"I'm Back!"

I wasn't sure if I would make it back to Uganda this summer- especially the way things have gone over the last few months- but I made it here and I am so grateful to God to have this opportunity again. I had initially planned to come back, visit with the people and students I met last summer at Almond school and then do some research for my masters program at U of T. Well it just so happened that Calvin, the director of Kirabo Canada who I travelled and volunteered with last year has so kindly let me do my research in conjunction with the leadership program we deliver to the students at Almond- and it is going very well so far. In the fall I took a course on community healing and peacebuilding so I decided to do my research on the use of music to heal and build community peace. Its perfect really- I get to see my kids again, and study a topic I am very passionate about in a country and district that places a significant role on the use of music in their culture. I've already had an opportunity to meet with some people who work for the Justice and Peace Commissions here in Lira, including a woman, Santa, who writes peace music and goes around to schools delivering programs on peace education. I have also meet with my professor's "Interchange 4 Peace" colleagues here in Uganda and was able to get some info regarding the work they do here in Uganda. Interchange even has a chapter in Croatia! Maybe I'll go there next summer!