Another very early we set off to the Mpigi district south of Kampala to see some of the work done by WaterAid in partnership with the Busoga Trust and Local Government. We crossed the equator, which was exciting. In Kayabwe, Prosy Nabunjo, a young mother, told me how rainfall capturing jars next to her house, built with help from WaterAid provided clean water for her household. The impact of thios provision on lifestyle is amazing. It frees time, as the nearest water previously, was in a quary a mile away. Crime against women and young girls walking to the water hole is still a very real danger. We travelled down very rough tracks through Papyrus filled marsh land to a road accessible Island. Here we saw a farmer Abduno Mageria who using and Ecosan Unit, a latrine that allows the waste to be composted had changed there lives and he was developing a banana, melon and carrot growing business.
We visited school for a short visit which included songs, poems, plays and took over two hours. It was fantastic, although it was apparent that malnutrician is still a factor in this area.
We met the Chief Administartive Officer of Mpindi District Henry Makumbi. The meetings are very formal but beautifully polite and proper, with everybody standing and introducing themselves and thanking everyone. For me work colleagues if we adopt this the front of mind part of the agenda needs to be put back an hour.
Please also see Emily and Carolines blogs on liknk below, they take better notes and type faster than me.
We head to Masindi, a four hour drive Thursday morning
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Visit to Kampala Slums
Today has been, to say the least quite an experience. We were up at 5:30 to visit several parishes within the Kampala district of Kawempe. I have never seen poverty like this and it was a very moving start to the day. The drainage of sewage was very basic through open channels and houses are completely flooded as a matter of course. But even within this area there were lighter moments. The photo shows me with some kids next to a latrine, which had collapsed in a very recent flood. They were having great fun squatting down and laughing at me. The people's ability to be so humane in such conditions is amazing. We visited several areas of the slum which is 5km in length, the great news is that where WaterAid have intervened, including toilet blocks which have been built for under £2500, which really have materially changed people's lives.
We have had an exciting teatime as we have been on Ugandan national television news (WBS), it would be immodest to describe how good I look with a bright red bald patch an an overly earnest expression but getting that extent of coverage is phenomenal.
Tomorrow we are going to another urban area, but this time to witness the really successful work WaterAid have carried out. I'll catch up again tomorrow, connections allowing.
Monday, 1 September 2008
It's really started now
What a start to a day, flying in over Lake Victoria and crossing the Equator back into the Northern Hemisphere to step out of the plane on a hot bright Monday morning. The trip from the Airport to the Hotel along the banks of the lake was terrific. The accomodation is void of cockroaches by the way.
Alot of the telegraph poles in Kampala have posters advertising, I kid you not "Gain Weight Fast" and "More Hips and Bum"....
Had meeting with the WaterAid Team in Kampala and they did some excellent presentations. Tomorrow the first of our Field trips start with a visit to the urban slums of Kampala. This is really what we came for but I think it's going to be difficult. Our agenda has changed slightly due to some unrest on the eastern boarders, but the people have been really friendly.
Sorry bit short, but have to go, keep watching this space. Cheers David
ps The pencils have been well received (even the Hull City and Bradford Bulls ones)
Alot of the telegraph poles in Kampala have posters advertising, I kid you not "Gain Weight Fast" and "More Hips and Bum"....
Had meeting with the WaterAid Team in Kampala and they did some excellent presentations. Tomorrow the first of our Field trips start with a visit to the urban slums of Kampala. This is really what we came for but I think it's going to be difficult. Our agenda has changed slightly due to some unrest on the eastern boarders, but the people have been really friendly.
Sorry bit short, but have to go, keep watching this space. Cheers David
ps The pencils have been well received (even the Hull City and Bradford Bulls ones)
Friday, 29 August 2008
Friday 29th - Last Day at work..
Bit hurried again today dishing out jobs to colleagues for whilst I'm away, and a quick thankyou to them now for all their help.
Also did some audio downloads which the comms people are sending out to local radio stations. It feels strange but once you start the messages are so simple that it feels quite easy.
Took my first malaria tablet this morning, picked up a prescription and discovered that no one knows my blood group, the dentists doesn't, my doctor does'nt and blood transfusion don't keep records, so I'm searching for my old donor card tonight.
The itnerary has changed slightly. Our first visit will be to Kampala to see the urban programme, and we will finish in Masindi later in the week.
The weather currently is warm (high 20's) and intermittently rainy in Uganda so I'm also going to be searching for my light anaorac in the loft this evening.
Will let you know how my rail and flights go in the next episode.
Just found out that first article has appeared in the papers. Yorkshire Evening Post is covering it, terrific.
Also did some audio downloads which the comms people are sending out to local radio stations. It feels strange but once you start the messages are so simple that it feels quite easy.
Took my first malaria tablet this morning, picked up a prescription and discovered that no one knows my blood group, the dentists doesn't, my doctor does'nt and blood transfusion don't keep records, so I'm searching for my old donor card tonight.
The itnerary has changed slightly. Our first visit will be to Kampala to see the urban programme, and we will finish in Masindi later in the week.
The weather currently is warm (high 20's) and intermittently rainy in Uganda so I'm also going to be searching for my light anaorac in the loft this evening.
Will let you know how my rail and flights go in the next episode.
Just found out that first article has appeared in the papers. Yorkshire Evening Post is covering it, terrific.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Thursday 28th August
Things are getting busy now, with so much to do ensuring I've tied all the loose ends at work, double checking I've got everything I need in my little bag and making sure I'm ready for what is going to be quite an experience. Today I've been helping Aimee in Yorkshire Water's comms department with some questions from the local press, which I just wasn't expecting, Doing the words for the press release though brought something home to me in a big way. I'm 48 this year and that is the average life expectancy of a Ugandan man.
I will try update this for any of you interested but can't promise anything. The words from the press release
Yorkshire Water management accountant Dave McGlinchey is this week embarking on a life changing experience to Uganda to see for himself how the company's fund-raising efforts help international charity WaterAid provide clean water and sanitation to some of the world's poorest countries.
This year alone, Yorkshire Water employees and pensioners have raised a massive £303,000 for the charity through various events, payroll giving and a WaterAid lottery. Dave, who is also chair of the regional WaterAid committee, is one of 12 representatives from water companies across the UK who have been given the opportunity to visit Uganda to see the charity in action.
Every 17 seconds a child dies because of water bourne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which is why the work done by WaterAid can really make a difference.
As part of Dave's trip will be spending a day with a family who has no access to clean water or sanitation facilities. Visiting this rural village in Masindi will help the fund-raisers to experience and understand the hardships these people face on a daily basis.
The following day he will be going to a second village in the same area that is already benefitting from WaterAid's involvement. The representatives will be able to join in with some of the work underway by helping to build latrines. The differences between these two villages will be enormous, WaterAids work not only helps provide materials to build the necessary amenities more importantly it transfers knowledge to the communities empowering them to build, operate and maintain the wells, water pumps, and latrines.
Uganda is a land-locked country in East Africa with a population of almost 26 million - 40 per cent of these people don't have access to clean water and 57 per cent do not have a safe place to go to the toilet. WaterAid has worked in the country for 25 years and helped over 920,000 people gain access to safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education.
The trip aims to show the Dave and the other supporters how the money they have helped to raise can really make a huge difference to people's lives. All too often people take for granted the fresh clean water running from their taps and the fact that they have a working toilet within a few steps of their living room.
Dave McGlinchey commented: "I have been very impressed by Wateraid's commitment to enabling people to help themselves in improving their water supply and sanitation, and being invited to see this work in action is a great privilege. As more and more people are leaving rural areas the pressures on cities throughout the world are immense."
"On our visit we will also be visiting city slums to see how the sheer volume of people makes the need for decent toilet facilities all the more important. At 48 years old I have already reached the life expectancy of a man in Uganda - that really does make you think."
For just £15, the charity can provide someone with a lasting supply of clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education.
For more information on WaterAid visit www.wateraid.org/uk
I will try update this for any of you interested but can't promise anything. The words from the press release
Yorkshire Water management accountant Dave McGlinchey is this week embarking on a life changing experience to Uganda to see for himself how the company's fund-raising efforts help international charity WaterAid provide clean water and sanitation to some of the world's poorest countries.
This year alone, Yorkshire Water employees and pensioners have raised a massive £303,000 for the charity through various events, payroll giving and a WaterAid lottery. Dave, who is also chair of the regional WaterAid committee, is one of 12 representatives from water companies across the UK who have been given the opportunity to visit Uganda to see the charity in action.
Every 17 seconds a child dies because of water bourne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which is why the work done by WaterAid can really make a difference.
As part of Dave's trip will be spending a day with a family who has no access to clean water or sanitation facilities. Visiting this rural village in Masindi will help the fund-raisers to experience and understand the hardships these people face on a daily basis.
The following day he will be going to a second village in the same area that is already benefitting from WaterAid's involvement. The representatives will be able to join in with some of the work underway by helping to build latrines. The differences between these two villages will be enormous, WaterAids work not only helps provide materials to build the necessary amenities more importantly it transfers knowledge to the communities empowering them to build, operate and maintain the wells, water pumps, and latrines.
Uganda is a land-locked country in East Africa with a population of almost 26 million - 40 per cent of these people don't have access to clean water and 57 per cent do not have a safe place to go to the toilet. WaterAid has worked in the country for 25 years and helped over 920,000 people gain access to safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education.
The trip aims to show the Dave and the other supporters how the money they have helped to raise can really make a huge difference to people's lives. All too often people take for granted the fresh clean water running from their taps and the fact that they have a working toilet within a few steps of their living room.
Dave McGlinchey commented: "I have been very impressed by Wateraid's commitment to enabling people to help themselves in improving their water supply and sanitation, and being invited to see this work in action is a great privilege. As more and more people are leaving rural areas the pressures on cities throughout the world are immense."
"On our visit we will also be visiting city slums to see how the sheer volume of people makes the need for decent toilet facilities all the more important. At 48 years old I have already reached the life expectancy of a man in Uganda - that really does make you think."
For just £15, the charity can provide someone with a lasting supply of clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education.
For more information on WaterAid visit www.wateraid.org/uk
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