We all like to have a good view from our homes and some amongst us are prepared to pay a premium for those views. Estate Agents know this and capitalise on it.
This was the view from my bedroom window one Sunday morning earlier this year a very rare view indeed as we don't always have snow during winter
We don't stop at wanting good views from our hotel rooms whilst on holiday, or our homes but we also like views from our desks at work. I had a boss who when we were planning to move office decided to keep the seating plans a secret. I asked him why and he said "two things that get people excited in a work place are the wage packet and where they sit, so I don't want a riot on my hands"
This was before he had to hear a complaint from a member of staff who had been told off for taking a colleague's cup without her permission, failed to wash the cup and did not return it to her desk!
On the other side of the world 70KM from where Besi and the others live is Edirisa, Ruth works at Edirisa as a Seamstress. Edirisa provides valuable income and skills through volunteers in this community
This is the view that Ruth enjoys daily whilst she works and no wonder she is smiling.
Lake Bunyonyi(many birds) Kabale SW Uganda
But amongst this beauty is a tale of the worst kind of betrayal a woman can face and untold. Irene here, was married with 9 children when her husband upped and left to start a new family with another woman. Irene was the main bread winner as her husband's money was spent on beer which is common practice amongst men in this community. Ruth does not own any land or other property for that matter. She hires a a vegetable plot from someone else and is able to grow enough food to feed her children.
She earns a living weaving baskets and teaching other women to weave and through Edirisa she is able to access buyers for her baskets such Ethnic Supplies. When I met Irene in September she was in tears as she told me her story and as a woman I can understand her sense of betrayal
The awful truth of this situation is that it is not unique to Irene, I spoke to 2 other women in similar situation, absent or drunk husbands, abandoned children etc? How can there be such sadness in such a beautiful, serene and calm place?
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