Recapping Uganda

[Chris] Nine weeks in Uganda and it’s already over (pics from Gulu). That doesn’t mean the whole thing went fast – Emily will tell you with confidence that it did, in fact, not go quickly at all (I seriously must have the most amazing and supportive wife in the world). For me, the first week went the slowest. After I enjoyed a couple pleasant days learning my way around Gulu, catching butterflies, and meeting people - I got sick, so the week lasted forever. Seriously, I hate feeling nauseous; if Emily told me she never wanted to have a baby because she might be nauseous for a few weeks, I would be okay with that - seems legit to me. Fortunately, I didn’t die or tear my esophagus. Also fortunate was that Emily was able to get me some meds for nausea and send them with Liz. In hindsight, I’m also glad I didn’t yet know there were mice living in the couch I laid on during the days that week.

After my flu-ridden week of hell (you might think I’m being dramatic, but I think I’m accurately representing my perspective of the situation), things got better – how could they not? During the first few days after Liz (my advisor) arrived we had a brief, intro-to-family-therapy training for the vivo counselors. Over the next four weeks we conducted the intervention that was the reason for our trip, and those weeks flew by. In short, we were there to test the feasibility of a parenting intervention in the war-affected, northern region of Uganda. From our trip to Germany in March until I left in May we worked a lot of hours – technically all volunteer for me – to finish the manual and give me time to learn the content. I worked with an artist to design the manual we used as we expected most of the mothers to be illiterate. The triple-digit-hour work-weeks were worth-it though.

The project was a success and we felt extremely happy with what we learned. We started with 15 mothers and 14 finished. Not all of the mothers made significant changes but it seems most did; hopefully the changes made will last. We had mothers say that they didn’t know it would help to speak in a kind voice to their children but that it did help when they tried; we had mothers say that they never knew there could be so much love in their family; we had mothers who said their husband or children commented on the changes they were making and the benefits to the family. At the end of the four weeks we got lots of hugs and thanks.

Immediately after the intervention, Liz left and I remained to offer a little additional support to the mothers and to conduct post-tests and interviews. I had three guys working for us to translate, transcribe, and conduct interviews. It was great experience and a lot of fun to run things those few weeks, as well as great to get to know the three guys.

Most of the trip was a lot of work, but I did get to have a little fun. During the last week I got to go on a little safari (safari pics). During my free time in Gulu I got to go on some long runs in the bush, including one that led to an hour in a little hut with drums and rattles for a Sunday morning church service. I got to watch one of my favorite documentaries, War Dance (about three Acholi kids), with the Acholi counselors. I got to learn my way around Gulu fairly well, played soccer with the neighbor kids, managed to survive all of my boda-boda rides, and avoided malaria.

Now there is a ton of work to do to analyze the data, write articles, and plan future steps. I plan to go back and hope that happens sooner than later. Some have asked if the trip was life changing. It wasn’t – but it was certainly affirming, validating, and a great growth experience. I gained some great research, career, and therapy experience - I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity in my first year of my PhD.

If you want to read my other posts from Uganda, they are here:

Brief overview of project
Week 1
Week 2 (1st intervention week)
Week 3
Week 4 and church
Week 6 update
Leaving Gulu