I’m really into my Crossfit at the moment, though actually that’s with a small “c”. I wanted to lose a little bit of weight and get fitter and stronger. So when a Crossfit gym opened just a couple of hundred yards from the front door, I couldn’t pass it up. So Crossfit with a small… Read More »
So there are no Michelin star restaurants in Uganda, or South Sudan for that matter. In the settlement, food is survival, not pleasure. And I take this challenging reality seriously. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try and have a little fun. Last time I was here I made jelly. No-one had any idea what… Read More »
On Thursday I headed over to our clinic in South Sudan. It’s a long as it takes about 3 hours to get there, allowing for faff at the border. So Wednesday night I asked the others what time should we leave. “Early”, I was told. “Let us say 8… no 8.30, we shall leave at… Read More »
So Day 1 was a bit of a nightmare, to be honest. It was great, really great to see old friends again, and I was greeted with genuine warmth – so thrilling. And to meet some people in person for the first time was good too. But of course my bubble was burst. My good… Read More »
The journey in was fine(ish). A bit of VISA faff, after my ‘deferred’ outcome from the first application, so I asked our Uganda Lawyer to intervene (because there is no email / tel no). But that was fruitless, so another application for a different class was made, and despite an offer (request?) for a bribe… Read More »
So, ‘it’s been a minute’ as they say in America. I have to confess to skipping a couple of episodes; I have been to Haiti for a pretty intense 5 month trip May-Aug 24, and then back there again for a few short weeks in Mar 25, too busy to get to the blog. But… Read More »
Whilst in Juba, I am getting western style food (in a sort of fusion way). I had ‘lasagne’ but that was basically a layer of spaghetti, a layer of meat, another of spaghetti, and some ‘parmesan’. Its fine though, the menu is extensive and everything on it is actually available. I’m with a colleague who… Read More »
So I am in Juba, capital of South Sudan for the week. Mixing it with the big boys; UNHCR, WHO, British Embassy, Ministry of Health, National Health Cluster (this last one means a lot in NGO-speak). On the hunt for funds, as always. Though not exclusively; collaboration, information sharing and building support networks is also… Read More »
Stayed up at the border last night, a small little hotel, with great rooftop bar. Awoken early by the roar of their generator and the room light coming on super bright. I think nothing of it, until arriving at my hotel in Juba and try to charge my phone. I try a different socket, and… Read More »
Back to the Centre, the power was already off. Really off,. Gonna be a long, hot, sweaty night when I got back to the compound last night around 8, the power was already off. And I mean properly off, even the Solar Controller had used up its little internal battery and was no longer alarming,… Read More »