Notes from the field, by student Justin Dubois: "Tooth can lost"
海角社区 Reporter - Notes from the field
Tooth can lost
By Justin Dubois
On the drive from Arua in Northwestern Uganda to the Ikafe Refugee
Settlement, some 60 kilometres east, one comes to a steep incline
in the country road. Small water streams have carved miniature
canyons in the traveler鈥檚 path. Where the ruts don鈥檛 prohibit the
passage of vehicles, sharp rocks protrude from the reddish East
African earth. From the top of this incline, I glance in the
distance at the endless sparse yet rich shrubbery, trees and crops
typical of this area that borders the Sudan and the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC). Although I cannot name most of the
vegetation, I do know that it produces the most delicious and sweet
fruits and vegetables I have ever tasted. I also know that that the
livelihood of most people residing in the region 鈥� including the
refugees in the nearby settlements 鈥� is intimately tied to the
greenery鈥檚 yield.
However, carved in the rock face, a conscientious traveller鈥檚 warning reminds those on the road not to let their attention stray too long: 鈥淭ooth can lost. Be to careful 2009.鈥� I hope to myself that this is a mere warning and not the result of actual experience...