One Month!

Well I have been here for one month as of yesterday! WOW! Really? I know they say that "Time Flies" but until "Time has Flown" you don't realise that "Time Flies"! ha ha ha. My first month in Africa has certainly been an eye-opener. I am thoroughly enjoying myself (usually). I love my work, love the country but most of all love the people. Recently I have met a young boy by the name of Charles. I met him at the tea room near my house. He called me into it the other day as I was walking by (they kind of hiss when they want your attention). He hissed and then said "Muzungo come in here". So I went in, and we started chatting. Charles is a 16 year old boy who had completed S4 (about Grade 11 out of 13 Grades) when his parents died. He and his sister now live with his Aunt who runs the tea room. Charles and Gloria, his sister, now work at the tea room to keep their stay (along with 5 other children) with their Aunt. Gloria is 22 and has just finished S5 (Grade 12). Neither of them can afford to go back to school so they are working at the tea room. When I asked how much it would cost for Charles to attend school he told me it would be 500,000 UGS per semester (3 semesters/year) so 1.5 million UGS for the year. It roughly translates to about $800 Canadian. When I asked what Charles would do if he were able to complete high school and attend university he told me he wants to be a Veterinay Doctor. When he told me this he had just found out I was a Veterinary Doctor so I straight up said "Are you saying that just to increase your chances of me helping you?" He told me that his Uncle is a cattle farmer and that he loves spending time there and has always been into science (which I already knew).

So now my brain is really going....I know I can't help every kid on an individual basis. But isn't it better to help one child in a large way than to help none at all? It is hard not to get attached to some of these kids and hard to think of what will help them best (don't worry the idea of bringing him to Canada has already come and gone....although he keeps asking about it and even came to look at my suitcase yesterday to see if he could fit). I am pretty sure that just giving handouts is not the best way to go about helping him. I have been devising plans of how I can help him. At this point one of my plans is to train some of the women in my project basic veterinary skills. Unfortunately they don't speak English. In my budget I have money to hire an interpreter at about 10,000 UGS/day. Over the course of 3 more months that could be about 600,000 UGS or at least enough for one semester. I was also thinking of taking Runyankore (local language)lessons from him once a week. Hopefully I can figure something out.

Until then I will keep visiting the tea room and continue being bombarded with questions about Canada. Please pray for Charles and if you wanna pay for him to come to Canada that would be great! ha ha ha!

Charles and I....as hard as I try I can rarely get Ugandans to smile in pictures.

The goods...

The power is on and here are my pictures. You really realise how poor your point and shoot camera can be when you are trying to shoot wildlife......these are certainly not National Geographic worthy but it gives you an idea of what I saw.

Here are the zebras which are the first things I saw. Their stripes are almost mesmerizing and you can see a few young in the background which are really cute. They have cattle in the park as well as part of national research. Here one lonely Ankole cow grazes with the zebras. A little different than Canada as they select based on the size of the horns...these certainly are not the biggest I have seen.

There are a ton of impala everywhere...constantly wandering across the road and they are much more docile and you have the chance to get some close-up shots.

Ladies and Gentlemen....PUMBA! I just wished I could have caught him doing the Hula, but I think he was a little camera shy! They get down on their knees to graze (and pray obviously). I am sure this crazy looking bushpig is a relative of Pumba's somewhere along the way....God was feeling pretty creative when he designed the bushpig....I love the white mowhawk!

Here are some pictures of the lake at Lake Mburo National Park. There are countless number of hippos but they are hard to get close to and it's not all that safe either. Hippos are actually the world's number two killer. They kill the most people in Africa each year than any other animal. In the pictures the dots in the water are the hippos. There is also the one picture of the hippo out of the water at midday which was quite a rare site (apparently).

And.....when with the hippos.....do as the hippos do!

The Vervet Monkeys were highly entertaining and I usually would sit and eat my lunch while watching them play with each other....I got some good video of them falling off the trees on my video camera as well.

Then it was off to dart the poor Water Buffalo.....

The injured.....

The onlookers....

Some valiant effort was put in but unfortunately the poor girl did not make it. You can see that her tail was partly chewed off 0r speared...

And I leave you with the "Classic Africa Shot" which really isn't as classic as I would have thought....we all took the opportunity to snap this shot though.

Warthogs and Zebras and Hippos, Oh MY!

Well I got to go out and experience the Africa we have all watched on TV as children and adults. This weekend I was fortunate enough to head out to Lake Mburo with the veterinary students (WCVM) who are here for their African Wildlife Experience. I was there for 2 days and saw so much. I was really lucky as I was with the group of veterinarians from the park who get special priveledges and can go anywhere they like (Safari goers must stay on the road).

The first day I Was there was pretty sweet...there were zebras just chilling out on the road where we were driving (sitting on top of the Land Rover obviously) and warthogs that would dart across the road with their tails straight up in the air. All I could think of was Pumba and kept my eye for Timone (no luck). The warthogs are actually really ugly and some of them are super habituated to people so you can get pretty close...at your own risk. This one actually came after a girl and she fell over as he hit her legs...she was fine but it was pretty scary. I also saw Hippos on my first day...there is something so amazing and mysterious about a hippo. All you ever really get to see is their heads sticking out of the water. Then you will hear this kind of growling type noise and hear them let out this huge breath and then go under again. We were actually lucky enough to see one out of the water too which is pretty rare. Then when we went back for supper there were a whole bunch of Vervet monkeys in the campsite. They were so funny...I loved watching them play fight, knocking each other out the trees and especially the mothers with those little ones absolutely clung to their chest. That night there were also bushpigs in the campsite. They are pretty wild looking and their colours make them look pretty crazy. It was funny because every little movement you made he was ready to get out of there.

Day two was really cool as we went on this 4 hour walk through the park. When we were walking we saw Water Buffalo (apparently more appropriately termed "African Buffalo" but I don't care. ha ha ha). They were all down at the watering pond and there were a bunch of calves as well. We had a park ranger with us as they are quite aggressive and sometimes with charge. So he was aremed and ready. We were all watching this big group of them at the water when all of a sudden there was this snort from behind some brush. This huge bull emerged and had his eye on us. We all quickly moved (as running in strictly prohibited) to the next brush and under a tree...I was looking around to plan my escape if need be but in there were only saplings around...not too helpful. He decided to go up into the bushed but then we heard this stamped coming from the water and there was this huge group of them bolting out of the water up in our direction....thankfully they stopped in their tracks when they saw us. My heart was certainly pumping pretty good though. Then as we went around the back side of the watering hole we saw a stuck Water Buffalo. From the binoculars we could see she was injured so we agreed to go eat and come back to help her.

We came back with a dart gun...darted her and drug her out of the hole. She was really skinny and obviously quite sick. We pulled her under a tree and did and exam discovering she had been speared by another horn or possibly eaten by hyenas. We cleaned her up and gave her some antibiotics and for the heck of it...preg checked her. She was pregnant! Ha ha ha! We then took her blindfold off....headed to the trucks and watched in anticipation...we waited for sometime while she tried to get up but she was too groggy....we left her and came back to find she had died. Quite sad but maybe better for her to die like that then to have her eaten while helpless in the mud? I don't know what I think.

Anyway, I came without the expectation to do anything like this so I am as happy as a pig mud (and obviously more happy than the buffalo in the mud). We have no power at our house (for 4 days now) and my camera is dead so when I get it going I will add pictures....there are many!!! It was really an awesome experience and I was really fortunate to do it....not to mention for free!

Sad day.

Well yesterday was a sad day indeed....."Trevor" (my computer) died! It was all so exciting as we got internet at the house so I would be able to stay in better contact with ya'll (yes ya'll remember I lived in Arkansas for 6 months this year as well). The first night was going splendid with emails flying off left and right and then unexpectedly my computer restarted itself. It then continued to start itself over and over and over...you get the point. I turned off, said some prayers and went to sleep, hoping that the next morning I would wake up and it would be fine. Not the case. Took my computer to the best looking computer shop in town (which wouldn't pass buliding standard in Canada I am sure) and had the guy have a look. Ends up he needs to wipe my hard-drive....he asks me where my important files are I show them all to him and he is able to save them. EXCEPT stupid me forgot that I had ALL my Uganda pictures saved to the Desktop not to "My Pictures". So alas, all my photos are gone except for these few that I have uploaded to my blog. Good thing that I have been showing you all my favourites. The other great news is that the cost was 20,000 Shillings which he apologized for and explained how much work it was to which I said in my head "No worries man, thanks for fixing my entire hard drive for $12!" Ha ha ha!

On a much darker and more "Ugandan" experience. Yesterday after picking up my computer and feeling a little better about life I was heading towards my favourite boda station when there was quite a raucous (sp?). People we all looking in one direction and chanting and yelling, lots laughing and doing imitations of something. The traffic was backed up and I just didn't feel safe so I decided to detour and do a little more shopping. I returned in half an hour found my new favourite boda driver Peter and started on my trek home. When I passed the spot where all the people were there was a man who was tied up (hands and feet), in his underwear, tied to a post and kind of laying in the middle of the street. I tried asking Peter what it was all about but he didn't understand what I was asking. When I got home I was kind of disturbed and told Hilda about it. She told me it was likely a thief that they were beating. I asked about the legalities of it and she said although it was illegal and obviously a violation of human rights it happens. I felt sick, I felt like my eyes were burning, and felt like I needed to go back and do something. I didn't go back but I can't get that image out of my head. I can't believe that it wouldn't be stopped, there are always police around and in fact this was right down the street from the station. One thing is for sure...I certainly won't even breath stolen air if it isn't allowed. Although this has shaken me....I still feel completely safe here and praise God for the experiences that I continue to have. My eyes have been opened!

Thanks to all those who are emailing me and leaving comments, I love to hear from you even though I may not respond. There are more than I ever would have imagined (and thanks to Grandpa Weir people who I never imagined would read.....makes me a little nervous). Hope you keep reading and enjoying!

Keep Left...

Well I started driving yesterday(I've actually been driving for years but just not here in Uganda people....come on!)!

Now this may seem like not such a big deal to some of you.....but it is. First of all they drive on the left not the right, this means that the steering wheel is also on the left which really puts a whole new perspective on things, you kind of feel like you are about to fall over. Like that isn't hard enough, this truck is somewhat of a "3-on-the-tree" type deal except it is more like "6-on-the-tree" with very loose tree and poor grooves. You can't really ever tell what gear you are in and once you are in gear the stick shift falls out of gear as you are driving! Super fun times. And to top it off the clutch, the gas and the brake.....ALL in the same place (ha ha ha got you there...praise God or I would have died I am sure).

Now this would all be fine if you were driving with some professional driver or something but no, I have 3 people in the truck who have never even sat behind the wheel trying to give me instructions. Instructions not only on how to drive but where to go. Apparently if you have never driven before you don't realise that if you want to turn off the highway (I am using this term lightly as it was more of a farmer's field but we were still traveling at highway speeds) you must speak up before the turn you want to take is 5 metres in front on you. Three U-turns, getting stuck in a plantation and almost killing a goat later we made it to our stop! It actually ended up being a lot of fun and I only drove on the wrong side 3 times! ha ha ha. It happens when I turn a corner as it just feels more natural. So yesterday every turn we would take the whole truck would chant "Keep Left, keep left, keep left...." We all made it out alive and other than the overloaded Matooke trucks whizzing past us it was a surprisingly stress-free event.

Heading out in the field again tomorrow which guarantees to be a good time.

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Welcome to my humble abode…

Well I have officially been in Mbarara for more than a week and I am finally getting used to my living situation. I thought I would take you for a tour as it certainly isn’t a home many of you will have lived in. I would say my house is what most middle to upper-middle class families live in. The very first thing that will strike you is the bright green wall on the veranda. Which I love. Kind of that shock you need to get going for the day! Ha ha ha!

When I first walked in the house I was a little worried. The first place I saw was the bathroom.
Complete with a seatless toilet…

At least it ends the age old battle between men and women and I am not sad because I win….seat is ALWAYS up. I was then was taken to my bedroom which has quite a musty odour along with the primitive key seen below ( I was thinking that maybe I was going to be living in a treasure chest!). Turns out that there was a serious termite infestation, hence the smell, but had been removed. You can see the evidence still on my wall.

When I went to open the curtains and open the windows…turns out I have a lot of bars on my windows that are tied closed with telephone wire….I feel really safe! LOL!

After the hanging of a few pictures (thanks to the Fun Tac from Grandma) and my mosquito net, it started to feel like home.

Then there is the kitchen which I described to you before but here are some pictures to better show you. As I said we have a little kitchen sink which only has cold water. Here is Hilda washing dishes. There is also one table and a cupboard which has very few groceries(I recently added g-nut butter and some "Digestive" cookies to the cupboard which come in handy). We have no fridge so we can’t keep anything perishable and end up shopping most days. And of course the small charcoal fire stove/pot that sits in the middle of the kitchen. Here is Carol cooking supper on the charcoal burner. We also boil water on here so that it is drinkable.

Now if you are like me…after the tour you are asking….”Where is your shower?”. Well I did and Hilda replied “It’s in the bathroom.” to which I replied “Ohhhh, it was behind the door?”. Nope it was there…you saw it too in that first picture of the bathroom.

Just a little spout coming off the wall. I usually end up washing pretty much the entire bathroom in the process. And of course we only get cold water….I used to do this little dance where I would run in and the run out, rolling my eyes into the back of my head and pep-talking "you can do it!" but now I am pretty used to the cold water and even kind of enjoy it. It’s a great way to wake up in the morning.

So if any of you want to come visit I have a refreshing shower and plenty of room on my floor for you.

On a side note: This morning a woman came to our house to get water as she doesn't have any (for whatever reason) and she was carrying her baby and wearing this nice long dress with a perfect hole cut our of it for breastfeeding. Not quite what you expect to be standing on your doorstep first thing in the morning. Ohhhhh Uganda....

Getting down and dirty...

Well yesterday I finally got out into the field. I went to a small parish (it’s what they call an area where a village is) called Kitooha. I went with Francis on a motorcycle which took us about an hour and 20 minutes. It was quite the ride over some serious hills which cattle happily graze on. In fact I was forced to walk 3 times, but that doesn’t stop the men from riding their bikes with their loads of Matooke (see below). I am still surprised what a green country this place is.

When we arrived we met with the local co-ordinator and began to walk and boy did we walk. We walked about 5 miles. It was one of those uphill both ways type deals…no really it was…I have no idea how but we walked up hill there and back. We were doing this to visit each beneficiary (and prove that Muzungoes can do what the black do). It was really fun though and I saw a lot of the goats and what type of conditions they are living in.

It was also fun to interact with the women although they know essentially no English. This one lady was quite the farmer. She has the goats, matooke, green bananas and g-nuts. G-nuts are, as far as I can tell, exactly the same as peanuts or maybe in this case p-nuts. She showed me her little crop and then we picked some. She then laid them all out to dry on a mat made of old pants and other material. She was a really fun lady and she reminded me a lot of Claire Lint (for those of you who know her).

When we were finished we went back to the trading centre (which is the village centre) and it was lunch time. The kids were all out and of course excited about the Muzungo as they are even more rare in the villages. I asked one boy if I could take his picture and he said yes (not really knowing what I was asking). I took it and showed him the picture which all the kids were excited to see as they gathered and laughed. When I brought out the camera again kids came out of the woodwork just to be in a picture and see themselves (I don’t know when else the ever would have seen their own faces…they have no mirrors). I kept having to back up further and further to accommodate for the increasing crowd. Then I went into the little shack for a coke and the kids were all crowded around the door watching me. Women were even looking in the windows.

When I came out the old women were even interested in the camera. When I brought it out to ask if I could take their picture they got all giddy and arranged themselves. You can’t tell from the picture but they were really excited.

I came back from the field and realised my face felt hot….ahhhh stupid Muzungo didn’t put sunscreen on and has the red face to prove it. I have been liberally applying the Aloe all day and really hope I don’t look even more ridiculous in town today.