It's a small world

Hi everyone -

If anyone has their feelings hurt that I have not written directly, you should know it has taken me approximately 30 minutes just to open, open and still not reply, to one email. So the blog is the only real way for me to communicate.

Last night it rained, no it stormed, and the aluminum siding roof (there is no ceiling) pounded like you wouldn't believe. It was incredible, the vibrations shaking the house. I am enjoying life out here, the bucket baths are truly no problem. We heat water on a little charcoal stove and it is warm outside so they feel nice. I washed clothes with Clara today and she laughed at the fact that we don't really know how to wash clothes by hand. Now of course I have handwashed clothes, but washing them with very limited water is different than having fresh water on tap at your finger tips. It was pretty hard work.

Yesterday, Agaba, the younger brother of Clara found out that his contract at the bank was not going to be renewed. He was worried about this. His manager really wanted to keep him, but there is no opening.

I am stunned. Agaba, is 23 years old, very bright, well educated, creative, kind and just such an incredible man. He treats his nieces so lovingly, and so generously. I really like him alot. That he can't find a job at all, says so much. What a complete waste.

The city is filled with men and women trained as engineers, plumbers, in information technology, all kinds of things, and there is simply no work. Imagine those who don't have a good education? They might earn as much as $1 day. Yet things like food or gasoline are not much cheaper here than in the United States. And again, this is in the city.

In the village there is no well. Not even water.

Everywhere here, people have so much hope for something to change - they are doing their part - educating themselves and preparing themselves for a better life. Yet even after obtaining a college degree there is the distinct possibility of ended up destitute.

What I can't get over is what a complete WASTE it is to not have these people working. They could make Uganda a nice place to live if only they had access to a little capital. Big dam projects don't help because they hire American contractors and even import professional workers. Only African manual labor is used. If we really wanted to help this economy I am totally convinced that the people here could take great advantage...