April 29, 2005

Hello Everyone,
We arrived safely in Lira yesterday evening.  We ran errands around Kampala all day our first day in Uganda.  We exchanged our money for lots of Ugandan Shillings ($1 = 1,970 Shillings).  I literally had bundles of currency to hide in my secret compartments.  We then went to a hardware store to get materials (galvanized wire, pliers, etc.) and to the US Embassy to register our work in Lira.  Then the 6 hour drive due north to Lira.  It was bumpy and lots of bicycles & pedestrians to manuever around.  Needless to say, it was a slow ride.  Also, gas is about $4 per gallon, so it was $100 to just drive to Lira.

Uganda is surprisingly green and hilly (I really had not read up as much as I should have on the terrain).  Really quite beautiful.  It is the rainy season and there are lots of wild flowers.  Yes, I knew I was in Africa with the women carrying their loads on their heads and the bright colors of the dresses.

Yesterday, we set up our bank account here in town to unload our purses and then met with the All Nations Christian Care staff.  They are really trying to do a lot for the refugees and looks like a well organized group.  In the afternoon, we went to 2 refugee camps, one with 1,200 people and the other with 38,000.  It was very encouraging to see our warm welcome.  Naturally, the needs are so great and we can't wait to get started.  Each camp manager and staff talked with us and we signed their visitor registers.  As you can imagine, I got some very heart-breaking photos.  However, everyone was so excited to see their own faces on the digital camera screen and the children all laughed with glee to see each other on the camera.

Today we went to another camp where we learned to build the stoves and gave a demonstration.  We also visited the site where the bricks are being made.  In the hour that we were there they must have made at least 100.  We need a total of 60,000!!!  The afternoon was spent watching them drill a well at another camp.  They hit rock, but the drill was able to continue.  It will be more work for them tomorrow.

This will be the last email for a while.  We will be busy I hope.  My room at Hotel Lira is Spartan, but luxurious compared to local standards (just $15/nite).  So thanks for all your good wishes and I'll let you know if there is any neat stuff to report.

Until the next email,

-Chuck-