Blogs from Central Region, Uganda, Africa - page 54

We've arrived! There was a slight delay in Kenya as a technical fault meant that they had to switch planes,so we were rather tired by the time we got to our hotel in Kampala (2.30 am). It was dark driving from the airport but we could still could a taste of our new home for the next few weeks. The electricity supply is somewhat unreliable as it is all hydro elec. and the level of the lake is very low. Consequently half of Kampala has power for 24 hours and then the other half gets some! The roads are dusty and the traffic is manic! It makes Paris look like a well ordered, calm system. Apparently there is only one set of traffic lights that are operational. Some very brave ladies are seen 'directing' the chaos- ... read more

Masindi is in the mid-West part of Uganda. The name dates back to the times of the Banyoro Kitara Kingdo, that once ruled the area. Long distance traders passed by using tracks called 'amasinde'. A popular resting place developed into a commercial centre and then into Masindi town. The district has a favourable climate and is well watered, receiving about 1200mm of rainfall in the two growing seasons ( March-May and August-November). Total population: 420,000. Percentage under 15 years: 55%. Number of registered tribes: 56. Main language: Runyoro. Main crops include: bananas, beans, cassava, cocoa, coffee, cotton, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, tobacco, vegetables. Other industries: livestock farming, forestry, cotton ginning, grain milling,oil mining, sawmilling. ... read more

“RROOWW!” “HARRD” “HARRDERR!” Panic sinking in, nine oars thrusting into the foamy, white, roaring water, we row for our lives right into the thick of a Grade 5 rapid, and the impending doom that I somehow seemed to get a front-seat view of, stupidly volunteering to go up front. It’s fair to say I’m well and truly bricking it! “RRROOOWWW!” “HHHHAARRRDDDERR!!!” The noise is deafening, we’re drowning in the raft with 12ft mountains and valleys of gurgling water all around us. Rocking about in a washing machine, we all row as hard as possible into nature in its most powerful expression. Extreme chaos. An aqua-hurricane. Then, with a simple parting of waves, we see it, the G-Spot, the heart of the rapid and a huge hole with no visible escape, surrounded on all sides by 5m ... read more

I've finally found some time in an internet cafe.... I'm having a very challenging time, but I have to say it's the best holiday I've ever had. The people here are so welcoming and friendly, although for so many their living conditions are appalling. On Sunday afternoon, we went round the slums where some of the children at the centre live - and it's heartbreaking to see their homes and environment - I freely admit I was in tears. But they are not downhearted - amazingly they are happy, and they were delighted to see us and gather round us..... Phew! We went out Saturday and Monday to get the 160 shoes from the Bata factory in Kampala for the neediest children who live at the hostel - and yesterday we gave out the girls's shoes ... read more

FYI: I will be periodically posting pictures on my yahoo site in a folder cleverly titled "Uganda" http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/leslie_628/my_photos I arrived in Entebbe, Uganda on June 28, coincidentally my 28th birthday, which I celebrated the previous weekend while in London. Some quick background: I am here for 3 months working on a USAID/ JSI (http://www.jsi.com/JSIInternet) Project called UPHOLD (Uganda Program for Holistic & Human Development - http://www.upholduganda.org). It’s a five-year project that ends in September 2007, which supports education, health and HIV/AIDS interventions and programs throughout 29 districts in Uganda. I am working in the M&E (monitoring & evaluation) department. My terms of reference are pretty wide and we are still discussing the specifics of my responsibilities but generally speaking my responsibilities are: revising and editing survey materi... read more