I’m a 23 year-old gal spending a year in rural Uganda as the volunteer coordinator for the Arlington Academy of Hope.
From what I understand, I’m going to be living in pretty basic accommodations; running water and internet are completely absent, and electricity is sporadic. I’m not generally the outdoorsy, rugged type, but I enjoy a good challenge.
This blog is a way for me to keep my family and friends updated, and to share my experiences. Since I don’t have internet access in the village, I’ll only be able to post once or twice a month, but I’ll try to make them worth your while. I’d love to hear people’s thoughts so please leave plenty of comments.
9 comments
Comments feed for this article
January 31, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Kristina
Rutie OG– (not sure if this is where I leave the comments but there’s no spot on the actual blog page–weird, n’est pas?)–we miss you already! And it’s only been….well, days, really. I get my updates on you, per usual, resulting from my infiltration of your clan. I hear you need a mining hat. And I’ll leave it at that… I’m going to round up some books that I think that you’d like and send them along. (“To: Ruth O’Gara….c/o Africa.”–they’ll figure it out.) Even if you don’t have time to read them, at least you can bribe the locals with your wares. I hope you’re having fun! xx K
February 21, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Gerry Welch
Dear, dear Ruth — What joy there is in your writings! There’s a great book in your future. I am so thrilled that you are delighting in your experiences at AAH. Cynthia writes raves about you — and well deserved, I know.
You two are making me want to see and experience it all for myself , although I’m not sure how these old bones would endure. Love the photos and will look for more of them and your incredible descriptions. Would love to see one of our Doreen. You’re much missed and your mom needs frequent reassurance that you will come back (she gets it regularly from all of her friends), but it is clear that you are exactly where you want to be, doing exactly what you want to do. Now I will look for news of Murphy 11. Then everything will be just perfect! Love, Gerry
March 17, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Janet McNicholl
Hi Ruth,
Your Mum gave me the website. I’m so impressed – you’re great to be out there. It will enrich and change your life as well as be an experience that will never leave you. It will make you the kind of person (which you probably are, as you chose that path) that can relate to anyone, whatever walk of life, culture or country they come from. For me, and Carrie, we can both probably see ourselves where you are (me in Nigeria, she in Kenya) on our VSA volunteer experiences in west and east Africa. You’ve gone one more level, as you’ve taken a bigger plunge for a longer time. Your blog makes great reading. Even without the pictures, the words draw the scenes very well.
She told me about James and his job and work, about Daniel and Kate and her plans to visit you. I’ll work on getting Carrie to visit you too! Meanwhile, keep healthy and well.
Janet (from Galway – last time I met you made the bruschetta – I was just visiting your Mum in DC for a few days and you were still in college)
April 6, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Paula Walsh
So lovely to read of your adventures and reactions Roothie.Feel like we were in the raft with you.brings back memories of matatu days in the last century when we were the adventurers and not the oul wans. So vivid your descriptions of the joie the vivre in the children , we have sooooooo lost the plot in the west.
Beir Bua abus Grá mór
April 10, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Traci Radigan
Ruth,
I LOVE your writing! It’s so vivid and it brings me back and makes me miss those kids and their voices and the “how are uuuuuuuuu’s?” and the matatu sights, smells and sounds and all of it! And I can’t wait to meet you this summer – Katie Aholt tells me that we’re going to have fun.
Thank you so much for what you’re doing for all of us, and for sharing your stories.
August 13, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Liz Urschel
I am really, really enjoying your vivid writing, Ruth. Even though I’ve never been to Africa, I certainly feel like I’m right there with you. Even though I’m in a cubicle right now. With no one. Ha.
September 6, 2008 at 8:03 am
John Bonner
Write a book. Problem solved. If you have any question what to do next, that’s it. You have it started. Then I can put you in contact with my hotshot, New York, publisher sister. This is fresh stuff. Most people want to do stuff like this. This would entertain their fantasies. Maybe get them moving. I said it before, but I really do enjoy what you’ve written. Even if you don’t make a book out of this, keep doing what your doing. Traveling, exploring, documenting. Something will come out of it. Whether you want it to or not.
November 5, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Elaine Gelvin
Dear Ruth,
I can’t thank you enough for your wonderful ‘essay’ on David! I keep asking him to journal and record these amazing experiences – but…………………
You have given a ‘picture’ of what he has been doing all this time!! Your writing is amazing!! I just discovered your monthly updates and with
PICTURES too!! I’m going to Copycopy and have it copied with color and then enjoy reading about all of your adventures. (I do not have David’s tech gene!) Again, thank you so much for your writing talents and adventures! If you are ever in Colorado – I have extra bedrooms and you are always welcome. ( I love to hear ’stories’ about David.hehe)
Take care,
Elaine (David’s mom)
February 16, 2009 at 3:34 pm
William Everett Beck II
Ruth,
My daughter is 20 and a student at Miami University. She is volunteering for 2 weeks this summer through the FIRMC medical mission. In searching out information about Bumwalukani, I ran across your blog entries of your experience.
You have renewed my faith in The Republic. You write passionately and artfully about your experience. You are obviously changed by the experience, but you were able to convey your emotions and experiences exceptionally well.
I feel better about my country and the world generally knowing that people like you are out there making a difference.