In two days I begin my second research trip to Africa this year - this time northern Uganda - having the great fortune to work with teachers, former child soldiers, and war-affected children thanks to primary researcher Jan Stewart, Director of the Institute for War-Affected Children at the University of Winnipeg, and a Canadian grant.
I find this part of my life the most rewarding, for sure. The goodness and the resilience of the people I have met in Africa, who have endured the worst and most inhumane of circumstances, yet who, in many cases, have more than we privileged Americans do in terms of community and caring, teach me far more than I can teach them. My January trip to Ghana (see blog!) resulted in an ongoing connection with two principals and two high school artists who are incredibly talented. I am trying to get Tom and Philip's work situated for selling in the U.S. (see pics). They should be able to sustain themselves based on their talents. If anyone has any ideas for them to sell, let me know!
This time, Jan has done all the planning work for the trip. She has been there before, so knows what we will need. We will all arrive at Entebbe on Friday night, Nov 19. Jan - she's my kind of friend and colleague! Prior to immersing ourselves in the long hours of research, interviews, observations, and travel to the villages, we will take the first weekend to enjoy the beauty of the country, beginning with a Saturday photo safari and a Sunday 31K trek down Class 3-5 rapids in the White Nile! (see http://adrift.ug/). Can't wait!
These experiences I am privileged to work with constantly teach me about the fragility and the preciousness of life and my incredible privilege in terms of material and convenience. But they also help me to understand that material and convenience do not begin to hold the fibers of life integrity in the ways that a simple life, often wrought with physical lacking and emotional trauma,can. Money cannot buy happiness. Love, care, the desire for peace - things quite foreign to our own governmental policies (just take a look at the national budget) - these are the qualities that make a life whole.
I will use this blog for my "researcher's field notes." In so doing, I hope they can provide my students with an understanding of field notes (which include not only research, but personal impressions and reactions), and my friends and family with some insight into this trip, my work, and why I do what I do. I expect to get back to this some time after the 19th - stay posted!
No comments:
Post a Comment