Global Youth Service Day -Uganda

April rains pt. ii

“There is a silent tsunami under way all the time in rural Africa. Every month, as many children die of malaria in Africa as died in the tsunami – about 150,000 children dying every month.”
-Dr. Jeffery Sachs, director of the U.N. Millennium Project, Columbia University Economist

Sunday
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I thought we would be able to keep the planning stages of the project as low-key as possible, using public transport at all times and minimising unnecessary expenses at least until the culmination event on GYSD. However, from my experience yesterday, I am recommending nothing short of a powerful 4WD if we are to sustain ourselves under this severe weather, especially whenever we shall have to deliver logistics this week. For now, the roads are simply inaccessible during the rains, to state it mildly. For the farmers though, this is also a time to smile -one of the ones that I talked to expressed his concern though about the “extreme” strength of the rains this time around- given that they have had a long spell of drought since last year. “You win some and lose some. You never win all,” his colleague says with finality. I am only just getting to the village at this point on Sunday and I’m sharing the shade of a leaking roof with these two gentlemen, obviously farmers, before I can continue to the meeting place with the children and youth. I am slated to be there at 2.00pm and it’s only 5 minutes to the top of the hour. I’m going to brave the rain and walk through the seeping mud now. In my book, time is certainly of the essence. As I make my way out of “our shelter”, I can hear shouts of, “You must be mad going through that rain” coming behind me. Surely, I must be, I concur -but undeterred in my effort nonetheless!

By the end of the day, together with the children, we had drawn up a thorough plan for the following week and also developed a budget for the necessary tools and materials for the service. It is very apparent that everyone is feeling a certain sense of significance at the meetings, especially when their opinions on various matters are sought. Certainly the idea of having 6 different groups was excellent! Sam is very cheeky (in a good way) during the meetings, but at some points he seeks to draw all attention to himself, thereby dragging the meeting… when I ask him to take the video as each group makes their presentation, it’s the others’ turn to return the favour as they constantly mimic his apparent fascination with the device. Surely, we are having fun! William is the club president. However, I have to remind him every so often of his role in the club as he usually forgets (or so I think) it and acts the role of the typical “back-bencher”. At some point I seek to inquire from him whether he has taken note of an important point that we have collectively agreed upon and he responds by asking his vice, Faridah, to “ensure that it is written down”. I cannot interfere at this point but I’m fascinated nonetheless! Surely, these young men and women are like the clichéd saying, the “leaders of tomorrow”. If we are to get some things right, we really have to start young! It’s 7.30pm by the time I’m finally leaving this village for my home in the city. I am very sure that at some point next week, I shall pitch camp here -the constant travel is getting to me- until the GYSD is over. After I have travelled back to Betty’s and bade my farewell, I’m ‘escorted’ by at least 10 of the youth to the nearest point for me to get onto the familiar motorcycle public transport, and there begin my journey back home. The torrents of “Uncle Zack” that I have heard today have surely done their best to deafen my ears to the tag. I’m also out of saliva reminding people that they can simply use “Zack”. The few that have taken heed have instead gone a step further themselves, it’s now “master”… “this master”, “that master”. I feel like an old school teacher already! I am gonna run away!!! Finally I’m on my way again; needless to say that it started to rain again once I got onto the main road. That I was drenched is only putting it mildly. But that is a story for another day. All in the name of global youth service. Surely, something good has to come out of this! I got home a few minutes after 10.00pm and thought that I could get my notes together, write my analysis and also prepare myself for the following week, but that would not be the case… I only woke up in the morning again at 6.00am. Where did all the hours in between go?