Goodbyes Are Not Easy

Well my adventure in Uganda has basically come to a close…the only event left is the drive to the airport and the long flights home. Whenever I travel…it doesn’t really hit me until the actual day of my departure…well today is the day of my departure…I will be leaving for the airport in about 7 hours. This past week has been good, however, somehow surreal…for it is interesting to look back at my time here and realize that I have spent half a year in Uganda! Anywho, work was pretty simple Monday and Tuesday…then Wednesday came…and oh boy was it a celebration and a half…hehe! The day began with all us PROMETRAns meeting the community of healers at a local church near Buyijja Forest. The church was reminded me of the Methodist church I grew up in back home in Sheridan, MT. All the healers and us PROMETRAns squeezed into the church…music began and prayers were announced…it was a very beautiful service that gave me a feeling of comfort as the healers prayed for my safe travel and happiness. After the church service ended, all us PROMETRAns and the healers journeyed back to Buyijja to then venture down into the forest. This day there was to be no training…instead, the day turned into a going-away celebration for me. At first, healers began reminiscing about my past six months with them…the words they spoke were so thoughtful and kind! Then music and dancing began as I received gifts from groups of healers. In Buganda culture, when someone receives a visitor, it is a belief to value that visitor and a blessing to provide the visitor with any type of gift. I had been the visitor for the past six months, and now that I was returning home, people wanted to give their blessings :) It was a day of thanksgiving and blessing! The entire day touched me to my very soul. After enjoying my last forest meal, it was my turn to speak and address the healers. All I will say is that it was not easy and brought tears to my eyes. I will never forget that forest day when such thoughtful words were spoken and blessings were given. In the middle of the whole day rain came and caused all of us to run for protection with a smile on our faces…for rain brings good luck! The Wednesday forest day was brought to a close, evening came, and us PROMETRAns journeyed back to Kampala. Thursday and Friday I prepared my things for the journey home…for sure I pack too much…hehe! Then Saturday came and it was another day of goodbyes. One of my PROMETRA colleagues invited me to his house to have a small but significant going-away party with him and his family. We basically ate and lounged around, while watching music videos of local Ugandan artists. It was a nice and relaxing day…that once again brought tears to my eyes…for sure goodbyes are not easy! Saturday then ended with me giving my farewells to a few more of my PROMETRA colleagues. Now it is Sunday and I am bound for home in some few hours. Once I have processed my entire stay here in Uganda I will write more…but for now I can say…when I came to Uganda back in January, I was welcomed with open arms by beautiful, caring, loving, and honest people. I was then cared for as though I was part of everyone’s family. This experience has taught me so much about not only the world and Uganda and traditional medicine, but also about myself. I came to Uganda a young woman, senior in college, simply looking for an adventure and hoping to discover my path for the next few years…I will return still a young woman now graduated and now knowing some of the path my heart and soul will take. My experience in Uganda has been one I will never forget…and I know I will return when the time is right! Thank you all so much for your love and support throughout this journey…without you this adventure could not have been possible! Wish me a safe journey home…I shall be seeing you all very very soon! :)

Keep the spirit alive – Ann Kyamulabi