We have talked for about a year of the need for a bore hole at Malangata. In both meetings this week, with the elders and with the 'dropouts', it was of equal importance to them as the proposed apprenticeships and training opportunities that we will offer there. I have spoken at many events over the past year or so and asked for funds so that we can sink a bore hole at Malangata. Today was exciting as we seemed to be nearing the fulfilment of a long term goal or at least exploring near to its completion.
This morning we travelled cross country on the most appalling of roads so far, to meet an engineer who has so far installed 80 bore holes. Several months ago we took a quote for approximate £5000. Zub - his newly christened nickname because I can't pronounce his full name - will manually install for us at 11,000 000 Shillings. That is £2750. We visited several installations and also went to his home to see what he has done there. The system is so simple and has the advantage over many installations in that it can easily be adapted to add an electrical pump at a later date. This would mean that the centre could have runnIng water, showers and taps direct from the water table. It is easy to maintain and would take a couple of hours for repair should it be necessary. I mustn't lose sight of everything else that we do here but we certainly need this at Malangata and in my thinking also at the new plot on the Mityana Road. The locals at that place have been waiting for 3 years. At a village meeting back then I gave half the money to ensure it was done immediately. The government has promised many times but it is expected that it will not deliver for several years yet. Zub has 2 wives and 5 children. He stays in a small house at the end of a road. In fact the road finishes at his front door. He has built it himself. With his water skills he has produced a family home that by African standards is very well equipped. We inspected his pump, the well, an underground reservoir which is there for 'just in case', And his overhead tanks. Sim also checked out his flushing toilet, sinks and showers. Zub has no qualifications and can't speak English particularly well. He dropped out of school at 13. But has the knack of getting it done. He is the right kind of role model the youth at Malangata need.
I commissioned him to sink us a well at Malangata and tomorrow we have a site meeting to plan the installation. I now have a death defying balancing act to perform as I want the building finished but I also want water there and I also need to be seen to be a man of my word and produce the goods as soon as possible. The dropouts want the centre open yesterday. I told them that it will be a gradual process but I want the first things to be happening by Christmas this year. I am used to such balancing acts and pressure so look forward to the challenge of keeping all people on side and delivering by December. If you have spare pennies that you'd like to commit to the bore hole or the Malangata Centre please get giving.
After this superb meeting we headed back to Kampala via the most ridiculous set of road repairs and management system of those roadworks you have ever seen. Total Mayhem. I usually maintain a passive demeanour but this was an occasion when I began to show my frustrations.
We arrived at the funeral and discovered the story of the death as the funeral progressed. There were some 50 or 60 vehicles parked by the side of the road and as we approached the funeral place we quickly estimated just how many attendees there were. We reckoned aproximately 1000. It was obviously the funeral from a rich family as they had paid for a funeral management company. Tents, flowers, food and a hearse. Poor people do it themselves. This seemed an extraordinarily large affair to us but were informed that it wasn't large at all. Funerals are a community occasion. This particular funeral was for a 23 year old that had been shot dead in his home. The police have decided to let the perpetrators escape this time apparently because it would be too costly to open an investigation. At an African funeral it appears that if you have something to say you may take the microphone and address the congregation. The local MP was in attendance and so he took the opportunity, after a 2 minute expression of sadness at the tragedy, to use the funeral as a political rally. As an opposition MP he felt it is his duty to point out the President's failings, the inadequacies of the police force etc. the grievers sniggered and openly laughed with embarrassment and showed their frustrations with the arrogance of the man. It was appalling. TIA (This Is Africa).
I enquired as to the unusual nature of this type of funeral and was told that this is a regular occurrence. Yesterday in another district 10 people from one household were poisoned, I was informed, and 3 days ago 6 members of another family were murdered - shot dead. This type of thing is unfortunately very common here. Unpaid debts, thefts, disagreements, sometimes for the most of petty reasons. It seems Uganda is much closer to lawlessness than the UK. On reflection maybe the politician has a point, but at a funeral?
We returned to our accommodation and ate a meal of Tilapia, chips and Ugandan spinach served and cooked by Mama Florence. It was delicious.
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