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Hello everyone,

This might come as a shock to some of you, but I am writing this in the Netherlands. Due to unforeseen family circumstances I had to go back as urgently as possible. This will be my last entry on my blog.

My final week spent at BFFF was rather demanding. As I already knew I had to go back to the Netherlands I tried to finish as much of our plans as possible.

We finished our furniture in the restaurant, and started to build the same type of swing as Tien and I made at Lwengo.

First thing on the TO DO list was procurement of al needed materials. The hassling felt familiar and without too many difficulties we had a truck load of wooden beams, nails, ropes, cement, and whatever I thought could be useful for another giant swing.

Hello everyone,



All of the sudden time is flying; as we are already half way through the second month of my second project. In itself: no problem, apart from the fact, I feel there are still a million things to do.


This week again was filled to the brim with activities.


Some highlights:

I was invited to come and see another voluntary project. One of the local volunteers (Joseph) working at BFFF also participates in a project within the community where he was raised. He invited me for one day, to come and have a look.

First of all: thanks to all who responded to my previous blog-update.


The last 2 weeks have been interesting. As much time was spent on ‘my gutter-invention’. The principle is so dead-simple, that I am truly amazed that no one thought of it before. (Perhaps I have overlooked something, but for now I am pretty happy with my idea and how it works out so far).

The basic concept is to cut corrugated sheet into panels. These panels are folded in length, to create a gutter. The gutter sections that are thus created are 3 meters long and can be connected together with steel wire to make one big gutter. The next step is to hang the gutter onto the roof. Again by using steel wire. In addition to the corrugated sheets we bought big plastic drums to catch and store the water.

Hello everyone,

Thank you for reading and responding to my blog. I enjoy seeing so many keeping track of my ‘adventures’. This week was no exception.

Most remarkable is the day of shopping we had in town. The money we (the volunteers) raised was available to spend. For that we had lively discussion with the local volunteers. What was the best way to spend the money?

As I described previously; this project has a significant emphasis on longer term objectives (start-ups of small businesses). For that reason, the project coordinator wanted the money spend, to build these businesses (for example: a steel door for the projects micro-financing bank building; sewing machines for the tailor shop; glasses and cutlery for the restaurant we’re building).

Hello everyone,

After last week (the first week on the new project) this week work started for real. Although perhaps 2 weeks is a bit early to judge, I feel that BFFF differs significantly from Lwengo. That is caused by the type of activities, the way the project is organized and the focus of the project. At Lwengo, many activities were filling basic needs for the most vulnerable (water / housing) in combination with activities related to the school that was associated to the project.

The focus for BFFF is more long term. With that I mean that we spend a lot of energy on creating the facilities for little businesses. I mentioned the restaurant. Further BFFF is developing a bank for micro-financing; facilitating a tailor shop for making clothes. it wants to build pig houses , plant new trees for firewood, etcetera, etcetera.

For all who I have not spoken (that is the vast majority): a very happy new year !!!

For us: the volunteers working in Uganda, the year has started as well. The same as in the rest of the world, I assume. If I had hoped for an easy start, this was not the case.

The previous project was an example (an African example; but still) of a mature organization. Now I have joined a different project with a lot of rather young people. That in itself is not a bad thing. However the show is run by one single person, who floods everyone with ideas and information. I trust that in his head it all makes sense, but for us volunteers, new on the project it is a bit too much. For that we try to slow him down, but with little success so far. The positive side of it: we get lots of things to do.

Happy New Year to you all. I hope 2012 will bring you health and happiness and may your dreams be fulfilled.

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my earlier messages (Jos: If you would have been with us building the swing, it would have been even twice as big. I am sure of that). I still have not found out; how I can respond to individuals, but perhaps with the new group of volunteers a computer whiz-kid will come that can tell me). I am always happy to read something from the homefront.

For me the close of 2011 was pretty good (I had a great time on the Lwengo project and spent the Christmas period under the tropical Zanzibar-sun); and if it contains any forecast for 2012, I am looking forward to a new year full of promise.

Two more weeks are gone. Time really does fly over here. I assume it is because every day we’re so busy doing things; and also the weekends are packed with little trips around the country, or a relax weekend in Masaka.

As I wrote the last time, the school year had ended with ‘Speech day’. So in a way it was quieter than before. Luckily a new challenge was easily found: building a giant swing on the school’s playground. Such a project sounds easy, but does take a lot of time, if you do it ‘African style’.

Frank, Mariska, Jos, and all others who read my weblog,


Thank you for reading my weblog. Unfortunately I cannot respond to each of you (I have not found the reply-to button ..... if that exists); therefore this general message.


All safety procedures are being followed, during our activities ..... Yeah surely not. These people have absolutely never heard of safety. I try for myself to stay in one piece.

Pepernoten are very nice. Please send whatever you have left over?


Belgium might be cold, but it has warm hearted people. Thank you for the time you were over here. I try to send some pictures, you might be able to use.


Regards,



Ronald

Hello everyone,

This was an exciting week. On Wednesday my football team played an ‘official’ match against the team of the other school; and on Thursday it was Speechday – that is the final day of school before the holidays.

But to start at the most important event: the football match. Tuesday morning and afternoon training sessions were planned to see who would be selected for the team. I was very fortunate, as the man who sometimes gives football training for the adults (I joined that training a couple of times) happened to herd his cattle on the football field the moment I was there for selecting the best players.

I asked whether he wanted to help me and gladly he accepted. The morning session ended with a test match against a team of guys that happened to be in the neighborhood. My team won 3 -1; and everyone felt happy and confident.

Hello all,
Thank you for all your responses. I am especially pleased to read your enthusiasm for my future winning football team. For your information: the kids joining the training are between 8 – 10 years. So therefore, perhaps I do not have to wait 20 years before I can reap the fruits of my efforts.
Last weekend some volunteers left the project and others joined. The process is quite entertaining to observe. As the new ones ask the same kind of questions we did one month ago. We started on a new house for an elderly lady. The funny thing however was that when we arrived to start the work, she was nowhere to be found. Later we found out she was collecting grasshoppers for dinner, which obviously is much more important than a bunch of muzungu’s (white people) coming to build you a house.

So this was my first month in the chaos and garbage dump that is called Uganda. Everything is really filthy; with garbage and foul smells basically everywhere. On the other hand: it is really good fun over here. I am doing the things I wanted to do. Like: building houses from mud, building a school, building a water tank, training the local football team (If Uganda wins the Africa cup in 20 years from now; I see this as a personal victory – haha!), teaching in school, etc. etc.

The weekends so far where occupied with wild water rafting on the Nile (2 weeks ago) and going on a safari and a boat trip to a waterfall (last weekend).This weekend possibly another safari, but that’s not decided yet.

Before I forget. Many thanks to all, who have responded to my weblog. It is nice to read something from the home front.

Hello everyone,



So this was my first week on the project.



Saturday in the evening I arrived and the welcoming party was already at the airport. The first two nights were spent in a tent at a backpackers hostel.



No adventures, apart that the second night we heard music. So I thought it wouldn’t be too far to walk. After an hour walking I was kind of lost. A bit tricky but with systematically trying all roads I found my way balk to the hostel.



On Monday we were transferred to the project, where we arrived late afternoon.



Tuesday was the first day on the project. We were introduced to the local school, where Bas and I played football against the kids. I can’t tell who won, but they run without stopping for hours in the sun …. Respect!

This week preparations definetely have started.

That means: I am spending most hours of the day behind my laptop. Checking received messages for renting out my appartment, checking emails, paying my bills, etc. etc.

No worries, because I can already hear the African sun calling.