mama, Jocelyn Kaptire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO2mgg5vI8U/W9hOTL9rlpI/AAAAAAAADb0/wUwtqY1qbVgNHpccQJdO540zbLGIKdIHgCLcBGAs/s1600/PHOTO-2018-10-14-22-14-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nO2mgg5vI8U/W9hOTL9rlpI/AAAAAAAADb0/wUwtqY1qbVgNHpccQJdO540zbLGIKdIHgCLcBGAs/s400/PHOTO-2018-10-14-22-14-34.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a birthday in Uganda without being "showered"! Rachel, Eddie, and the PAs made a special visit to Madi Shae Thompson's homestay to deliver a few birthday surprises.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel Baker smiling with her host family as the USP van stops by on the main road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">We made good use of the mud on our hike to see all three of the Sipi Falls!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Hiking Sipi on our debrief weekend.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Guinta preparing to lead a USP worship service for students on the edge of the world.</td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-30155856078002003172018-10-08T05:40:00.001-07:002018-10-08T05:41:44.892-07:00Intersections: Reflections on a Mukono HomestayHappy Monday, friends!<br />
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During the USP application process, students choose their living context: either an "On-Campus student" living in the dorms with fellow UCU and USP students, or a "Homestay Student," living with a host family for the full semester. Our On-campus students, also do a shorter homestay in Mukono for two-weeks, which they recently completed.<br />
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No matter their living situation, all students who come to the Uganda Studies Program are committing to engage with two different host families during their time in Uganda, one in the more urban, or suburban context of Mukono, and one in a rural context for a week mid-semester. This commitment paves the way for some of the most beautiful friendships and learning moments of the semester to take place. Host families are the life blood of our program. They welcome us in semester after semester, they call us "son" and "daughter" though we have just met, and they gently teach us so much about hospitality and generosity. When I did USP in 2016, I was a Hometsay student, and this week, I'd love to share some thoughts on living with a homestay family in Mukono town.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The woman, the legend: Mama Robinah Lubanga, my host mom </td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"The sun has sunk beneath the horizon just moments before, and has left the sky with a deep, fading glow. The bean vines climbing upward in the center of the courtyard stand dark, silhouettes, against the deepening sky. A rooster lets out a strangled cry somewhere outside. The smell of cooking matooke and woodsmoke wafts over from the cookhouse. We lean back on the porch, our backs resting against the thrashed love seat that stands against the wall. On the ground between us, drifting up from Eva’s phone are the tinny words:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Greater things are yet to come.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Greater things are still to be done here.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We sing along quietly, lost in the moment and at least for one space in time not Ugandan and American or black and white or nineteen and twenty-five. As the porch light flickers on and the mosquitoes slowly gather in swarms above our heads, we sing the end of the song as family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I didn’t expect, when this whole crazy adventure began, that I would leave Uganda with a second family. But things are shaping up for exactly that to happen. My Ugandan sisters make me laugh and drive me up the wall simultaneously, just the way my American brothers do. The echoes of Mama calling down the hallway for us do something for her sounds pretty much the same as my mom at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>But there are also times where I feel the weight of the fact that I’m only in this family for four months.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> There are moments when Luganda or cultural differences step in between us and I wonder how I ever could have thought I was part of this family. But then come moments where I let my guard down, where I stop trying so hard to be <i>in</i> my family and relax into the place of simply being present <i>with</i> my family. These are the moments where I feel at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An added wrinkle comes, also, when I consider that I don’t always feel like I completely fit in with my family back in America either. Especially since leaving for college and I think that’s just a part of being in community with people—as similar as we may be, we are still built for different callings. We are still fearfully and wonderfully and <i>uniquely</i> made. We will always find a part of us that remains separate from our chosen family. And so it seems to me that the best way to find family, both here in Uganda and back in America, is to meet each other at the intersection of our faith in Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Here in Uganda, our intersections are the moments where we sit around the coffee table reading the story of Moses from a tattered Good News Bible. Or singing loud, off-key worship songs in the kitchen while washing dishes. Or thanking God before dinner that He has kept us alive and safe for another day, and has shown us just a little bit more of His glory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The times when we all pause and focus not on all the things that make us different, but instead on the <i>most important</i> thing that makes us the same—those are the times when I am woven inextricably into the fabric of this family. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters. From left to right: Louise, Judith, Eve, and Gloria</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The same thing applies to my family at home in the United States. It all comes down to one simple thing, I think. Where we find God, we find love. And where we find love, no matter who with, we find family. I have found that real family comes when we intentionally say to someone else: “I acknowledge that we’re different, but I won’t let that keep us from each other. I’m going to love you anyway in the best way I know how.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My Ugandan family is a perfect example. None of my host brothers and sisters are biologically related to my host mom. We’re all “adopted,” living together in the same house and trying to build a family pretty much from the ground up. We’ve come from seven completely different directions, far apart from each other and yet somehow converging on this one spot. This intersection of a house on Kayunga Road in Mukono, central Uganda. Mama has welcomed us into this place with all our differences and baggage and has invited us to an intersection of love. Of faith. Of dancing in the rain and chasing chickens across the courtyard. And while sometimes we still find ourselves sitting around the table with nothing to say, those moments are becoming fewer and fewer. We’ve begun to build a lattice of memories and laughter and knowledge about each other. Our intersections are becoming larger. As we draw closer and closer to each other, our family grows stronger."</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: x-small;"><i>~ Louise Clark</i></span></div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-29196930988343572172018-09-26T06:46:00.000-07:002018-09-26T06:46:00.888-07:00Christians for More Than Sunday: Student Reflections on Rwanda<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Rachel Baker, Amanda Trout, Jenny Jobson, & Lauren Nagy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Rwanda. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>What exactly can I say to describe one week packed full of deep heartache juxtaposed with some of the deepest love I have ever experienced? Truth be told, it’s hard to put into words what I saw and experienced during my time in Rwanda. Together, with 28 students from the US, 10 students from UCU’s honors college, and 10 dedicated staff members, we embarked on our pilgrimage to Rwanda.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>— Lauren Nagy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> USP Global Health Emphasis, Fall 2018</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We began our pilgrimage to Rwanda on August 24 at 4:30 am. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise, delicious food, restful naps, and a long bus ride of meaningful conversations. After crossing the equator, I entered the southern hemisphere for the first time. We made the second big step in our journey, crossing the border and entering Rwanda. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>— Jenny Jobson</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> USP Global Health Emphasis, Fall 2018</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Every semester, the Uganda Studies Program packs up and travels the long road through western Uganda to Rwanda in a week-long study trip and pilgrimage. Together with USP & UCU staff, USP students, and UCU Honors College students, we travel with the hope of better understanding the suffering and triumphs in one of our closest neighboring countries to Uganda. We travel together in a close community, studying the complexities of faith and politics in Rwanda; we go with the hope of understanding the importance of faith in the unity of a nation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We leave with an urgent discovery that the divisions in Rwanda cannot be passed off as solely “African” or “foreign”. They are the result of a complex history of hurt in which we are deeply involved as Americans and as the Church. We discover the deep divisions within our own lives with new eyes through the lens of Rwanda. A huge thanks to two Fall 2018 students—Jenny Jobson and Lauren Nagy—for sharing their experience with entering Rwanda not as a tourist, but as a pilgrim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>On Saturday, we participated in Umuganda—a Rwandan tradition that takes place on the last Saturday of every month. They dedicate the day to working towards rebuilding the community and participating in community service. We helped to construct a church building by forming an assembly line from a large pile of bricks to the building and passing the bricks one by one. Seeing Rwandans working together side by side just twenty years after such a horrific genocide that was caused by divisions was such an incredible sight.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We spent the next three days in Kigali, visiting genocide memorials and meeting with survivors. We visited the largest genocide memorial in Rwanda, containing mass graves of about 250,000 people. It’s one thing to hear the number of 800,000 deaths but it is another thing to learn about the individual stories of each of the people killed. There was a quote at the memorial that I still remember—that genocide is not mass murder, it is one murder after another after another. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>It is hard to describe all the things that were seen and the array of emotions that were felt. I felt grief, anger, and disbelief but also hope. Despite learning about the tragedies of the 1994 genocide, we also learned about the amazing growth and reconciliation that has intentionally taken place in the last twenty years. We got to witness a panel of survivors and perpetrators sit side by side and speak of what life has been like since the genocide and how they have been able to forgive one another. In that moment, </i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;"><i>many students felt God’s presence and power in new ways and were led to examine un-forgiveness in their own lives.</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms"; line-height: normal;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Leaving Rwanda, we all left deeply impacted by all that we had seen and learned about. Despite all of the questions and difficult emotions, it was an honor to step into the individual stories of the genocide, to meet survivors and perpetrators, and to hear about the hopeful efforts towards reconciliation.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>— </i>Jenny</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny speaking at church in Rwanda near the Tanzanian border.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I had learned about the genocide that happened in April of 1994 in Rwanda in my high school geography class, but our discussions did no justice to the atrocities that happened there. This was an experience that brought to light much of what happened historically and socially in the country. It answered many questions, but it also brought many new questions.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>At the end of the day, there is certainly one thing that I will always carry with me: That is the idea that through Christ, anyone can be reconciled to their past. The key to this is Christ. Reconciliation is not something that we can fully achieve without our savior. Countless times I saw people grant forgiveness in situations that I couldn’t imagine forgiving. It is nearly impossible to understand, but it’s a lesson that has been imprinted on my heart. Through conversations with fellow students, I have been able to reflect on my experience and realize that there is so much in my own life that I can reconcile with the help of Christ.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>— Lauren</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the road to Kigali.<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of the most powerful and difficult things about traveling to Rwanda as a learner is the inevitable realization that the history of the West—our history—is tied up with the history of Rwanda. As Christians we’re hit again by the realization that we are a part of the same church that allowed the genocide in Rwanda to happen; and we are not so dissimilar from the Christians in Rwanda who were able to go to church and worship on Sunday and resume killing their neighbors on Monday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For how many of us does Christianity get left in the building when church ends on Sunday morning? For how many of us is the Church irrelevant Monday through Saturday? </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These are some of the questions we explore as we travel in Rwanda. Through visiting memorials, museums, development and reconciliation organizations, and through hearing from Rwandans, we explore this central question:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So we call ourselves Christians. How should that make us different? </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USP and Honors College students at a stop on the Equator during our road trip.</td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-5452522056725122202018-09-19T00:09:00.002-07:002018-09-19T00:09:58.004-07:00Introducing Fall 2018!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Well friends, It’s early September and that means a few things here at the Uganda Studies Program. It’s the beginning of the rainy season in Uganda, so the days are marked by beautiful sunshine in the morning that reminds us we live on the Equator; in the afternoon, clouds gather on the hill behind campus and unleash downpours of warm rain in the early afternoon, usually just after the afternoon classes start. Everything is <i>so</i> green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Early September also means that the semester is in full swing and there’s a brand new cohort of USP students wandering the bright shops of Mukono, gathering in the dining hall drinking tea, and learning to live with their wonderful Ugandan host families. I’d like to be the first to introduce you to the lovely group of students that are USP Fall 2018.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USP family is complete with all our students and staff finally here!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’d like to introduce myself too, Louise Clark, who will be hanging out here on the USP blog all semester and helping to share the stories of this program as they unfold. I’m a USP alumna from Fall 2015 and have returned to Uganda Christian University as a Program Assistant for this academic year along with Jess Mount (USP Fall ’17) and Becky Nairuba (UCU Class of 2016). Together, we live and work alongside USP students to support and help with adjusting to life in Uganda. We also love taking students out for coffee and helping plan the adventures throughout the semester that make up USP. ;)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jess, Becky and Louise, the FA18 PA Team!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This semester, we have 16 students in our Global Health Emphasis, taking classes like Infectious Disease, Microbiology, and Nutrition and interning all over town at hospitals, rehab centers, and public health organizations. They came a month early to study nutrition before the start of the semester, and are now beginning at their internship sites this week.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Global Health Emphasis students visiting Reach One Touch One Ministries--a Ugandan organization that focuses on holistic elderly care within the community--during the August module.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; white-space: pre;">T</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">here are 5 students studying social work this semester, at both the junior and senior level, and are also beginning to spend full days learning about their internship sites and getting to know their coworkers. And last but not least, there are 6 General Studies Emphasis students from all different majors taking African languages, studying in UCU and USP classes, and starting their internships as well. The USP parking lot is a busy hub of excited students leaving for their first times at their internships all over Mukono and the surrounding area! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Studies and Social Work students arriving at Entebbe International Airport.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Our first few weeks here have included a week-long road trip to study Rwanda’s history and development, our first week of classes here at Uganda Christian University, and the beginning of Mukono homestays for both our on-campus students and semester-long homestay students. Life has been moving fast here at USP, but we’re finally slowing down into the rhythm of the semester and living into the Luganda phrase <i>mpola mpola</i>. It means “slowly by slowly”; everything will happen in its own time. </span></div>
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Cheers!<br />
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We'll see you next week.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">Students being dropped off for semester-long homestays </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">with dear USP host families in Mukono town. Richard </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">and Mama Jovita (above) & Daniel and Rev. Samson & </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">Prescilla Maliisa (below)</span></div>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-33532802330554957282018-05-09T06:58:00.001-07:002018-05-09T07:02:20.531-07:00That's a Wrap!<div style="text-align: justify;">
The end of the spring semester is always busy and intense; not only are students trying to finish up classes, write papers and prepare for exams, but there is a flurry of fun, end-of semester events and activities. In the midst of all that we are preparing for an 8-day study trip to Rwanda, after which we come back to Uganda for our Debrief/ Re-entry Retreat, before students say their goodbyes and fly home for the summer. </div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Global 5K</span></b><br />
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The Global 5K is an annual event to raise funds for Honors College scholarships that brings together USP and Honors College students as well as any alumni in the area. Set on the Saturday morning before exams week, it is the perfect opportunity to work out some stress and enjoy each others company. The run was a success all around, raising funds for the scholarships and bringing everyone together on a beautiful Saturday morning. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Global 5K participants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cassidy Griffith receiving an award for the fastest female runner. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">USP/ Honors College Community Worship </span></b><br />
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Honors College students have the opportunity to lead praise and worship during the UCU
Community hour every semester. Coming together for practice, and then leading the congregation in a time of worship is meaningful not only for the students, but is a fun way for USP students to give back to the community that has hosted them for the semester.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practicing together for Community Worship </td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> Styling in their "kitenge skirts" and rocking out in Community Worship </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Farewell Dinner </span></b><br />
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The Farewell Dinner brings together the many people that make up the USP community for a meaningful evening of celebration even as we start to say our difficult goodbyes to host families, roommates, lecturers, practicum supervisors and coworkers, drivers, students and staff members. There were speeches, a big Ugandan buffet and delicious cake, and this year the Guest of Honor, UCU's Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye presented USP students with their certificates of completion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cutting of the cake at the Farewell dinner by all who gave speeches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USP Staff in matching celebrator kitenge outfits-- one of our favorite Spring semester traditions</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindsay Rennick receives her certificate </td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Rwanda </span></b><br />
Every semester we travel to Rwanda for an 8-day study tour, a pilgrimage to learn about the history, culture and development of one of Uganda's closest neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited two genocide memorials, Nyamatta Church and the Kigali Memorial, to learn about the 1994 genocide. We visited CARSA, a Christian organization doing the hard but necessary work of reconciliation and rebuilding, and heard the stories of people who daily continue to choose forgiveness and reconciliation as a way of life even 24 years after the genocide. Another organization we learned from was Hope International that teaches financial literacy and supports rural communities as they develop savings and loans groups.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Director of the CARSA talks to the students<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting a rural savings group with Hope International </td></tr>
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Our last day in Rwanda was spent at Koiika Cooperative learning about and enjoying traditional Rwandan art, song and dance. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to make their own art and sing and dance!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Imagongo</i>-- traditional Rwandan art</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning traditional Rwandan dancing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rwanda Debrief on Bushara Island</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Debrief</span></b></div>
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The final component of USP is our Debrief/Re-entry retreat where we process the semester and prepare students for re-entry back home. It is a special time being together and appreciating the friendships that have been built and the growth they have experienced over the past four months. We were joined by friends and roommates from UCU for the last afternoon before students started departing Uganda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative processing-- a necessary component of all USP debriefing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The first group leaving for the airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring 2018!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Global Health Emphasis May Module </span></b></div>
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This semester, four of the Global Health students are participating in our first ever two-week Global Health May module in northern Uganda. Among the many opportunities students are participating in these two weeks are meetings with community leaders, learning about rural community health education and public health interventions, visiting Uganda's largest refugee camp, participating in trainings through <a href="http://www.themangoproject.com/" target="_blank">The Mango Project</a> and taking a class in Nutrition with GHE Coordinator, Micah Hughes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd4DP8Zwv-k/WvLDqglsK_I/AAAAAAAADXk/CsiLARPwjO8e6fLLyJ1c6j-HK-6vtYx1ACLcBGAs/s1600/47e088e1-916c-4b48-8472-5f45bc4f43a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zd4DP8Zwv-k/WvLDqglsK_I/AAAAAAAADXk/CsiLARPwjO8e6fLLyJ1c6j-HK-6vtYx1ACLcBGAs/s320/47e088e1-916c-4b48-8472-5f45bc4f43a9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Module participants: Laura Sollenberger, Danae Troutman, USP-PA: Morgan Walker, Cassidy Griffith, Claire Smeltzer </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students participating in Mango preservation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GHE student, Cassidy, and GHE Coordinator, Micah, preserving mangoes</td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-9417046797873158842018-04-02T05:56:00.001-07:002018-04-02T05:56:14.554-07:00The Gulu Weekend: Insights<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qvlHQWIwGR8/Wrn9v8zS-NI/AAAAAAAADQA/mHHkX1aY6GI7vJvA0mEHLZOLYH9iAngwgCLcBGAs/s1600/Gulu_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="460" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qvlHQWIwGR8/Wrn9v8zS-NI/AAAAAAAADQA/mHHkX1aY6GI7vJvA0mEHLZOLYH9iAngwgCLcBGAs/s400/Gulu_01.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gulu Town </td></tr>
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<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">USP recently traveled to Gulu, a town in northern Uganda, the hub of AID and development work in a region that has recently come out of period of significant conflict and violence. We learned about the 20-year conflict with the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), which only ended in 2007, and which saw many Acholi children abducted and communities fractured and displaced by the violence. T</span></span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">here are a host of individuals and organizations committed to the work of rehabilitation a</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">s the region engages in the slow and painful process of recovery. </span></span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 16pt;">We had the privilege of visiting three unique </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 21px;">organizations, and learning about their </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 16pt;">different responses and approaches to rebuilding; The Women's Advocacy Network, The Recreation Project and Music for Peace.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students in the coaster, traveling north to Gulu!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;"><span style="color: orange;">"Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable,"</span><span style="color: #141414;"> says one African proverb that speaks to the power and support of community, which we saw and experienced learning about </span></span></span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 16pt;">The <a href="http://www.justiceandreconciliation.org/initiatives/womens-advocacy-network/" target="_blank">Women's Advocacy Network</a>. WAN is a non-governmental
organization that helps over 500 women who have have returned from captivity, and struggle to reintegrate back into society</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 21px;">.</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 16pt;"> Their mission is to "To seek reintegration, reconciliation, and justice for war-affected women." <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Am-Evelyn-Amony-Reclaiming-Resistance/dp/0299304949/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1522662589&sr=1-2-fkmr2&keywords=i+am+evelyn+almond" target="_blank">Evelyn Amony</a> and</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 16pt;"> Victoria Nyanjura (founders and leaders of WAN) spoke to us about about the program and how it brings together many war-affected women
in seeking justice and reconciliation. WAN provides support to the women on multiple levels, the first is through small localized support groups, that meet together regularly. The women also have opportunities to get involved in income generation projects provides them with the ability to support themselves and their children. WAN also advocates for acknowledgment and accountability for the women, for the atrocities that occurred during the war. It is a powerful example of people coming together and working together to support, encourage and advocate for one another. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evelyn and Victoria share about Women Advocacy Network</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">"If you want to go fast, go alone. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">If you want to go far, go together."</span><span style="color: #141414; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;"> </span><span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;">~African Proverb</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://therecreationproject.org/" target="_blank">TheRecreation Project</a> (TRP) uses a more physical and mind-engaging approach to post-war reconciliation, inspiring youth to overcome fear and patterns of war through play and team building activities. F</span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">acilitators, Oliver, Janet, Deo and Godfrey, led the students through many of the activities, not just telling them, but <i>showing</i> them how powerful these trust and community-building activities can be. The project is evolving as the development landscape of Gulu changes and now includes an economic outreach program teaching modern piggery
farming. After a full morning of activities, we had lunch with the TRP staff as they shared more about the impact of TRP and how it has affected </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">and enriched their</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> lives.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2liceeAoqFE/WrtEpJbm0GI/AAAAAAAADRU/gShSEFTuyN8ZKIjggVg_Ko3Min1QilLHQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2liceeAoqFE/WrtEpJbm0GI/AAAAAAAADRU/gShSEFTuyN8ZKIjggVg_Ko3Min1QilLHQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_2480.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Recreation Project</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsdsVawZBB0/Wrn9v_sgwqI/AAAAAAAADP4/C6l2arjuFVAVVTTby0m0gTx6t_hvDHtKgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jsdsVawZBB0/Wrn9v_sgwqI/AAAAAAAADP4/C6l2arjuFVAVVTTby0m0gTx6t_hvDHtKgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2272.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Students trying working to get through 'the spider web.'</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxGMdCzhRd8/WrtGtWkEWkI/AAAAAAAADSA/1u8JJXvc1JU3q3zeTKQv3NJTedVGvjdrgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxGMdCzhRd8/WrtGtWkEWkI/AAAAAAAADSA/1u8JJXvc1JU3q3zeTKQv3NJTedVGvjdrgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2285.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students learning about each other and communication through an<br />
activity called the Treasure Hunt </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8mgfehlNOA/Wrn9xifoY0I/AAAAAAAADQE/VzoWVLxs63ApUtFDv91L15-CMY8CWwIIACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8mgfehlNOA/Wrn9xifoY0I/AAAAAAAADQE/VzoWVLxs63ApUtFDv91L15-CMY8CWwIIACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2292.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having lunch with the TRP facilitators</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;">"When the music changes, so does the dance." </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: "times"; font-size: xx-small;">~African Proverb</span></div>
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://www.mfpuganda.org/" target="_blank">Music For Peace</a> is an organization founded to promote peace building and positive social change
through music. We met and heard from the founders, Jeff ‘Korondo’ and his wife Lindsay who shared about the development of MFP. Jeff is a
popular artist in northern Uganda who, as a response to his own experiences during the war, uses his talent of music to inspire and create a
network of other local artists to bring peace through the powerful medium of music. The couple have supported many youth
to engage in music as a way of emotional release, and a vehicle for positivity. After discussion we were treated to a live performance by several musicians in their new recording studio! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgUibuH08Vg/Wrn9y04cuUI/AAAAAAAADQQ/6twIYkV8i1oDuRmdrrMH4zS8uPlx1M8YACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgUibuH08Vg/Wrn9y04cuUI/AAAAAAAADQQ/6twIYkV8i1oDuRmdrrMH4zS8uPlx1M8YACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2296.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and Lindsay share about Music For Peace</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hF2H_D5g_0Y/WrtEqNmx97I/AAAAAAAADR4/B_RS2U2LIP4JY-jIhFlLEX7OD2Flj1beQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hF2H_D5g_0Y/WrtEqNmx97I/AAAAAAAADR4/B_RS2U2LIP4JY-jIhFlLEX7OD2Flj1beQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_2486.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff sings some of the songs in the studio</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #141414; font-family: "times";"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Sunday morning, before returning to Mukono, we enjoyed a student-led worship service, in which several students shared about their own faith journeys over the semester. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i8c1LwxW_Ok/Wrn90aLCdOI/AAAAAAAADQc/EKdhn4anY5swbe5YqdpT9S7h5GfA7djiQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i8c1LwxW_Ok/Wrn90aLCdOI/AAAAAAAADQc/EKdhn4anY5swbe5YqdpT9S7h5GfA7djiQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2307.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worship service at the guest house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8nPOeU0jok/Wrn90O-pN-I/AAAAAAAADQY/d_hD1DnKl1g5w2cZ6woChobu-5M4w3VwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8nPOeU0jok/Wrn90O-pN-I/AAAAAAAADQY/d_hD1DnKl1g5w2cZ6woChobu-5M4w3VwgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_2310.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stopping for lunch on the way back home.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">We are always grateful for the people who are willing to spend time with us, sharing about the work they do and the lessons they've learned along the way. And we thankful to learn about and be inspired by the work they are doing to rebuild </span></span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">people and their </span><span style="color: #141414; font-family: times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">communities in Northern Uganda. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #141414; font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">Listening is the most difficult skill to learn </span></span><span style="color: orange; font-family: times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: times; font-size: 21.33333396911621px;">the most important one to have. </span><span style="color: orange; font-family: times; font-size: xx-small;">~African Proverb</span></div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-81100216223393462872018-03-20T09:14:00.003-07:002018-03-20T09:14:42.355-07:00"Poetry and Readings" Student Blog Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><a href="https://monicastravels162983249.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Monica's Travels </span></a></b><br />
<i>Monica Knaak</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8bUdYX405yM/WrEHrtV7SAI/AAAAAAAADPM/v9FWdgxW4n4TRj1F0WG43Mq1IlKjk70YQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.24.16%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="820" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8bUdYX405yM/WrEHrtV7SAI/AAAAAAAADPM/v9FWdgxW4n4TRj1F0WG43Mq1IlKjk70YQCLcBGAs/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.24.16%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greetings to all of you from Serere, Mukono and UCU!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times; text-indent: 36pt;">I have been putting off writing this blog
because I have not known where to start or what to say. This is certainly not
for a lack of words, as this semester has been one of lots of writing, but
rather deciding how to share with all of you about everything that I have been
experiencing, learning and thinking about since the last time I posted. I have
really tried to start this blog and have had many different ideas about how to
go about this, but today I decided to share with you all a section of a longer
poem I wrote this week for one of my classes about my recent experiences in the
broader sense of my entire experience. I also am including a suggested reading
list based on some of the reading I have done this semester. If you have any
specific questions about anything or want to talk to me, please reach out as it
is so much easier to talk about life here one-on-one.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Week 1 I was told, “you’re
a pilgrim, not a tourist.”<br />
We read that a pilgrimage was about “transformation of the self<br />
Through the forgiveness of sin” (Cavanaugh, 2008, p. 349).<br />
I never knew how true that could be – that I would truly be transforming<br />
In ways I never could have predicted.<br />
It involved “humility…a stripping away of the external sources of<br />
Stability in one’s life…generally traveled on foot” (Cavanaugh, 2008, p. 349).<br />
I didn’t know then what I know now about living daily<br />
With cultural humility, without a sense of stability or routine at times<br />
And with a walk on foot that challenges me.<br />
Although I didn’t know then what it really meant to be a pilgrim,<br />
I jumped on the USP pilgrim train,<br />
Having no clue where it would take me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fast forward through 2
months of learning, reading, and listening;<br />
2 months of talking, telling stories, and building relationships;<br />
2 months of experiencing family life and learning the Ugandan ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then “spring break” comes.<br />
And like any good pilgrim, I was ready to engage, learn, and rest.<br />
I met my sweet Serere family in rural Uganda<br />
A mama, a grandma, a 9 month-old sister, a 19 year-old brother, a great aunt,<br />
And 2 girls that were house help but were like my other sisters.<br />
I never knew how fast I could come to feel like family.<br />
They all wanted to sit with me and teach me their ways:<br />
Shelling g-nuts, cooking their specialties, speaking Ateso,<br />
Sweeping the compound, digging in the garden, and so much more.<br />
They taught me how important community is –<br />
They work hard together, eat together, and rest together.<br />
There is something beautiful about resting with family<br />
In the shade in the heat of the day.<br />
During this time of enjoying beautiful views,<br />
I read </span><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">Jesus Feminist</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">After the Locusts</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Education for
Homelessness or Homemaking”<br />
And I thought about the woman I wanted to become.<br />
At the end of the week, I cried when departing, wishing I could stay longer.<br />
As a pilgrim, I walked away with a new family, a new home,<br />
And a better, growing understanding of myself.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My pilgrimage then took me
to Sipi Falls.<br />
Where I debriefed and hiked with my monks and friends.<br />
I was returning physically exhausted and unprepared for the week ahead.<br />
I was unprepared to transition back to life in Mukono.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times;">My pilgrimage then took me through</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">One of the hardest weeks of the semester.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">A week filled with tears, emotions all over the spectrum,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">Conversations with many monks, and lots of self-learning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">But after a restful weekend of writing, processing, and sleeping,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">I was refreshed and ready to be a student again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">While I still needed to ponder difficult questions and topics,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">Hear difficult stories, and process many experiences,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">I felt once again like myself and able to live well</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;">In this place that I have come to love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMgCHY09cLE/WrEHrUe_fBI/AAAAAAAADPE/1xfk9Sdstc0mFJwsISg1d8vT1zc4AAlHACLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.25.04%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="460" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMgCHY09cLE/WrEHrUe_fBI/AAAAAAAADPE/1xfk9Sdstc0mFJwsISg1d8vT1zc4AAlHACLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.25.04%2BPM.png" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monica digging with her mom in the garden</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydVVHrFtNW0/WrEHsZIFY8I/AAAAAAAADPQ/T7e3yJ5FX4Ywy3LXqu-OZWlPgXXn9FiSwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.27.16%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="818" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ydVVHrFtNW0/WrEHsZIFY8I/AAAAAAAADPQ/T7e3yJ5FX4Ywy3LXqu-OZWlPgXXn9FiSwCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-03-19%2Bat%2B2.27.16%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tending to the fire in the kitchen </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: times; text-align: left; text-indent: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: times; text-align: left; text-indent: 18pt;">After
talking about my life as a student, I feel the need to write a book
recommendation list because I have read SO many good books and articles this
semester that have made me think a lot.</span></div>
</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">After the Locusts</span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by
Denise Ackermann – One of my favorites of the semester that is an
accessible book of letters on theology and feminism and responses to
suffering from a white South African woman post-Apartheid.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">Compassion </span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by
Henri Nouwen, Donald McNeill, and Douglas Morrison – Such a good read
about what it truly means to live out real compassion and about the
importance of community.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">Jesus Feminist</span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by
Sarah Bessey – This is the book I read for fun over my rural homestay and
it is such a good, quick read that is all about the role of women in the
church.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Education
for Homelessness or Homemaking? The Christian College in a Postmodern
Culture” by Steven Bouma-Prediger and Brian Walsh – An interesting article
about the purpose of education and our care for creation.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">Community 101 Reclaiming the Local Church as Community of
Oneness</span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> – I only
read chapter 1 but chapter 1 was SO good and I am hoping to read the rest
of the book at some point.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">When Helping Hurts </span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">– An important look at how we help others as the church
and approaches to responding to poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: none 1.0pt; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0cm;">Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger</span></i><span style="font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> – I haven’t yet finished
this book, but it is a theological look at wealth and poverty in today’s
world.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">I am sure this will be a growing list, but I think that’s all for now.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sZuRovK0vY/WrD8NH_z7pI/AAAAAAAADOs/Df0e4jEGTTA5keWIR5o98L65I7iI4IjuwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180319_095532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5sZuRovK0vY/WrD8NH_z7pI/AAAAAAAADOs/Df0e4jEGTTA5keWIR5o98L65I7iI4IjuwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20180319_095532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monica and other students in a Faith & Action class.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-83037127180982401862018-03-13T11:03:00.000-07:002018-03-13T11:04:47.741-07:00Life as a UCU Student<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of being a USP student is becoming a Uganda Christian University (UCU) student. As UCU students, USP students have the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of UCU life; from living in the dorms and eating in the dining hall, to participating in
fellowships and choirs, to joining sports teams.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPPBuzOzSJ8/Wp_OrwuZCgI/AAAAAAAADN0/rMTOiParAmcCbJQgPdSRMMCI3_LeznP5QCLcBGAs/s1600/UCU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPPBuzOzSJ8/Wp_OrwuZCgI/AAAAAAAADN0/rMTOiParAmcCbJQgPdSRMMCI3_LeznP5QCLcBGAs/s400/UCU.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Uganda Christian University has some of the best sports teams in the nation, and as UCU students, USP students are able to be a part of them-- not simply as visitors playing with the team, but actual members of the team. Hospitality in value that extends to all areas of life in Uganda; students find the same openness and generosity of spirit becoming a part of a team, as they do with their host families.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white;"><i>“UCU does an exceptional job of allowing USP students to get involved in on-campus activities. I have specifically seen this as the UCU soccer team has welcomed me with open arms. From the moment I joined the team, the coaches and players have encouraged and loved me so well. From walking with me to the market to get soccer clothes, to staying after practice to train me, they are always willing to go the extra mile to make me feel comfortable. Seeing my teammates throughout the day never fails to bring a smile to my face as their excitement and joy is such a blessing to me. I am very thankful for the privilege to be able to be on a team that teaches me so much about hospitality and relationships through their actions.” </i></span>-Kathryn Evenson (Dallas Baptist University) </div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white;"><i>"Walking
onto UCU's campus for the first time felt like freshman year of college all
over again, except three times more intimidating. Besides my appearance giving
away the fact that I obviously didn't belong, my actions during the first two
weeks screamed ignorance and my lack of knowledge about how to function in this
new place. It was only when I established relationships with my roommates and
joined the UCU volleyball team that I gained confidence in not only how to
survive here, but how to thrive here. I quickly learned how gracious my Ugandan
friends were with me through their gentle corrections of how to properly wash
my clothes or how to speak Luganda. There is so much beauty in our common
humanity. I couldn't help but smile when my teammates designated me as the
all-time "score keeper" during our scrimmages, giggling every time I
said "twunny" instead of "twen-ty." Differences in culture
do not stop community from happening. I have seen evidence of this each night
with my three roommates. Some nights we spend doing squats and Zumba videos,
other nights we talk about the difficulty of college classes or what boys we
are crushing on. My roommates have doubled as my seamstresses, hairstylists,
and sisters. They never fail to wish me goodnight or good morning. Referring to
myself as a Uganda Christian University student is actually starting to sound
normal; it's a title I feel honored to have as part of my identity. I finally
feel like I belong." </i></span><span style="background-color: white;">-Sidney
Blankespoor (Point Loma Nazarene University) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The UCU womens volleyball team (Sidney Blankespoor third from the left)</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another way USP students are integrated into the UCU
community is through taking classes with UCU students. These Foundation Studies (General Education) courses include Health and Wholeness, Ethics, Old Testament, and New
Testament often fulfill requirements from students' home universities, while
also giving them an opportunity to get to know UCU students that they might not
otherwise encounter. Taking UCU courses exposes USP students to the Ugandan teaching style and classroom setting as well as gives them the opportunity to learn about a subject from different cultural perspectives.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily in her UCU Ethics class</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>"My UCU class
has been more than just academics; it has been an opportunity to engage with
UCU students and build friendships. Most UCU classes require group work, which
means you are paired with a small group of students in your class to work with for
the entire semester. My group members were some of the first people I met when
my classes started and they have been so open and kind in helping me navigate
life at UCU, even outside of class. Especially in the first few weeks of the
semester, when everything felt overwhelming, the opportunity to bond with my
Ugandan classmates was a comfort. Overall, the class has exposed me to a
different style of teaching and learning, and pushed me to engage more in
cross-cultural relationships." </i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">-Abby Millard (Gordon College)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>“My
UCU class is Health and Wholeness. I’m learning what being healthy looks like
in Uganda. It’s interesting because I’m learning about topics, such as the
different types of pit latrines, that I would not have learned about in the
U.S. My favorite part about the class is the friends I have made. It was a
little intimidating going to class the first day. By the next class, I was
greeted by two girls who had saved me a seat with them. Now after lecture, we
always go to lunch together and talk until we are done eating.”</i> – Lynsey Mayberry
(Messiah College) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
You cannot talk about Uganda Christian University without mentioning the Christian community that exists on campus. USP students have an opportunity to joining fellowships, sing in the various choirs: such as the Chapel Choir and Mustard Seed, and attend prayer services with other students. They attend Community Worship with the greater UCU community every Tuesday and Thursday at midday, and every semester USP students lead one of the Community Worship services together with the Honours College students. They lead praise and worship the Ugandan way and show off their hidden dance moves, much to the delight of the UCU community.<br />
<br />
<i>"Joining fellowships and being apart of worship has shown me the unity we have as the body of Christ. It's so fun to connect with the students from a place of faith. Seeing the way they express their faith has helped me gain a more complete view of the church. I built such solid friendships in the fellowships I have attended and have felt so accepted by the community. As we all share testimonies, our faith grows!"- </i>Lisa Reimann (Biola University)<br />
<br />
The On-Campus USP students share dorms and rooms with fellow UCU students from Uganda and other African countries. They eat in the dining hall; which includes a lot of rice, posho (sticky cornmeal bread), beans, peas, greens and new foods like G-nut (peanut) sauce. They hang out with their roommates and friends in the dining hall, on campus and off campus. Things are different in a lot of ways from their home campuses, but at the end of the day, going to college in the US is not all that different the going to university in Uganda, and life is made up of figuring out how to live together, getting dinner with your roommates, studying for classes, staying up too late and making plans for the weekend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roommates!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USP students hanging out in the dining hall for tea</td></tr>
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Engaging in the full-spectrum of life on campus allows our students to build meaningful relationships with fellow UCU students and get the
full cross-cultural experience of being UCU students themselves. At the end
of the semester, each student is presented with a certificate that confirms
that they have completed USP and are now considered UCU alumni. True to Ugandan
culture, once part of a family, always part of a family. This holds true at UCU
– once a UCU student, always a UCU student!</div>
<br /></div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-28797399184381728042018-02-27T02:33:00.000-08:002018-02-27T02:33:58.292-08:00Rural Homestay Reflections <div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-small;"><b>by: Eddie Tokpa, USP Homestay Coordinator</b></span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janelle walking home with her family. </td></tr>
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USP encourages learning through
experience-- through <i>doing</i>, and with that in mind, takes students on a variety of educational
excursions throughout the semester. This weekend we returned from our Rural Homestays in Serere, where the students live with Ugandan families for one week, to experience and learn about life in rural Uganda. Since most Ugandans are subsistence farmers and live in small, rural villages, this gives them rich new insights into the country’s cultural and family values from a rural perspective.<br />
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At the beginning of the week, students are both excited but also nervous and unsure; by the end of the week, they have relaxed into the experience and their new environment, which allows them to learn a lot about the culture that could not be learned in a textbook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encourage our students to leave their comfort zone and experience Uganda through Ugandan realities, culture and ways of life. This involves living in a house with no plumbing and no electricity, trying their hands at farming, preparing and eating new and different foods, and learning the traditions and customs around greeting, visiting and roles within the family. Slowing down, accepting and enjoying these new realities provides all kinds of insights into the bigger questions of life. Students often<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">begin to internalize the reality that material wealth is not the key ingredient for a “rich” life.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
Reflecting on the two best things
about her rural homestay, one student said, “Being immediately
welcomed and included in the life of the family gave me a sense of belonging
and the feeling that my homestay would be safe and rewarding. I particularly enjoyed evenings
with the family, which included prayers and a word from my host parents every night."<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I reflect more on student’s evaluations of their rural
homestay experience, I noted that this experience creates the opportunity for a lot of gr<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">owth and maturity; living in the village can be physically and mentally challenging for students, but pushing into these new realities, choosing to stay present and learn from them is where the growth happens.</span><br />
<br />
Throughout the week, students participate in household activities such as cooking, gardening or 'digging,' and helping around
the compound. These activities also prepare students to live in community and help them appreciate shared responsibility.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ellen meeting her host family</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping with dinner preparation</td></tr>
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Like any community in the United States, all of our rural homestay communities are different, none of the the families identical. But within that difference, all of the families are committed to providing a caring, and secure environment for students within their homes and communities. Monica Knaak (Gordon College) has this to say about her experience: “My family loved me and protected me like a daughter, granddaughter and sister. I was a guest the first day and after that I was a family.” </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica helping her host mom and sister make juice from fresh squeezed oranges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monica peeling dried cassava with her family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melody meeting her host family</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melody helping her host mom make and sell pancakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7iqoNBrOYFU/WpUOLHAlXeI/AAAAAAAADNM/uKGoQQkmdpI4HQGWS6z5b0RCP6JhoR5uACLcBGAs/s1600/d7ba23c1-9b50-4d95-97ee-ee5e4fca4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7iqoNBrOYFU/WpUOLHAlXeI/AAAAAAAADNM/uKGoQQkmdpI4HQGWS6z5b0RCP6JhoR5uACLcBGAs/s400/d7ba23c1-9b50-4d95-97ee-ee5e4fca4744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca learning to make chapati with her host mom and sister. </td></tr>
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<span style="text-indent: -24px;">Finally, on a personal level, one cultural lesson I’ve learned from the people of Serere is the importance of greeting and acknowledging the people around you. As one host parent said to me, “not greeting people and giving them food to eat upon their arrival to your house, office or shop is an insult equivalent to deeming the person unworthy of your attention.”</span><br />
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The USP staff accepting the generous hospitality of families by <br />
taking tea on one of their many visits throughout the week. </td></tr>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-47460483830976266932018-02-14T06:57:00.003-08:002018-02-14T06:57:54.072-08:00We LOVE our USP Program Assistants!USP has a staff that is designed to encourage and support student growth and learning during their four months in Uganda. The Program Assistants (PAs) play a significant role in that! They are an active part of the USP staff and are a vital part of the student experience, providing support and encouragement to students as they navigate the complexities of studying for a semester in Uganda. PAs are usually recent college graduates, and have helpful insights into student experiences from their own recent experiences as USP/ UCU students.<br />
<br />
Allow us to introduce you to our three current, amazing PAs!...<br />
<br />
<b>Paige</b> was a senior social work student from Olivet Nazarene University. She works closely with Lisa, our Social Work Coordinator, to support the social work students in their learning. As a USP student, <b>Morgan</b> was a sophomore General Studies student from Trinity International University. She works closely with Micah Hughes, our Global Health Coordinator, to support our Cross Cultural Practicum course. As a recent UCU graduate and Honours College student, <b>Becky</b> interacted with many USP students during her time on campus, and was even a roommate to a few USP students. She is a wealth of knowledge, helping students navigate and understand Ugandan culture. All three PAs provide invaluable behind-the-scenes, administrative support as well as we plan and lead trips, coordinate practicums, facilitate homestays etc.<br />
<br />
As the <a href="http://www.bestsemester.com/locations-and-programs/uganda/alumni" target="_blank">application for our next two American PAs has just been posted</a>, we thought you might enjoy hearing from our current PAs to learn a bit more about what this unique position is all about!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Paige Schaefer</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 48px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">USP student Spring 2017; Program Assistant Fall 2017- Spring 2018</span></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FstkZiHv7M/WoLneC2z1QI/AAAAAAAADJg/hunRNKE0DsEYsTplsiM0-1fnSrxXVNtlwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FstkZiHv7M/WoLneC2z1QI/AAAAAAAADJg/hunRNKE0DsEYsTplsiM0-1fnSrxXVNtlwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0266.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Paige (foreground) with students from the top of a mosque in Kampala during a religion class field trip </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">"The Program Assistant position is a one of a kind position that has given me opportunities to grow in many ways. Through being involved with the social work students, helping facilitate social work classes, going on site visits, and meeting with Lisa Tokpa, USP’s Social Work Coordinator, on a weekly basis, I feel as if I have grown so much in my professional development. I have also grown as an individual, understanding myself and the way I interact in the world in a new way. Through different cross-cultural experiences and through relationships with USP students, I have gained new insights into my talents/abilities and also specific areas where I have need for growth. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">One of my favorite parts of the job is walking with students through their semester in Uganda, watching them gain new insights and grow in new ways, just as I did as a USP student. Being able to take part in their experience is really exciting! The teamwork dynamic of the USP staff has also been something that I have loved. All of the staff truly come together to make the program run as smoothly as possible, and we have fun doing it! The job does, of course, come with challenges. Being far from home and being on call around the clock are a few things that have proven to be difficult, but overall, I have learned and grown so much from this year as a Program Assistant – not to mention, I’ve met so many incredible people that I now get to call family." </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TZclYLIXv8/WoLogC3m72I/AAAAAAAADJo/LVsB9nYYDFI33GRirbPKScwdEGSAsPi0gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8051%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_TZclYLIXv8/WoLogC3m72I/AAAAAAAADJo/LVsB9nYYDFI33GRirbPKScwdEGSAsPi0gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8051%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paige and Morgan celebrating Jessica Mount (Point Loma Nazarene) on her birthday</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> during Rural Homestays.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sK--Z7l_k1s/WoLrKoc4MQI/AAAAAAAADJ0/YQI1B8rE0qU2zUETqhWsuT0aSy4YknfdgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1332" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sK--Z7l_k1s/WoLrKoc4MQI/AAAAAAAADJ0/YQI1B8rE0qU2zUETqhWsuT0aSy4YknfdgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paige and Becky preparing supplies for Spring 2018 students with Innocent and Lydia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Becky Nairuba</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>UCU Honours College graduate 2017; Program Assistant, January-December 2018</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Spring 2018 students learning the ways of hand washing from Becky</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Becky Nairuba is my name
and I am a Program Assistant. This is my story. Coming to USP was a dream come
true for me. I am an adventurous person; always ready to jump on the next bus
that pops up for a new experience. This year, it was the USP bus. Of course
like any other employee, I had to apply for this lovely position. It was very
attractive on paper and inspiring watching the former Ugandan and American PAs
work together. I read all the roles in the paper and if I had to be honest, I
was anxious. It was going to be a new setting of learning and appreciating of
new cultures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As a PA, I perform
several tasks that might or might not be physical. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I serve as a cultural
translator simply putting everything in perspective. The American students come
to live in a new context for four months and it is a cultural shock for many
because of the clashing values and beliefs they find in Uganda. Working with
the USP staff is an enabling environment to learn from each other.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I get to engage with the
students and answer most of the cultural questions that they have and this will
help them navigate freely and adjust to a diverse setting of over 50 tribes
that have similarities but a few unique aspects about each one of them. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Participating in Faith &
Action with the students has opened me to questions that I never asked myself
and things I never thought about. I participate in class and also listen to
these new perspectives and angles on Christian faith and what it means to be a
Christian wherever you are.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">As the Ugandan PA, I have
been a liaison between the Honors College Leadership Program and USP. I
love communication as a person and have to do this throughout this whole career
makes it better. I cannot reason out challenges, but of course these make
learning more intentional. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And of course I get to
work with these awesome PAs, Morgan and Paige, attend to office errands with
them, do some printing, and now I get to use my mechanical skills in setting up
projectors for class, provide the front office and administrative staff with
support (e.g. filing, emailing and data entry) and last but not least plan and
coordinate events. This is when you get your creative hands on deck. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The most important role
here is maintaining the student’s safety."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Enjoying the relationships made possible through the Honours College & USP partnership </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 48px;"><b>Morgan Walker</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>USP Student, Fall 2015; </i><i style="color: #222222;">Program Assistant Fall 2017- Spring 2018</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan (right) a willing "patient" for GHE student, Jessica Fox, learning to take blood pressure. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Having
the opportunity to walk alongside students as they go through the ups and downs
of a semester that had such a tremendous impact on me is really exciting! I love
being a part of the conversations and rhythms of USP. Sitting in on classes and
talking with students about presence, mutually beneficial relationships,
injustice, power structures, and the way our culture impacts our faith has been
beneficial to me as I continue to think through these things I was learning as
a student in Fall 2015. I love that I get to help support students and create a
space for those conversations to happen, all while learning and growing myself. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
also appreciate getting to be a part of all that happens behind the scenes to
make the program run. Working to run USP social media, taking students to doctor
appointments, helping students navigate their ever changing class and practicum
schedules, battling with excel (I can proudly say that I am now able to format
a table in excel without crying), and running errands in Mukono are all part of
what goes down during “office hours”. But office hours aren’t even the half of
it. Being a PA is a ‘round the clock' job. This can be challenging but honestly,
some of my favorite moments and biggest growth opportunities happen outside of
office hours (though those are great too :</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">). These range
from telling "bedtime stories" on our numerous trips (what started as a joke, has became a standing tradition), to caring for students who are up all night with
a bad stomach bug (My PAs did it for me so I just get to pay it forward. Shout
out to Martha, Prudence, and Courtney!), to having deep conversations about
life and culture. These situations make my job fun and exciting (seriously, there’s never a dull moment around here)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But
by far one of the best parts of being a PA has been getting to work with the
USP staff. They continually blow me away with their problem solving, student
care, jokes, and insights. Having a team to work with that love and care for
each other, have fun, and want to see you grow is a huge blessing that most
don’t get at their first job out of college."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The PAs just hanging out! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Benji, Morgan, Paige, and Becky in the Honours College Complex</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">USP staff Spring 2018</span></div>
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Leave a comment about how your Program Assistant impacted you during your study abroad experience! And if you are a recent college grad and looking for an awesome opportunity to grow, learn and support others on that journey - <a href="http://www.bestsemester.com/locations-and-programs/uganda/alumni" target="_blank">apply now and join our team</a>!</div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-48606016848104349762018-02-08T07:48:00.000-08:002018-02-08T11:05:05.550-08:00Student Reflection: Compassion<span style="font-family: "cochin"; font-size: 14px;">Student reflections upon the first month in Uganda have revealed a greater awareness that we, as Americans, have much to learn from Ugandans regarding hospitality and compassion. From the warm greetings of host families to the hours devoted to student learning by field supervisors, Ugandan hospitality is a virtue that has even captured recent headlines in the global refugee crisis. Uganda hosts over 1,000,000 registered refugees (the most of any African country), and the number is increasing by the day. According to a recent inter-agency emergency report, an average of 288 Congolese refugees are arriving through one point of entry EVERY. DAY.(</span><a class="" href="http://www.ugandarefugees.org/" style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14px;">www.ugandarefugees.org</a><span style="font-family: "cochin"; font-size: 14px;">). </span><br />
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USP’s Social Work Emphasis has recently partnered with <a class="" href="https://www.refugeelawproject.org/">Refugee Law Project</a> in providing opportunities for social work interns to learn from Ugandan experts who have devoted their lives to helping refugees in this part of the world. <b>Deanna Frey </b>(Senior BSW student from Messiah College) reflects on her first few weeks at Refugee Law Project and a unit within the USP Core Course, <i class="">Faith & Action</i>. </div>
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<span class="byline" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 1px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author vcard" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="https://ugandalearnandlove.wordpress.com/author/ugandalearnandlove/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: baseline;">UGANDALEARNANDLOVE</a></span></span></h1>
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One month.</div>
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That’s just so crazy to me! One month since this journey began. It feels longer than that and shorter than that. It seems so much has happened and I am learning exponentially.</div>
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Because of the distance in travel time that my internship is from the campus at UCU, I have the privilege to live with a welcoming Ugandan host family part of my week! While there are some logistical challenges with traveling back and forth and being away from campus for most of the weekdays, I am so thankful for a gracious and loving family that creates a little bit of home for me in Kampala, and I look forward to continually getting to know them better.</div>
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I am getting into the (fluid) routine of activities at my internship at Refugee Law Project (RLP). So far, I have observed/helped in the registration process for persons with disabilities at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) refugee registration event in Kampala, accompanied and advocated for a client to receive medical assistance at a local hospital, and observed and documented client counseling sessions while simultaneously learning more about RLP’s and Uganda’s policies and services for refugees. All while engaging in these activities, I am witnessing raw and real stories of suffering and pain which produces questions of why I am allotted the privileges and resources which I hold.</div>
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In our Faith and Action class on campus, we have been reading a book called <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life </i>which has been pushing me to contemplate my reactions to all that I am seeing and learning. Compassion is so much more than just feeling sorry for another person but instead it should be a reflection of the love of Immanuel – God <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">with </i>us, which calls for crazy love which might put us in some uncomfortable situations. In compassion, there is no “us” and “them” in the distinction of who is blessing who but instead an acknowledgement of mutual brokenness. In this way,“Radical servanthood challenges us, while attempting persistently to overcome poverty, hunger, illness, and any other forms of human misery, to real the gentle presence of our compassionate God in the midst of our broken world.” God is the only one who can bring healing and change and I am a mere and small vessel; but I am praying for his divine gift of compassion that will bring me to love more and love truly.</div>
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Alongside learning some of these tough lessons, God has been blessing me with gifts that remind me of his love and his presence such as attending an international church service singing worship songs I love, a visit from a friend from my home university, enjoying fellowship with friends and ice cream, and just witnessing creation’s beauty!</div>
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Your love so deep is washing over me</div>
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Your face is all I seek; You are my everything //</div>
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All fear removed, I breath You in</div>
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I lean into Your love. Oh, Your love</div>
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These powerful and true words that mean so much to me in this season and I pray they ring too for you too!</div>
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Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9156464970834048059.post-18832955523441826852018-02-03T07:02:00.001-08:002018-02-03T07:03:12.244-08:00The Liturgy of Tea<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<span style="font-family: "times";">When you mention "Tea Time" in Uganda, it is met with anticipation of a space in the day to be together with others and regroup with a cup of warm, milky, sweet tea. For USP students, it is a new ritual in their day that is, at first, a little confusing...but soon accepted and even looked forward to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times";">Tea Time is mid-morning and/or early evening. This ritual was brought by the British with the intention of </span><span style="font-family: "times";">snacking</span><span style="font-family: "times";">
before dinner, especially as preparing dinner takes time and may not be ready until late in the evening. In Uganda, however, this ritual was incorporated
with the locals’ value of being together. It wasn’t only about hunger but Tea Time
has always been a communal time in Uganda for families, friends, and colleagues to come together and share
the day’s plans and experiences. Furthermore, it’s a way of showing hospitality
to the visitors of the family, something that strengthened community relationships.
In Uganda, eating together depicts harmony and is a way of strengthening the
ties. One fills their family in on how and what they are doing since seeing each other last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times";">The USP students have experienced this in
their host homes. Tea Time presents a great platform for them to share
what they plan to do for the day and then evaluate their success in the
evening. The conversations allow the family to know how everyone is fairing and
what to do, to make the following day better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times";">Here at the USP office, we also share
teatime and get to know more about each other and enjoy the smiles and moments
of the day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times";">Tea Time is even a part of the UCU class schedule! There is a break in classes every day at 10:30 for students to pause and "take tea" with one another. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaa87OEhfrg/WnGbyZhR3fI/AAAAAAAADIg/rs9L7z4dTv8P1EE-ZgUq3tXP7fzFcOrOACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG-20180130-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaa87OEhfrg/WnGbyZhR3fI/AAAAAAAADIg/rs9L7z4dTv8P1EE-ZgUq3tXP7fzFcOrOACLcBGAs/s400/IMG-20180130-WA0016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">USP students during teatime in the DH</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times";">The American mentality usually questions, "How can I be a productive member of society and still make time for tea?" The Ugandan culture asks, "How can I be a productive member of society <i>without</i> making time for tea?" We have much to learn from our Ugandan hosts.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt9D7DSBIXs/WnGbyXJc7SI/AAAAAAAADIo/Y3Lv-jmRSrUnZp-KOJU1UxT3yZrlsmjCwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG-20180130-WA0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt9D7DSBIXs/WnGbyXJc7SI/AAAAAAAADIo/Y3Lv-jmRSrUnZp-KOJU1UxT3yZrlsmjCwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG-20180130-WA0015.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Our daily reminder in the office</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Uganda Studies Programhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17948944175702637545noreply@blogger.com0