UGAMERICAN

The month of July, I'm excited to work, laugh, survive and once again spread classic UgAmerican awkwardness to the world in a whole new level. Culturewise, I have lost most of my Ugandanism and am not fully Americanized either, I have decided to create my own UgAmerican culture.

As simple as it may seem, its very difficult to swing back and forth between these two cultures. Uganda is very conservative for the most part whereas, the part of California (bayarea) where I live is the liberal city of the world. Uganda was a british protectorate till we gained independence in 1962, which means to look formal u have to wear a suit and tie even tho the temp outside is 109 degrees; Right hand driving is not the right way to drive; left hand side drive; roundabouts….obviously I have stupidly driven on the wrong side many times and face angry drivers yelling how much of an idiot iam…..on and on. My favorite (US) favourite (UK) cultural difference is the fact that girls in USA would kill for the magic to look skinny like that model on the victoria secret mag but girls in Uganda would eat anything to look fat. Answer is simple: You are well to do since you have enough to eat. What these two scenerios have in common is the fact that guyz in the respective regions find it Hot! Very attractive.

N’ways, ugaenglish and culture aside, I was just thinking about what a big month this is- so many good things, many milestones and other cool things going on. 

My birthday was July 10, turned 27, Damn am getting old! No partying this time. Instead of a typical party, I had my own “software” a quiet day and night. I lost “network” from everyone and worked on a bicycle and checked my facebook to see who wished me a happy birthday. Great celebration!

I spent quality time and talked to a gentleman named Isaac. He is a begger down the street. I saac is an amputee; right leg lost and gone forever in a landmine blast. He is also paralyse top to botton on the other side.He sits on the same spot everyday rain or shine. His job as a car mechanic depended on having both legs and a normal functional body; he lost everything since then. Here is part of our conversation

Me: I could give you 1000shilligs (about 50cts) right now but it will be gone in a second and you will still need money tomorrow. What can I do to help that’s long-term/sustainable?

He is quiet the whole time staring at me straight into the eye.

Isaac: If I had capital, I would start a business like other people; a retail store and you never see me on this street again.

Me: I don’t have the kind of money to start a business for you but am a bicycle builder. If I built you a tricycle to suit your disability would it be helful in any way?

With a smile on  his face, Isaac says “muno muno” “Very very much”

Earlier in our conversation he had told me he commutes from Kasese district about 50km away with the help of wellwishers on bicycles or pays some one with the begged money to take him.

Me: What happens if you don’t get any money and no one offers a ride?

Isaac: I spend a night in that church over there, he points at it.

I saac’s situation left me with another mile stone to build him a motorized wheel chair. It will be able to take him back and forth between home and his work space everyday with no problem.

Isaac went ahead to say, I will be honest with you, however much I would love to have that wheel chair I may have to hide it somewhere for people to not see me with it. Once seen in a wheel chair, the assumption is that you are “well to do” so I may not get money here at my work place. Please don’t be offended .

I said, I wont ; and Left him with a few shillings.

What I have learned is that for disabled street beggers; wheel chairs seem to hurt there business. As one of them put it, “easy mobility, nice! But you need to eat everyday”

 So they prefer to have the wheel chair and secretly use it or not have one at all.

Wheel chairs or Not? What do you think?