Our Ugandan Experience

Posted by Richard L. Roberts 
 
Sandy Nichols introduced the speakers: Steve Adams, City Manager, for the city of Arroyo Grande; Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Cal Poly, Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and a Certificate in Land Use & Environmental Planning from UC, Irvine; Past President of the PB/Five Cities Club; past chair of the YMCA South County Advisory Committee, past chair of the AG Valley Harvest Festival.  Alyssa Adams is a freshman at AGHS; she is a member of the Interact Club and has been selected to attend RYLA this spring.
 

The Adams described a trip they took to visit Uganda; it all started when Steve was the President of his Rotary Club and was looking for a Club project.  He met the President of a Club in Uganda; they were working on a project to provide lab equipment at their local school.  They made a deal to partner on the project.  After the project was finished, Steve accepted an invitation to visit the Uganda Club and take a look at he completed project and a village water project; he took Alyssa with him as a co-traveler and to give her the experience to visit another country and culture. 

            The Adams narrated a picture tour of their visit.  Their Uganda hosts took them to the Queen Elizabeth National Park where they had a first hand look at wild African animals: lions, hippos, elephants, water bucks, water buffalos, baboons, a crocodile, gazelles and others.  They were royally treated at the villages where the Rotary projects were located.  Their reception included a village parade of dignitaries, children in song and dance, a kid's band waving Rotary banners followed by a very entertaining show. 

            The Adams pictorial review showed how the villagers lived, their houses their shopping and dress; their narration was informative and entertaining.  On the way to the airport they had a chance to make a quick stop at the Nile River and Lake Victoria followed by a very long flight home.  Well done program, Steve & Alyssa.