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 :)
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