My Heart's Still in Africa

Ladies gathered in Tanzania

Tonight I had dinner with my parents and their good friend Victor. Victor is a former lost boy from Southern Sudan and is now going to ETSU to complete his masters degree in Economic and Community Development. He tested me on my very basic knowledge of Swahili and we talked Sudanese politics. It was so refreshing to talk to someone who has lived in parts of Eastern Africa that I've been to. He didn't get into too many details about leaving Sudan during the war other than he was 9 years old and escaping to Ethiopia. The stories that come out of conflict are completely tragic, but it's remarkable how the human spirit remains strong, refusing to be broken.
It was like breathing fresh air to hear Victor tell stories of tribal dances, little kids giving formal greetings of "Shikamoo," and the landscape. It all continues to confirm that I left my heart in Africa.

This summer I am planning on moving to Gulu in North Uganda (only a couple of hours from Southern Sudan.) I will be working with a fair trade apparel company One Mango Tree as a textile designer. Along with creating original prints, I hope to train some of the ladies how to screen print. If you get the chance, please check out their website. I'm very excited to get started and begin to expand their current product line.