Minnesota to Uganda

Peace Corps Volunteer. Community Health Educator in Uganda. The content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Uganda Government

[cortniedarby]

Here’s to the last year of morning coffee, family dinners, personal assisting, and endless conversation with this incredible women. I’m so proud of you for your service. You are the most selfless and strong person I know, you also are kickass at whatever you do! Good luck in your future endeavors. We’ll miss you on this side of the world. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later (at Surly in the great state of Minne). (at Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

should’ve been a teacher 👩🏼‍🏫 (at Lira, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

Thanksgiving. Thanks. Giving. Thanks, an expression of gratitude. Giving, freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone). So curious, as I grow and as I learn, what does this mean? What is thanksgiving to me? I can say that I'm thankful for what has been my last 6 months. It has been on heck of a 1/2 year. So much has past and so much has happened. It is hard to put into words. I want to thank these women in this photo (as well as those not pictured- you know who you are). I cannot express how influential these women have been on my experience. It has been a unique, unforgettable experience so far. I still linger with the thought, what is thanksgiving, why thanksgiving. Thanks, but why? (at Lira,Uganda,East Africa)

[cortniedarby]

As I visit the field one more time before IST (In Service Training), I am reminiscing about my time here in Uganda so far. These past few months have been full of learning and listening. I have been trying to find where I fit into the organization in which I work. I have had a wonderful time watching how my organization flows and everything that goes on. My counterpart and many coworkers have helped me along the way and for that I am thankful. To all the questions, blank stares, and bathroom stops I thank them all. Here's to another 21 months of learning and new experiences! #howiseepc #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica (at Arua District)

[cortniedarby]

Although I did not document it very well, North welcome weekend was very successful #howiseepc #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica #welcomeweekend #somuchfood (at Gulu, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

S/o to all my lovely coworkers that never fail to make me laugh. I am so lucky to have been placed with an organization where the people are so amazing. Sometimes this job gets tough but we can get through it with each other. (Many are not pictured here yet are still amazing) also s/o to being a PCV for 2 months already #timereallydoesfly #howiseepc #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica (at Lira District)

[cortniedarby]

Toyota Land Cruiser views #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica #howiseepc (at Iganga)

[cortniedarby]

Simple street views make me smile 🙌🏼 #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica #howiseepc (at Lira, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

Wish List (updated)

Thanks to all who have sent care packages (still no snail mail yet). It is so nice to get a little slice of home.

I am basically moved into my place, which is comforting. I am still open to exchange letters, please let me know and I can give you my address and vise versa. I would love a pen pal!Care packages are also welcome although not mandatory. I have updated my wish list!

Lush Aromaco deodorant

Goldfish Cheezits regular/Cheezit snack mix Hot cheetos Good pens Sour gummy worms Dark chocolate Hidden Valley Ranch packets Any seasonings/spices Seeds Ground coffee- light roast is my favorite Trail mix Water flavor packets Lysol wipe packets travel hand sanitizer Colgate or Rembrandt toothpaste Deodorant (Old Spice Fiji & Degree Mens are my favorite) Instant coffee single serve packets (ex. Tasters Choice- Hazelnut) Books Magazines (Nat Geo, TIME, anything to keep me updated and busy) Word puzzles (suduko, cross words) Home decor (wall stickers, mini clothes pins, tapestries, etc.) Journal/notebook Crayons, markers, colored pencils Anything art Scented candles Betty Crocker muffin mix Ziplocs Air freshener (can’t seem to find ones that don’t smell like moth balls) Instant oatmeal Beef jerky/ slim jims Tea Sunflower seeds/Pumpkin seeds Small games (Skipbo, travel card games, etc.) If you want, you can load up a USB of movies or tv shows– that is always appreciated to pass by some down time Anything for my fellow PCVs or kids or colleagues

Love you all! Best wishes from Uganda! Thanks for all the support.

[cortniedarby]

My legs are going to hurt tomorrow ⛰🙈🙉🙊 #views #ugandaafrica #peacecorpsuganda #sharetheworld #howiseepc (at Lira, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

Greetings from Gulu District this week! I was fortunate to co-facilitate and attend a case management training for new Community Resource Persons with an amazing team from SOS-Children's Village in Gulu. I am only supposed to be shadowing these first three months but when your counterpart has to go to another sub county, you do what is needed. #ugandaafrica #peacecorpsuganda #sharetheworld #howiseepc (at Unyama, Apac, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

Field work has its benefits 🙌🏼#ugandaafrica #peacecorpsuganda #sharetheworld #howiseepc (at Arua)

[cortniedarby]

Wine n dine with the women of the north (at Angwetangwet, Lira)

[cortniedarby]

It has been a crazy few days here in Uganda. This past Friday, my group of PCTs found out which organization we would be working with for the next two years! Then on Saturday we had a mini supervisor and counterpart workshop, where we learned more about our org and met some important people from that org. On Sunday, most of us traveled to a guesthouse near our future site and that started the next few days of our Future Site Visit. Yesterday, we got to spend the whole day at our site learning and exploring. For me, today, I am going back to my org and spending another day with them out in the field! I am so excited to start working with my org so soon. My organization works with orphans and vulnerable children trying to provide them with better options for the future and protecting them as children. My organization is so welcoming and already calls me part of the family! (PS I also have my address here so message me if you would like it ☺️) (at Northern Region, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

Morning walks to language training #ThingsINowEnjoy #howiseepc #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda #ugandaafrica (at Lira, Uganda)

[cortniedarby]

First, I am super glad that I get to spend the next two years near these wonderful human beings. Secondly, we celebrated our first American holiday in Uganda a couple days ago. To be honest this was the first fourth of July in a long time that I actually got off to celebrate. Our lunch cook out was full of great food both Uganda and American. Chapati, minced meat, guacamole, rice, fruit, cookies, and so much more. #peacecorpsuganda #sharetheworld #howiseepc #ugandaafrica #happy4thofjuly (at lira Town)

[cortniedarby]

It has been about a month since I arrived in country. Time does fly, it feels like just yesterday that I stepped off the plane in Entebbe. Uganda is truly an amazing place. It is much different than home but I know that soon enough I will be calling Uganda home. My days now consist of walking up to tea, going to language training, having 2 cups of instant coffee, walking a few kilometers to a lunch spot, self studying, more language training, walking home, having tea and a snack, studying or watching movies, eating dinner, and going to sleep by 9pm. I am enjoying satellite training, mostly because each day means we are closer to being placed at our sites. #ugandaafrica #howiseepc #sharetheworld #peacecorpsuganda (at Lira, Uganda)