Why didn’t Beah’s uncle believe he was going to the United States?

Beah's uncle didn't believe that people went through with their promises. He thought the whole idea of a trip to America was a joke, and he didn't want Beah to get his hopes up about something he didn't believe would ever happen.

“Tell me what is going on.” I did. I told him that I was to go to the United Nations in New York City and talk about the war, as it relates to children. My uncle didn’t believe it. “People are always lying to others with such promises. Don’t let them get your hopes up, my son,” he said.

Every morning before he left for work, he would say jokingly, “So what are we doing today in planning to go to America?”