MagnusAndCheryl

Volunteering In Uganda: A Day In The Life
Sunday, June 24, 2007

Our day starts with deceptive normality: a slice of toast, music on our i-Pod and a nice cup of tea. Things quickly take an 'African' turn as we step outside: furtively dodging the resident troop of vervet monkeys that delight in attempting to pee on our heads from the rooftop!

The morning commute is no less exciting: riding on the back of clapped-out motorbike 'boda bodas' we weave a death-defying and smog-choked ride through the rush hour crush. Often, the bikes run out of fuel mid-traffic. The driver leaps off, oblivious to the blaring horns, and then blows into the petrol tank in a symbolic, yet totally futile, attempt to breathe new life into the engine.

With nothing as organized as a crash helmet (or even a traffic light!), the general vibe at junctions is one of total chaos with potential catastrophe lurking round every bend. Perhaps that is why these crossroads invariably have 'end-of-the-world' style preachers standing on a soapbox amidst the snarling traffic, faces contorted and arms flailing amidst clouds of fumes as they announce the coming Armageddon.

Delighted to arrive in one piece at the slum where our project is based, we pick our way across trash-laden streets, fielding questions from inquisitive (but very friendly) locals around the pretty consistent topics of how we are feeling, the fact that we are, in fact, white and the fortunes of various English football teams.

Finally getting down to work, we rush to get the two computer systems in place for our Environmental Health project before we leave next week. However, the Ugandan electrical grid has the last laugh, going on the blink, sometimes for days on end.

Nevertheless, there is always time for a little fun - yesterday we watched Uganda take on the (bizarrely all-white) Namibian rugby team. A thrilling 20-19 victory was followed by the seemingly obligatory pitch invasion by all spectators!

With the horrific civil war in northern Uganda apparently winding down, we are off next towards the Sudanese border, if the security situation allows (and we get our project finished!).

Check our Latest Adventures section below for pictures and stories from South Africa or Botswana or Zambia.

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