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ICYMI: The World Beyond Covid-19 – A Five Part Series
August 25, 2020
Alumni Sonia Michaelsen: I Wasn’t Supposed to Go to Uganda
September 15, 2020

Looking Back: An Interns First Impressions, Challenges, & Reflections on Her Time in Uganda

September 8, 2020

I remember the first night I spent in Uganda, specifically in Entebbe, after spending 24 hours between connecting flights and different airports. It was already nighttime and I walked in to the hostel room where I slid into my net and tried to fall asleep. I stared at the ceiling for a while when I noticed something crawling. A cockroach. That’s when it hit me. I was far away from home with people I barely knew and my fear of insects was definitely not helping in that moment. That night, I cried a little.

That night was also a reality check for me. I was out of my comfort zone but I genuinely think that moment influenced the months to come. To be honest, it was the only moment where I truly felt homesick. I knew myself well enough to realize that in three months, I would be crying because I had to leave.

I was right.

The project my team was assigned to was considered a pilot project and was named Educational Technology and Information Sharing. Along with my three colleagues, Brenda, Kayla and Gerald, we were given two main tasks. This being said, our project was in reality… two projects. This was our first challenge as a team. We were tasked to set-up a library in CEED’s main office. We were also tasked to implement information and communications technology (ICT) workshops Gulu high schools.

We had many great moments along with series of challenges. Working with a local artist and seeing the library take form and slowly grow into a space where people can gather was definitely a highlight. On the other hand, realizing termites were chewing on our books and new bookcase was definitely not a part of the plan. In that moment, I definitely had to learn to let go and quickly realized that nothing really ever goes as planned.

And that is ok.

Even as I reflect back on the three months I spent in Uganda in 2017, there are things I would have done differently now. It’s ok to sit with your thoughts. You will continue to do so even years after your internship.

Most importantly, listen and learn. Do your research. Learn about Uganda’s history. Learn about the scars colonialism has left. Learn about Ugandan people’s strength and resilience. Learn about white savior complex (check out @nowhitesaviors on Instagram – A Uganda-based educational page). We all hold different privileges. Reflect on these and check yourself.

Do not forget to take the time to breathe and take everything in.

Uganda is by far, the most beautiful place I have had the privilege to travel to. From the stunning greenery to the immense and surreal waterfalls, Uganda is breathtaking. I really am looking forward to the day I can visit again.

See you soon Uganda.

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CEED is excited to announce our Media and Advocacy CEED is excited to announce our Media and Advocacy team! 🎉

This team will work together on multiple projects over the internship, one being to create a short documentary created in Gulu, Uganda 🇺🇬 

The team is passionate about using media to effectively tell stories. This will be done through the medium of film, photography and journalism by using a collective voice to spread a message on social change 🎬

Meet the team!

Slide 2: Marsella Ariso, Marsella is a recent Graduate of Journalism and Communication Studies from Uganda Martyrs University with a specialty in Strategic Communication and Data Journalism. Marsella continues to support young girls to stay in school through her Rising Woman Menstrual Hygiene Campaigns ♀️

Slide 3: Emmanuel Bongomin, Emmanuel is passionate about infographics, and community involvement. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Fine Arts with a concentration in Communication Design from Makerere University. Emmanuel is passionate about media, advocacy, infographics, and documentation photography🎥

Slide 4: Issac Aine, throughout their academic career, Isaac has demonstrated a strong work ethic, a passion for Social Justice and Equality, and a commitment to excellence. Isaac has been actively involved in leadership roles at Fresh Hub Uganda. He enjoys playing football, reading, and watching informative movies in his free time⚽️ 

Slide 5: Myraline Catule is a second-year journalism student at Concordia with a minor in Diversity and the Contemporary World. She hopes to work as a visual journalist and to travel the world to learn about other places. This winter, she spent a semester abroad in Paris, which was a life-changing experience that taught me so much about myself ✈

Slide 6: Esther Kakhioza is a Bachelor in commerce student in my final year at Makerere University. She enjoys talking to people as a way of learning people’s different views about life. She would love to create a significant change for youth like herself🌎 

Slide 7: Ocan Brian Tusingwire is a mass communication professional with a passion for storytelling, journalism, content creation, social media management, and production 📖
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