First week in Nyamawra

Hello from Uganda,

Terry and I have been here a week now and we're both in good health. We've been very busy and have lots to tell, although don't have time to tell all now. I'll do my best to give a flavour of what's been happening.

22nd July

After last posting on wednesday I went for a wander around the local market which is a fascinating place. It all appears very disorganised at first with stalls selling everything you could want, the colours and sounds and smells are amazing. But after looking closer there is order and everything is arranged with similar stalls in the same areas. We then proceeded by taxi van to the next town, Mubende, where we were to meet the director of Kibbuse school. The taxi van is meant to seat 14, but we had crammed 21 in at one point! At Mubende we enjoyed a meal of roasted chicken, steamed in banana leaves with tomato sauce and matoke. Matoke is a steamed,mashed savoury banana, which is a staple of most meals. We were told the meal would take 20mins to cook, but everything here is at a relaxed pace, so it took 2.5hrs! We then met Rev James Adyeri, the school director, who picked us up in the 4x4 and drove us to the school. The school in Nyamawra is about 25km from Mubende along rough dirt tracks with huge holes and ruts. We were greeted by a huge crowd of singing, dancing students, staff and others. After joining in and saying a quick hello, we had dinner and then bed.

23-24 July

I woke up on the first day to the sound of the cock crowing at 7am. We then joined the students assembly at half 7, sang the national anthem and said our formal hellos. Breakfast every day here is brilliant. We have cereals (weetabix), fresh fruit, fresh juice and eggs. We had a tour of the school, seeing classrooms, workshops, dormitories, 2 day old piglets and the vegetable plot. We then went to a nearby town, Karaguza, to run errands and met Mandy and Spencer, peace corps volunteers from the US. She is here for 2 years by herself!

Friday was spent clearing rubble, bricks and wood out of a new building to house guests and Rev James. Food for lunch and dinner everyday is good, lots of local produce mixed with some home comforts. We are eating very well.


25-26 July
Saturday was spent digging up earth to create a level piece of ground for a playground for the local children. Terry and I worked very hard, but we were rubbish compared to the students who are experts with the hoe. We provided much amusement to them.

Sunday was church day. We had a lie in til half 9, then went up to the local church with Bob, Brenda and the Rev James. The church was a mud and waddle hut on the hill, but was a great place nonetheless. Unfortunately I didn't really understand the service, but enjoyed the singing. Those who could not afford to give money as an offering bring fruit and various produce, which is then auctioned. After some vigorous bidding, I managed to purchase a 7ft sugar cane for 3000 shillings (about 1quid). This is cut up and just chewed to get the sugary juice out. The rest of sunday was spent resting and going for a walk around the village. We made friends with a couple of local boys, who followed us around.

27 July

Monday starts with a longer formal assembly and chapel. Terry and I were asked to give a short talk to encourage the students in their upcoming exams. We spent the day attending classes and going to practicals. We went to mechanics, which was pretty similar to GCSE physics, and went to the metal working shop and helped sand, file and drill metal brackets which we will; use later in the week on a drying rack for coffee. We also did our own laundry by hand, which was very amusing to the women staff at the school, who gave us a short lesson.


Overall, I've been having a great time. The countryside is beautiful, everyone has been so welcoming, we had many good conversations and discussions with Bob and Brenda, our room is very comfortable and clean. There are many more thigns I could say, but these will have to wait until I'm home.

Until next time,

Weleba

Arrived Safely

Hello everyone,

After a very long and tiring flight we arrived in Entebbe Airport yesterday afternoon. Bob and Idah picked us up from there. Bob is the american guy we are staying with and Idah is the wife of the parish priest. We travelled into Kampala (the capital) by taxi then caught a bus from there. I say bus, but it was more a taxi van. A small thing no bigger than a transit van with 15 seats crammed in, not comfy for tall me. We didn't travel all the way to the school yesterday as it was too far and bob didn't want to arrive in the dark, so we stopped at a town on the way and stayed in a little hotel. The hotel was very nice, small and basic but clean. Had a fairly good night's sleep, but I am still very tired. I think it will take a few days to get back to full strength. Bob needed to do some stuff on the internet so we've gone to a internet cafe quickly before carrying on our journey. I'm exicted about getting there, looking forward to the journey being over too. I'll email again when i get the chance.

Until next time

Graduation and The Journey Begins

I have now graduated from The University of Manchester and can add all sorts of letters after my name (not that I'm bothered by most of them). It was a good day on Friday, a chance for us all to be together one final time at uni, and celebrate successfully surviving the course and all the great times we've had over the last four years. Got some photos of us all dressed up and an opportunity for all our parents to look proud. And if anyone is looking for a good restaurant in Manchester then Choice in Castlefield is brilliant (good 'choice' Chris).

I'm now sat at home the night before Terry and I embark upon the biggest trip of our lives. I've just about finished packing for the trip to Uganda and Kenya. Hopefully I've not forgotten anything important. We fly out from Gatwick tomorrow evening and arrive, via Dubai, in Entebbe, Uganda the following afternoon. The first 3 weeks will be spent volunteering at a vocational school in Kibbuse, which is in the middle of nowhere. We're not sure exactly what we'll be doing yet, but I'll let you know when we get started.

I'm not sure how many opportunities there will be to update you all from the Ugandan countryside, but I'll do my best.

Until next time