Jet lag is mostly gone now which is good since it’s warm
here but most importantly VERY humid (about 96% humidity) and I have quickly
learned that humidity + jet lag = exhaustion!!
I was talking earlier about the wonderful complexities of Kampala. Well yesterday's dinner is a great example. We
were in a very modern restaurant frequented by ex-pats and the food and
atmosphere was great and then they started bringing hooka pipes to the tables
on request. Not being a smoker and with other non-smokers we declined. I know what you’re thinking but it was perfectly legal and not drugs but
definitely not my cup of tea.
This is the second day of our training and we are really
getting a chance to get to know each other better. There are two things that
have really stood out for me. One is the great senses of humour, for example
David let me know early on that in 1 of the local dialects “linda” means wait
and he quickly realized that waiting isn’t one of my strong suits. Now he is
taking full advantage and is constantly saying “linda” just to tease me. So many of you can remember this and use it
when my tendency is to forge ahead.
The other thing that I find interesting is that all of our UCA counterparts can quote the 7 cooperative principles and give examples of where their coops link to them. I’m pretty sure most of us couldn’t do that even though we work in the cooperative system too. Coops here in Uganda are so important to the day-to-day lives of the members and to the regional economic development. Coops are what make it possible for families to earn enough to send their children to school.
Our last day of training is tomorrow and then we’re off to
rural Uganda, but not before we celebrate with our Ugandan team mates. David says he’ll “facilitate” the drinks –
wish me luck!!
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