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on Um Zayd wa Atheer (Uganda), 27/Nov/2011 17:30, 34 days ago
Another JourneyThere's chaos in Upton Upon Severn, especially at Waterside. There is restricted crossing over the bridge, the riverbank is churned up by diggers and Number 4 doesn't know which way to turn. Soon peace should be restored. The bridge should be sand blasted, repaired and looking resplendent in Duchess Blue and Gold. The new flood defence wall will stand defiant against surges of the River Severn and Number 4 will be in new hands , temporarily.It's 22 months since the end of my first VSO placement and 14 months since I last visited Uganda. As the months have gone by I have re-adjusted to life in Uptonalthough some aspects have remained confusing and uncomfortable. My life has become simpler and more basic. I still try to avoid supermarkets and shopping malls and hate any form of waste. This Spring and Summer I have become free range, exploring the walks around my home. It has been wonderful to see the seasons change through the hedgerows, verges and local fruits and veg. I ate plums and asparagus till I could eat no more and I'm still enjoying Upton blackberries and apples.Although I haven't worked during the past 22 months I have been very lucky to be given opportunities to write and talk about my VSO experiences in Uganda. Believe it or not there are still people who have not heard any of my tales. Giving talks has helped keep Uganda very much alive and I am still in touch with colleagues and friends in Masindi. The Miirya Village Volunteer Project is still going under the guidance of Miriam and John.Unsurprisingly some months back I decided to reply to VSO. I was accepted quite quickly but it has taken a long time to find a suitable placement. Ideally I asked to return to Uganda but was prepared to go further afield. Nepal was suggested but I felt too old for that challenge. After a few false starts there is now a placement in northern Uganda, which I have accepted. Until recently VSO had withdrawn from this area of conflict. It is still regarded as 'fragile' but stable enough for volunteers to go and try to help build these truly 'broken communities'. Families forced to live in camps are now looking to have more normal lives. I am going to a town called Gulu, north of Masindi towards the Sudanese border. To the south east of the town lies Bobi Sub County and this is where I shall be working as a Community Nurse.I fly to Uganda on Sunday 11thDecember, 2 weeks today. I am excited yet anxious. This time I go better prepared but also aware of the many difficulties that there inevitably will be. I take with me a sense of purpose, that is the right thing for me to do. I will keep you posted.