Disillusionment

I haven’t written an entry in a while, as I had nothing new to report – until now. On July 11th, during the World Cup finale, there were two horrible bombings in Kampala at a restaurant and a rugby club airing the game that killed at least 74 people and made international news. Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group centralized in Somalia that is linked with Al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the act. I found out about the bombings the following morning from Lindsey, whose sister called her out of concern; and she had very much reason to be. Because it’s the only major city in the country, we’ve been to Kampala several times for shopping and sightseeing. And since the World Cup is such a big event and we’ve been ahead with our work, we had even pondered going that weekend.

It’s now been 4 days since the bombing and no one from the university – including the faculty directly working on the project – has tried to contact us; no phone call, no e-mail, absolutely nothing. Prior to the trip, we were made to register where we’d be with the school, attend special lectures on traveling safely in foreign countries, receive a full range of vaccines and mandatory health insurance, all in order to keep us safe in case something happens. But for all the university knows, we could be badly hurt or even dead. I’m very disappointed, mostly in our project leaders, who undoubtedly should have sent some form of communication to us. They know we’re here. I know they heard about the story unless they’re living in a cave. So, why?

Furthermore, our health insurance doesn’t even work here. We attempted to use it at the one hospital in the country that takes it – which is in Kampala – and were denied. I previously wrote about my horrible experience with bacteria. A week or so after that event had died down, the infection reoccurred – more virulent than before and in two different places. Thanks to Massy, I was able to see a doctor here who told me to get an antibiotic that’s widely available at pharmacies here. It has mostly gone away now, but not entirely. I’m still in occasional pain and I worry about it lurking in my body.

I’m just annoyed with the school at the moment. Yes, technically, we’re OK – but what if we weren’t? Show some courtesy for your students and practice what you preach, please. End of rant – I will survive. I have 20 more days here and I believe I’m ready to come home now. Though I do have a week in Europe before that happens. I should see a doctor there; in both America and Uganda, I’m screwed for different reasons.