Scroll down to view more pictures


Monday, July 13, 2009

Gulu


These last few weeks have been so busy. I'm not even sure why. We've been running from business classes to teacher trainings, from building stoves to the AIDS Extravaganza. This is definitely not a restful summer, but I'm so grateful to be here. By the way, we meant to write earlier, but the power went out. I don't know if we've mentioned yet that the power goes out at least once or twice a day here. Also, Tay was sick. Of course, the local doctor said he had malaria. The doctor in Kampala, however, said he didn't. Just a bug. No medicine. He's totally fine now. I've never been sick yet. So lucky.

Tay was sick on his birthday, so that was sad. The next day we went to Kampala to "The Surgery" which is just a doctor's office, but maybe they do surgery there. Who knows? Anyway, I already told you about that. But that night we went to the American Recreational Association building where they had a 4th of July party for all U.S. citizens plus other random people who want to pay for a mediocre-tasting barbeque. They did have fireworks, which were fun. Short, but fun.

On Saturday we left Lugazi and headed for Gulu. The trip was supposed to be five hours total, but our bus breaking down plus traffic made it twelve. Amazing, huh? One glaring need in Africa is paved roads with no potholes and with more than one lane going each way. Anyway, we arrived at four in the morning. We slept in the nastiest place ever. The experience was even worse because one of our group members was barfing right outside our room. Multiple times. Woe to him.

We went to church here in Gulu on Sunday. It was amazing. The people here are so good. They have been through so much with the LRA and everything. I don't think anyone is left unaffected. We also had a sporatic fireside with them that night. It was also incredible.

Today we finished adobe stoves that some of our group made a few weeks ago. I don't think it's the most needed project, but I guess we need to finish what we started. The people here really need water and food. Why build a stove if they don't have food to cook? Maybe we can help them get what they really need in the future. Development work is definitely really complicated.

I don't know what else to tell you, but we'll try to post more often in the next two weeks. You all realize we only have that much longer left, right? At least for now. Taylor thinks we are going to move back. Hmmn... I guess we'll see.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Town Center

Town Center
This is the center of Lugazi. The top left office is the "Youth Outreach Program" It consists of about 15 ugandan college students. They were born in Lugazi, and were able to earn enough money to go to college in Kampala. They have decided to return to Lugazi and build up the community by starting a non-profit group that focuses on orphans, street children, and widows. They are an amazing group of people. I want to be more like them. I am currently working closely with them to write a business plan, and letters to governmental agencies and NGO's to help them raise enough funds for their projects. It's amazing how a little money can do so much good. We are hoping to raise $5,000 to build a carpentry shop and bakery to teach the children viable skills. I hope I can help them succeed.

Village Hut

Village Hut
Mandy went into the rural jungle villages to deliver baby kits to new mothers. Entire families live in this small huts. Sometimes 10+ people per hut.

Our Room

Our Room
After sewing several mosquito nets together we managed to cocoon our bed in the safety of mesh. We sleep comfortably and the geckos, spiders and roaches thankfully stay on the floor and the walls.

Not Exactly the Marriott but it's Home Sweet Home

Not Exactly the Marriott but it's Home Sweet Home
This is our room in the back of the main house. We are the middle door. The left door is the charcoal room, the right door is Sam's room, our day time guard

The Well

The Well
This is where we get our water. (Drinking water comes from a bottling company) We use this water to clean, shower, laundry and dishes. We add bleach and soap to kill the algae

My Best Invention So Far

My Best Invention So Far
I managed to rig a spout to a jerry can and attach a tube to the end. There were a few bricks lying around which makes for a perfect stand and "tiled floor". Now we can stand up, shower, and rinse. Who needs indoor plumbing?

Our walk home

Our walk home
We walk this street everyday to get home. The children run out of their houses, yelling and laughing.; They grab your arms and hug your legs. They have nothing, but are so happy. I want to take them all home.

Boda Driver Wanna Be

Boda Driver Wanna Be
These are the "Boda Boda" Taxis. We pile on 1, 2, 3, maybe 4 people. I have seen 4 people and 2 chairs strapped to the back going down the highway. Classic

This is a typical store front.

This is a typical store front.
Businesses here are extremely small. Most of them sell the same things and have way too much inventory. I am teaching a series of business classes to various groups to help them with book keeping and inventory management.

Mandy Sleeping in the Airport Next to Her Friend Ronald

Mandy Sleeping in the Airport Next to Her Friend Ronald
Fortunately we were able to catch some shut eye in the Amsterdam airport. Mandy was able to fall asleep knowing that she was being watched by the family guardian

Mandy In Amsterdam

Mandy In Amsterdam
On our flight over here we were able to spend a day in Amsterdam. Neither of us had ever been there so it was fun to figure things out. Here we are in the subway station heading out into the city. I love subways