Days one and two

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We arrived in Uganda yesterday morning after and eight and a half hour flight, flying into Entebbe airport. We were met by WaterAid Uganda staff and driven to our hotel where we had some time to freshen up and rest before going to the WaterAid offices for an introductory briefing and to meet the team. Yesterday evening we had a BBQ with the team and some of the local partners that WaterAid work with.

This morning we left the hotel at 8 o'clock to go to the slums of Kampala. We were first taken to the Kifumbria area of the city, a slum with a population of approx 10,000 where there is no sanitation and the water source is unprotected. Nothing could prepare me for the sights and smells of the place. We were shown around by members of the local water management committee. The main problem is the lack of drainage, meaning that natural springs from higher ground run freely through the area, picking up rubbish and human waste along the way. The area is prone to horrendous flooding which can reach in some cases the roofs of the houses. Disease is rife here, and the inadequate drainage causes contamination of the water source.

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The experience of walking throught the slum is something I will never forget. It was very tricky underfoot, we often had to jump the channels and the ground was very uneven and slippery. We were followed by a constant stream of children, eager to hold our hands and talk to us. The children were so happy and cheerful, running around and giggling, but it was so sad to see them barefoot or in flip flops where razor blades were apparent on the ground and they didn't think twice about paddling in the water. In these slums most people live bleow the poverty line on less than a dollar a day.

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We then moved onto Kalerwe, a slum area where WaterAid and it's partners have intervened to provide improved drainage and a latrine block. The block only cost the equivalent of two and a half thousand pounds to build. We heard from the local people how this has changed their lives - previously chloera was rife, but in the last year no cases have been reported and there have been no deaths. The water management committee expressed their gratitude and esplained the differences it has made to their lives. it costs 50 schillings to use the latrine for residents (or a subscription of 1,000 schillings per month), 100 schillings for visitors and children are free. The money pays for the upkeep and cleaning of the latrines.

The third slum, Jambula, has had drains lined by WaterAid and also has a new latrine block. The 81 year old lady who looks after the block was incredibly thankful for the investment and I actually felt quite overwhelmed.

After lunch we visisted a water kiosk where water is sold for 100 schillings per 3 jerry cans. the lady manning the kiosk has been trained to make bags, coasters and jewellery from drinking straws and paper! They were incredible and training in this art is given to the women of the community to allow them an income.

We paid a courtesy visit to the district council and then finally a visit to a sanitation centre where we saw how the different types of latrines benefit a community.

Tomorrow we are visitng Mpigi to see communities who have benefited from intervention.