We have now been in Uganda for 4 weeks and are beginning to realise we are not on holiday. It has been a major culture shock adapting to the Ugandan way. The heat and the incredible rain showers no longer phase us.We justsweat and paddle about in the mud like every one else. Travel is a major issue in masindi. Our house is 15 minutes walk from the centre of town which is ok during the day but a challenge we have been advised not to take at night. So far we have been lucky and been able to beg lifts if we are iut at night.
Maggie has been to Kampala twice this month for shopping trips. No surprise there but in reality if you need anything other than basics you have to go to Kampala. This is a day each way. As the house is completely unfurnished she has needed to buy a fridge and washing machine as well as material and "luxuries". The process of purchasing is relatively simple but how do you then get the goods back to Kampala. Those in the know arrange a pick up or if necessary arrange to put it on a lorry or bus bound for Masindi. It some how arrives intact a few days later. We have been greatly helped in all this by Sally and her staff who seem used to helping out naive muzungus.
We have finally moved in to our house this week.We do not have a postal addresswe just tell everyone we live on Kuzungu hill, (the white mans hill) opposite the resevoir.We are having furniture made locally a 3 piece suite for 200,000 ush about £60. Reasonable for solid oak furniture.
Being house owners we have had to employ an Ascari or night watchman. Soloman comes at 7.00 pm and stays patrolling our compound throughout the night to disuade intruders.We have had to supply him with a torch, flask,coat and gum boots. these had to be brought from Kampala but the boots arrived as a pair of left boots!.It is just one of those frustrations you can not nip back to change them.Various people keep arriving to offer their services as domestic staff. Unemployment is high and people are desperate for work.There is no real system and it is difficult to recruit staff who will be happy to work and reliable.There is a big element of hope it all works out.
The house already has some uninvited lodgers. There are lots of geckoes which are fun to watch but maggie refuses to share the shower with. There are bats and unfortunately some lve above the bedroom and leave there deposits on our bedroom floor!We have lots of birds in the garden and inthe early mornings you can hear the monkeys on the roof and in the trees.Early mornings are a reality here.People start moving around about 5.00 am. We are regularly woken by the mosque and singing and chanting from the local church.
Our social life revolves around other volunteers at the moment. Sunday has been a swimming trip, Monday is Swahili lessons,Friday is food and a drink at Murchisons bar in Masindi.
Maggie has been advising in the kitchens at Court View hotel, she is realising that food preparaqtion in Uganda is a little different from the UK. She has also visited a local seamstress training school run by Felicitas the wife of a local American missionary.Gradually Maggie is finding a role but sensibly not rushing in to anything yet.
I have managed one trip with the community team to visit a local school.Masindi public school is one of the primary schools in Masindi. Over 1000 pupils, classes oversubscribed with one class of 117.The head struggles to provide a service to the pupils with very little resource. The main issue he identified was no water on site,the tap has been vandalised and the kids are all hungry. Many of the children arrive not haviing eaten and will have nothing for lunch. It is a surprise if the manage to learn at all.
We have finally moved in to our house this week.We do not have a postal addresswe just tell everyone we live on Kuzungu hill, (the white mans hill) opposite the resevoir.We are having furniture made locally a 3 piece suite for 200,000 ush about £60. Reasonable for solid oak furniture.
Being house owners we have had to employ an Ascari or night watchman. Soloman comes at 7.00 pm and stays patrolling our compound throughout the night to disuade intruders.We have had to supply him with a torch, flask,coat and gum boots. these had to be brought from Kampala but the boots arrived as a pair of left boots!.It is just one of those frustrations you can not nip back to change them.Various people keep arriving to offer their services as domestic staff. Unemployment is high and people are desperate for work.There is no real system and it is difficult to recruit staff who will be happy to work and reliable.There is a big element of hope it all works out.
The house already has some uninvited lodgers. There are lots of geckoes which are fun to watch but maggie refuses to share the shower with. There are bats and unfortunately some lve above the bedroom and leave there deposits on our bedroom floor!We have lots of birds in the garden and inthe early mornings you can hear the monkeys on the roof and in the trees.Early mornings are a reality here.People start moving around about 5.00 am. We are regularly woken by the mosque and singing and chanting from the local church.
Our social life revolves around other volunteers at the moment. Sunday has been a swimming trip, Monday is Swahili lessons,Friday is food and a drink at Murchisons bar in Masindi.
Maggie has been advising in the kitchens at Court View hotel, she is realising that food preparaqtion in Uganda is a little different from the UK. She has also visited a local seamstress training school run by Felicitas the wife of a local American missionary.Gradually Maggie is finding a role but sensibly not rushing in to anything yet.
I have managed one trip with the community team to visit a local school.Masindi public school is one of the primary schools in Masindi. Over 1000 pupils, classes oversubscribed with one class of 117.The head struggles to provide a service to the pupils with very little resource. The main issue he identified was no water on site,the tap has been vandalised and the kids are all hungry. Many of the children arrive not haviing eaten and will have nothing for lunch. It is a surprise if the manage to learn at all.
2 comments:
Hello
Thank for your news - first time I have read it. I suppose the adjustment to the culture just goes on for ever!
Bats in the belfry sounds like an English problem but monkeys on the roof and frogs under thh bed are new ones (sound like the titles of ealing commedies).
I'm afraid I am not the person to ask for news - no inside story on what Becky and Daniel are doing!
I went to the Hull boatyard with Margaret to see a Wilberforce celebrations play - Disposable Persons - Iain had a role where his tongue had been cut out. He remembered all his lines!
We went to the South coast to see Paula last weekend - Isabella continues to prosper - still learning the benefits of Grandparenthood - that you wave good bye in the evening.
We sweep the leaves and search for parking places - what other news is there? The Autumn is glorious - do you get seasons - or is it just rainy season and dry season?
OK I must move on - I am working - if I think of "News" I'll write again.
Just spent ages "commenting" only for website to expire and lose it all!! Really interesting news from you - 1st time I'd accessed blog and Steve going to read too.
Have been thinking about you loads but only got back from France late Monday night and still cathing up!
Will email with all news.
I'm with Mags on geckos in the shower!
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