First two weeks in Uganda

Uganda Journal
March 1st
Setting off from the airport at 4pm from our houses we went in Lorraine and Derek motor home so that we could carry the luggage. We had 3 bags each with a max capacity of 23 kilos. Thanks to all the generous donations we had books, toys equipment as well as 5 weeks worth of lecture notes handouts worksheets and information for the students. We were relieved to get all our bags through the check in. We had some breakfast with our husbands before going through to security.
Lorraine had an interesting time through security! She set the alarm off and was caught lying to the personnel! Lorraine went through and she beeped and was body searched and scanned. Then as she went to the desk he asked her did she have anything electrical and she had forgotten to declare the laptop projector. So after the bag was unpacked and scrutinised we eventually made it into the departure lounge to await our flight and the first step in our big adventure.
Departure was on time and we were at terminal 5 BA by 9.30. Our flight to Kampala was at 10.45. Fortunately the flight was not full and we had 3 seats between us which made it quite comfortable. We passed the time watching videos and eating airline meals.
Arriving in Entebbe we were met by a taxi driver sent be VSO and were taken to a small Guest house just near the VSO offices. The 20 kilometre drive from Entebbe to Kampala was our first glimpse of Uganda. There were lots of small shacks and wayside businesses and the two settlements are now joined along this stretch of road.
We arrived at the Guest house which was inside a compound with a guard on the gate. This we discovered is very typical of the security arrangements of many households. We were very grateful to find two rooms with showers after a long journey. We were also beginning to appreciate that it was going to be hot.
Wed March 2nd
We spent the day in the VSO compound getting information about security and other procedures.
Later in the afternoon we were taken to our accomodation across the city with two of the VSo staff.
We arrived at the “Brown Flats” and climbed to the 3rd floor Sam and Fred helped us with our cases. We did have sheets, a blanket, mosquito nets, pots and pans as promised. Sam showed us how to use the 2 ring gas hob.
All seemed well and so we went to our local supermarket to get provisions. It wasn't until we returned that we discovered that we had no water. We were just debating how we were going to manage without water when there was a power cut so we had to admit defeat and call for help.Because the SLTS from the programme had already phoned us to welcome us we rang one of the staff.
Marisse arrived 2 hours later and looked at the situation and agreed we couldn’t stay there. She very kindly offered to put us up for the night. We were glad of a meal, shower and a bed. We met her 2 girls, husband and 2 black Labradors much to Lorraine’s delight. Marisse offered to contact VSO in the morning detailing all the problems. As a seasoned VSO volunteer she knew how things would work.
Marisse took us into Mulago Hospital the following morning to show us round and we met Helen the SLT in charge of the BSc course. We met our 6 students and sat in on one of her lectures.
Finally speaking to VSO at the end of the day we were told that we still did not have water and so Helen kindly offered to put us up in her flat. That evening again grateful for a bed and shower we offered to take Helen out for a meal and we went to a lovely Italian restaurant and had a very nice meal.
Friday 4th
At Mulago Hospital
The hospital was built by the British and handed over when Uganda became independent in 1960s.It is very old, basic and everything has been mended over and over again. There are no facilities for cooking food for patients who are admitted so their families have to live in the grounds, cook food for them and wash their clothes.
The SLT s both Ugandan and visiting staff are working under very difficult circumstances. We had adopted a phrase “that everything works in a fashion” or actually sometimes not at all! We have had discovered that the rooms have no electricity and we have no lights in the teaching room. On Thursday all our efforts to get connections to other electrical sources failed to get us any power and we were back to talking and pen and paper.

Saturday 5th
We spent the day cleaning out the flat and making it home. The red dust of Africa gets into every corner and every surface.
Cooking is done by calor gas on two ring and we are getting quite inventive. Washing is done in buckets: that includes us and our clothes. We have to heat hot water in a large pan in place of a daily shower or bath! This is probably the same for many families around here. On the plus side we have nice neighbours a young couple and their baby son Nathanial. He is mesmerised by our white faces!
Our local supermarket is only 10 minutes’ walk away and is well stocked. The locals tell us that it is quite new but is much appreciated by us. We are getting to know the staff quite well and are making the Ugandan greeting of “ Hello how are you” a question to which no one expects an answer.

Sunday March 6th
This was wash day and the buckets are in action as well as a big plastic wash bowl donated by Marisse. Also now on loan are two fans which are such a help in the heat. The rains are late this year and the temperatures are high even for Ugandans. Lorraine has volunteered to do the wash action and she trampled the clothes with her feet and we have the photographs to prove it. They dry well in the sun and we have been told to iron everything as there is the mango fly that lays its eggs into the clothes and when you wear them can bury its way into your skin: charming!
Later we prepared for our first day for the students introducing disability and then definitions of cerebral palsy. We have brought some DVDs with us and we watched “Rainman”. Lorraine commenting that it was a bit like homework.

Monday March 7th.
The walk to work.
The sun comes up and down in Uganda in half an hour. It is like pulling back the curtains. So we set off about 8 and by the time we got there at 8.40 we sweating nicely. You have to learn to walk like the locals which is much slower otherwise you won’t survive.