The International Book Mafia

More books have arrived in Kamapala from Belgium. Godfrey, who was returning to Uganda, kindly brought them along with him.

A box of about twenty books, magazines and educational CDs, purchased by friends in the US, have travelled to Nairobi with Sarah. We are working on finding someone who could bring them across the border to Uganda.

A very big thank you to Peter, our book-dealer in Belgium, Naveen and co in the US, and to Godfrey and Sarah for making it possible to get the books closer to Sironko.

You might be wondering if this international operation is all that necessary. Why don't we simply buy books in Uganda, or send the books over by mail?

Well, we also wish it were easier to source books. We haven't figured out a better way to do this though. Books and shipping both tend to be prohibitively expensive.

The one hundred and twenty or so books that are either already at SDV or on their way, have cost SDV nothing.

However, we have visited numerous book shops, both in Kampala and Mbale and did purchase a few locally published books.

And recently, someone in Kampala, expressed support for expanding the library. She rightly pointed out that the focus should be on materials related to the school curriculum given the dearth of textbooks.

And what does this have to do with a "Community Technology Center"? Well, books are a natural extension of our concept of technology. And if we are to be serious about helping young people realise their potential, then we simply cannot ignore the fact that they don't have access to basic educational materials.

PS. That's Alice in the picture paging through a book received from Belgium. She drops in at SDV regularly, and observes with intense curiosity what people get up to on the laptops.

When The Going Gets Tough

It is that part of the journey.

What was new and exciting once is now becoming routine.

The team on the ground is adjusting to doing without two of the core volunteers.

The generator is broke. The shoe-string budget is being stretched even thinner.

Even the future plans, at times, look more grandiose than daring.

But, what journey is without such moments?

Well, as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

Meet Rogers

Masiga Geoffrey, known to most of us as Rogers, is another volunteer who has been part of SDV from day one.

An early riser, Rogers jumps out of bed and heads to SDV while some of us are still in the dreamworld - that is if he hasn't already knocked on our doors to wake us up!

He grew up mostly in Buhugu, not far from SDV, and studied Electrical Engineering at Uganda Technical College, Elgon.

Currently, Rogers is in charge of managing SDV and making decisions regarding its daily operation. But, as with most of the core volunteers, his contribution covers just about every aspect of life at SDV, from wiring to teaching.

Rogers, tell us something about yourself.

I'm simple. I like moving. [Laughter.] When I get tired then I'm seated. [Laughter.] I like making friends. I like to analyse problems and make decisions.

You are from Buhugu. What do you like most about this place?

When I talk people listen and take it seriously. I just like that about this community.

Share with us some thoughts on Uganda.

Uganda is a controversial country. [Laughter.] Without working hard and thinking ahead, we cannot get anywhere. There is nothing for free here - you have to work for it.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face living in Uganda?

Poverty and unemployment. I finished the course at the Technical College, yet I'm nowhere.

What hopes do you have for the future?

As a human being, of course I cannot hope for a dark future, but that it may be bright. I have to work hard, but one cannot stand alone. With support from others I hope I will make it.

My family has invested in my education. They should reap the profits out of me - is that not so?

I am now thinking about becoming an IT consultant one day.

What do you think about SDV?

I love coming to SDV. I learn something new everyday. It has made me see what is ahead. It is a foundation and we need to build a strong one. Thank you to all those who have supported it physically and mentally.

What would you like to see people outside of Buhugu do to help SDV?

Please give us courage, encouragement, motivation, support and counsel. The volunteers are working hard, and they need support, especially when things go wrong.

Any comments on your role as an SDV volunteer?

At the moment, I'm working tirelessly. In the future, I hope to help SDV materially.

Tell us about some of your hobbies.

I love music. Ugandan music. Football. As of late, I like learning on the computer. When I wake up, I pray that the current will be there during the day. [Laughter.]

Thank you for all your energy and laughter Rogers. It has made the journey that much lighter and so much more enjoyable.

SDV Goes YouTube

On a whim, a volunteer captures the scene at SDV on a digital camera one morning.

SDV inside out - in under 40 seconds.

Doin' It Legally

Somehow, until now, we have managed to sidestep the red tape. It wasn't because of any cleverness on our part - more like cluelessness.

One day someone pointed out that it would be a good idea to register with the authorities, given that we have young children and youth frequenting SDV. And it made perfect sense.

Alex, a community leader, part-time volunteer at SDV, a regular user of SDV resources and the main liaison between SDV volunteers and the community, took the lead and handled all the necessary paperwork and the registration process.

And last week, SDV was finally registered as a community project with the Sironko district office.