Where in the world is Brittany??

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions from Rotaractors via Facebook "Are you still in UG?" "Where are you?" "It says you're in Bukoto, are you lost?".  And the ones that I run into in Kampala ask "why are you still here?" Well, I can understand why they're asking these questions, for the most part. I've been MIA (Missing In Action) from Rotary events this past month or so. That's because I wanted to do some other exploring in Kampala, see a different side.  I've come to learn over the years that volunteering is the best way to learn about different issues. So, I decided to volunteer sans Rotary.

I originally wanted to volunteer at Mulago Hospital and see burn victims or children and hand out things to encourage them, whether that was a Bible, books, or something of that nature. But I realized that my friend has a charity that I keep hearing about in church, at Sunday lunches, at Bible studies, and even from my flatmate. So, I decided to check it out. I was really inspired and so happy that I decided to go. I was a little uneasy at first, but now I've come to realize how much it's a great thing and want to continue to be a part of it.

My friend and her husband have a charity called Tomorrow's Heroes. It's a program for the street boys of Kampala. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I volunteer to teach P2 English and Math with the boys. I was a little nervous at first cause I have no background in teaching, but after a while, I've come to enjoy it. This is what has been occupying my time for the past month. I've come to realize how much I want to help in Uganda and it extends past just volunteering on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I've also come to realize the other part of Kampala outside of Rotary events and Rotarians. It is amazing to see how affluent Rotarians can be, but a teenage boy or girl on the streets or slum lives in such a tough living condition that the rest of Kampala doesn't seem to realize or it goes ignored.

Although it is such a joy to teach the boys, play football with them, and even dance with them during Bible talk and worship, there are certainly challenges that cannot be ignored. Many times I wonder "where do these boys sleep?" (my friend who runs the charity has a system of placing them in homes or resettlement into their previous home). Other questions are "how often do they eat?" "what if they get hurt one day? What happens?" Their environment often times is worse than people from the West would expect, but it has definitely changed my perspective to see this first hand. I walked through a slum one time with one of the uncle's and some of the other teachers. It wasn't scary, no, I've gotten used to seeing many people live in some tough conditions. It was just sad once you realize that the young boy you were just teaching English to, that has that bright smile every morning, comes from a home like this that barely one person can live in,  yet he shares it with many people.

Since I've come to Uganda, my heart for children has really expanded and I have such a pressing need to help them. Everyday, I wonder how I can help them and if I should come back after the summer to help them. Who knows if I'll come back so soon. But I am certain that I will do so much to help the youth in Kampala and eventually expand it to all of Uganda. I know many  scholars go back home and get jobs or further their education once they finish their scholarship year, but I have a pressing desire and passion to help the youth in Uganda. They are, after all, the  next generation of leaders. So why not invest in them?

Please feel free to leave a comment or question. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at BCBennett11@gmail.com. If you would like more information on Tomorrow's Heroes, please visit the website or you can contact me as well.

It's Adventure Time!

This past weekend was my 24th Birthday! It seemed that many people back home and here in Uganda were worried that I was going to be homesick. Boy! Were they wrong! Granted, I do miss home at times (like Starbucks, my dad and dogs, and Family Guy), but how can someone miss home when they can go on some pretty awesome adventures? This birthday was one to remember. I had a friend from back home who has relocated to Kisumu, Kenya for work come to Kampala over the weekend. It was a little funny to see her here because we've always made plans to hang out and go rock climbing back in the D.C. area, but our schedules never allowed for it. But here, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to go explore East Africa and do some extreme sports. My friend came up with the idea of going rafting on the Nile. Of course I said "YES!!" because I haven't been to the Nile since March and it would have been only the second weekend of being free from a Rotary/Rotaract event. 

So, early Saturday morning, we caught the shuttle provided by the rafting company to the location where we get the safety brief. While chatting over some coffee, we were able to meet some really interesting expats who either live in Uganda, the Congo, or are backpacking East Africa. We started to share the different places we had been and where we all wanted to go for our next adventure. Once we were all suited up and breakfast in hand, we got onto the bus and made the bumpy trip to the spot where we take off on the Nile.

My friend and I decided to go on the "crazy" raft which basically means we wouldn't avoid the rapid water (which means a higher chance of flipping over). Looking back, that may not have been so smart, but it sure was fun! On the calm water, we practiced pulling people in the water, how to paddle, and what to do WHEN we flipped and how to not fight against the current. Easy enough? Of course, in calm water, it's always easy to do these things.

So the adventure began with the first rapid (which was a grade 5) and we flipped. I haven't been rafting before and nor have I been thrown from a boat before, but instinctively, I panicked. I was safe, and was pulled back onto the raft once the boat was flipped back over, but the shock was one I wasn't expecting. We all had a good laugh at my reaction but knew that we all would be thrown out of the boat eventually. I would say it got easier as we progressed down the river, but it didn't. My nerves got better at being thrown around, but my adrenaline was constantly high as we would paddle towards a wall of water. But time after time, I was more happy that we pushed through and made it through the rapids and no one got hurt. It was actually a lot of fun! It may be scary for a split second, but you start to have fun when you realize that you're still alive.

 

After being on the Nile for the entire day, we ate lunch and enjoyed a Nile Special (a Ugandan beer). It seemed to really fit the occasion. We all agreed that our bodies were so exhausted but on the river, we didn't feel tired at all. It wasn't until we were on land that we could really feel the impact. When we arrived back in Kampala, my friend and I decided to go for a dinner celebration at a place that my flatmate recommended. And let me tell you, there is nothing better than ending an crazy day than some good food and a cozy resturant. Over dinner, my friend and I kept replaying the adventure and we couldn't believe at some of those instances that no one got hurt! Now, I warn anyone who is thinking about rafting on the Nile (or rafting rapids) that it's not for everyone. If you aren't a strong swimmer, then don't do it. If you don't like near death experiences, then rafting may not be for you. Not saying that you're close to dying when rafting, but your mind thinks you are when you can't see anything but water is all around you and waves are crashing over your head.

Although the adventure ended on Saturday, Sunday was the icing on the cake...or in this case, CUPCAKE! My friends keep hearing me ask about where I can find cupcakes in Kampala. That's one thing that I miss that I didn't expect to really miss. So, for lunch on Sunday, they surprised me with cupcakes! I couldn't have asked for a better set of friends (all over the world) and a better birthday. Thank-you everyone for your birthday wishes and making my birthday the best yet! Next year will be hard to top this one.





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