First Impressions

                                                                                                                                     26/8/2013

Kyangwali refugee settlement camp is located in the south west region of Uganda in the Hoima District. The camp, which is located next to the Congolese boarder, is predominantly inhabited by Congolese refugees fleeing from the wake of chaos caused by the M23 rebels. The drive to the Kyangwali refugee settlement camp from Kampala was like no other that I had ever experienced before. The drive took the new and returning employees of AAH (Action Africa Help) as well as myself on a minimum five-hour journey to the camp which was an adventure in itself.

The last quarter of the trek was on an unexpected, uneven, unpaved dirt road through the thick plains of western Uganda. These roads were almost too easy to divert off the road into the nearest ditch, which at some points along the way were as slick as wetted-down ice, even when it has not rained. Numerous times along our trip we came across many unfortunate travelers who had fallen prey to the gullies who mocked travels alongside the road on the way to the settlement camp.  

As we approached the camp the sun had already set. There was no outdoor lighting in this area of Uganda; darkness covered us with a thick blanket from above, all that was visible were the starry cutouts from above that provided as much light as a distant torch trying to penetrate through this dense canopy. The staff quarters, “Sub- County”, was as quiet as it was still when we arrived in the compound. Then when we pulled up, life began to flutter as all of the curious faces poked out to see who was arriving.  

The apartment where I will be living for the next six weeks

The feeling upon entering the camp and going into the Sub- County had brought to me the same nervous excitement as a child on the first day at a new school. The easiest task of the entire day was getting to know everyone and moving into the room where I would be staying with my roommate John, a veteran employee of AAH, for the next six weeks with. Though it was late at night, it was easy to get comfortable with everyone. Entering Kyangwali, there is a sense of belonging, no one here makes you feel out of place or uncomfortable by any means, everyone is extremely welcoming and always wearing a warm smile.