I have now lived in Kampala on my own for 6 days. I have gotten my fix of cooking and eating American food in the hostel (including making chili out of the beans that the villagers had given to me). Stir-fry, pasta and garlic bread… my friend even made chocolate pudding with gummy worms and Oreo’s on Halloween!!! (I dressed up as an American tourist in Africa; quite well actually, some people even caught on and called me Muzungu!). Anyway, I’ve found my new taxi routes to Makerere Kiconi, normally only recognized when told to go by the MoGas station. My hostel is wonderful. My roommate Nina and I have made it just like home, with tapestries on the wall, desks full of books, and fully equipped with mosquito nets? I live in the hostel with two other SIT students Nina and Ashley, and on weekends another joins the festivities. Last weekend we explored a little by discovering a quaint touristy craft shop to spend all of our money at, a fantastic little coffee shop called 1000 Cups, and a BAGEL AND CUPCAKE (red velvet butter cream) PLACE CALLED “I <3 NEW YORK KITCHEN!” (Also known as the sudden but very timely death of my healthy living)
As for my progress with ADAM, it is moving… mpola mpola (slowly by slowly). The group has identified for themselves the challenges they are facing. One of the challenges is the market. Last Thursday Cosmas (the chairman of the group) and I went around to neighboring villages to try and sell our soap. Though many people claimed that they needed the soap, they simply could not afford it despite its low price of 1500 UGS per bar. The problems that the group encounters are the same problems of the people all around the rural villages… There is no money circulating in the villages, which makes it almost impossible to gain an income unless they sell to urban areas where people are more likely to have disposable income. For this challenge we discussed a few solutions. I suggested that maybe they sell to people according to how much money they have. In other words, create tick marks on the bar, so that when a person is in need of soap but can only afford 500 shillings of the bar that is the amount they can get. Or, perhaps more tangible in the future would be to sell in town centers just as Mityana town or Kampala at a higher competitive price, which would enable them to subsidize the price for local villagers. Though, before embarking on this suggestion I think they need to focus a little more on quality. Another challenge was participation of all the members. It is quite apparent that only some members are committed to the soap production and selling, but the lack of motivation is truly destroying the benefits that should be coming their way if they stay committed. My hope is to continue to mobilize them and motivate them until they begin to physically see and hold the benefits in their hands, which will then motivate themselves to expand and sustain.
As for my challenges, communication is a large barrier. As an outsider, I am able to give so much information and ideas to improve their situation, but the language and cultural barrier prevents me from clearly communicating with them. Though it is frustrating, I think that in a way it is a good thing they don’t understand me fully because it gives them the chance to critically think and problem solve to help improve their own situations. At the end of last week, I asked them to write down the challenges they face in making soap and selling it. They wrote it down in Luganda, and I got it translated. I was happy to find out that they are seeing the same challenges that I am seeing, and that they are aware that they need to do something about it. Each step is an excitement to me and the group. And as time goes on, I look forward to learning critical applications to the world of development.
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