Typhoid and Other Questions

I finally have an answer, in writing, to the most burning question of my entire time as an invitee. The CDC recommends you receive two vaccinations before going to Uganda, at least above the normal vaccinations: typhoid and yellow fever. I got my yellow fever vaccine, but even as rigorous as medical clearances was, it didn't include getting a typhoid vaccine. I have asked current PCVs, our country desk officer (CDO), searched reddit and the Facebook group, all to no avail. Cue the conference call.

We were invited to a conference call with PC/Uganda staff (like, the ones actually in Uganda), and we had half the call to ask questions. What was the first question I thought of? DO WE GET A TYPHOID VACCINE?! It's such a simple question with a simple answer.








So there you go, folks. We will receive a typhoid vaccine when we arrive. We were asked NOT to get a flu shot before leaving, as they will give us one more specific for Uganda when we arrive. I'm sorry poor child who cannot afford a vaccine, but I will not be getting my flu shot from Walgreen's before I leave.

Another thing I learned was that Uganda has 23 different languages. (I had thought it was more than that, actually). All of us will learn at least some Luganda, the language spoken the capital of Kampala, so that we can get around Kampala. When we get our site assignments, we are, by default, broken up into four language groups and regions. The languages are part of both the Bantu and the Acholi families: Lusoga, Runyakore/Runkiga, Runyoro/Rutooro, or Acholi.

Also contrary to what I had believed, we will only be allowed to visit Kampala when necessary, not every month. We have to request special permission to go to Kampala outside of days when we're required to be there. Apparently Kampala is more dangerous than I had previously thought.

A big part of the call was to learn about the Ad/Bid process. PC/Uganda is unique in that they give their volunteers the opportunity to be part of the decision process for where they will live. (If I had a dollar for every time I've explained that....) Many, if not most PC countries don't allow you to have a voice in where you live. I think this is changing throughout countries, but it is not standard across PC. Anyways, about a week before staging, PC/Uganda will send us "advertisements" for the sites available to us. We will then come up with our top three and bottom three choices, as well as explanations for our choices. When we choose our sites, we are also choosing our positions. More reason for me to procrastinate on deciding whether I want to be a Teacher Trainer or a Primary Literacy Specialist.

Speaking of, I learned that Teacher Trainers will be working with kids aged 18-21. I had thought they would be 16-19, since the Ugandan education system is based on the British one, but apparently I misunderstood. It would be quite interesting to be teaching someone who is 21 when I'm only 22, almost 23......

For those worried about my safety, please know that the PC/Uganda people are watching very closely the stability of things with elections coming up soon. They don't expect for there to be problems with it, but we will be told more about the procedures to follow if something were to happen during PST.

There were a few other things we talked about, but these are the interesting bits. I'm so thankful that PC/Uganda gives us all of these resources to prepare us for our time with them. Next time I'll just make sure to use my home phone instead of using 70 of the 100 minutes that was supposed to last until I leave....