Gulu + Market, Late September 2009 :: WGEF

WGEF is based centrally in Gulu Uganda in the midst of the main market, local restaurants and a few villages.  After photographing the drama event on the 26th and spending time at WGEF’s main HQ, I was able to tour the town with staff and our driver Rashid to see first hand the landscape + the stores (in the markets) & restaurants the micro finance program has helped these women create.   I really enjoy all the vivid colors of the market and was very relieved to see so many smiling faces welcoming me– the staff warned me that the people in the markets aren’t open to photographers so I was a bit apprehensive.  The markets are packed tightly with vendors selling fruits, vegetables, fish, grains, tumeric & ginger (Scott’s fav), coal, dishware, clothing, and hair weaves.   I felt both excitement with all the hustle and bustle + a bit ill at ease since the thatch roofs are low, probably just under 6 feet tall, and I kept bumping my head and their goods!  The market was just like I had seen in the National Geo mags I studied thoroughly as a child.  It’s a cool thing to live out a dream you’ve had in your head for a while.  Anyway, here’s a taste of what I saw traveling in and around Gulu during my stay. You can sign up to view the entire gallery of images from my week in Gulu by following this link.

It very much amazes me that there is a shortage of water, but such an incredible abundance of Coca-Cola products!  Geez America!

Meet the most heavenly little girl ever, Angel.  I saw her sitting just like this on the ground across the street.  She absolutely won my heart as I’m sure you can see why.

This is Angel’s mom.  She so graciously invited me into her home to meet her entire family.  It was such a privilege.

Scott’s 2 fav spices.  This one’s for you babes.

This lovely Lady came up to me and introduced herself as a wise woman in the Village.  She said, “you really want to know me.”

Angel’s house + family.

It’s so amazing to see children get up at 5:30 in the morning to walk to school.  Education isn’t free there so the children are very excited to have the opportunity to learn.  Affording school is a great privilege.

Ajok Beatrice was one of the staff at our hotel, Hotel Bohma, in Gulu.  We immediately became friends the first day I arrived.  Her face is so warm and loving, I had to take some shots of her!

My last photo leaving Gulu in our van– children in brightly colored clothing on the outskirts of Gulu.  Not a bad memory to leave with.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm and is filed under Finding, Travel, & Events and tagged with Africa, commerce, Gulu Uganda, Jennifer Davidson, luce photography, Markets, September 2009, town life, vegetables, Women's Global Empower, Women's Global Empowerment Fund. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.