Sorry, I was lost in the rainforest...

Ok so I wasn't literally lost in the jungle but I took off for a week to a place with no internet access. It was the best decision I have made on this trip to head further north to see the wild chimpanzees and other amazing wildlife. Right now I am at the JGI house in Entebbe and in 2 hours I will be off the Ngamba for two weeks. However we do have internet access out there so I will be able to update the blog regularly and will try and write more today...

My First Days in Chimp Heaven

Hello Readers,

So you have probably noticed that there will be multiple posts today...Unfortunately, I fell ill with what I think was the flu (not malaria thankfully!!) after being on Ngamba Island only three days and I had to leave. Chimpanzees are very susceptible to human viruses. I was very disappointed but I am getting better now and hope to update all of you with what has been happening....

Monday, March 2nd was my first day of work on the island. The staff start work at 6:30 am so I got up with them to see what running a sanctuary is all about. Wow, do the staff ever work hard to keep that place running and the chimpanzees healthy. First a group of the staff check to make sure the electric fence is secure. There is an electric fence that runs the width of the island separating the forest from the staff/visitor camp. Then another group cuts up an array of produce for the 45 chimpanzees. There is a schedule of different foods that they get to adhere to. I helped with cutting the produce this morning. They eat things like porridge, sweet potato, avocado, mango, pineapple, jackfruit, carrots and of course lots of bananas. As soon as we bring the food around the holding facility the chimps go crazy pant hooting and screaming. The staff feed them through the bars and the infants get cups of milk. After they are fed they are released into the forest. All of them go out except for those that have managed to escape daily (by jumping over the fence) and the infants and and adults involved in integration. I will explain more about this later. From there we clean the holding facility which is a bit of a process. Then the staff get ready for the first group of visitors and the 11:00am feeding in the field. That day I helped in the 11:00 am feeding. We take all the cut up fruit in buckets up to the viewing platform and throw the food to the chimps. I loved doing this because it is the first time the chimps made eye contact and gestured at me, the intelligence is really reflected in their eyes.e did this again at 2:30 pm and in the meantime I helped with some building maintenance. The chimps know the routine like clockwork and in the evening around 6 or 7 they start coming in to the holding facility for dinner. It was my job to stand at the side and count them that night as they came in. Most of them come in but they do have a choice, they can stay in the forest in they want and forage for food and make a nest. By the end of the first day I was exhausted but it was such a great experience.

The next day I woke up with the staff again but I noticed I had a sore throat...oh no I was getting sick....I hadn't even thought of that as a possible issue but it was. I continue to help out anyways, we cleaned the holding facilities again and prepared the food. However when I notified them that I still was not feeling well there was not much I could help with. I spent most of Tuesday chatting with the staff on their breaks...to be continued...

Off to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary!

Hi Everyone! Sorry there has been so much space between blog entries again, there is very limited internet on the island so I may not be able to post as often. Saturday night we did not end up going out in Kampala but stayed in Entebbe as I was to leave on the 9:00 am boat the next morning. I had a great last night with Jacque and Beth, and the other local I have gotten to know. The next morning I packed my things and headed off on the boat to Ngamba. Lake Victoria was sparkling and it was a beautiful morning. I felt like I was exploding with excitement inside. The actual trip only took about 40 minutes, not very long. I could see Ngamba in the distance, it appeared larger than I thought and the majority of it was a dense, green jungle. The staff appeared on the boat dock and were very welcoming. They directed me and the other visitors off to the visitor's centre where they did a presentation about the island's projects and the chimpanzees. The staff then each introduces themselves in turn to me and they were all very kind (it was then that I realised however that they were all men!) They showed me to my room and let me unpack...as they were directing me to the resource centre where my room was I noticed that it was right next to the chimpanzee holding facility...and there was Mack, Africa and Baron climbing ropes, doing somersaults and playing just as babies do. I had seen their photos many times before but it was quite special to see them for the first time, they were beautiful...

My room is quite nice, lots of space but I will not be there long before I am moving to the tented camp section of the island. Then we went up to the viewing platform because it was feeding time...I was in heaven as I watched 40 chimps emerge from the forest calling with pant-hoots at the top of their lungs! I could watch them forever, their behaviour is fascinating and I am hooked. The complexity of their emotions becomes very clear. Each chimp knows their name and when you call them they look up and reach out to catch a piece of fruit. Sometimes conflict ensues over the food but it is usually resolved quickly with an embrace or grooming. They all seem to be well aware of their place in the social hierarchy. It is truly amazing to watch the whole thing play out. After I unpacked I went and met more of the staff and Gerald the sanctuary manager took me for a tour of the island. One thing I really really love is that the island is designed to be completely environmentally friendly. The whole island is solar powered and there is minimum waste generated. They have compost toilets and use rainwater for washing and bathing. They compost anything organic. Gerald explained all the "green" components of the island as we went along. The veterinary clinic is nice, perfect for the island and I immediately recognised a lot of the drugs, tools etc... They have really made an effort to inform everyone on chimpanzee social behaviour and the threats to chimpanzee survival. There are signs and information boards all over the island. They get on average 8 visitors a day. I also got a tour of the tented camp...it is actually quite luxurious and I am excited to stay there! The rest of the day I talked to the staff some more and watched the chimps in the holding facility. That night I fell asleep exhausted but content to finally be living with the chimps.

Slower Times in Entebbe....

Ki Kati...Oli Otya? Hello Blog Followers!

I am writing this on the Saturday which is my last full day in the Jane Goodall Institute house and then I am off to Ngamba Island tomorrow! Things have been moving at a slower pace the past couple of days which I am really happy about because it has been an extremely busy couple of weeks (but I have enjoyed all of it!) Here is an update of the past couple of days...I got back from the visit with Ronald on the Tuesday afternoon (with the chicken)haha! Tuesday was market day so Beth and I went with the girls from the office. We searched through the clothes and produce for bargains...I got two shirts for probably $2.50 canadian. If you can bargain down things can be super cheap. I realised something at the market though that evening as we were walking with Jacque and Tracy from the office. As we were browsing some people were making comments to them in Lugandan. Beth and I realised that they were being harassed for associating with "muzungus". They ignored them of course and kept walking with us but it was strange to see. After the market we met up with some of the others from the office and had a drink at the local bar. I also tried some street food called "Rolex" (yep, just like the watch) that everyone was telling us we had to try. It is actually called rolled eggs but somehow it evolved to Rolex. It is basically a chipati and egg fried together, so delicious! Wednesday I worked on an article for New Vision on the campign, it is still in the works bt should be informative once completed. Roasted chicken was on the menu at lunch and I bet you can guess who's chicken that was!! That night I got to go running for the first time since I arrived, I have been so busy I never got the chance before this. It was very surreal to run around the botanical gardens (they let me run in there for free) and realise that I am running in Africa...Part of the gardens is a rainforest and it was so relaxing to run under the canopy and watch the vervet monkeys in the trees above!! I love it, the vervets are everywhere playing together and swinging through the trees. I almost ran into one at one point. I came back that evening and Beth had made a great pasta dinner, really sweet of her! That night I got Skype working and was able to see Ethan walking for the first time!! He is getting so big and is the cutest thing. I really do miss my nephews...I love you Dylan, Cullan and Ethan! Thursday I continued to work on my article and then Beth and I went out to eat at the Gately Inn. The Gately has some great food, and we ended up trying their thai that night. Yesterday was my last day in the JGI office and it was a little sad to be honest...I really love working with everyone here. In the afternoon I went with Jacque to speak to some teachers at Bugoma School. We mostly discussed getting the Roots & Shoots Partnership in Understanding program going, which is basically pen-pal communication between R&S groups in a developed and developing country. There has been trouble making it work in the past but they are going to try again. We also discussed our "No Plastics" campaign to them and talked about having a Skype conference call between Bugoma school and the attendees of the R&S youth for action workshop in Canada in April which I will be helping with. Last night Beth, Anna, Jacque, Tracy, and Susan met up at a restaurant in Entebbe called 4 points. It is a great place with TONS of food from all over. This was to be a celebatory/goodbye event since I am of to the island on Sunday. After that we wnt to a couple of bars in Entebbe and had a great time dancing and talking...Saturday today, Beth and I have just been watching movies and relaxing. I am going to head down to the wildlife centre when I am finished writing this and spend some time watching the chimpanzees (although I will be in chimp heaven soon enough!) Tonight we are heading to Kampala and Anna is going to show us around and we will stay at her place...I just got news that the health checks have been posponed by two weeks so there will be a change in plans...

Pant-hoots,

Shannon

A Long Journey to Meet a Special Boy....

Helloooo Everyone...I am writing in my blog as much as I can now because Saturday morning I move onto Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary!!!! I can't even begin to explain my excitement, this it what I have been waiting so long for...to work with, study and care for our amazing chimpanzees!! Unfortunatly, I am told that I will not have internet access on the island but I will write down my blog entries on paper and post them on here on weekends when I am back in the office. However, I have also created a facebook group for my trip that I will update with the same entries I post here. This will be in addition to this blog, I just think it will be easier to post more photos on. I just really want to say thank you to everyone who has been following my stories as I continue this amazing experience. It is really special to me that you and it makes me feel closer to you all and not miss home as much. My favourite thing is to read the comments you leave, I am sorry if I have not been able to respond them but I definitely read them and I am touch by every comment. It really sustains me and I can't thank you all enough for the support.

Be prepared because this next entry is going to be an emotional one. Sunday night I could barely sleep because early Monday morning World Vision was to pick me up to visit Ronald, my family's sponsored child. Peluth and John from World Vision picked me up as planned at 6:30 am and from there they took me to World Vi son headquarters in Kampala. There I met with a number of people from World Vision...they employ over 600 people in Uganda! We signed some papers and then we were off on the 6 hours journey to Soroti (probably the distance from Hamilton to Ottawa!) The scenery as we drove was gorgeous as usual. The further north we drove the topography changes and became more like a savanna with rocky terrain. The heat also increases significantly and I estimates the temperatures to reach 30 -40 degrees Celsius once we had arrived. The towns also became smaller and more rural, and you could definitely see the poverty level increase. When we finally arrived in Soroti we received a call from the regional World Vision office who said that Ronald has been sleeping on the ground of the hut. So I set out to do some shopping with the help of Peluth (who was very nice and explained alot to me along the way). I got Ronald a mattress, tons of food and household supplies and school supplies in addition to the books, pictures and football (soccer ball) that I had already brought him. Finally we arrived at Kamuda and the regional office for World Vision. Everyone I met was extremely nice and they were all very excited for me to go see Ronald, they said that the family had been waiting all day! They explained a bit about Kamuda as being an Area Development Program and that the rate of HIV/AIDS was fairly high in Ronald's region. We then got back in the truck and left the centre of town and headed out on a VERY bumpy dirt path about 4 km's out...as we were leaving there was a group of about thirty school children waving at us, singing and running after the truck. Finally I saw a little hut in the distance with about five adult men standing around it. They told me this was Ronald's home but I couldn't see him at first...then I saw behind the crowd a small boy was sitting by himself and I new that was him I recognised him immediately. As soon as I got out of the truck he ran over to me, shook my hand and was all shy. I couldn't resist, I got down on my knees and gave him a big hug. What a beautiful little boy he is, and surprisingly happy with shining eyes! He had the most gorgeous smile and beamed from ear to ear when I gave him the football. I was introduced to each of his family members in turn and they were all very welcoming. I also brought out some picture books on Canada and I read them to him. They were all surprised to see how much it snows in Canada!! We had a great interpreter that translated word for word as we spoke to each other. He then translated the letter that my parents wrote and I showed him the video message they had made on my video camera, he seemed to really enjoy it...there was about 15 people crowded around trying to see!!!...I looked up and saw a tear in his grandfathers eye. I was feeling pretty emotional and humbled by this little boy by this point but I also got to learn his story...Ronald lives with his grandfather and cousin Richard. His mother stops by to see him maybe once a year and they do not know where his father is. When we first started to sponsor Ronald he was not yet in school but with the help of World Vision and the child sponsorship in Kamuda a school was erected a couple of months ago and Ronald started P1 in February. We ended up kicking the football together for a bit and then he ran into the hut. I couldn't figure out what he was doing but then he emerged a few moments later all weighed down by a massive bag of oranges and a chicken which he proceeded to hand to me!!! He was very proud of his gift and I thanked him wholeheartedly!! Inside I was laughing so hard, it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen and one of the greatest gifts I would ever receive (don't worry I didn't mention that I am a vegetarian). I did jump a little when I heard a squawk and realised that the poor chicken was still alive!! I couldn't stop thinking how my three wonderful nephews would instantly befriend this boy, he demeanor reminded me alot of Dylan. Days later I am still moved by this struggling family...I have never witnessed poverty as I have on this trip....It is cliche to say but we really have no idea how lucky we are in North America. Even though this family has almost nothing we would consider of value in North America, they clearly find the richness in life in each other, in God in their beautiful country...I was really moved beyond words and I think witnessing things like this will alter the way I live in Canada for the better.....I really have seen firsthand the positive changes put forth through child sponsorship. They all said thank you to me but I told them all please thank my parents....they are the miracle workers here...The most difficult thing was leaving him behind, he was no longer shy of me at this point and reached out to grab my hand multiple times....Just as we were about to leave those thirty schoolchildren came running up the path to Ronald's house singing. They lined up one by one and shook my hand, they were very sweet but it was an odd sort of experience because all the girls got down on their knees in front of me. I left smiling Ronald with a full heart but pangs of guilt for leaving him behind to go back to my comfortable Western lifestyle. As we drove away the one world vision worker told me that he had asked to come with me back to Canada...they hadn't translated that... Some of the most defining moments of my life have happened in the short time in Africa...and this was definitely one of them...As were leaving the World vision office a bit later it began to storm so the World Vision team gave me the nickname "Nakiru" meaning the person who brings rain (btw which is a compliment being n agricultural community)...That night I visited Soroti rock, a massive rock in the middle of town and spent the night at a quiet guesthouse and relaxed... thanks for reading, watch for the next entry...

Girls Weekend Away in Jinja!

Jambo! Yes, I am switching between Swahili, Lugandan and Bantwa! There is such a variety of languages in this country you might as well try them all! I haven't gotten to write steadily in my blog again as I have been off experiencing all that Uganda has to offer...and I have loved every minute of it! Friday was a normal day at work but Beth, Anna and I left for Jinja. We hired a driver to take us there, it is the easiest way. It took almost four hours to reach Jinja even though it is not very far from Kampala. Our driver was a an older, very friendly Ugandan man. In typical Ugandan fashion he quizzed each of us about our families, boyfriends, time in Africa etc...However tried as he might he couldn't say my name, Ugandan's have alot of trouble with it! I didn't think that Uganda could get any more beautiful until I saw Jinja. It is even more tropical and vividly green than the rest of Uganda with the clear, sparkling mighty Nile river running through it. It was surreal to have the most historic river in front of you, the Biblical river that has witnessed the progress of man for thousands of years. That night we stayed at the Nile River Explorers camp and we prepared to White Water Raft the Nile the next day!! We arrived to a friendly group of people who directed us to our banda (a little cabin) and then moved to the communal porch/bar to mingle the rest of the night. We met a number of people from different countries and chatted with them about their rafting experiences. I think each of us were feeling excited but quite nervous for the next days adventure. The next morning we caught a bus that took us down to the Nile. There were six to a boat and so we had three British people join our raft. They were wonderful people Ian, Nigel and Fiona and they all worked for the same NGO helping children in Uganda...Ian was especially nice (he is the same age as you dad) and he always said he wanted to raft the Nile at his age...it was one of his dreams. We were shown all the techniques for helping yourself if the boat flipped (but I was doubtful of them) and soon we were off down the mighty Nile enjoying the breathtaking scenery. The first two rapids were Grade 2 and then a Grade 4 (there are 6 grades...) I barely thought we were going to make it through the Grade 4 but we did and we all felt a great sense of accomplishment. It seemed that the trick was just to paddle as hard as you can through the waves so I thought ok we can do this...however the butterflies in my stomach got bigger as we approached the big Grade 6 rapid. It was called "The Silverback" as our guide informed us because when the waves hit you it feels like being trampled by a silverback!! Now I was really scared but we went for it as a team, we got through the first big rapid, then the second but I knew we were toast when the third wave came and was bigger than 10 boats combined and in seconds we were over. I don't think I have ever been this scared in my life...all I knew is that I was way under the rapids and didn't know whether I was swimming up or down...finally I headed upwards loosing my breath rapidly and terrified...I panicked as every time I went to emerge I hit something and was shoved back under again!!...finally I felt myself come to the surface and breath come and I grabbed onto a kayak nearby where they took me back to the now righted boat. We were only halfway at that point but I was told that that was the worst one so I forced myself to be brave and keep paddling....we tackled every rapid after that and we all had a great sense of accomplishment. That night we reminisced at the bar about our experiences and met more interesting people with reggae blasting in the background ...That night I met a bunch of great Canadians from BC, whom I am keeping in contact with.... they even played a video of us riding the rapids all day...it is so great that I had to buy a copy and bring it home for everyone to see!! The next day we relaxed, bought some crafts from local artisans and went to the Source of the Nile...which basically looked like the rest of the Nile!! By the time we headed home we were beat...

We took on the Nile that weekend and in my opinion...won. We were only dumped once from the boat while the other teams Good job my ladies...go team!!! Watch for the next update....

Travelling Uganda....

So the past while has been really busy so I have been getting a bit behind on my entries...we are leaving again this weekend to Jinja so I am trying to get up to date on this now! Tuesday was another long day in Kampala, attempting to get sponsorship for the campaign, but it was fun as we had Beth and Joaquin along this time. Joaquin is a very nice 15 year old who moved to Uganda from Argentina with his family 10 years ago. He goes to the local International School and he chose JGI as his job shadow placement, as he is very interested in habitat and wildlife conservation. So they followed us as we went to New Vision, MTN, Nature Uganda and the Uganda Wildlife Society and a couple other places. New Vision is going to publish articles on our campaign as we submit them and they may be able to do more later on. We still have not had luck with MTN but will keep trying other sponsors...In the evening Beth and I went to the market again and had an early night....

Wednesday and Thursday Jacque, Joaquin, Joaquin's mom and I travelled to Bushenyi a district about 6 hours away. I found out last minute that we would be staying in a hotel in Bushenyi and so I threw some stuff together and went. It was a great trip because I got to see more of Uganda and also see some other programs. Bushenyi is a region with many active Roots & Shoots groups in a number of schools. As we drove out of Kampala I continued to witness the true beauty of Uganda. There are brilliant green rolling hills and mountains for miles and tiny towns every 100 km's or so. You begin to realise how many people live in rural communities, segragated by vast forest and how they are struggling to live at times. I took alot of video while travelling to show everyone when I get back. Halfway through the trip we stopped at the equator, that was a neat experience, to be standing a the central diameter of the earth! Jacque and I chatted most of the way, which was great because she is really fun and great to talk to! I really feel lucky to be working with her. Our first stop was to the Bushenyi district office for the schools to speak to the district officer. Jacque filled him in on how Roots & Shoots was going in the schools and of our upcoming campaign and he was quite supportive of it. Then we found a nice hotel with a great view for the night. Today we headed outside of Bushenyi to visit the Kalinzu Forest Education Centre run by JGI. I was very excited as I had not yet been in the "true" forest in Uganda yet. The view there was superb. I group of children in grade 5 came from a local school and we obsered the staff conduct their education program within the small centre. Afterwards we followed the group out into the forest for the forest walk part of the program. This forest was a true "rainforest" with a thick green canopy, vines hanging everywhere and is home to a great variety of animals. Even though you may not see any animals unless you look closely, there is always a symphony of sounds echoing through the rainforest. The brilliant green canopy acts as the roof of the rainforest and gives you the feeling of being inside a great big cathedral of the natural world. It was a short hike so we did not see any wildlife but it was still a great experience to trek the forest and watch the reactions of the children. After the hike the group played a great game about dissapearing habitats (I want to use it in my Roots & Shoots presentations back home)! I am hoping to go to the Budongo forest soon and maybe spend more time in the forest and hopefully see some chimpanzees!

We headed back home after a great morning at the centre and I slept most of the way home. When I got back Beth has informed me that Anna and her had finalized the plans for Jinja this weekend...I am so excited!! Jinja is a tourist destination in Uganda with lots to do...The main event is rafting the Nile which is what we are going to do!! What an experience that will be so stay turned...Shout outs to everyone at home I miss you all alot but I am having the time of my life in Africa....Love Shannon :)