Hi all.
Well I said that I would try and write while travelling around, so here I am with an update on how things are going.
Seraina and I are having an absolute blast. We had a great time in Kenya at the Masai Mara doing a camping safari (lions and hyenas making noises all night). We saw tons of animals. Big herds of elephants and giraffes up close, as well lions eating a catch they made the night before. It was amazing. After Kenya we moved on to Tanzania and did some hiking in the mountains for a couple of days and now we are in what I can truly call Paradise, aka Zanzibar. White sand beaches for miles and miles and turquoise water, It's heaven here. It is definitely a place to have on you list of things to see. Stone town is also quite amazing. Tons of little ally ways in between buildings and cute little shops, but very easy to lose your direction. The architecture here is also something quite spectacular. If you like looking at old buildings with lots of history than Stone town is the place for you.
Anyways we are headed off to the beach!
I'll write again when I get home to let you all know how the adjustment to western life is going.
Bye for Now.
Shawna
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
See you later!!!
Wow, I cannot beleive that are time is up, I have had a wonderful time here in Masaka and cannot wait to return! Tsion and I left yesturday morning and I must say that it was much harder then I would have ever expected, I spent most of the day in tears. I have met some really trully wonderful people along the way and will miss them dearly. This has been an amazing experience and as I mentioned all I can do is think about returning.
I am leaving tommorow morning and going straight to Vancouver, I am feeling a little nervous since I am really not sure how I will feel, electricity, hot water, no boda boda's; I don't know but I guess I will soon find out.
At this time I really don't have much to say, I am feeling very tired and sad, however once I am home I will share with all of you my experience returning back to Canada.
Most importantly I would like to thank everyone who has supported us including John, Nancy, Bob and Lawrence, Karen and Dan we could have never done it without you all!!!
I hope everyone is well.
See you later Uganda!!!
I am leaving tommorow morning and going straight to Vancouver, I am feeling a little nervous since I am really not sure how I will feel, electricity, hot water, no boda boda's; I don't know but I guess I will soon find out.
At this time I really don't have much to say, I am feeling very tired and sad, however once I am home I will share with all of you my experience returning back to Canada.
Most importantly I would like to thank everyone who has supported us including John, Nancy, Bob and Lawrence, Karen and Dan we could have never done it without you all!!!
I hope everyone is well.
See you later Uganda!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
It's Going to be Hard to Say Goodbye
Well we are on our last few days of work and it's going to be hard to say goodbye. Today I did a workshop with the Uganda Schizophrenia Fellowship and it went really well. The group has never sat down all together and had a discussion about what their experiences with Mental Illness have been. They were supposed to have a general meeting after the workshop but they were all enjoying chatting with each other so much there was not enough time. I also did a talk on coping techniques and how to support someone with a mental illness. I believed they enjoyed it lots as Thomas told me they were thankful for the workshop and they hope to do more like that in the future. At the end two women sang me a goodbye song and I started to cry. It's like saying goodbye to my family all over again. This experience has been truly amazing and will be with me for the rest of my life. It has also shaped me into what I believe will be a better worker when I get home. I have learned so much about myself as a human being and as a Social Worker. Thanks to all the supervisors here in Uganda ( Thomas and John) and to the supervisors back home (Bob, Nancy, Lawrence, and John) for making this experience possible. Doing practicums internationally is an invaluable experience and if anyone ever has the opportunity to do it, do not pass it up.
Time in Africa is not over yet, I still have a few weeks to travel around, which I'm looking forward to. I will try to keep writing but if not Thank you for following along with us on our journey to Uganda. All the comments of support have been greatly appreciated and have inspired me along the way.
Once again thank you to all the people who have been so supportive of this project and have contributed time, energy and funds to make this happen. Without your support some of us may not have had this opportunity.
All the best
Shawna
Time in Africa is not over yet, I still have a few weeks to travel around, which I'm looking forward to. I will try to keep writing but if not Thank you for following along with us on our journey to Uganda. All the comments of support have been greatly appreciated and have inspired me along the way.
Once again thank you to all the people who have been so supportive of this project and have contributed time, energy and funds to make this happen. Without your support some of us may not have had this opportunity.
All the best
Shawna
Monday, June 25, 2007
Will Miss Uganda
This has been one of the greatest trips of my life. It's sad to say good bye, but I know I will be back soon. I think of this as a second home and I have made a second family with the great people I live with. I would like to thank Douglas College, The Uganda Project, the teachers and John Fox for giving me the greatest educational experience a student could get at a college level. I have had the chance of putting all the skill I have learned from the two year Community Social Service program to practice in beautiful Masaka Uganda. The support and communication I have had from the teachers and last year students that came to Uganda has been amazing. all the people have helped in some way to help me learn more about what it takes to be a good CSSW.
The practicums have been great and I would be lucky to work at both TASO and the school. I have never felt so much love in my life form a work place. Just as I feel at home at my practicums I have to go home. If I didn't need to work for money, i would continue to work at both organizations. I would like to say thank you to Martha my supervisor at TASO and John my supervisor at the school for all their support. I believe there is a lot we can Learn from social workers in Masaka and that's why I think this project is great for the students education. I will never forget my time with all the workers at the organization and I have the great amount of respect for the work they do with no money.
I would like to say thank you to everyone that has read the blogs and have supported us students through out are time in Uganda. This is only the second year and the students that are going next year will also be needing are support. I know this project will only get better with time because Douglas College and CSSW program are putting a great deal of work in making this project one that will be able to run for years to come. The Uganda Project will be fundraising starting Sept. If anyone is interested in coming to the events, please ask. The project will also be putting on a run called run to Uganda. This will be the second time it will be put on and it is a great event. once again the three students and I would like to thank everyone for their support. we could not have done this without all the people that helped.
To the next year students get ready for a life changing experience and I wish you luck. As for me, I'm on my way to Ethiopia. Ya!
With love,
Tsion Tekie
The practicums have been great and I would be lucky to work at both TASO and the school. I have never felt so much love in my life form a work place. Just as I feel at home at my practicums I have to go home. If I didn't need to work for money, i would continue to work at both organizations. I would like to say thank you to Martha my supervisor at TASO and John my supervisor at the school for all their support. I believe there is a lot we can Learn from social workers in Masaka and that's why I think this project is great for the students education. I will never forget my time with all the workers at the organization and I have the great amount of respect for the work they do with no money.
I would like to say thank you to everyone that has read the blogs and have supported us students through out are time in Uganda. This is only the second year and the students that are going next year will also be needing are support. I know this project will only get better with time because Douglas College and CSSW program are putting a great deal of work in making this project one that will be able to run for years to come. The Uganda Project will be fundraising starting Sept. If anyone is interested in coming to the events, please ask. The project will also be putting on a run called run to Uganda. This will be the second time it will be put on and it is a great event. once again the three students and I would like to thank everyone for their support. we could not have done this without all the people that helped.
To the next year students get ready for a life changing experience and I wish you luck. As for me, I'm on my way to Ethiopia. Ya!
With love,
Tsion Tekie
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Home run...
Unfortunately we are already approaching the home stretch, although I am not ready to go home yet... Luckily I will still have 3 more weeks to travel after my practicums are through.
It hit me the first time this week that I will soon have to say good-bye to all the wonderful people I met at work, as well as during my travels. As expected, I am going to be quite sad to go. Remember how I said at the beginning: "beginnings are always difficult", well, saying good-bye can be even harder... However, I am slowly preparing myself and others for my departure, and I think that way I will manage to get a handle on things.
This week at the vocational centre I had a dentist come in to speak about dental hygene, as this was much needed. Sadly, even though they may be willing to take good care of their teeth, some of them don't have enough money to buy toothpaste... However, by demonstrating to them how to properly use a toothbrush, and removing some of the myths (for e.g. that cavities are bugs that eat their way into their teeth), they will hopefully be able to prevent damage to their teeth and other related problems. Apparently, this was the first time since years that someone came in to give education about dental hygene, so the matron was very pleased. I advised her to arrange the same dentist, who works in a clinic on the hospital grounds, to come in once a year when new students have started their programs. It sounded like he agreed to doing so, and I hope it works out..
At Uganda Cares I am still doing pre- and post-result counselling, and this week I also spoke with a couple, which was a first. They advise people to follow the "a, b, c model", which stands for abstain if single, be faithful when in a relationship, or otherwise use a condom...as you can imagine, it's not that simple. However, a lot of clients or young Ugandans I have met, do claim they abstain until marriage, as did the couple I counselled. They came in to get tested prior to getting married, and fortunately they tested negative. To be safe, I advised them to get re-tested within 3 months, as they could have contracted HIV during the window period. It is still not easy giving someone their positive results, and unless I become a doctor in Canada, this is probably something I won't be doing again back home. So, in a sense it is a priviledge, whereby I have learned how to be straight forward with information, while at the same time assessing how they may react and being prepared for their reaction.
Alright, you'll here from me once more next week!
Bye for now,
Seraina
It hit me the first time this week that I will soon have to say good-bye to all the wonderful people I met at work, as well as during my travels. As expected, I am going to be quite sad to go. Remember how I said at the beginning: "beginnings are always difficult", well, saying good-bye can be even harder... However, I am slowly preparing myself and others for my departure, and I think that way I will manage to get a handle on things.
This week at the vocational centre I had a dentist come in to speak about dental hygene, as this was much needed. Sadly, even though they may be willing to take good care of their teeth, some of them don't have enough money to buy toothpaste... However, by demonstrating to them how to properly use a toothbrush, and removing some of the myths (for e.g. that cavities are bugs that eat their way into their teeth), they will hopefully be able to prevent damage to their teeth and other related problems. Apparently, this was the first time since years that someone came in to give education about dental hygene, so the matron was very pleased. I advised her to arrange the same dentist, who works in a clinic on the hospital grounds, to come in once a year when new students have started their programs. It sounded like he agreed to doing so, and I hope it works out..
At Uganda Cares I am still doing pre- and post-result counselling, and this week I also spoke with a couple, which was a first. They advise people to follow the "a, b, c model", which stands for abstain if single, be faithful when in a relationship, or otherwise use a condom...as you can imagine, it's not that simple. However, a lot of clients or young Ugandans I have met, do claim they abstain until marriage, as did the couple I counselled. They came in to get tested prior to getting married, and fortunately they tested negative. To be safe, I advised them to get re-tested within 3 months, as they could have contracted HIV during the window period. It is still not easy giving someone their positive results, and unless I become a doctor in Canada, this is probably something I won't be doing again back home. So, in a sense it is a priviledge, whereby I have learned how to be straight forward with information, while at the same time assessing how they may react and being prepared for their reaction.
Alright, you'll here from me once more next week!
Bye for now,
Seraina
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
We Made It!!!
Hey all
Just decided to drop you a quick note to tell you that the Nile was nice to us. Rafting was soooo much fun and would recommend it if anyone is coming to Uganda in the next three years. I say in the next three years because they are damming a part of the run so if won't be the same after that. The rapids were huge and we flipped the boat twice, which I have to say is good because most of the other boats flipped 4-5 times. We have a few bruises but they were all worth it. The not so smart idea was to go horseback riding the next day!!! Although it was a tone of fun it definitely made us 10x's more sore than just rafting alone would have. But all is good and Seraina and I had an excellent weekend.
In regards to work, it's been a little slow because one of my supervisors has been out of town for the last little while. We usually go on outreach which we have not been able to do since last week so its been quiet. Like Tsion mentioned before we are going to be teaching the teachers at Kitengessa how to use computers this week. This should be fun and I'm looking forward to it.
Anyways bye for now.
Shawna
Just decided to drop you a quick note to tell you that the Nile was nice to us. Rafting was soooo much fun and would recommend it if anyone is coming to Uganda in the next three years. I say in the next three years because they are damming a part of the run so if won't be the same after that. The rapids were huge and we flipped the boat twice, which I have to say is good because most of the other boats flipped 4-5 times. We have a few bruises but they were all worth it. The not so smart idea was to go horseback riding the next day!!! Although it was a tone of fun it definitely made us 10x's more sore than just rafting alone would have. But all is good and Seraina and I had an excellent weekend.
In regards to work, it's been a little slow because one of my supervisors has been out of town for the last little while. We usually go on outreach which we have not been able to do since last week so its been quiet. Like Tsion mentioned before we are going to be teaching the teachers at Kitengessa how to use computers this week. This should be fun and I'm looking forward to it.
Anyways bye for now.
Shawna
Monday, June 18, 2007
only two more weeks
time is going fast and my stay in Uganda is almost over. I'm going to be sad when i have to say good bye to all the wonderful people i have become friends with. having the chance to do the last part of my schooling in Uganda is something that i will never forget. i have learned a great deal from my practicums and feel that i am learning skills that i can use when i start working in he field.
TASO
TASO has been a great place to work because the people are so nice and willing to help me in my learning. i went to the taso monthly meeting that took place on Friday for 6 hours. the meeting is long because they have to talk about all departments in taso and how they can make it better. it was another opportunity for me to see how they improve the service for HIV/AIDS clients at TASO. the also ask clients to write down how well they think TASO services are to see what areas are good and what areas need work.
most of the week i spend doing field work. i go with one other social worker and visit clients. i feel i learn the most when I'm doing outreach because it is hands on work. i have a chance to build relationships with the clients. this week i went to the field three days. every day week drive for about one hour on a bike. a lot of the people are very sick because they live aways from the centre and are not able to get treatment they need. the only time the clients see a doctor is when TASO comes to their village. i wish i could share some of the counselling stories with you but it is confidential. i enjoy go to the clients house because i get a better understanding of their situation and what is need to work with the client. over all taso has been great.
school
the school is very slow and for the most part i am teaching computer class. this week i will be teaching the teachers how to use computers because they have never used them. maegan and i are also working with the three girls Douglas has sponsored. they are going to start a support group. the support group will be once a week on a sat for one hour. we are working with them to teach some counselling skill so the are able to understand the meaning of a support group. the three girls want to be social workers when they are done school and we know it will be good for their learning. we will also be keeping in contact with the girls once in Canada.
tsion
TASO
TASO has been a great place to work because the people are so nice and willing to help me in my learning. i went to the taso monthly meeting that took place on Friday for 6 hours. the meeting is long because they have to talk about all departments in taso and how they can make it better. it was another opportunity for me to see how they improve the service for HIV/AIDS clients at TASO. the also ask clients to write down how well they think TASO services are to see what areas are good and what areas need work.
most of the week i spend doing field work. i go with one other social worker and visit clients. i feel i learn the most when I'm doing outreach because it is hands on work. i have a chance to build relationships with the clients. this week i went to the field three days. every day week drive for about one hour on a bike. a lot of the people are very sick because they live aways from the centre and are not able to get treatment they need. the only time the clients see a doctor is when TASO comes to their village. i wish i could share some of the counselling stories with you but it is confidential. i enjoy go to the clients house because i get a better understanding of their situation and what is need to work with the client. over all taso has been great.
school
the school is very slow and for the most part i am teaching computer class. this week i will be teaching the teachers how to use computers because they have never used them. maegan and i are also working with the three girls Douglas has sponsored. they are going to start a support group. the support group will be once a week on a sat for one hour. we are working with them to teach some counselling skill so the are able to understand the meaning of a support group. the three girls want to be social workers when they are done school and we know it will be good for their learning. we will also be keeping in contact with the girls once in Canada.
tsion
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