A Little Recap

I figured it was time to do a little catching up. I just blogged about the Najjembe Health Day, but boy has there been a lot in between.  Our Musana Grand Opening was a huge success, it even included a comedian, a DJ, a huge tent with red, tan and blue chairs, a LOT of dancing, a ribbon-cutting and even a cake-cutting.  When Ugandans throw a party, they seriously throw a party.  The Musana women: Eve, Betty, Rosette, Florence, Harriet, Susan, and Christine were just glowing and looked absolutely stunning.  These women are an inspiration to all and they deserved the best party.  We also had a couple of team parties that took place at the Rainforest Lodge, which was like Tarzan’s house on steroids.  It was beautiful.  We even made s’mores with Ugandan ingredients, and they were awesome. 

Next our version of an African safari took place.  Now that was an adventure.  An 8 hour bus ride (in extremely uncomfortable chairs) to Murchison Falls, to find ourselves staying in student’s hostels consisting of cement and beds.  And we thought we were roughing it back at our house in Lugazi? This made our house look like a mansion.  Not to mention, the room in which Maren, Karli, Olivia, Taylor and I stayed in had a broken window, a missing panel in the ceiling with rats scurrying everywhere and giant bugs crawling ALL over us.  None of us slept much that night and we even slept 2 to a bed.  It was downright sketchy.  We were also in the middle of nowhere, easily vulnerable to whatever may cross our path.  But we survived and laughed about it the next day.  It was something none of us will forget and now we can do ANYTHING.  We saw giraffes, impalas, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and a lion.  It was beautiful and so neat to see these wild animals in their own environment.  I loved it.  We also went and visited a local village where they gave us the honor of watching them dance culturally, which was a hoot.  They can shake their hips like nobody’s business. 

Next on the list, we were able to speak at the Proud to be a Girl campaign at a high school and that was so awesome to be able to participate in that.  I even demonstrated how to put on a condom (it was a banana of course).  Ironic right? A Mormon girl teaching them how to use a condom? It was really neat to be able to educate them about HIV/AIDS, feminine health and women empowerment. 

Yesterday, Olivia, Taylor, and Karli left to go back to the states and it was so sad to say goodbye! Maren and I only have 4 more days until our London adventure and we are so excited! Today we found a hike to Griffith Falls.  It was a gorgeous hike through the jungle and the surroundings were amazing! Even the boda ride to the campsite was breathtaking.  It is going to be so sad to say goodbye to the people here, especially the Musana women.  We’ve really grown close with these amazing women and feel so blessed to have gotten to know them.

Musana grand opening

team party

the girls

SAFARI!!

proud to be a girl

Florence wearing the skirt i gave her