Lights anybody?

Hey people,

After my last update - I spent the next day running around Kampala meeting various people from different organisations. It was a great day - and I got a brief insight into some of the activities the major organisations are focusing on within Uganda. The next day I was on a bus - I was transporting a bike for one of the colleagues - which made life quite interesting. On several occasions, the conductor and his friends tried to convince me that I had to pay for transporting the bike - and the rate varied almost each time... I continued to play one guy against the other - and ended up paying zilch! Much fun...

Following that, I've spent 2 weeks in the village. Even after 5 months, I think I'm still begrudgingly adjusting to the work ethic and time-keeping (although I think the situations that are arising are quite unique to this organisation). I've had the opportunity to talk to some local health centres and other interested parties - and as a result, have initiated a few potential collaboration activities. Now it's just a matter of getting the management to buy-in and proactively manage some of the activity, and thus motivate the rest of the staff!

The preparations for electricity are still on-going - I've learnt that contractors cause issues whatever the country! As such, quite a bit of work remains within the Health Centre, but the main lines are on track... I still can't imagine the difference it will make to the area. Just to give you an idea of the population in the immediate vicinity of where I'm staying - most of them are subsistence crop farmers - growing mainly beans, matoke (plantains) and ground nut, with some also growing Sorghum (mainly used for local brew - which is incredibly strong!), and a few involved in animal farming. The other main activity is a local tin mine - where there are over 500 men & boys working... this adds an interesting dynamic to the local area. There are a limited number of shops, and there is selling of firewood and other such amenities. Due to the limited crop produce - the main diet consists of matoke and beans.

So the waiting game continues... I've promised myself some whitewater rafting before I leave Uganda - so hopefully I'll be able to fit that in... but it's difficult to schedule with the ever changing itineraries!!

Until next time...