Quick Updatez
08 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
Well, had a pretty good relaxing weekend. And back to work today was hard. On Saturday we had a staff meeting for about an hour which went really well. And I’m also doing a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis on my organization.. So I got everyone’s responses for that.. and compiled them today. I’m going to talk about them next Saturday and see what we can do about certain things then. And also we have another staff meeting on Friday @ 7:30 am (?!!!!) which is a bit early for my liking, but so be it. Then, I cleaned my house really thoroughly, it needed it, and chatted one of my friends from here.
I got a bunch of movies so I watched movies all day sunday which was nice and much needed. Watched Crash [sooo good], Fargo [hilarious and great] and Salt [I love movies about intelligence agencies, so naturally it was good]. But while I was watching the movies, I felt like I was there. And afterwards it was like a serious reality check.. especially because Crash is all about racism in Los Angeles and naturally being in an African country, it felt odd, because the only racism here is the high prices I get quoted when I go to buy things and the expectation that muzungus come with money. So when the movies were ending I was like “Where am I? OH. What am I doing here again?” And I’ve been working a decent amount.. but my schedule’s been pretty relaxed.. go in at 9.. talk to people, discuss things.. leave at 11.. come back at 1.. lunch.. leave for home at 4. So I’m thinking I’m not doing enough here, but we’re not supposed to be doing that much and getting into huge projects at the beginning until we know what the community needs.
So, I had a mini-freak out [which doesn't mean much, as most of you know I'm not one to freak out over any situation, no matter how ridiculous], which carried over into today. This morning, I didn’t really feel like talking and went home earlier and was thinking.. what am i doing here? I made lunch and went back and this guy was going to meet me to talk about the group VSLA/SACCO idea that I talked about in my last blog. He was supposed to be there at 9:30 but came at 2, but I was unsure about starting such a big task so soon. I actually had a really good conversation about it with him and the groups that I would be working with would be people who are HIV+, which would be really good to help this vulnerable group, teach people how to save, and help build memberships within my SACCO as well. And I was looking for someone who was doing something for World AIDS Day in Kamuli.. and he’s the guy spearheading it! So! I told him what and how I could contribute and he liked my ideas, so I’m meeting with him on Friday to talk about the AIDS day thing and on Thurs. to talk about the VSLA/SACCO idea to the groups themselves. I feel much better, I feel like something is going on and actually now that I look at it.. the rest of the week is pretty packed. I taught at 3 schools last week and I’m teaching at 3 this week. And the last school from last week were far along in their business ideas.. so my talk about entrepreneurial ideas really had an impact on them and the teachers as well. So, things are going well now and hopefully I can stay on top of things, motivated and purposeful for the rest of the week. I will leave you with a funny story until next time.
This occurred during training around the second month. It slightly dark out and my friend and I were chatting over a beer at the central bar in town. This 30ish year old woman dressed somewhat revealingly came up to us and said:
Lady: Hi, How are you?
Us: Good, you?
Lady: Good. Are either of you in need of my services?
[in all of my infinite wisdom.... I interestedly said..]
Me: Oh, maybe, what kind of services are you offering?
My friend Jeff: NO. WE do not need your services, thank you. Dan, you do not need her services.
Me: Oooooooooohhhhh. Whoops!
and we both started laughing hysterically. The End.
