Subject: Bukoba #26: Christmas in Bukoba
Friday, December 20, 2002
I don't feel like I have been very busy or accomplished much this year at UoB, but when I think about it, I have been occupied with quite a variety of things, including computer training of groups like BDC and KCU, helping Computers for Africa distribute donated computers, computer configuration, maintenance and networking at UoB, Ihungo and elsewhere, designing a database for KAEMP, facilitating a networking workshop at Ihungo, compiling CD-ROMs on various IT topics (PC maintenance, programming, education, networking), and visiting a number of universities and computer training centres in Kampala and Dar. I also enjoyed making Java Swahili grammar and vocabulary quizzes and a Swahili version of Scrabble.
The University of Bukoba Project continues to lie dormant and struggle for financial support and direction. Professor Katoke is still at the helm; Mr. Rwiza, Leopold, and Johanitha the librarian are still around; Mr. Mutasa is still in Dar es Salaam. I have been their main source of funds for the last few months, and it seems highly unlikely that things will get started any time soon. Although I had applied for an extension of my VSO contract, I will probably withdraw the application.
The VSO Leavers' Forum last week was pleasant and thought-provoking; it helped me reflect on my experience and personal growth and focus on my future. I didn't see much of the historic town of Bagamoyo, but the beach was picturesque. I hadn't been swimming in the ocean for years and couldn't resist a dip; it wasn't the best beach for it, though. Dar es Salaam was very hot day and night and I didn't have time for much shopping, but at least I was paid six months' salary arrears by VSO.
Joanitha has returned to Bukoba after breezing through her first three months in the B.Sc. programme in Computer Science at Kampala International University. We will celebrate Christmas in Bukoba and go on holiday in Uganda December 28-January 5.
In January and February I expect to finish the KAEMP database and train KAEMP staff to use and modify it, provide more PC applications training for a mix of people, and maybe give another workshop at Ihungo in computer maintenance. It is a shame that all the work I have done to set up an IT department is unlikely to be used here any time soon, but I may be able to use some of it elsewhere. I also hate to leave UoB with nobody to maintain its computers, but I do not have much of a choice for a counterpart/trainee.
My VSO contract finishes in March. I will be job-hunting in Kampala January 6-10, and again in March if I do not find anything immediately. I paid $80 for a six-month multiple-entry visa so I will not have to pay $30 every time I visit Uganda.
Bukoba has been quite rainy the end of this year, which is nice. My health has generally been good since I recovered from intestinal problems and malaria in April and May; no emergency medical flight to Nairobi recently.
I hadn't read a good science book for a long time, but I am enjoying The Matter Myth: Beyond Chaos, an often mind-boggling account of chaos, cosmology, quantum mechanics and the search for extraterrestrial life (which is surprisingly already ten years old; I wish I had an updated version). I have borrowed several books from Tony and VSO for the holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to One and All!