But I have succeeded in getting Mango Flies. These fun creatures apparently love to lay eggs in clothes as they are drying. The larvae then find juicy meat (my lower back) and then make themselves a home. I was host to three such creatures until about two hours ago when a kind doctor removed them. Of course I asked to see them, and trust me they were pretty disgusting. The biggest on was the size of my pointer finger-nail and about 1/3 of the width. Not very comforting to know that these critters had made my back their home, but fortunately there is no lasting damage.
Last week at Skills Plus, I conducted a needs assessment of the organization, trying to note both its strengths and weaknesses. This week I have begun creating a work plan to deal with what I have perceived as areas where I can help the organization. I think I will be helping them create databases of their clients and and excel spreadsheets of their finances (they now have poorly kept records that it would take forever to answer a question as simple as how many people are currently in their computer program?)
I will be personally helping to create these items as well as training people in how to create and maintain them. I also hope to hold a grant writing workshop and leave print materials that will help the organization apply for grants in the future. The organization has many good programs and seems to have its head on its shoulders but it lacks finances in every area. Being able to document what they do and successfully apply for grants will help them tremendously.
The two Kadama kids have slowly taken a liking to me. Ivy (8 months) at first was terrified of me because I don't think she had ever seen a white person before. I think she thought I was a monster. But she is warming up to me now and really enjoys playing with my pens and pieces of paper. Evan, 3.5, (pronounced Ivan. In Lusoga they pronounce 'e' as 'i') practically worships me, but he speaks English worse that I speak Lusoga. I think he at first thought I spoke Lusoga too because I would greet the family in Lusoga. He loves to jabber to me in Lusoga, but I have no idea what he is saying. I know he likes me because he tries to imitate literally everything I do from taking anti-malarial pills (I stopped him), to reading books (he can't speak English much less read the books I brought), to writing in a notebook (I gave him a sheet of paper...he's too little to write).
I found out today that Notre Dame has truly invaded Uganda. There are four former Notre Dame students living in my village working with the congregation of the Holy Cross in Bugembe. I know them through people (mostly Mangulo), but I think people know Patrick Corrigan? I don't, but he is apparently nearby with three others. They have been in Uganda for one year and are staying for one more. I'm sure I will run into them again.
I need to go, Caesar is done with pool and I need to head back to the house. Sula Bulunge!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Mzungu...Bye!
Probably one of the funniest/most fun parts of my morning walk to work is passing by the many children of the village. These little kids seem to love seing a silly white person wandering by their homes and they run after me chanting Mzungu (means European or white person). Also, they try to say whatever english they know and for the little ones the only english they know is the word "bye". The ones a bit older know "how are you". So it is very common to see little kids jumping about chanting Mzungu...Bye! or Mzungu, Mzungu, how are you? The kids are adorable so I don't mind. I can't really hide so I need to accept that I stand out.
At work, power was on for the first time on Thursday, so I got to see some of the computer class taught by my organization. It's pretty interesting as they have classes on Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, and Access. My supervisor likes to blast american music because he is young (2 days older than me) and basically loves the U.S. However his taste is a bit questionable as so far I have only heard country music and bad pop songs. I taught him how to create a blog so now the organization has a blog : http://www.skillsplusuganda.blogspot.com/
He hasn't done any updating as of this posting, so don't expect much of anything. But maybe someday...
No Malaria yet, which is good. I ate sugarcane for the first time yesterday. And I was asked if there were mosquitos in the U.S. African tea is growing on me, though I am still not a fan of the meat or fish. Posho ne envuluga is delicious. as is Chapati.
At work, power was on for the first time on Thursday, so I got to see some of the computer class taught by my organization. It's pretty interesting as they have classes on Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, and Access. My supervisor likes to blast american music because he is young (2 days older than me) and basically loves the U.S. However his taste is a bit questionable as so far I have only heard country music and bad pop songs. I taught him how to create a blog so now the organization has a blog : http://www.skillsplusuganda.blogspot.com/
He hasn't done any updating as of this posting, so don't expect much of anything. But maybe someday...
No Malaria yet, which is good. I ate sugarcane for the first time yesterday. And I was asked if there were mosquitos in the U.S. African tea is growing on me, though I am still not a fan of the meat or fish. Posho ne envuluga is delicious. as is Chapati.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
osibye otya ssebo?
Everything is good and well in Uganda. I have settled into the village of Bugembe with a very nice family, the Kadama's. Caesar is the husband, Lydia the wife, and they have two kids Evan (3.5) and Ivy (8 months). It is a bit different from Columbus, but it is home for the next eight weeks. My house is without basic services (electricity, indoor plumbing, running water) but mostly because the family is renovating the house. They were building the home slowly over the past five years and when it was close to finished they moved in, even though it didn't have everything. However, there is power maybe 200 yards from the house - Caesar said that they need 3 more power line polls for it to reach his house at a cost of maybe 2.5 million Ugandan shillings (i think its 1700 USH to a Dollar).
The food is good but very different. Lots of starches including Matooke (cooked mashed bananas), Posho, rice, and Cassava. They are literally throwing food at me, so I don't know if I will meet my Dad's prediction of losing weight while in Uganda.
My internship has started well, though it has been frustrating at times. My first day I was handed a two page sheet where I was addressed as "your honor". It went on to describe some of the things the board of trustees felt I could accomplish during my 8 week internship. It was a bit of insanity as things ranged from "Address the issue of the homeless" to "seek and tap some American celebrities to visit our website and the organization". Needless to say much of the first day was spent with me explaining that these are just not possible for me to do. I have skills but I am not a miracle worker. This leads into another issue that I am often given much more respect and credit than I deserve. Because I'm from the U.S., people automatically assume an an expert on everything, which is just not true.
I watched the Uganda vs. Angola football match yesterday. It ended in a 0-0 tie but I watched it in a local "cinema", where there was a TV smaller than the one in our living room and probably there was 75 people packed in a room meant for 40. It was good though.
Oh, I almost forgot. You can call me if you wish. my cell phone is 0773707675.
Also, My dad is now blogging about chess. here is his blog: http://www.jeromegambit.blogspot.com/
The food is good but very different. Lots of starches including Matooke (cooked mashed bananas), Posho, rice, and Cassava. They are literally throwing food at me, so I don't know if I will meet my Dad's prediction of losing weight while in Uganda.
My internship has started well, though it has been frustrating at times. My first day I was handed a two page sheet where I was addressed as "your honor". It went on to describe some of the things the board of trustees felt I could accomplish during my 8 week internship. It was a bit of insanity as things ranged from "Address the issue of the homeless" to "seek and tap some American celebrities to visit our website and the organization". Needless to say much of the first day was spent with me explaining that these are just not possible for me to do. I have skills but I am not a miracle worker. This leads into another issue that I am often given much more respect and credit than I deserve. Because I'm from the U.S., people automatically assume an an expert on everything, which is just not true.
I watched the Uganda vs. Angola football match yesterday. It ended in a 0-0 tie but I watched it in a local "cinema", where there was a TV smaller than the one in our living room and probably there was 75 people packed in a room meant for 40. It was good though.
Oh, I almost forgot. You can call me if you wish. my cell phone is 0773707675.
Also, My dad is now blogging about chess. here is his blog: http://www.jeromegambit.blogspot.com/
Monday, June 23, 2008
Bugembe
Well, I'm in Uganda. I've been here for about 9 days, since the 14th. The food is good, though the meat is very chewy. Chapati is a poor man's naan, but it's pretty good. Matooke is good as well, especially with g-nut sauce. and no, that is not meant to be raunchy.
I am staying with a very kind family, the Kadamas. The Father, Caesar can't be older than 30. He has a very high pitched laugh and loves to play pool. I went to the pool hall by the night market and it was packed with maybe 15-20 Ugandans all focused on the sole table. I put some money down and everyone thought it was hilarious that I wanted to play. When I actually won the first game the entire room was buzzing that a "mzungu" could play pool. When I won the second I heard comments that "they play ok pool in America". Then I went and lost the third. But I think I won their respect. I will see them again.
No sickness yet. No Malaria. I did take a boat/hike trip by the Nile at a place called Bujagali Falls. I also took my first bucket bath by candlelight. It was good.
The soil in Uganda is very very red. My tennis shoes are becoming red as a result.
No salsa so far. I am still searching.
The night market in Bugembe is excellent. Confusing Lusoga words with Lugandan makes me feel stupid at times.
I will try to update more. Jinja is fun and a bit of a tourist town.
I am staying with a very kind family, the Kadamas. The Father, Caesar can't be older than 30. He has a very high pitched laugh and loves to play pool. I went to the pool hall by the night market and it was packed with maybe 15-20 Ugandans all focused on the sole table. I put some money down and everyone thought it was hilarious that I wanted to play. When I actually won the first game the entire room was buzzing that a "mzungu" could play pool. When I won the second I heard comments that "they play ok pool in America". Then I went and lost the third. But I think I won their respect. I will see them again.
No sickness yet. No Malaria. I did take a boat/hike trip by the Nile at a place called Bujagali Falls. I also took my first bucket bath by candlelight. It was good.
The soil in Uganda is very very red. My tennis shoes are becoming red as a result.
No salsa so far. I am still searching.
The night market in Bugembe is excellent. Confusing Lusoga words with Lugandan makes me feel stupid at times.
I will try to update more. Jinja is fun and a bit of a tourist town.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
London!
After a delightful couple of flights (Columbus to O'Hare, O'Hare to Heathrow), I arrived in London at the pleasant hour of 5:30 AM local time. London is awesome, but I forgot that jet lag is not. I think I can say with confidence that I am going to sleep very well tonight.
I met an older lady on my flight from Columbus to O'Hare who is Swedish and is visiting her parents in Sweden (with her two kids) for five weeks. She was quite friendly, talking about the "midnight sun" and other craziness that happens in Sweden.
Today I went to mass for the first time in six months. Westminster Abbey usually charges a nine pounds for visitors to enter, but the daily 8 AM service is free of charge. The inside is pretty sweet, full of very ornate decorations and sculptures. Anglican seems pretty similar to Catholic.
Tomorrow I'm meeting up with two of the other FSD (Foundation for Sustainable Development...if you are interested?) interns. I have no idea what will happen then, but it should be good.
I'm too tired to read and I can't check into my hostel until later, so I've basically been wandering all day. Which is good. Because I really like wandering.
Peace,
Jon
ps. my dad finds the strangest websites: http://www.ucf.co.ug/
I met an older lady on my flight from Columbus to O'Hare who is Swedish and is visiting her parents in Sweden (with her two kids) for five weeks. She was quite friendly, talking about the "midnight sun" and other craziness that happens in Sweden.
Today I went to mass for the first time in six months. Westminster Abbey usually charges a nine pounds for visitors to enter, but the daily 8 AM service is free of charge. The inside is pretty sweet, full of very ornate decorations and sculptures. Anglican seems pretty similar to Catholic.
Tomorrow I'm meeting up with two of the other FSD (Foundation for Sustainable Development...if you are interested?) interns. I have no idea what will happen then, but it should be good.
I'm too tired to read and I can't check into my hostel until later, so I've basically been wandering all day. Which is good. Because I really like wandering.
Peace,
Jon
ps. my dad finds the strangest websites: http://www.ucf.co.ug/
Monday, June 9, 2008
Columbus (for now...)
Columbus has been my home for much of my 22 years and it has been especially kind over the last three weeks. My favorite pizza place (Hound Dogs!) made an especially delicious Smokin' Joes pizza, I visited the neighborhood landmark (Smith's Deli) for some for some rather tasty Stromboli, and I walked the walk to a nearby UDF (United Dairy Farmers...It's like a 7-eleven but better. don't judge) for some really good Blue Moo Cookie Dough Ice Cream. All this in only three weeks. Columbus rarely dissapoints.
Anyways, tomorrow I leave the country for the first time in six years. London awaits early Wednesday morning and Uganda is just lurking in the distance (Saturday morning).
I am pretty excited, though its nothing quite like my excitement about my four-week attempt at growing a beard. Here are the results:
Anyways, tomorrow I leave the country for the first time in six years. London awaits early Wednesday morning and Uganda is just lurking in the distance (Saturday morning).
I am pretty excited, though its nothing quite like my excitement about my four-week attempt at growing a beard. Here are the results:
Sad? Perhaps. I realize that I look goofy but the beard will be staying for much of the summer. It's easier not to shave when you don't have running water.
I'll try to post something when I'm in London, but I can't promise much.
Peace,
JBK
ps. Here is the website for the organization I'm interning with: http://skillsplusuganda.tripod.com/background.html
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