Pix Aid

12 March 2007, Entebbe, Uganda

Having arrived at night, I didn’t notice that our hotel, besides being a 5-star, is located right on Lake Victoria! At 6:30 in the morning, Julian knocks on my door and says to grab the camera. His room has a view of the lake and a grand sunrise is in the making… possible opening images for our report.

Getting up early was well worth seeing the sun rise over the second biggest fresh water lake in the world. The sun peeked out over the mountains to the east and cast its orange reflection across the water. We weren’t the only ones on the beach… probably a dozen Merabou storks and birds of all shapes and colors were pecking at the sand and fighting for bits of food.

After breakfast and a shower, we go to the FAO office just down the street. Bart Hilhorst explains the Nile River Initiative. Basically, the water from the Nile is more than enough for the people of the region… for the moment. But as the waters become more polluted and the population grows, water should grow scarce by 2030. But there are solutions and as Bart says, “We just give people time. We show the situation and give a sense of urgency.”

The FAO international group reviews different scenarios.

Our mission today is to illustrate the problem and show some of the solutions. The problem is easy enough to film… heavy traffic in Kampala, a relatively small city, but already too big for its infrastructure, crowds of people and housing and factories taking over wetlands and encroaching on the lake.

After about an hour in Kampala traffic and another hour on the road, we arrive at Kyekidde, a village of some 60 families or 240 people. We are with John Mackay, a government agronomist. At six foot four and comfortable mid-section that comes with age, Mr. Mackay commands respect. When he gets out of the van, three women of the village run up to greet him. They come up to him and bow down on their knees. I was a bit shocked and asked afterwards why that was. I was told women in villages always address men in this way to show respect. Men just shake hands.
When I go to places I always try to learn a few key words. It’s fun to say them to people and see their surprise and it always brings a smile. The local language is Luganda, a Bantu language. Oli otya means how are you. Webale nyo means thank you very much. The village kids get a kick out of hearing me webale nyo them after taking their picture.

Mr. Mackay has been working with this village and others since 2000. To prepare for water shortage in the future, the farmers have been trying to use the water more efficiently and to grow crops which have a higher rate of return of money to cubic meter of water used. Since 2000, the village has increased its fields by 60%.

Apparently the farmers are very motivated… one of the reasons the village was chosen for this experimental project. They grow cassava, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, red peppers, sweet potatoes and aloe vera among other fruits and vegetables. Mr. Mackay is so happy he is planning on getting the village a motorized pump. With the irrigation, farmers can produce four crops in one year, which is especially profitable for them in the dry season when prices are high.

After filming the village, we head to the source of the Nile for some beauty shots of the area. And it is very beautiful! This is the source of the White Nile, which contributes less water to the Nile than the Blue Nile originating in Ethiopia, but it is more constant than the Blue Nile which flows irregularly. It takes water three months to flow from here to Cairo, a distance of 4,000 miles or 6,400 kilometers.

As evening draws, we sit down at a tourist diner on the riverbank for grilled Tilapia, known as Engege in the local language. When people think of Uganda, they may still think of Israeli raids to free hostages and Idi Amin, but the country has come a long way. The people were very helpful and the nature spectacular.

13 March 2007, Entebbe

Up again at 6:30, this time to just enjoy the sunrise, which isn’t as spectacular as yesterday. There are also a “brazilian” lake flies swarming in clouds. You can mostly just walk around the cloud, but if you have to go through it or accidentally walk into it, you’ll have these tiny little flies in your nose, mouth, ears and eyes before you can escape. They don’t bite but are just not nice. They must not live long because there are piles of dead ones all around.

Today is mostly interviews before catching a plane through Nairobi and London back home. We interview Bart and his team and then go to Kampala to interview the Minister of Water and Environment, the Honorable Maria Mutagamba. Mrs. Mutagamba is very friendly and dressed in a traditional bright African dress. She was very knowledgeable and spoke very well.

After the interview, she wanted to take our picture. Usually it is the other way around! It was the first time a Minister took MY picture!

Back in Nairobi at the airport, there was a group of maybe 30 refugees on our flight to London. The last time I flew out of Nairobi there was also a group of refugees. They were all dressed pretty much the same and some of their clothes were marked with the assistance organization’s initials… IOM, the International Organization for Migration.

They looked exhausted. Can you imagine what they’re feeling? Their eyes expressed fatigue and worry of what was ahead for them. In the plane I talked to one of their coordinators, Zack, an American of Somali origin. The refugees were from Somalia and had been in camps for the past 15 years. The children knew nothing other than camps and war. They were on their way to American cities and will be given shelter and help to get comfortable in their new home. I talked to Zack who I hope will keep Pix-Aid posted on this program.

The rest of the flight went well and I arrived in Luxembourg on time to return the camera gear and get back to start posting this blog!