On the moo-ve

We're making preparations to go to the field. We wanted to go on Tuesday, but to show he was actively involved in the planning, the Wildlife Service Director arbitrarily decided Wednesday. So, Wednesday it is. This eliminates a day of being useful at the project site but means we can occupy ourselves with other things in Yambio. We don't have anyone stationed here who is computer or technology literate enough to support all the operations that most projects need. Bennett does a great job in translation and representation with the Wildlife Service but cannot troubleshoot problems or check SMS messages that he receives on his phone. This makes the project structure fairly different to most others in our organisation, and I question its capacity for growth under the current arrangement.

I am trying to grow the programme to boost our local presence, so that when I come here tasks such as printing of field data sheets and buying of replacement gumboots are already being handled. With only occasional visits possible these operational tasks should not be put on hold for lack of someone able to wield a USB stick or change a printer cartridge. Currently I'm doing menial tasks as well as designing and funding the overall conservation goals of the programme. This is interesting for me but perhaps not hugely sustainable when two hours are spent arguing with a trader at the market about the price of lentils.

Aside from these musings the day was filled up by shaking hands at the Wildlife Service, getting trapped by a drunken senior officer blabbering about a scholarship to a wildlife college, swapping flat batteries, devouring piles of rice and beans, avoiding annoying money changers, queuing for fuel, administering ibuprofen to the compound guard, munching on fried cassava, napping during a rainstorm and resurrecting the curtain pole after the same rainstorm.

Today one of the many government compounds we passed was occupied by a group of military who were 're-educating' various armed youth who have been causing trouble for the government in rural areas. I could see various forlorn young men having to stand in front of uniformed officers who were finger-wagging at them vigorously.

There is a level of skittishness about photo-taking out and about in Yambio so I had to make do with this, as we queued for fuel.

Mother's birthday today. BT Call Guardian is so effective at recognising South Sudanese mobile numbers that I couldn't get through to send my most pleasant regards.