Pre-Service Training I
If you are reading this, it will mean we got our internet back. The “kids” were Skyping and Face-timing so much they drained all the data purchased for internet usage. We were finally granted limited access to the internet from a Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) on our compound. There might be better ways, but I’m betting they want us to be more efficient. I usually type on Word beforehand anyway and then copy and paste. This weekend I’ll get a usb modem stick so I don’t have to depend on the compound.
I met an American from an NGO in a restaurant in Kampala who noticed I had the same phone as his phone. He showed me how to improve my photo settings which I hope helps, but the photos today pre-date my lesson.
We were taught how to cook with charcoal. This is more harmful to the environment than a gas cooker or crock pot, which are also easier, 
and will be my primary options if I get electricity.
Similarly we were taught how to bucket bathe, and wash clothes with a bar of soap or powder. They take at least two days to dry on the line, even without the daily rain showers. I intend to hire someone to wash my clothes which PC says is fine and can come out of our stipend. I think many will do that. I washed today and my sore back gives big respect to my pioneer women ancestors.
Below is a demonstration how to use a pit latrine. Straddle and squat. Don’t spray bug spray in there or the bugs come rushing out, which annoys your neighbors.
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Last Sunday we traveled in groups around Kampala. We learned how to use their taxis, which are vans which carry 15-20 people at a time. We also visited the Peace Corps office. This weekend we will not have an experienced volunteer with us. We all need to set up our banking and I have sim cards to get for my phones, once I learn my placement on Friday. Bootleg DVDs of current movies I can play on my laptop are less than $1.00 each.
This one of the giant taxi parks in Kampala. Sorry, I didn’t get any other good city photos yet.
So far this week the classes have been about how to structure projects, monitoring and evaluation, intercultural behavior, sexual health, sexual harassment, personal security and risk reduction, resiliency after your efforts don’t work out, and responsible use of alcohol. They teach using group activities, a method I am not used to. All my life I attended straight lectures.
After meeting with the Ag people, I was given a list of what they thought would be five compatible jobs. I was pleased to see that four of the five were in my top six. The one that wasn’t was a Catholic High School for girls. Although it didn’t require a motorcycle, I want to work with both genders. You can’t empower women unless you raise the consciousness of the men.
We submitted our top three job preferences and will learn our assignments and sites on Friday. Besides wanting to work with farmers and young people of both genders, mine are weighted toward business more than agriculture of course. Unlike some volunteers, I am not seeking the most remote, rural and rustic sites.
I have learned from volunteers who have come through to help with training that, opposite of my assumption, the Ag volunteers usually have the best accommodations. All the Ag jobs are supported by NGOs, which provide the funding for our housing. Many have electricity and indoor plumbing. Education volunteers have the least favorable housing, supported by local schools or government. Health volunteers are a bit better than education. You couldn’t tell from the job descriptions what your site housing will be like.
Otherwise, I have been healthy and keeping up with the Kids OK. I sure wish I could have seen American Pharaoh win the Triple Crown and it looks like I’ve missed two great games in the NBA Finals.
In a brief trip to town, we saw women in customary long skirts riding side-saddle on the back of motorcycles. Or three little kids lined up behind a parent on a cycle.
I met with the Agriculture staff today, and interviewed a volunteer about to go home from an assignment location I am considering. We have been given Nokia phones which are used primarily to talk to staff and volunteers in an internal network. We are supposed to get new SIM cards for our smart phones too. We set up our banking and will get debit cards . Our $200 per month stipends are direct deposited and it should be enough to get by each month. The weather has been great so far, very mild, often breezy. No complaints.
