On our trip to Uganda with Dr Opio, Tony Donovan and I had the opportunity to record the Ugandan African music from the local choir as a fundraiser for their church to help install a roof. As I listened to the music, I was struck not only with the beauty and complexity of the local instruments playing in unison with … Read More
Vitamins or clean water
I took some vitamins donated by Canadian Vitamin manufacturers like Natural Factors and Flora to Northern Uganda to give out. Most of these went to the local hospital run by volunteers, however, I saved some to give out in the village only to find out first hand what the issues were that people were suffering from. Word spread that free … Read More
Clean water from NUDF
I rolled out of bed this morning bright and early , shuffling into the bathroom, I turned the tap on and was greeted by a rush of cool, clear water to wash my face. After flushing the toilet , I went downstairs to get a drink of water before heading out of the house for some exercise. Comparing this to … Read More
Goats from NUDF
One time, when I was about 12, my family had a hobby farm in Northern BC. One day my parents bought a new goat for the farm. Rusty was a yellow goat of fine breeding and a good milker. She had a set of horns that were curved and polished. She probably weighed about 100 lbs and Rusty had an … Read More
Bears in North America vs Parasites in Uganda
Perhaps the most dangerous animal that we have in North America is a bear where in Uganda it is a parasite. Occasionally a bear will maul someone who is unlucky enough to stray into their feeding area or near their cubs. These maulings are quite rare and nothing like the danger found in Africa. Northern Uganda doesn’t have bears but … Read More
Dangers of Dirty Water – Why Dirty Water is More Dangerous Than Guns
I have been threatened before. I’ve had knives held to my neck, but I’ve never been held at gunpoint. Dr Opio though has been and his story of soldiers coming to the college where he was teaching in Northern Uganda and his walk back 40 kms through the bush crossing a river to safety while avoiding soldiers is riviting. I … Read More
Water in Northern Uganda: The Source of Life
Perhaps it is only when you come from a first world country that you look at water differently. Its not just that we expect our water to be clean, fresh and cool but its also the expectation and norm that in any dwelling, water is no more than a 20 foot walk. Compare that to water in Northern Uganda before NUDF … Read More
Water jars in Northern Uganda
Today as I write, I am travelling across Northern B.C. The bush on the sides of the roads reminds me of my trip to Northern Uganda a few years ago with Dr Opio. The trees were different, the highway, much rougher, the temperature – much hotter. Perhaps the biggest difference today in BC is the lack of walkers as compared … Read More