Lovely September

So I kind of just felt like having a purge of info on what Is going on here. Will be just a quick update on some things. Hope it doesn’t come off as boring. Haha
Things have been great here the last couple of weeks (and generally overall). I just returned from a workshop out west in Mbarara, where we studied the Swedish development tool of using study circles as a means to participatory, grassroots development. Very simple concept of collectivizing people who have identified a shared problem/issue/need, identifying capacities, resources, knowledge within the group to address the issue, coming up with a formal study plan, and hosting weekly meetings on various micro topics to the larger issue on approaches to alleviating the issue at hand. It is extremely cost effective and extremely effective in planting the seeds for the development of cooperatives, and savings and credit unions. I have loved learning the approach and did it ever come with perks. Haha Got to stay at a lovely 5 star resort hotel in the middle of no where, with 45 really great field staff and partners of the Uganda Cooperative Alliance. It was a nice chance to meet the field officers in my project areas and to identify some solid needs that the cooperatives are identifying, so now I can get going on developing some training materials for my trips to the West Nile (up north along the Sudanese/DRC borders). The drive out to Mbarara was so beautiful. We drove through a national park (didn’t see any exotic animals), but got to see lots of small farms, huge plots of banana and kasava farms, beautiful hills and valleys, and the ultimate joy of holding on a pseudo-“Oh Shit” handle (ie, the headrest of the seat in front of me) as the crazy (Daloo) bus driver sped down pot-hole infested roads, swerving to dodge speed bumps, and oncoming cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles all driven by other Daloo drivers. Felt my stomach in my throat many times, but it was all part of the adventure. Nothing like being crammed in the back row of a bus, where there should be a row of 5 people (in this case 8) sitting like sardines in a can (a very small can. Haha) I loved it though, shared lots of laughs with the fellow passengers, had the cutest baby cry every time she looked at me (I guess seeing your first white person can be a little daunting at times. Haha), and played peekaboo with the kids on the bus. Didn’t know such a simple game could last so long and keep kids engaged. That is something I love here, how children can stay engaged and enjoy the simplest activities, and be so extremely crafty in making toys from the most random material (my favourite is the old bicycle tired and stick push.. Tried my hand at it.. Kids laughed as I couldn’t get into the groove of making it roll for very long.. Kids love how high I can throw things, so they bring me all kinds of stones, tires, balls, leaves (yeah those didn’t go too high when I threw them. Haha) and all sorts of other things)..
I will head up to West Nile this Monday. Really looking forward to it. The village supposedly has 1 street, 1 hotel, 1 TV, and it’s always football on the screen. Can’t wait. This is exactly the opportunity I have been waiting. To escape the city, see the beautiful countryside, meet as many people as I can, connect with the community members (trainings don’t start until about 3PM as farmers will be working their land in the morning. I am full planning on picking up a hoe, or learning to plow with an oxen and get involved in the farming with them. Hoping this will strengthen our relationships as well and foster trust). Was supposed to go up to Nebbi and Arua, but turns out I will be spending the whole week in Nebbi, which I really like as I can fully get engaged in some activities there, get to know the field officer really well, and form a closer relationship with the cooperative members to foster more inclusive trainings down the road when I return again. I am thinking I will focus on water and soil conservation as well as tea composting this time. Going to do a ad hoc needs assessment of the needs and see if there is more I can focus on as well. Will keep you updated on how the trip goes and will hopefully be able to post some pics (seems to take about 30 minutes to post 1 picture here. Painstakingly slow, but it makes you appreciate the internet more).
Tis it for now.. Hope you all are doing well and loving life..
Will report again soon
Love you lots
p.s- Happy Birthday Lynne. Have an incredible day!!!