Boggled. Just Boggled.

So this is actually a post from a couple weeks ago. I tend to email rather than post these days... but please do check out pics at www.tibbyme.tumblr.com
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I'm completely and utterly boggled. Seriously. How can a whole country of people survive off of debt?

I have to say, it seems almost every person in this country owes more debt than they can repay. And somehow, they are all still surviving...with possessions! Okay, yes I have been raised to never have debt (or avoid it whenever possible- Thanks Mom!) but how do people survive off deficit? If someone was to collect on their debt, does that mean either you'd run someone out of house and home or just consider that debt a loss?

Today, I asked someone, how do you survive? His reply: credit. So apparently everything is sold on credit and your line of credit will never be fully paid off...

Moving on...one thing that frustrates me and two things that amuses me:

Frustration:
Tiff: What do you do in a worse case scenario about [insert situation]?
M: There is such thing.
Tiff: Okay. Then imagine if this should happen [insert what I think will be the worst case scenario]. What would you do?
M: It cannot happen. God is with us. He will not allow it.
Tiff: Okay. Can you just possibly think about about the situation and if it happened and God is not with us, what would you do?
M: No. It will not happen. We will be lucky.
Tiff: What if you are unlucky?
M: No. It will not happen.
Tiff: Can you just please tell me, IF just if, this happened, what would you do?
M: It will not happen. God is with us.

Amusement #1:
Tiff: I met a Ugandan the other day who told me he did not believe in God.
Sister: He said that to you? That is not possible.
Tiff: ?
Sister: No Ugandan will admit that the does not believe in God. That means he is a traditionalist.
Tiff: Ok?
Sister: Traditionalist kill children. If he admits that he does not believe in God, then he admits he is a traditionalist and people will think he kills children and may cause him harm.
Tiff: Oh. So if you don't believe in God, you must be a traditionalist and are probably killing children.
Sister: Yes.

Amusement #2:
Tiff: I want to lose weight.
Chinese Construction Worker: I know a good way but you'll think I'm crude.
Tiff: Oh. Ya please don't say.
--small time skip-
CCW: Be my mistress.
Tiff: No.
CCW: Why not?
Tiff: I'm not available.
CCW: So? I have a wife at home. It's okay. She's not here.
Tiff: Uhh...I don't know how it works there, but for me, commitment means somthing...you know like love/loyalty or something...
CCW: Lust and Love are different! Besides, I see on TV that Americans have extramarital affairs all the time!
Tiff: Okay. TV isn't the truth.
CCW: Well, I heard that if you haven't slept with your spouse in 6 months, you can get a divorce. Is that true?
Tiff: I doubt it. Bye!

That is all!

PS...anyone feel like purchasing craft to support us in paying school fees (part of paying off that line of credit/debt thing I was talking about...)? www.twerwaneho.etsy.com

Bacon! I smell Bacon!

Thanks George for my 7AM morning wakeup call.

Seriously...that's what I woke up to this morning at 7am. Oh well, could be worse!

I've somehow survived to IST (can you believe it's been 7 months?!). It was cool to see everyone again. I really did miss talking with all those people in Arua (my original site).

So we were compiling notes on how you know you're in Peace Corps...and the most memorable one (for me) was:

You know you're in Peace Corps when you compare the duration and quality of toilet paper.

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

LOL

skype convo about Cali:

Z - Zack - Z: but the dog is cute
tiffany: lol
Z - Zack - Z: you should make his dark spots bigger
tiffany: lol
Z - Zack - Z: and call it CalCow
Z - Zack - Z: California Cow, Happy cow

Hello California!

Meet California "Cali". The newest addition to the TOCI family (and my Christmas present to my supervisor). Name courtesy of said supervisor who wants something to remember me even after I'm gone...in 2 years. LOL

Hello California!

Meet California "Cali". The newest addition to the TOCI family (and my Christmas present to my supervisor). Name courtesy of said supervisor who wants something to remember me even after I'm gone...in 2 years. LOL

JBOD- Just a bunch of d*cks...

Sorry. I meant just a bunch of discs! I'm not having good sex, I mean success this week. I've seriously been having freudian slips - A LOT. No fun! Don't laugh! Sucks when people are laughing at you!

Anyhow, BEYOND my week of freudian slips, I've had many a visitors in the area and have been playing host. I've gotten opportunities to watch movies, drink, exercise and drama. I've also met so many people from the previous group and got to meet my future Tech Committee Members (we are trying to reestablish the tech committee for Peace Corps Uganda).

New pics uploaded on my facebook!

O! And of course...THANK YOU AMY AND CHRIS! I got the care package today =). I love it and the little touches you put in it. I cracked a tear when I saw the pictures and a laugh when I saw the dog tag ("return to tiffany"). Purrrfect!

All that's left is to pick up the new short term volunteer I had recruited to help us with bookkeeping (since I lack the skills...good time to learn too!) and help her settle in.

Hope you guys all had a merry christmas! And a happy new year!
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