So – all this week I was learning about PRoject management IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2)… it was certainly stretching! Most of the people on the course were seasoned project managers and I felt pretty out of my debth!

There were two parts to the course – the first was a theory exam (which I passed).. the second was a practical exam where you are assessed on your application of the process to a scenario. Hard to tell how it went – and honestly it doesn’t matter too much…

I certainly learned quite a lot. PRINCE2 is the UK Government standard and it’s pretty rigorous. In fact the UN is about to move to the PRINCE2 system.. so who knows – maybe I can get a job there eventually.

The focus of PRINCE2 is around the business case – and putting the customer in control. So the customer basically runs the project – has to define what they want – and ensure that the project is progressing as it should. This differs from what usually happens; where the customer says they want something – and then gets the supplier to define it – and run the whole show.

Anyways.. we’ll see.. Boyd on the left – and Scott (our trainer from crazy colour) on the right. Scott’s a pretty impressive guy – a young guy who has started up a pretty impressive training company that’s going from strength to strength. He is kiwi, but moved from the UK to Brisbane for lifestyle reasons…. good place the Southern Hemisphere.

Interestingly, Scott’s uncle was in Mad Max.

So, after three subterranean years in the country Andy and Kirsty (Davey and Davey soon to become when they get married in March?) said their goodbyes. It’s a shame, with them gone, and Dave Hume and Joe in Wellington – I’m not sure how much more caving I will get to do for a while.

Mind you.. we’ve been having a few earthquakes of late, and I believe some of the caves have had some rocks come loose. Makes things a little more interesting I suppose.

So – that is what I was sorry to say. I will miss them – but I imagine they’ll miss NZ too..

So yes, croquet… and not sorry to admit it at all! Excellent summers evening day. I sallied forth and purveyed the local croquet lawn yesternoon. Or something. It’s only $100 or so for a years membership – and that gives me free reign to bring friends (from time to time) and use all the equipment etc. And as the world championships (yes, they exist) will be played here in 2007 (or 2008 – can’t remember) one has to assume they’re fairly decent lawns.

anyway – Graham and Myra came down for a game.. they even said they enjoyed it!

Me – off to Wellington for this project management course. Not feeling remotely confident about it, am looking forward to a lesson in humility as much as project management! :)

However! my amazing cousin Thomas (and his lovely wife Paula) are back in Palmerston North this week – I am so looking forward to seeing him. He is working amazingly hard in a NGO / UN lobby position – trying to ban / stop the use of cluster munitions. He went to Lebanon recently after the invasion – crazy stories… so I am looking forward to catching up.

And beating him at scrabble… every time we meet up (to date) have played a few games, he’s the current holder, but only ‘cos he had all the high point letters ;)

honestly :)

So, managed to slightly break one of the things I look after in work – by coping something and copying it back again (and breaking all the links – or internal ones – in the process).

Not the end of the entire world.. but I *hate* when things don’t work as they should (well, things I’ve done anyway). Here’s hoping we can get the backup ppl to restore to what it used to be like.

Mind you, all made substantially better by Glynn cooking an excellent roast pork with crushed junipers in the gravy complete with roast pumpkin, potatoes and – something I love but haven’t had in aaages … spinach…Me and popeye… (Yes Glynn is a culinary genius).

So yes, a really relaxed – and needed – evening with Glynn & Jayne, two better people for the soul it would be hard to find.

While New Zealand is a wonderful place, the only downside – or at least the only one that could bring me back to Europe – is that it is a long way from family (& friends!). It is made easier what with mum & dad being in Uganda, but they’ll be back soon enough and I know I’ll be missing out on Sunday lunches!

But then here I can go climbing & biking & caving & kayaking etc. Hard to know. Last night though I went out with 3 friends (Isla, Brian&Mindy;) to see Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. It is a beautiful story and one I would recommend (if you have a heart ;). It is a simple story of an elderly lady who takes up residence in a hotel and is pretty much entirely neglected by her family. She is a wonderful person of course, and quite full of life. And it made me (makes me) miss my pretty amazing aging grandparents. What brought it into sharp relief was my Great Uncle Michael passing away this week.

He had a pretty interesting life! and one I only got to see a little of really. When I lived in Dublin I would make the effort every 3 or so months to hop across the water to see my grandparents – and it would be nice to have the cash to do that from here! So yes, there certainly are some drawbacks to living here…. It’s a hard one really. I am fortunate enough to have an Aunt & family living on the North Island – that does make quite a difference.

A recent letter from mum and dad in Uganda. They’ve been there for almost 3 years now (as long as I have been in NZ). Their blog is always good for a read – recently the Presidents Wife (First Lady) was visiting.. so all quite exciting.. anyway – rest of this is from mum.

Pat and I have now been working in Uganda for 2 1/2 years and are beginning to think it is time to make plans to come back to Ireland and our families.

However, it is not quite so simple, in spite of having a contract that expires in November!

Having set up a functioning “University” with six sets of courses running and second year intake enrolling, Pat wishes to hand over to someone who shares the commitment and enthusiasm that he has put in.

IF ANY ONE KNOWS OF SOMEONE WHO WOULD RELISH A STIMULATING, VARIED AND REWARDING STINT as Vice Chancellor of the Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal, Western Uganda, please contact Pat asap !

pj-kmdXXX@infocom.co.ug(remove X’s) . The person must have a PhD and preferably should have an interest in applied science.

The second snag is for myself ! I have been working as “Funding Coordinator” for a project to set up a unit to produce Intravenous [ IV ] Fluids here in Fort Portal. It is has been tried and tested most successfully in Moshi, Tanzania for the last 30 years but we have been finding it very difficult to raise the necessary funds. This is partly because some charities do not like the fact that it will have to charge commercial prices for much of its product in order to be sustainable and also to provide, out of such surplus as may be generated, the fluids to those who cannot afford them, who otherwise would simply die.

Building is about to start [ 28th Aug.] . There is £119,000 in the kitty. The building will cost a total of £206,000 to complete, leaving a gap of £87,000 !

Looking at the whole picture, ie the cost of equipping, training and to the start of production there is a further need for £93,000 to complete the project.

So you can see, it is quite an act of faith to have decided to start building.

There are one or two irons still in the fire for funding and it is hoped that VAT [ at 18.5% ] may be waived.

This is a plea that if you may be thinking of “Send a Cow” at Christmas, and would like to anticipate your work of Charity please “Send a Brick” to the IV Fluid Unit, knowing that it will go straight to the building site. I mention this just to let you know the situation and give you the opportunity to contribute if you wish; no hard feelings if it doesn’’t suit you ! Maybe you know of funding I could apply for or individuals who would be in a position to help, or maybe you could consider doing a fundraiser? Any amount will help and be very gratefully received. Our money goes so much further out here!

I am attaching a brochure which outlines the project, but I will be happy to give you any further information. (download brochure here)

Finally, though we look forward to being back with family and friends we know we will very much miss the life here, full, varied and frustrating as it is. It is a wonderful experience to have had?….highly recommended !

Looking forward to meeting up again one day,

Best wishes, Kathie and Patrick Davey

PO BOX 809, Fort Portal, Uganda