The Prelude

Greetings friends, family and curious observers,

I've never used a weblog before so this posting is my first along with some test photos I've uploaded to make sure I understand the kinks of this system.

This is also my chance to start at the beginning. I have very little idea of what I am in for when I arrive in Uganda. Hopefully I can use this tool as my way to check in and reach out to a more familiar world while attempting to sort out what my hightened senses are experiencing. It may bore you or inspire you but if I keep writing at least you'll know I'm still alive and in good spirits.

So just to set the stage...I will be leaving the first week of May for south western Uganda (in East Africa) on a four month volunteer project. My objectives for this time period are:
1) To contribute to the successful implementation of a rainwater catchment project designed to act as a water source for people during the water-scarce dry season.
2) To uncover support and make preparations for CAWST to conduct a training workshop in Uganda in order to help Ugandans build and obtain clean water technologies for their homes.
3) To learn from and be exposed to the realities of life in a rural, water-sticken, African setting and discover the magic of Africa through varied experiences.

I currently work with the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) in Calgary, Canada. CAWST is an extremely dynamic, innovative and young humanitarian organization specializing in simple water, sanitation and hygiene solutions. As a training and education organization, CAWST's main activity is to train other humanitarian organizations - often larger non-governmental organizations (NGOs) so they can build clean water technologies using local materials, train others in their communities on how to do the same as well as develop sustainable programs to educate people on issues such as water conservation, basic sanitation and hygiene, which leads to healthier lifestyles. See www.cawst.org for more info.

Through my work with CAWST I came to meet Geoff Owen. Geoff is a volunteer with the Africa Community Technical Services (ACTS) - an organization which has sent Canadian volunteers as well as some of their Ugandan staff for training at CAWST's office in Calgary. One of the Ugandans was Obed, whom I am looking forward to seeing when I respond in kind by visiting his country.

When Geoff first asked me if I would like to join his project team for the rainwater harvesting project in Uganda I half thought he was joking and half thought I should say yes to keep the option open just in case. Working as a Marketing Coordinator in an international development organization is exciting but seeing all my colleagues travel the globe can drive you stir-crazy when you are an avid traveler.

Several months after our original discussion on the subject, I knew Geoff was serious because he wrote to me to let me know that ACTS had secured funding for the Uganda project and he asked for my commitment to the project. I knew it was time to make my decision but I was full of doubt:
"Would I have to give up my job? Would I have to give up my apartment? Can I afford it? Am I the right person to be going? Do I have the right technical skills. Is it right for a Canadian to be working on a project that ideally Ugandans should be developing for Ugandans? Would I be working on something sustainable or would this be another white elephant of a project which I read and hear so much about in the international development circles?"

After some advice from my encouraging mother and a lot of sustainability-related questions to Geoff, I eventually reached a point when I said "I really want to go and I'll overcome the hurdles to make it happen." I have since gotten enthusiastic support from my boss and the team at CAWST and I even found someone to sublet my apartment. It's truly amazing how things started to come together once I decided that I was going to seize the opportunity.