Football and Motrobikes

Saturday I went with Duku Kenneth to pick up our new Seed Effect motorbikes from “his guy" that was "bringing them in" from DR Congo. I don't think there was anything illegal (though law has a different meaning here given that there isn't really a government), but I also got the impression that these bikes had sort of just emerged from the jungle somehow. The bikes are for our team, mostly so our loan officers can get around to visit the people we serve.



I've also been riding one for the last few days on my "commute" from Kaya's to the office. Its dirt roads, and mostly mud with the recent rain. So it’s more like off-roading than actually driving on legit roads. I've had a few near wipe-outs sliding through the mud, but the bikes are not that heavy and you can't really go faster than about 20 mph. So unless I get clocked by one of the twice-weekly oncoming lorries I don't think it’s too likely I'll get banged up. But the locals think it’s hilarious that I have trouble getting the bike going . . . the clutch doesn't exactly work like it does on American and Euro bikes. I think I’ve mastered it now after a dozen impromptu lessons from local guys. I can get around much more quickly and it’s a lot of fun to drive. The next challenge is going to be carrying passengers without killing them. See the nice shiny Seed Effect motorbike on the right.



Then we also saw Kajo Kaji play a soccer match against Nimule, it was a draw in case you were wondering. Pouring down rain on an uneven field was interesting to see. Check out this clip of the match here: http://vimeo.com/9781331. It rained a ton over the last week, despite the fact it's the dry season. Good news is that it cooled down a lot. Except the middle of the day, the heat's not too bad right now.


We had two new groups in training last week now and we will be giving loans next week to as many as 35 new people. It's been going very well. I never thought I'd be at a job where I'm at the office for 60 plus hours a week, I still don't want to leave at the end of the day and I look forward to "working from home" when I get back to Kaya's in the evening. The people have been great, everyone from Kaya to Heather, Christy, Stephen and Kenneth most of all. At least for now, I'm home.