Yee, Tusobola

Yesterday was Heroes' Day - a Ugandan public holiday similar to Memorial Day. Nick, Rose, Agnes, Teddy, and I spent the day at the American Recreation Association swimming. I acted as Rose's swimming instructor - a tough but rewarding task. By the end of our time in the pool, she was able to float and glide in the water. I told her, "There is a man who you believe in that once walked on water. I promise you can float on it!!! Believe in Yourself." I look forward to our next outing to the pool and further improvement. We went to dinner with Agnes and Rose's wonderful priest - Father Joe. He is a fun, engaging, and spiritual man. We talked about some of the sites we had both seen in Israel, Judaism, Catholicism, music, the US, and Martyrs' Day.

In contrast to last week, Nick and I have spent more time in the office this week. We are beginning to synthesize information and compose logic models for EAC's Spirit of Uganda, holistic care , and US Scholarship programs. We realized the need to speak with more people, and have spent time speaking with a student going through EAC's resettlement program and Peter Kasule - the artistic director of Spirit of Uganda. Both interviews were very helpful for me to understand some of the intricacies of the programming.

The resettlement program provides assistance to those who have reached an age to transition into employment. EAC helps their students find a home and provides them with necessities. After 6 months, students are no longer on the payroll but are free to come in for support. In Psychology 1630, we learned about attachment styles. Secure attachment - the most healthy- is when a person is attached to their parent but able to be their own person. For example, an independent college student seeks their parents - whether over phone, email, or face-to-face - for advice and support. EAC is acting as a parent with a child that has a secure attachment style! We met with Dora today. She has recently gone through resettlement and is now living on her own and working as a hair stylist. EAC's staff was able to push her in the right direction and then let her soar.

When I was a child, I was diagnosed as having a non-verbal learning difference, which would make socialization difficult for me. My brilliant parents pushed me to do drama as a way to express myself. I learned eye contact, important communication skills, leadership and discipline from my time in the theater. EAC is employing the same strategy with the Spirit of Uganda tour. Speaking with Peter today was powerful. Through training, the children aided by EAC gain confidence in their ability to ask questions and have conversations. They became disciplined and are forced to manage their time. Talents are recognized and leaders emerge. An understanding of team work emerges and friendships form leading to EAC children sharing their tough, often similar stories with each other. On tour, performance after performance ends with a standing ovation. For a performer, there is no better feeling. When audiences rise, its a sign to a performer that their voice matters. Performing is freeing, and the use of it as a sort-of therapy is one of the most exciting concepts I can imagine.

Unfortunately, I write this post at a time when an amazing American is being unfairly criticized for matters out of his control. Being in a foreign country furthers my deep appreciation, gratitude, and liking of President and Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama. In Kampala, there are stores, hair salons, restaurants, Internet cafes, and more named after him. Furthermore, talking to Richard - the British house manager where we are staying- I have learned that around the world, public opinion is changing about the USA because of the man. He told me, "the USA is the only country that could create such a public figure." So I say, Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can! Yee, Tusobola! Yee, Tusobola! Yee, Tusobola!

- Feldman