Zooming In and Out

One word, one 'thing' is starting to bring a significant change in communications across the miles between WTA & ServeDirect. There is no doubt that when we are not in Uganda, this will revolutionise how we can operate and stay in touch. In a word. ZOOM! 

'Zoom' really took off, (so to speak), all over the world during lockdown. Meeting online quickly became the norm for so many, both working and socialising. Although, in Uganda, most urban centres like Gulu and Kampala already had a reasonable online connection, communication with WTA still felt closer to the 'tin cans, string & pigeon post' model, due to its rural location in Lukomera. 

Then, every once in a while, there's a significant step which is worth shouting about. Back in the day (in 2009!), there was no internet/no network 'up country', so online communication could only happen in Kampala. Even when the internet did finally arrive, it was patchy, to say the least and, to a certain extent, it still is. On occasions, it still seems that everyone else is regularly Facetiming, Whatsapping, videoing, texting etc, while we are waving the phone in the air to send an SMS.  All that changed in May.

A new & improved connection/package has meant that meeting on Zoom is now a possibility and also a reality. Occasionally flaky & with gloopy, unclear videos, it is still a huge step to be able to talk face to face, to attend a meeting and have a proper discussion with our colleagues in Uganda. Already it's making a huge difference to be able to stay in touch. Zoom meetings have taken place so far with the English department, the Deputy HM and some new members of staff, to be followed hopefully by management meetings in the near future. 

Locations vary, but the most bizarre location has been from a Parisian public park to the WTA staffroom - which was the clearest connection by far. Incroyable, mais vrai!

On that note, must dash, there's another Zoom meeting with Jody and Dan in Gulu.....