June 8th: Church in Africa

I went to church with Hilda and Warren today. The Lift Up Jesus Church is located in a bar. They welcomed us and asked for an introduction. There were lots of hallelujahs and amens. The singing was very animated with clapping, dancing and shouting. The sermon was delivered by the minister’s wife because he was away on mission. She breastfed her 3^rd born while we introduced ourselves. I had a little trouble following the speech due to the random hallelujahs and amens interspersed. It was not as formal or stuffy has church back home, nobody was quite and still except me. I’m glad I went, it was definitely a new experience. On the walk home, I had my first yoghurt in a bag and it was delicious. Between the yoghurt and chocolate African tea, I should definitely not starve.

June 6th

Today, we traveled to a Parish (I think equivalent to a Rural Municipality, nothing to do with the church). A group of 30 women were gathered under a tree. I felt a little shy but the women rushed over and welcomed us with hugs and handshakes. We sat on a bench and they started in on the meeting. The women supported by FAOC receive 2 goats. They pass on one kid and keep the rest. They share the bucks between them. Goats are the rural banking system, so when money is needed for school fees or other expenses, they sell some goats. Women pay into a group fund as well, which is available on loan when people need it. The group has been buying 2 mattresses a month. Once everyone has one, they will move on to something else, like pots, mosquito nets, etc. They were also having a lottery. Everyone puts in some money and names are drawn. 2 people split the pot and can use the money however they need. The next week, their names are excluded, but they still contribute the 2000Ush ($1.40 Canadian).

We were given a warm welcome. After introductions (they can’t seem to say ‘Jamie’), Warren, another volunteer asked Economic-related questions for his contribution to the project. Currently, they are paying 5% per month interest. Wow! The woman next to me kindly taught me some works in Runyakora, which is the local language. Maria leaned over and told me (or so I heard) Mbuzi is good. So, when my teacher said Agandi (some type of greeting), I replied Mbuzi. Then everyone started laughing. Mbuzi is actually goat. “How are you?” I’m goat, thanks!” My teacher has 10 goats and 7 children. When we were leaving, the preschool children ran up and gave me high five’s. They are so enthusiastic!

I went for tea when we got back and Mama Jane was in the tea house! She was very happy and proceded to slap my face several times. I think it is a sign of endearment. Gloria, an employee, asked about Dr. Kent Wier. They really miss him. I promised to send him a message to see how he is. Gloria was shocked about how long I have spent in University. We went for supper in town. Due to my boda fear, we took a taxi. On the way home, our driver stopped and waited because there was a convoy of fast-moving vehicles. Hilda said it was the President. She figured an important person had died and he was in Mbarara for the funeral. When the coast was clear, we started off. A few seconds later, another vehicle whizzed by: we were in the Presidental Convoy!

June 5th

This morning we went with Group A to Mama Jane’s for tea. She wasn’t in, but I had another good cup of African tea. We discussed with the other group some Global Vets business. Another Canadian volunteer with a different organization brought over an abandoned kitten that wasn’t doing so well. The poor thing looked a little rough and her new owner was leaving for 5 days. Viv offered to care for it while she was away. Her name is Tusker after the world-famous Ugandan beer.

June 4 School Link

The first school we visited was to receive 2 soccer balls and a match against the Mzungus (us). After arranging a time with the headmaster, we went to the neighbouring primary school. The whole school turned up for the assembly. After introductions, we launched into our discussion about Canada. Hilda, a social worker at FAOC, did a great job translating. We talked about the different seasons, especially winter, animals, and how we are veterinarians. We presented pencils to the P2 class which is has many deaf students. Next, we went to the P5 (primary Five = Grade Five). These students received a Canada pin and a pen. This class was asked to write letters to students in Saskatoon. We will take the letters home with us and then arrange for the next group of volunteers/students from Saskatoon to take the replies.

I was a little apprehensive about the soccer match since it has been probably 5 years since I’ve kicked a ball. We had a tour of the school before the match. The classrooms were very basic with simple desks, a chalkboard, and cement floor (the primary had dirt and no desks). The girls door had a dirt floor and rows upon rows of bunkbeds. They had very few possessions: a blanket, a small trunk, and maybe teddy bear. Only about five beds had mosquito nets. I was mauled by a group of girls on the way out. They wanted to touch me. One brave one poked my back. I turned around and started to shake hands. They were shrieking with delight. In the next dorm, I was again surrounded. They started asking me questions in English. Firstly, I had to clarify that we were not from the UK despite Hilda declaring we support Manchester United. They wanted to know what types of food we eat in Canada which let to a discussion on how cold it was so fruits can’t grow most of the year. One girl then asked “Do you have any problems?” I was speechless. The few things that came to mind paled in comparison to the situation here. My life really isn’t so bad and I had nothing to say. These girls live in an over-crowded dorm, who knows how far from home. They are surrounded by messages about HIV/AIDS.

I took some pictures of the girls and they were so delighted. As I showed them, someone touched my hair. I whipped off my sunglasses, shook it out and offered it to them. I can’t remember ever being so popular. I would have loved to stay all day and talk but the game had to be played.

The ‘pitch’ was lined with students, the grass was tall, and we gained an extra defender in the form of a giant rock near the far goal post. We gained a few girls from the school to complete our team. They played in barefeet and skirts and they were really tough. We tied 1-1 and I even kicked the ball a few times. It was really fun!

That night, I discovered the most amazing beverage. At supper, I added chocolate drink mix to my African Tea. I don’t think I have ever tasted something so good.

June 3rd: Mbarara

A taxi took us through a traffic jam to the bus station in Kampala. For once, the travel guide was spot on: it was just as chaotic as the book said. Some guys came to our car and talked to Viv (she’s the boss since she’s done all this before). He took us to a bus which was different than he said. It had seats (only 1/3 full) so we got on for 15,000 Ugandan Shillings (about $8 Canadian). It made the bag handler promise my stuff wouldn’t go missing before I got on. The buses don’t leave until they are full so I went to find a newspaper and buy phone minutes. There were people everywhere, including on the buses, selling everything from plates of hot food, cell minutes, shoes, belts, and water. At a shop along the way (no idea where but definitely on the Southern side of the equator), I bought meat on a stick. The vendors come up to the bus windows. It cost 500 USH ($0.30 Canadian) and tasted awesome! I couldn’t decide if it was beef or goat, but after a few hours on the bus, it was heaven. The bus ride had 2 positive points that stuck out: 1) it was really cheap 2) I didn’t have to ride with a chicken on my lap.

We took a taxi to the hostel where we are staying (we’re in the rooms of 2 Vets who are taking 2 weeks holidays). At the Foundation for AIDS Orphaned Children (FAOC), which is a 30 second walk down the road), we met Boaz (director). FAOC is the first project we are voluneering with. He took us to a fair. There were all kinds of people, food, booths, and the odd goat, which made the place very busy. We met Hilda, who is a social worker with FAOC at the booth (paid by Dr. Kent Wier’s church in Lloydminster as a donation to help the women). They were selling crafts made by the local women, which were actually very nice and I may have bought a few too many! We met up with the other Global Vets group. It was nice to see them and do some catching up. Hilda took me for more meat on a stick (twice in one day!). This time it was definitely goat. I also had some fried grasshoppers, which tasted like shrimp (delicious!). Don’t fret, I have pictures to prove it! While we were standing in the booth, people were taking pictures of us (i.e. local people were delighted to see some Mzungu girls aka white). Everyone seems so nice in Uganda!

I will add the last few days when I can. The internet is slow here as well. I also am deathly scared of riding the Boda Bodas (motorcycles) which have no helmets and don't obey traffic rules. Therefore, getting into town is a little difficult, so don't fret if you don't hear from me for a while. I will be okay and my tan has improved immensly due to the red dust!

June 2nd: In Kampala

It rained overnight and into the next day but luckily I dug out my $1 rain poncho which protected me quite well and amused the heck out of the locals. I had my first ride in a Matatu, which is a minibus/van type thingy here than is used as public transportation and holds 14 passengers legally (sometimes more are crammed in). We split up: Viv went to see if we could buy Gorilla Tracking permits from the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (no luck though), Maria and I went in search of one of Viv’s favourite coffee shops. The walk there took us past the Ugandan parliament and National Theatre, both of which had a very stately appearance. Lunch was at an Indian Restaurant. The nice waiter helped me order because I didn’t understand any of the dishes. It turned out to be a gigantic crepe with veggies. Yummy! We headed to a Craft market where I really enjoyed shopping (probably too much because my bags are now really, really heavy). After a few failed attempts, we boarded a matatu home and ate at the Red Chilly for supper.

June 1st

Our visit to the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) was very interesting. We had initially hoped to catch the boat to Chimp Island in the morning, but it was full. Instead, I had a leisurely walk around before the crowds hit and while the animals were still active. The highlight was a pair of white rhinos. They were neat to see up close. We also saw some gigantic spiders that almost gave me nightmares. The webs were at least 1 meter in diameter and the spiders must have been at least 10cm. Thank goodness I didn’t get eaten!

After lunch, we took a boat across to Ngamba Island, home to the Chimp Sanctuary. It was a very nice facility. After disembarking from the boat, we were greeted by the head veterinarian who gave us an introductory talk on chimp management including their diet (same as healthy people). The animals are confiscated from the illegal pet trade, or orphaned when their mothers are killed for bush meat. The afternoon feeding was quite the affair! The keepers through various pieces of fruit over the fence while we watched from a viewing platform that was very Jurassic Parkesque. The chimps came out of the bush and made quite the display. The dominant ones stole food from the subordinate ones. It turns out, the dominant male is named Micha! What a coincidence… I’m sorry to report to some of my readers (all 2 of you) that there were no feces thrown while I was there. The veterinarian caught wind of our vet studentness and gave us a whirl-wind tour of the facilities before we boarded the boat. The chimps come in each evening and sleep in chimp dormitories (the forest is too small for them to be in it all the time, apparently they are hard on trees and need a large area). They have an exam room complete with an x-ray machine (provided by a Canadian veterinarian), a laboratory, and a storage room for drugs. The vet was very excited to show us the lazer-guided dart gun! The boat ride back was pleasant and I can now say I have crossed the equator by plane, boat and bus (see later). We took a taxi (Frank of Green Valley’s brother drove us) to Red Chili Hostel in Kampala. It had a great BBQ and I slept like an angel (well, pretty close, anyway).