Anyone from Uganda?

HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor started this discussion · 10/18/2015

I'm in my fourth year of anesthesia residency and I will be doing a month long rotation in Uganda this February. I really want to connect with someone who is from Uganda or who has spent a considerable amount of time there - just to chat about the country, learn more about the cultures, get any additional insights before I go. I recognize that there might not be anyone on SV from Uganda, but I figured it was worth a shot! If anyone knows someone from Uganda (poler or not) and is willing to put me in touch with them, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

19 replies

Little Swift · 10/19/2015
Hi LolaSlaytor - you're in luck! My husband and I live in Rwanda, and he has traveled to Uganda quite a bit for work. Send me your contact details and I will happily put you two in touch. Beware: He knows everything and LOVES to talk :)
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 10/19/2015
That's AWESOME!! My email address is [email protected]
MonikaB · 10/19/2015
Hi LolaSlaytor! I live in Tanzania which is where my studio is! I have some good friends in Uganda who I can put you in touch with! They are not polers but are lovely people and would be glad to help you out I am sure :-) Please send me your email address so I can send you their details. Xo
MonikaB · 10/19/2015
Hehe just seen that you just posted it.. I will send the details :)
Little Swift · 10/20/2015
LolaSlaytor, the universe ALWAYS conspires to give us what we want. And all we have to do is ask! :-) I've sent you my husband's contact details, and he's ready to talk whenever you are.
Little Swift · 10/20/2015
MonikaB!!! A studio in Tanzania? And here I was thinking South Africa was the only African country with pole dancing and pole fitness. I recently learned that there are polers in Egypt too, and I just opened a studio in Kigali. We MUST visit each other - what do you say?
MonikaB · 10/20/2015
Hi Little Swift! ! That is so awesome! ! I had no idea there were polers in Rwanda!! Yes it would be awesome to meet up! And you have a studio too! Awesome! We really need to talk! What is your email? My husband is traveling to Kigali in November after elections here but unfortunately I won't be able to join him. .maybe next time! :)
kulotsalot · 10/20/2015
When I lived in Kigali in 2012 I didn't know of any pole studios. Glad to know it's made it there now! If you don't mind me asking, whereabouts is your studio? We used to live in Kisimenti, near the Chez Lando roundabout, when we were in Kigali. Pole classes have been going on here in Nairobi for about a year, it's really great that it's spreading. :) Hello, virtual neighbours!
MonikaB · 10/20/2015
Hi Kulotsalot! Wow pole in Kenya too! How awesome! I think we should definately all get together! Is it your studio? Are there more studios in Kenya? Please could you send me your email address aswell! So excited about this East African Pole community! :)
kulotsalot · 10/20/2015
Not my studio, I just take classes there :) This personal trainer lady started doing classes last year, not really sure where she learned but there are a lot of people interested as she always gets inquiries, although there is still a bit of a stigma (slowly changing). Also not sure how many people stay on with her lessons, as a lot of people quit once they realize it's not so easy and not all booty shaking! :P So far it's the only studio I know of around here in NBO! I haven't made it to Tanzania or Uganda (yet?), but I assume MonikaB you're in Dar?
MonikaB · 10/20/2015
Yes I am in Dar! Please let me know if you do ever come to Tz! I will mail you with my details. We have been to Kenya a couple of times but only to Tsavo West so just across the border really. .not to NBO yet except the airport in transit ;)
grayeyes · 10/20/2015
I just want to say how cool it is that you are all finding each other from the awesome SV community! Makes me smile.
MonikaB · 10/20/2015
Yes you are right grayeyes it is awesome! And thank you so much Veena for this lovely community where we can all share our passion and discover new friends and neighbours we didn't know we had :-)
Little Swift · 10/20/2015
This is just amazing. I thought I was a pioneer bringing pole to East Africa, and look - we already have it. Can't wait to make those connections that will make us a true community! Kulotsalot, I have a small home studio in Kacyiru, behind the US Embassy. I started in September this year, and there's a lot of interest. Not experiencing any stigma, thank goodness. I do a nice mixture of serious fitness and sexy dance, so I hope that'll please everyone :-) MonikaB, you can email me at [email protected]
kulotsalot · 10/20/2015
That is really cool! Yeah our trainer is very serious about the fitness side of things and her warm-ups are killer! She teaches muay thai kickboxing, too, and she's hella strong. She's even gotten featured in a local paper to lessen the stigma around pole, it's really cool as in some ways the local community is still a bit iffy and conservative. What I like the most about it here is that there are so many local women who are getting into pole, and the instructor is Kenyan, too, so it's not just expats teaching other expats! Nothing against expats since I am one myself, but it's really great to see the pole love spread. :) If anyone passes by Nairobi please give me a shout!
HilaryKate aka LolaSlaytor · 10/20/2015
Little Swift - the fellowship program that I'm going to apply for after I finish residency would involve me spending 3-4 months in Rwanda! It wouldn't be until 2017 or 2018, but still so awesome to know there are polers there!
Little Swift · 10/20/2015
Kulotsalot you're making me want to come to Nairobi just to take that class! At my studio it's definitely mostly expats (and I'm from Liberia). A handful of Rwandan friends came to try, but only once - and it's definitely not the price. Might be the conservative attitudes here too. LolaSlaytor, hopefully we will have overcome all that by the time you get here in 2017! :-)
PoleFitMom · 10/20/2015
@kulotsalot - My step dad lives in Nairobi! If I ever find myself there I will have to visit!
Casi · 10/20/2015
What a cool thread to read! I lived in West Africa until a year and a half ago and didn't know of classes anywhere except South Africa. It's amazing that at least three other countries in Sub-Saharan African now have studios. If I somehow get a chance to travel through any of those countries, I will definitely check them out!