Aug 07 Tamplin Newsletter.pdf

TWO TAMPLINS IN AFICA August, 2007 Issue 1 Email:

PO Box 705, Mbale, UGANDA www.tamplins.blogspot.com Natasha– [email protected] Ian– [email protected]

GETTING TO UGANDA Ahh, Africa at last! WE finally arrived in Uganda on May 16th, after a month in Thailand. We had attended a week-long retreat for TEAR Australia Fieldworkers in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, which was an inspiring experience to hear from the other Fieldworkers (all are working in Asia). After backpacking our way down to Singapore through Thailand and Malaysia, we flew to Entebbe, Uganda, where we were met with open arms by our African ‗Mummy Edith‘ (the Executive Director of the organisation we‘re working with: Uganda Women Concern Ministry, UWCM). But, it wouldn‘t be Africa if everything went smoothly: we were delayed from travelling to our new home in Mbale for a week in the capital city, Kampala as we waited for our unaccompanied baggage to arrive. First lesson:

Patience is a virtue.

Reflection: We were privileged to be able to move from one culture (Asian) straight to a completely different culture (African) in a matter of days. The comparison between our ―First World‖ culture and these ‗Two-Thirds World‘ cultures is so clear – the differing levels of poverty, disorganization, crowdedness, dirtiness, and costs of living.

WORK

Tash:

I am the Assistant Coordinator for LAMPS Pilot Project (Local Anti-Malaria Programme Support) at UWCM. We are still working on the Preparation Phase of the project. Working with the team has had its ups and downs, but has been a learning experience for all (especially recognising cultural differences, such as ‗African Timing‘). So far, some of the project accomplishments include: employing new staff; conducting a four-day workshop to design data collection tools; visiting key stakeholders (District Health, Regional hospital, etc); connecting with malaria control organisations in Kampala; spending much time on refining budgets and staff roles; and reviewing proposals from different contract firms for the baseline, midterm and final evaluation surveys. Tash also went to the field with Esther to work with one of UWCM‘s Community Mobilisation Teams (CMTs). It was an unforgettable experience as they re-mudded the mud hut of a frail elderly women. She was almost speechless with glee.

Ian: I have been kept busy assisting at UWCM. Shortly after arriving, I offered to assist a team of 16 young American students in their building project at UWCM. This project is called ‗Ebenezer Village Resort‘: 10 thatched ‗guest huts‘ at UWCM, which will serve as an income-generating source for the organisation. While unable to do any physical work (see prayer point for my health,), I assisted the team leader in planning and coordination. Now that the visiting team has left, I am continuing to oversee the project. I spend the rest of my time fixing endless I.T./computer and Internet access problems at both UWCM and JENGA. Another one of Ian‘s accomplishments has been improving the quality and reliability of UWCM‘s internet connection by 1) paying the bill, and 2) adapting a design of a antennae mount for an antenne twice the height. Internet connection is 100% ….when the power is on! Fixing the generator is the next thing on the list

ACCOMMODATION Our first week in Mbale we returned to our African ‗home‘ of Mummy Edith and Daddy David, 8 km outside the small city of Mbale in eastern Uganda. It was lovely to return to the Ugandan style of living again. We then moved to a local hotel/guesthouse while we searched for a house to rent. What was planned to be a week stay lasted 6 weeks in a small room at the hotel! Luckily, thanks to our friends from another organisation JENGA (‗to build‘), we are now housesitting in an area of Mbale called ‗Senior Quarters‘ where most of the ‗Muzungus‘ (whites) live. Finding a house to rent in Mbale with no real estate agents or advertising is like finding a needle in a haystack. Through word-or-mouth and chance ‗encounters‘, three months later ,we have succeeded in looking at quite a few houses in Senior Quarters which are old and run down. However, we have found a house but we will need to complete its renovations to make livable.

SPARE TIME We have little spare time, so we value the small amount we do get. Spending at quiet day at home is a real treat. We keep busy on weekends with work responsibilities, social outings, and the evenings with our new friends – most of them are English and volunteer for JENGA. Tash has gone on a few mountain hikes in the surrounding mountains – Sipi Falls and Moornie Mountains—with waterfalls, local villages and caves. Ian spent those days resting and recovering at home. We also visited Edith‘s sister-in-law in the Kumi district, where we climbed a huge rock after sunrise, visited caves with historical rock paintings (very similar to Aboriginal art), and relaxed while enjoying the warm local hospitality. It was so nice to get out of our routine Mbale life. Most Sundays are busy with church, where services can be quite long (up to 3-4 hrs) but worship time is very special.

CHALLENGES and PRAYER POINTS 

Accommodation: The house we have chosen is still quite run down. We hope we can make the appropriate renovations quickly so we can move in.

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Ian‘s Health: Ian has had one health issue after another (malaria twice; constant flu symptoms; an ear infection; etc). He and his morale is improving with each new week.

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The LAMPS Project Start-up: we are struggling to obtain an accurate and affordable baseline measure of the malaria burden in the project area (55 villages). The local word for malaria here is the same as ‗fever, so there is a large over diagnosis of malaria.

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Cultural Adjustment: Each day we find ourselves adjusting to ‗African timing‘ and work ethic, and we‘re challenged to express our opinions in ways that aren‘t culturally insulting, and to learn Swahili.

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Transportation: we need to find our own means of transportation that is affordable and reliable.

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Our relationship: We must continue to constantly nurture each other as we both battle with the new pressures and adjustments in our lives

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Spiritual Warfare: We feel that many of our struggles are spiritual attacks to weaken our relationship with God and each other, and our ability to perform well in our roles, both at work and in the home.

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Mosquitoes: They are annoying, noisy when on the verge of sleep, and deadly!