There is something intrinsically wild and exotic about working in Karamoja. From the outside looking in, it is both scary and exciting. When the prospect of working in this region comes and you do not refuse it, it tantalizingly beckons for a challenge which is strangely irresistible. At a deeply spiritual level, you feel persuaded and convinced that you can make a difference and create a change in this region.
The bewitching exoticism of the land’s dryness, the supposed indifference of its people and their complex attachment to cattle plus the bright sun and its relentless heat set the scene for what I call “savior pornography”. This pornography and its resulting toxic addiction more often than not ends in disillusionment and resentment as the allure of the region gradually wears away to expose the disappointing reality that it seems you want more for the people and the region than they seem to want for themselves.
Countless Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Government projects and programs; and billions of currency later, it is yet to be seen a corresponding proportional developmental effect of all the cash that has flowed into this region. Let me be clear on this. It is not there is not anything to show for all their presence and money, it is just that it is not correspondingly proportional in terms of development. And no, I am not talking about that old, tired, wrinkled, flavorless and over-used argument of corruption- no. This is something else altogether.
At this point, allow me introduce you to my partner, my best friend, and my handywoman- my motorcycle: Yamaha DT, registration number UDX 156Y.
She is a metaphor for all the things I have been able to do and accomplish as a young veterinarian working in a community that daily feels nearly un-savable. The relationship I have with my motorcycle? It’s like we are pastoring each other. Now in this community where I live and work, I have built quite the reputation as a high-speed rider and while I do not deny it, I also do not accept the charge quite as it is because at surface value it is a rather simplistic charge. You see, when I am riding this machine, I am not just riding this machine. I am living a very complex mix of a carnal and spiritual experience in which I am both releasing the expression of who I am and learning more of who I am and can be. I have done the previously undoable and surmounted the insurmountable with this motorcycle and achieved the unachievable for a person of my age, experience (or inexperience for that matter) and gender, particularly in this land and in this profession.
With her, over an average of 80km every day, we have revved across rivers with broken bridges, traversed thorny shrub and thicket, climbed over rocks, and during the rainy weather, wrestled with mud of various shades of red. Ironically, while the purpose of the ride is often to reach a certain location and meet a certain herdsman whose cattle’s tails have been falling off or whose cattle are dying or one whose over 20 sheep have died in the space of three days, the most important thing is to ensure that both my motorcycle and I are strong enough to return home at the end of the day and be able to start for work the next day.
More often than not, this is how I find my work to be; more about trying to save myself for the sake of all the ambitions and great ideas that I have for the transformation of this community that I work in, than actually creating the change that I want to see.
Every day I am working, thinking and crafting up all these ideas to save this land; well, at least my portion of it yet it increasingly appears that I want this change more than the people I want it for. Two years and 7 months later since I came to work in Karamoja, I am not even sure if the foot prints I have put in the soil of this land have dried in enough or if they have even been dug in at all.
In my next blog, I’ll be delving into the specifics of what it actually means to be a young, female veterinarian in the Karamoja region. Thank you for reading this far. Till next time, I remain yours truly,
Dr. Anna Grace Awilli.
0 thoughts on “My bike and I: Saving myself and my dream for Karamoja”
Great piece here. Thank you Doctor Anna. Looking forward to your next one…
Thank you, Jotham. Thank you for the feedback
Wow…Ann I loved every detail of it. Praying for the best as God uses you there for his kingdom as a professional.
Thank you, Nancy!
Thank you for the feedback too
Here by accident 😂😂😂. Forgive my humour…fast forward, i love your work Doc. And karamoja? Living and working there? The tales you carry!!! Cant wait to wait for the next blog… Hurray karamoja😘🙌🙌🙌
Thank you, Anguzu! It’s been a while, quite the pleasant surprise to meet you here!
This is great Anna…..I knew there was greatness inside of you Ann…to greater heights and greater opportunities with this.Congratulations dear one!!
Thank you, Honestie! I appreciate that you took the time to read this. Thank you also for seeing me beyond today.
Great Story Teller. Every story deserves a listener.You just got one more listener (reader)
Thank you, Martin. I truly appreciate your support
Dr. Ann you are a hard worker and truely the Government, NGO and CBOs have done a lot particularly for your sub county but it seems as though nothing much has been going on. you might think that you aren’t leaving any Mark Behind but trust me you’ll get to know your hard work later and the same happened to me.
KEEP GOING TO GREATER HEIGHTS
Wow! Dr. Anna, I am simply humbled by your writing skills. I have known a whole lot of other beautiful side of you, but this one, you have pleasantly suprised me. You make reading pleasant, and please keep going. I love your articles.
Aaaww…Uncle Alex! Thank you. I appreciate that you took the time to read. I have been writing for a while now but have been neither public nor consistent with it
My first encounter with your writing ✍️ quite graphic and with an unpacking of issues that are deep. I’m surprised to find a writer, poet and Dr wrapped into one. Thank you for the insights
You’re welcome, David. I also appreciate that you took the time to read. Thank you for the compliments, I’ll sleep better tonight because of them 😀