Your donations and a sample pillowcase dress Tuesday we set out for our first Pillowcase Dress training with the men and women of Pawel Lalem, a village deep in the bush about 86 km (53 miles or so) north-ish of Gulu. With supplies (left) in tow, we bounced and tilted over one lane roads that … Read more
Haven’t had a day like this in a long time, which is a good thing. I was feeling the complacency of things having normalized – which they have. The problem is that THIS is normal, I’d just not been to a meeting in a long time. December 5th in International Volunteer Day or some such … Read more
Mid-service – the date we’ve been anticipating for well over a year now, has come and gone. Like a herd of turtles or a turd of hurdles, depending on which way you look at it – we all migrated toward Kampala – to the world of warm showers, softer beds, good food and friends, and … Read more
Finally we (LABE) have been able to pull resources together and get out to the villages in the bush with all the wonderful puzzles and books you have so graciously sent. When we (PCVs) first arrived we were warned that it might take a year to get projects off the ground. “Naaah,” one says. “I’m … Read more
Today presented me with an interesting scenario and I’m mentioning it because it is so completely typical of what occurs here every day for every person trying to get something done. My organization does really fine work – and as I’ve mentioned before, it does it in spite of astounding obstacles. Obstacles that are impossible … Read more
Umeme’s timing is exquisite. Umeme is the power company and has such a reputation of predictability (i.e it will NOT “be there” when it is most needed) that it has gained Entity status. People here talk about Umeme as tho it is a person. “Ah! That Umeme is fickle….” And indeed it is. It has … Read more
So – we were about half way home on the Post Bus ride from Kampala to Gulu, watching the countryside whiz by, when it happened. It had been blessedly uneventful – just what you want on a bus ride considering the alternatives. I got up early to be able to hit Brod, the bakery, to … Read more
This comes to you from the exciting cement confines of a windowless-single-with-a-fan room at the Annex, my home away from home when in Kampala. I’m here for my second crown (no not the one that comes with jewels) courtesy of Uganda and Peace Corps. At least this time I was able to get in to … Read more
It is 9:02 AM on what would appear an ordinary work day. The day has already had an interesting beginning, but back to that later. There is not a soul in sight at any office. This is a clue. I have missed it. These are the District Offices – so this does not bode well. … Read more
Today is the International Day of Peace for those of you who didn’t know (I didn’t until yesterday) and this year it seems particularly relevant. Maybe it’s because I’m half a world away from the normalcy of my daily life in Austin, where it’s easy to think peace is always with us. Here – not … Read more