USDC

In light of several comments referring to my VSO ‘holiday’, I thought it was about time to say a little about my work here. My placement is at the Uganda Society for Disabled Children (USDC), where I am working to build the fundraising capacity. The office is based in Kampala (& is shared with several resident goats).

USDC provides support & rehabilitation services to families and children with disabilities. Typical examples of our work are: constructing special needs resource rooms in schools; providing equipment for deaf and blind children; organising surgical camps and orthopaedic workshops; running sensitisation workshops in local communities & raising awareness of the issues surrounding disability in Uganda.

Fundraising here is quite a challenge & the Ugandan work culture has certainly opened my eyes up to a very, erm… ‘different’ approach! That said, I can’t write any more as it’s sunny outside, so I think I’ll go for a dip.

Mwana Mugimu

The VSOs in Kampala have gathered together, to work on a small project called ‘Mwana Mugimu’ (healthy child). Over the next few months, we’ll be working with some very small & sick children at a unit in Mulago Hospital. All of the children on this ward are severely malnourished; many have been abandoned or are orphans.

The activities we will be working on inlclude:
· putting our artistic skills to the test to brighten up the units
· improving the playground facilities
· introducing play therapy
· collecting toys & clothes

On Saturday, we delivered our first consignment of toys and clothes, which had been generously donated by friends & family in the UK & the Netherlands. It was a really fun morning & we hope to do it again - but we need more toys & clothes! Please let me know if you would like to help & I'll send further info...

Uptown Kampala - for the office of Mr Museveni, swanky hotels & boutiques, verdant surroundings & a rather large shopping centre.

Downtown Kampala - home of the taxi parks, compact bustle, hawkers & dust. The name Kampala derives from the Luganda expression Kosozi Kampala - Hill of Antelope - a reference to the domestic impala.

Pebble

It seems it is impossible for me to go anywhere, without acquiring a cat. Meet Pebble, otherwise known as 'Compound Cat'. I am now campaigning for a resident goat...

Matoke Tours

The mushy, yellow mash which makes Matoke, is a staple of the Ugandan diet. Made from plantain, the 'green bananas' are peeled, wrapped in large leaves & then steamed outdoors over charcoal. It is a common sight to see discarded plantain peels all over the streets of Kampala.

Matoke is usually served with ground-nut sauce, rice, potatoes & all manner of other yellow, carb-laden foodstuffs. Never invite a Ugandan over for dinner unless you intend to make it...