March 3rd – Jinja Uganda. Getting over the storm

What a storm....you just wouldn’t believe it. I like a good storm, especially when i’m indoors. What is not good is being asleep, being woken up by a roll of thunder that it is so loud, it sounds like a cannon going off above your head....i was scared. I admit it. I needed a cuddle and some reassurance. This lasted for 15 mins, and then the thunder got quieter, and the lightening started and the rain. Torrential downpours.
The beginning of March is the start of the rainy season!!!
This morning though, the rain had stopped, and there were not too many puddles on the walk to work. It was cloudy, and the temperature had dropped a few degrees, it may still be about 19/20 degrees. Decided not to take my cardigan, but the mac was certainly in the bag.
Some of you may say work, but surely you are on travels..well, honestly this first stage is partly work....voluntary work check out what i was involved on the other blog, if you don’t know where it is then read previous days ramblings. This week and next, i’m working with a charity called Act4Africa. They use drama as a tool to educate about aids prevention and to educate against the stigmatism of hiv. They go into schools, run life clubs, go to village communities and also run free testing clinics for young people. I’m based in the office in Jinja, helping training on excel, finance matters and improve their systems, practices. Some of the training is starting from basic levels, but even after 2 days it is great to see them improve, they want to learn how to do things, and to understand what they are doing and why.
They are a lovely bunch of people, and the morning starts with half an hour of prayers, worship, and a short bible study lead by the team. So far both talks have been so right. It’s great when that happens. Lunch times i’ve wandered down in to town, to visit a cafe for lunch. These are for the Muzungu’s, the first time i had a tuna mayo sandwich last week was heaven.
Tonight the girls (Rosie, Alex and Grace) invited me over to tea at their place, with Jenni, Andrew (the Aussie) , Melanie and Ky. It was a pre birthday celebration, with chocolate buns with mini eggs and melted chocolate on. What a cake(or should i say cakes)....thanks girls. I then had to get a borda borda back. The guy tried to take me back via the bridge just by the hotel, but the soldiers stop people going over this at sunset (which is about 7.15 this was 8.45!!!), so we had to go the long way round. He was not happy at having to do the long route....i didn’t want to have another encounter with the soldiers.
Tomorrow i’m going to miss the traditional phone call before going to work from my mum...i don’t think she will get up at 5am!!!