Day 6 - Dancing in the moment

This is our first day actually working in the field with a cooperative.  We’ll spend 2 days with each one.  Isaac keeps referring to “Uganda time” and you quickly learn patience, and that time is valued differently here.  We scheduled our meeting to start at 9, people were still arriving at 10 and we eventually started at 10:30 or so.  We knew that would happen so you just plan accordingly and learn to ‘dance in the moment’ and be very flexible.   We first met at the SACCO and they proudly showed me their premises.  I don’t think they have a computer but they keep a set of basic books and can find what they want when they need it.  The directors are so committed to the success of the SACCO that they get personally involved in collections by going to the members houses to remind them of a loan repayment and as a result this particular SACCO has a low delinquency rate for Uganda.  Nothing like peer pressure!  

They prepared a briefing package for me with the all the information on their SACCO and it’s history.  I felt so privileged. We then proceeded to a nearby convent girls school for the meeting. At lunch about 150 young students swarmed around me and all wanted to touch me.  I was told that they wanted to feel what my skin felt like since it looks so different from theirs. I explained that I was just like them only my skin and hair was a different colour.  Educating girls here is very important and one sign at the school said ‘educate a girl and you’ll educate a nation’. I hope we never take for granted how very fortunate we are in Canada.

What a delightful and committed group of individuals!!!!  They have to come quite far to attend meetings and do it with no thought of payment; in fact as directors can’t get a loan from their own SACCO because they want to avoid any hint of conflict of interest.   

On the way to the SACCO in Ikwera we saw masses of people heading to the big market with bundles on their heads and animals in tow or in the case of small animals tied to the carrier of their bicycles.  On the way back we stopped at the market and it’s amazing what people can make out of things that we’d discard in a moment.  It’s a hard life here for most people and yet they’re happy and so hospitable to visitors.    

Back to hotel for a shower.  Did I mention the roads here?   Well, we got a good taste of them on our drive to Aduku where the Sacco is.  After a 1 ½ hour drive each way in the dust it felt so good. 

Goodnight.