1: plastic bags have been banned in the country

in an effort to protect the environment (without an organized garbage disposal system), the govt has banned plastic bag importation into the country. these next few months will serve as a transition period to get rid of bags already in country, and a full ban on plastic bag use will be in place in the fall.

2: the US dollar is losing value

CHOGM (commonwealth meeting for former british colonies) is being held in kampala in november. in addition to crazy amounts of construction on roads here, giant new hotels and such are being constructed for the foreigners...which means a massive influx of US dollars into the country for these projects, causing devaluation of the USD. last summer, 1 USD = 1800+ Ugandan Shillings. When I arrived last week, I exchanged at 1578 Ush/1 Dollar, this week it has dropped to 1550 Ush, with further declines expected. Compare this to the USD high of 2000 Ush, and the rather steady 1850 for the past year, at least. crazy. i need to exchange now!

3: fistula preparations/meeting with ministry of health/pushing through uganda IRB

all is going well preparing for fistula research, had to go through quite some formalities and meetings to make self (and Anderson, and the study) known...awaiting official uganda IRB approval and need to swing by ministry of health a few more times.

also obtained fistula prevention drama script (yes, a full length play!) from engenderhealth, will hopefully find a drama group to perform it and tape it!

in kampala for these two weeks setting up, will be going to "the village" soon! and only averaging 2 mosquitos bites a night so far...not bad...tee heee hee