Day 18 Saturday 31st

Sometimes I am so maddened by behavioural, cultural differences here that I am driven to swear and curse and foster feelings of harm to others. I am a passive, gentle man who rarely shows emotion in a violent volatile way, but sometimes, just sometimes I get really angry and feel like punching a wall or something that is unable to hurt me back. 

So much about Africa and obviously in particular Uganda are so frustrating it drives me to distraction

Today, various situations moved me once again to anger. It frustrates me that children have to live in environments that are so shortsighted that the majority of the world would wince at their situation. It angers me that children have no role models and are to become the future of a country already extremely poor and lacking in an obvious moral framework. It angers me that people in this country want to own others and use them for their own purposes. It angers me that children are seen as pawns to be used and discarded when they have served their purpose. They are used as currency. It makes me cry that this society will abuse it's young for financial gain. I am angry that the government and the establishment take for themselves what is rightfully the people's. I am angered that so many people here including church leaders, the government, local officials are on the take and can'f be trusted and live in luxury with foreign holidays and fly first class and have many homes and cars and all the trappings of wealth whilst their people that they are supposed to be serving are kept in abject poverty. 

Today I am left with a passion to make a difference but feel impotent in some ways. I've spent many hours chatting with innocent, impressionable children who literally have nothing in this world. They fill me with hope, hope that they can be helped and can forge a future for themselves, hope that we can make a difference for these and many other kids. 

These paat three weeks I have been encouraged but some aspects bother me on a daily basis and will trouble me next week when normal life will resume. 

Ensigo y'omucungwa will be a huge success and I am confident that it will be a wonderful facility for this country. It will help many young lives to find a way forward. A way out of their poverty and hopelessness. I want it to be able to encourage as well as equip. I want it to offer counseling and corrective thinking. I want to give them acccess to people with skill but also with heart and passion for life. I am confident that the next generation that we have dealings with here will become future leaders and job creators. I am sure that it will change forever the climate here in Uganda but in particular those in this region.  

I have so much work to do for these vulnerable and abused children. I need to raise funds to realise these dreams and to extinguish the anger within. 

It feels like a new chapter in the development of our tiny charity. But to be able to forge a future for some of the world's most unloved and most vulnerable is such a privilege. I am confident that with the help of many skilled generous people, The Orange Seed will make a huge difference to the next generation of Uganda. The future has to be in releasing the potential that is bound up in an extremely passive and very gentle nation. Its not gonna be found in supporting or propping up systems that are dependant on that support. I want to make a difference to these lovely and charming children whose hand has been dealt unfairly and with extreme odds backed against them. I want to help to forge self-sustaining futures that bring personal satisfaction and pride in their own ability. I for one will fight for their future. 

In the past three weeks I have covered many topics and introduced you to some of my friends. Thank you for reading this blog and listening to my rantings. Tomorrow Sim and I begin our journey home. It has been an honour to have you share this experience with us

Thank you,. 

'til the next time........

Day 17 Friday 30th

Ensigo y'omucungwa is the name of the Malangata project. This means The Orange Seed. Our concept for the new building is that, like an orange seed which falls to the ground and after germination produces a large tree that will in time produce fruit that then may produce many trees etc. we want this building to create job creators and not just regurgitate skills or knowledge. After training and skill transference we are hoping that our students will have a mindset that enables them to pass on their abilities to others thereby completing the cycle. Today we took the new signage to Malangata and cemented the first sign into the ground at the new road entrance. Before leaving Kampala we held a meeting with Ameena who will be setting up the hairdressing salon for us and also training our first students at ENSIGO Y'OMUCUNGWA. It was a very helpful time which has enabled us to cost the salon and work towards training. As with everything we do here, it is dependant on donations. So for this, as with every other idea I need money. After the meeting we set off for Malangata to deliver the signs so that they could be screwed to the wall and also cemented. 

On the way Paul, my friend and trusted colleague here and Simeon managed to buy a birthday cake for Abbi without her noticing. We had sung her happy Birthday earlier and managed to get a local lad to sing her a romantic love song which was hilarious as she stood thoroughly embarrassed and obviously uncomfortable. Abbi is a volunteer from the UK that was with us today. She is game for most things and loved the fact that we cared enough to celebrate with her. The video is now somewhere on Facebook and will be a reason that this birthday is never forgotten. We travelled to Malangata with cake for a later surprise. 

The well is going on well and as we arrived today the engineers had dug by hand to 30 ft. This is a third of the estimated depth to reach the water table. Sim and Helen, the other volunteer decided that they had to experience being under the ground at 30ft so persuaded the workers to allow them to swing on a rope to the bottom of the pit. They remarked on how warm it was down there and we took the opportunity to take as many photos as possible. 

Today as well as being a lovely and exciting day also was one of those days where many things seem to conspire against you. Firstly we left the 2 netballs that we bought yesterday in Paul's office. We only realised this after we arrived at Malangata. As we approached the village I had forgotten, after such a long journey being careful not to drive too fast or erratically, that our load was 10ft tall above the truck. I drove into an overhanging tree branch and bent one of the support arms. As we got closer to Ensigo James, our builder, came to meet us and after removing the sign from the vehicle straightened the pole with a kick or two and announced that it would be fine. We know however, that it will probably rust in time. After the cementing of this sign we went to Ensigo and took a tour of the complex. Sara realised that we had left the vehicle unlocked. This is a no no in Uganda as things will definitely be stolen so she locked the doors and joined the tour. After some time we needed more water to drink as it was an extremely hot day and so searched for the car keys. Yes you guessed it, these things always come in threes. The keys were firmly locked inside the vehicle. The only solution we had was to find 'a kid' and squeeze him through the tiny back window of the pick up. It was hilarious watching 20 people all with different ideas about how to fix the problem. Dis using how to do retrieve them easily.  In the end it as the 4 year old 'kid' that saved us. It then enabled us to all sing Happy Birthday to Abbi and present her with her cake. She wasn't aware at all and loved the surprise. After cutting the cake with a panger- a Ugandan machete- we all shared the huge cake with her. A fun and very productive day. On our return to Red Chilli I had my hand shaken by Francis, one of the bar staff, and he announced the he was glad to see that I shook his hand like a real man and that I wasn't naked like last night. We all laughed as he explained that I had had a short conversations itch him last night, which I had forgotten, in which I taught him a new word (knackered). He was glad I wasn't as knackered (naked) as last night.

Day 16 Thursday 29th

UThursday has been a day of many experiences. This evening we ate the most excellent of suppers by candle light as the first power cut of the trip descended on Kampala City. 

I have travelled here many times. The first time the lights went out every night. And we sat in candle light or by paraffin lamps. These days since the second damn over the river Nile was finished it is a rarity but I was still reminded that this is Uganda what else should I expect. 

We started at Kiwoi this morning as Helen and Abbi started work for real. They spent the morning doing computer training with the girls. It was the first time that they had ever touched the computer. As an example Florence (14) has never touched a computer mouse before. She had no concept as to what to do and struggles to coordinate hand movement and cursors. Our children in the UK have grown up with computers and most techy gadgets and even for the youngest child are a way of life. Christine one of our. Girls from the village had come to visit Benedicta and brought her school report for me to see and to be chastised by me for such a poor report. I asked what had happened and why this term was so bad. They test both mid term and at the end and then average the results for an overall mark. Christine explained that she hadn't an exercise book and had therefore been refused the lesson. She gained 10% in computers. She explained that the school only has 4 computers and you can only go on them if you pay each term. She can barely afford the uniform and if it weren't for possibilities wouldn't be in school anyway. So paying the equivalent of £5 per term to use the computers is impossible. Ridiculous. We will pay. 

The volunteers offered a gift to Benedicta and she immediately asked if Simeon could go and buy food with it. I refused and bought the food anyway.Their gift will be a plus later in their trip. Sim, Angie and I left for Spau's offices. We had a meeting about the future of the Malangata Project. It was most interesting. After a short while we left to collect the new signs from the sign maker. They are of a good Ugandan standard. They will look great in their new situation. Then we went to Paul and Juliet's for dinner. The food as always was excellent. Even though some of the meal was in darkness. 

Day 15 Wednesday 28th

After a disjointed inferior sleep we left Red Chilli to pick up Helen and Abby from the airport. I think a combination of new surroundings, inferior mattress, short bed, and an early start that we couldn't miss we're responsible. We arrived in time at Entebbe to collect them but we had our timing wrong. The flight landed 1/2 hour before our arrival. When customs, visa and bag collect are accounted for our timing was just about perfect. 

After a rest and settle at Red Chilli we took the volunteers to Benedicta's to meet the whole family and to give a tour of the orphanage and of course to be bombarded by the children. Almost immediately the girls were flavour of the month. Sim struggled to get a look in, they were so popular. By our departure Sim, Abby  and Helen were exhausted and very very dirty. I haven't seen the girls so happy and excited for such a long time. Pure joy. We bought sodas for all which cost us £2.50 for 10. The pictures with red tongues might explain why Margaret is hyper today. It doesn't describe her general liveliness though.

This evening we ate with an old friend Richard. He works with street children in Kampala City. On Oct 26th he has organised an event for many street children. At the event they will deal with nutrition and medical care. He needs to cover the costs of medical provision of 6 doctors. I can't help myself. I offered to cover the cost of the HIV/Aids testing. So when I return to UK expect me to come knocking  I need so much money. These children are aged 13-17 and live in a slum the like you've never seen. I have never been allowed to visit the Kisenyi slum because it is too dangerous. Richard works with the street children that inhabit these slums. There main difficulty with this event is providing the healthcare project. I've pledged to cover £600. So if you are interested in helping us please make a donation on the possibilities website. 

Whenever we visit Red Chilli Evelyn provides most of our craft items. This evening I had the privilege of meeting Margaret who is one of the disadvantaged ladies who stitches and sews and sticks and makes the most exquisite of craft items. 

Today was a day of introductions and although this is very important work it doesn't make for too many words on a blog. 

Day 14 Tuesday 27th

Today we relocated back to Red Chilli. We enjoyed the time spent at Papaya Holiday Home with Mama Florence and will use the accommodation again when we travel in these parts. Red Chilli is better located for the final part of this trip. Tomorrow morning we are collecting two volunteers from the airport and then we are firmly into wind down. It has been a fabulous trip and we have to tie up the many loose ends that always need sorting at the end of such activities. Red Chilli Hideaway is Uganda's premier stop over for back packers and travellers from all over the world. After many trips to Africa this feels like home in some senses. As we walk to reception everyone wants to shake our hands. We are known by most staff on first name terms. It is really like visiting old friends. 

After a quick bag dump we took Mama Florence and David with lawn mower to the repair / main dealer in the city. The traffic was horrendous and it took us much longer than expected. 

We then visited John Asiimwe Kash at Master Signs. It is time to name the building and lay a marker at Malangata. The signage is now being prepared. Photos on Friday. This evening the proofs were approved and many texts have flown between myself and the printer/sign writer. 

Paul has been unwell for a couple of days and so I have had sole use of the SPAU pickup. It has been a great experience, learning to drive in the hump capital of the world. I can cope with the aggressive behaviour. I can deal with the lack of rules. I can deal with the ancient unroadworthy vehicles but I am not very good at avoiding pot holes and always seem to miss the humps. 

We had lunch with Angie and swapped our life stories. We chatted much about Possibilities and Uganda in general and of course what we do here and how. It was a very useful time. After a brief return to leave the vehicle at Red Chilli, we set off for the city on 3 boda's. my bike was the third and as we drifted effortlessly through the late afternoon traffic as it stood stationary, i watched Sim and Angie in front and it crossed my mind that this could be a scene from a movie. We seemed to be a crack team with a mission and nothing would stand in our way. It was as if we untouchable as we sailed effortlessly through the frustrated drivers and irritated taxi drivers. 

It's actually not that idyllic but I love to dream. We headed for the craft markets for something to do and to begin to pick up those knick- nacks for loved ones. After much banter and pretend negotiations, I came upon a group of artists. I had no intention of buying a picture but suddenly the picture attached shouted out at me. I think art is truly in the eye of the beholder just like beauty. It screamed out to me and I just had to buy it. After a successful firm but fair negotiation it was mine. I am mesmerised by the beauty of the image. I have the same desire to gaze upon Denise when I return home. Beauty needs to be appreciated and gazed at in wonder. Those of you that visit my home in the UK will be able to marvel at its beauty next week. The picture is of a Karamojo woman and I am spell bound.

Day 13 Monday 26th

Quite a day. A full on 'do everything' type of day. This morning we had a meeting with Musa, our long time friend and Safari driver. It was good to talk about so many things and catch up with his news. We had to make arrangements and speak about Musa's wife who will be helping us set up a hair salon at Malangata. After the set up she will be our first instructor to begin courses there. Hers will be a course in hairstyling. 

At 10.30 we had our 2nd meeting of the day. I had arranged a meeting with the leaders at Bula Children's Home with a government advisor on the child care expectations within Uganda. The meeting went as well as I expected and we are left with no illusions at all about what is expected and what the home must do now to remain as a Children's Home. At the end of the meeting Angie arrived   Angie is an American volunteer who has offered 4 months free of charge to take over from me when I leave next week. She will work with Bula to help them with the transitions and also to work at Malangata with continuing the work that we have been doing there. Angie will shadow us for the next 5 days to gather as much info as possible. She is a personable assured young woman and I will be 

We then visited Malangata to give a tour to Angie and also to pay Zub his first payment for the bore hole. Today he corrected me. He is not digging a bore hole - a bore hole is obviously a hole that is bored. He is digging a well. His team are digging a well by hand down to a depth approx. of 80ft to the water table. It will then be capped and a pump will be put in place at ground level. It is important, he was telling me, for it to be at least  6ft in diameter or at the depths that they will be digging there would be no air to breath. It is so far at a depth of 8ft after 2 days. It is going to be a long job. 

After making several payments we returned to Kampala where I had the unenviable task of driving in the dark. Driving in the day is one experience never to forget but driving at night in Kampala is definitely an experience to forget. No street lights, no lights on some vehicles, people walking everywhere, BodaBodas weaving in and out of the traffic in a huge  hurry to go nowhere, every person with a dark skin and in dark clothing, continued mayhem on the road. I have decided today that I will not drive again at night here. I will do everything to avoid it. 

P.S. Comments

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