Sometimes it REALLY seems like the time is dragging on. Other times it goes by more quickly. So, obviously I didn’t do such a great job of updating this more frequently like I said I would. I really will try harder, no, seriously. In my defense, we’ve had some power issues lately, which obviously impacted internet access, though with the generator, there shouldn’t have been much of a problem, except for the fact that the generator doesn’t reach the GBV office (usually we run on an inverter when there’s no power. Don’t ask me what the difference is or how either work, I don’t know), but because we were without power in the town for about 4 days, eventually the inverter got overloaded, and the generator ran out of fuel.
Right now I’m sitting in my hotel room in Moroto, watching the Blackburn-Arsenal game. This is the first soccer game I’ve watched and paid attention to since I’ve been here. I’ve always wanted to be a soccer fan, but since we don’t have a TV at our house, and I’m too lazy to go to a hotel/bar to watch them in town with all the drunk men, I don’t have much opportunity to become a crazy football fan here.
The journey to Moroto was uneventful…well, after they realized they forgot me and I caught up with them. Yes, I got left behind in Kampala, and I almost crashed when everyone realized that I was going to Moroto and no one in their transport department knew.
Okay, some post-Easter highlights of April:
o I bought DVDs in Kampala. Seasons 1-3 of Dexter, one season of CSI (that nearly caused my computer to crash), Invictus, Brooklyn’s Finest, and the Blindside.
o A lady from the bakery in town now brings breakfast to the office. While it’s a bit expensive, I can appreciate some day-old mini loaves of banana bread and carrot bread. She has yet to bring chocolate chip, which I know they make, so that’s a little disappointing. And because she comes, the lady that used to bring pancakes doesn’t come anymore, also a little disappointing, but still totally worth it because bakery lady brings chapattis, too.
o My second training went really well. We even prepared for it (though according to our preparation, I was to be the primary facilitator on day two, and in reality, I was not only the primary facilitator for the entire training, but really the only facilitator who did anything).
o I finished a rough draft of the 4 remaining training sessions, including materials for facilitators and participants. I still have some fine-tuning to do, and I have to get feedback from everyone, but at least there’s a draft done, and I don’t have to spend a ton more time working on them (hopefully).
o
I talked to my supervisor and the GBV manager about doing other things. While I still can’t do anything clinical or anything that I thought I’d be doing here or that I want to do (i.e. program evaluation, learn about grantwriting, learn about financial management/budgeting), things I can do include: do a needs/strengths assessment of people working in Karamoja (hence why I’m currently in Moroto), do a shit ton of reports (monthly, grant-end, etc), and support a new, 3-year grant that encompasses training local civil service officials on how to better work with survivors.
I talked to my supervisor and the GBV manager about doing other things. While I still can’t do anything clinical or anything that I thought I’d be doing here or that I want to do (i.e. program evaluation, learn about grantwriting, learn about financial management/budgeting), things I can do include: do a needs/strengths assessment of people working in Karamoja (hence why I’m currently in Moroto), do a shit ton of reports (monthly, grant-end, etc), and support a new, 3-year grant that encompasses training local civil service officials on how to better work with survivors.
And some not-so-good things that happened in April:
o We got a no-cost extension for the Irish Aid grant that was supposed to be ending May 15th (thus meaning that the majority of the GBV department would no longer work for IRC). Yes, I know this sounds like it should fall in the category above, but on a personal level, there are a few people in the GBV department that I don’t have such a good relationship with, so selfishly, I’ve put it under this category. They’re all staying until July 15th now. That’s only 16 days less than I’m staying with IRC. Hooray.
o I became really lazy. Since my knee has been hurting really badly, I’ve pretty much been entirely unable to run. I also got quite lazy and barely worked out in April.
o It became rainy season. Again, this could also go above, but because it makes mornings and evenings cold, and the middle of the day super hot, I don’t love rainy season. I’m finding that I didn’t bring enough layers. I think you all know how much I dislike cold weather (and by cold, I mean approximately 70s. Global kids, I know you think this is cold too).
o I have decided that my all-time least favorite mode of transportation is the boda boda. I don’t care how efficient or practical they are, they terrify me…possibly more-so than airplanes do because I’m quite certain they’re far more dangerous.
o I hired a Luo tutor to try to learn the language. I was really excited about it for the first week, but then once I realized he wasn’t actually going to show up for any of our pre-scheduled sessions, I lost hope. Yesterday I bought myself a rather pricey Luo dictionary. I’ll teach myself (or at least try).
o I contracted some type of rash when I was in Kampala. I tried to put anti-itch cream on it, and it became much more itchy, and spread slightly. Thankfully, it only took over one arm, and I went to the clinic and they gave me two types of pills and some special cream, and it went away. The doctor I saw looked like he was about 15. But whatever he gave me worked, so I’m not questioning him.
o
After my rash went away, I got roped into “co-facilitating” (read: facilitating) a joint GBV-Health training for some group of people associated with the health department. I was asked to step in because a few of the GBV staff were out sick. While conducting this training, I got to hang out with the sick people who refused to stay home, thus contracting a cold.
After my rash went away, I got roped into “co-facilitating” (read: facilitating) a joint GBV-Health training for some group of people associated with the health department. I was asked to step in because a few of the GBV staff were out sick. While conducting this training, I got to hang out with the sick people who refused to stay home, thus contracting a cold.
o
One of the drivers asked me if I could take him to the US. This happens occasionally, though not usually with staff members. However, I let it slide, because that question was preceded by “Where in America do you live? Near the Hollywood famous people? Do you know R. Kelly?”
One of the drivers asked me if I could take him to the US. This happens occasionally, though not usually with staff members. However, I let it slide, because that question was preceded by “Where in America do you live? Near the Hollywood famous people? Do you know R. Kelly?”
I’m sure there are more things that go in both categories, but that’s all I can think of right now, and I’ve spent enough time ignoring the work that I need to get done tonight.
Oh, but one last thing. Annabelle, this is for you. Early Sunday morning, between roughly 2:30 and 3:30 I was woken up by some very loud music. I’m not sure where the club is in relation to the Kampala guesthouse, but it couldn’t have been too far based on the fact that I could clearly hear the lyrics to every Lady Gaga song ever, especially Poker Face, which was played upwards of 5 times.
Poker Face?? It's following you around the world! I'm enjoying catching up on your blog - I've been remiss in reading it lately... Graduation was today - we missed you! It certainly sounds like you're having an adventure, with both the good and the bad that comes with that... Thanks for sharing :-)
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