Uganda in 4 days? Don't mind if I do...

I've been asked the same question a lot when I tell people that I'm going back to Uganda, so I figured that this might be a good way to start this blog journey off. The thing is, people want to know why I'm focusing my work in Africa when there are so many problems right here in Canada with the natives, homelessness and such. I understand why people are asking me this, so I'll try to answer the question the best I can.

I know there's some mystery behind how a prairie girl with a panic disorder ended up going to Uganda in the first place. All I can say is that going to Africa is something that has been in my system and on my mind since I was about 10 years old. I always knew that I didn't want to just travel and go on safari, but I wanted to go there and work and get to know the people so I could in some way become part of Africa myself. It's just always been inside me and I don't know exactly why.

It's not that I don't understand the issues here in Canada, or that I don't care about them. I do. There are people out there who feel that their calling is to work on East Hastings St. in Vancouver, when a lot of people wouldn't consider even driving down there. I understand why they're so passionate about what they're doing because it's the same thing I feel for Africa. I mean, why do some people focus on the natives when other people work with the homeless and others feel something for sex trade workers? It's about humanity, not about countries. Nobody gets first dibs on help, or at least they shouldn't. People see a need and it speaks to them in a way that lights a fire underneath them to make a change. Nobody can change everything themselves, so it's up to people who feel that fire for something to act on it. If we spread out the work to where our hearts lie, we can chip away at the issues the best we can.

I'm not going to Uganda again because celebrities say it's cool to adopt black babies. I'm going because I have seen the effects of the war, AIDS and poverty on the people, and despite all of that I still feel so at home there and like I've finally found where I belong. Some people have always known they wanted to be a teacher or a doctor and no one questioned it. Well, I've always known that I wanted to work for and in Africa. Maybe my work is going to be charitable, but it's still what I want to do. I don't know where exactly all of this is going to head, but I feel more comfortable with this than with anything else I've considered doing with my life.

It's also important to add that I'm not closed to the opportunity of working here in Canada too. And, it's not like I never do anything to help while I'm home in Canada. Of course not! I don't just turn off my wish to help people when I'm home. Again, people are people and it's all about humanity. But Africa's still got my heart too, and now it's time to head back there again.

So there you go. Andria's impassioned speech about Africa. It's okay if you still don't get it, sometimes I confuse myself. But as far as I'm concerned, bring on the cockroaches, sunburns and severe lack of customer service!!!! 4 days, baby...now I just need to see if I can sleep until then.