One Step At A Time Charity in Uganda

Saturday, 10 January 2015

10th January 2015

Today I didn't get going until 1pm.
Washing, shower, breakfast in the garden and 40 pages of a book I have become engrossed in.   Chat to staff about the developments of this guest house. I stayed here before when it was Green Valley and it is nor Gorilla Guest house.   Rightly so as the reception is painted like a jungle and guess what else?? Yes gorillas everywhere. One must smile.
French omlette toast sausages with pineapple, melon and African tea.
Internet catch up and a rest before heading off to Kampala on the local taxi bus. I jumped out at a local market to experience real Ugandan life them back on another and completed the 38km journey in 2 hours, stop start in scorching sun. Nothing to do except breathe, read, sip warm water and chat to those who join at stops as we go along. On arrival I experienced the rush and clatter of traffic, businesses, items being transported across town and eyes need to be down for potholes and broken pavings on the pavements and roads, up to avoid, boxes, pipes, mattresses and more being carried on heads and midway hanging onto to bags to prevent theft.
I bought icing sugar, jelly, padlocks, notebooks and an electric 2 hob stove. Yes carried it home on the same transport and will take it on 7 hours local bus to Lira. We cook on charcoal stove but have a gas 2 ring cooker for the evening running on cylinder gas. This is not available in Lira at the moment and no one knows when the next supply will arrive. So now I think all options covered .... I may eat.   I have researched cooking cakes using a large and small saucepan and half a bag of sand. It will be my birthday, Ronalds, Salim and Isaac while I am here so we will be enjoying cake of all sorts...   Prayers for success.
At 3.30pm I realised that I had not eaten any lunch so hunted for something local. Loads of McDonald type places with chips which everyone thinks us 'Musungus ' want at every meal Found a nice place who told me she only had Mataka remaining. Matoke, (savoury banana), small pieces of beef and green vegetables Boa.   Milky coffee included for 7,000 UGX equal to about £1.75.   Still full up at this time.    Just topped up with a tonic water and waiting for a friend to arrive. Tomorrow it has to be beach again. Thanks everyone for your comments it is great to feel close. x

9th January 2015

I have finally arrived. Journey was ok and as I had only 40 mins to change flights in Dubai it was a speedy run across the airport and how huge is it???? I knew I had arrived in Uganda with 2 huge flights arriving from Ethiopia, Kenya amd UK within minutes of each other.

The queue for immigration was hundreds deep. We had all completed our ebola questionnaire and the safety was 1 official with a spray container of antiseptic catching us physically to clean out hands. People who tried to sneak past were shouted at and ordered back in line. Then we filed past 2 people dressed as nurses with masks and plastic gloves who took out temperature.

I passed all tests and was permitted entry to find the taxi was not waiting for me so it was hunting for my Ugandan phone. I eventually arrived at guest house to a warm welcome and sleep and more sleep. Yesterday I slept again, this time on the shores of Lake Victoria under palm trees and on soft white sand.

I swam in warm water and was greeted by a huge stork who left me bathing in the coolness of the wind created by its great and powerful wings. Sadly when God gave out beauty the stork was definitely at the back of the queue. I am off to Lira and my Ugandan family on Monday leaving here at 5.45am for my 7 hours on a local bus.

Sunday, 4 January 2015

January 2015 Quiz Night

Saturday, 20 September 2014

Buy a handmade dress.....

HANDMADE BY DESIGN

This is an opportunity for you to have a unique dress made for you by a tailor in Uganda sponsored and supported by One Step at a Time.

All of these young people have come from extremely vulnerable backgrounds and have been selected for training by One Step at a Time.

Send your measurements, choice of colour and design material. Pay your money so material can be bought in Uganda.

The dress or skirt will be delivered by Isaac Okwir, Osaat manager in Uganda, when he visits UK later this year.

IDEAL and COMPLETELY UNIQUE CHRISTMAS GIFT

COST £30 MIN DONATION

Each young person will be paid for making the garment and you will know you have got a personal hand-made garment and you will have helped a young person and their family in Uganda.

Contact Sandra Murphy 07765156123 or E mail info@one-step-at-a-time.org.uk