Today, I'm in Kampala again, just stopping on the way back from our PCV visits. I went to visit a volunteer in the Makono District. Her village is right on Lake Victoria - it was beautiful; I really felt like I was at the ocean...except for the fact that we can't swim in it b/c of a really awful disease called schistomastis (something like that). But it was really nice to see an actual PCV's site, her house, how they live, what the cook, their job, activities, etc. I arrived on Monday afternoon; she showed me around her village, and I met some of her colleagues. On Tuesday, we spent some time relaxing and then attended the women's group meeting. It was really interesting to see how they collect and track loan payments of the women. These women run a fishery, own cows, small stands, make and sell soap, make water purifiers. And then on Wednesday, we visited a couple of the schools where the volunteer is running a sanitation competition with their latrines, drinking water, trash, etc. We then met up with some of the other trainees and volunteers, made dinner and slept at a Catholic convent. The volunteers took really good care of us - making us great food and telling us all about the next 2 years. We're in Kampala today for a little while and then back to training for Friday and Saturday. Only about 5 more weeks of training before we finally get sworn in as PCVs!
Other than that, I'm still doing great - no sickness except a minor cold I had earlier this week, but I am already all better from it. I'm still enjoying it and loving Uganda and am excited to move to site in late April. I honestly don't really miss home/the U.S. yet; I just really miss the news and hearing about Obama daily. The BBC still doesn't do it justice. Hopefully, I will be receiving the Economist soon. Anyways, hope all is well with everyone back home! May be awhile until I post again although I hope to make it to Kampala on Sunday to visit a friend. Give me a call!
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I've joined the Peace Corps! I leave for Uganda on February 12th, 2009 and will return in April 2011. I'll try to use this blog to write about my experiences through this 2-year adventure! Check back for updates!
Disclaimer
The contents of this website are mine personally. Any views reflected herein do not in any way reflect the position of the Peace Corps, the U.S. government, Uganda's government or any organization and/or person mentioned in the blog.
About Me
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Write me! (or Call!)
My new address for the next two years:
Lauren ___
P.O. Box 110
Kumi, Uganda
AIRMAIL
NEW AS OF 5/19/09:
Mobile No.: +256-78-33-78683
Lauren ___
P.O. Box 110
Kumi, Uganda
AIRMAIL
NEW AS OF 5/19/09:
Mobile No.: +256-78-33-78683
Pictures
Cool Links about Uganda, Africa and the Peace Corps
Directions for Letters and Packages & Care Items List
I only post this because friends have asked what they can send me, and it's easier than sending out an e-mail with it. Letters are much appreciated - I will always write one back!
Letter and Package Directions
1. Write "Airmail" on the envelope/package.
2. Number your letters so I know if any became lost in transit.
3. Regarding packages - Padded envelopes and Priority Mail boxes both work. If there's a lot to package, Priority Mail boxes are often better, because they don't price it according to weight - whatever you can manage to fit in the box; it's a flat rate for the box. So far, it's been taking about 4-8 weeks for a package to arrive. Letters are taking even longer.
4. I also hear that that writing "educational materials" or "feminine hygiene products" on the package helps increase the success rate of getting to me. Although so far, no packages have been lost. Letters, however, have been lost.
5. When filling out the customs forms at the post office, write "old, used materials" or "feminine products." They can charge custom fees on new items, especially clothing, so take any tags off of items.
Things you can send me:
**-tuna packets
**-dry hummus packets (just add water and olive oil to mix)
**-Luna bars/granola bars
**-cappuccino mix or iced coffee/mocha mix
**-Kraft parmesan cheese in the green can and/or the cheese packets from the macaroni and cheese boxes
**-candy - M&Ms peanut, M&Ms peanut butter, Reese's Pieces, gummies, good chocolate
**-Crystal Lite/Target individual flavored drink powders (to add to water)
**-flavored oatmeal packets
**-hand sanitizer
**-cute shirts, tanks, bracelets, etc from Jcrew, Banana, Gap, etc - its hard finding cute clothes here!
**-solid-color tank tops from H&M, Gap, etc
**-fun magazines so I can stay up on my celebrity gossip (not really, but they are entertaining to read!) - such as US, People (I already get the Economist)
**-puzzles - I recently got back into doing puzzles, and it is a GREAT way to pass time!
-books
-duct tape
-popcorn seasoning - Kernel Season's "white cheddar" and/or "butter popcorn"
-anything else you know I'd like
Letter and Package Directions
1. Write "Airmail" on the envelope/package.
2. Number your letters so I know if any became lost in transit.
3. Regarding packages - Padded envelopes and Priority Mail boxes both work. If there's a lot to package, Priority Mail boxes are often better, because they don't price it according to weight - whatever you can manage to fit in the box; it's a flat rate for the box. So far, it's been taking about 4-8 weeks for a package to arrive. Letters are taking even longer.
4. I also hear that that writing "educational materials" or "feminine hygiene products" on the package helps increase the success rate of getting to me. Although so far, no packages have been lost. Letters, however, have been lost.
5. When filling out the customs forms at the post office, write "old, used materials" or "feminine products." They can charge custom fees on new items, especially clothing, so take any tags off of items.
Things you can send me:
**-tuna packets
**-dry hummus packets (just add water and olive oil to mix)
**-Luna bars/granola bars
**-cappuccino mix or iced coffee/mocha mix
**-Kraft parmesan cheese in the green can and/or the cheese packets from the macaroni and cheese boxes
**-candy - M&Ms peanut, M&Ms peanut butter, Reese's Pieces, gummies, good chocolate
**-Crystal Lite/Target individual flavored drink powders (to add to water)
**-flavored oatmeal packets
**-hand sanitizer
**-cute shirts, tanks, bracelets, etc from Jcrew, Banana, Gap, etc - its hard finding cute clothes here!
**-solid-color tank tops from H&M, Gap, etc
**-fun magazines so I can stay up on my celebrity gossip (not really, but they are entertaining to read!) - such as US, People (I already get the Economist)
**-puzzles - I recently got back into doing puzzles, and it is a GREAT way to pass time!
-books
-duct tape
-popcorn seasoning - Kernel Season's "white cheddar" and/or "butter popcorn"
-anything else you know I'd like