Second Day in Uganda

SixSeeds friend Andy Mills has created "The 5810 Project," predicated on the belief that while “teaching a man to fish” will provide him with a fish diet for a lifetime, it will not lead him out of poverty. To escape poverty people need to develop sustainable business activities. The 5810 Project’s vision is to help people build businesses and break the poverty cycle in Uganda. SixSeeds will be posting portions of blogs from our friends as they go through this journey.

As we are here, we are learning why there is a struggle for successful business in Uganda: power and internet. The power comes off and on sporadically and the internet is another struggle. Unfortunately, the internet is not being cooperative with the pictures, but they will be on the way soon! Here is our post from yesterday!

This morning, we had another successful and on-time flight to Arua, which is saying something for the 15 person puddle-jumper on which we traveled. Our checked baggage was even stuffed in the empty seats behind us! We then went and met with some missionaries in Arua, the Coppidges. Riding back from the airport with Billy, the streets were packed with bicycles. We also got to meet and hold their sleeping, new-born baby, Lucy.

Today, we met with Isaac and 5 of his business colleagues in Arua. We set up the Business Vision Arua 2009, a business seminar we will facilitate for Arua business men and women which will occur over the next few days. We set up the agenda, the topics, and the timeline. We also discussed which type of people are going to come to the Seminar in an attempt to maximize its efficiency and impact. Also, we learned that the seminar will have the Ugandan Minister of Transport and the Bishop of West Nile for the Anglican Church in attendance.
Then, after the meeting, we spoke on Isaac’s radio station promoting the seminar. We had a five minute radio commercial in which Isaac and the three of us promoted the seminar and encouraged people to come, and to come on time! DJ was even able to give Isaac a demo tape, which he might play on his radio station! Andy and Isaac sincerely believe that this Seminar can make a huge difference in not only Arua, but on Uganda’s whole economy.

Stay tuned!