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Jerry Can Distribution! -PC Water and Sanitation Grant

LIke laundering money or doing drugs or something.

Muli Muta (Hello Everyone)!

It's been a fun week. I got sick. And no it wasn't malaria. Trust me. I checked. Twice. It's really not fun having to purposely poke myself with a needle (as required by the test kit) to get that 5 (funny looking m)l drop of blood. The first time I was like WOW...I actually stabbed myself. Second time was like I don't feel good, let's just get this over with. Anyways...results=malaria free. yAy?!

But cool thing is...we got our grant money in! Just in case I didn't write it before, we got a grant approved for a water and sanitation project! We're installing 10 pit latrines, renovating 5 pit latrines, extending the gravity water line (so more people have access to water at a closer distance) and providing a couple additional bikes and one water tank for the orphanage (although I've heard notes that they may loan it for my toilet first since the orphanage is not ready yet to install the tank).

So yes..we got money! And it's all in my bank account...muahahhahahaha I'm a millionaire couple times over. LOL Actually, it's not fun. Makes me nervous and paranoid having all that money in my account and making sure its accounted for.

So today, I was supposed to withdraw *a nice chunk of money* and the line was RIDICULOUS at the bank! And of course, bank etiquette here is well, lacking to say for sure. Everyone's on their phones, at the counter with you, peeking over your shoulder. Ya...privacy? Nada. Doesn't exist. So I decided to try my luck at the "bulk teller" window. I stand there waiting and it looks like some guys going to cut in front of me! Which could totally be possible since there aren't really lines. Anyways, fortunately, he moves back...just to stand over my shoulder. Next to me is some Indian store owner who is joking around with Ugandans and it feels like he's staring at me (really weird). FINALLY (note, it did take quite awhile, the 2 guys in front of me had a BOXFUL of neatly stacked cash and a nice bag of coins), it was my turn. Sort of. The teller lady was actually still helping the gentleman in front of me but I guess she realized that he would take a while so she asked me what I wanted. 

So there, in front of the man, I had to hand over my withdrawal slip and receive three hefty stacks of cash. Oh, and he reminded me I had to sign twice for it. Anyhow, the whole time, I'm feeling pretty paranoid and trying to cover the cash and protect my belongings, it definitely felt like I was doing something I shouldn't be doing (like money laundering or something). 

---of course, Ugandans believe that Muzungus (white people or foreigners) or maybe MuChina (me) would be filthy rich (totally not true) and of since I'm going to the bank and the bulk teller line...hence my feelings of paranoia 

Afterwards, my supervisor goes, let's go somewhere private to exchange the money. So we go around the corner, to the pizza shop (which is closed on Mondays--and today's a Monday) and we walk in past the gate and slip into a corner and I hand him the money. And he slips it into his pocket (after searching for a pocket large enough in his clothes that would hold stacks of cash) and hands me a piece of paper to make photocopies for him. And now I feel like I'm a drug (or something) dealer. 

Man, having money is not cool. It makes me feel like I'm doing bad stuff when I'm totally not. Fortunately, all the money is legit and it's being accounted for. I've got receipts and everything! And it's going to a good cause. So let's just finish this withdrawal business now and move on to the good stuff...implementing stuff! =) It's going to be a busy couple weeks.

But on a side note... 

Weird fact. Peace Corps Uganda lists Kampala (the capital) as restricted to volunteers but allows volunteers in most everywhere else in the country. JICA (Japanese version of Peace Corps) lists Fort Portal (where I live) as off limits but Kampala as open to their volunteers because of perceived "danger". mmm..having lived pretty much in Fort Portal for 7ish months now, I'm pretty sure I can tell you Fort Portal is pretty safe. Weird.

Oh! And Char got her pin out...although she chewed through her stitches (silly dog). So she'll just have to add another ugly battle wound (scar) to her cute little self. Double oh! So my group has given the dogs (who are still alive apparently) nicknames (sort of). Char is the "million dollar puppy" and Brutus (another volunteer's pup) is the "monster dog". Can you guess why each got their name?

Hopefully, that's about as much excitement as I'll get this week. See you next time, this is Tiffany Tai, Peace Corps Uganda.

PS. Congrats Crystal! Congrats Sarah! 

Fabulous Quote

‎"English was born in Britain, grew up in America, fell sick in Africa, and died in Asia"

FYI...COGS

Hello!

I thought it may be interesting to share with you the cost of living here:

Apple $ .41

Grapes $ 4.08

Loaf of bread $ .81-2.45

Calling home to the US (45 min with the best rate time) $ 2.04

Wheel of Gouda Cheese $ 5.71

Cup of (local) milk, about .5 liter $ .20

1.5 liter water $ .61

coke in a glass bottle $ .61

coke in a plastic bottle $ .82

sugar per kilo $ 1.63

twix bar $ 1.43

glass of wine $3.27

bottle of beer $1.22

Transport obviously ranges depending on how far your going. For example, from the capital to my town (approximately 5 hours) by bus is $8.16. And transport from town to my house is $.82 one way.

Ps. Anyone who hasn't tried a neiman marcus cookie, go try it! So good!

How much do Ugandans eat?

How much do Ugandans eat? Seriously, they eat a lot. For example, today's conversation:

V: Tiffy, I am eating lunch now.
T: That's a lot of food Vincent!
V: Really? No! It's only one kilo of pork!
T: Yea...just 1 kilo (2.2 pounds)

The dark brown thing is the pork, the lighter thing is matooke (bananas).