Week 5 in Uganda

My hour long Mutato (taxi bus) ride in the morning to the village gives me some time to reflect. There are so many wonderful things about this country, but there are also sooo many frustrating things about this country. The frustrating things start to arise more and more now that I have departed from my initial honeymoon stage of being in Africa :)... but my relationships with people I have met here have gotten deeper and more invested, so it will be hard to leave this place... and some parts of this lifestyle.
I ask a lot of questions here... There is a lot I don't understand how something (traditions, attitudes, behaviors) came to be. I often hear, "It's the culture." I understand how some things are very cultural, but just because it's the culture doesn't mean it's right.... I feel that way so much in America with consumerism, vainity, materialism, etc. There are so many NGOs here in Uganda.. there are also U.S. military. I'm sure there is some good coming of this, but I am also not sure imposing Western culture is what Uganda can handle or needs right now. Systemically the government is corrupt, human rights are misunderstood, and there is a serious lack of education. The good thing is... that progress is being made.. accordingly to people who have been in this country a long time. I'm not sure what is working though.. I'm thinking it needs to be a top-down approach, more whole to part. Unfortunately, NGOs work mostly bottom-up, and part to whole. It's quite interesting to think about really. Here are a list of my frustrations... and I will counteract it with a list of joys because I can't stand being negative :)
Frustrations -
-sense of hopelessness from the spirit of poverty; the poverty cycle (ignorance -> <-poverty) -the pressure put on people who have a steady income to give it to people that don't -constantly being shouted and people trying to get my attention because I'm white, strangers approaching me, wanting to be my friends.. just because I am white. -not being able to go out in the evening because it's "not safe" -the perceptions of white people or westerners.. kids and adults many times will bow down on their knees to us.. especially in the villages -Prostitution is also not uncommon..... prostitutes are often used by men from oversees here working for the U.S. military or doing different construction projects. -Kids are often not valued like they are in the West. There are many of them all over, and the gain much responsibility at a young age. -HIV /Aids is prevalent.. it's very common, and the rates have actually increased this year. -Malaria is very common and prevalent as well, but people don't always take the urgency or can't afford to treat it right away -The hospitals are scary... you need to bring your own bed, food, etc.. and I'm not quite sure how much work is actually done there. -Schools lack resources, trained staff, and are overcrowded.. yet many can't afford to attend -Govenment, human rights, justice system is very corrupt.. and inefficient -pollution, littering, burning plastic, public urination is acceptable for men -Legalism in Christianity.. homosexuality is illegal.. you could get stoned -passive aggressive communication.. anti-conflict -lots of talk.. not a lot of do -->inefficiency.

Now for the JOYS :)
-simplicity
-hospitality, gratitude
-laughter, smiles, and hugs from children
-cost of living is cheap
-the food - chipatti, rice, beans.. fresh veggies grown locally - avocados! Delicious fruit.. mangoes, pineapple, papaya, bananas
-bicycles everywhere
-rides on motor bikes through the villages with the wind in your face
-green beauty, natural, rolling hills, trees, lakes, rivers, waterfalls
-colorful clothing, jewelry
-enthusiasm for Jesus
-People living by faith with so much trust
-a sense of adventure
-African Violets
-Using the resources they have.. being sustainable
-the sunsets, and the cool breeze