Running toward success Bacia comes to Texas to achieve dreams

by Jennifer Conlee/feature editor

 

When Happy Mary Bacia first knew that she was coming to Texas, her first thought was, “I’m going to where George Bush lives.”

Bacia, 21, was born and raised in Uganda, in Africa.  She came to South Plains College last fall.

“I came to pursue my studies,” she said. “I am earning my associate’s degree.  I just want to learn as much as I can, and run.”

Bacia was contacted through E-mail more than a year ago by SPC track coach Chris Beene, who asked her to come run for the school’s track team. 

“I’ve been running since elementary school,” Bacia said.

“I’ve traveled a lot too,” she added, “to different places in Africa, Europe, and Asia.”

Bacia’s home country is nothing like the picture many people get in their minds when they think of Africa.  The first image that comes to mind is desolate towns with straw-roofed homes, where women wear long dresses and walk barefoot down a dusty road.

“We have cars there,” said Bacia, “and computers.  Everything’s the same as here.” 

She even said that people dress the same in Uganda as some do in America, wearing jeans and t-shirts.

However, one image that is true is that of the animals. 

“We have game parks there,” Bacia said, “ with giraffes and lions and elephants.”

The culture itself is one thing that has not changed.

“Women are less respected, and looked at like a minority group,” said Bacia, adding that women are expected to cook, clean, and care for children, even if they have a job outside the home. 

“You have to wake up very early to get everything done.  Men just go to work and come home.  They do not do things in the home.”

Bacia also explained that in Uganda, it is not proper for young ladies to go to nightclubs, and those that do are looked down upon.

“Though there is more freedom here, I don’t do the stuff, like nightclubs,” said Bacia.  “I think it’s a waste of time. I call nightclubs stupid things.  I’d rather sleep.”

Marriages are also different.  Though they are no longer prearranged, the parents of the groom are expected to pay a dowry to the bride’s parents.

Another difference between Uganda and the South Plains region of Texas is the weather. 

“Here, I find it to be very hot or very cold,” said Bacia. “In Uganda, we have hot summers and the rainy season, but no winter.”

Bacia, who lives on campus in Gillespie Hall, has only two things in mind for her stay in the United States, and that is to study and run.

“I also play football (soccer), but I mostly run in competitions,” she said, just before heading back to the track for more practice and training.  “I have a goal which I must achieve.”

And that is what she intends to do.