First week at work

26 – 31 July 2010

I had expected to move on 26 August so it had been arranged I did not start work until Tuesday; however nowhere had been found for me to live so I was taken to visit the Ugandan Nursing & Midwifery Council (UNMC) for an hour on Monday afternoon. I was greeted by Madam Juliette the Senior Nurse for Registration and Training as the Registrar was out of the office. I will spend some time working with each of the departments to get a full orientation to the workings of the Council. I Was now due to move into temporary accommodation on Tuesday morning so it was agreed I would go to work sometime in the afternoon. Tuesday morning arrived and I was told I could not be moved until the afternoon so VSO arranged for a special hire (taxi) to take me to the UNMC. This time I had a tour of the premises and started observing its work in the registry department. I was observing what Joseph was doing and he was very patient in answering all my questions. The next three days I managed full days are work 08:00 until 17:00 or whenever after that time all the work for the day is completed. All the permanent staff have made me so welcome and as worked with them I observed their tasks a few times then was allowed to take over supervised and then allowed to work independently. This is giving me a good understanding of what is taking place. At present some of the processes make very little sense as i have not seen the stages that lead up to or follow them. Madam Juliette has already identified some specific areas she wants my input into and I have some ideas of my own so I am sure I will be gainfully employed for my 12 months here. They are already sorting out office space for me once I have finished my orientation.