Hello Jessica Nabongo,

I came across your article from a post my Nigerian friend posted on Facebook, and I was instantly hooked to your adventures, ambitions, achievements and your passion for travel. I myself am a Ugandan living in Toronto, Canada at the moment and am in the process of getting my Canadian citizenship.

I was born in Uganda, Mbarara to be exact, and when I was 3 years old, my mother who was unable to support me and provide me the future she wanted for me, met a wonderful dutch family, working as doctors in Uganda at the time. They took me into their family, of which they already had two wonderful daughters. Their daughters, like me, were also born in Africa. I moved away to get the future my mother so dearly wanted, to go and get a better education with the support and guardianship of my dutch foster family.

My dutch family loved to travel, and of course having a foster daughter with a Ugandan passport, travel was an expensive hobby of course, but they sure did make it happen. The amount of visas I needed in my passports, and the numerous trips I had to take to belgium or any consulate/embassy, just to get approval that I was able to enter a country for a holiday with my family, has always made me consider what life would be like if that was not a barrier.

So, I moved to Canada, and have now been living here for almost 10 years, hoping to submit my Canadian Citizenship next month. I will of course have to wait another 7 months until that is approved and can apply for my Canadian Passport, before I myself can travel and see the world, and countries I never thought I would have had the opportunity of visiting.

Now, with that goal in mind I have landed my dream job working as a destination expert, focusing on Africa. (East Africa, North Africa, and now the Middle East) With my upbringing and growing up in Europe I also have the extensive knowledge of Western Europe and soon will be able to travel to Eastern Europe to finish exploring the world.

Long story short, I am hoping to join you on your travels as 2 Ugandan women, with the same dream and goals, as I know there are many Ugandans/Africans/African American’s/people of color and anyone who has immigrated to Canada, that seeks the same freedom, and travel opportunities that many are restricted of.

With my job, my goal and part of my work is now to travel around the world, and visit countries, cities, and sites, learn new cultures, try new food and befriend the local people. It would be an honor and such a dream if this opportunity can be executed, and I can share similar experiences, and join your journey before it is over.

I do hope to get in touch with you soon, to see how this plan can work and start packing my bags to fly across the world to meet you. Like yourself, I love meeting new people, and many of my lifetime friends have been people I have met during my time living abroad, especially living in such a multicultural city as Toronto.

I look forward to your response.

Regards & happy travels.

Bo Kyogonza (A fellow Ugandan sister)

Xoxoxoxoxo

When are you planning to visit Burkina Faso or Cameroon? Let’s connect.

Are you planning on visiting the Turks & Caicos Island?

Happy independence day sweet heart as your name has been mentioned among the ugandan heroes thats how have came to now you cause you one of a kind.i know one day can also make it.i need your help. Charlotte uganda.

Hi. I was just introduced to you via the St. John’s University website. As a fellow alum I was interested in your adventures and touched by your enthusiasm and creativity. I played basketball for Coach Carnesecca on his first three teams then followed that with an overland journey to the Mexico City Olympics where I witnessed the legendary Carlos/Smith Black Power salute first hand. Less than a year later I was off to Upper Volta in the Peace Corps where I helped coach their fledgling national basketball team. My passports are not yet as full as yours but I am inspired by you to keep learning and filling my life with adventure. Thanks.