Good call Winston.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I think I will stay.
Winston Churchill once referred to Uganda as "the pearl of Africa."
Good call Winston.
Good call Winston.
life is about choices.
to my law school friends,
i chose to blog instead of work on Fall Recruitment when i had access to internet the past few days. So enjoy, because next summer, when i don't have a job, I will continually remind you of the sacrifice i made for your reading enjoyment. that is all.
steph hall
i chose to blog instead of work on Fall Recruitment when i had access to internet the past few days. So enjoy, because next summer, when i don't have a job, I will continually remind you of the sacrifice i made for your reading enjoyment. that is all.
steph hall
Monday, June 28, 2010
Yes, my office has a window.
We had an exciting weekend here in Lira. We drove around to several villages way outside the city and received very warm receptions at every stop. I would like to say that the receptions complete with song and dance were for the arrival of the "american lawyers," but that would not be true. Uganda is entering a political season right now in preparation for elections next year, and our fearless leader and host, Dickson Ogwang, is in the running to represent the district in Parliament. Our arrival has been eclipsed by the support he is receiving for this campaign. It's exciting to be able to experience law and politics in Uganda, all in one internship.
We have been staying at a hotel in the city and are officially making the big move tomorrow to our home for the remainder of our time here. We will be living in a village in the bush (seriously), so goodbye reliable internet access. They have been constructing a more modern house in the village for high-maintenance visitors like yours truly, so I won't exactly be living the hut-life but there will be some major adjustments. It will be an experience, but, hey, I'm all in.
some pics of our village:
can you guess which one I'll be staying in?
We had out first real day in the office today and got to start our first case. The primary issues that PRMA handles are land disputes. In a region where boundary lines are determined by ant hills and and mango trees, there are plenty of issues arising. The situation has been aggravated greatly by the recent period of conflict in northern Uganda. Large populations were displaced while fleeing from the violence, and returning and resettling on uncertain territories can create conflicts that threaten to destroy the tenuous peace. PRMA is focused on handling these disputes at the local level through PRMA mediators and PRMA-trained council elders so that the dispute is handled quickly, before violence erupts, and amicably, so that each party is satisfied with the outcome. There is a lot of work to be done, I'd better learn fast.
our office
We have been staying at a hotel in the city and are officially making the big move tomorrow to our home for the remainder of our time here. We will be living in a village in the bush (seriously), so goodbye reliable internet access. They have been constructing a more modern house in the village for high-maintenance visitors like yours truly, so I won't exactly be living the hut-life but there will be some major adjustments. It will be an experience, but, hey, I'm all in.
some pics of our village:
can you guess which one I'll be staying in?
We had out first real day in the office today and got to start our first case. The primary issues that PRMA handles are land disputes. In a region where boundary lines are determined by ant hills and and mango trees, there are plenty of issues arising. The situation has been aggravated greatly by the recent period of conflict in northern Uganda. Large populations were displaced while fleeing from the violence, and returning and resettling on uncertain territories can create conflicts that threaten to destroy the tenuous peace. PRMA is focused on handling these disputes at the local level through PRMA mediators and PRMA-trained council elders so that the dispute is handled quickly, before violence erupts, and amicably, so that each party is satisfied with the outcome. There is a lot of work to be done, I'd better learn fast.
our office
Thursday, June 24, 2010
a shout out from david
meet David, Dickson's son. I met him today and we're already best friends.
he then proceeded to laugh hysterically for 5 minutes and then film himself saying "hi mom and dad" 6 more times. take 1 was definitely the best though.
he then proceeded to laugh hysterically for 5 minutes and then film himself saying "hi mom and dad" 6 more times. take 1 was definitely the best though.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
what a day
how I learned American law:
correction: how I actually learned American law:
how I learned Ugandan law:
-sitting in the back of an SUV
-racing down rough roads at 120 km/hr
(how fast is 120 km/hr?? It feels REALLY fast when you are dodging cars, pedestrians, motorcycles, um, semi-trucks, and random animals...)
-with African gospel music blaring in the background
-and Dickson (my "boss" and host) explaining the Ugandan court system
It was necessary for this lesson to take place in this manner because we were on our way to Gulu, a town a few hours away, to hear the Court of Appeals of Uganda. The Court always takes place in Kampala, but they moved it to Gulu for a short time in order to allow people from northern Uganda to participate in the cases that occurred in their region. We got there in time to hear 3 judgments handed down. We headed into the courtroom and took our seats on the front row. We ended up having to wait an hour before they began (schedules in Africa are VERY loose- even in the courts...). When they called the first case, the man sitting immediately to our right for the past hour stood up and headed to the front. We had no idea that we had been sitting right next to the accused for the past hour, and the cases we heard handed down were murder/death penalty cases. Having never even seen a case of this magnitude in the states and then experiencing it like this was all a little too real.
After that had concluded, Dickson had set up a meeting with the Chief Justice of the Court, so we were able to talk to her one-on-one for a little while about what we're doing here and ask her about her time on the court.
We then made the trip back to Lira dodging all of the same obstacles. in the dark. Since you're reading this blog, it means I lived to tell about it.
Also yesterday, we visited a meeting among local clan leaders gathered under a tree in the bush and were introduced as "lawyers from America who would mediate all their conflicts." No big deal.
correction: how I actually learned American law:
how I learned Ugandan law:
-sitting in the back of an SUV
-racing down rough roads at 120 km/hr
(how fast is 120 km/hr?? It feels REALLY fast when you are dodging cars, pedestrians, motorcycles, um, semi-trucks, and random animals...)
-with African gospel music blaring in the background
-and Dickson (my "boss" and host) explaining the Ugandan court system
It was necessary for this lesson to take place in this manner because we were on our way to Gulu, a town a few hours away, to hear the Court of Appeals of Uganda. The Court always takes place in Kampala, but they moved it to Gulu for a short time in order to allow people from northern Uganda to participate in the cases that occurred in their region. We got there in time to hear 3 judgments handed down. We headed into the courtroom and took our seats on the front row. We ended up having to wait an hour before they began (schedules in Africa are VERY loose- even in the courts...). When they called the first case, the man sitting immediately to our right for the past hour stood up and headed to the front. We had no idea that we had been sitting right next to the accused for the past hour, and the cases we heard handed down were murder/death penalty cases. Having never even seen a case of this magnitude in the states and then experiencing it like this was all a little too real.
After that had concluded, Dickson had set up a meeting with the Chief Justice of the Court, so we were able to talk to her one-on-one for a little while about what we're doing here and ask her about her time on the court.
We then made the trip back to Lira dodging all of the same obstacles. in the dark. Since you're reading this blog, it means I lived to tell about it.
Also yesterday, we visited a meeting among local clan leaders gathered under a tree in the bush and were introduced as "lawyers from America who would mediate all their conflicts." No big deal.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
we're here!
We made it! We arrived in Uganda yesterday morning, safe and sound, but jet laaaaged. The country is really beautiful, and I am so excited that I am going to be able to see so much of it. Yesterday we were able to see some of the highlights of Kampala, the capital city, including parliament, the major university of Uganda, and the famous Kasubi tombs. They are a UNESCO World Heritage because of their huge cultural importance, and, sadly, were destroyed by fire back in March. You can read about it here .
My skirt was too scandalous, so I got to accessorize.
We took care of some business in Kampala today and then drove to Lira, our main home for the next 6 weeks. My battery is dying and exhaustion is setting in, so you'll have to stay on the edges of your seats for more details about Lira.
My skirt was too scandalous, so I got to accessorize.
We took care of some business in Kampala today and then drove to Lira, our main home for the next 6 weeks. My battery is dying and exhaustion is setting in, so you'll have to stay on the edges of your seats for more details about Lira.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
I'm in London
see :)
Just ate a chicken pot pie and drank a pint of Strongbow. Feeling very English.
No Hugh Grant sighting yet. If it occurs, you'll be the first to know.
Just ate a chicken pot pie and drank a pint of Strongbow. Feeling very English.
No Hugh Grant sighting yet. If it occurs, you'll be the first to know.
Friday, June 18, 2010
en route... kind of.
Well, it's here! The day I've been counting down to for months has arrived. We concluded the first portion of the program last night in Phoenix with a closing banquet and raucous karaoke at the bar next door. It was the perfect way to wrap up the past two weeks. The banquet gave us some time to reflect on the amount of knowledge that has been poured into us for the past two weeks (seriously, we had something like 32 sessions from different speakers over the course of two weeks), and it also allowed us a little time to transition into what we will be doing for the next six weeks all over the nation and world. And karaoke afterwards allowed some time to, um, sing really poorly. But at least we were able to do so in the company of new friends.
We also took some time this week for an excursion to Sedona where we took jeep tours, went horseback riding, and spent a day NOT in the conference room at the hotel. Much needed and so much fun.
The past few weeks have been really great and challenging. It's hard to succinctly summarize the reasons why, but I'll try. One thing I have picked up on is that law is not something that exists in a vacuum, but there is a real connection between law and culture, and as such, effectively engaging either requires a big picture perspective on law, history, theology, and people in general. Two weeks experience crammed into a sentence makes for a really long sentence, sorry.
Another thing I have realized is that I feel totally unprepared to begin whatever lies ahead in Uganda. That is probably because I don't entirely know what lies ahead. I started getting anxious until I was reminded that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph. 2:10). I don't have to be ready, just willing.
So I'm willing, and waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting at the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix after United Airlines decided to delay and cancel flights. But we'll get there... a little later than planned, and this time by way of London. So the next post will be all about Big Ben, fish and chips, and Hugh Grant (yes, these are the things I think of when I think of London). Cheerio until then!
(this is what a bunch of internet-deprived people do when stranded at the airport.)
We also took some time this week for an excursion to Sedona where we took jeep tours, went horseback riding, and spent a day NOT in the conference room at the hotel. Much needed and so much fun.
The past few weeks have been really great and challenging. It's hard to succinctly summarize the reasons why, but I'll try. One thing I have picked up on is that law is not something that exists in a vacuum, but there is a real connection between law and culture, and as such, effectively engaging either requires a big picture perspective on law, history, theology, and people in general. Two weeks experience crammed into a sentence makes for a really long sentence, sorry.
Another thing I have realized is that I feel totally unprepared to begin whatever lies ahead in Uganda. That is probably because I don't entirely know what lies ahead. I started getting anxious until I was reminded that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph. 2:10). I don't have to be ready, just willing.
So I'm willing, and waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting at the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix after United Airlines decided to delay and cancel flights. But we'll get there... a little later than planned, and this time by way of London. So the next post will be all about Big Ben, fish and chips, and Hugh Grant (yes, these are the things I think of when I think of London). Cheerio until then!
(this is what a bunch of internet-deprived people do when stranded at the airport.)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Hello World
That may sound like a presumptuous greeting to start this blog, but let me explain. I begin with "hello world" not because I think the world will be reading this blog (thank goodness... that would be a lot of pressure to say something witty, charming and deep in every post, and I am certainly not promising THAT), but rather because the world is out there waiting, and my plans this summer are going to launch me out of my comfort zone and into new places where my only response will be to take a deep breath, smile, and greet the unexpected.
Also, hello blog world. This is new to me.
This summer, thanks to a God-thing, a stroke of good luck, or wishing on the right star (but seriously, I'm pretty sure it's a God thing), I have been given the opportunity to spend 6 weeks in Uganda working as a legal intern for Peace and Reconciliation Ministries in Africa, an organization pursuing peace in post-conflict areas through bible-based mediation, arbitration and reconciliation.
Where in the world is Uganda ?
The first phase of my trip begins on Sunday as I head to Phoenix, Arizona for two weeks of training, seminars, and lessons relating to the application of Christian principles to my legal studies. From there, another intern and I will pack our bags and begin our adventure with over 36 hours of travel to Lira, Uganda. In Uganda, the customary greeting is "jambo."
Jambo world.
Also, hello blog world. This is new to me.
This summer, thanks to a God-thing, a stroke of good luck, or wishing on the right star (but seriously, I'm pretty sure it's a God thing), I have been given the opportunity to spend 6 weeks in Uganda working as a legal intern for Peace and Reconciliation Ministries in Africa, an organization pursuing peace in post-conflict areas through bible-based mediation, arbitration and reconciliation.
Where in the world is Uganda ?
The first phase of my trip begins on Sunday as I head to Phoenix, Arizona for two weeks of training, seminars, and lessons relating to the application of Christian principles to my legal studies. From there, another intern and I will pack our bags and begin our adventure with over 36 hours of travel to Lira, Uganda. In Uganda, the customary greeting is "jambo."
Jambo world.
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