So this was my first week of trying out the different projects, discovering my calling you might call it. However, ever Monday is an office day where we have our weekly team meeting and arrange who is doing what and who is going where. So I finally got the opportunity to get out my filofax and plan what I would be doing and seeing for the coming week. The rest of the day included some administration work and typing up documents, but the work ethic in Uganda is completely different than in the west. Here in Mbale, the priority is relationships whereas in the UK it is completely task focused. So for someone who likes to keep busy and have tasks to complete, this new perspective on work will take some getting use to.
Tuesday was my first day of really taking part in a project, and on this occasion I was working with the street children. Myself and 4 other members of the team walked out to CRO (child restoration outreach) centre, where we collected a group of children and took them out to the playing fields. I was really in my element as I taught them how to play both netball and basketball. They didn't exactly understand 'don't run with the ball' (even in their own language), but it's a working progress! Sadly, when I went home that evening I discovered that I had not been generous enough when applying my sun tan lotion to areas of my neck and nose, so right now I'm looking a little redder than I might prefer.
Wednesday, I had the opportunity to head over to Bethel Church again in Mooni where the women's training was taking place. The expected number was 300-400, but I didn't believe it was likely as we were an hour in and there was only about 150. Sure enough, as time passed on the church filled and almost every chair was taken. So when it came to the meal which was being provided for those who attended, over 300 meals were plated up and given out. Thursday was similar to the day before, but this time we were speaking to HIV patients. These women were quite remarkable - they didn't feel sorry for themselves, they just got on with it and encouraged those around them instead. Later that day I had two Muzungu friends come over for dinner, popcorn and a film. Megan and Erin are two girls from the States who are working with a different organisation, but are also living in Mbale. Although there are many people about, for me (like many other new volunteers), I still need to have time with people I can really relate to and share my experiences and struggles, so having them here has been a huge blessing.
For the weekend I spent some time relaxing at the local hotel and got some use out of the pool and freshly squeezed pineapples. Later I went to another one of the children's clubs, where they exchange the points they have earned for items of clothing, stationary etc. This was the day I rode on my first boda (motorbike), which is one of the most common way of travelling here. Most females ride side saddle, but my confidence wasn't quite up to that level so I went boy style instead (straddling the bike). This way I would only maybe fall off, rather than going side saddle where I would almost definitely fall off. After taking a few more boda rides, I actually quite enjoy it - it's like a roller coaster with more danger involved, especially with the amount of pot holes and goats about.
This coming week I will continue to visit projects and see where I can be of most use. Although my blog is primarily cheerful, it isn't easy being here. It's such a different place and the way of living is obviously not what I'm use to. I have had to completely change my mind set and now that home sickness is kicking in, things haven't been getting easier. However I know that God has brought me here for a purpose, which right now isn't so clear, but I just pray that my expectations for this trip will change and become his expectations for this trip, and that he'll really use this experience to use me and change me.
Will post again soon - Hannah xxx
For my first night in Mbale I slept very well (mosquito-bite free), however I was literally woken up at the crack of dawn by the cockerels from next door (and this has continued for my entire stay so far), which is something I'm sure I will adapt too. For the next few days I had been instructed to do nothing, and those of you who know me well, will be aware that I'm not very good at this. I like to keep busy, which is probably the reason I end up organising things constantly.
Instead of doing completely nothing, Nat took me to town on my first day to get my Ugandan sim card and internet access for my laptop. We then spent the entire day sitting in Chat 'n' Chinos, a coffee shop where many muzungu's go. Quite a westernised place, I came to this conclusion early on as Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift played on the cafes sound system. However, I soon came to realise that if you want to eat or drink something, you order it a while before you actually want it because the Africans are in no rush to serve you. The next few days were like this, relaxing and settling in.
Every Friday morning the JENGA team have a prayer/worship session, so this was going to be my first one and I had been looking forward to it all week. Every single person on this team was loving, welcoming and true men and women of God. This was a great group of friends, who also enjoyed to take the complete rip out of each (of course in a loving way, which reminded me of friends from back home, which was a great comfort). The worship and prayer was electric and there was so much freedom from all of them. They have no feeling of reservation and they hold nothing back, this got me really excited about my time here!
On Saturday, Nat took me towards the slums where they served the nicest pork I have ever had! With these pork stands, the trick is to phone ahead so you are not having to wait. However, on this occasion we ended up waiting for over 2 hours for our meal to be ready! I think God is trying to teach me some patience! Safe to say we won't be returning customers, but was that meal good and we truly ate it African style (hands and all, though we did decide to avoid the bones!)
Later that day I went to one of the churches, where all the children from the village who attended the bible class gathered. Every two months the children would get to exchange the points they had earned (through attendance, behaviour etc.) for books, pencils, soap, shoe polish - such simple, basic things that wouldn't exactly thrill us, but was a real blessing to them. Afterwards I had the opportunity to play with the children and all it took was a digital camera and a couple of clapping games to capture their attention for a good while!
My first Sunday was spent attending Bethel church, where Robby was preaching on this particular occasion. Similar to Friday's meeting, these people were so free and genuine about their worship, not caring about what those around them might think (something I will have to get use to and adapt to). Such a welcoming congregation, that I even received a personal welcome and then had the opportunity to introduce myself at the front. These people were so thrilled with my presence, and were even for excited when they discovered that I knew "Duncan from Scotland!" (a friend who spent three months here last year). The real work starts Monday morning, where I find out what projects I will get to be involved in.
Hopefully hear from me soon - Hannah xxx
Hello from Uganda! I am finally here after months of planning, praying and fundraising (including 5 hours of bag packing, followed by counting out all the pennies). To be honest the whole thing is still serial and I can't quite believe I am here. My trip started on Monday, where mum dropped me off for a flight from Glasgow to Gatwick, and in true Craib fashion we were cutting it fine! In Gatwick I was collected by my good friend Anne who drove me to Heathrow and made sure I went through all the correct motions. She put me on my direct BA flight to Entebbe that evening. Now this flight was a new experience for me as I have never been on a plane that actually gives me leg room and provides complimentary food and drink (which I took full advantage of), so the whole trip was a novelty. I also took great pleasure in having my personal tv screen and having the power to watch any film and change it when ever I wanted, this power led me to start 3 films and not finish any of them.
It was an overnight flight, so I was woken early the next morning as we began our descent to Entebbe airport. I was welcomed by one of Jenga's director's, Robby and Pastor Godrey, a minister from Jinja (this man received so many phone calls on our 5 hour trip to Mbale, which confirmed to me that no matter what continent, pastors are on the phone almost more than in any other occupation!).
We began our trip by driving from Entebbe to Kampala, which made clear that most drivers here are horrendous or just plain dangerous! There's no giving way in Uganda, you see a space, you take it and honk your horn later. As you see the Ugandan's walking the streets, they are calm and there is no sense of urgency, but the second they get behind a steering wheel, it is like they have run out of time and are doing all they can to desperately get it back. Thankfully, Godfrey my driver was nothing like this which made it a very relaxing journey.
As we were moving further on with our journey, we eventually reached Jinja where we stopped at a cafe, called Auzzy, which funnily was ran by Australians. After eating the only burgers in Africa safe to eat (according to Robby) we continued on with our trip. As I expected many children shouted 'Muzungu' (white man) as we drove past, and they'd wave frantically to get your attention. After we arrived in Mbale I met my American room mate Nat who showed me the girls house where I would be living. Shortly after this, Nat's friends came over for their weekly game night which included several games of 'The Seven Wonders' (apparently 'Settlers of Catan' gets to competitive, but we'll fit a game in soon for my benefit).
For the next few days I am to do nothing, which will be difficult for me as I like keeping busy. However it will be an opportunity to settle in, get to know the town and start a blog (which evidently is what I did).
Will post again soon -Hannah xxx
