HUDIP
On Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock my small team had a meeting (originally scheduled for 10) with Richard, the project officer for the Hoima District Union for Persons with Disabilities (HUDIP).
At first I was worried we wouldn’t get very far as Richard didn’t seem to have much information, but as the meeting progressed he became more talkative and we managed to arrange a community dialogue for a group of PWDs (Persons with Disability) for Friday and to come up with a few ideas for our next steps. This includes meeting with the project officer in charge of social inclusion from Sightsavers International, an organisation which seems to coordinate many of the projects for PWDs in the area.
Independence Day
On Tuesday Uganda celebrated its 56th anniversary of independence from the British, so everyone had a day off work. I didn’t see much to do with independence (apart from extensive TV coverage) but apparently the local secondary schools did a march on the sports ground and there were parties in the evening.
It felt slightly odd to be a Brit celebrating Uganda’s independence from the British Empire, but we spent the afternoon at Kontiki hotel having lunch (most even went for a Western option!) and swimming in the pool.
We were also given a sheet to sign up for sports events the hotel had organised to celebrate independence day. Several of us got involved in volleyball on a court marked out in the grass. We lost miserably in the first round but then were challenged by a team of hotel staff and it was a pretty even match. After a long bout of volleyball (and several minor injuries) my team were just pipped at the post, but it was a fun afternoon.
Kassassa Women’s Empowerment Group
On Wednesday afternoon my team were drafted in last minute to attend a meeting along with our women’s association team so that we could conduct a survey about attitudes towards disability at the end.
The Kassassa Women’s Group met under a tree outside their local church to learn and make crafts. Their selection of hand-made bags, bowls and mats was very impressive and the group seemed eager for us to set up training and provide information about attending vocational training institutes.
Then came the time for our survey. I was slightly nervous about it, but our Team Leader Torom translated the questions and most of the ladies gave a response. We then chatted with the women and saw a group practising within the church who were singing, playing instruments and doing the impressive guttural cry which I can’t imagine ever being able to do.
Ugandan Timekeeping
One of the elements of Ugandan culture I’m struggling with is the lack of timekeeping. I’m not claiming to always be on time at home, but I get quite stressed out when we have a meeting and still haven’t left by the time it was meant to start.
This was taken to the extreme on Friday when we were meant to be leading a community dialogue with a group of PWDs at 2, but didn’t arrive until 3. My anxiety was made worse when I found out that, in order to get them to arrive on time, the attendees were told the meeting started at 12 and because we were late some of them had already left.
I know it’s deeprooted in the culture and I can’t change the Ugandan attitude towards time, but that doesn’t stop me feeling that we’re wasting time which could be used more productively.
Community dialogue
Once the community dialogue started it was very fruitful. Held in a hall at the sub-county office in Kitoba, we met a group of about 15 PWDs and discussed a variety of topics from employment and training for PWDs to the way they are perceived by society and by themselves. It was a very eye-opening experience and I found it especially shocking when the chairman related how disabled women are chastised and made to pay extra charges if they become pregnant.
The group were very helpful and engaged with the discussion. It was good to speak to the people we’re meant to be working with to find out what they want from us. I’m glad we now have more of a concrete idea of what we’ll be doing and am looking forward to setting up links between different groups and organising events and training to benefit PWDs.
Mountaineering
On Saturday as a social activity we set off to climb the mountain near Hoima (which is more of a hill). We were driven to one side and told there is no path and we needed to work as a team to reach the top. Also that we’re not allowed to take photos of the phone towers at the summit. We were then left to our own devices and had to make our way up the very steep side of the hill covered in forest. Using trees and plants to pull ourselves up and having to crawl at points, we reached the top all very sweaty and with many scratches.
It was fun and the view from the top was great, but it only took 20 minutes to get up and once we had come down (a proper path this time!) we went back into Hoima and chilled at the Crown hotel again. Not quite as long a hike as I was expecting, but all in all it was very enjoyable.
Church again
This morning I attended a different church service at St Peter’s cathedral (where my host family normally go to mass). The service started late and lasted for about 2 and a half hours, but I enjoyed the singing (there were even some hymns I recognised!) and it was a special service celebrating people who have graduated university.
Also, I didn’t find this out until later, but it turns out the king of Bunyoro (the kingdom in which Hoima was situated) was sat directly in front of my pew. I had noticed the elderly man with a soldier beside him but hadn’t realised it was the king and his bodyguard!
Sunday 14th October
Ella's blog 