[WARNING: Engineering content. Prepare to feel nerdy.]
One of the ongoing projects that I have been working on since getting here in August is setting up some design spreadsheets in Excel to facilitate the design process here in the office. Since my project trip hasn't left for Gulu yet, I have been working more on this the last several days.
So far this has included creating design sheets for reinforced concrete beams and columns, wood trusses, concrete footings, and steel beams and columns (although the steel ones will probably hardly be used). All of these have been rather simple as design here is relatively straightforward with almost every building being single-story confined masonry construction.
Some of the challenges of designing in Uganda has to do with local construction practice. Since material is very expensive here, buildings will often be built without the necessary reinforcing steel or maybe even none at all! In extreme cases, people will leave out the concrete columns altogether and rely solely on unreinforced masonry. This is a very dangerous idea, especially in the event of an earthquake!
With all this in mind, we have to be very careful how we design. Since we know that only certain sizes of rebar are affordable (or even available) and construction workers will probably only make columns the size of the brick width (about 10in) even if the column is specified to be larger, we have to design knowing that it may not be built according to our specifications.
I should clarify that not all buildings are poorly constructed or purposely not built to the design (in fact, most are not). But knowing that it does happen occasionally is reason enough to more forward with caution while designing here in Uganda.
One thing that scares me is the potential for a major earthquake in the area. Buildings here are sufficient to handle gravity loads, but in the event of a large earthquake many buildings would collapse and there would be much devastation. It's a frightening thought and I hope it won't take a major earthquake to get a wake up call.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Africa Happenings
Living in Uganda has brought me much more in touch with news and events of Africa than ever before. I'm not sure how much press these events are getting in the US, but I though I would share some popular news stories that people are talking about here.
I've posted a lot of links. Peruse them as you please.
Tunisia: In December, riots and protests led to the overthrowing of current president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia. I don't know much about these riots other than that they were the main spark for what happened in Egypt (see below).
Egypt: In late January, Egyptians began protests over a variety of political issues. Ultimately, protesters were calling for the current president, Hosni Mubarak, to step down and a new government put in place. Hosni hasn't resigned, but he has said that he will not run again in the September presidential election. Since then, things have quieted down, but protests are still continuing. Several hundred have died and thousands more injured through these protests.
Sudan: Earlier in January, Sudan held a referendum vote on whether Southern Sudan wanted to secede from the Northern Sudan and create a new country. Everyone already knew, but the final results were released earlier this week and the overwhelming majority favored secession. The south won't officially secede until this summer but there have already been some issues. Yesterday, a minister and his bodyguard were shot and killed in Juba. There was also an army mutiny a few days ago leaving many dead.
Uganda: Things are really calm here in Uganda in comparison to some of the stories above. Although with the upcoming election, the U.S. Embassy doesn't seem to think so. I got this email message from them earlier today:
Reminder – Increased Security Threat around Ugandan Elections
This Warden Message is to remind all U.S. citizens that regional terrorist groups continue to pose serious threats to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Uganda. As mentioned in previous notices, the U.S. Mission in Kampala remains particularly concerned about the month of February, before and during the national elections. In light of these ongoing threats, the Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings during this period. This includes events at hotels, sporting events, political events, shopping malls, etc. Any large gathering provides an attractive target for terrorists and should be avoided if at all possible.
While its true it can get more violent, things have been really calm here. Let's just hope that Ugandans don't take the lead of the Tunisians and Egyptians and protest if things don't turn out as they want. The current president, Yoweri Museveni, has been in power since the 1980s and is running again. I have actually enjoyed learning about how elections are done in other countries.
Campaigning is much different. Walls and buildings are plastered with posters and vans are going down the streets playing loud music to try and draw attention. President Museveni actually did a "rap" during a speech which has now been remixed and posted on YouTube. See below. Most of it is in Luganda, but it's still pretty funny and worth watching.
I've posted a lot of links. Peruse them as you please.
Tunisia: In December, riots and protests led to the overthrowing of current president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia. I don't know much about these riots other than that they were the main spark for what happened in Egypt (see below).
Egypt: In late January, Egyptians began protests over a variety of political issues. Ultimately, protesters were calling for the current president, Hosni Mubarak, to step down and a new government put in place. Hosni hasn't resigned, but he has said that he will not run again in the September presidential election. Since then, things have quieted down, but protests are still continuing. Several hundred have died and thousands more injured through these protests.
Sudan: Earlier in January, Sudan held a referendum vote on whether Southern Sudan wanted to secede from the Northern Sudan and create a new country. Everyone already knew, but the final results were released earlier this week and the overwhelming majority favored secession. The south won't officially secede until this summer but there have already been some issues. Yesterday, a minister and his bodyguard were shot and killed in Juba. There was also an army mutiny a few days ago leaving many dead.
Uganda: Things are really calm here in Uganda in comparison to some of the stories above. Although with the upcoming election, the U.S. Embassy doesn't seem to think so. I got this email message from them earlier today:
U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
WARDEN MESSAGE
FEBRUARY 10, 2011
WARDEN MESSAGE
FEBRUARY 10, 2011
Reminder – Increased Security Threat around Ugandan Elections
This Warden Message is to remind all U.S. citizens that regional terrorist groups continue to pose serious threats to U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Uganda. As mentioned in previous notices, the U.S. Mission in Kampala remains particularly concerned about the month of February, before and during the national elections. In light of these ongoing threats, the Embassy reminds all U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings during this period. This includes events at hotels, sporting events, political events, shopping malls, etc. Any large gathering provides an attractive target for terrorists and should be avoided if at all possible.
While its true it can get more violent, things have been really calm here. Let's just hope that Ugandans don't take the lead of the Tunisians and Egyptians and protest if things don't turn out as they want. The current president, Yoweri Museveni, has been in power since the 1980s and is running again. I have actually enjoyed learning about how elections are done in other countries.
Campaigning is much different. Walls and buildings are plastered with posters and vans are going down the streets playing loud music to try and draw attention. President Museveni actually did a "rap" during a speech which has now been remixed and posted on YouTube. See below. Most of it is in Luganda, but it's still pretty funny and worth watching.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Just Pictures
Here are a few photos from a survey we did last week. The job is for an elementary school that is no longer in operation. A new woman has taken it over and wants to build a new Christian school. Enjoy.
-This is the current school. The plan is to demolish the current buildings and build new. Notice the pile of trash in the foreground.
-A view inside the school.
-Getting everything set up.
- Pat explaining to some locals what we will be doing.
-This little girl loved to help me out throughout the day.
-There were a bunch of boys that followed us around all day as well.
-Just hanging out by the school.
-There were so many that just stood around and watched us.
-Going to get some water.
-We saw this guys hauling bricks back and forth all days. Tough work!
-This guy had the right idea. Get out of the heat and take a nap.
-The next day we played Tom and Jerry for some local kids in our neighborhood.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Ready, Set, Survey!
Afoyo!
[That means hello, goodbye, thank you, and about six other things in Luo, the local language in Gulu]
As I mentioned in my last post, I have been doing a lot of surveying recently. I am finally back in the office and getting to do some office work. It’s nice to get out of the hot African sun for a while. I do have to say that it has been an adventure so far though.
My favorite project was a seven-acre plot in Gulu for a ministry called Touch the World. They are based out of New Jersey and specialize in community development. They have already built a medical clinic that is about to open and are breaking ground soon on a vocational school.
Even though it was only seven acres it turned into a multiple day affair. It takes about 6 hours to get to Gulu but since we couldn’t travel at night in that area for safety reasons, the trip took three days despite it only taking 3 hours to actually do the work.
It is much hotter in Gulu than it is in Kampala. That means I did a lot of sweating during the day and I could hardly sleep at night. One night, a neighbor decided to play music over their loud speaker all night long. It literally could be heard all throughout Gulu and didn't end until 7am the next morning. That didn't help the sleeping situation either, especially while still fighting jet lag. Needless to say, it's good to be back in cool Kampala and sleeping in my own bed again.
The only disheartening moment came when a member of Touch the World mentioned in passing that there are still some land mines in the ground left over from when the LRA was active in Gulu. I made sure to clarify that the areas we surveyed would be clear of any land mines. They assured me that their property was safe! I have to say I was a bit nervous when they first mentioned that.
In any case, life is back to normal now that I am back and settled in Kampala again.
[Sorry, no pictures. I forgot to bring my camera with me on this trip. I will be sure to take some when I go back to Gulu in a few weeks.]
[That means hello, goodbye, thank you, and about six other things in Luo, the local language in Gulu]
As I mentioned in my last post, I have been doing a lot of surveying recently. I am finally back in the office and getting to do some office work. It’s nice to get out of the hot African sun for a while. I do have to say that it has been an adventure so far though.
My favorite project was a seven-acre plot in Gulu for a ministry called Touch the World. They are based out of New Jersey and specialize in community development. They have already built a medical clinic that is about to open and are breaking ground soon on a vocational school.
Even though it was only seven acres it turned into a multiple day affair. It takes about 6 hours to get to Gulu but since we couldn’t travel at night in that area for safety reasons, the trip took three days despite it only taking 3 hours to actually do the work.
It is much hotter in Gulu than it is in Kampala. That means I did a lot of sweating during the day and I could hardly sleep at night. One night, a neighbor decided to play music over their loud speaker all night long. It literally could be heard all throughout Gulu and didn't end until 7am the next morning. That didn't help the sleeping situation either, especially while still fighting jet lag. Needless to say, it's good to be back in cool Kampala and sleeping in my own bed again.
The only disheartening moment came when a member of Touch the World mentioned in passing that there are still some land mines in the ground left over from when the LRA was active in Gulu. I made sure to clarify that the areas we surveyed would be clear of any land mines. They assured me that their property was safe! I have to say I was a bit nervous when they first mentioned that.
In any case, life is back to normal now that I am back and settled in Kampala again.
[Sorry, no pictures. I forgot to bring my camera with me on this trip. I will be sure to take some when I go back to Gulu in a few weeks.]
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Safe and Sound
I made it to Kampala safe and sound! It's really good to be back. Fighting jet lag has been tough after getting in late Tuesday evening. I've enjoyed getting to meet the new interns and seeing all the EMI staff again.
It didn't take very long to get back to work. While all the new interns are going through the office orientation, I have been put right to work doing some surveying. Today, I was at a Watoto childrens village in Suubi (about an hour away) and tomorrow I leave for Gulu for a couple of days (about 5 hours away) and there is even more to do next week. Later, I will be going back to Gulu to survey several hundred acres in the African bush. It has been hectic, but fun.
A funny thing happened as we were trying to get lunch on the way to Suubi village this afternoon. After we pulled to the side of the road, at least half a dozen men rush to our windows to sell us food. This is how the conversation went:
Vendor: "Do you want some meat?" (while shoving many sticks skewered with meat in our faces)
Our car: "What kind of meat is it?"
Vendor: "It's meat!"
Our car: "Do you have any chicken?"
Vendor: "No, but take this." (Hands us a stick of what looks like beef)
Our car: "Is it chicken?"
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Do you have any chicken?"
Vendor: "No."
Our car: "Well, whats that?" (Pointing to one of the lighter colored pieces of meat that looks like chicken)
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Yeah, but what kind of meat?"
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Is it chicken?"
Vendor: "No, it's meat."
Our car: "Yeah, but what kind of meat?"
Vendor: "Breast."
Our car: "Breast from what kind of animal?"
Vendor: "Cow."
There must have been something lost in translation. That's when we gave up, ended the conversation, and just bought some roasted bananas. There's never a dull moment.
It didn't take very long to get back to work. While all the new interns are going through the office orientation, I have been put right to work doing some surveying. Today, I was at a Watoto childrens village in Suubi (about an hour away) and tomorrow I leave for Gulu for a couple of days (about 5 hours away) and there is even more to do next week. Later, I will be going back to Gulu to survey several hundred acres in the African bush. It has been hectic, but fun.
A funny thing happened as we were trying to get lunch on the way to Suubi village this afternoon. After we pulled to the side of the road, at least half a dozen men rush to our windows to sell us food. This is how the conversation went:
Vendor: "Do you want some meat?" (while shoving many sticks skewered with meat in our faces)
Our car: "What kind of meat is it?"
Vendor: "It's meat!"
Our car: "Do you have any chicken?"
Vendor: "No, but take this." (Hands us a stick of what looks like beef)
Our car: "Is it chicken?"
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Do you have any chicken?"
Vendor: "No."
Our car: "Well, whats that?" (Pointing to one of the lighter colored pieces of meat that looks like chicken)
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Yeah, but what kind of meat?"
Vendor: "It's meat."
Our car: "Is it chicken?"
Vendor: "No, it's meat."
Our car: "Yeah, but what kind of meat?"
Vendor: "Breast."
Our car: "Breast from what kind of animal?"
Vendor: "Cow."
There must have been something lost in translation. That's when we gave up, ended the conversation, and just bought some roasted bananas. There's never a dull moment.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Prayer Requests
Well I'm just about to leave for Uganda. I am really excited to get back and working again. I have a really exciting project I will be working on this semester. As I embark, I would like to share a few prayer requests. Please pray for:
-safe travel. Once again I will be doing lots of traveling over the next couple days. Please pray for God's protection as I go.
-Watoto Church. My project this semester is for Watoto. They are creating a technical college in Gulu for former children soldiers and other affected by the LRA. More details on this soon, but please pray for the church and the work they are doing in Gulu.
-EMI East Africa. With all of the new interns and long term volunteers that are coming, there is going to be a lot of transition. Also, there will be three project trips compared to just one last semester. Pray for God's guidance and wisdom in our work.
-peace in Sudan. There was recently a referendum in Sudan that decided the southern part of the country will secede from the north. Pray for peace during this transition time. It will surely have a large impact on Uganda as well.
-peace in Uganda. Elections in Uganda are also coming up. This can be a hostile time. The incumbent president is expected to win but it could get a little dangerous if people do not like the outcome. Pray for calm heads and smooth transitions.
-safe travel. Once again I will be doing lots of traveling over the next couple days. Please pray for God's protection as I go.
-Watoto Church. My project this semester is for Watoto. They are creating a technical college in Gulu for former children soldiers and other affected by the LRA. More details on this soon, but please pray for the church and the work they are doing in Gulu.
-EMI East Africa. With all of the new interns and long term volunteers that are coming, there is going to be a lot of transition. Also, there will be three project trips compared to just one last semester. Pray for God's guidance and wisdom in our work.
-peace in Sudan. There was recently a referendum in Sudan that decided the southern part of the country will secede from the north. Pray for peace during this transition time. It will surely have a large impact on Uganda as well.
-peace in Uganda. Elections in Uganda are also coming up. This can be a hostile time. The incumbent president is expected to win but it could get a little dangerous if people do not like the outcome. Pray for calm heads and smooth transitions.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
One Week
Sorry I have been so silent over the past couple weeks. It has been a wonderful time at home. Christmas was tons of fun and I was able to catch with many friends, even ones spread out all over the country. It was truly a blessing to be able to have this time at home. That being said, I am pumped to be going back! I haven’t had much going on the past couple weeks and I am super excited to get back and get to work.
One week from right now I will be on a plane headed back to Africa. I have a layover in London again. That’s when I get to meet all the new interns that are in Colorado for orientation this week. I am really looking forward to meeting them and working with them over the next couple months.
Stay tuned because I will start posting more regularly again. I will have more information on the project I will be working on for the semester and I will update you all soon with my support raising info and share some prayer requests with you.
Hopefully I will have lots of new stories and adventures to share with you soon!
One week from right now I will be on a plane headed back to Africa. I have a layover in London again. That’s when I get to meet all the new interns that are in Colorado for orientation this week. I am really looking forward to meeting them and working with them over the next couple months.
Stay tuned because I will start posting more regularly again. I will have more information on the project I will be working on for the semester and I will update you all soon with my support raising info and share some prayer requests with you.
Hopefully I will have lots of new stories and adventures to share with you soon!
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