TWO TAMPLINS IN AFICA

August, 2007 Issue 1 PO Box 705, Mbale, UGANDA www.tamplins.blogspot.com

Email: Natasha– nltamplin@gmail.com Ian– istamplin@gmail.com

GETTING TO UGANDA
Ahh, Africa at last! WE finally arrived in Uganda on May 16th, after a month in Thailand.
We had attended a week-long retreat for TEAR Australia Fieldworkers in Chiang Mai, north-
ern Thailand, which was an inspiring experience to hear from the other Fieldworkers (all are
working in Asia).
After backpacking our way down to Singapore through Thailand and Malaysia, we flew to
Entebbe, Uganda, where we were met with open arms by our African ‗Mummy Edith‘ (the
Executive Director of the organisation we‘re working with: Uganda Women Concern Minis-
try, UWCM). But, it wouldn‘t be Africa if everything went smoothly: we were delayed from
travelling to our new home in Mbale for a week in the capital city, Kampala as we waited for
our unaccompanied baggage to arrive.
First lesson: Patience is a virtue.
Reflection: We were privileged to be able to move from one culture (Asian) straight to a completely
different culture (African) in a matter of days. The comparison between our ―First World‖ culture and
these ‗Two-Thirds World‘ cultures is so clear – the differing levels of poverty, disorganization, crowded-
ness, dirtiness, and costs of living.

WORK Tash: Ian:

I am the Assistant Coordinator for LAMPS Pilot Project I have been kept busy assisting at UWCM. Shortly after
(Local Anti-Malaria Programme arriving, I offered to assist a team of 16 young American
Support) at UWCM. We are still students in their building project at UWCM. This project
working on the Preparation is called ‗Ebenezer Village Resort‘: 10 thatched ‗guest
Phase of the project. Working huts‘ at UWCM, which will serve
with the team has had its ups and as an income-generating source
downs, but has been a learning for the organisation. While un-
experience able to do any physical work (see
for all prayer point for my health,), I
(especially recognising cultural dif- assisted the team leader in plan-
ferences, such as ‗African Timing‘). ning and coordination.
So far, some of the project accom- Now that the visiting team has
plishments include: employing new left, I am continuing to oversee
staff; conducting a four-day work- the project. I spend the rest of my
shop to design data collection tools; visiting key stake- time fixing endless I.T./computer
holders (District Health, Regional hospital, etc); connecting and Internet access problems at
with malaria control organisations in Kampala; spending both UWCM and JENGA.
much time on refining budgets and staff roles; and review-
ing proposals from different contract firms for the baseline, Another one of Ian‘s accomplishments has been improving
midterm and final evaluation surveys. the quality and reliability of UWCM‘s internet connection
by 1) paying the bill, and 2) adapt-
Tash also went to the field with Esther to work with one of ing a design of a antennae mount
UWCM‘s Community Mobilisa- for an antenne twice the height.
tion Teams (CMTs). It was an Internet connection is 100%
unforgettable experience as they ….when the power is on! Fixing
re-mudded the mud hut of a frail the generator is the next thing on
elderly women. She was almost the list
speechless with glee.
ACCOMMODATION
Our first week in Mbale we returned to our African ‗home‘ of Mummy Edith and Daddy
David, 8 km outside the small city of Mbale in eastern Uganda. It was lovely to return to
the Ugandan style of living again.
We then moved to a local hotel/guesthouse while we searched for a house to rent. What
was planned to be a week stay lasted 6 weeks in a small room at the hotel! Luckily,
thanks to our friends from another organisation JENGA (‗to build‘), we are now house-
sitting in an area of Mbale called ‗Senior Quarters‘ where
most of the ‗Muzungus‘ (whites) live.
Finding a house to rent in Mbale with no real estate agents or advertising is like finding a
needle in a haystack. Through word-or-mouth and chance ‗encounters‘, three months
later ,we have succeeded in looking at quite a few houses in Senior Quarters which are old
and run down. However, we have found a house but we will need to complete its renova-
tions to make livable.

SPARE TIME
We have little spare time, so we value the small amount we do get. Spending at quiet day at home is a
real treat. We keep busy on weekends with work responsibilities, social outings, and the evenings with
our new friends – most of them are English and volunteer for JENGA.
Tash has gone on a few mountain hikes in the surrounding mountains – Sipi Falls
and Moornie Mountains—with waterfalls, local villages and caves. Ian spent those
days resting and recovering at home. We also visited Edith‘s sister-in-law in the
Kumi district, where we climbed a huge rock after sunrise, visited caves with his-
torical rock paintings (very similar to Aboriginal art), and relaxed while enjoying the warm local
hospitality. It was so nice to get out of our routine Mbale life.
Most Sundays are busy with church, where services can be quite long (up to 3-4 hrs) but worship time is very special.

CHALLENGES and PRAYER POINTS

 Accommodation: The house we have chosen is still quite run down. We hope we can make the appropriate renova-
tions quickly so we can move in.
 Ian‘s Health: Ian has had one health issue after another (malaria twice; constant flu symptoms; an ear infection; etc).
He and his morale is improving with each new week.
 The LAMPS Project Start-up: we are struggling to obtain an accurate and affordable baseline measure of the malaria
burden in the project area (55 villages). The local word for malaria here is the same as ‗fever, so there is a large over
diagnosis of malaria.
 Cultural Adjustment: Each day we find ourselves adjusting to ‗African timing‘ and work ethic, and we‘re chal-
lenged to express our opinions in ways that aren‘t culturally insulting, and to learn Swahili.
 Transportation: we need to find our own means of transportation that is affordable and reliable.
 Our relationship: We must continue to constantly nurture each other as we both battle with the new pressures and
adjustments in our lives
 Spiritual Warfare: We feel that many of our struggles are spiritual attacks to weaken
our relationship with God and each other, and our ability to perform well in our roles,
both at work and in the home.
 Mosquitoes: They are annoying, noisy when on the verge of sleep, and deadly!