EXPERIENCE AKOLA
Introducing
EXPERIENCE AKOLA A Life-Changing Adventure in Uganda
It i s s u c h a n h o n o r t o w e l c o m e y o u t o tr av e l t o Ug a n d a w i th o ur f o un d e r, Br i t t a ny Me rr i l l Un d e r w o o d , g e t t o kn o w th e w o m e n o f A ko l a Pr o j e c t , s o m e o f th e m o s t i n sp i r i n g , o p ti m i s ti c a n d d r i v e n w o m en i n th e w o r l d . W i th a v i s i o n f o r u p l i f ti n g th e m o s t ma r g i na l i z e d w o m e n a c r o s s th e g l o b e , w e c urr e ntl y o p e r a t e i n n i n e d i f f e r e nt c o mmun i ti e s i n Ug a n d a a n d D a l l a s , c r e a ti n g a g l o b a l s o l uti o n tha t w o r k s w i th o n e w o ma n a t a ti m e .
WITNESS T h e Tr a n s f o rma ti o n
S e e th e d e d i c a t e d w o r k tha t A ko l a d o e s w i th th e a ma z i n g w o m e n o f th e Pr o j e c t i n th e m o s t b e a uti f u l c o rn e r s o f E a s t A f r i c a .
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DEPENDENTS
V O C AT I O N A L CENTERS
WAT E R W E L L S
A ko l a Pr o j e c t wa s f o un d e d t o emp o w er w o m en i n e x tr em e p o v er t y t o b e c o m e a g ent s o f tr a n s f o rma ti o n i n th e i r f a m i l i e s a n d c o mmun i ti e s . E x p er i en c e A ko l a g i v e s g o er s th e o p p o r t un i t y t o w i tn e s s f i r s tha n d A ko l a’s emp o w erm ent m o d e l a t w o r k a n d th e tr a n s f o rma ti o n s tha t hav e r e s u l t e d . T hr o u g h p a r ti c i p a ti o n i n a c ti v i ti e s s u c h a s p a p er b e a d c o l l e c ti o n , v i l l a g e f e l l o w s h i p a n d emp o w erm ent p r o g r a m s , g o er s w i l l g e t a n i n s i d e l o o k a t A ko l a’s d e d i c a t e d w o r k w i th i t s m em b er s .
W i tn e s s th e l a un c h o f A ko l a’s f i r s t h o m e g o o d s c o l l e c ti o n . A ko l a i nt erna l i z e d t e x ti l e a n d h o rn ma nu f a c t ur i n g w i th c o mp l e t e c o ntr o l o f e th i c a l s ta n d a r d s t o c r e a t e m o r e j o b s f o r A ko l a w o m en . G o o d s i n c l u d e e th i c a l l y s o ur c e d A n ko l e c o w h o rn b o w l s , va s e s , l a mp s a n d f r a m e s ; a s w e l l a s p i l l o w s , t a b l e r unn er s a n d a r t w o r k f r o m ha n d- w o v en t e x ti l e s .
FIRST LOOK A ko l a’s Ho rn & Te x ti l e Ho m e G o o d s C o l l e c ti o n
T E X T I L E - A ko l a w o m en g r o w th e c o t t o n , ha n d- sp i n th e y a rn a n d ha n d- w e av e th e t e x ti l e f a b r i c f o un d i n h o m e g o o d p i e c e s .
H O R N - A ko l a p ur c a h s e d a h o rn a r ti s a n’s b u s i n e s s a n d b r o u g ht h i m o n t o r un A ko l a’s h o rn ma t er i a l ma nu f a c t ur i n g . T h e h o rn i s e th i c a l l y s o ur c e d a n d r e c y c l e d .
BEHOLD
Embark on an adventurous journey that will have a transforming impact into the heart of rural villages in Uganda, East Africa.
E x perience A k o l a g o ers wi ll s t ay at 2Friends , a luxurious hotel on the b e ach o f La ke V ictoria and WildWaters , a lo d g e on the Nile River. S u r ro unded b y b eautif ul l ands capes , goer s will vent ur e out t o Akola’ s v oc a t io nal center and spend t ime wit h t he women of t he Pr oject . Dur ing t he trip, so me o f the A k o la women will open up t heir homes , s haring the i r sto ries and ex perience s at t he Pr oject wit h Experience Akola goers .
EXPERIENCE
Travel to rural untouched Ugandan villages with lush farms, endless chrome-blue skies and the friendliest of people. Bask in African sunsets that take your breath away. We are excite d to emb ark on th is exp erienc e trip with you, working to g ether and using o ur c o l le ctive vo ic es to emp ower des er ving women a l l over the world .
D E TA I L S
E x p er i en c e A ko l a tr i p g o er s w i l l tr av e l w i th f o un d er, Br i t t a ny Merr i l l Un d er w o o d . T h e tr i p w i l l b e 2 - 3 d a y s o n th e g r o un d w i th A ko l a w i th a n o p ti o na l s a f a r i e xc ur s i o n tha t c a n b e b o o ke d f o r th e f r o nt o r b a c ken d o f th e tr i p . Tr i p i n c l u d e s : • • • •
1 x Bu s i n e s s c l a s s f l i g ht Ho t e l a c c o mm o d a ti o n s G r o un d tr a n sp o r t a ti o n Me a l s
V I P T R I P I T I N E RA RY
J u n e 2 5 th - D a l l a s t o N a i r o b i v i a L o n d o n ( B r i t i s h A i r w a y s ) J u n e 2 6 th - A r r i v e i n N a i r o b i a n d d e p a r t U g a n d a ( K e n y a A i r w a y s ) J u n e 2 7 th - A r r i v e i n U g a n d a i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e n i g h t • Wa ke up & d r i v e t o Ji n j a • D i nn er w i th th e w o m en • Sta y i n g a t W i l d wa t er s o n th e Ni l e R i v er J u n e 2 8 th - V i l l a g e e x p e r i e n c e w i t h t h e A k o l a w o m e n J u n e 2 9 th - M a i n A k o l a H Q f o r p a p e r - f o l d i n g a n d t o v i s i t p r o d u c t i o n J u n e 3 0 th - D e p a r t U g a n d a f o r K e n y a s a f a r i J u l y 1 st - K e n y a s a f a r i J u l y 2 nd - D e p a r t K e n y a ( B r i t i s h A i r w a y s ) J u l y 3 rd - A r r i v e i n t h e U S
P R E PA R E Va c c i n a t i o n s :
Te m p e r a t u re / C l i m a t e
P a s s p o r t H e a l t h re c o m m e n d s t h a t b e f o re v i s i t i n g U g a n d a y o u a re u p t o d a t e o n a l l ro u t i n e vaccinations and that you also get vaccinations f o r H e p a t i t i s A & B , M e n i n g i t i s , Ty p h o i d a n d Ye l l o w F e v e r, I n f l u e n z e a n d M e a s e l e s / M u m p s / R u b e l l a . T h e C e n t e r f o r D i s e a s e C o n t ro l a n d P re v e n t i o n a l s o re c o m m e n d s M a l a r i a .
T h e t e m p e r a t u re i n U g a n d a i s g e n e r a l l y q u i t e m i l d y e a r ro u n d ( 6 0 o F - 9 0 o F ) . D u r i n g t h e w a r m e r m o n t h s o f D e c e m b e r, J a n u a r y a n d F e b r u a r y, t e m p e r a t u re s re a c h t h e 9 0 s ( 3 2 o C ) w i t h m o d e r a t e h u m i d i t y. U g a n d a h a s t w o r a i n y s e a s o n s w h i c h a re M a rc h - M a y a n d O c t o b e r- N o vember with January and July being the driest months. The rainfall usually occurs at night but b e s u re t o b r i n g a r a i n j a c k e t d u r i n g t h e s e s e a sons for unexpected afternoon showers.
Yo u c a n re a d m o re a b o u t t h e v a c c i n a t i o n s a t the links below -• •
P a s s p o r t H e a l t h : h t t p s : / / w w w. p a s s p o r t h e a l thusa.com/destination-advice/uganda/ C e n t e r f o r D i s e a s e C o n t ro l : h t t p s : / / w w w n c . cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ uganda
If in Dallas, you can schedule appointments at o n e o f P a s s p o r t H e a l t h ’s c l i n i c s l i s t e d h e re : h t t p s : / / w w w. p a s s p o r t h e a l t h u s a . c o m / l o c a t i o n s / tx/dallas/174/
W here Am I Going: Demographics & Geography Uganda is a country in East Africa with a size o f a b o u t 2 3 6 , 0 0 0 s q u a re m i l e s ( a p p ro x i m a t e l y t h e s i z e o f O re g o n ) t h a t l i e s a c ro s s t h e e q u a t o r a t t h e n o r t h w e s t s h o re s o f L a k e V i c t o r i a . T h e country is located on the East African plateau, averaging about 1100 meters (3,250 L) above s e a l e v e l . T h e re a re c u r re n t l y a n e s t i m a t e d 3 2 million people living in Uganda with an annua l p o p u l a t i o n g ro w t h r a t e o f 3 . 6 % . I t s n e i g h b o r s a re S u d a n ( n o r t h ) , K e n y a ( e a s t ) , Ta n z a n i a (south), Rwanda (southwest) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (west). A k o l a P ro j e c t ’s H e a d q u a r t e r s A k o l a ’s U g a n d a h e a d q u a r t e r s a re l o c a t e d a t t h e N g o b i H o u s e ( i n - g o b e e ) o n P l o t 1 7 N i l e C re s c e n t i n J i n j a . T h e c i t y o f J i n j a i s a p p ro x i m a t e l y 55 miles East of Kampala and situated at the s o u rc e o f t h e N i l e r i v e r. J i n j a ’s p o p u l a t i o n i s a p p ro x i m a t e l y 8 0 , 0 0 0 a n d i s t h e s e c o n d l a rg e s t industrial hub in Uganda.
Time As of February 2013, Uganda is in the East Afr i c a T i m e Z o n e ( E AT ) w h i c h i s 9 h o u r s a h e a d o f C e n t r a l S t a n d a rd T i m e ( C S T ) . S o a t m i d n i g h t i n Dallas, it is 9 AM in Uganda. Uganda does not participate in Daylight Savings Time so when t h e U S “ S p r i n g s F o r w a rd ” U g a n d a w i l l b e 8 h o u r s a h e a d o f D a l l a s . Ye a r ro u n d t h e s u n r i s e s between 6 and 7 a.m. and sets between 7-7:30 p.m. Attractions U g a n d a i s b e s t k n o w n i t ’s d i v e r s e l a n d s c a p e s a n d w i l d l i f e i n i t s n a t i o n a l p a r k s . To u r i s t a g e n c i e s a re re a d i l y a v a i l a b l e i n K a m p a l a t o a r r a n g e a w i d e v a r i e t y o f a d v e n t u re s i n a n d a ro u n d Uganda – the favorite being the safari in which y o u c a n s e e e l e p h a n t s , l i o n s , w a t e r b u ff a l o , a n t e l o p e a n d m a n y, m a n y m o re . U g a n d a i s a l s o home to Lake Victoria, the Rwenzori Mountains a n d t h e r a re m o u n t a i n g o r i l l a s . T h e c o u n t r y ’s e c o n o m i c s y s t e m i s m a i n l y b a s e d o n a g r i c u l t u re and tourism. Money T h e re a re m a n y AT M ’s a ro u n d J i n j a a n d K a m p a l a b u t y o u m u s t h a v e a V i s a d e b i t c a rd t o u s e t h e m . P l e a s e b e s u re t o i n f o r m y o u r b a n k a b o u t y o u r t r a v e l s t o p re v e n t t h e m f ro m f re e z i n g y o u r a c c o u n t . P u rc h a s e s o f g o o d s w o r t h m o re t h a n $700 may be subject to customs duty when y o u re t u r n t o t h e U S . B e s u re t o k e e p a l i s t o f t h e m a j o r i t e m s p u rc h a s e d a n d h o w m u c h t h e y c o s t . Yo u m a y h a v e t o s h o w t h i s t o t h e c u s t o m s o ff i c i a l s w h e n y o u re t u r n t o y o u r h o m e c o u n t r y. T h e re a re v e r y f e w p l a c e s t h a t a c c e p t c re d i t c a rd s a n d t r a v e l e r ’s c h e c k s , s o d o n o t c o u n t o n t h e m . H o w e v e r, i t i s a d v i s a b l e t o b r i n g a c re d i t c a rd f o r e m e rg e n c i e s s u c h a s n e e d i n g t o p u rc h a s e a p l a n e f l i g h t h o m e . B e s u re t h e c re d i t c a rd t h a t y o u c a r r y i s a u t h o r i z e d f o r o v e r s e a s u s e ( c a l l y o u r c re d i t c a rd c o m p a n y a n d t e l l them you will be traveling) and that you know the number to call if it is lost or stolen.
Language
Luggage
T h e o ff i c i a l l a n g u a g e s o f U g a n d a a re E n g l i s h , L u g a n d a a n d S w a h i l i . T h e re a re a l s o a b o u t 45 other tribal languages used. Since English is the language of secondary and university education, many Ugandans in the cities speak English, however English is much less common i n t h e v i l l a g e s . A k o l a ’s s t a ff w i l l b e a b l e t o h e l p v i s i t o r s l e a r n c o m m o n p h r a s e s a n d g re e t i n g s that may be used daily in Luganda and Lusoga, the two local languages spoken in the Jinja a re a .
Most airlines will allow you two 50 lb. bags and a carry-on (in addition to a backpack or briefcase) while traveling. * Y O U W I L L WA N T T O C H E C K W I T H Y O U R A I R L I N E T O B E S U R E T H E R U L E S H AV E N O T CHANGED IN RECENT MONTHS. Passengers f ro m t h e U S n e e d t o c h e c k t h e i r l u g g a g e a l l t h e w a y t h ro u g h t o E n t e b b e i n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t .
Email and Internet T h e re a re a n u m b e r o f i n t e r n e t c a f e s i n J i n j a a s w e l l a s y o u r h o t e l w h e re y o u w i l l b e a b l e t o u s e f o r c h e c k i n g e m a i l . T h e re i s n o i n t e r n e t a c c e s s in northern Uganda. Power E l e c t r i c i t y i n U g a n d a i s p ro v i d e d a t 2 2 0 v o l t s 5 0 H e r t z ( a s c o m p a re d w i t h 1 1 0 v o l t 6 0 H e r t z i n t h e U S ) . Yo u w i l l n e e d t o b r i n g a U K p o w e r adapter to plug in your electrical appliances. N o t e t h a t s o m e d e v i c e s m a y re q u i re y o u t o u s e a t r a n s f o r m e r a s t h e y a re n o t r a t e d f o r 2 2 0 v o l t p o w e r a n d y o u m a y n e e d a p o w e r t r a n s f o r m e r. B e s u re t o a s k o n e o f o u r s t a ff b e f o re p l u g g i n g anything in! Phones T h e A k o l a P ro j e c t u s e s m o b i l e p h o n e s w h i l e i n U g a n d a t o c o m m u n i c a t e a n d c o o rd i n a t e o u r a c t i v i t i e s . T h e A k o l a P ro j e c t h a s s e v e r a l m o b i l e phones that you will be allowed to use when needed to call home. If your US cell phone has the international settings turned on, then it s h o u l d w o r k . H o w e v e r, t h e c a l l i n g r a t e s a re v e r y e x p e n s i v e ( $ 3 . 0 0 + / m i n u t e ) a n d t h e re h a v e b e e n cases of visitors accumulating cell phone bills w e l l o v e r $ 1 , 0 0 0 s o w e s t ro n g l y re c o m m e n d t h a t you leave your phones back home or keep them o ff a n d o n l y u s e t h e m i n c a s e o f a n e m e rg e n c y.
W h a t D o I Pa ck ? T h e re a re c e r t a i n c u l t u r a l c u s t o m s t h a t w e a s k e v e r y o n e t o f o l l o w w i t h re g a rd t o d re s s . A s a rule of thumb, women should always wear d re s s e s / s k i r t s p a s t t h e i r k n e e . M o s t m e n i n U g a n d a w e a r p a n t s , b u t s h o r t s a re a c c e p t a b l e as well. Slacks and skirts should be worn to any re l i g i o u s f u n c t i o n s o r b u s i n e s s m e e t i n g . S a n d a l s a re t h e m o s t p r a c t i c a l f o o t w e a r b u t b e s u re t o b r i n g a p a i r o f t e n n i s s h o e s a s w e l l L E AV E A L L N I C E J E W E L RY, WAT C H E S A N D U N N E C E S S A RY VA L U A B L E S AT H O M E . T h i s o n l y c o n t r i b u t e s t o t h e “ R i c h W h i t e A m e r i c a n ” s t e re o t y p e .
* B e s u re t o p a c k a s l i g h t a s p o s s i b l e t o l e s s e n t h e b u rd e n o f l o a d i n g a n d u n l o a d i n g v e h i c l e s . We s u g g e s t y o u b r i n g o n e l a rg e b a g p l u s a medium sized back pack that you can use for s h o r t t r i p s a w a y f ro m J i n j a . P l e a s e c a r r y a n e x t r a d u ff e l b a g w i t h y o u i f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o h e l p t h e A k o l a P ro j e c t c a r r y b a c k n e c k l a c e s t o o u r D a l l a s o ff i c e . General Items: • Raincoat/poncho • Sandals (to be worn most of the Mme) • Pair of tennis shoes • Pair of hiking boots (optional) • Bathing suit for the safari lodge • Lightweight jacket/fleece (can be cool at night) • C l i ff B a r s , L a r a B a r s , e t c . a n d o t h e r p o r t a b l e snacks • Camera (optional) • Bug spray • Sunglasses • Hats • Hand sanitizer • S u n s c re e n ( n o t a v a i l a b l e t o p u rc h a s e i n U g a n d a s o b e s u re t o b r i n g e n o u g h f o r y o u r s t a y ) • U K p o w e r a d a p t e r ( U g a n d a n o u t l e t s a re t h e same as those in the UK) Wo m e n : • M a x i d re s s e s f o r v i l l a g e s . A l l d re s s e s m u s t g o past your knee and to your ankle if possible. T h e l o n g e r t h e b e t t e r ! • Ta n k t o p s • Casual t-shirts • Blue Jeans • C a rg o / C a p r i P a n t s • To i l e t r i e s a n d f e m i n i n e p ro d u c t s Men: • • • • • • • •
Blue Jeans Khaki pants Polo shirts T- S h i r t s Pair of slacks B u t t o n d o w n s h i r t s f o r C h u rc h / E v e n t s P a i r o f l e a t h e r / d re s s s h o e s f o r C h u rc h To i l e t r i e s
Medical We s t ro n g l y re c o m m e n d y o u c a r r y a l l p re s c r i p tion drugs in carry-on bags, in case your baggage is lost on the flight over: • Malaria tablets • P a i n k i l l e r s ( A d v i l , Ty l e n o l , e t c . ) • A l l e rg y m e d i c a t i o n • Cold Medicine • A n t i b i o t i c s f o r f o o d p o i s o n i n g ( w e re c o m m e n d a p re s c r i p t i o n o f C i p ro f l o x a c i n ) • Hand sanitizer • AnM-diarrhea tablets • E a r p l u g s ( h e l p s w i t h t h e e a r l y m o r n i n g ro o s t er calls!) • Sleeping pills for jetlag • Tu m s a n d o t h e r s t o m a c h m e d i c i n e W h a t S a f e t y P re c a u t i o n s S h o u l d I Ta k e ? B e f o re a n d D u r i n g Tr a v e l • Make FOUR copies of the face sheet of your p a s s p o r t b e f o re l e a v i n g h o m e . L e a v e o n e c o p y a t h o m e w i t h a f r i e n d o r f a m i l y m e m b e r. S e n d o n e c o p y t o A k o l a P ro j e c t ’s D a l l a s O ff i c e . P u t one in your suitcase, and put one in your carryo n t o b e g i v e n t o t h e A k o l a s t a ff i n U g a n d a f o r safekeeping. This will make it much easier to g e t y o u r p a s s p o r t re p l a c e d i f i t i s l o s t o r s t o l e n . • All luggage (including carry-ons) should be t a g g e d w i t h a n a m e , a d d re s s , a n d t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r. • S e c u re y o u r w a l l e t o r y o u r p u r s e a g a i n s t t h e f t . P e t t y t h e f t c a n b e a re g u l a r o c c u r re n c e s o b e s u re t o k e e p a c l o s e e y e o n a l l o f y o u r valuables while in Uganda. • Never leave your baggage with a stranger even if the person is nice and seems harmless. • Hold on to your passport at all Mmes, as well a s y o u r p l a n e t i c k e t s , v a c c i n a t i o n c a rd s a n d other important documents. DO NOT put your p a s s p o r t , v a c c i n a t i o n c a rd o r p l a n e t i c k e t s i n y o u r l u g g a g e f o r a n y re a s o n w h i l e traveling. • C re d i t c a rd s , c a l l i n g c a rd s , p e r s o n a l c h e c k s , and money must be kept in carry-ons or in a pouch that you keep with you. • Give one photocopy of your passport face p a g e t o t h e A k o l a U g a n d a o ff i c e f o r s a f e k e e p ing. It is much easier for a passport that has b e e n l o s t o r s t o l e n t o b e re i s s u e d i f y o u h a v e a photocopy of it. • We h a v e a s a f e a t t h e o ff i c e t h a t y o u u s e t o s t o re v a l u a b l e i t e m s . I f y o u d o n o t f e e l c o m f o r t able doing this, hide your passport in an unl i k e l y p l a c e . D O N O T L E AV E Y O U R PA S S P O R T O R M O N E Y O U T I N T H E O P E N . Yo u d o n o t need to carry your passport with you during the c o u r s e o f a t y p i c a l d a y, b u t y o u s h o u l d k e e p a p h o t o c o p y w i t h y o u a t a l l M m e s . W h e n y o u c a rr y y o u r p a s s p o r t , b e s u re t o t a k e p re c a u t i o n s t o c a r r y i t i n a s a f e p l a c e s u c h a s a f ro n t p o c k e t , m o n e y b a g o r p u r s e t h a t y o u h o l d t i g h t l y. T h e s a m e p re c a u t i o n s s h o u l d b e t a k e n f o r c re d i t c a rd s . B e s u re t h a t y o u r c re d i t c a rd s a re i n s u re d for possible loss and that you know the numb e r t o c a l l i n c a s e t h e y a re l o s t .
• To a v o i d t e m p t i n g o t h e r s , p l e a s e k e e p y o u r m o n e y i n a s a f e p l a c e a t y o u r h o t e l o r re s i d e n c e . W h e n e x c h a n g i n g m o n e y, a s k f o r s o m e s m a l l e r b i l l s . I t i s e a s i e r t o m a k e p u rc h a s e s w i t h s m a l l e r n o t e s . M a n y s t o re s a n d s h o p s m a y n o t h a v e c h a n g e f o r l a rg e r b i l l s . W h e n b a r t e r i n g , try to have change to pay the exact amount a g re e d u p o n . • Never leave your purse or wallet in an unoccupied vehicle. They may be stolen. • I f l a rg e a m o u n t s o f m o n e y m u s t b e c a r r i e d , divide it and put it in several places on your p e r s o n . D o n o t p u l l l a rg e a m o u n t s o f m o n e y out of your pocket in public. • Always check purses, wallets, and pockets f o r h o l e s b e f o re p u t t i n g a n y t h i n g v a l u a b l e i n t o them. Never leave your purse, wallet, camera, o r l o o s e m o n e y o n a c o u n t e r i n a s t o re .
W h a t D o I N e e d To K n o w A b o u t t h e C u l t u r e ? A s y o u p re p a re f o r y o u r v i s i t t o U g a n d a , i t i s important that you first understand the vast c o n t r a s t o f t h e c u l t u re y o u a re a b o u t t o e n t e r. We e n c o u r a g e a l l f i r s t - t i m e s v i s i t o r s t o “ O b s e r v e b e f o re a c t i n g , Q u e s t i o n b e f o re s p e a k i n g , a n d L e a r n b e f o re t e a c h i n g . ” I t i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t that the people we work with understand you j u s t a s y o u u n d e r s t a n d t h e m . H e re i s a s i m p l e l i s t o f t h i n g s y o u o u g h t t o k n o w b e f o re y o u a rr i v e . O u r o ff i c e a l s o h a s a w i d e v a r i e t y o f e d u c a t i o n a l re a d i n g m a t e r i a l a v a i l a b l e i f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o l e a r n m o re u p o n y o u r a r r i v a l . G re e t i n g s U g a n d a n s , b o t h m e n a n d w o m e n , g re e t e a c h other with a handshake. The people of Uganda a re g e n e r a l l y v e r y f r i e n d l y s o d o n o t b e s u rprised if strangers come up to shake your hand. U s u a l l y o l d e r p e o p l e g re e t y o u n g e r p e o p l e f i r s t . M e n g re e t w o m e n f i r s t . I f y o u a re n o t i n a position to shake hands, acknowledge others with a wave. Friendship between two men o r t w o w o m e n i s o f t e n e x p re s s e d b y h o l d i n g h a n d s . I t d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t t h e y a re h o m o s e x ual. Photographs When taking photographs of a Ugandan, you need to ask their permission as a mayer of comm o n c o u r t e s y, j u s t a s y o u w o u l d a s k p e r m i s s i o n a t h o m e . U s u a l l y s t re e t s c e n e s , a t h l e t i c e v e n t s , c h u rc h s e r v i c e s , a n d p i c t u re s a t i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d h o m e s a re w e l c o m e d , b u t a s k t h e A k o l a P ro j e c t s t a ff j u s t t o b e s u re . I t i s i l l e g a l t o t a k e p i c t u re s at the airport, of government buildings, or o ff i c i a l p e r s o n n e l u n l e s s s p e c i a l p e r m i s s i o n h a s been given.
Va l u a b l e s
Community
Yo u a re re s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e s a f e k e e p i n g o f a l l of your valuables including but not limited to j e w e l r y, c a m e r a e q u i p m e n t , l a p t o p s , p h o n e s , p a s s p o r t s , m o n e y e t c . T h o u g h A k o l a P ro j e c t s t a ff w i l l t a k e a l l p re c a u t i o n s t o p re v e n t t h e L f ro m b e c o m i n g a n i s s u e , i t i s u l t i m a t e l y y o u r re s p o n s i b i l i t y t o t a k e c a re o f y o u r b e l o n g i n g s T h e A k o l a P ro j e c t i s n o t re s p o n s i b l e f o r a n y l o s t o r s t o l e n g o o d s a n d w i l l n o t re p l a c e t h e m !
A f r i c a n s a re v e r y c o m m u n i t y o r i e n t e d . T h e y t a k e c a re o f e a c h o t h e r, w a t c h e a c h o t h e r ’s c h i l d re n , a n d a re e x t re m e l y f a m i l y - o r i e n t e d . T h e A f r i c a n f a m i l y n o t o n l y c o n s i s t s o f o n e ’s i m m e d i a t e f a m i l y, b u t a l s o t h e i r e x t e n d e d f a m i l y a s w e l l . A l s o , m o s t E a s t A f r i c a n p e o p l e g ro u p s a re m a l e - d o m i n a t e d . Wo m e n a n d c h i l d re n m a y n o t e a t w i t h t h e m e n . M e n a re s e r v e d f i r s t a n d a re t h e d o m i n a n t f i g u re i n t h e f a m i l y.
Wa t e r
P o l i t i c a l S t r u c t u re
D O N O T D R I N K WAT E R F R O M T H E TA P. Yo u c a n b u y b o t t l e d w a t e r a t a n y s h o p o n t h e s t re e t f o r a ro u n d 5 0 c e n t s p e r b o t t l e . S h o w e r i n g a n d brushing your teeth with the water is safe.
U g a n d a b e g a n a s a p ro t e c t o r a t e , c o n t ro l l e d b y the British government. The 1995 constitution e s t a b l i s h e d U g a n d a a s a re p u b l i c w i t h e x e c u t i v e , l e g i s l a t i v e , a n d j u d i c i a l b r a n c h e s . T h e c o n s t i t u t i o n p ro v i d e s f o r a n e x e c u t i v e p re s i d e n t , t o b e e l e c t e d e v e r y 5 y e a r s . P re s i d e n t Yo w e r i Museveni, in power since 1986, was elected in 1 9 9 6 a n d re e l e c t e d i n 2 0 0 1 , 2 0 0 6 , a n d 2 0 1 1 .
Alcohol U g a n d a n s h a v e a l o n g a n d t ro u b l e d h i s t o r y w i t h a l c o h o l a d d i c t i o n . I n f a c t , a 2 0 0 4 re p o r t p u b l i s h e d b y t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h o rg a n i z a t i o n re v e a l e d t h a t U g a n d a n s d r i n k m o re a l c o h o l p e r capita than any other country in the world. As a re s u l t , t h e c h u rc h h a s b a n n e d a l c o h o l c o n s u m p t i o n a l t o g e t h e r, a n d m o s t U g a n d a n s b e l i e v e that you cannot be both Christian and also cons u m e a l c o h o l . E v e n i f t h e s e a re n o t t h e p r i n c i ples by which you live your life, we do ask that that you limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink at d i n n e r s a t s e l e c t re s t a u r a n t s a n d n e v e r i n t h e p re s e n c e o f a n y A k o l a U g a n d a n S t a ff o u t o f re s p e c t f o r t h e U g a n d a n C h r i s t i a n c o m m u n i t y. Yo u r t r i p l e a d e r ( s ) w i l l t e l l y o u w h e n t h i s i s a n d i s n o t a p p ro p r i a t e . Dating and the Opposite Sex U g a n d a n s h a v e a d i ff e re n t s t a n d a rd f o r d a t i n g a n d e x p re s s i o n o f a ff e c t i o n i n p u b l i c . W h a t w e re g a rd a s a s i g n o f f r i e n d s h i p m a y m e a n s o m e t h i n g d i ff e re n t t o a U g a n d a n . B e f r i e n d l y and hospitable, but develop friendships with a n u m b e r o f p e o p l e . O rg a n i z e o r j o i n g ro u p activities, and do not spend time alone with a person of the opposite sex. The specific use of t h e w o rd “ f r i e n d ” i n m a n y c a s e s h a s a d i ff e re n t meaning. A man is not a “friend” to a woman a n d v i c e - v e r s a . Wo m e n a re f r i e n d s w i t h w o m e n . M e n a re f r i e n d s w i t h m e n . Time Keeping M a n y A f r i c a n s a re e v e n t - o r i e n t e d r a t h e r t h a n t i m e - o r i e n t e d . T h e y m a y a r r i v e l a t e f o r c h u rc h , prayer meetings, choir practice, etc. Do not let this bother you. If you have an appointment with a Ugandan, wait for twenty to forty five m i n u t e s b e f o re g i v i n g u p o n h i m / h e r. S o m e thing important may have come up: they may h a v e b e e n s t u c k i n a t r a ff i c j a m , t h e t a x i t h a t t h e y w e re o n m i g h t h a v e b ro k e d o w n , e t c a n d finding a telephone to let you know may be d i ff i c u l t .
E c o n o m i c S t r u c t u re U g a n d a h a s r i c h re s o u rc e s i n c l u d i n g f e r t i l e s o i l s , re g u l a r r a i n f a l l , s m a l l d e p o s i t s o f c o p p e r, gold, and other minerals. Some of the main exp o r t s i n c l u d e c o ff e e , f i s h , t e a , t o b a c c o , c o t t o n , c o r n , b e a n s , a n d s e s a m e . C o ff e e a c c o u n t s f o r t h e b u l k o f e x p o r t re v e n u e s . A g r i c u l t u re e m p l o y s o v e r 8 0 % o f t h e w o r k f o rc e . Mass Media R a d i o s t a t i o n s a re t h e p r i m a r y m o d e o f m e d i a in Uganda. Ugandan government did not start licensing privately-owned radio stations unMl t h e 1 9 9 0 ’s . S o c i a l S t r u c t u re T h e m a j o r re l i g i o n s o f U g a n d a i n c l u d e R o m a n C a t h o l i c , 4 1 . 9 % , P ro t e s t a n t , 4 2 % , M u s l i m 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9%. The family unit c e n t e r s a ro u n d c o n s e r v a t i v e i d e a l s . G e n d e r ro l e s c l a s s i f y w o m e n a s h o u s e w i v e s a n d m e n a s t h e p r i m a r y s o u rc e o f i n c o m e . Cultural Messages U g a n d a i s k n o w n a s a h i g h c o n t e x t c u l t u re , w h i c h m e a n s t h e re a re o L e n n o s i g n s o r d i re c t i o n s o n h o w t o g e t a ro u n d , f i n d s o m e t h i n g , e t c . I n s t e a d p e o p l e re l y o n l o c a l k n o w l e d g e a n d / o r v e r b a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n t o d i re c t h o w things should operate. advertisements and b i l l b o a rd s s h o w c u l t u r a l m e s s a g e s a n d c u l t u r a l s e n s i t i v i t y. W h e n c h o o s i n g a n o u t l e t t o p ro m o t e a c a u s e o r a c o m p a n y, o n e m u s t b e m i n d f u l o f t h e c o n s e r v a t i v e e n v i ro n m e n t i n m o s t U g a n d a n cities. Advertisements in Uganda have low context messages, which means for the most part they “say what they mean.”
Communication Styles U g a n d a n s t e n d t o c o m m u n i c a t e m o re i n d i re c t l y t h a n d i re c t l y. S t o r i e s , p ro v e r b s , a n d t h e l i k e a re c o m m o n m e a n s o f e x - p re s s i n g a p o i n t i n d i re c t l y a n d re q u i re t h e i m p l i c i t k n o w l e d g e o f t h e l i s t e n e r. G re e t i n g s a n d a g o o d a m o u n t o f s m a l l t a l k a l m o s t a l w a y s o c c u r b e f o re t a l k i n g a b o u t business. Feelings tend to not be accurately e x p re s s e d b e t w e e n a d u l t s a n d s o m e M m e s o n e can get the feeling of being fawned upon with f a l s e h a p p i n e s s , o r b e i n g l e c t u re d b y a f a l s e s t e r n n e s s . H u m o r p l a y s a b i g ro l e i n c o m m u n i cating and most Ugandans enjoy a good joke. H o w e v e r, i t i s b e s t t o a v o i d s a rc a s m a s i t m a y not translate well, if at all. Uganda is a shame c u l t u re w h i c h p l a c e s o n e s re p u t a t i o n a s a p r i o ri t y. P e r s o n a l S p a c e a n d To u c h i n g Personal space tends to be very minimal in Uganda. People oLen talk very close to each o t h e r a n d l e s s t h a n a n a r m ’s l e n g t h o f s p a c e i s common. On public transportation, personal space is limited to non-existent. It is common t o s e e p e o p l e c ro w e d i n t o a b u s o r t a x i w i t h no space in between. This tends to be the case m o re i n r u r a l a re a s v s . u r b a n . W h e n t w o p e o p l e o f t h e s a m e s e x a re t a l k i n g , t o u c h i n g i s a c c e p t able. It is common to touch the hands, arms, and shoulders. When two people of the oppos i t e s e x t a l k t h e re i s v e r y l i t t l e t o n o t o u c h i n g . T h e o n l y a p p ro p r i a t e t o u c h i s u s u a l l y a h a n d shake. B a rg a i n i n g I t i s u s u a l l y a g o o d i d e a t o s t a r t w i t h o ff e r i n g about 50% of the price a vendor has suggested. W h i t e p e o p l e a re o f t e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h w e a l t h a n d t h e re f o re p r i c e s w i l l b e h i g h e r. I t i s a g o o d idea to check first with a trusted local about a v e r a g e p r i c e s f o r s p e c i f i c g o o d s . B a rg a i n i n g o n l y t a k e s p l a c e s i n m a r k e t p l a c e a re a s n o t i n s t o re s . Tipping U g a n d a i s n o t a t i p p i n g c o u n t r y. I t i s n o t e x pected that you tip, and if you do choose to tip, consider that the minimum wage is usually a b o u t 3 o r 4 d o l l a r s a d a y. Common Phrases S e b o - u s e a t t h e e n d o f a p h r a s e t o a d d re s s a man Nyabo - use at the end of a phrase when add re s s i n g a w o m a n Mzungu - white person We b a l e - T h a n k s ! Jambo - Hello
I n t e re s t i n g F a c t s a b o u t U g a n d a • W i n s t o n C h u rc h i l l n a m e d U g a n d a t h e P e a r l o f Africa because he was attracted to the magn i f i c e n t s c e n e r y, w i l d l i f e a n d f r i e n d l y n a m e s . To h i m , t h e b e a u t y o f i t a l l c o u l d o n l y b e d e scribed as a pearl. • About half the population lives on less than US$1.25 per day (the international poverty line). • T h e o ff i c i a l m o t o o f U g a n d a i s ‘ F o r G o d a n d My Country’. • T h e o ff i c i a l c u r re n c y i s t h e U g a n d a n s h i l l i n g . • Southern Uganda has lots of rainfall all year ro u n d . W h i l e N o r t h e r n U g a n d a a l s o h a s p l e n t y o f r a i n e v e r y y e a r, t h e re i s a d r y s e a s o n f ro m December to April. • U g a n d a ’s l a rg e s t e x p o r t i s c o ff e e . • T h e re a re l a rg e re s e r v e s o f c r u d e o i l a n d n a t u r a l g a s i n U g a n d a t h a t a re s M l l m o s t l y u n tapped. • English is the most common language in the c i t y. • Soccer (football) is the most popular sport in U g a n d a . H o w e v e r, c r i c k e t i s b e c o m i n g i n c re a s i n g l y p o p u l a r. • U g a n d a i s t h e s o u rc e o f t h e N I l e R i v e r. • T h e re a re o v e r 8 0 t r i b e s i n U g a n d a . • T h e m o v i e L a s t K i n g o f S c o t l a n d w i t h F o re s t Whitaker is a British film set in Uganda? • The first rising Ugandan movie industry is c a l l e d “ U g a d a w o o d , ” s i m i l a r t o I n d i a ’s B o l l y wood. • A c c o rd i n g t o s o m e A n g l i c a n C h u rc h e s , i f y o u r s k i r t i s n o t d o w n t o y o u r a n k l e s t h e n y o u a re not born-again. • T h e a v e r a g e c h u rc h s e r v i c e i s a ro u n d 4 - 6 h o u r s . N o t a l l c h u rc h s e r v i c e s w i l l b e t h i s l o n g , b u t m a n y a re a n a l l d a y a ff a i r. Suggested Books and Films B e l o w a re s o m e s u g g e s t e d re a d i n g s t h a t w i l l h e l p y o u l e a r n m o re a b o u t U g a n d a b e f o re y o u r trip: • African Friends & Money Matters By: David Maranz • Serving with Eyes Wide Open: Doing Short Te r m M i s s i o n s w i t h C u l t u r a l I n t e l l i g e n c e B y : D a v i d A . L i v e r m o re • T i p s o n U g a n d a n C u l t u re : A V i s i t o r s G u i d e By: Shirley Cathy Byakutaaga • Wa l k i n g w i t h t h e P o o r : P r i n c i p l e s a n d P r a c t i c e s o f Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l D e v e l o p m e n t By: Bryant Myers