We have now entered into the third week of our trip, and I must say Gulu, Uganda has proved to be a simple yet complex city, with a unique and lovely culture. Like much of this trip I entered this city without any expectations and after a few days of adjusting and settling into our new home and non-governmental organizations (NGO) internships, it seems that we have fallen into a routine, immersing ourselves in the culture, learning the city and making friends.
A humongous high for me has to be the internship with the NGOs. I have had the pleasure of working with the Foundation for Justice and Development Initiatives (FJDI), which has proven to be nothing less than amazing. FJDI focuses on long term solutions from the impacts of the 20 plus years of conflict in Northern Uganda; the organization uses an approach in human rights and restoration. They work to build and assist communities in promoting justice and economic development. From the day we were welcomed, we’ve hit the ground running and have quickly became acclimated with our work. While here our group will be working to develop social media strategies and help to improve a memorial site, that they have recently developed. On our second day, myself, along with another student, got the opportunity to go out into the field with our colleagues. In the field, we did a capacity needs assessment on various victim groups and surveys to assess the perceptions of having a Regional Memorial Day. It was a fantastic experience to sit down with the different groups and conduct these interviews.
While working in the field, it was apparent to me that a Memorial Day within these communities was extremely important to them. Many people expressed the need for inclusion of all villages, religions, and leaders to help remember the past. As sat and observed, I saw the passion within them to protect the sanctity of their history and teach to their youth of what the community had endured.
Working at FJDI has made me feel extremely welcomed in Gulu, the office is structured much like a little family; which I am very appreciative of as I had struggled with mild homesickness when we first arrived in Uganda. As an office, we have many conversations along with our work, we have discussed anything from politics, history, jokes, and each of us have even been given an Acholi name. My name is Lamaro meaning Love.
Aside from the internship, adapting to life in Gulu has been an exciting experience each day provides a new adventure in which we have to seize ourselves. This week the country celebrates Martyrs Day, and Eid al-Fitr, nationally, in observance of these national holidays many businesses were closed. Although the country does not have a national religion, they set aside the time to observe holidays in respect to the member of their country which is admirable. I am looking forward to completing the many projects we have been tasked with at FJDI and continue meeting new people and making memories here in Gulu, Uganda! Apwoyo!
If you would like to find out more information about FJDI and what they do visit their website at http://www.fjdi.org/, Facebook at fjdi.org, and Twitter @FjdiInfo.
Leah Johnson is a political science major at the College of Charleston.
