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! 

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!

I think I'm Getting Busier

I think. I'm starting to get busier. I think.

Ugandan Quote of the Day: "God created all of us. He started on Monday and went to Saturday. On Saturday, He was VERY tired . . . that is why see you people who are VERY ugly."

So...this past week: I went to the dentist! And I have to say...it was good!

Cost of a cleaning: $38
Cost of teeth whiting take home kit: $204
Cost of laser whitening teeth treatment: $260-408 depending on the number of sessions
Cost of an xray: $12-18 depending on location of xray
Cost of them having newer equipment than my dentist at home: priceless
Sorry! It's lame. I know but I just had to write it.........

Not so lame news...I was on the radio! Promoting my upcoming 5k/10k for charity. It was interesting! Of course no one understood me cause I spoke in English on a Ugandan station and probably spoke too fast but hey! I made it on the radio =) O.

And this conversation:
 -Sat-
Tiff: I'm sad, I wasn't chosen as a trainer for the new group. Man, I really want to be part of some PC group. LOL
Friend: Same.
-times skip to Wed-
Tiff: Hi. I'm Tiffany. In for dental work.
Joanna: HI. Joanna. O! You're Tiffany. Have you been contacted about being a trainer?
Tiff: ??? My name wasn't on the list.
Joanna: Ya. Things changed. Someone was supposed to contact you 2 days ago. You have to be at the training center this Sunday. Actually, let me reconfirm that you're a trainer.
Tiff: Okay?
-10 mins later-
Joanna: Yup. It's all good. You're in.
Tiff: Cool. See you Sunday.
-----so I go home on the 5-6 hours bus Thursday morning and tomorrow get to catch another bus to Kampala and then another matatu to the training center. Nice.

Other news. I think I may try to help at one of those children's camps we do....even though I don't like children. Hopefully, I'll get an easier slot. Bleh. + 3 koreans moved into town--they make AMAZING korean food and homemade kimchi! I guess that's more or less it. Pool table is still doing very well YAY!

How Dogs Save Lives and How Tiffany Helped Save A Dog

Hello!
 I got the opportunity to hang out with a Ugandan women from the Northern region of Uganda (Gulu) thanks to couchsurfing (of all things!). She ended up telling me about her past, growing up during the time when the rebels still ran freely around Uganda. She talked about walking pass land mines (set to go off for heavy vehicles) on the way to school and other horrible things.

This was my story... “When I was a young girl living in Gulu, my family had dogs. During that time, the rebels were still around. Sometimes, the dogs would start barking. Whenever the dogs started barking, the people in my village would hurry and escape to town. The dogs were right, when they barked, the rebels were around. They protected us. They saved our lives.”

After this conversation, we got to talking about dogs in general and I told her that there was a shelter nearby. So we decided to go check it out and she adopted a puppy!

So Tiff’s good deed of the day: helped rescue a puppy.

 Ps. I feel like we have the most ginormous flies here...they buzz SO LOUD and are probably about a centimeter wide and long. Char tries to eat them but she always fails.

I am not lost.

Hello!

No. I am not lost. Or well maybe I was but now I'm found. <--When you haven't been around for a while here in Uganda, people tell you you've been lost.

This past weekend, I went to Lake Kyninga, a nearby crater lake with some germans for a swim. The water was super clear! and the lake was a couple hundred yards wide and doubly long. It was great! Char liked it too...sort of. She doesn't actually like water. She did get in though, although I'm not certain if that's because she slipped in or jumped in.

I seem to be accumulating more and things. Someone gave me an iron yesterday. It came with a toaster oven. hmm... and of course I have a fridge too but I must say, does keep me eating healthier! I'll have to post a picture of the contents of my fridge =) www.tibbyme.tumblr.com

I feel like I spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about my next meal. Which leads me to browse the internet (when I can) for simple and Uganda-feasible recipes. I think I'm going to come out of Peace Corps either 1. MUCH more conscious of what I'm eating and therefore healthier or 2. can cook but still choose not to or 3. cooking more. I'm not exactly sure which of the 3 I want lol.

Tried this one today (without mangoes) and it was really good! Thought I'd share.

Asian Cabbage Mango Slaw:

2 cups shredded cabbage

.5 cup shredded carrots

1 mango, not yet ripe

3 med scallions chopped (if you want, I have green onions)

3 tbsp rice vinegar (I used regular)

.5 lime, juiced

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp sesame seeds (opt)

Peel mango and cut into strips. Combine with cabbage, carrots and scallions. Toss in large bowl. Prepare dressing by whisking together vinegar, soy sauce, and the lime juice. Slowly whisk in the oil. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Let sit 15-20 minutes for dressing to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Servings: 6 Serving Size: .5 cup Cal: 62.9 Fat 2.7g Protein 1.1g Carbs 10.1g Fiber 1.9g Sugar 6.3g Sodium 114.8mg

+quarter chicken. Viola! Lunch.

Pool table is still doing fabulously! Carrots and peas are now out of season =( and green peppers are fading. My org is taking a 2 week break so my supervisor can finish his coursework at the university where he is pursuing a certificate in special needs. Fun..break after break it seems. Anyhow = Char gets her pin removed!

I'm utterly bored right now. I should probably go study my GMATs or learn Rosetta Stone French or something. But I'm going to town in 30 minutes and I don't feel like working. In town, I'll be working on Fort Portal's First Annual Tour de Charity. It's a 5k run/walk and 10k bike ride for CA Bikes (they build bikes for orphans and disabled children) and it's on May 26th (dad's birthday!).

Ugandan Update

Hello!

I can't believe it has been almost 6 months. As we prepare for IST, I thought it would be fitting to go over what I've done/accomplished in the last 6 months (in no particular order or format really--I'm lazy).

-setup website www.friendsoftoci.org
-set up uniform emails for all staff

-setup social media site www.facebook.com/twerwaneho (please go and like it!)

-setup basic system of documentation
-created profiles for each child

-revamped and digitalized the TOCI logo

-reconfirmed commitment of TOCI committee members and established board of directors

-implemented IGA- pool table (projected to bring in 1 million UGX/year...that's like a 1 million % increase!)
-broke even on Day 1. Hit target income in within 1.5 weeks.
-as of this week, we have been able to consistently stay above our original daily target income.

-procured a computer for the organization
-started basic computer lessons

-wrote and submitted 1 grant proposal while teaching supervisor how to write grant proposals
-supervisor is currently working on writing his own grant proposal

-set up craft shop www.etsy.com
-have made $200 in sales

-increased the number of guided hikes provided each month to visiting tourists
-made a new record in Dec 2011 of number of clients who received guided tours

-development of partnerships
-worked with Ugandan Safaris to create partnership so that TOCI benefits when toursits participate in tours
-worked with CA Bikes to get OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children) bikes so that they can attend school

...not bad I think! Still more work to be done. How is everyone at home?

PS. Special thanks to Pamela for posting a video about TOCI and for your assistance. =)

W E B: www.friendsoftoci.org
S H O P: www.twerwaneho.etsy.com
F B: www.facebook.com/twerwaneho

I've been proposed!

Wow! My first marriage proposal at the age of 23. LOL. Lucky for Jon,
I turned the guy down.

Background: Me and Jeanne were swimming at the pool (Saturday). Jeanne
chats up two locals. Apparently, one of them needs to learn to swim
for a job (and was only given 2 weeks to learn to swim!) so she
volunteers me. He agrees to pay for my transport and pool fee to teach
him. As of Saturday, the man, Simpson, just learned sort of
breaststroke. On Sunday, I teach Simpson the basics of flutter kicking
and freestyle. We met again today, which by the way, the swim session
was successful. He can now swim freestyle enough to get him to a
nearby boat and tread/float enough to get someone's attention. Here
was today's conversation:

S: Tiffany, can I ask you two questions.
T: Sure. What's up?
S. Have you ever thought of having Ugandan citizenship?
T: No. I'm happy with my American citizenship.
S: Well, would you ever consider having a Ugandan man?
T: I have a boyfriend I'm happy with. Sorry.
S: What about children?
T: I'm not interested in having kids.
S: I just want to have one. I make enough money to support a family. 1
million shillings a month is good enough to support a family in
Uganda. And the lifestyle here is good and easy for you, not like
America where the cost of living is high.
T: ehh..No thanks!
S: Well I pray God will bring us together and answer my prayers.
...(later when we parted) S: I love you.
T: -___-- bye!

Also...

There are a ton of Chinese workers here in Uganda. They build the
roads, put in the complicated electricity stuff and do construction.
So this one Chinese guy, whose name I cannot pronounce and I had
become acquaintances over the last couple of weeks as he always passes
by where I am and we've talked once or twice (I really can't
understand him. His Chinese is countryside and he mumbles). So anyhow,
occasionally when he sees me these days, he'll stop and say hi.
Earlier this week, he had asked if I needed a ride to town. I didn't
so I said no thanks, but thanks anyways. Yesterday, I did need a ride
into town. And I happened to see him and he had asked me if I needed a
ride (nevermind that it was out of the way for him...which I pointed
out to him). So I said, I would call him in about half an hour for a
ride and he agreed. So later, he picks me and a couple friends up and
takes us to town.

On the way, he asks me what my Christmas plans are. Apparently, many
of the Chinese people are gathering in Kampala for Christmas. He
invites me to come. We also pass by another Chinese guy on the way.
Minutes after we pass the other Chinese guy, my Chinese friend's phone
rings. He picks up and answers the phone in Chinese: "No, she's not
Chinese, she's Taiwanese." -____- I'm still in the car you know! LOL

anyways...I think all the attention I receive from Chinese people in
my area is because all the workers are guys and I'm probably the only
young Chinese female around. I have yet to see a female Chinese except
for other volunteers (only 1) and the lady who works the Chinese
supermarket in town.

Man. And my house smells like smoke. I went outside to make sure it's
not a fire. Apparently, my neighbor is burning something to chase
mosquitos away. It smells more like burnt food/wood to me...

And sadness...I weigh 134 tonight x[p Although it is after
dinner...(fajitas yum!)

Greetings from Uganda!

Well hello there!

Nsanyuse okukulaba (it's nice to see you!)

It's been a coupe days and I'm happy to say...I've made it to Uganda!

We left Philly on the 3rd and arrived here on the 4th. Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday :) it was very memorable birthday! My training group sang me happy birthday at the airport. Everyone stared... =)

We arrived in Luganda thursday night and are currently staying in banana village. This little resort (I guess it's a resort?) is quaint and great. It's got monkeys, horses, cats, dogs, and a rooster that wont shut up.

So far, the weather has been a constant and extremely nice. But that may be just this little area im in as it seems to have a micro climate. LOl.

So far...I've met 45 other people and have had my intro interviews, started survival Luganda language lessons, and have been in lectures from 830 am to 7 pm.

Anyhow, I now have a phone (cheap to call back to the US!) and data plans arent currently working on my iphone....I'll just have to wait to get a internet modem. We leave this week for homestays for the next 9 weeks before we see our potential site. I will be located in the West Nile region (next to congo and sudan border) and will be learning Lugbara, which has arabic influences. So if anyone has the Rosetta Stone for Arabic, please send it to me!

Some facts about my current training group:

-16 males and 30 females
-ages: 19 between 22-26 years, 12 between 27-32 years, 1 between 33-50 years, and 14 over 50 years old. We have the most diverse group they've had in terms of ages.
-there's 5 couples serving together, one of which actually met when they served as volunteers in another country a couple years ago.
-Cali is representing! lol. We have the most volunteers with Texas coming in second and than Florida.

Moving on, I also met my new country director. A very nice armenian woman. Thank you to the Helmich Family for the Armenian phrases. Not that she won't remember me...I'm the only Asian in my group.

Shout out...Hey Alex! there are no starbucks currently in Uganda.

Final note...I think I'm on sugar withdrawal =(. I'm definitely not feeling 100%. And I've got the runs... sorry if TMI! But some people here are actually sick! And I have no jet lag.

So currently participating in the following:
bucket baths
pit latrines
night poo poo buckets
tons of starch (that I've not been eating...)
cold showers

good news...I have SOME electricity here. and occasionally warm water. Who knows after this week.

Alrighty,

I'm off. I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Cheers,

Tiffany