Soroti Grant Disbursements Day 2 Ngora

Fortunately the grant disbursements on Friday were a lot easier than the marathon on Thursday.  The roads were much kinder, and I only had to drive for an hour or so each way. We still had to use 4wd in some places, and there were some areas where it seemed we were driving more on footpaths than roads, but it was fun rather than stressful this time, which was nice. 

So it's kind of a road...

We went to villages around Ngora, which was near a swap, but a really pretty area.  Since it had rained much of the morning, the business mentor was still out working on mobilizing everyone to the meeting place when we arrived, so we had a few a few minutes to walk around and check out the area.  

Massive mango tree by the disbursement site

Walking around the village to the swamps nearby

One of our volunteers even took the opportunity to try out a local row boat.

Volunteer giving a local boat a try with some help from a business owner 

We then disbursed the grants from inside this partially open building. 

Grant disbursement site with roof made from swamp reeds

Local school children in uniform

It was a really neat experience. A group of the business owners sang songs they prepared for us in English, which incorporated our names. Then some business owners acted out a drama depicting the importance of using the grants properly. We then handed out grants  Afterwards, we were presented with more live chickens, as well as sodas and cookies. 

Business owners singing a song of welcome

Role play depicting how to use grants properly

Handing out grants

We then went on to the second location for additional disbursements.  These business owners had completed the first part of the program and were receiving their second follow up grant.

Staff addressing business owners

This required checking business owners’ record books to ensure their first grants had been spent appropriately, and that they had a business plan for how they would use the second grant.

Reviewing business owners' record books
(it took me back to grad school days to see the booklets that reminded me of our blue books we used for taking tests) 

Checking business plans

Business owners then signed for their grants. 

Signing for grants

Close up of grant receipt signing. (When business owners can't sign their names, they use thumbprints) 

One of the former grant recipients had started a very successful business raising turkeys. They were hanging around the area and came by to check out the action. 

Inquisitive turkey

Afterwards, we drove back home. It was another long, but rewarding day! I'm looking forward to some much needed R&R over the weekend in preparation for 5 more days of disbursements next week.