first few days

Hey All.
So we arrived safe and sound after what felt like a pretty long flight. We were picked up by our volunteer coordinator who was the most laid back American woman ever. I thought if this was what Ugandan life's going to be like, I'll be happy with that!
We met all the other volunteers who seem really nice and have so many stories, a lot of them left today and a load more will be coming in a few weeks so that's cool. We have a next door neighbour Natalie who is gorgeous and is constantly at the guesthouse, she has been teaching us Luganda (she's 6!)
We were taken on a guide of Mukono town and had introductions to so many different people there is no way I'll remember names!

We then met the project managers of The Youth League Organisation, they are wonderful and their names i do remember. Frank and Kayiira. They took us through what we will be involved with for the next 3 months and it sounded so interesting. However I'm not sure how organised it all is but we shall see! James will be doing some policy writing and i will be helping put together an HIV awareness training programme for many of the farmers in the surrounding villages. These farmers, men and women are HIV+ and fear everyday they will die. So the programme will be about changing attitudes and giving basic information on HIV and AIDS.

We will also be teaching in a local school called Divine Mercy but at the moment the children are having their exams, then 3 weeks holiday, so that will not be for the next month. I'm glad because it gives us time to settle into the other work first. We did visit the school the other day and everyone was so nice. The teachers were so welcoming and the children were so cute, all staring at us whilst eating their porridge.

Frank and Kayiira took us for a welcoming dinner which consisted of Matakoo (excuse spelling) which is mashed plantain, rice, some kind of vegetable but I'm not sure what! Potato, ground peanut and also chicken soup. It was very nice but there was so much of it. I know i like my food but i just couldn't eat it all! They said i had a muzungu stomach (which means white persons stomach) They also said by the end i will be able to eat the whole plate and more. (i thought i hope not for my sake!)

So were so pleased to be hear and can feel it becoming like home already, there's still a few things I'm getting used to, like being woken at night by dogs and also the toilet at the guesthouse. But that's a whole other story altogether, (it makes Glastonbury pitts look like a palace!) I'm sure I'll get used to it though...

take care, Amy xxx