Happy New Year is what has been said all day long here as today is the official opening of Uganda after two years of shut down. Up until now, many businesses have closed while others have had limitations. There has also been a curfew for the residents. If you were caught out after 8pm the police could stop you and ask you why you are out. I learned that the going rate for a bribe is just about $12.00 or a $50,000 shilling note. The cops dont make change if you offer less than $50,000. I heard that there is already big celebrations happening in Kampala to ring in the ‘New Year.
We had our Monday morning meeting and then I went to start working on the sewing classroom. We have 6 manual sewing machines and 2 electric machines. I am definitely going to need google to help me with the manual machines. Some of them are from the late 1800s based on the research I have done. But, they are solid and no need for electricity. There is a curriculum for tailoring if the ladies want to get a certificate. I will not be here
long enough to get through the syllabus but RWO will eventually get a trainer that the course with the women.
In the afternoon I had class with my older group of women. We focused on budgeting, but I focused more on business budgeting so we went over Gross Profit, Cash Flow to end up with their Net Profit. They seemed to grasp the concepts pretty well, in future classes I hope to be able to make individual business budgets with each women.
After work we stopped at the butcher so Irene could pick out some cuts of meat to marinate and make for dinner this week. The pig was slaughtered in the morning so refrigeration at the butcher shop is not necessary. You just point to the part of the pig you want and he cuts it off for you. He also has an option that you can sit outside and have a beer while they cook up for you cut of meat. from all over Uganda to get meat from this butcher.
