The long wait is over. For eight weeks of training we have been wondering where exactly and what exactly our assignments would be. Language placements were a clue, but only to the general region. Now I have been to my site, been introduced to the organization I’ll be working with, and have seen what will be my home for the next two years. Two more weeks, one of training and one of administrative stuff in Kampala, and I’ll be settling in Soroti, the major town in the district of the same name.
Soroti is in Eastern Uganda, and a six hour bus trip from Kampala. The East is flat, wet and, where not wet and marshy, rocky. The people in this region have suffered from 20 years of civil strife, and more recently devastating floods. The region is among the poorest in Uganda – by one account more than 50% live on less than $1.00 US per day. My organization is CEREDO – the Catholic Education Research and Development Organization. Their programs include an education quality improvement initiative, HIV/AIDs and sexual/reproductive health training, and support for orphans and vulnerable children. It looks like my role will be in strategic planning and organization development, as well as to help with ideas for income generation with an eye toward self-sufficiency. Good, because I can help. Disappointing, because it won’t involve much day to day community engagement. To compensate I’ll look for a secondary project – possibly in a school or health center. There are about 5 other PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) in the area, most working with Catholic-affiliated programs and many in schools. We’ve already been talking about projects and opportunities for each other in the various organizations.
The bus trip is long, and the buses are uncomfortable, but there is “entertainment”. First, one section of the trip is devoted to the sale of patent medicines. Then there is the lay preacher who has selected the route between Mbale and Kampala as his ministry. He prays and reads scripture in English and Luganda. Given the safety record and physical condition of most buses, my PC colleague who said “there are no atheists on a Ugandan bus” has a point…
Not exactly entertainment, but interesting nonetheless, is the practice of the “short call”. The bus stops, the conductor announces a short call, men leave the bus in one direction and women in the other, everyone slips into the sugar cane field and … The Ugandan version of the highway rest stop.
As the bus moves eastward from Kampala, banana trees give way to sugar cane and tea that give way to rice. You pass the source of the Nile, and drive through dusty trading centers. You turn northeast toward Mbale, at Mbale turn west and then travel two more hours to reach Soroti. As Soroti approaches the landscape turns marshy. Soroti is at the eastern edge of Lake Kyoga – an ill defined lake system that covers hundreds of square miles. Buses and cars and trucks pass by fishermen in dugout canoes waiting to spear their prey… the 21st century passing pre-history…
The staff at CEREDO was quite welcoming. I already have a desk, and I’ve been to visit some other local organizations that partner with CEREDO on selected projects. I’ll be posting some photos of the office and my new colleagues, as well as of my new home, on my Facebook page shortly. CEREDO is providing a house on a compound owned by the Soroti Diocese, right next door to the Bishop’s residence. I don’t think that safety and security will be a concern! My direct neighbors include a retired priest and the diocese accountant. The house has four bedrooms, a kitchen, a sitting room, and a bathroom. Rather more space than I expected! People are working on the house right now – some repairs, painting, and tiling the bathroom floor – with promises that it will be ready in two weeks. We’ll see if that happens. Meanwhile I’m preparing myself to spend some time in temporary quarters! Consider the current house photos as the “before” pictures…
My address in Soroti will be c/o CEREDO, Catholic Education, Research and Development Organization, PO Box 650 Soroti, Uganda. Best to you all!
