Well - I've completed a month in Uganda - and besides the repeated waiting, it's been quite interesting!
From where I left off 2 weeks ago - I spent 4 days walking around Kampala - and it was great fun. It is a very interesting city with various areas within the centre of town that breath a unique environment... There's some areas with mass markets and street vendors, and other areas completely built up with shopping malls and a golf course. There's also a multitude of eateries serving all types of cuisine (though I've been mainly going eating local way which has been much fun).
In Ruhamma, my activity has been stunted slightly as key meetings were delayed, but when the team meeting finally did take place last Wednesday, it was quite fruitful. The staff will all be participating in developing plans and activities to improve the way the health centre operates, improve the patient numbers, and understand better the potential of self-sustainability for the core operations of the organisation. I'm hoping to get people really moving on this - but it's a battle :o). The meeting itself was very interesting as it was in a mix of English and the local language, with a bit of French thrown in as well!
Besides this, I've also had the opportunity to learn about various medical techniques - although I was being explained in French - so although I think I understood quite a bit, I did struggle to ask clarification questions! I've also got used the heavily motokee (aka plantain) and beans diet.
In the afternoons, we are often visited by a group of local kids... who like to sing and dance for us... which is really kewl. We've been trying to get them to speak English, and also trying to make them understand some of the English songs they sing... Much fun! Also - people are mad about the football here... During the big Man U, Arsenal and Liverpool games, over 100 people watch a 32 inch tv running on a generator and they cheer so loudly it can be heard for quite a distance!
A fellow volunteer who was working with FUGA since December is leaving for the UK tomo - it's been quite refreshing to have someone to bounce ideas off etc... I'll be spending the majority of June in the village, but apparently we're still on target to receive electricity in the 1st week of July - which will completely change the dynamics of the village. One more month of untainted night sky!
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Sunday, 10 May 2009
A few steps east...
So, thanks to one of my colleagues friend, I was escorted through the entire airport and briskly deposited at the departure gate for my flight... I didn't even have to think where I was going! On arrival at Kampala, I was greeted by the director and another volunteer of FUGA, and so the Uganda adventure begun.
I spent the rest of the day sorting stuff out in Kampala, and the next day at 6 am, me and the other volunteer departed for Ruhamma - a village 6 hours away. The journey was on a bus which left on schedule - so already a stark contrast to the Cameroon travel. But 2 hours into the journey, the radiator deserted us, and the bus had to pull over. We had to wait 3 hours for a replacement bus, but once it arrived, we continued on the journey.
In Ruhamma, Fuga are running a medical centre - which is the primary activity of the NGO. The town is not yet connected with electricity though the pillars and wiring are going in as we speak, and they hope to be connected by 1st July. The plan was to return to Kampala in a few days, but I ended up staying until yesterday. As a result, I had a 2 week beard - and was rationing my mobile phone usage to make sure it lasted till I returned to my phone charger!
Its been an interesting start - understanding how the NGO works, and learning a lot more about the operations of a medical centre. It's been very interesting living without electricity, and great admiring the untainted night sky! One of the staff also took me and the other volunteer to his farm over the weekend - and we got to see his farm in action - including cows grazing at night under the moonlit sky (and the moon is very bright!).
Besides that, the first two weeks have included quite a bit of waiting around, reviewing the months expenses and budgets, and meeting a few of the relevant local officers from the government. I should be in Kampala for a few days, before returning back to the village... It seems a city full of life, and I'm looking forward to exploring!
I spent the rest of the day sorting stuff out in Kampala, and the next day at 6 am, me and the other volunteer departed for Ruhamma - a village 6 hours away. The journey was on a bus which left on schedule - so already a stark contrast to the Cameroon travel. But 2 hours into the journey, the radiator deserted us, and the bus had to pull over. We had to wait 3 hours for a replacement bus, but once it arrived, we continued on the journey.
In Ruhamma, Fuga are running a medical centre - which is the primary activity of the NGO. The town is not yet connected with electricity though the pillars and wiring are going in as we speak, and they hope to be connected by 1st July. The plan was to return to Kampala in a few days, but I ended up staying until yesterday. As a result, I had a 2 week beard - and was rationing my mobile phone usage to make sure it lasted till I returned to my phone charger!
Its been an interesting start - understanding how the NGO works, and learning a lot more about the operations of a medical centre. It's been very interesting living without electricity, and great admiring the untainted night sky! One of the staff also took me and the other volunteer to his farm over the weekend - and we got to see his farm in action - including cows grazing at night under the moonlit sky (and the moon is very bright!).
Besides that, the first two weeks have included quite a bit of waiting around, reviewing the months expenses and budgets, and meeting a few of the relevant local officers from the government. I should be in Kampala for a few days, before returning back to the village... It seems a city full of life, and I'm looking forward to exploring!
Monday, 27 April 2009
And thats me from Cameroon!
Hey peeps...
So after 15 whole days without the internet...I'm back in Kumba having said my goodbyes to Bangem (and having found out on my last day that they now have an internet connection in town installed in the town - d'oh!). It was definitely weird saying goodbye...
The last two weeks were spent putting finishing touches to a few of the docs that i've produced, helping my colleagues in their activities and really winding down getting ready for Uganda. I was able to attend a WWF Workshop on the demarcation of national forest - which involved various delegates and local chiefs, and a great couple of presentations providing some good education to the attendees, and a TFTF workshop on tree planting (and I did some planting too!).
Yesterday afternoon I was treated to a scrumptious good bye meal by the family i'm staying with. They prepared so much food!! and it was soo nice and very enjoyable.
The little things I'll def not forget from Cameroon - the cold showers, the variety of insects (wait till u see the pics), power cuts (I was left with half a haircut at one point), lightning storms and heavy rains, the great hospitality, and the chilled out mode of operations!
So I'll be travelling to Douala tomorrow, hopefully flying out to schedule reaching Uganda on Wed morning. I'll be picked up by the Director of the NGO I'll be helping - and will hopefully start to discover more about the adventure there. Things i know at the mo - the NGO has a medical centre, a community, a tree plantation and a few vehicles... and is looking to achieve self-sustainability using these assets. Though my primary location is in Kampala, the field activities are in a town called Ruhanna. But I'll write more about all this when I reach Uganda. (oh yeah - and there's white water rafting that I'm really looking forward too!)
Ciao for now...
So after 15 whole days without the internet...I'm back in Kumba having said my goodbyes to Bangem (and having found out on my last day that they now have an internet connection in town installed in the town - d'oh!). It was definitely weird saying goodbye...
The last two weeks were spent putting finishing touches to a few of the docs that i've produced, helping my colleagues in their activities and really winding down getting ready for Uganda. I was able to attend a WWF Workshop on the demarcation of national forest - which involved various delegates and local chiefs, and a great couple of presentations providing some good education to the attendees, and a TFTF workshop on tree planting (and I did some planting too!).
Yesterday afternoon I was treated to a scrumptious good bye meal by the family i'm staying with. They prepared so much food!! and it was soo nice and very enjoyable.
The little things I'll def not forget from Cameroon - the cold showers, the variety of insects (wait till u see the pics), power cuts (I was left with half a haircut at one point), lightning storms and heavy rains, the great hospitality, and the chilled out mode of operations!
So I'll be travelling to Douala tomorrow, hopefully flying out to schedule reaching Uganda on Wed morning. I'll be picked up by the Director of the NGO I'll be helping - and will hopefully start to discover more about the adventure there. Things i know at the mo - the NGO has a medical centre, a community, a tree plantation and a few vehicles... and is looking to achieve self-sustainability using these assets. Though my primary location is in Kampala, the field activities are in a town called Ruhanna. But I'll write more about all this when I reach Uganda. (oh yeah - and there's white water rafting that I'm really looking forward too!)
Ciao for now...
Monday, 13 April 2009
Last 3 weeks...
Hey y'all...
I've got the internet again after a couple of weeks - though was a close call as we've had no power for the night and most of the morning due to torrential rain and storms... and I'm travelling back to Bangem this morning. Luckily the lights came back just before I was leaving - so I've quickly nipped into the internet cafe.
So a quick update on the last 3 weeks... I did some touristing at Limbe - a seaside town close to here. I visited a primate zoo - it was really interesting watching the gorilla's and chimps... So many pics to keep you all interested when I'm back :o).
I also visited the Muanenguba lakes - the main tourist spot near Bangem, and what the local area is famous for. The lakes are result of a historic volcano eruption... and they are amazing. We had a 10km trek to the lakes.. which was slightly tiring, but the lakes and the surround area were gorgeous. We also visited the people who have inhabited the area - very interesting set... they concentrate on herding cows, goats etc, and seemed to have a very content and happy life!
In terms of work.. a couple of weeks ago I held a strategy workshop meeting with my colleagues. This was interesting as the younger members aren't normally used to inclusive planning - they are normally given tasks and that's it... We went through the various collateral I've created since I've been here... After the morning workshop, we went for a meal to celebrate our hard mornings work, as is customary!
For the last few weeks of my stay in Cameroon, I'm mainly supporting the two members of staff with their activities... and this is taking me to various workshops and meetings with community groups.
I have also completed my situational analysis of the Kupe-Muanenguba Division, which is basically a "how I see things" document outlining whats good and what are the opportunities and threats to the region. (if anyone wants a read, ping me an e-mail and I'll send it over).
Now i'm gonna see if i can post a couple of pics - I think u'll know if i'm successful or not!
ps. luckily I haven't had to travel with animals as yet... maybe that'll happen in Uganda :os!
I've got the internet again after a couple of weeks - though was a close call as we've had no power for the night and most of the morning due to torrential rain and storms... and I'm travelling back to Bangem this morning. Luckily the lights came back just before I was leaving - so I've quickly nipped into the internet cafe.
So a quick update on the last 3 weeks... I did some touristing at Limbe - a seaside town close to here. I visited a primate zoo - it was really interesting watching the gorilla's and chimps... So many pics to keep you all interested when I'm back :o).
I also visited the Muanenguba lakes - the main tourist spot near Bangem, and what the local area is famous for. The lakes are result of a historic volcano eruption... and they are amazing. We had a 10km trek to the lakes.. which was slightly tiring, but the lakes and the surround area were gorgeous. We also visited the people who have inhabited the area - very interesting set... they concentrate on herding cows, goats etc, and seemed to have a very content and happy life!
In terms of work.. a couple of weeks ago I held a strategy workshop meeting with my colleagues. This was interesting as the younger members aren't normally used to inclusive planning - they are normally given tasks and that's it... We went through the various collateral I've created since I've been here... After the morning workshop, we went for a meal to celebrate our hard mornings work, as is customary!
For the last few weeks of my stay in Cameroon, I'm mainly supporting the two members of staff with their activities... and this is taking me to various workshops and meetings with community groups.
I have also completed my situational analysis of the Kupe-Muanenguba Division, which is basically a "how I see things" document outlining whats good and what are the opportunities and threats to the region. (if anyone wants a read, ping me an e-mail and I'll send it over).
Now i'm gonna see if i can post a couple of pics - I think u'll know if i'm successful or not!
ps. luckily I haven't had to travel with animals as yet... maybe that'll happen in Uganda :os!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
A City boy!
Howdy!
Between a few proposals and business cases that I've helped create over the past week, I had a trip to Yaounde - the capital of Cameroon. To travel there involved a 2 hour minibus trip to Douala - the commercial centre (with a slightly larger population than Yaounde), and then a 3.5 hour coach journey - slightly different experience as they actually abide by the seat/passenger ratio!
Being in Yaounde reminded me of how much I love the city - and also made me aware of the contrast with a rural area which struggles with poverty. Things we're used to seeing everyday do become ever more apparent. This aside - it was much fun walking around the city, seeing the contrasting architectures and the variety of shops, street sellers and markets. Apparently the city wasn't it's normal self, as it was getting ready for the arrival of the Pope.. but by afternoon it was still very very manic! I wonder what it's like when its normal!!
The shared taxi system here in the cities are also quite cool - You stand by the roadside and shout your destination to the taxi's. If it's on route, they honk approval, pick you up and take you there... if it's not, then they just ignore you. It's quite good, and means that the taxi is normally full whilst travelling.
Working style is also interesting here... To complete a proposal, we did a full days work (9-5), and then I was told how hard we'd worked all day, so to reward ourselves, we went for a meal and a drink! Also, in shops, you are often greeted by what seems unhappiness at them having to complete your request, and they shrug and complete the request (though this often turns positive when you greet and smile at them!).
I've reached the halfway point of my stay in Cameroon... and begun contact with FUGA, the NGO I'll be working with in Uganda. But there is still much to do and see here! I'm due to travel back to Bangem tomorrow.
Ciao for now!
Between a few proposals and business cases that I've helped create over the past week, I had a trip to Yaounde - the capital of Cameroon. To travel there involved a 2 hour minibus trip to Douala - the commercial centre (with a slightly larger population than Yaounde), and then a 3.5 hour coach journey - slightly different experience as they actually abide by the seat/passenger ratio!
Being in Yaounde reminded me of how much I love the city - and also made me aware of the contrast with a rural area which struggles with poverty. Things we're used to seeing everyday do become ever more apparent. This aside - it was much fun walking around the city, seeing the contrasting architectures and the variety of shops, street sellers and markets. Apparently the city wasn't it's normal self, as it was getting ready for the arrival of the Pope.. but by afternoon it was still very very manic! I wonder what it's like when its normal!!
The shared taxi system here in the cities are also quite cool - You stand by the roadside and shout your destination to the taxi's. If it's on route, they honk approval, pick you up and take you there... if it's not, then they just ignore you. It's quite good, and means that the taxi is normally full whilst travelling.
Working style is also interesting here... To complete a proposal, we did a full days work (9-5), and then I was told how hard we'd worked all day, so to reward ourselves, we went for a meal and a drink! Also, in shops, you are often greeted by what seems unhappiness at them having to complete your request, and they shrug and complete the request (though this often turns positive when you greet and smile at them!).
I've reached the halfway point of my stay in Cameroon... and begun contact with FUGA, the NGO I'll be working with in Uganda. But there is still much to do and see here! I'm due to travel back to Bangem tomorrow.
Ciao for now!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Ahh .. time to summarise 2 weeks in a few paragraphs, and try and make you smile again!
Well - after I left you last - I managed to continue my solo travelling successfully back to Bangem - but was again blessed with very little space for long periods! (though I am getting used to that now). The following week I mainly spent going round various delegates who work in the various ministries to try and get their views on the difficulties facing the people in Kupe-Muanenguba. It was really interesting hearing from them, and seeing things from their perspective. I'm aiming to compile a report on the area based on these conversations and what I'm seeing/hearing on the field, which will hopefully provide some guidance to NGO's to what things they should be concentrating on in the coming years.
One of the other highlights was definitely World Womens Day which took place on the 8th March, and is celebrated with some vigour in Cameroon. This years' theme - It is very relevant - as there is still a need for women empowerment activities within the region. The various Womens group from the local area all participated in singing, dancing and the Womens Day March - in which I had the honour of marching with the Womens Empowerment Centre!
Yesterday was another crazy day of travel - in which the car had to take a diversion as they were doing some maintenance on the road. Not a big deal one may think - except the diversion was through a field, and getting back on the road involved about 10 guys pushing the car and stopping it from overturning! We attended the first day of a 2-day workshop discussing a community forest within the region. The workshop was aimed to create a 5 year management plan for the forest - it looked promising yesterday - so hopefully the outputs will be good too. They do have a wealth of resources - although it does require a 3 hour trek to get to one of the villages managing the forest, so you could say they are slightly enclaved!
After meeting a man who literally dreams remedies, and another couple of interesting people, we began our journey back to Kumba, although 10 mins in, whilst going up a v narrow stoney road - the car cut out as the battery had leakage. Whilst waiting for a battery to re-start the car - I witnessed a lorry completely killing the neighbouring bush to pass our stationary vehicle. An hour later - we were on our way - and continued the bumpy journey to Kumba.
What else... Went to an annual fundraising party for a students association which was very interesting... and watched a couple of local footie matches.
Things that needed getting used to? no washing machine, cold showers, no sink or light in the kitchen, no-one easily at the end of a phone, no footie news. Needless to say - working for an NGO in this environment does have its inherent challenges... but it is much fun!
Well - after I left you last - I managed to continue my solo travelling successfully back to Bangem - but was again blessed with very little space for long periods! (though I am getting used to that now). The following week I mainly spent going round various delegates who work in the various ministries to try and get their views on the difficulties facing the people in Kupe-Muanenguba. It was really interesting hearing from them, and seeing things from their perspective. I'm aiming to compile a report on the area based on these conversations and what I'm seeing/hearing on the field, which will hopefully provide some guidance to NGO's to what things they should be concentrating on in the coming years.
One of the other highlights was definitely World Womens Day which took place on the 8th March, and is celebrated with some vigour in Cameroon. This years' theme - It is very relevant - as there is still a need for women empowerment activities within the region. The various Womens group from the local area all participated in singing, dancing and the Womens Day March - in which I had the honour of marching with the Womens Empowerment Centre!
Yesterday was another crazy day of travel - in which the car had to take a diversion as they were doing some maintenance on the road. Not a big deal one may think - except the diversion was through a field, and getting back on the road involved about 10 guys pushing the car and stopping it from overturning! We attended the first day of a 2-day workshop discussing a community forest within the region. The workshop was aimed to create a 5 year management plan for the forest - it looked promising yesterday - so hopefully the outputs will be good too. They do have a wealth of resources - although it does require a 3 hour trek to get to one of the villages managing the forest, so you could say they are slightly enclaved!
After meeting a man who literally dreams remedies, and another couple of interesting people, we began our journey back to Kumba, although 10 mins in, whilst going up a v narrow stoney road - the car cut out as the battery had leakage. Whilst waiting for a battery to re-start the car - I witnessed a lorry completely killing the neighbouring bush to pass our stationary vehicle. An hour later - we were on our way - and continued the bumpy journey to Kumba.
What else... Went to an annual fundraising party for a students association which was very interesting... and watched a couple of local footie matches.
Things that needed getting used to? no washing machine, cold showers, no sink or light in the kitchen, no-one easily at the end of a phone, no footie news. Needless to say - working for an NGO in this environment does have its inherent challenges... but it is much fun!
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
"White man!"
A bit more about my last couple of weeks...
Firstly - i'm getting used to being called "White man" by all the little kids - they get very excited when they see me (though the really little ones get very scared - I tried to play with a 1 year old - and he started crying and was super scared of me!).
I think I mentioned how friendly the people are... whenever we've been to visit a village I've been fed tremendously well, and been really welcomed. This morning we visited a village that can only be accessed by foot to have a look at the troubles they have (during the rainy season, they have a lone cane bridge that they have to cross to get access to their neighbouring village with road access (- I use that term very lightly), which every year claims at least 4 or 5 lives). They have to travel carrying loads on their heads or backs - and have to use this road to access medical care too... But besides this - they were really nice and had prepared a lovely meal for us to have sitting next to the river...
Also, my first bit of lone travelling was much fun (though mum's gonna kill me when she hears this). So to travel from Nyandong to Kumba involves a 1.5 hour bike journey (or a very powerful 4x4) to get to road access - If it wasn't eventful enough with the hills and the rocky road, the rear brake broke half way - so my driver somehow put it together, and we did the rest of the journey relying on the engine brakes (and no - we didn't see any other bikes pass so I couldn't swap), This was followed by a 1.5 hour taxi ride - in a car that would definitely not pass it's MOT - to start the car, they push-started and then plugged the accelerator and clutch hard... and to make things more interesting we averaged 8 passengers in a normal car.
TTFN!
Firstly - i'm getting used to being called "White man" by all the little kids - they get very excited when they see me (though the really little ones get very scared - I tried to play with a 1 year old - and he started crying and was super scared of me!).
I think I mentioned how friendly the people are... whenever we've been to visit a village I've been fed tremendously well, and been really welcomed. This morning we visited a village that can only be accessed by foot to have a look at the troubles they have (during the rainy season, they have a lone cane bridge that they have to cross to get access to their neighbouring village with road access (- I use that term very lightly), which every year claims at least 4 or 5 lives). They have to travel carrying loads on their heads or backs - and have to use this road to access medical care too... But besides this - they were really nice and had prepared a lovely meal for us to have sitting next to the river...
Also, my first bit of lone travelling was much fun (though mum's gonna kill me when she hears this). So to travel from Nyandong to Kumba involves a 1.5 hour bike journey (or a very powerful 4x4) to get to road access - If it wasn't eventful enough with the hills and the rocky road, the rear brake broke half way - so my driver somehow put it together, and we did the rest of the journey relying on the engine brakes (and no - we didn't see any other bikes pass so I couldn't swap), This was followed by a 1.5 hour taxi ride - in a car that would definitely not pass it's MOT - to start the car, they push-started and then plugged the accelerator and clutch hard... and to make things more interesting we averaged 8 passengers in a normal car.
TTFN!
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