When I started my graduate education at Texas A&M University, I quickly learned about the dearly held traditions of the University dearly. My favorite being, “Howdy.” To grab students’ attention in the classroom, to start an email, when you run into another Aggie at the grocery store, we use the word Howdy. It is a one-word introduction with the power to identify yourself as a part of the Aggie community.
Because of Howdy, before I left for Uganda, I had a goal of learning an introduction in the local language. My hope was to demonstrate to farmers that I wanted to build community and was willing to put in the work. Field of Hope staff, Agnes Obote, and junior board member Sarah McCord were gracious enough to provide two videos teaching common words and phrases in Lango. I would set time in my calendar titled “Lango time” to watch these videos and try to remember small pieces of the language.
Regardless of the time I spent repeating the videos, I was still very nervous when going to introduce myself. It wasn’t until the second farmers group that I grew the courage to be able to do part of my introduction in Lango, practicing over and over with the intern, Robina. While Joseph still had to repeat everything I said, the women farmers cheered and laughed (hopefully more with me, than at me). Now, I continue to add pieces of the local language to my introduction at financial literacy trainings, agriscience trainings, and to the Her Mighty Hands groups. While my Midwest accent proved difficult to hide, thankfully, Joseph is having to repeat less and less with every training.
Throughout the past four weeks, I’ve learned the value Field of Hope places on leadership development for folks within the organization. Learning this piece of Ugandan culture is possible because of the patience of Field of Hope staff, board members, and interns. Robina, Agnes, and Joseph continue to kindly correct my accent, answer my questions, and challenge me to build my vocabulary.
While Howdy helped me build community Texas, and Apwoyo is leading me to build a community in Uganda. I deeply appreciate every group’s patience and grace they give me as I learn through mistakes. It is through these introductions that I hope to show my recognition that I am in their space, their culture, and by speaking a piece of their local language, I show respect for being able to join the group and learn with them.
I butu aber, nyinga Meikah. Atiyu kede Field of Hope. A ya I United States of America. Apwoyo me note kede wu. Obanga mi gum!
Good morning, my name is Meikah. I work with Field of Hope. I am from United States of America. Thank you for having me join you. God Bless You!
Meikah Dado, Fellow ’24
