”It is so ar a period of seven weeks that I have spent on
Swedish land. It was my first time to come to Europé and Sweden in particular
when I landed at Copenhagen Airport aboard Egypt Air after approximately nine
hours on the flight and then moved by car to Malmoe, Åkarp with Emma’s parents.
Swedish land. It was my first time to come to Europé and Sweden in particular
when I landed at Copenhagen Airport aboard Egypt Air after approximately nine
hours on the flight and then moved by car to Malmoe, Åkarp with Emma’s parents.
The moment I landed on Scandinavian soil I just felt my body
has been introduced into a different part of the world. The seven weeks that I
have spent I have travelled and visited a number of places where I have
witnessed various things regarding the social and economic setup of Sweden as a
country and many differences compared to my own country Uganda. I don’t think I
can narrate everything but I will just point out a few areas out of many to
show my findings.
has been introduced into a different part of the world. The seven weeks that I
have spent I have travelled and visited a number of places where I have
witnessed various things regarding the social and economic setup of Sweden as a
country and many differences compared to my own country Uganda. I don’t think I
can narrate everything but I will just point out a few areas out of many to
show my findings.
Regarding the education system here in Sweden I got an opportunity
of visiting two schools, Vipan in Lund and another one in Staffanstorp before
the students would break off for holidays. My first question in mind was “why
are students not putting on school uniform?”. I quietly asked Emma and she told
me that students in Sweden don’t put on uniform. I was surprised since in
Uganda it is a law that all nursery, primary and secondary school kids are
supposed to put on uniform. Any kid who
happens to appear in school without uniform will automatically be sent back
home to put it on.
of visiting two schools, Vipan in Lund and another one in Staffanstorp before
the students would break off for holidays. My first question in mind was “why
are students not putting on school uniform?”. I quietly asked Emma and she told
me that students in Sweden don’t put on uniform. I was surprised since in
Uganda it is a law that all nursery, primary and secondary school kids are
supposed to put on uniform. Any kid who
happens to appear in school without uniform will automatically be sent back
home to put it on.
Then as I had a conversation with one of the teachers I was
told that classes commence at 8 am-3 pm Monday-Friday where as in Uganda
schools start at 7 am and ends at around 5:30 pm. I just found that kids here
don’t spend much time in school compared to Uganda.
told that classes commence at 8 am-3 pm Monday-Friday where as in Uganda
schools start at 7 am and ends at around 5:30 pm. I just found that kids here
don’t spend much time in school compared to Uganda.
I was pleased to see students freely interacting with
teachers. In Ugandan schools we lack these student-teacher relationships as
some teachers are a bit harsh. And to me, I think another reason could be the
use of corporal punishment by teachers in schools where kids usually develop
some kind of fear towards teachers.
teachers. In Ugandan schools we lack these student-teacher relationships as
some teachers are a bit harsh. And to me, I think another reason could be the
use of corporal punishment by teachers in schools where kids usually develop
some kind of fear towards teachers.
Still on the social scene, some of you have visited Africa,
the precense of a white person, either from Europe or America attracts the eyes
and attention of many local people and is in Africa commonly called “Muzungo”.
You might not enjoy some free movements around as many children would be
constantly screaming “Muzungo!” while others will be shouting “How are you?”.
Even many old people, if they get access to you, might start asking where you
come from and how you find Uganda/Africa. To me, from the very first time that
I came to Sweden, no stranger has ever said “How are you African?”, or ever followed
me where I was heading. I just find that everyone is very busy minding his/her
own business and you don’t greet strangers anyhow.
the precense of a white person, either from Europe or America attracts the eyes
and attention of many local people and is in Africa commonly called “Muzungo”.
You might not enjoy some free movements around as many children would be
constantly screaming “Muzungo!” while others will be shouting “How are you?”.
Even many old people, if they get access to you, might start asking where you
come from and how you find Uganda/Africa. To me, from the very first time that
I came to Sweden, no stranger has ever said “How are you African?”, or ever followed
me where I was heading. I just find that everyone is very busy minding his/her
own business and you don’t greet strangers anyhow.
Another aspect that I have realized in the Swedish culture
is time management, When you make an appointment with someone here I see that people
make it exactly on time. In Uganda, people don’t respect time and in case of
complaints about this, people have many excuses that they present. For instance
someone can be late for a meeting and he/she can give an excuse that there was
rain and that he/she had to take shelter.
is time management, When you make an appointment with someone here I see that people
make it exactly on time. In Uganda, people don’t respect time and in case of
complaints about this, people have many excuses that they present. For instance
someone can be late for a meeting and he/she can give an excuse that there was
rain and that he/she had to take shelter.
During my visits to some homes around Sweden, I have
discovered that almost every home has a pet, either a cat or a dog. And I can
see even that there’s special care for these pets. I have seen packed food for
pets in supermarkets, bins for waste along the roads and packed sand for cats
which is a complete different situation compared to Uganda. In my country there
are very few homes with pets and the majority of those who have it’s dogs. I
our culture animals are kept for a purpose, not just as pets. For instance,
dogs are mostly kept for security purposes at night while cats are being used
to wipeout or hunt down mice and rats in homes.
discovered that almost every home has a pet, either a cat or a dog. And I can
see even that there’s special care for these pets. I have seen packed food for
pets in supermarkets, bins for waste along the roads and packed sand for cats
which is a complete different situation compared to Uganda. In my country there
are very few homes with pets and the majority of those who have it’s dogs. I
our culture animals are kept for a purpose, not just as pets. For instance,
dogs are mostly kept for security purposes at night while cats are being used
to wipeout or hunt down mice and rats in homes.
On the infrastructural facilities, Sweden is very amazing
and that is when I realized what it means being a developed country. The roads
are of high standard and fantastic, the railway network is unbelievable, people
are sailing on the sea on boats. The trains and buses are very efficient and
always move on time. I managed to acquire a jojo-card and it has been very easy
for me to reach my destinations because of the proper signs which are available
on every road and street. It has been my first time to move in a tunnel in a
subway and above all so incredible to move under water on the way from
Copenhagen to Malmoe. I’ve experienced the most developed transport system I
have ever seen. The smooth and wide roads in this country are very special and
different compared to our roads in Africa. People in Uganda don’t know what a
highway is. For us we think that any road moving from one town to another is a
highway, provided there is tarmac or asfalt on it. The roads in Uganda are full
of potholes everywhere, you can’t move ten metres without meeting a pothole and
we lack highways like the ones you have here in Sweden.
and that is when I realized what it means being a developed country. The roads
are of high standard and fantastic, the railway network is unbelievable, people
are sailing on the sea on boats. The trains and buses are very efficient and
always move on time. I managed to acquire a jojo-card and it has been very easy
for me to reach my destinations because of the proper signs which are available
on every road and street. It has been my first time to move in a tunnel in a
subway and above all so incredible to move under water on the way from
Copenhagen to Malmoe. I’ve experienced the most developed transport system I
have ever seen. The smooth and wide roads in this country are very special and
different compared to our roads in Africa. People in Uganda don’t know what a
highway is. For us we think that any road moving from one town to another is a
highway, provided there is tarmac or asfalt on it. The roads in Uganda are full
of potholes everywhere, you can’t move ten metres without meeting a pothole and
we lack highways like the ones you have here in Sweden.
There are some other aspects which I have also noticed. For
instance, you have many people who smoke compared to Uganda. And contrary to
here it is very strange for us in Uganda to find females smoking in public. It is
only men who smoke in public. If a girl does it then there will be too much
gossiping about such a person. It has also been strange for me to find many
females riding bicycles and most especially old ladies. In Uganda most females
do not have that skill of riding bikes and our old ladies would not have the
energy.
instance, you have many people who smoke compared to Uganda. And contrary to
here it is very strange for us in Uganda to find females smoking in public. It is
only men who smoke in public. If a girl does it then there will be too much
gossiping about such a person. It has also been strange for me to find many
females riding bicycles and most especially old ladies. In Uganda most females
do not have that skill of riding bikes and our old ladies would not have the
energy.
I have also been able to attend a confirmation ceremony at
the church of Arlöv and was very surprised by the quick conduction of the
service. Church services in Uganda take about 3-4 hours and when there is a big
function like a confirmation then the service can go for even 5-6 hours. Emma
can be my witness when it comes to this situation, one time she attended a
confirmation ceremony in Kabale which started at 10 am and ended around 4 pm
and she was a bit stressed with it where moreover they where speaking the local
language which she couldn’t understand.
the church of Arlöv and was very surprised by the quick conduction of the
service. Church services in Uganda take about 3-4 hours and when there is a big
function like a confirmation then the service can go for even 5-6 hours. Emma
can be my witness when it comes to this situation, one time she attended a
confirmation ceremony in Kabale which started at 10 am and ended around 4 pm
and she was a bit stressed with it where moreover they where speaking the local
language which she couldn’t understand.
The care and support that the government extends to the
marginalized groups like the disabled is very amazing. I was surprised seeing
reserved parking space for the disabled, seats in restaurants, special toilets
and even vehicles that comes and pich a disabled person if she or he is going
out for like shopping or an appointment.
marginalized groups like the disabled is very amazing. I was surprised seeing
reserved parking space for the disabled, seats in restaurants, special toilets
and even vehicles that comes and pich a disabled person if she or he is going
out for like shopping or an appointment.
My experiences in this country have been incredible and are
endless, I think I could write endless booklets regarding what I have seen here
in Sweden but in a nutshell I can say that Sweden is a very beautiful country
with fantastic people and I have really enjoyed my period of being I a
developed country with modern facilities.
endless, I think I could write endless booklets regarding what I have seen here
in Sweden but in a nutshell I can say that Sweden is a very beautiful country
with fantastic people and I have really enjoyed my period of being I a
developed country with modern facilities.
I would like to thank all those people here in Sweden who
have shown great love and care for the suffering kids in Africa and most
especially in Kabale, Uganda. I also want to thank all those people here in
Sweden who have received me with open arms. For example Rotary in Sturup and Burlöv,
church of Arlöv, Aina, Emma Hannes of Vipan, Kari, Quena, Lotta, Benjamin and
his mother, Dennis and many others. I also extend a lot of gratitude to Emma
who has helping and guiding me throughout my whole stay and of course not
forgetting Emma’s parents, Johnny and Carina Kock, who have been hosting me.
They have given me a very good reception and it has been like my home away from
home. Thank you everyone for the love shared and all the care you extend to our
project in Kabale. May you continue with that kindness and love in your hearts.
have shown great love and care for the suffering kids in Africa and most
especially in Kabale, Uganda. I also want to thank all those people here in
Sweden who have received me with open arms. For example Rotary in Sturup and Burlöv,
church of Arlöv, Aina, Emma Hannes of Vipan, Kari, Quena, Lotta, Benjamin and
his mother, Dennis and many others. I also extend a lot of gratitude to Emma
who has helping and guiding me throughout my whole stay and of course not
forgetting Emma’s parents, Johnny and Carina Kock, who have been hosting me.
They have given me a very good reception and it has been like my home away from
home. Thank you everyone for the love shared and all the care you extend to our
project in Kabale. May you continue with that kindness and love in your hearts.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
From Alex”
 |
| Alex med Ainas katt Samba. Han är som sagt inte riktigt bekant med konceptet ”husdjur” och är inte helt bekväm med situationen. I Uganda kelar man inte med katter, de är till för att fånga möss. |
Så fantastiskt bra skrivet! Väldigt roligt och intressant att få läsa Alex syn på sin vistelse i Sverige. Thank you Alex!
Ni är bäst
Kärlek till er!
Mycket intressant att få Alex syn på vårt land! Hälsa och tacka!
To Alex
I just want to say Thank You for letting us share your view of Sweden.
Han är fantastiskt duktig på engelska! Och det var underbart att läsa om hur han uppfattar Sverige som land och våra traditioner här. Hälsa och tacka! Härlig bild på honom och katten dessutom, en riktig "klassiker":)
Alex, it was great fun to read about your stay in Sweden and how you perceive Swedes. Emma told us about your experience before and it's been fun and often laughable to hear your comments about Sweden. Now you have a lot to tell your boys in Kabale when you get home!
Ojoj… här kör jag huvudet i betongväggen och inser att min engelska inte alls räcker till…
Google översätt vill jag heller inte använda, då blir ju allt oftast helgalet.
Åh, det enda man hör dag ut och dag in är klagomål på hur olika saker fungerar i sverige, allt från lokaltrafik till jämställdhet. När jag läser om det ur Alex perspektiv känner jag verkligen att jag uppskattar vårt land lite! Verkligen glad att han tog sig tid att skriva detta (och du med såklart), det var riktigt rörande faktiskt.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Alex, it was really interesting to read!
Thank you, Alex, for sharing your view of Sweden! It is very easy to forget the privileges of living in a “developed” country as you described Sweden. I am grateful that you gave me a reminder. And I also would like to add, that even though Uganda may have potholes and strict relations between teachers/students, you, Emma and all the boys give me a very positive view of Ugandas people. You are very special, all of you, and it is fantastic to share part of your lives through Emmas blog. I wish you all, all the best and may all your dreams come true.
Hi Alex and thanks for sharing your story with us.I had the same experience but "the other way around" when I visited Uganda. It was really nice to meet you and Emma and once again, we're so impressed with your work in Kabale. Hope to see you soon again. Say hello to all the boys// Ami & Benjamin
Alex… You spotted Sweden in a very good way! Good to read your thoughts to! Jebaleko! Weebale, Anna
Riktigt bra skrivet! Jag är imponerad över hur bra han uttrycker sig och skriver väldigt utförligt 🙂
Thank You Alex for sharing your view of Sweden, I hope that all the boys may experience Sweden some day!
You seem to have had a great stay here in Sweden and I thank you for reminding us that we are very lucky to be in a country that cares so much for its people.
And thank You also for reminding us that we are privileged and for that we should be thankful and give back in ways we can, For example helping you guys out!
Thank you and take care:)
Thank you Alex for sharing your thoughts about Sweden! Very interestig to read:)
/Sofia
I'm sure that your ladies could learn to ride a bike if given the opportunity! It was probably the same in Sweden many years ago; women not riding bikes, but that changed as we became more equal 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story. You're a very good writer and it was so interesting to read about Sweden from your perspective!
Be well!
Hahaha, vilket kul kort på Alex och Samba!
Jätteintressant att höra Alex reflektioner om sin vistelse i Sverige, verkligen! Jag ska föreslå vår En-lärare att använda hans text i vårt fortsatta arbete med att försöka få lite perspektiv på tillvaron för våra gymnasieelever. Min nya klass 1:or kommer att få studera din blogg och göra ett arbete om ert barnhem, om gatubarnens situation i Uganda osv. Kanske kommer det en omgång nya brev till era killar om det är ok för dig.
Vi hörs!
Kram Aina