Learning the ropes in business 7/17/09

The women have a baking business, which is actually very successful! Melinda has set up an expenses, and savings, salary type of deal for them and they have now done so well in their business that they will be moving to their own storefront, which will probably double their income! Most of their business comes from the non-profits here and they have made a LOT of money since they've started 3 months ago! I got to sit in on a meeting of theirs today because they make the financial decisions together and its neat because the 3 women each make about 40,000 shilings a week which is equivalent to $20. Also each week the other two will sacrifice 10,000 shillings so that that one can buy food in bulk (which is alot cheaper) for their family for the month! they take turns weekly so it all evens out, but it saves them money in the long run! Any good recipes you have or can get and send would be awesome! I told them you said you wanted to and they thought that was awesome!

The house is nice and I feel fine and at home, of course I cannot wait to hit the ground running cause I haven't done anything besides see the town and sleep and eat. lol and saw the sewing business which makes really neat stuff so I will probably get most of my gifts from the business! the weather is not bad and the mosquito netting actually kinda makes you feel like a princess. lol I've tried to take pictures of everything. Haven't seen much wildlife, lots of goats and cows, a few lizards. there isn't much wildlife in the north because the war that ended between the rebels and the government about 3 years ago that lasted for 21 years drove them all away and down south which is also more reason for the famine that is in the North (here).

Weather is fine, not too hot at night and during the day I'm sure i'll be fine. There are small villages along the way from Kampala and they all live in those mud huts and you see them walking down the side of the road with fire wood and water and what not. SO many children, many orphans or taken care of by other family members when the parents pass away early (often from HIV). I will go to the bush the 3rd n 4th week I'll be here and it will take about an hour to get there. I will not be going anywhere alone really, I will be working with a team of ugandan (ppl my age) ppl and there will be someone with me from that mostly.

Christine, one of the women from the bakery, was saying she does prayer ministry at the hospitals on thursdays and I asked if I could come this week. Please be praying for me especially alot on that day, Melinda says I'll need to pray up good because as I've heard about the hospitals, in Kampala, even they are very bad. ok, enough computer time for me. bye!

Katie