Beans and rice again

We have arrived in Uganda and have settled in well. Our first few days were spent in Kampala where we enjoyed Erytrean food and Tim's hospitality (Deputy Country Director for Mercycorps, the company we are working for). Kampala is a "reasonably" cosmopolitan city on the edge of Lake Victoria. Unfortunately we didn't have any time for touring, but did manage to stock up on a few essentials before moving up to Kotido. This is in the North East of Uganda, in the Karamojoan territory where we will be spending most of our time.
Some of you blog readers may be wondering why we are in Uganda. A brief update is that we are not on vacation or a back packing jolly. We are working for an American NGO as economic development officers or to put it simply, we are helping people to start up and run profitable businesses. If you are interested in the detail, there is a website - www.mercycorps.org


This is our little home for the next 6 months. You're right, no satellite dish or TV aerial, however we have got running (cold) water and electricity, but not much of either. We have a nice little sitting area in the front, but we have to share this with cows, chickens, ghekkos and a million bugs. Apart from that, it's fine. We have been entertaining ourselves with watching DVDs and playing backgammon.

It is a little like the Wild West round here. This is the "main" road into town. Traffic is not really an issue and unlike Cyprus, there is no problem about walking on the pavements. Wild West is actually not a good description as the people are in reality nice and friendly. This guy is not taking his goats for a walk, he is taking them for lunch!!

This is the local market built by Mercycorps. It is busy with lots of traders all selling similar stufff, so choice is a touch limited. We haven't found a bread or cheese stall yet, but remain hopeful.

These two made it past lunch!

How cool is this? Whisky in a sachet. Would it catch on in UK?

There is a bit of building work going on, near our house. The paper bag on the guy's head complies with all relevant safety standards, including UV protection. Scaffolding is also to a high standard - yeah right!

This ugly looking bird is a Malibu Stork and it is huge. Look at the size of the crow near it. This was taken outside our hotel in Kampala.

This is Phillip, one of the entrepreneurs we will be working with. He has a milling business.

Phillips business is in a village called Kachery and we were mobbed by these children as we walked through.

Another Mercycorps project. These people are building a much needed micro dam under a scheme called Cash for Work. There has been a high dependency on handouts. Obviously this scheme is slightly different as people get paid for working. When the project is finished, the local community is financially better off and will have a critical water source to see them through the dry season. A real win:win situation.

This is Daniel, the project grant's manager we are working with. One of the problems is the ground is really hard - Daniel is showing us the bent hoe.

How's this for a builders radio. Dewalt and Makita - eat your hearts out. It really is a radio and it does work!

This is the site it was working on - a grain storage silo built by Mercycorps and donated to the local community.

There is even a Hilton here.

A Local Economic Development committee meeting that we attended. We will be working with these committees in various areas to help get businesses off the ground. We were made very welcome and were left with real enthusiam and committment from the locals about making these projects work. It is also quite nice holding a meeting outside with dogs, ducks and chickens free to join in when they wanted.

Our first puncture - sure it won't be the last. There are no tarmac roads, so travelling is a bit slow and bumpy.

In the past we have been asked about what we eat whilst we are working or travelling. So, that is the reason for the title. This week we have been mostly eating beans and rice, although one day we did have rice and beans, however there is no shortage of goat! For the time being, we will stick with rice and beans.

Bye for now

Alison and Garry