They warn us in our
pre-departure training about the highs and lows of international development
work and yesterday I definitely hit the “wall”. A combination of too much sun,
too much sweat, too much rich food and the shock of going from really basic
accommodation to the height of luxury and then back again, coupled with
back-to-back four-hour drives, and I was definitely at an emotional low last
night. The water and toilet didn’t work, the power was out, my room/cell was an
absolute oven and the hotel next door – which is normally so quiet I wondered
if it was abandoned – was the site for a Rave to commemorate a local holiday.
The disco music and live band cranked up, and I mean REALLY cranked up, at 8:00
and didn’t stop until 4:30. Audrey and I both have rooms that back right onto
the music and if we got two hours sleep all night that was it.
So I should have woken
up – if that’s what you call it when you never really got to sleep in the first
place – in a foul mood and if anything even lower emotionally than the night
before. But great things can happen with a little sleep (in this case very
little) and some much needed perspective. We both woke up with a laugh about the whole
thing and chalked it up to one more part of the experience. “This is Africa!”
This morning the water was back on, the heat was just a little less oppressive
and the eggs were fresh (thanks in part to the chickens that wander freely
throughout the compound and on occasion into the restaurant)…… and so began
another day in Koboko!
Today we spent the day
meeting with the board and staff of arguably the most successful SACCO in the
immediate region. They have sound books, great business practices and they own
their own building and equipment. It may not be much by our standards; bare
concrete walls, old furniture and the bare essentials, but to them it’s proof
positive of their commitment to their community and their members. And I have
to agree. Audrey and I spent a day being grilled over general and specific
items and often had to really put on out thinking caps to give them the advice they
were looking for.
Not everything will
translate to a Ugandan setting, but some (and you’d be surprised how much) will
really help them out. They soaked up like a sponge whatever experience and
knowledge we could share but don’t think for a minute this was another example
of the developed world showing their African counterparts how to finally do
things “right”. Nothing could be further from the truth. This was an exchange
of ideas amongst equals. This board and this staff are an experienced, educated
group of professionals and it’s only by circumstance that it was us visiting
them. With very little training and just some opportunity there isn’t one of
them that couldn’t be a successful executive back in Canada and I felt honoured
and privileged to be able to work with them. And more than a little
intimidated. Several of the board members are full time teachers and professors
by profession and sit on the board as volunteers. I was VERY away of my grammar
and syntax when I was answering questions.
Their version of
English and ours may have differences, and their accents and ours may
have gotten in the way or made us all repeat a few things, but the SACCO members
in northwest Uganda are in very good hands. The board of Koboko Unitied SACCO
told us their long-term goal is to grow to the point where they can compete
with the commercial banks now doing business in this district. What do I think?
I think HSBC should be afraid, very afraid.
Signing off under a
mosquito net and typing by the pulsating light that only a Ugandan generator
and compact fluorescent bulbs can produce. Hot, sweaty and tired but never
prouder to be Canadian and REALLY glad I left Scotiabank 17 years ago to work
for my first credit union.
Cheers!
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