Week 14 - Field research has started!
Sunshine Team has started the field research in Uganda!
Since there are a lot going on, we are sharing several posts this week.
Arrival in Kibaale
After three days of travelling, two members of Studio Sunshine, G-Young and Cheron, arrived in Kibaale. We left the guest house in Kampala on Monday morning around 10AM and arrived at Kibaale at 6PM. It was long journey but still very exciting! We couldn’t wait until the next morning to go around the area.
On the way from the accommodation in Kibaale
Kibaale is a quiet and peaceful place but still with a plenty of energetic people moving around. We could walk to the most of the places in the town.
Introducing our project and the first interview!
Meeting with Emesco
On the next morning, we had our very first schedule to meet the executive director of Emesco Development Foundation, Mr. Emely Kugonza. Emely and everyone from the organisation were very welcoming. Emesco is a local pro-poor organisation based in Kibaale district and their programme is dedicated to integrated community development especially about sustainable agriculture, community health, water and sanitation. We could introduce our project and received brief feedback from the employees in the foundation. We also introduced ourselves in the Emesco health centre.
Together with employees of Emesco Development Foundation
A meeting with employees of Emesco Development Foundation
A meeting with Emesco Health Centre
Visiting the Healthy Entrepreneurs Warehouse
Three months after the project was launched, we were finally there at the warehouse where they manage the products and supply of local entrepreneurs. Edward Barugahara, warehouse manager, was welcoming us and gave us a tour. There the supply for the entrepreneurs such as products, medicines and tablets can be found.
At the HE Warehouse
We also met the logistics manager, Dorothy. She used to be a village health worker in her community. Now she is working as a logistics manager which means she is in charge of gatherings of the local entrepreneurs and checking up on them.
Meeting the local entrepreneurs
Between the first and second phase, we developed a persona for the local entrepreneur based on the information we gathered from different sources. With this image on our mind, it was a refreshing experience to finally meet the entrepreneurs.
The first entrepreneur we met was NtariRose. She has been a village community health worker for 6 years and has become a healthy entrepreneur last year. She has a strong connection with her neighbours and friends who are her customers. She is a trusted and respected person in her community. Using her experience and knowledge, she treats the patients carefully. She is confident with what she does and she is proud of her job.
Interview with Rose at her house
Through the interview,
we gained a deeper understanding about the consultation procedure and her experience in general. Edward and Dorothy helped us to arrange more interviews on the following day. The first day was already full of inspiration and excitement by getting to know everyone and starting our field research.
