Sorry...

Hello.
Sorry about the extended absence...fell in a hole. That would make a great story if it was literal. Anyway, I'm out now and ready to start my second year in Uganda.

So what to say. Well, I want to thank Z for the great idea of getting out in the village. My organization has 13 women's groups. One assignment they gave me was to check their records books. Of course, I was like sure. Easier said than done however.

From the experience of the women's group I live near, I know they do not start on time, nor do all the members attend. How in the world would I go to women's groups of which I am not sure of the location nor their regular time they choose to begin their meetings (theoretically all the groups meet on the same day at the same time in their respective locations: Every other Tuesday at 2pm)

To me this was a dilemma. I didn't know exactly when the meetings were nor did I just want to show up for a short time and then leave. So I incorporated Z idea of weekend visits to the village. Now each meeting week I go to a different group and spend a couple days with them. What a great idea.

So far I have visited two groups and have enjoyed both. When I first arrived in Uganda, my then counterpart took me to visit some groups, these two just happened to be among them.

Bugoye Women's group is off the main road a bit and way more quieter than my place. It was a refuge and reminder of why I'm here all rolled into one. They fed me way to much food, asked me questions late into the evening, and were perfect hosts. My favorite moment was sitting in the front lawn on a mat just looking around at the green everywhere and hearing nothing. It was bliss.

Muwumuza group was next and this time I had been able to charge my camera and bring it. This group had received funds to begin a catering business, so the night before the people from the district were coming to inspect, we stayed up to mark all the items.

So pots and pans, basins, trays, buckets, and 550 plates later, we went to bed...but of course there were still utensils to do the next day.

While waiting for the district people to come inspect, the women baked a cake. I must say, they did the best job so far...even I can't bake one without burning it a little, but these lady (and gentleman) have it down.

Both groups also did the same thing, after I taught them initial, they went and bake a second almost immediately. Cool huh?

Next up will be today's experience at the welders.

Until Next Time.