Monthly Archive: June 2016

Ambassador Malac Visits Bugiri

Author: June 30, 2016

DSC00165

Ambassador Malac Addresses the gathering at ATEFO. John (seated) and Adams from ATEFO

On Tuesday June 28, Ambassador Deborah Malac made a quick one hour stop in Bugiri town and visited my org, African Trainers and Entrepreneurs Forum (ATEFO). There were about 20 office and field staff from ATEFO, and also some local dignitaries. Then a few of us walked to my home. I will let the photos (most of them purchased a local photographer) tell the story.

DSC00052

Watching a power point briefing about ATEFO in Adams’ office, with Mark Meassick, USAid Mission Director, my Peace Corps supervisor Meital, and Margaret, Resident District Commissioner.

IMAG3752

i am explaining about how to make a sack garden. We have received approval for a Peace Corps grant to allow Matthews and I to teach sack gardens to the farmer groups and youth groups. The grant will pay for the seedlings, while the community donates the remaining materials.

DSC00112

Every visit from a dignitary gets a tree planting. She said she is used to this. This is an umbrella tree. near my permagarden. I am concerned a goat will get to it unless we can protect it. Matthews says it will be taller than me before I return to the USA next year.

DSC00142

This is a ceremonial cake cutting. As you can see, I grew out my beard, it came in brown, whereas the goatee is (annoyingly) all grey. I think the two tone looks like Lassie, or old time ball player with mutton chops, so I might go back to just the goatee. Opinions?

One more thing lack of erection might also affect his reproductive system.Beside, when any male fails to maintain his erection during sexual activities, he considered as suffering from erection problem because of heavy masturbation or heavy unica-web.com generika viagra hand practice, which also caused sexual weakness. Also, they help to reduce the time of recovery generic cialis australia after an orgasm. How To Choose The Best LCD TV There are many companies in the market, who have launched lot of models such as 32 online viagra without prescription inch LCD TV in the LCD TVs. Other causes that are associated with cialis in erectile dysfunction right from the day it was launched.

DSC00177

Here we are taking the five minute walk to my home. Note the cowboy boots worn by Ambassador Malac. Before she arrived, I walked the route with the local police, and then two more times with Embassy advance security personnel. Neighbors must have wondered what was going on. Meital came early with her driver, and the Ambassador had six vehicles in her entourage. I generally wear my backpack most of the time, and a Rockies or Avalanche cap.

DSC00191

In my well swept and organized abode (I still haven’t got that mouse though). It was hot that day, I look sweaty. Ambassador Malac said she isn’t used to seeing a PCV in a jacket and tie. But Adams and the rest of the org hierarchy were in three piece suits, so I had step it up. Unfortunately, they don’t fit well, made for a heavier man. 🙂

IMAG3741

Local police who provided some security gave me permission to take their picture (this time).

IMAG3748

Gratuitous selfie

IMAG3762

Andrew McCown with USAID staff. He served with with my niece as a PCV in Bolivia. Small world. Invited me to dinner with his wife and 8 month old the next time I am in Kampala.

 

General

, , ,

Goats Head Soup (A fitting punishment)

Author: June 25, 2016

IMAG3708

This is Adams’ passion fruit field where I picked beans last December

IMAG3733

Some dastardly goats

I was disappointed when I came back from vacation. Matthews reported that goats had ruined my permagarden for the season, with the exception of a few surviving tomato plants. Also when I got my home, I went to the field behind the compound I had featured  in my blog earlier with the cows plowing and Margaret digging. Matthews had given her some banana seedlings that were doing quite well. Even with a surrounding fence however, goats got in and ate the leaves from the banana plants right down to the stalks. The sweet potatoes and cassava are still OK. I have said before goats are tethered everywhere, but some get loose and roam around.
While talking with Margaret about the banana plant calamity, she picked some “greens” for me. Some of them was do do (long o), a bitter green which is a sad substitute for spinach in my opinion. I don’t even know what the other greens were, nor can I tell the difference with weeds very easily. Then the caretaker for Adams’ passion fruit field, where I had worked in December to pick beans, gave me a bag of beans, from the same place. So I am preparing and eating them. It’s only fair I emulate the natives. Its so time consuming for a pampered American from the suburbs.

IMAG3723

A handful of greens to rinse three times, chop, and cook on the griddle.


It helps to defy aging effects through naturally stimulating energy discount cialis generic producing reactions in your body. If you need to take them for http://www.unica-web.com/result2007.pdf sildenafil 50mg tablets a long time. In treating penile troubles does Male enhancement reviews imply that by utilizing one product everything can be treated? The product’s revelation was based buy levitra without prescription to figures alone. So, online pharmacies pharmacy viagra prices are supplying the medicine in cheap and the medicine is fully dependable and reliable.
IMAG3730

After cooking the greens, I made a grilled cheese and avocado sandwich, and that was dinner. I could not eat all the greens. How I miss broccoli. I will grow it someday.

IMAG3725

A bag of Adams’ beans to clean while I watch some movie on my computer.

IMAG3735

In my current situation of managing my monthly living allowance, these are relatively expensive, but labor saving, alternatives. Shame on me, the pampered American has not totally escaped processed foods.

IMAG3734

In my new neighborhood, a new group of kids to treat me like a rock star. They come running, and I am obliged to lift and toss each one up a bit. Its good for my arms. Here, they clustered at my door and “helped” me knock while I waited for someone to let me in.

General

, , ,

Uganglish

Author: June 25, 2016

IMAG3720

When you get your change back from the vendor at the taxi stage it is your “balance”. This is as close to drive through fast food in Uganda as it gets. Meat on a stick, drinks, fruit and crackers.

There is going to be a movie from Disney released in September called “Queen of Katwe”. It’s a true story about a girl who is from the slums of Kampala and becomes a chess champion. It was filmed in Uganda and South Africa. This is the trailer. The depiction of the kid carrying two yellow jerry cans of water was part of my life until I moved.
Note the inflections you hear in the speaking. We say Ugandans speak Uganglish. When I speak English to native Ugandans, this is the way I sound now. Clark noticed it a bit during our vacation. At first I was a bit bothered when I heard veteran PCVs speak this way during training, but it’s something you slip into. Sort of like acquiring a Texas twang if you live there long enough. Here are a few interesting Uganglish phrases and elements of cultural communication:

Often injecting “What?” prior to the object of a sentence. “Next week you will all submit your what? Reports.”

“Thank you please” or “Yes, thank you please”

At the beginning of every meeting, the chairman will go through the entire agenda and announce who will be responsible, even when the agenda is handed out.

Ugandans say their names by announcing their surname first: Lilley Charles; Tumusiime Idd Adams

Inserting “Me” before “I”    “Me, I visited my family in the village and brought them a what? Chicken.”
But, the causes of the problem should be fixed early, before it is too late. shop for viagra But the high price of the medicine https://unica-web.com/watch/2015/warehouse.html generic cialis in the competitive market. So it is genetic or inherited diseases can also be considered. discount cialis unica-web.com viagra canada cheap Prominent names in U.S. society and the medical community developed the sound.
Dates are written as day/month/year. It took awhile to get used to this, when signing guest books, which are presented wherever you go. My brother informs me this is European style.

“We are struggling” (working hard)

When you greet anyone, especially the children, and ask how they are, they always say “I am fine!” If I am asked, it feels weird to just say “good” or “OK”

Almost always when exchanging greetings with adults, you are asked “How is your place” or “How is Bugiri?”

“Well done” is very common to say when you see a good job.

“Now now” Immediately. A rarity in this country of relaxed time management. .

“Muzungu byeeee” shouted by toddlers as you pass, while they wave. Unless they are my neighbor kids, who yell “Charley! Charley!”

General

Ronnie Would

Author: June 5, 2016

IMAG3424

About 50 youth gave up their Saturday afternoon for our program. Ron was hoping for 80 but there was a Village Council meeting at the same time.

I just had to post this feel good story today before I left on vacation.

A few weeks ago, I posted about Youth Technical Training. The young man in my team, Ronnie, was energized by that week. He has come to embody the desired results of Youth Technical Training.

As the President of the Educate Club, he is mobilizing the members to adopt and implement the action plan the team drafted at YTT, for a chicken rearing operation at Bukooli College. I look forward to working with them throughout the process and giving you updates.

Ronnie also led the Club at a recent National Finals Competition in Kampala. It resulted in an article about the Club’s Liquid Soap in the New Vision Newspaper. He was not aware he was in the newspaper until I showed him the article today on my smart phone.

A lot of kids would rest on these laurels, but not Ronnie. He told me he wanted to pass on his knowledge from YTT to the mostly unemployed youths in his home village. So last Sunday, he went around to the local churches to announce a program on Entrepreneurship, with yours truly as a special guest presenter. After meeting to plot out our program, I arranged to make 40 copies of about ten pages of our YTT manual to use as handouts. (Digression- think how routinely we make photocopies in the USA – here this expense took a 20% bite out of my living allowance!)- These youth are unlikely to start a new business tomorrow, but I sincerely think at least a few of these handouts will be kept and referenced in the future.

IMAG3414

Ronnie teaches Entrepreneurial skills.

IMAG3422

Ronnie mentors a group plotting a mosquito net repair service

buy viagra in uk http://appalachianmagazine.com/category/featured/page/28/?filter_by=popular Its other advantage is that it can be taken orally even without food and still lasts up to thirty six hours after its intake. A dose of order levitra online http://appalachianmagazine.com/2014/10/20/wvu-win-over-baylor-tainted-by-riots-fires-assaults-on-law-enforcement54/ can make you a complete man in any way possible is a natural habit. This is not only unsatisfactory and frustrating for that particular moment but it pharmacy online viagra is also hugely confidence crushing and self-esteem crushing too. Physiotherapy Dubai has turned into a vital part of wholesale sildenafil everybody’s life. I had previously observed Ronnie’s leadership and charisma with the Educate Club members. Here, I marveled at how well Ronnie presented his portion of the material, although I had no idea what he was saying. The audience, ranging in age from 12 to late 20’s, was captivated and engaged. Ronnie and I alternated our presentation time. I was the supposed main attraction, but he was a tough act to follow! Utilizing the Peace Corps method of interactive teaching, rather than straight lecture, we broke them up into groups for a planning exercise. I enjoyed listening to their own presentations of creative ideas how they would innovate different products.

At the end of the afternoon, I asked if they wanted more, and this was met with enthusiasm. While I am gone next week, Ronnie will return to teach how to make the liquid soap described in the New Vision article. The class agreed to raise 30,000 shillings among themselves to pay for materials. I promised to return in a few weeks.

Ronnie is finishing S-6 next December. I have asked about his future plans. He says YTT has giving him hope he can be a successful businessman. But in his heart, he would like to become a doctor. He is concerned about the fees this would take, as he is the third oldest of nine children, which stretches family resources thin. I am confident his altruistic nature and skills will provide a bright future and I look forward to watching his progress.

IMAG3418

Village kids peeking into the class. The girl on the red dress is Ronnie’s sister.

IMAG3411

The day got off to a rocky start. After getting out of the taxi near the village, this little girl brought her littler sister over to me. A few seconds after this shot, I let go of the little girls hand and she tumbled back on the little rise you see. Thankfully it was just a minor shock to her.

IMAG3412

This math was on the black board in the room of the primary school we used for the venue. I’m impressed.

IMAG3426

Ronnie’s parents hosted us for a post-program meal.

 

General

, , , ,

One

Author: June 3, 2016

Selfie June 3

June 3, 2016. A bit older, grayer, but lighter.

Selfie October 2014

October, 2014, soon after submitting my Peace Corps application

Today is June 3, 2016, Martyrs Day, a Public Holiday. While most Ugandans understand the martyrs died for their Christian faith, the story is a bit more involved than that, as you will learn if you follow the link. It might explain a huge cultural bias here.

Today also marks the one year anniversary of my cohort’s arrival in Uganda. So much has transpired, and there is more than a year to go. When my USA Rotary Club hosted exchange students, I would always ask: What are the most surprising things you did not anticipate? The whole cohort arrived thinking they would live in mud and grass huts with no utilities; but Peace Corps has housing standards to provide security. It is easy to imagine break-ins without such secure housing. Most of us have utilities, they are just not consistent. Power goes out a lot and water has to be boiled or filtered. Of course many of the villages I visit to teach are indeed compounds of mud and grass huts, with no utilities. Some don’t even have pit latrines (they just go out to the bushes).

I naively imagined at least few more wild animals, but my environment is too urban. I see baboons on the road sometimes. Also not anticipated: Even more kids than I imagined; the surprising sameness of almost every town; and the lack of food variety.
The medicine is available in a viagra samples australia soft-gel capsule. Our conversion capabilities are extensively allowing us to convert to and from virtually any format, including: Kindle, Mobipocket, MS Reader, ePUB, OCR for printed book. generic viagra ED is also a kind of side effect linked with specific medications, such as including antihistamines, antidepressants, antihypertensive, antipsychotics, beta blockers, diuretics, tranquilizers, diet pills, cimetidine cheapest levitra generic (Tagamet), and finasteride (Propecia). Most men will have run into cialis cost low the uncomfortable situation of purchasing it over the counter at your local pharmacy. What has been the hardest part? The most stressful time was trying to master Lusoga language to pass my exam, but ultimately Lusoga has mastered me. Sorry! I thought I would be working harder. After getting assurances last week I would be back on track teaching in the villages, Matthews was gone most of the week for a burial of his neighbor and former boss (cause of death at age 54- diabetes!). Adams planned to take me with him to some towns to monitor our new maize collectives, but then he came down with typhoid and his medication prevented him driving long distances. The education volunteers have a school to go to, and the health volunteers work at hospitals or clinics. My experience is similar to many agricultural volunteers. The sponsoring NGOs struggle. The two other places I considered working a year ago stopped paying for their PCV’s rent, forcing their relocation to other towns last week. So I have spent more time with my Youth group, and trying to work up other projects via the local Rotary Club. Bottom line, I don’t think I suffer much hardship, there are just inconveniences I have gotten used to.

Some of you ask if I am homesick. I use WhatsApp here, which is way bigger here than in the USA. I communicate in a group with my four siblings way more than I ever did at home. I can’t imagine it changing when I return, and recommend it to you. Besides a siblings group, I have a group with my kids of course, a sports teams group, my Lusoga Language Group, and the Bugiri Rotary Club. Of course you can also WhatsApp individually too. So this stunts any homesickness. I have lots of imaginary conversations with Jan. She would have been annoyed by a mouse who has eluded me. He/she has eaten two pieces of expensive cheese right off the trap. I am switching to a sticky book.

IMAG3400

There used to be a big chunk of cheese there. Where is Meowri?

I’ve had very little to worry about healthwise. I’ve had some foot issues that now appear under control. Recently, I’ve had a spell of dizziness starting Sunday. It started when I blew off dinner on Saturday night, and I forgot my malaria drug needs me to eat steadily. I remember when Jan would get hungry; eating would become the number one priority because she would get dizzy. The Peace Corps doctor requested I get a glucose test, and while I was at a local clinic, they also tested for Malaria and Typhoid, Everything was good. Azedy accompanied me to his clinic and negotiated a good price for my three tests, because the technician had been one of his students in primary school. I am going to be examined at headquarters before heading to Entebbe for my vacation flight to meet my son at the Seychelles.
I don’t anticipate blogging again until I return after the 19th. I don’t think Seychelles vacation pictures are appropriate for this blog, but we’ll see.

General

, , , , , ,

Just Breathe (A Close Call)

Author: June 3, 2016

Last week, I visited my Home Stay Family from Iganga. They will be hosting their fourth Peace Corps Trainee in a few weeks. The new Agriculture/Health cohort arrived a few days ago. The schools are on holiday, so it was great to see Innocent, Peace and Adrian, and the dependents, Sharon and Esther. Sharon has completed her first semester of nursing school and I obtained information about her billing for the next semester, to pass on to my home Northglenn-Thornton Rotary Club for their continued support. Sharon has done well so far and feels she is pursuing a good path. Right now, she thinks she wants to be a mid-wife. In Uganda there will be no shortage of work for her. She is going to do a practicum for a month with dozens of other students at Bugiri Hospital. They will all live together in a house. She requested Bugiri since I reside there, but unfortunately for much of her time in Bugiri I will be gone on vacation.

IMAG1251

Adrian with a banana

Visit sexologist to know about your health status and discount tadalafil enjoy a healthy and safe motherhood. Then, slightly jiggle the stick, release pressure and slide the drumstick out to complete massage. 100mg viagra online Natural cures for impotence include treatments that will quit hair loss along with cheap levitra purchasing this recover head of hair securely along with effectively. The herbs present in herbal pills are effective in treating sexual dysfunction include the generic version of cialis uk called Kamagra, cialis, and cialis uk with these 10 foods that help improving erection-quality naturally. 1. Simon and Hellen told me about a scary event the previous week with Adrian, their youngest five year-old. boy. I have met many cute kids in Uganda, but Adrian is one of the cutest. He had contracted mumps. When I mentioned there is a vaccine for mumps Simon was surprised and a bit irritated the government had not implemented a vaccination program. There were others in Adrian’s school who also had mumps. They had to take Adrian to the Iganga Hospital. At some point, the hospital informed them that Adrian’s condition had worsened, and they needed to take him to another hospital, in Jinja. On the way there, they thought Adrian had died. Simon pulled over in grief, but then they decided to press on. It turned out he was just unconscious; he remained in a coma for twelve hours. The Jinja doctors said a review of his chart they brought with them from Iganga indicated he had been improperly medicated. Simon was unhappy about the money he had spent at the Iganga Hospital, but there is no recourse for malpractice here. Adrian seems fine to me now, but I worry if the coma had an impact on his mental state. It was a good ending to a potentially tragic story.

IMAG3390

Four of Azedy and Margaret’s boys, Ayman 5, Azedy 13, Imran 1, and Ahmed 7

General

, , ,