Today marks the first page in a new chapter of my life. I wouldn't be where I am right now (waiting in the San Fransisco Airport for my flight to Uganda) without the help of my friends, family, and other supporting organizations. Much appreciation is given to them.
I will be traveling throughout East and West Africa from May 23rd 2011 until January 5th 2012.
My plans are not concert, but will revolve around a plan similar to this one.
As some of you may know, my boyfriend Paul Gamache is currently in Jinja, Uganda working as a Manager for Zen Tubing on the White Nile. Upon arrival I will spend my first week with him and meet up with my director, Jacques Bwira, on June 3rd.
From June until August I will be working in a small community comprised of refugees from surrounding countries (Rwanda, Burundi, and mostly the Democratic Republic of Congo[DRC]) in Ndejje, Uganda just outside the capital city Kampala. I will know more once I spend time in the community but from my understanding...there is a community center where children and adults have access to some vocational training, sports activities and equipment, etc. There is also a tailor shop where many of the refugee parents work together to form the Kamba Cooperative in hopes of putting their children through the local school: Helping People of Ethnicities (HoPE) Primary School. HoPE Primary School aims at making sure refugee children have access to free education and community support. This is where I plan to spend most of my time. I plan to teach English, French, Math, Science and other subjects that may be available. HoPE is the first and only primary school for refugees that is OUTSIDE of a refugee camp in Uganda. Jacques Bwira is the founder and has went though extraordinary efforts to pass the gift of education.
In August I am taking a couple weeks off to safari in Kenya and Tanzania where I will meet up with Killerai Munka Killerai, an old friend of mine who took my on safari 4 years ago when I first traveled to Africa. I also plan to visit Mosho Village, Tanzania where I helped build a school for the village. Paul, our friend Rito, and I plan to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro and also spend some time on the East Coast of Kenya on the Indian Ocean.
For the month of September I will return to Ndejje and continue my work in active peace building activities throughout the community.
I have a flight on October 9th that will take my from Uganda to Senegal. I am going to spend some time in The Gambia and Senegal studying, relaxing, and most importantly: working on my French while taking in the beautiful cultures around me.
Then I am teaming up with Intrepid Travel to continue my travels through West Africa. I will be visiting Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon between October 22nd and December 29th 2011.
We plan to spend New Years in Cameroon and then I will depart from Douala, Cameroon on Jan 5th and return to Arcata, CA.
In these 7-8months I will be taking Independent/Directed Study classes through Humboldt State. I was able to devise my own lesson plan and apply the classes to my major (International Studies-[Anti]Globalization) and minor (French and Francophone Studies)
These are the classes I will be working on while abroad:
(International Experience/Culminating Project Requirment-4 credits)
Course Description/Requirements: Toni will keep a descriptive written and photo journal documenting all major experiences while staying in Ndejje, Uganda. During her stay she will be required to make connection with HSU coursework while synthesizing and integrating previously acquired knowledge. She will fully develop these connections through educational excursions, research on Uganda (including interviews with Uganda nationals, refugees, development workers, etc) and any other relevant forms. All pertinent information will be collaborated and she will write a 20-25 page paper (with bibliography) that Noah Zerbe will read and evaluate. This paper will specifically address the refugee crisis in Uganda with an emphasis on sources and root causes of conflict in the Great Lakes area of Central Africa, migration and refugee issues/problems, as well as active peace-building activities in Ndejje and other refugee communities in Uganda.
(French 5/French Proficiency-4credits)
Course Description/Requirements: While volunteering and studying with French speaking Congolese refugees in Ndejje, Uganda, Toni will read six short stories (listed on the French 311 syllabus). By using her critical and creative thinking skills, she will turn in an essay on the six stories that will show her comprehension of the readings, grammatical correctness, and proficiency in the French language. During her stay in Ndejje, Toni will also be taking French lessons from the Congolese in the community which will give an intensive reexamination of the French grammar and usage in Francophone texts while using all four language skills (oral, writing, reading, and comprehension). This will also meet course goals such as: appreciation for and understanding of an expanded world perspective by engaging respectfully with a diverse range of individuals, communities, and viewpoints and will prepare me to purse social justice, promote environmental responsibility, and improve economic conditions in workplaces and communities.
(Francophone West African Studies-4credits)
Course Description/Requirements: Throughout her travels in West Africa (Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Cameroon), Toni will be exposed to the beautiful complexity of the contemporary Francophone world. She will examine different themes within the diverse cultures of West Africa and recognize the interconnectedness of various religious, political, and ethnic groups throughout the area. While studying the rich heritage of the area, Toni will compose five papers at five pages each written in French that focus on: 1) Slave trade in collective consciousness, visiting the three major African slave ports in Ghana, Senegal and Benin; 2) Language politics and development throughout the five countries; 3) Comparative analysis of the role of women in the recession in Francophone West Africa; 4) Environmental politics throughout in all five countries and; 5) West African music, rhythms, and storytelling as a form of preservation of traditions and culture. Toni will meet with scholars, artists, dancers, musicians, painters, sculptors, weavers, writers, and other in-country experts of all classes to conduct interviews and other relevant activities.
After this experience I will begin my application for the Peace Corps and return to HSU to finish my coursework in the Spring of 2012 semester.
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