DAY 1
The focus of the day has been meetings with Kachumbala Health Centre 3 Management Board, to confirm the layout of the New Maternity unit we plan to start late next week.
We made a courtesy visit to William Wilberforce, the senior local government politician, who promised to come to site the day we start, so we asked him to make it a ground breaking ceremony.
The Nyakoi Village Grain Store is now open, the women's cooperative have currently have 80 bags in the store, shortly to be sold now grain prices have doubled.
Robert and Florence are delighted, Florence is the Chair of the cooperative, and told me that this and the goat project are making life better for the community. It means the women now have an income and can contribute to the major financial expenses such as school fees. It also means couples now talk about money in a much more meaningful way.
A hot and busy but rewarding first day. Tomorrow is a rest day, so off to the pool with Grace and Joseph.
The focus of the day has been meetings with Kachumbala Health Centre 3 Management Board, to confirm the layout of the New Maternity unit we plan to start late next week.
We made a courtesy visit to William Wilberforce, the senior local government politician, who promised to come to site the day we start, so we asked him to make it a ground breaking ceremony.
The Nyakoi Village Grain Store is now open, the women's cooperative have currently have 80 bags in the store, shortly to be sold now grain prices have doubled.
Robert and Florence are delighted, Florence is the Chair of the cooperative, and told me that this and the goat project are making life better for the community. It means the women now have an income and can contribute to the major financial expenses such as school fees. It also means couples now talk about money in a much more meaningful way.
A hot and busy but rewarding first day. Tomorrow is a rest day, so off to the pool with Grace and Joseph.
DAY 2
Here's day 2 at the pool. Mission work is tough.
Here's day 2 at the pool. Mission work is tough.
DAY 3
After a relaxing day swimming and watching the rugby yesterday, Sunday had been full on.
Church in Koutulai saw 2 of our SaltPeter students, Michael & James, leading the service. And after the service we held a meeting with the Koutulai Widows' Cooperative to discuss the borehole. The heavy use had drawn down the water level, so more pipes to draw from greater depth are needed, but neighbours are reluctant to contribute to the maintenance fund. I urged them to take responsibility for hole maintenance, meantime we'll look at erecting a fence around the compound to keep animals away, and allow fruit trees to grow without attacks from cows and goats. Here's the widows who already have received cows, 11 still to go.
The Arizo Kawo United Football Club were recipients of a 'Sunderland' kit last year thanks to Ynysmawddwy Arms Hotel. We were invited to meet the team, we heard they had been promoted last season and provide training in football and agricultural skills.
I received a live chicken as a gift, followed by a demonstration game of soccer. The coach is the local Science teacher, they have set up an impressive structure, providing the youth an opportunity to compete. Then on to see Michael's new 1 acre of land. He lost his father during the Insurgency in the 1990's, Mum remarried, so he was brought up by his Grandmother. Sadly, family disputes has left him without a home, so the new plot will allow him to build a home later this year. He has been sponsored through school and will graduate in Development Studies in the summer. Here's his family, reunited again, on the new land with temporary house, who gratefully received a gift of a chicken.
Another good day.
After a relaxing day swimming and watching the rugby yesterday, Sunday had been full on.
Church in Koutulai saw 2 of our SaltPeter students, Michael & James, leading the service. And after the service we held a meeting with the Koutulai Widows' Cooperative to discuss the borehole. The heavy use had drawn down the water level, so more pipes to draw from greater depth are needed, but neighbours are reluctant to contribute to the maintenance fund. I urged them to take responsibility for hole maintenance, meantime we'll look at erecting a fence around the compound to keep animals away, and allow fruit trees to grow without attacks from cows and goats. Here's the widows who already have received cows, 11 still to go.
The Arizo Kawo United Football Club were recipients of a 'Sunderland' kit last year thanks to Ynysmawddwy Arms Hotel. We were invited to meet the team, we heard they had been promoted last season and provide training in football and agricultural skills.
I received a live chicken as a gift, followed by a demonstration game of soccer. The coach is the local Science teacher, they have set up an impressive structure, providing the youth an opportunity to compete. Then on to see Michael's new 1 acre of land. He lost his father during the Insurgency in the 1990's, Mum remarried, so he was brought up by his Grandmother. Sadly, family disputes has left him without a home, so the new plot will allow him to build a home later this year. He has been sponsored through school and will graduate in Development Studies in the summer. Here's his family, reunited again, on the new land with temporary house, who gratefully received a gift of a chicken.
Another good day.
DAY 4
Today was a preparation day for the commencement of the Kachumbala Health Centre 3 Maternity Unit, scheduled to start on Friday 20 February. A meeting with Robert Adiba established a list of materials and tools for delivery to site this week, followed by a snagging visit to Kachumbala Grain Store and Mill to list the final finishing work necessary.
We visited the Mr Patrick Olila, Chief Administrative Office for Bukedea District, to extend an invitation to the Ground Breaking Ceremony on Friday, and to run through the scheme with him.
We received a very warm welcome. He told us there was just one qualified doctor in Bukedea District covering 200,000 people, and he is pressing the Ministry of Health for more. A new Maternity Unit will help his endeavours. Back to Kachumbala HC3 we identified a lockable store for tools and cement, and a suitable position for a septic tank, so there will be plenty of hand excavation work starting on Friday.
We dined with Robert and Florence again, fish, beef, pork and chicken all on offer, wonderful grub, such kind people.
Another good day. A quieter day in Mbali is the plan for tomorrow.
Today was a preparation day for the commencement of the Kachumbala Health Centre 3 Maternity Unit, scheduled to start on Friday 20 February. A meeting with Robert Adiba established a list of materials and tools for delivery to site this week, followed by a snagging visit to Kachumbala Grain Store and Mill to list the final finishing work necessary.
We visited the Mr Patrick Olila, Chief Administrative Office for Bukedea District, to extend an invitation to the Ground Breaking Ceremony on Friday, and to run through the scheme with him.
We received a very warm welcome. He told us there was just one qualified doctor in Bukedea District covering 200,000 people, and he is pressing the Ministry of Health for more. A new Maternity Unit will help his endeavours. Back to Kachumbala HC3 we identified a lockable store for tools and cement, and a suitable position for a septic tank, so there will be plenty of hand excavation work starting on Friday.
We dined with Robert and Florence again, fish, beef, pork and chicken all on offer, wonderful grub, such kind people.
Another good day. A quieter day in Mbali is the plan for tomorrow.
DAY 5
A quieter Tuesday, concentrating on developing drawings for the Maternity Unit in Kachumbala. Dan had worked into the night to finish them following yesterday's site inspection, and was ably assisted this morning by his little helpers, here's one of them.
The morning brought rain to the delight of all, only the second shower in 6 weeks, but enough for 2 intrepid explorers to don storm gear.
Lunch in the local Christian cafe provided an opportunity to meet Pont workers, Pastor Apollo, our long term friend, and obtain an invitation for Carole, our Maternity Director who arrives on Thursday evening, to see the maternity unit in Mbale Hospital on Saturday morning.
We have twice tried to meet the Bukadea Council Engineer to get final approvals for the scheme, but finally met this evening in Mbale give him a set of drawings of the Maternity Unit, and he promised us his full support. Formal approval is possible this week! Here's what we plan, existing to the right, proposed to the left. (pic 4)
Pancakes tonight in True British fashion.
A quieter Tuesday, concentrating on developing drawings for the Maternity Unit in Kachumbala. Dan had worked into the night to finish them following yesterday's site inspection, and was ably assisted this morning by his little helpers, here's one of them.
The morning brought rain to the delight of all, only the second shower in 6 weeks, but enough for 2 intrepid explorers to don storm gear.
Lunch in the local Christian cafe provided an opportunity to meet Pont workers, Pastor Apollo, our long term friend, and obtain an invitation for Carole, our Maternity Director who arrives on Thursday evening, to see the maternity unit in Mbale Hospital on Saturday morning.
We have twice tried to meet the Bukadea Council Engineer to get final approvals for the scheme, but finally met this evening in Mbale give him a set of drawings of the Maternity Unit, and he promised us his full support. Formal approval is possible this week! Here's what we plan, existing to the right, proposed to the left. (pic 4)
Pancakes tonight in True British fashion.
DAY 6
A gentle start was interrupted by a call from the RDC, the President' representative in Bukadea, he had heard we planned to build a Maternity Unit, and asked if he could meet us here in Mbale today to understand our plans. So to the Mount Elgon Resort Hotel, the place in town where all business seems to be done, and we explained what we had been up to over the last 15 years. He's the top man in Bukadea, and needs to know of everything happening in his District. As we talked he was interrupted by a call he said came from his Boss. Since he addressed the caller as 'Your Excellency' we guessed it was the President calling. Anyway he came back to humbler souls, and went away happy with a copy of our design report under his arm.
Good news from the Engineer, we have all the approvals for the scheme, so building can start on Friday, and the RDC agreed to join our Ground Breaking Ceremony.
We visited several hardware stores to look for parts for a low cost solar water heater designed by EFOD London. We have some ideas and hope to build a prototype here next week.
Throughout our visit we have experienced cuts in power and water supplies, so we've just invested in a portable wi-fI hotspot so we can communicate when power is down here in town, and from the project sites which are always in rural areas. As I write, the power is off and we are illuminated by rechargeable solar lamps, and relying on the rechargeable hotspot for connectivity.
When it rains here it really rains, we sat in the wi-fi shop for a while looking out of the window.
The streets an Mbale are a complete mess, the pot holed surface of the Main Street was removed in September but the contractor dismissed from the job before resurfacing. In the afternoon the area was drowning in dust, minutes later the place was awash.
So home on a piki (motorbike taxi) when the rain stopped.
The crowd from Carmarthen, well 4 engineers and a midwife, arrive in Mbale tomorrow to keep us on our toes.
A gentle start was interrupted by a call from the RDC, the President' representative in Bukadea, he had heard we planned to build a Maternity Unit, and asked if he could meet us here in Mbale today to understand our plans. So to the Mount Elgon Resort Hotel, the place in town where all business seems to be done, and we explained what we had been up to over the last 15 years. He's the top man in Bukadea, and needs to know of everything happening in his District. As we talked he was interrupted by a call he said came from his Boss. Since he addressed the caller as 'Your Excellency' we guessed it was the President calling. Anyway he came back to humbler souls, and went away happy with a copy of our design report under his arm.
Good news from the Engineer, we have all the approvals for the scheme, so building can start on Friday, and the RDC agreed to join our Ground Breaking Ceremony.
We visited several hardware stores to look for parts for a low cost solar water heater designed by EFOD London. We have some ideas and hope to build a prototype here next week.
Throughout our visit we have experienced cuts in power and water supplies, so we've just invested in a portable wi-fI hotspot so we can communicate when power is down here in town, and from the project sites which are always in rural areas. As I write, the power is off and we are illuminated by rechargeable solar lamps, and relying on the rechargeable hotspot for connectivity.
When it rains here it really rains, we sat in the wi-fi shop for a while looking out of the window.
The streets an Mbale are a complete mess, the pot holed surface of the Main Street was removed in September but the contractor dismissed from the job before resurfacing. In the afternoon the area was drowning in dust, minutes later the place was awash.
So home on a piki (motorbike taxi) when the rain stopped.
The crowd from Carmarthen, well 4 engineers and a midwife, arrive in Mbale tomorrow to keep us on our toes.
DAY 7
Power is erratic here, we were without for 24 hours, which makes progress a little more challenging. We ran down the indoor solar lights last night and recharged them in the sun this morning. But all other appliances have been off. It shows how difficult it is to make things happen.
We decamped to Endero's the delightful Coffee House, and recharged our appliances, saw off administration matters, awash with good coffee and grub.
Our Carmarthen friends flew in last night minus one suitcase, overnights in Entebbe, and set off on the road to Mbale. I received a random call mid morning and discovered the passenger with the wrong suitcase calling, and diverted Moses so he could collect on the way through Kampala. I am always amazed how things work here, total confusion, but a bit like a large village, because somehow things do happen, and Del got his bag back. They arrived in Mbale tonight.
Tomorrow's task is to mark out the building, allow the officials to break the ground, and then begin excavations for the foundations. Meantime we'll get Carole, our Maternity Director, to liaise with the maternity staff.
Power is erratic here, we were without for 24 hours, which makes progress a little more challenging. We ran down the indoor solar lights last night and recharged them in the sun this morning. But all other appliances have been off. It shows how difficult it is to make things happen.
We decamped to Endero's the delightful Coffee House, and recharged our appliances, saw off administration matters, awash with good coffee and grub.
Our Carmarthen friends flew in last night minus one suitcase, overnights in Entebbe, and set off on the road to Mbale. I received a random call mid morning and discovered the passenger with the wrong suitcase calling, and diverted Moses so he could collect on the way through Kampala. I am always amazed how things work here, total confusion, but a bit like a large village, because somehow things do happen, and Del got his bag back. They arrived in Mbale tonight.
Tomorrow's task is to mark out the building, allow the officials to break the ground, and then begin excavations for the foundations. Meantime we'll get Carole, our Maternity Director, to liaise with the maternity staff.
DAY 8
A successful start to the Maternity Unit today. We arrived to hear 3 babies had been born overnight, and all the mothers had been discharged before 8am.
There were 20 men on site, so they were equipped; the building marked out and the official Ground Breaking Ceremony held with the head politicians and civil servants, Followed by a feast. And then the real work started.
A Great start, and a lot of hard work before us, but the happiness of all those involved was palpable.
A successful start to the Maternity Unit today. We arrived to hear 3 babies had been born overnight, and all the mothers had been discharged before 8am.
There were 20 men on site, so they were equipped; the building marked out and the official Ground Breaking Ceremony held with the head politicians and civil servants, Followed by a feast. And then the real work started.
A Great start, and a lot of hard work before us, but the happiness of all those involved was palpable.
DAY 9
After the excitement of Friday, Saturday has been a little more settled.
The Building Team cracked on with digging for the maternity block foundations and drainage tanks, hard ground and hard work.
Carole met Dr Cathy, a UK specialist in neonatal care working in Mbale Hospital, and visited the Maternity Unit there, delivering 3 babies! A great introduction to the standards on Maternal Care in Uganda, and to Cathy's fantastic work keeping premature babies alive.
I looked at another possible future project. Faith School currently meet in the incomplete development offices of Kwarikwar Church.
They have an option on a piece of adjacent land, and ambitious ideas for a primary school for over 300 children to improve their education. The local Government School nearby is basic, with large classes and is poorly performing. English is only taught from year 3 or 4, so early proficiency in our language is poor, yet this is the basis of all national examinations. Big ambitions, but Faith Primary School started 12 months ago, and already has 10 forms, 10 teachers and 160 children.
I also met Ali as headed through Mbale on his way to Soroti. He's a final year Medical Student from Cardiff Uni who is undertaking his 6 week elective in the Soroti Referral Hospital and our Baptist Medical Centre. It's his first time in Africa, but a great foundation for his medical career.
We finished the day off with a meal in Mount Elgon entertaining Cathy, husband Adam and daughter Eseld, a wonderful couple, Adam is an Anaesthetist, together they run 'Born on the Edge' charity, check it out, their commitment to their cause is tremendous.
After the excitement of Friday, Saturday has been a little more settled.
The Building Team cracked on with digging for the maternity block foundations and drainage tanks, hard ground and hard work.
Carole met Dr Cathy, a UK specialist in neonatal care working in Mbale Hospital, and visited the Maternity Unit there, delivering 3 babies! A great introduction to the standards on Maternal Care in Uganda, and to Cathy's fantastic work keeping premature babies alive.
I looked at another possible future project. Faith School currently meet in the incomplete development offices of Kwarikwar Church.
They have an option on a piece of adjacent land, and ambitious ideas for a primary school for over 300 children to improve their education. The local Government School nearby is basic, with large classes and is poorly performing. English is only taught from year 3 or 4, so early proficiency in our language is poor, yet this is the basis of all national examinations. Big ambitions, but Faith Primary School started 12 months ago, and already has 10 forms, 10 teachers and 160 children.
I also met Ali as headed through Mbale on his way to Soroti. He's a final year Medical Student from Cardiff Uni who is undertaking his 6 week elective in the Soroti Referral Hospital and our Baptist Medical Centre. It's his first time in Africa, but a great foundation for his medical career.
We finished the day off with a meal in Mount Elgon entertaining Cathy, husband Adam and daughter Eseld, a wonderful couple, Adam is an Anaesthetist, together they run 'Born on the Edge' charity, check it out, their commitment to their cause is tremendous.
DAY 10
Sunday has been a day of rest, Sipi Falls for the South West Wales Team, a morning service in Bethel Baptist Church for me.
This was followed by a lazy afternoon. I have been reflecting on the essentials to life, water and power today. When we lived in Trinidad in the early 1980's we boiled and chilled our water. Here Anna and Dave have a wonderful water filter in their kitchen.
And then chilled in the fridge, subject of course to power.
Things have changed significantly since I first came in 2000. The shops are reasonably stocked now, here's Dave investigating the varieties of local coffee.
Years gone by I was lucky to find any to bring back to UK. It shows the improvements in the availability of foods.
We've had sickness in the household since we arrived, fortunately the children here are now well, Dan is still shaking it off, healthy smell of dettol still pervades the place.
Back to normal tomorrow, building will continue, Dan is investigating material availability, I plan a day trip to Soroti to show Carole the medical facilities there. Thankfully the main road is now complete, so the journey time will be little more than 1 hour, it was 2 1/2 last time.
Sunday has been a day of rest, Sipi Falls for the South West Wales Team, a morning service in Bethel Baptist Church for me.
This was followed by a lazy afternoon. I have been reflecting on the essentials to life, water and power today. When we lived in Trinidad in the early 1980's we boiled and chilled our water. Here Anna and Dave have a wonderful water filter in their kitchen.
And then chilled in the fridge, subject of course to power.
Things have changed significantly since I first came in 2000. The shops are reasonably stocked now, here's Dave investigating the varieties of local coffee.
Years gone by I was lucky to find any to bring back to UK. It shows the improvements in the availability of foods.
We've had sickness in the household since we arrived, fortunately the children here are now well, Dan is still shaking it off, healthy smell of dettol still pervades the place.
Back to normal tomorrow, building will continue, Dan is investigating material availability, I plan a day trip to Soroti to show Carole the medical facilities there. Thankfully the main road is now complete, so the journey time will be little more than 1 hour, it was 2 1/2 last time.
DAY 11
A day in Soroti to show Carole, our maternity Advisor the practices in Safe Motherhood and Soroti Referral Hospital, and the building style at the Baptist Medical Centre. Safe Motherhood is a wonderful example of a maternity provision.
Soroti Baptist Medical Centre is operating well, and Alistair a Medical Student from Cardiff Uni. was there on the first day of his Elective.
Carole had her first ride on a Boda Boda across the Savannah, and a visit to the hospital Maternity Unit, I tried to inspect the incinerator EFOD built in 2006, and rebuilt in 2011. Sadly a failure has lead to piles of waste smouldering around the compound, rather disappointing.
It was good to meet good friends again, a brief visit, but I plan to return later in the week.
A day in Soroti to show Carole, our maternity Advisor the practices in Safe Motherhood and Soroti Referral Hospital, and the building style at the Baptist Medical Centre. Safe Motherhood is a wonderful example of a maternity provision.
Soroti Baptist Medical Centre is operating well, and Alistair a Medical Student from Cardiff Uni. was there on the first day of his Elective.
Carole had her first ride on a Boda Boda across the Savannah, and a visit to the hospital Maternity Unit, I tried to inspect the incinerator EFOD built in 2006, and rebuilt in 2011. Sadly a failure has lead to piles of waste smouldering around the compound, rather disappointing.
It was good to meet good friends again, a brief visit, but I plan to return later in the week.
DAY 12
Today the Kachumbala Grinding Mill & Grain Store was formally opened by the LC 5 the senior elected politician on the District, with the wonderful name William Wilberforce. He did so with great aplomb, demonstrations his Teso dancing skills as he arrived late, as is the way here.
The grain store is intended to improve food security, and will require good management skills to achieve its full potential. The delivery of grain sacks is quite simple!
Members of the cooperative enjoyed themselves.
Today the Kachumbala Grinding Mill & Grain Store was formally opened by the LC 5 the senior elected politician on the District, with the wonderful name William Wilberforce. He did so with great aplomb, demonstrations his Teso dancing skills as he arrived late, as is the way here.
The grain store is intended to improve food security, and will require good management skills to achieve its full potential. The delivery of grain sacks is quite simple!
Members of the cooperative enjoyed themselves.
DAY 14
Soroti is Toooo Hot. The hotel is fine although I think the bed bugs had a nibble last night.
The new Administrator at the Medical Centre, Samuel, seems to be very good and is very much in charge. Not many patients, all a bit slack in the dry season, so he has reduced the staff by 1 and is quite firm with random requests for money. Patients will rise when the rains come any time now.
We reviewed the books, and agreed some cost cutting and efficiency measures.
Each time I come To the Medical Centre there are 4 boys willing to work on minor repair schemes at £2.50 a day. So they have been rodding drains and replacing a cracked toilet.
At the hospital i took Principal Administrator Thomson to the site of the waste incinerator. He had met the Council this morning and discovered the skip lorry which had been off the road for a month, has finally been repaired, so work cleaning up the mess will start. I persuaded him to hire a machine to remove all the accumulated waste, and we meet the Council on site at 10 tomorrow to ensure the work proceeds.
So a promise of a repair for the incinerators suggests progress is possible with a bit of bullying.
An interesting day, and I plan to dine with 2 of the Board of the Medical centre tonight to explore ways to increase patronage.
Soroti is Toooo Hot. The hotel is fine although I think the bed bugs had a nibble last night.
The new Administrator at the Medical Centre, Samuel, seems to be very good and is very much in charge. Not many patients, all a bit slack in the dry season, so he has reduced the staff by 1 and is quite firm with random requests for money. Patients will rise when the rains come any time now.
We reviewed the books, and agreed some cost cutting and efficiency measures.
Each time I come To the Medical Centre there are 4 boys willing to work on minor repair schemes at £2.50 a day. So they have been rodding drains and replacing a cracked toilet.
At the hospital i took Principal Administrator Thomson to the site of the waste incinerator. He had met the Council this morning and discovered the skip lorry which had been off the road for a month, has finally been repaired, so work cleaning up the mess will start. I persuaded him to hire a machine to remove all the accumulated waste, and we meet the Council on site at 10 tomorrow to ensure the work proceeds.
So a promise of a repair for the incinerators suggests progress is possible with a bit of bullying.
An interesting day, and I plan to dine with 2 of the Board of the Medical centre tonight to explore ways to increase patronage.
DAY 15
I spent yesterday evening with Bishop John & Grace Echeru, and Eibu Sam who joined us later, interesting to hear their work.
This morning saw developments at the Hospital Waste Incinerator, with promises from the Director to remove the waste and repair both incinerators. Obula, their maintenance man assured me he was nearly there, suggesting they have at last accepted responsibility to maintain a something EFOD built 10 years ago. I had expected removal by lorry, I think they plan removal of the ash, and clearance of the adjacent lane using the prisoners.
Road repairs are in hand in Soroti, but with the loss of many of the beautiful 100 year old trees around the Savannah. I had put this down to engineers wanting wide roads but today discovered each town counsellor had been given a tree, and have sold the timber for substantial personal gain. Such a waste.
The matter of ambulances, or their absence, has often been discussed on this trip. Here's Soroti's answer, simple cheap to run and easy to maintain.
On the return to Mbale I called I in to Kumi Hospital to meet the new Administrator, and discuss incinerator maintenance and pump repairs, all jolly boring but necessary stuff.
Another good day, but pleased to be back with Dave & Anna & the kids. Grub on Fridays is always exceptional, Rebecca the cook comes in for the day, and the chicken pie tonight was wonderful.
I spent yesterday evening with Bishop John & Grace Echeru, and Eibu Sam who joined us later, interesting to hear their work.
This morning saw developments at the Hospital Waste Incinerator, with promises from the Director to remove the waste and repair both incinerators. Obula, their maintenance man assured me he was nearly there, suggesting they have at last accepted responsibility to maintain a something EFOD built 10 years ago. I had expected removal by lorry, I think they plan removal of the ash, and clearance of the adjacent lane using the prisoners.
Road repairs are in hand in Soroti, but with the loss of many of the beautiful 100 year old trees around the Savannah. I had put this down to engineers wanting wide roads but today discovered each town counsellor had been given a tree, and have sold the timber for substantial personal gain. Such a waste.
The matter of ambulances, or their absence, has often been discussed on this trip. Here's Soroti's answer, simple cheap to run and easy to maintain.
On the return to Mbale I called I in to Kumi Hospital to meet the new Administrator, and discuss incinerator maintenance and pump repairs, all jolly boring but necessary stuff.
Another good day, but pleased to be back with Dave & Anna & the kids. Grub on Fridays is always exceptional, Rebecca the cook comes in for the day, and the chicken pie tonight was wonderful.
DAY 17
After a busy week, a quiet weekend has been in order. Highlight of the weekend has been the arrival of Sniff, an 8 week old Alsatian/ bull mastiff cross at Dave & Anna's house, to the delight of Grace and Joseph.The 2 older Labradors will not last forever, and Sniff is now best of friends with the 1 year old Alsatian Ruby.
I have managed to restrict business to a couple of meetings over the last couple of days, including 30 minutes with the 2 EFOD Cardiff engineers who arrived today to work at Malera on a water supply project. Otherwise swimming, church and rugby have occupied my time. I watched the Wales v France game with a bevy of volunteers from Pontypridd, and the 4 EFOD Carmarthen guys, a respectfully quiet but satisfied response from them at the end.
I must correct a wrong impression I may have given you last weekend when I illustrated the contents of Dave and Anna's fridge. My intention was to show a door full of water bottles, I but I carelessly revealed a load of luxury goods on the door, such as pickle, chorizo and cheese. I must stress that these items were smuggled in by Dan & I and are certainly not available for purchase here!
The rains seem to have started, we experience a fine storm overnight, and the grass around the house is responding. Unfortunately it also means muddy paws on clothes and floors if the dogs jump up or sneak into the house.
The power has been fine this weekend, although our internet connection has been rather weak, so communications have been hampered.
Back to Malera, some 40 km away, along some dirt roads tomorrow to gauge community support tomorrow, before EFOD Cardiff commit more resources to the provision of tanks and a solar borehole pump to supply water to the public and their livestock in a very deprived area.
After a busy week, a quiet weekend has been in order. Highlight of the weekend has been the arrival of Sniff, an 8 week old Alsatian/ bull mastiff cross at Dave & Anna's house, to the delight of Grace and Joseph.The 2 older Labradors will not last forever, and Sniff is now best of friends with the 1 year old Alsatian Ruby.
I have managed to restrict business to a couple of meetings over the last couple of days, including 30 minutes with the 2 EFOD Cardiff engineers who arrived today to work at Malera on a water supply project. Otherwise swimming, church and rugby have occupied my time. I watched the Wales v France game with a bevy of volunteers from Pontypridd, and the 4 EFOD Carmarthen guys, a respectfully quiet but satisfied response from them at the end.
I must correct a wrong impression I may have given you last weekend when I illustrated the contents of Dave and Anna's fridge. My intention was to show a door full of water bottles, I but I carelessly revealed a load of luxury goods on the door, such as pickle, chorizo and cheese. I must stress that these items were smuggled in by Dan & I and are certainly not available for purchase here!
The rains seem to have started, we experience a fine storm overnight, and the grass around the house is responding. Unfortunately it also means muddy paws on clothes and floors if the dogs jump up or sneak into the house.
The power has been fine this weekend, although our internet connection has been rather weak, so communications have been hampered.
Back to Malera, some 40 km away, along some dirt roads tomorrow to gauge community support tomorrow, before EFOD Cardiff commit more resources to the provision of tanks and a solar borehole pump to supply water to the public and their livestock in a very deprived area.
DAY 18
Nearing the end of the trip, the potentially most challenging meeting was with the community in Malera. For the last 3 years EFOD Cardiff have been working to refurbish a borehole used by a community of 500 homes, and the Engineers have developed a sophisticated system to replace a hand pump with a solar pump to abstract more water for public use and to feed troughs for cattle. It is usual here for users to pay 1000 shillings (22p) per month to a committee to ensure their borehole can be maintained, but each time we come to site the hand pump is broken, suggesting a lack of community engagement, questioning the likelihood of maintenance of a new system. The village is incredibly poor, the need unquestionable, so community sensitisation essential.
Maybe 60 of us met under a large tree, including the elders. The Musai, the Grandfather of them all, was able to tell us the history of the borehole, installed in 1947, with tanks and cattle troughs provided by the MP in 1967, later destroyed during the insurrection.
The old committee were using monthly funds to buy food, and so a new committee had been elected and had started to collect the user charge. I explained that in the UK we pay 150-250,000 shillings per month for water, and failure to pay meant disconnection, whilst they were asked for the cost of 1 bottle of coke cola per month (something of an exaggeration, since our charges include sewage charges I now realise). EFOD are prepared to invest £20,000 on this scheme but only if they are willing to pay user charges to ensure its maintenance. A lively debate ensued, many expressed embarrassment, and they agreed to double the charge so they can maintain the system and employ day and night watchmen to guarantee its security, a promising response and we can monitor their commitment as we build over the next few months.
I left the 2 EFOD Engineers to start their work, and moved on to interview 2 of the students SaltPeter have supported since they entered secondary school.
Immaculate was orphaned in childhood and SPT have funded her education for the last 12 years. In April she will complete her Diploma in accountancy. She is now 24, and wants to obtain all her 'papers' so she can fully support herself, a delightful and determined young lady.
John is in year 1 of a degree in Fisheries at Makerere University in Kampala, and loves life on campus. He has just been on his first Industrial placement for 2 months, returning to Uni this week, and plans to develop nearby ponds in his village to breed fish over the summer, the previous owner had the idea 'but not the knowledge' These are just 2 of a dozen SPT educate thanks to the regular donations from families in the UK, their determination to do well and help change their own community is inspiring.
My last day tomorrow, most but not all objectives achieved, but a fortunate man to be able to spend time with my family, one of whom has just started dance & ballet lessons!
Nearing the end of the trip, the potentially most challenging meeting was with the community in Malera. For the last 3 years EFOD Cardiff have been working to refurbish a borehole used by a community of 500 homes, and the Engineers have developed a sophisticated system to replace a hand pump with a solar pump to abstract more water for public use and to feed troughs for cattle. It is usual here for users to pay 1000 shillings (22p) per month to a committee to ensure their borehole can be maintained, but each time we come to site the hand pump is broken, suggesting a lack of community engagement, questioning the likelihood of maintenance of a new system. The village is incredibly poor, the need unquestionable, so community sensitisation essential.
Maybe 60 of us met under a large tree, including the elders. The Musai, the Grandfather of them all, was able to tell us the history of the borehole, installed in 1947, with tanks and cattle troughs provided by the MP in 1967, later destroyed during the insurrection.
The old committee were using monthly funds to buy food, and so a new committee had been elected and had started to collect the user charge. I explained that in the UK we pay 150-250,000 shillings per month for water, and failure to pay meant disconnection, whilst they were asked for the cost of 1 bottle of coke cola per month (something of an exaggeration, since our charges include sewage charges I now realise). EFOD are prepared to invest £20,000 on this scheme but only if they are willing to pay user charges to ensure its maintenance. A lively debate ensued, many expressed embarrassment, and they agreed to double the charge so they can maintain the system and employ day and night watchmen to guarantee its security, a promising response and we can monitor their commitment as we build over the next few months.
I left the 2 EFOD Engineers to start their work, and moved on to interview 2 of the students SaltPeter have supported since they entered secondary school.
Immaculate was orphaned in childhood and SPT have funded her education for the last 12 years. In April she will complete her Diploma in accountancy. She is now 24, and wants to obtain all her 'papers' so she can fully support herself, a delightful and determined young lady.
John is in year 1 of a degree in Fisheries at Makerere University in Kampala, and loves life on campus. He has just been on his first Industrial placement for 2 months, returning to Uni this week, and plans to develop nearby ponds in his village to breed fish over the summer, the previous owner had the idea 'but not the knowledge' These are just 2 of a dozen SPT educate thanks to the regular donations from families in the UK, their determination to do well and help change their own community is inspiring.
My last day tomorrow, most but not all objectives achieved, but a fortunate man to be able to spend time with my family, one of whom has just started dance & ballet lessons!