Never trust a chicken

So, after almost 2 months in Mbale, Uganda I'm finally posting! There have been some major technical difficulties with internet and my blog so forgive me for not posting sooner. For example, I cant upload pictures, which describe my time here much better than words.

As I most likely no longer have any readers, I will just have to use this blog as a way to reflect and think about my time overseas. Which will be good if I have time to continue.

Here are some more thoughts on poverty.

When we were visiting several different houses in a village this week, I noticed that most people leave their corn on the ground to dry (its the harvest season). Chickens peck through it, eating their hearts content for up to a month. They have a saying in their local language "Don't trust a chicken to guard your millet." While it has other meanings, sounds like a true statement to me!

I asked some people about it and this is what they said "A chicken doesnt eat that much." These are the same people that struggle to find food several months later, and my thinking would be to save every little bit of food possible.

They also have a practice during the harvest season to make large meals and throw out lots of leftovers.

M:MM staff tell me that people just dont think about the future in the same way that we do. Even if they have higher yields, they may not use them well. Another point showing the importance of a change in mentality that must take place for poverty to end.

Well, this is a short post, but at least you all know I'm alive! I return in about a week, July 23rd, and start graduate school a month later at K-State. I'll be a Wildcat once again!

All for now...