Nze Nasubuga

Musiibye bassebbos ne bannyabos! (Good evening gentlemen and ladies!)

I am writing to you from my new home in Namungoona. This is the name of my homestay village, just outside of the city. We were introduced to our families on Saturday and after a nice reception, they took me back to their humble abode. My family’s name is Ndegga and it is their first year hosting an SIT student, so they’re learning just as much as I am about this homestay experience. My Mama’s name is Sarah and she doesn’t speak any English. She is a widowed mother of 6+ children. I say 6+ because “family” is a very loose term in Uganda and a lot of her children don’t live at home anymore. A parent’s children can consist of their own plus nieces and nephews and cousins and neighbors and adopted children. I’m finding it very hard to know who are my actual siblings. However, I am sure of the few that still live at home. My sisters are: Sylvia (21 years old), Olivia (22 years old), Eve (23 years old) and my brother: Kevin (6 years old). Right now we also have Frahina (2 years old) staying with us and often other visitors come to stay for dinner or the night.  

Right away, I was given a new name. My Mama named me Nasubuga, which is an honor because that is the name of her first born. So, my name is Nasubuga Aimee Coburn Ndegga.

It has been quite an adjustment moving into my home, but I’m already starting to get used to it. The area I live in is VERY dense. There are always neighbors and friends walking through the house and a million little kids running around outside. There are also chickens, goats and stray dogs walking around outside. The front of the house is a salon, which is where Mama works. She (along with all the children) can’t keep her hands off of my hair. I’m not allowed to leave the house without ironed clothes and a few braids all knotted up on my head. We bathe at least twice a day in a room called the washroom, which is just a small room with a drain to outside and a bucket of water, which we fill up by the well outside as there is no running water. The toilet is a hole outside and a pail and bar of soap for washing hands after. At night though, I’m not allowed outside, so I use a small bucket in my room, which I share with my roommate Eve. There are only a few appliances including: a tv, two lights and an iron. It’s very dark in the house and since the power goes out a lot, the Ndegga’s are used to the dark. Tonight when the power went off while Sylvia was cooking dinner, I let her use my flashlight. You’d think I was a superhero with the gratitude they gave me for sharing my flashlight. The house is small, but has everything you need. Since Sylvia is still on her school vacation, she cleans and cooks while Mama works at her salon during the day. I’m still considered a visitor, so am not allowed to help with cooking or cleaning yet, which makes me feel a little awkward.

On Sunday, I went to Church with Sylvia and Eve. I absolutely loved the service. Most of it consisted of gospel singing and then at the end there was an auction and all proceeds went to the church. I was also asked to stand and introduce myself to the entire congregation, which was mortifying. I guess I don’t blend in very well…

I am learning Luganda at a much faster pace now that I have been completely submerged into the culture. Sylvia, Olivia and Eve speak English pretty well, so I use them to communicate with others most of the time. I gave Kevin a coloring book and some crayons and now he’s learning the colors in English. He and the other little kids like to laugh at me when I try to say things to them. They love to follow me around, and touch my hair, tattoo and painted toenails.

Today was my first day of school. My friend Jake from SIT is my neighbor in Namungoona and so his host brother escorted us to school for our first day. We live very far from Kamwokya, where my classes are, so we have to take 3 different taxis to get there. Getting to school took almost 2 hours and we were very late. Tomorrow we are leaving by 6:30 because we’re on our own. Hopefully over time we will get better/more aggressive at getting on the taxis.

Living here makes me realize how lucky I am at home and how little I really need to live. My family leads such a humble lifestyle and I am learning a lot from them. As I’m adjusting to the culture, I am also learning a lot about my own culture in the US. I’m much more aware of the things I take for granted on a daily basis and I will have a completely new perspective when I get home in a few months.

Goodnight for now!