Leaving Busia

So the time came for me to leave my home of 2 years. It came a bit before I was ready, due to unforturnate circumstances. It was overwhelming to say farewell, and even more so having to do it abruptly. Yet, all things must come to an end.

Its been almost 3 weeks since I moved out of Busia for good. It was very sad and I think I haven't wrote about it too much because its slowly sinking in that my work and life in Uganda is done. In some ways, there is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, as the burden of living in a risky border area kept me always tense. The gravity of the issues in Busia also weighed heavily on me though I think, over time, I became desensitized to it all. That crazy border town created an endless amount of work, as well. I loved it though, especially the girls' camp and the orphans and vulnerable children project development.

I am having trouble putting my 2 years in Busia into perspective. I think the beginning was really shaky, as I tried to find my place and apply what I learned in Peace Corps training to such a unique environment. With the knowledge I have now on how to get things in Uganda done, I wish I could go back and do some things again. Yet, I realize that learning is a process and I couldn't have done it any differently, especially in a place like Busia. There were days I wanted to give up -- my outlook on behavior change tarnished by endemic problems in the population. I think those days were more frequent in the first year. Coming to realize that corruption is the system through which things here get done, seeing street children treated like pests, hearing horrible stories of abuse, seeing the effects of HIV everyday, and witnessing the ways people have to use in order to provide for themselves and their families all mixed together in my heart and soul to block any semblance of a solution I could have come up with. These are also the things that I became desensitized to over the two years. I worry to what effect seeing these things and continuing everyday to work and live have had on me.

But, instead of focusing on the negative things, I know that I will never forget the people. What a difference relationships made for me! My best friend in Busia, Harriet, and her daughter, Gloria, provided solace and support through it all. I owe my sanity to Harriet as she helped me find myself amongst all the dirt, disease, and dust. She truly was an angel sent at the right time in my service, a time when questioning myself had become constant. Its amazing when we, as human beings, realize our connectedness, our humanity. Harriet helped me to this realization. Even though we were very different, we could be girlfriends -- something I so desperately needed. I think that the art program at New Hope Orphanage that I was able to participate in during my second year lifted my spirit as well. The children there are probably the most humble people I have ever met. They are truly and inspiration in selflessness. I learned from them that leading our lives with our hearts is possible. I think their faces will foever be in my heart and memory. Camp GLOW was another activity that helped me along my journey. I believed in the work more than any other work I have ever done. I felt a purpose and a drive to impart some of what I believe makes me who I am to my girls. I saw myself in them and found a kind of commradery amongst them. They truly are a light in the darkness of that town.

So, when I look back on my service, yes I could focus on Busia (or Busketchia as some of us fondly renamed it) and its problems, or I can focus on the people and thank God for the relationships I was blessed to make.

And that, more than the work, is my biggest accomplishment and what I am eternally thankful for.