The story I want to share today is simple, but left a lasting impression on me – it is about holding hands.To many, holding hands may seem like a small, ordinary gesture. But in that moment, for me, it meant everything. It was the beginning of the shift of how I saw Uganda around me. That one gentle gesture sparked a realization – from the moment I arrived in Uganda I had been surrounded with kindness.
Every building I have walked into I have been greeted with a genuine, “You are most welcome.” Every person I’ve met offers a handshake that radiates respect. Every conversation I’ve had starts with a smile that instantly puts me at ease.
In these little moments – the greetings, handshakes, and smiles, the true Ugandan hospitality shines through.
They think I am here to help them – and in many ways I am. But, what they don’t realize is how much they have helped me. They’ve helped me adjust to being away from my loved ones by offering me warmth, connection, and a sense of belonging here.Sometimes all it takes is a warm face and a hand to hold to remind us that there is a universal language, kindness, and Uganda speaks it fluently.
Gracie Fisher, Fellow ’25
