The End!

Rambling about work isn't the most exciting thing in the world. If you want to hear about my BEST month yet, have peak at my photos (and captions) or wait for me to return (3 weeks!) I'm always up for a heated 'Development....and why it's all wrong and a tiny bit awesome' talk!!!!

Conducting a Debate with our AIDS ACTION CLUB at Kigandalo Secondary

This debate was on a Gender topic 'Men are more responsible than women'. Debates like this are always fab as Ugandan perspectives on men/women are SO different from people in the Western world. Every-time I mention I used to be in football team I am left with a classroom in hysterical fit.

Our 'Demonstration Festival'

One of the biggest events we held this month was a 'Demonstration Festival'. It was an opportunity for the community members we've worked with to exhibit their work. The day was full of modern agriculture technique demonstrations, poems on domestic abuse, songs about HIV prevention, dramas relating to teenage pregnancy, dances from the advocacy campaign 'Dance 4 Life' and many many goodbye speeches. Over 300 people attended. MAD MAD hectic day but sooooo worthwhile.

Good times with my neighbours! The house has NEVER been quiet over the past month.

Dancing to Indian music, some of my best nights!

After 'Demonstration Festival' with our Secondary pupils. Samuel on the left, Timo in the middle and Rose on the right. This was taken just before we watched a musical film, dubbed in Lusoga about Apartheid in South Africa. It couldn't have been any worse! I sat in the pits of extreme uncomfortableness (if that a word?) for a good 2 hours. I'm happy to say the generator died and my torture finally came to an end! 

Session on HIV transmission with out of school youth. I have started a list of 'Odd Questions', its unbelievable what sort of rumours relating to sexual health pass through the community. One man was CONVINCED that you could get HIV from a spoon.

 Referring a pupil to one of the nurses I work with, 'Juliet'. This is the lab where they do the HIV testing and all the rest of the confusing technical stuff.

 

 

 Final night with SPW (now 'Restless Development'). Anna and myself in all our glamour.

Leaving the village was beyond odd. In a way it was REALLY sad, I was leaving my home and friends. On the other hand, I was SO happy that I'd got through the hardest 6 months of my life and I still had a smile on my face. A very bitter sweet motorbike ride back to civilisation.

The whole volunteering experience ended with a 'Debrief' workshop in Jinja. A very enjoyable few days. We got to give feedback on all the nitty gritty, especially relating to our work in the field. 'SPW' (now 'Restless Development') is having a MASSIVE strategic review over the next few years. It's exciting to contribute and be part of the positive changes within the organisation.

Check out some of the new changes and 'rebrand':

www.restlessdevelopment.org

So from now on it's all travels!!!! I'm afraid it might just be a little bit too mad and fun....I might just never leave.