Welcome to Uganda: The Pearl of Africa

Those were the words that greeted me when I stepped off the plane from Amsterdam.  I had no idea and still don't fully know what to expect, but it's all certainly an adventure.  

To begin, I'll explain a little about my assignment and what got me here.  I traveled to Uganda for a 3-week volunteer assignment with CRS, Catholic Relief Services.  CRS has a current project with USAID through the Farmer-2-Farmer program with specific agriculture and business objectives in Uganda.  However, nutrition is obviously an important part of human health and success.  The majority of Ugandans are now able to consume enough food to meet basic Calorie requirements, but their starch-based diet means that micronutrient and protein deficiencies are still a large problem.  38% of children under 5 are stunted, which they never fully recover from, and 3/4 of children under 5 are anemic.  1/2 of all pregnant women are also anemic.  My project involves conducting nutrition trainings for a farmer cooperative in south eastern Uganda, the Bugiri district.  This cooperative has a large population of females of reproductive age (women usually do the farming work in Uganda).  Overall, the goal will be to show them how to prepare and consume a more balanced diet using nutritious options for local foods, which are available, but not always consumed.  Cost can obviously be a factor, but from my understanding there are also cultural factors at play, and obviously a lack of information.  Farmers also tend to sell, rather than consume, their crops.  Unfortunately many of these farmers lack the ability to write or read, which will add some challenges to my trainings.  Though English is technically an official language in Uganda, many of the farmers don't speak it.  Thankfully I'll have a translator.  

The courtyard at my hotel in Kampala

So Amber, how did you end up working with CRS?  Good question.  CRS is an NGO with coordinates development projects in many countries around the world (another obvious example- the peace corp).   I had a friend in grad school do a short assignment with CRS last year, and he passed along information on current assignments.  These assignments range over a variety of topic areas, including finances, agriculture, human and resource management, etc.  I expressed interest to CRS in the Uganda project because it most related to nutrition and food.  The short duration of this assignment also allowed me to go before finishing grad school.   I'm honored for the opportunity to work on this project and transfer some knowledge and training to people who are in great need of simple information.  

Breakfast was obviously a little different than what we're used to,
but delicious. 

So... right now, I'm excited to be here and nervous.  I'm still experience jet lag and some culture shock.  A few interesting experiences so far...

I had some drama at the Entebbe airport because they only accept new $50 (series 2007 or later), and none of the ATM's accepted Mastercard, only Visa.  Silly me, I forgot to check the $50 bill when I got it from the bank.  There was honestly a moment when I wasn't sure if I was leaving the airport, but luckily I found the woman who came with the driver from the hotel and after much time and conversation she was able to pay for me in African shillings (150,000).

Uganda, as a former British colony, drives on the left side of the road, which threw me for a loop at first.  The traffic in Kampala is also just generally nuts, and I've seen my life flash before my eyes at least 5 times.  Speed limits, road lines (if there are any), parking, and intersections seem totally arbitrary/optional.  On the plus side, we've only had to wait at one stoplight, and that's the only stoplight I've observed so far.  And it's also all a little fun.  (:

The Bugiri district, where I traveled today, is beautiful, but obviously quite poor.  I've hit the tail end of the rainy season, and everything lush and green and rain forrest-y.   Pictures were difficult to take on the drive, but hopefully I should have some soon.  I definitely stick out like a sore thumb here, more so than in the city.  A few things I'm thankful for-  I'll have internet consistently thanks to an internet stick from CRS.  The people at the "guest house"/hotel where I'm staying seem quite nice.  I've had electricity all evening, which I'm told doesn't often happen.  So far, I haven't gotten sick.  I'm thankful for running water, but the hardest thing for me will probably be the cold showers.  I'm not very high-maintenance, but as anyone who knows me well knows... I love my hot showers.  

Whoops, there goes the electricity.  I jinxed it.  That's all for now folks!