So I'm going to Uganda finally

Well, here I am at last. Heading to Uganda with a great group of people.

Alas... I am not heading to Uganda yet as I should be. All seven of us sit here in Terminal 1 of the Toronto airport awaiting our time to go. Air Canada, as we know, is a terrible airline. They have left us leaving a little bit later than expected. God knows what this means as Air Canada is apt to huge delays. Nonetheless, it has given me time to reflect on what our journey means.
It has also allowed John to meet a "new friend", a friend who happens to have alcohol. Hooray!

Anyways, I have to say that I am really excited about what we are doing. Nearly 10 months of planning has finally come to an end and the journey has begun. I have to say, I am not really as excited as the rest of the volunteers, although their calmness is certainly a plus and to me, a definite surprise. Nonetheless, I am certainly expecting this trip to open a lot of doors for future projects. An eye opener for sure and an introduction to Africa for myself and for the people who are coming with me.

Let me open up to those who aren't fully sure about where we are going and what we are doing. We are going to a large district in northwestern Uganda; it's name is Arua, which is also the name of the town we will be staying in. Northern Uganda is considered one of the most volatile places in Africa, as their is still sporadic violence, banditry and abductions occurring on a daily basis. It's fair to say that Arua is a sort of safe haven amidst the chaos. It is a sort of hub to the region between the Democratic Republic of Congo (15 kms distance), Sudan (around 100 kms distance) and the rest of the war-torn Ugandan north. It has become a base for all sorts of NGOs and even the UN, so there is plenty of protection for us.

As for the work we are doing, we will be working with an organization known as Peace For All International. I have been doing stuff around with for the last three years. It was founded by the charismatic Ayiko Solomon, who's message of peace and sustainable development has me mesmerized.... sigh. But really, Ayiko and I have become good friends while we both share a passion for development.
The projects themselves, they are a product of the needs that the Ugandan people have identified with Ayiko. In particular they are:
- An internet cafe and education centre with free internet access to school children
- A cooperative chicken farm that will pave the way for a more expansive test farm, that will hopefully encompass an educational aspect. Right now we are just creating it as an economic cooperative.
- A youth-centric sports development program designed to bring groups of youth together who have faced the social divisions that come about through conflict. We want to rebuild community relationships starting with the youth.
- Working with women to develop a dramatic arts and visual arts program designed to rebuild culture and establish social growth for women who are decidely viewed as subservient to men in Ugandan society. One of the mantras of PFAI is to help women develop and grow their own futures.

Well, that is the definite barebones of what we are doing but I am certainly interested in learning about a new culture and meeting new friends. So keep an eye out on here and I will update as often as possible.

- Reyn stranded in YTO