Oli Otya!

Hello everyone! I have made it safe and sound to Uganda. I have to warn you this post is going to jump around too much because I have so much to say! So just be patient. :) 

We didn't waste any time diving into training. Each day has been filled with training sessions from 8-6. As you can imagine, trying to stay awake during those sessions while battling jet lag was quite humorous the first week. We're going into our third week of training! We have just moved from a sort of bubble of a site to a teacher's college. Here we will have one last week of sessions then next week we finall get to start practice lessons at the nearby primary school. I am beyond excited to finally get to this step. It will be a much needed change of pace. 

As far as my emotional state goes, I'm doing so well. I had a minor dip after using a hole as the toilet for the first time, but now it's the norm. I have found some solace in talking to the other people in my cohort...which is the BEST. The people I have traveled and lived with over the last couple of weeks have each inspired me in different ways. I feel blessed to have met them and to have the chance to teach with some of them starting next week. 

Here's a little background on what we're doing here. We are all education sector volunteers. Some of us have lots of teaching experience, and some of us don't have any. The motivation level is the same across the board. We are a special group, not only for PC Uganda, but for peace corps as a whole. We are the first group to train for and implement an amazing literacy program during our service. Many of the other countries came to a conference a few months ago to learn more about it and begin planning on making it happen in their own countries. If we are successful, education in the PC could change in such amazing ways. I'm grateful to be a part of such a groundbreaking group. 

With that said, I have reflected a lot since I stepped onto the plane to head to Africa. I have come to the realization that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. It's hard to explain the feeling completely, but it was so powerful when it happened. My family, my home, my awesome friends and loved ones mean the world to me. Leaving all of them was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through, but the sense of belonging I have in this beautiful country is so intense. I'm lucky because I get to share my experiences that I've had at home with the people of UG and vice versa. How many people get the opportunity to do something like that? I hope that I can do this country justice and share as much as possible with all of you. 

I will update and spill my thoughts as much as I can! 

Last important thing, we got our site placements on Friday! For those of you that would like to look up my town on a map of some sort, it is called Masaka. In the central region of Uganda! 

Love you all. Xo

One of the most amazing girls I have ever met, Emery, and I on the day we both got awards for trainees of the day! :)