Sunday August 2, 2009: HUGO Training Workshop

We woke up at 7am in Nkuringo Safari Campsite and Jerri-Ann was invited to go pick up HUGO (Human Gorilla Conflict Resolution) volunteers from Rushaga.  Transportation is a problem in this area of Bwindi.  Kakandi, the driver, had to fix a flat tire and later, while we were at the workshop, drove to Kisoro to get a new tube.

We then picked up the rest of the CTPH team to return to the Workshop area where Deus, a Community Conservation Ranger from UWA, was waiting with the group.  HUGO is a group of community members that are trained to collect fecal samples from gorillas and are called to move the gorillas back into the park if they decide to leave the park and come in too close contact with people.  During the workshop they learn about diseases that can be transfered between humans and gorillas and the different ways to prevent zoonotics such as TB, scabies, dysentery, worms, polio, measles, respiratory diseases, ringworm, ebola, HIV, and coughing. 

Since there was no running water or electricity, we had to convert two power point presentations into a hand written flip chart.  Since we were running low on battery and there was no place to charge it at the community hall we were using, Beth and Hillary went to the nearby hospital to charge the electronics.  We had a lovely lunch prepared by a local cafe/ lodge in progress.  

After the workshop finished, we decided to interact with some of the local children. We were taking pictures of them and with them and then showing them on the camera screen.  Soon after they started to beg for money, of course we did not give them money, but we had Hillary come explain to them why begging is bad and if they want Muzungi's (whites) to give them money they should start community drummer or dance groups that will benefit the entire community.  They started to dance for us, but they seemed to be ashamed of their behavior.  

We decided to go visit Clouds, another lodge nearby, which is in partnership with the community and a private sector and is eco-friendly to the community.  We walked into the lobby, which was very luxurious and warm, out of the rain.  Gary is one of the owners and manager was visiting with other patrons so he invited us for breakfast on Tuesday morning.