The people who live there do - which to quote Dr Who - just shows how amazing the human race is - adapting and surviving and using all kinds of ingenuity to find solutions to problems.
Back to Kampala and the Kawempe slum Prince Charles was due to visit. As always we arrived early to get into position and was able to see the slum in a near normal environment - before the mayhem.
Compared with India slums it seemed less depressing - it is hard to point out why. Not necessarily the weather, not the construction, I think it comes down to the people. Indians due to caste system expect so much to be done for them, either up or down the ladder - and so it is more squalid.
Africans on the other hand seem to have this sorted out and are generally happier and work together better. There is less of a fatalistic that will do attitude in more hope. This could be a direct reflection of the overriding religions Hindu vs Christianity. (I know this is a generalisation.)
A couple of boys waiting on a handy pile of bricks - bored but then so was I.
I can't believe that the people here are any better or worse off than their Indian counterparts but the seem healthier and happier. One outstanding difference is that none of them begged at all - not that they didn't have needs but the whole psyche was different.
This door was great - a window to the outside world.
And behind it happy smiley faces.
Fresh water is always one of the major factors in life in a slum and there were a number of taps. The one in the top photo was private and you had to pay to collect your water. These are the children of the owner - the oldest boy not shown, about 12, was in charge of filling up the peoples cans as they came along.
One thing that doesn't change is the interest in outsiders and children who have little else to do must wonder at some of the things we do. Unlike most visitors who will be shown the grand tour, we will sit down, eat / drink / just like they do and where they do. Hence the strange looks.
Must admit I'm not a fan of linen trousers (white especially) in a slum - bit like wearing a suit in my mind - though as we were with Royalty I'll let Sarah off. As for me, got to have the Tilley hat on. It may get lost otherwise. Damn snappers in the background ruining the shot yet again!! :-)
When Charles arrived he was given a tremendous welcome - people did appear from no where - it was really quiet up to a minute before he showed up. They came and the loved him.
I am not sure what he was like before Camilla but I think she has had a good influence on him. He was really friendly and concerned in people. He made many impromptu stops along his walk talking to people - not just an individual but groups as well. He popped into a shop (now to be renamed the King Charles Corner Shop) and also someones house for a couple of minutes. When he came out they were so happy - dancing and squealing.
Its me... its me.
And then there was the music - heavy beating drums - you really can't beat it - its hypnotic and makes you feel good - syncing into your heat beat and making the blood pump. Obviously nothing to do with the dancing and frantic shaking of the booty - as long as you have rug tied to it.... they do love their big booties!! I'll see if I can dig a photo out from somewhere.
Here Charles is visiting a center where ex-prostitutes are taught new skills - hair dressing in this case. There were about 8 or 10 girls lined up in pairs each doing a different style and he made the time to talk to every single one - joking too.
I was very impressed and am quiet happy to be a Royalist.
