24 March 2009

Post date: Apr 7, 2009 6:27:24 AM

24 Mar (Tuesday) Noon:

What is CHOGM? The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - see www.chogm2007.com. As I understand it's a yearly meeting that happens in one of the former British colonies to basically show support and, bottom line, provide an influx of investment money. Uganda hosted this even for the first time ever a little over a year ago. Streets specifically where the Queen would pass were all torn up and rebuilt during the year. New hotels sprung up all over and development projects were started that probably won't be finished for decades. It causes quite a bit of excitement and havoc - thus my joke -- “I’ve been CHOGMed” or “Life after CHOGM.”

It's been great being back at Mango Tree (www.mangotreeuganda.org). They practically rolled out the red carpet yesterday when I strolled in around 1:30PM. The new management here is very easy to work with and very appreciative of my efforts. I met with the Director and two Deputy Directors and we discussed what major problems they would like me to work on. When I left work yesterday I walked out the gate and a matatu rolled right up to pick me up. Those are really nice days. Sometimes I have to walk 3/4 mile and wait 10 min to catch a ride. Matatus are passenger Toyota vans that have four rows of seats in them plus the front bench seat. With the driver and conductor they ideal load is 15 people - but I've been in with as many as 19 and I have friends that have experienced 27 --- lol --- yes 27 people. They say they can get 19 in a private hire taxi too. Needless to say a Matatu is pretty packed my US standards with 15 just people.

This morning I met with the Production Manger, Charles, and Asst Production Manager/Inventory Manager, Nathan. I was very impressed at how well they have been carrying out the processes we had created a year ago. I was also impressed with the problems they had noted and the changes they had implemented that were within their control. Of course they had a number of other problems to discuss that were impressively well documented. With the grant already signed and the employees already on board to make changes I feel like we have a two week head start compared to my past visits. I have an appointment with Nathan shortly to do a spot inventory check :o)

For those who have heard me talk about Mark - he could use some prayers right now. He was is a Bodda Bodda accident on Sunday and is in critical condition with a partially severed spine. His chances are less than 50%. Mark is a very faithful house manager that worked for my friend Joe Schott for two years. I used to rent a room from Joe. Mark could clean or fix just about anything. He would even seek out dirty and broken things to take care of them. He was always very cheerful and friendly. I once asked him how much to get my pants patched. He told me 2,000 UGX (~$1.25 back then). I then asked him if I could come. He said that would cost 10,000 UGX. The implications being that having a tourist along would decrease his bargaining power. So I gave him 5,000 UGX to have the pants fixed and tell me about it later.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Edith. She's the head master at a school in Kampala where I'm hoping to work with one teacher/classroom and do the Kids Journey. My plan is to work with them one day a week for the following eight weeks. I'm hoping we can work with Primary 6 (6th Grade) since they are all required to take a Govt test to enter into Secondary 1 (7th Grade). Jo Nobel has been working with Edith for years so I think there is a good chance we can get an evaluation process put in place to see how well the Journey for Kids works for them.