August 4, 2009
I know its been awhile. At this point, no one is probably reading my blog anymore. They know I’m back safe and sound. I’ve already seen or visited with many of my faithful readers. Yet, I feel like another post is necessary.
Living was momentous and deserves documentation like all the other days of my trip. I may have waited so long to write this, because I don’t won’t the memories to fade. And, I’m wondering if once I write them down and finish off my trip if they’ll begin to fade away. As much as I am excited about another school year at Clover. Beginning it means, the summer ends and I think that’s why I’ve been in no rush and in ways avoided getting back into that routine.
Friday before I left was spent running last minute errands and packing up. I made my final tailored market purchase and was very pleased to have that summer dress and it was ready for Friday night. Though Friday was one of the hottest days I had in Gulu, packing proved to be much easier than expected (esp. when I realized later at Backpackers using Amy’s scale that I was under the weight limit).
Matt organized a final group dinner together at Bamboo for Friday night. We dressed up once again, except this time in clothes we had gotten made and it reminded me of preparing for our meet the teacher dinner.
We left Gulu on Saturday. Lisa, Kate, Lindsey, and myself claimed the back row of the mutatu. What lovely ladies to be surrounded by on our last long trip. However, I was the lucky one who got the jump seat. I sat and propped on pillows and laid on Lindsay and Lisa but never could get comfortable. I decide to not try to sleep instead of trying to sleep and getting irritated when I couldn’t. We made a quick stop in the Kampala craft market and then headed on to Jinga.
Jinga is noted as the source of the Nile River and is a wonderful place to enjoy nature by relaxing and exciting adventure activities. Sunday morning a few folks bungee jumped. I so glad they did and enjoyed it. I never did and completely enjoyed being photographer. I think if you listen to some of the film footage you can hear me squealing and yelling and I wasn’t even the one jumping. Then our group split some to raft and some to jet boat. I jet boated. It is this little speed boat, ran similarly to a jet ski. So for almost an hour, those of us on the jet boat, spinned, bounced, and whirled our way through a section of the Nile. It was a blast and then I had the rest of the day to shower, relax, read, and hangout with the other jet boaters. All the while the rest of our group was rafting their class 5 rapids and experiencing Catherine dislocating her shoulder. When they returned we had a few more to bungee jump, then we made our way back to Kampala for a late supper at Sam’s. All the while knowing our moments together are coming to a quick end and so in a sense a felt that a kind sober somberness existed.
Monday morning, we left Uganda.
All the time changes occurred. We stopped in London and again in JFK. Lisa and I spent the night (and by night I mean like 2 hours of awakeness and 3 hours of sleep or some combination of the sort) in a hotel, along with Jon, Michael, and Tammy. At that point, I was ready for the traveling part of travel to be over. Yet, I was glad for the refreshing shower, even though the journey would be over so soon. Lisa and I fell asleep on our beds with Michael and Tammy in our rooms using the internet, unknowing when they left.
My hardest moments, the moments of definitive realization that I was leaving, the most emotional moments:
-My boda ride back from Bamboo on Friday night.
-Reading my “Share the Love” letters on my bed Friday night after I returned from Bamboo.
-The plane landing in London.
-Leaving Ryan in London.
-Getting through customs in JFK and leaving the bulk of the group at the airport.
-Leaving Lisa in Charlotte.
-Meeting my MoM in baggage claim.
I love you, Gulu. I love you, Group 2.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Departing
July 24
Yesterday was my last day at Sir Samuel Baker. Though I experienced many frustrations while I was there, I realized when I left how much it meant to me. It really had become a place of community for me. The hardest things about leaving were knowing that it’s a good chance I’ll never see this place again and knowing the likelihood of communication with my partner teacher Christine is unlikely. I could come again next summer but I’m not at a point where I can make that decision yet. As far as communication, email and snail mail are the most likely because phone calls are expensive. Email seems unlikely because Christine rarely (the last time was three months ago) checks her email. It does require traveling into town and paying for internet usage. Snail mail seems the most likely option, but it is such a slow method of communication.
I’ll spend today packing up and doing last minute errands.
The departure plan:
Leave Gulu tomorrow morning. Stop in Kampala for the craft market before arriving in Jinga. Hangout in Jinga.
Sunday, rafting or speed boating on the Nile. Sunday night we had back to Kampala.
Monday morning we leave Uganda. Because of time change. I’ll end up spending the night in New York on Monday night. I’ll arrive in Charlotte at 12 noon on Tuesday – just in time for lunch.
Much Love and See You Soon!
Yesterday was my last day at Sir Samuel Baker. Though I experienced many frustrations while I was there, I realized when I left how much it meant to me. It really had become a place of community for me. The hardest things about leaving were knowing that it’s a good chance I’ll never see this place again and knowing the likelihood of communication with my partner teacher Christine is unlikely. I could come again next summer but I’m not at a point where I can make that decision yet. As far as communication, email and snail mail are the most likely because phone calls are expensive. Email seems unlikely because Christine rarely (the last time was three months ago) checks her email. It does require traveling into town and paying for internet usage. Snail mail seems the most likely option, but it is such a slow method of communication.
I’ll spend today packing up and doing last minute errands.
The departure plan:
Leave Gulu tomorrow morning. Stop in Kampala for the craft market before arriving in Jinga. Hangout in Jinga.
Sunday, rafting or speed boating on the Nile. Sunday night we had back to Kampala.
Monday morning we leave Uganda. Because of time change. I’ll end up spending the night in New York on Monday night. I’ll arrive in Charlotte at 12 noon on Tuesday – just in time for lunch.
Much Love and See You Soon!
Wrapping Up
July 22
Tomorrow is my last day at Sir Samuel Baker. We leave Gulu on Saturday morning. I’ll arrive back in the States on Tuesday. I’ve been wrapping things up here. Today, I planned by last activity. The students are to act out the reasons for the development of new industries in New England. I finished my Teacher Handbook which is a handwritten list of all the activities I planned and a list of suggestions for my partner teacher to keep as a reference. I also finished writing my ‘Share the Love’ letters. Everyone is writing a positive comment/favorite memory about each person in our group and we’re giving them to each other on Friday. I also got together a gift for Christine, which included writing a letter in the journal and putting a picture of us in the picture frame. I also had a trip into the market that was quite exciting. Its fascinating getting clothes tailored just for your body. I love all the various colored prints and fabrics that bombard me during every market trip.
Tomorrow is my last day at Sir Samuel Baker. We leave Gulu on Saturday morning. I’ll arrive back in the States on Tuesday. I’ve been wrapping things up here. Today, I planned by last activity. The students are to act out the reasons for the development of new industries in New England. I finished my Teacher Handbook which is a handwritten list of all the activities I planned and a list of suggestions for my partner teacher to keep as a reference. I also finished writing my ‘Share the Love’ letters. Everyone is writing a positive comment/favorite memory about each person in our group and we’re giving them to each other on Friday. I also got together a gift for Christine, which included writing a letter in the journal and putting a picture of us in the picture frame. I also had a trip into the market that was quite exciting. Its fascinating getting clothes tailored just for your body. I love all the various colored prints and fabrics that bombard me during every market trip.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Responding
I was asked “How do you reconcile the great disparity you see there with what we have here?” I really think this will be a question I’ll really begin to process when I get home and am bombarded with the materialistic/overconsumption cultural that dominates life in the United States. My experience here will shape lifestyle and purchasing choices that I make. Obviously, living here makes me realize that I can get by on so much less than what I use in the States. But, its implementing a living less lifestyle that becomes much more of a challenge.
Coming here as a part of a program with a purpose (teacher exchange) really helps me feel much more positive about my experience. For example, if I were simply a tourist and not being active in empowering those around me, I’m sure the above mentioned concerns would bother me more, but I know that I’m doing something about it (regardless, of the effectiveness of what I’m doing).
It is hard to see the poverty and the effects of war, but I don’t feel depressed or hopeless. I do see hopeful moments and people acting with vision that helps keep me from feeling depressed or hopeless. But more than that is having faith and hoping in spite of what I see or don’t see. And, knowing that I won’t stop being an advocate and seeking to empower (even though I don’t know the shape that will take in the future) is probably what is the most helpful. I can be compassion and I have a life to live out that doesn’t have to be all for me, I can use it to think for others. I know I can’t eliminate all the effects of 23 years of war by the LRA . But, wherever I am and whatever I’m doing I can choose good and I can choose love (in whatever shape that may take).
_____________________
My aunt made a comment to me that some teachers in the States focus on EOCs, not student needs, and that lets to a pass-the-test mentality and rote learning would be their game plan. I agree with that in the States. I think here that’s the case because it’s the system and so ingrained in teachers and they don’t know anything different. Also, I think much of it comes from the circumstances of people. For example, for many (and I can’t generalize) teaching is a job, not a passion. This idea is apparent in other aspects of life here. Because of the poverty that exists and the war with the LRA for so long, life has just been about surviving and existing.
Coming here as a part of a program with a purpose (teacher exchange) really helps me feel much more positive about my experience. For example, if I were simply a tourist and not being active in empowering those around me, I’m sure the above mentioned concerns would bother me more, but I know that I’m doing something about it (regardless, of the effectiveness of what I’m doing).
It is hard to see the poverty and the effects of war, but I don’t feel depressed or hopeless. I do see hopeful moments and people acting with vision that helps keep me from feeling depressed or hopeless. But more than that is having faith and hoping in spite of what I see or don’t see. And, knowing that I won’t stop being an advocate and seeking to empower (even though I don’t know the shape that will take in the future) is probably what is the most helpful. I can be compassion and I have a life to live out that doesn’t have to be all for me, I can use it to think for others. I know I can’t eliminate all the effects of 23 years of war by the LRA . But, wherever I am and whatever I’m doing I can choose good and I can choose love (in whatever shape that may take).
_____________________
My aunt made a comment to me that some teachers in the States focus on EOCs, not student needs, and that lets to a pass-the-test mentality and rote learning would be their game plan. I agree with that in the States. I think here that’s the case because it’s the system and so ingrained in teachers and they don’t know anything different. Also, I think much of it comes from the circumstances of people. For example, for many (and I can’t generalize) teaching is a job, not a passion. This idea is apparent in other aspects of life here. Because of the poverty that exists and the war with the LRA for so long, life has just been about surviving and existing.
Fort Patiko!
July 18, 2009
Today, we invited our partner teachers and families to join us at Fort Patiko. My teacher was able to join which I was excited that she had the opportunity. I really enjoyed the day. On first glance, Fort Patiko just looks like a bunch of rocks. But, it has interesting history and it is a hiking spot. At Fort Patiko, Arabs traded African slaves. Samuel Baker came there and ended the slave trade. I’d really like to read more about him, esp. because my partner school is named after him. Initially, I had though oh this is just some British explorer and naming the school after him is a remnant of the colonial system in Uganda. Hearing this about Samuel Baker adds an interesting, more positive element to this man whom my school is named after.
Upon arrival, we wandered around and then begin preparing lunch. Lunch was potluck style and though the chicken was gone by the time I went through the line, because I served sweets in the line, it was really good. The guacamole was definitely my favorite. Then, we cleaned up a bit before heading out on a hike, while others took a tour. My past history of hikes in Africa (all from my experience in South Africa) have always included some sketchy aspect or some element that has really added an adventurous aspect to the hike. It never is easy breezy or what I expect. We set out on this hike without a clearly marked path or official tour guide. We were following path, but didn’t know if it was the right one. Then, some local children joined us and essentially became our guides. I was really wondering if we were doing the right thing as we walked through field/garden of corn and cabbage and through the bush (more pathless bush than I’ve done before) as we made our way to the mountain/rock hill. There was no actually hiking going on for most of this hike, it was rock scaling/walking/climbing all over most of the way. At times it was a bit challenging and I’ve got the scraps to prove as much of the time I was on my hands and knees climbing over rock. In the end and at the top, the view was totally worth it. I felt like the way down was easier than the way up. I’m sure a lot at that point was mind over matter, and getting used to balancing without fear and just doing. I love that feeling of accomplishment as well as the great view from on top. Beautiful!
Today, we invited our partner teachers and families to join us at Fort Patiko. My teacher was able to join which I was excited that she had the opportunity. I really enjoyed the day. On first glance, Fort Patiko just looks like a bunch of rocks. But, it has interesting history and it is a hiking spot. At Fort Patiko, Arabs traded African slaves. Samuel Baker came there and ended the slave trade. I’d really like to read more about him, esp. because my partner school is named after him. Initially, I had though oh this is just some British explorer and naming the school after him is a remnant of the colonial system in Uganda. Hearing this about Samuel Baker adds an interesting, more positive element to this man whom my school is named after.
Upon arrival, we wandered around and then begin preparing lunch. Lunch was potluck style and though the chicken was gone by the time I went through the line, because I served sweets in the line, it was really good. The guacamole was definitely my favorite. Then, we cleaned up a bit before heading out on a hike, while others took a tour. My past history of hikes in Africa (all from my experience in South Africa) have always included some sketchy aspect or some element that has really added an adventurous aspect to the hike. It never is easy breezy or what I expect. We set out on this hike without a clearly marked path or official tour guide. We were following path, but didn’t know if it was the right one. Then, some local children joined us and essentially became our guides. I was really wondering if we were doing the right thing as we walked through field/garden of corn and cabbage and through the bush (more pathless bush than I’ve done before) as we made our way to the mountain/rock hill. There was no actually hiking going on for most of this hike, it was rock scaling/walking/climbing all over most of the way. At times it was a bit challenging and I’ve got the scraps to prove as much of the time I was on my hands and knees climbing over rock. In the end and at the top, the view was totally worth it. I felt like the way down was easier than the way up. I’m sure a lot at that point was mind over matter, and getting used to balancing without fear and just doing. I love that feeling of accomplishment as well as the great view from on top. Beautiful!
In Role
On Thursday, Christine and I have three classes. Christine wanted to give the students notes (ie: dictate to them the textbook). That took up much of the classtime, but she allowed me the first part of two periods time to do a review activity. In S2, I had the students create an acrostic for New York. I wouldn’t consider that so successful, because I felt like it ended up being 30 or so of more or less the same words and phrases used. However, in S5 we had a review that turned out awesome. First, we complete a graphic organizer on the types of rocks. The students didn’t have to explain how the types formed which would have made it much more challenging, but it was good for a quick summary. After that, the students were given roles (eight different roles, which made then groups of 4 or 3). For example, road builder, irrigation expert, farmer, worker at hydroelectric power station. As these roles, they had to explain the economic importance of rocks to that particular role or identity. The students worked well in the groups. Then one person from each group presented to the class. They really went into role and elaborated on how rocks impact lives. As soon as one person finished presenting another would come up, I didn’t even have to ask. I was most pleased with how the students “went into role” and how they elaborate on the importance of rocks to that role, making the content more meaningful and relevant. After class, I told Christine that that activity was my favorite activity we have done so far with all of the classes.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
School Happys
After discussing many frustrations I feel with the school system in Northern Uganda, I felt it necessary to discuss some things that I have enjoyed and have made me feel hopeful and good about my experience. I know I haven’t made a dent in the changing the school system of Northern Uganda, but I have developed a relationship with Christine, my partner teacher.
Christine suggested putting students into groups to revise notes and then present their revisions.
I suggested a review game. At first, Christine seemed a bit apprehensive. Once the game was implemented and afterwards, Christine was very positive. She felt like the students enjoyed it and were engaged and she also recognized that she was able to identify what students knew and didn’t know. Even after the game, she addressed and clarified some information that was brought to her attention during the game.
During week five, I asked Christine how she would like to develop the lesson. She responded that we only have a little time left and I should tell her what I think because she wants to learn as much from me as possible before I leave.
Christine suggested putting students into groups to revise notes and then present their revisions.
I suggested a review game. At first, Christine seemed a bit apprehensive. Once the game was implemented and afterwards, Christine was very positive. She felt like the students enjoyed it and were engaged and she also recognized that she was able to identify what students knew and didn’t know. Even after the game, she addressed and clarified some information that was brought to her attention during the game.
During week five, I asked Christine how she would like to develop the lesson. She responded that we only have a little time left and I should tell her what I think because she wants to learn as much from me as possible before I leave.
Local
This weekend on the safari, we stayed at a place called Red Hot Chili’s. It is basically a campground but very much has a hostel feel. It was filled with tourists. I felt like it was the first time on my trip where I had encountered tourists. There aren’t tourists in Gulu. Lonely Planet says there is no reason to visit Gulu. When I was around all those people on the safari all I could think was ugh all these tourist (and their behavior which appears obnoxious in that is always appears self centered an disregarding local culture). I’m aware that that is a huge generalization and not everyone fits that description. In thinking that I was totally considering my self a local. I’m not, but in some ways it feels that way and I definitely consider myself more local and not a tourist.
Also, for various reasons I could not sleep that night at Red Hot Chili’s, and all I could think was I want my bed. In thinking of my bed, I thought of Katharinas.
Also, for various reasons I could not sleep that night at Red Hot Chili’s, and all I could think was I want my bed. In thinking of my bed, I thought of Katharinas.
School
The center of school life for a teacher is the staff room. Our staff room at SSB consists of a few wooden tables, a few wooden chairs and benches. Teachers don’t have their own classrooms, so the staff room becomes teachers home base. It often feels like its just the place to go and sit and little productive happenings. The two busiest times in the staff room are break and lunch. Break is from 10:40 to 11:10. During break fried dough and hot tea is served. The fried dough are like funnel cake squares minus the powdered sugar. The tea is the hot version of southern sweet tea. Imagine what I thought the first time I drank it. I was totally expecting bitter, sugarless, milkless tea and I take this sip and it is syrupy sweet. I can totally handle it being hot. In a way the syrupy-ness is like a bit of home. Lunch consists of posho (a tasteless thick grits-like substance) and beans. Its manageable but altogether not a pleasant eating experience. I have to drink a lot of water to push it all down with. The beans come out in what I can best describe as a 5-gallon bucket. The posho comes out in a metal pail. Intially (the first week and a half), there were only about 5 forks, which meant a few lunches using fingers for utensils. Later, our school ended up with many more forks. I think they must have bought them because we, the American teachers, were there.
The centrality of the staff room to the teachers life is an indicator to a frustration I have with SSB (but other American teachers have expressed at other schools in Gulu) – the lack of student-teacher relationships. It often sounds like a bunch of repetition and administration fluff with I hear it at my home school. But being in a system where it basically doesn’t exists at all really helps me appreciate it and value it. Many teachers here don’t even know their students names. (I recognize that they have more students that I have in the States, but I don’t think that constitutes a legitimate reason) There is little attempt to connect with the student and on the student’s level.
Most teachers in the States are more than familiar with standards and EOCs or some end of course test equivalent. But it in no way compares with the emphasis placed on the government syllabi and end of level exams. Students take an exam at the end of S4 and S6 (similar to tenth and twelfth grade). There is little flexibility, creativity, or critical thinking involved. So much emphasis is placed on simply being prepared for the exams (Read: memorize unmeaningful and irrelevant content). The emphasis isn’t to create a life-long learner, world citizen, critical thinker, or prepared for what comes next person. Did I mention the content isn’t meaningful or relevant and most teachers do not attempt to make it so.
It is so different from what I am used to.
Though there are many frustrations, there are many beauties at SSB. The campus is gorgeous (despite resource lacking classrooms, destroyed buildings, and smelly latrines). In the evenings when I leave students are often out on “the lawn,” as I call it, studying and it reminds me of Wofford and how students often go outside to study. There are eager learners in the classroom and there is a sense of respect for the teacher and the need for an education (in a sense).
The teachers are incredibly friendly and appear appreciative to have the American teachers there. Whereas by most Acholi who I’ve never met but say encounter on the streets I feel like a stared at rarity. Yet, at SSB I feel like I’ve become a part of the teacher community and a normal fixture not a rarity that needs to be stared at there anymore.
Teaching in Uganda is not a well respected profession yet we have so many student teachers at my school and its really cool to see people want to become teachers.
I like my partner teacher and get along well with her. She has the most beautiful laugh when she smiles.
Other frustrations: No practice or review or assessment. There is much that is simply providing information and then assuming students know the information. There is no intentional higher level thinking. Taking/dictating notes separate from students gathering notes from class activities and discussion. Lack of resources.
The centrality of the staff room to the teachers life is an indicator to a frustration I have with SSB (but other American teachers have expressed at other schools in Gulu) – the lack of student-teacher relationships. It often sounds like a bunch of repetition and administration fluff with I hear it at my home school. But being in a system where it basically doesn’t exists at all really helps me appreciate it and value it. Many teachers here don’t even know their students names. (I recognize that they have more students that I have in the States, but I don’t think that constitutes a legitimate reason) There is little attempt to connect with the student and on the student’s level.
Most teachers in the States are more than familiar with standards and EOCs or some end of course test equivalent. But it in no way compares with the emphasis placed on the government syllabi and end of level exams. Students take an exam at the end of S4 and S6 (similar to tenth and twelfth grade). There is little flexibility, creativity, or critical thinking involved. So much emphasis is placed on simply being prepared for the exams (Read: memorize unmeaningful and irrelevant content). The emphasis isn’t to create a life-long learner, world citizen, critical thinker, or prepared for what comes next person. Did I mention the content isn’t meaningful or relevant and most teachers do not attempt to make it so.
It is so different from what I am used to.
Though there are many frustrations, there are many beauties at SSB. The campus is gorgeous (despite resource lacking classrooms, destroyed buildings, and smelly latrines). In the evenings when I leave students are often out on “the lawn,” as I call it, studying and it reminds me of Wofford and how students often go outside to study. There are eager learners in the classroom and there is a sense of respect for the teacher and the need for an education (in a sense).
The teachers are incredibly friendly and appear appreciative to have the American teachers there. Whereas by most Acholi who I’ve never met but say encounter on the streets I feel like a stared at rarity. Yet, at SSB I feel like I’ve become a part of the teacher community and a normal fixture not a rarity that needs to be stared at there anymore.
Teaching in Uganda is not a well respected profession yet we have so many student teachers at my school and its really cool to see people want to become teachers.
I like my partner teacher and get along well with her. She has the most beautiful laugh when she smiles.
Other frustrations: No practice or review or assessment. There is much that is simply providing information and then assuming students know the information. There is no intentional higher level thinking. Taking/dictating notes separate from students gathering notes from class activities and discussion. Lack of resources.
NGOs
If you wander down the streets of Gulu, you are bound to pass by Gulu branches of various NGOs. Years of conflict in the north have prompted such a presence. NGOs fuel this perception of Westerners (or whites) as rich and aid givers. I would say the most obvious negative of NGOs would be aid dependency. Which is paired with creating a lack of creativity and initiative. Its also hard for me to comment on NGOs as a whole generalized bunch, because I really am most familiar with Invisible Children. Let me take a minute to explain some things about IC. IC is one of three NGOs in Gulu that works with secondary schools. Many more work with primary schools. Children here have school fees to pay and many NGOs are pay school fees. IC sponsors a limited amount of students and places each of them with a mentor. IC’s schools for schools program creates infrastructure developments, such as latrines, and classrooms, with money raised for high schools in the States. The teacher exchange also falls under the schools for schools umbrella. (fyi – the other thing IC Gulu does is economic opportunities – such as MEND, previously the bracelet project, and an upcoming cotton growing program) (IC Gulu is different, though directly related to and supported by IC US the media based fundraising non-profit) A few things I like about IC: They are all about sustainability. They have exit plans for when Schools for Schools schools have reached a certain level. The Acholi really seem to have a voice and be participants in the implementation of their programs. They are critical about the work they do and are really open to questioning their work. For example, they are open and honest about things that haven’t worked well in the past .
Quote by ? I'm really not sure
It helps now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we can do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that can be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
It may be incomplete but it is a beginning step along the way,
An opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are the prophets of a future not our own.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that will one day grow.
We water seeds already planted,
Knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something and to do it very well.
Amen.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we can do is complete, which is a way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that can be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
It may be incomplete but it is a beginning step along the way,
An opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are the prophets of a future not our own.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that will one day grow.
We water seeds already planted,
Knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something and to do it very well.
Amen.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Few Random Things
I mentioned in an earlier post that I ordered some clothes from a tailor here in Gulu. In the market, there is a large tailoring section (meaning continous rows of stalls where tailors keep their fabrics and sew). Many in Gulu are equipped with tailoring skills as it was a common taught skill by NGOs when they helped people returned out of the bush and out of IDP (internally displaced person) camps.
Note: there is an overwhelming presence of NGOs in Gulu. It makes for a fascinating discussion about the positives and negatives of such presence.
On Friday, I was able to visit MEND. An economic opportunity sponsored by Invisible Children. If you've visited IC's website perhaps you've heard of it. MEND is a tailoring facility to create quality bags (messenger and handbags) in quality working conditions. IC has chosen 13 women who were rescued by the UN from living in the bush with the LRA and are now single mothers. Marie, the American designer working with MEND, has a vision to see MEND grow to be a large compound with childcare, healthcare facilities, etc. At MEND each woman tailors the entire bag from start to finish. The largest difference that struck me most as the difference between these women and the tailors in the market, in addition to Marie's compassion as an employer, was how much light filled the working area compare to the dark electricity-less stalls in the market.
Obama was recently in Ghana. I haven't heard any locals talk about it, but his speech was printed in yesterdays national newspaper. One of the American teachers found it in the paper and shared it with the rest of us. It was very encouraging. Check it out if you can.
In my group there are 17 of us. Probably the biggest difference is between the teachers in Gulu and the teachers in the IDP camps. 6 from our group go out to the IDP camps - Pabo and Atanga. They come back to Gulu every weekend, but during the week stay in the camps where there are even less resources (no electricity and no running water) and less things going on than in Gulu. As for the teachers in Gulu, though we are at different schools, we are having a similiar experiences. We all have different teachers and different class schedules so that plays into our experiences, but overall the state of education remains the same and we encounter many of the same frustrations as well as positives of being a partner teacher in Gulu.
Note: there is an overwhelming presence of NGOs in Gulu. It makes for a fascinating discussion about the positives and negatives of such presence.
On Friday, I was able to visit MEND. An economic opportunity sponsored by Invisible Children. If you've visited IC's website perhaps you've heard of it. MEND is a tailoring facility to create quality bags (messenger and handbags) in quality working conditions. IC has chosen 13 women who were rescued by the UN from living in the bush with the LRA and are now single mothers. Marie, the American designer working with MEND, has a vision to see MEND grow to be a large compound with childcare, healthcare facilities, etc. At MEND each woman tailors the entire bag from start to finish. The largest difference that struck me most as the difference between these women and the tailors in the market, in addition to Marie's compassion as an employer, was how much light filled the working area compare to the dark electricity-less stalls in the market.
Obama was recently in Ghana. I haven't heard any locals talk about it, but his speech was printed in yesterdays national newspaper. One of the American teachers found it in the paper and shared it with the rest of us. It was very encouraging. Check it out if you can.
In my group there are 17 of us. Probably the biggest difference is between the teachers in Gulu and the teachers in the IDP camps. 6 from our group go out to the IDP camps - Pabo and Atanga. They come back to Gulu every weekend, but during the week stay in the camps where there are even less resources (no electricity and no running water) and less things going on than in Gulu. As for the teachers in Gulu, though we are at different schools, we are having a similiar experiences. We all have different teachers and different class schedules so that plays into our experiences, but overall the state of education remains the same and we encounter many of the same frustrations as well as positives of being a partner teacher in Gulu.
Safari
This weekend we traveled on the bumpest road I've ever ridden on for three hours to arrive at Murchison Falls National Park. We got to see lots of animals in their natural habitat - hippos, giraffes, elephants, warthogs, water buffalo, and various deer-like things. My favorite part however was our river safari down the Nile. We floated down seeing many hippos and birds along the way ending at Murchison Falls. It was beautiful and and fascinating to be on a river knowing it is so large and siginificant.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
On my way to school
July 8
I had my only class for the day at 8:00 this morning, followed by some planning. Luckily for me, on my ride into school and back from school this sun was behind clouds. It made for a pleasant ride. Usually if its at the end of a long day or if the sun is blazing down and I’m hot, I often think about how I’m enjoying my natural (and only) form of air conditioning.
This morning I made a point to take note of what I see on the drive to school. Before long I won’t be having the lovely drive any longer.
Once out of town, it is all dirt road. By dirt road I mean no gravel, simply dirt. I usually see at least one automobile but rarely, if ever, more than 5. Such vehicles are accompanied by a surrounding cloud of red dust, which makes a thin layer on my clothes and exposed skin. White shirts are pretty much out of the question. In addition to this shade of red. Green is the other shade filling most of my ride. Luscious foliage lines the road – grasses, trees, and often rows of maize. If you simply glance, you may think the plants along the side of the road are dead. Don’t be fooled they are simply covered in a thicker layer of dust than I am. Along the road dotted through this green vegetation are sporadic tethered animals, usually goats but an occasional cow. Though docile when you go by, the longhorns have a threatening air to them. I pass various buildings – non-profits, primary schools, small businesses housed in building fronts or roadside stalls, homes-some mud brick thatched huts, some concrete structures, some complete, some incomplete. That’s all beautiful, but what really gives the drive personality are the people along the way and knowing that this ride I take is their life and their community. Depending on the time of day, school children (primary) travel the road. Women walk along. Many have their babies tied to the backs and/or are carrying a bundle on their head. The boreholes I pass are surrounded by people coming to fetch water with their yellow jerry cans. Before long I am turning into Sir Samuel Baker or arriving back on the potholed asphalted roads of Gulu town.
I had my only class for the day at 8:00 this morning, followed by some planning. Luckily for me, on my ride into school and back from school this sun was behind clouds. It made for a pleasant ride. Usually if its at the end of a long day or if the sun is blazing down and I’m hot, I often think about how I’m enjoying my natural (and only) form of air conditioning.
This morning I made a point to take note of what I see on the drive to school. Before long I won’t be having the lovely drive any longer.
Once out of town, it is all dirt road. By dirt road I mean no gravel, simply dirt. I usually see at least one automobile but rarely, if ever, more than 5. Such vehicles are accompanied by a surrounding cloud of red dust, which makes a thin layer on my clothes and exposed skin. White shirts are pretty much out of the question. In addition to this shade of red. Green is the other shade filling most of my ride. Luscious foliage lines the road – grasses, trees, and often rows of maize. If you simply glance, you may think the plants along the side of the road are dead. Don’t be fooled they are simply covered in a thicker layer of dust than I am. Along the road dotted through this green vegetation are sporadic tethered animals, usually goats but an occasional cow. Though docile when you go by, the longhorns have a threatening air to them. I pass various buildings – non-profits, primary schools, small businesses housed in building fronts or roadside stalls, homes-some mud brick thatched huts, some concrete structures, some complete, some incomplete. That’s all beautiful, but what really gives the drive personality are the people along the way and knowing that this ride I take is their life and their community. Depending on the time of day, school children (primary) travel the road. Women walk along. Many have their babies tied to the backs and/or are carrying a bundle on their head. The boreholes I pass are surrounded by people coming to fetch water with their yellow jerry cans. Before long I am turning into Sir Samuel Baker or arriving back on the potholed asphalted roads of Gulu town.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MJ
July 7
Currently as I’m writing this we are sitting in our courtyard watching Michael Jackson’s memorial service. How surreal.
This morning I had class. Christine taught as she needed to finish up giving notes on the topic from the week before midterms. I left afterwards as Christine didn’t bring the S5 books with her, so we didn’t plan any. I went back into town before our SSB roundtable at 4:00.
I felt like my day was productive. Not in a change the world kind of way, but in a doing things I wanted to do here kind of way. Ryan, Lindsay, Mandie, and I ate Ethiopian for lunch. It was delicious, cheap, and quick. It makes me want to find and try out some Ethiopian restaurants when I return to the states. After lunch, we went around to do some shopping. We started at One Mango Tree and ordered some ties. We went around to a few other places and I bought some gifts. I realized that I really enjoy buying gifts because its just a small way that I can share this special place that means a lot to me with others who are not able to be here.
Currently as I’m writing this we are sitting in our courtyard watching Michael Jackson’s memorial service. How surreal.
This morning I had class. Christine taught as she needed to finish up giving notes on the topic from the week before midterms. I left afterwards as Christine didn’t bring the S5 books with her, so we didn’t plan any. I went back into town before our SSB roundtable at 4:00.
I felt like my day was productive. Not in a change the world kind of way, but in a doing things I wanted to do here kind of way. Ryan, Lindsay, Mandie, and I ate Ethiopian for lunch. It was delicious, cheap, and quick. It makes me want to find and try out some Ethiopian restaurants when I return to the states. After lunch, we went around to do some shopping. We started at One Mango Tree and ordered some ties. We went around to a few other places and I bought some gifts. I realized that I really enjoy buying gifts because its just a small way that I can share this special place that means a lot to me with others who are not able to be here.
Monday
July 6
Today, I was back to work. It’s really hard to believe that there are only three weeks left, esp. considering my partner teacher and I only meet with each class twice a week. We planned together. And, then we had class. This was my first time really as teacher in the classroom getting to do activities with the students. It was fantastic. It was just fun to engage lots of eager minds. I got to be energetic which I feel like isn’t a common trait displayed in the classroom by my teacher. First, we located Uganda and New York on a world map. We did a KWL on New York. Then, students had to choose A or B – the option that would favor the growth of New York as a port. Students were to get in groups to do this. The idea of groups didn’t work so well, it’s just not something they have an established routine of. In addition, to my lack of explanation of group work. Class ended before getting the chance to write the correct options into their notebooks. I had to spend some time writing the options onto the board. When I returned “home” from school. I stopped at the stationary store after a stop a Café Larem to purchase flipchart paper to already have things prewritten out.
Tonight, Phil and some group 3 girls came over and we watched Dodgeball on a computer.
I started reading The Brothers Karamazov on the trip over. It’s been a slow read so far. I contribute that to the constant stream of things going on around me even when I’m trying to read. Quite time doesn’t exist much when living in a community such as this. It just hard for me to focus when other things are going on and keeping up with the language and plot of a Russian story. We’ve gotten to the trend of sharing books, which I love. Last week, I read Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell (Michael’s book). I read it in two days during midterm week when I didn’t have much to do. I also wanted to read though it fast because I knew others also wanted to read it. I picked back up The Brothers Karamazov. Last night, Matt finished The Impenetrable Forest by a former Peace Corp volunteer in Southern Uganda. So far, I’m enjoying it as there are many things I read and can relate to.
Today, I was back to work. It’s really hard to believe that there are only three weeks left, esp. considering my partner teacher and I only meet with each class twice a week. We planned together. And, then we had class. This was my first time really as teacher in the classroom getting to do activities with the students. It was fantastic. It was just fun to engage lots of eager minds. I got to be energetic which I feel like isn’t a common trait displayed in the classroom by my teacher. First, we located Uganda and New York on a world map. We did a KWL on New York. Then, students had to choose A or B – the option that would favor the growth of New York as a port. Students were to get in groups to do this. The idea of groups didn’t work so well, it’s just not something they have an established routine of. In addition, to my lack of explanation of group work. Class ended before getting the chance to write the correct options into their notebooks. I had to spend some time writing the options onto the board. When I returned “home” from school. I stopped at the stationary store after a stop a Café Larem to purchase flipchart paper to already have things prewritten out.
Tonight, Phil and some group 3 girls came over and we watched Dodgeball on a computer.
I started reading The Brothers Karamazov on the trip over. It’s been a slow read so far. I contribute that to the constant stream of things going on around me even when I’m trying to read. Quite time doesn’t exist much when living in a community such as this. It just hard for me to focus when other things are going on and keeping up with the language and plot of a Russian story. We’ve gotten to the trend of sharing books, which I love. Last week, I read Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell (Michael’s book). I read it in two days during midterm week when I didn’t have much to do. I also wanted to read though it fast because I knew others also wanted to read it. I picked back up The Brothers Karamazov. Last night, Matt finished The Impenetrable Forest by a former Peace Corp volunteer in Southern Uganda. So far, I’m enjoying it as there are many things I read and can relate to.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Go Big or Go Home!
July 5
Invisible Children hosted a 4th of July Party at Acholi Inn. It was a great time to allow us to be ourselves in the midst of trying to fit into Acholi culture, as well as a times to share our American culture with the Acholi. Teachers were invited and though my teacher didn’t come a few others from our school did. Invisible Children Uganda staff was there as well as some mentors. We had great food including chapti burrito and ground beef patties, chips (French fries), brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Yummy! The dancing began around seven and didn’t stop until everyone left. It was a huge dance party and so much fun. The night was only beginning at that point. After being one of the last ones to leave Acholi Inn, I made my way with a group of others to another 4th of July party at a US government house for this guy who works for the military. No one knows exactly what he does. I think its really likely that it is some kind of covert operation. Anyways, that wasn’t enough so we made our way to Havana, a night/dance club in Gulu. At this point, its worth noting that it was probably around 2:30 in the morning. I felt so sketched out going into this club. At this point it was definitely go big or go home. I was in the mood to hang. After all I had been dancing for like 4 hours at Acholi Inn early so why stop then. I just decided to embrace the moment and soak in experiencing all the different types of Gulu. I had many laughs by the end of the night -- whether it be pink polka dot underwear, hearing Billie Jean five times, “America” (in a really twang accent), or other things. Our group dwindled in size as different people ended up in different places at different times because of finding transportation. In the end, Bill, Catherine, Lisa and I walked home from Havana at 4 in the morning after a full night of dancing, laughter, and celebration, and just being ourselves. It was so strange to see Gulu so empty, lifeless, and quiet. It had this ghost town type of feel. Especially after having such a night.
Today was our first day with the morning off we didn’t have an activity scheduled until 12 noon. So we were able to sleep in more than usual which made last night much more manageable. I had banana pancakes and coffee from Kope Café with some girls in my group. Then we all headed off to the IC house for our Song of Lawino book discussion which was with groups 1 and 3. Followed by a visit from the bead lady. She and others make paper beads into necklaces, a local form of jewelry/art.
Invisible Children hosted a 4th of July Party at Acholi Inn. It was a great time to allow us to be ourselves in the midst of trying to fit into Acholi culture, as well as a times to share our American culture with the Acholi. Teachers were invited and though my teacher didn’t come a few others from our school did. Invisible Children Uganda staff was there as well as some mentors. We had great food including chapti burrito and ground beef patties, chips (French fries), brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Yummy! The dancing began around seven and didn’t stop until everyone left. It was a huge dance party and so much fun. The night was only beginning at that point. After being one of the last ones to leave Acholi Inn, I made my way with a group of others to another 4th of July party at a US government house for this guy who works for the military. No one knows exactly what he does. I think its really likely that it is some kind of covert operation. Anyways, that wasn’t enough so we made our way to Havana, a night/dance club in Gulu. At this point, its worth noting that it was probably around 2:30 in the morning. I felt so sketched out going into this club. At this point it was definitely go big or go home. I was in the mood to hang. After all I had been dancing for like 4 hours at Acholi Inn early so why stop then. I just decided to embrace the moment and soak in experiencing all the different types of Gulu. I had many laughs by the end of the night -- whether it be pink polka dot underwear, hearing Billie Jean five times, “America” (in a really twang accent), or other things. Our group dwindled in size as different people ended up in different places at different times because of finding transportation. In the end, Bill, Catherine, Lisa and I walked home from Havana at 4 in the morning after a full night of dancing, laughter, and celebration, and just being ourselves. It was so strange to see Gulu so empty, lifeless, and quiet. It had this ghost town type of feel. Especially after having such a night.
Today was our first day with the morning off we didn’t have an activity scheduled until 12 noon. So we were able to sleep in more than usual which made last night much more manageable. I had banana pancakes and coffee from Kope Café with some girls in my group. Then we all headed off to the IC house for our Song of Lawino book discussion which was with groups 1 and 3. Followed by a visit from the bead lady. She and others make paper beads into necklaces, a local form of jewelry/art.
Pictures
Me, Kate, Lisa, and Ryan - All the Sir Samuel Baker teachers at the 4th of July party
At the Rhino Sanctuary
My Partner Teacher - ChristineSaturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
July 4
Today was our second day of the conference and was a much better experience than yesterday. I felt like our school group was much more productive. At times the student workshops got a little long but in the end watching their exhibitions was really fun. After conference Lisa, Kate and I went on a “shopping spree.” It was also my first fabric buying and tailor experience in the market. I am getting a pair of wide-leg brown pants made. I have lots of ideas of things to get made at the market. Now, it’s just a matter of finding fabric I like and getting the stuff made. Good thing I still have three weeks left. But, that also means we are half way through. Unbelievable. Some days seem slow, but overall time is flying by.
Today was our second day of the conference and was a much better experience than yesterday. I felt like our school group was much more productive. At times the student workshops got a little long but in the end watching their exhibitions was really fun. After conference Lisa, Kate and I went on a “shopping spree.” It was also my first fabric buying and tailor experience in the market. I am getting a pair of wide-leg brown pants made. I have lots of ideas of things to get made at the market. Now, it’s just a matter of finding fabric I like and getting the stuff made. Good thing I still have three weeks left. But, that also means we are half way through. Unbelievable. Some days seem slow, but overall time is flying by.
Hello!
Friday, July 3
Our hotel has a new pet a kitten. Though we keep our doors shut as a result, I’m very pleased that at least one mouse has been eaten.
Thursday morning we gave a midterm, but 45 minutes late because the secretary didn’t show up to provide my teacher with the printed exams. My teacher ended up writing the exam on the board, so that the students wouldn’t have to wait around any longer. Afterwards, I marked (graded) the rest of the objective (multiple choice) questions from S2. Before leaving, I joined in our a faculty Scrabble game. I was really excited about getting invited in. As the game progressed a few of the experienced players who weren’t playing began to gather around and watch. Before I know it my turn has come and I have put down a 10 point word, which I am quite content with (esp. considering that I don’t play games to win, just for the fun of playing). Then, the guy standing behind me totally takes my word away and rearranges it to earn my a 12 pt word instead. At that point, I’m like do I stand up and assert my right to play and let them know that I am content with my original word or do I just let them play over me. I decide to keep playing without letting my original word stay and joke around with them about it. Then, on the next round they change my word again but get me like 30 pts. At that point, there’s no stopping them. They are ridiculously intense about this game and all about earning the highest point value regardless of whose turn or whose playing. It’s almost as if its less about winning and more about earning really high scores. I ended up being 2nd place but only because they played most of my words. It was fun break from the usual monotony and cabin fever of the staff room.
Thursday afternoon activities included: Computer time at Café Larem. Samosas from Rose’s for lunch. Buying food in the market for Catherine with Lindsay. What an experience it’s the busy place loaded with noise, movement, color, sounds, and flies. I fell like I can’t open my mouth when I’m in there because I’ll get a mouthful of flies. Then the guys teaching at Atanga (and IDP camp) returned for the weekend. Ryan, Bill, Kate and I went to Larem for Bill to check his email and I got a chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. Delicious. Then, we headed to Da Pub to relax. We randomly ran into to other people while we were there – Catherine and Hero (Amy’s daughter who is visiting), Amy, Tom (a teacher from our school). Later, Kevin joined us. Dinner was a Katharines. Following dinner we made a brief stop a KSP (a rooftop bar in Gulu) for Amy’s birthday before heading to Bamboo for trivia night. When we arrived at Bamboo it wasn’t nearly as many people as usual (perhaps because the owner just picked up and left and no one knows why) so I anticipated it being a slow evening. I ended up having a really good time. There was plenty of entertainment. Some from other group memers. John created a mixed cd which created a bit of dance party. Then, the was attack of the white ants, which are these flying ants with large white wings. That come in swarms. At one point I heard only twice a year, but I also heard after large rains. Anyways, you can’t eat these bugs without the wings, but I did not do that nor do I plan to. You just couldn’t escape them. They really were everywhere.
Our activity for today was the first day of the teaching and learning conference. At times it felt like a bore. I’m sure that was due to the fact that last night we had gone out to Bamboo and were tired and irritable from that. Hopefully, it was much more meaningful for the Uganda teachers. They expressed energy and seemed to take advantage of having a forum to talk at, which I’m assuming doesn’t happen much for them. I was fine until after lunch and then I got really tired and felt totally done for the day. Also, at the end was a time for discussion but the step up of the room didn’t allow for a discussion friendly work environment. We were there from 9 to 4. Now, I’m back at the hotel and we’ve gotten plenty of things planned for the rest of the weekend.
Much Love!
Our hotel has a new pet a kitten. Though we keep our doors shut as a result, I’m very pleased that at least one mouse has been eaten.
Thursday morning we gave a midterm, but 45 minutes late because the secretary didn’t show up to provide my teacher with the printed exams. My teacher ended up writing the exam on the board, so that the students wouldn’t have to wait around any longer. Afterwards, I marked (graded) the rest of the objective (multiple choice) questions from S2. Before leaving, I joined in our a faculty Scrabble game. I was really excited about getting invited in. As the game progressed a few of the experienced players who weren’t playing began to gather around and watch. Before I know it my turn has come and I have put down a 10 point word, which I am quite content with (esp. considering that I don’t play games to win, just for the fun of playing). Then, the guy standing behind me totally takes my word away and rearranges it to earn my a 12 pt word instead. At that point, I’m like do I stand up and assert my right to play and let them know that I am content with my original word or do I just let them play over me. I decide to keep playing without letting my original word stay and joke around with them about it. Then, on the next round they change my word again but get me like 30 pts. At that point, there’s no stopping them. They are ridiculously intense about this game and all about earning the highest point value regardless of whose turn or whose playing. It’s almost as if its less about winning and more about earning really high scores. I ended up being 2nd place but only because they played most of my words. It was fun break from the usual monotony and cabin fever of the staff room.
Thursday afternoon activities included: Computer time at Café Larem. Samosas from Rose’s for lunch. Buying food in the market for Catherine with Lindsay. What an experience it’s the busy place loaded with noise, movement, color, sounds, and flies. I fell like I can’t open my mouth when I’m in there because I’ll get a mouthful of flies. Then the guys teaching at Atanga (and IDP camp) returned for the weekend. Ryan, Bill, Kate and I went to Larem for Bill to check his email and I got a chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream. Delicious. Then, we headed to Da Pub to relax. We randomly ran into to other people while we were there – Catherine and Hero (Amy’s daughter who is visiting), Amy, Tom (a teacher from our school). Later, Kevin joined us. Dinner was a Katharines. Following dinner we made a brief stop a KSP (a rooftop bar in Gulu) for Amy’s birthday before heading to Bamboo for trivia night. When we arrived at Bamboo it wasn’t nearly as many people as usual (perhaps because the owner just picked up and left and no one knows why) so I anticipated it being a slow evening. I ended up having a really good time. There was plenty of entertainment. Some from other group memers. John created a mixed cd which created a bit of dance party. Then, the was attack of the white ants, which are these flying ants with large white wings. That come in swarms. At one point I heard only twice a year, but I also heard after large rains. Anyways, you can’t eat these bugs without the wings, but I did not do that nor do I plan to. You just couldn’t escape them. They really were everywhere.
Our activity for today was the first day of the teaching and learning conference. At times it felt like a bore. I’m sure that was due to the fact that last night we had gone out to Bamboo and were tired and irritable from that. Hopefully, it was much more meaningful for the Uganda teachers. They expressed energy and seemed to take advantage of having a forum to talk at, which I’m assuming doesn’t happen much for them. I was fine until after lunch and then I got really tired and felt totally done for the day. Also, at the end was a time for discussion but the step up of the room didn’t allow for a discussion friendly work environment. We were there from 9 to 4. Now, I’m back at the hotel and we’ve gotten plenty of things planned for the rest of the weekend.
Much Love!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Midterms
Tuesday, June 30
So the past few days have been a bit slower than usual. Yet, my definition of slow would would probably still be faster than a regular pace on “African” time. The main reason why is that this week is midterm week. Meaning that there is no class time. Midterms are scheduled all week. For me, the only time I need to be at school this week is when the classes of my partner teacher have midterms scheduled. For most of us at SSB that means 1 or 2 times this week. (or when we have a roundtable or when I’ve scheduled time to mark/grade and plan together.) Monday I showed up expecting to proctor an exam at 3:00 pm. I arrived to learn that because the exam was printed and ready it was given that morning. Though I didn’t have to proctor an exam that afternoon I was sent home with a stack of papers to grade. For all of those who pride yourselves in being organized and scheduled this place would absolutely rock your world.
We had our roundtable meeting this afternoon, which is a meeting between all of the American teachers and their partner teachers at SSB and a facilitator (usually Catherine or Amy, but today it was Sasha). The main purpose was to brainstorm and prepare for our presentation at the conference this weekend. I felt like our teachers had some valuable ideas to share and I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the school. However, we’re still not ready for this weekend.
Tonight, we opted to take a break from Katharines, our provided supper source. We all agreed that a break from Acholi food would be nice. We went to eat at Boma, a more Western and more nice restaurant than most in Gulu. The majority of us ordered steak. It was very good as well as satisfying. I thought the meal would be the highlight for the night. But, the walk home is definitely up there. First note, that we are walking home in a big group and at night. There’s definitely a way home that I knew because it is the same as our boda ride home from school. Yet, there is this dirt road that Matt, a previous participant, insists is a shortcut home. Being a past participant we follow along without much hesitation. We arrive to this village/slum of Gulu and realize that we really need to go straight which involves walking though. Picture a large group of muzungu with headlamps and flashlights, which no one in Gulu use, walking through these narrow paths between shelters in the village. At one point we walk through the dump, which includes a foot path well trodden out, so we’re all giggling at the hilarity of the moment all the while I’m really wondering if we’re totally lost and drawing a ridiculous amount of attention to ourselves and not in a good way. Thanks to Wendy, another previous participant, we were able to make our way through and into town.
So the past few days have been a bit slower than usual. Yet, my definition of slow would would probably still be faster than a regular pace on “African” time. The main reason why is that this week is midterm week. Meaning that there is no class time. Midterms are scheduled all week. For me, the only time I need to be at school this week is when the classes of my partner teacher have midterms scheduled. For most of us at SSB that means 1 or 2 times this week. (or when we have a roundtable or when I’ve scheduled time to mark/grade and plan together.) Monday I showed up expecting to proctor an exam at 3:00 pm. I arrived to learn that because the exam was printed and ready it was given that morning. Though I didn’t have to proctor an exam that afternoon I was sent home with a stack of papers to grade. For all of those who pride yourselves in being organized and scheduled this place would absolutely rock your world.
We had our roundtable meeting this afternoon, which is a meeting between all of the American teachers and their partner teachers at SSB and a facilitator (usually Catherine or Amy, but today it was Sasha). The main purpose was to brainstorm and prepare for our presentation at the conference this weekend. I felt like our teachers had some valuable ideas to share and I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the school. However, we’re still not ready for this weekend.
Tonight, we opted to take a break from Katharines, our provided supper source. We all agreed that a break from Acholi food would be nice. We went to eat at Boma, a more Western and more nice restaurant than most in Gulu. The majority of us ordered steak. It was very good as well as satisfying. I thought the meal would be the highlight for the night. But, the walk home is definitely up there. First note, that we are walking home in a big group and at night. There’s definitely a way home that I knew because it is the same as our boda ride home from school. Yet, there is this dirt road that Matt, a previous participant, insists is a shortcut home. Being a past participant we follow along without much hesitation. We arrive to this village/slum of Gulu and realize that we really need to go straight which involves walking though. Picture a large group of muzungu with headlamps and flashlights, which no one in Gulu use, walking through these narrow paths between shelters in the village. At one point we walk through the dump, which includes a foot path well trodden out, so we’re all giggling at the hilarity of the moment all the while I’m really wondering if we’re totally lost and drawing a ridiculous amount of attention to ourselves and not in a good way. Thanks to Wendy, another previous participant, we were able to make our way through and into town.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Rhinos
June 28, 2009
We had a weekend getaway at a Rhino Sanctuary. Wow. We were standing like 15 -20 feet away from three huge rhinos. These rhinos have a guard with them all the time to prevent poaching. That makes them easy to find. We got to them after a 30 minute drive from our lodging and a 15 minute walk through the bush. In addition to seeing the rhinos which was a highlight, there were many other highlights including toilet seats, hot showers, spaghetti, quite and relaxing time to read.
Tonight it finally rained. Yay. Also, I watched the USA Brazil soccer game at Katharines restaurant. I was surprised at the amount of Acholi who were there watching the game. I felt a little awkard when I first arrived because I was the only female there. But, it was fun because everyone was really into the game. Too bad USA lost.
We had a weekend getaway at a Rhino Sanctuary. Wow. We were standing like 15 -20 feet away from three huge rhinos. These rhinos have a guard with them all the time to prevent poaching. That makes them easy to find. We got to them after a 30 minute drive from our lodging and a 15 minute walk through the bush. In addition to seeing the rhinos which was a highlight, there were many other highlights including toilet seats, hot showers, spaghetti, quite and relaxing time to read.
Tonight it finally rained. Yay. Also, I watched the USA Brazil soccer game at Katharines restaurant. I was surprised at the amount of Acholi who were there watching the game. I felt a little awkard when I first arrived because I was the only female there. But, it was fun because everyone was really into the game. Too bad USA lost.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sir Samuel Baker
Wednesday, June 24
My main activity for the past few days has been observation at SSB (Sir Samuel Baker School). Monday was quite an adjustment and pretty overwhelming, but each days since I’ve felt more comfortable. Monday was a mix of feeling defeated over the lack of resources at the school and my ability to make a difference and awkwardness over wondering what to do while at school with much non-classroom time.
My schedule is getting more ironed out. I’m beginning to embrace the idea that through its simple, my goal is to implement a few different teaching strategies, for it’s the most efficient and practical thing I can do in this position.
Other things: Starting Monday night, the electricity was out in Gulu. It came back on sometime today. Which seems to be a bit out of the ordinary for in Gulu town. Yet, it hasn’t affected much of what we do, for most places have generators. We just put candles out at night.
It’s the rainy season here, but it has hardly rained. Today, at school it got really dark and thundered, but only rained for 5 minutes. Then this afternoon, it got windy which was nice b/c it didn’t feel nearly as hot. You would think rain wouldn’t be all that fun. But, I totally underestimated the amount of dust here. Rain would be helpful to keep some of that dust down. It has also made me really appreciate my crocs. So before coming I was totally averse to crocs. But I finally gave in and got a pair, but I got a female ballerina style. And they have been quite helpful here for having close toe shoes in the classroom but also being able to handle the dust.
My main activity for the past few days has been observation at SSB (Sir Samuel Baker School). Monday was quite an adjustment and pretty overwhelming, but each days since I’ve felt more comfortable. Monday was a mix of feeling defeated over the lack of resources at the school and my ability to make a difference and awkwardness over wondering what to do while at school with much non-classroom time.
My schedule is getting more ironed out. I’m beginning to embrace the idea that through its simple, my goal is to implement a few different teaching strategies, for it’s the most efficient and practical thing I can do in this position.
Other things: Starting Monday night, the electricity was out in Gulu. It came back on sometime today. Which seems to be a bit out of the ordinary for in Gulu town. Yet, it hasn’t affected much of what we do, for most places have generators. We just put candles out at night.
It’s the rainy season here, but it has hardly rained. Today, at school it got really dark and thundered, but only rained for 5 minutes. Then this afternoon, it got windy which was nice b/c it didn’t feel nearly as hot. You would think rain wouldn’t be all that fun. But, I totally underestimated the amount of dust here. Rain would be helpful to keep some of that dust down. It has also made me really appreciate my crocs. So before coming I was totally averse to crocs. But I finally gave in and got a pair, but I got a female ballerina style. And they have been quite helpful here for having close toe shoes in the classroom but also being able to handle the dust.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
School
June 22, 2009
Today was my first school day. Most of the day I spent in the staff room. My partner teacher has only one class on Monday. It was much to adjust to, but very much a part of how this experience is.
I came home yesterday and wondering where everyone was. The Pabo and Atanga folks left for the respective locations for the week and it really slimmed the group down.
Today was my first school day. Most of the day I spent in the staff room. My partner teacher has only one class on Monday. It was much to adjust to, but very much a part of how this experience is.
I came home yesterday and wondering where everyone was. The Pabo and Atanga folks left for the respective locations for the week and it really slimmed the group down.
Visiting
Sunday, June 21
This morning, I went to Watoto church with a group of six American teachers. Perphaps you’ve heard of the Watoto Choir. It was very Westernized. So as another teacher said, I felt comfortable because it was so Western, I felt uncomfortable because it was so Western. It just makes me wondered how forced certain styles of worship are pushed on people. Obviously, it was only one visit so I can’t make any kind of judgment call. There was a European at the service who has been in Gulu but is leaving for Sudan who shared her story. Just after she and her husband were married they were traveling in Sudan and ambushed by the LRA. The LRA killed her husband. At this time, she was pregnant. Now, her daughter is probably around 4 years old. She had a powerful story of forgiveness.
This afternoon, we had our Freire book discussion. Pedagogy of the Oppressed is very dense, but the discussion didn’t get boggy at all. Catherine had four quotes for us to create into frozen images which we then discussed. One big point that came up is that we must always be critical and thinking why we do things and the effects of those things.
Then, we visited St. Jude’s, an orphanage is Gulu. There are 89 children there. We simply went to play with the children. Few speak English and those that do it is only a few phrases. So, we simply played. It felt really good to just love on the children and touch them. Because it appeared that the children have to become very selfsufficient and create a community amongst themselves, maturing very quickly. The children really seemed to appreciate the attention. I especially like holding and rubbing the backs of the young children. It was hard leaving knowing that our involvement had been so momentary. I question the impact it had, yet it was one more touch or one more smile than they had before. Yet, it just seems so fleeting. But, I was very impressed with the sense of community between the children.
Supper was at the farm of a local family – Tom, Rose, Apollo, Obi. They must have one of the nicest homes and well manicured yard in Gulu. In addition, they have a fascinating history. Tom is originally from Gulu. His family fought against Idi Amin. He lost many family members during this time. He fled to Tanzania. Then in 1986 he and his wife and children moved to the UK where until the children grew up. Tom and Rose returned to Gulu in 2005. Obi have also moved back and Apollo is currently here visiting. I had a wonderful time listening to the family stories as well as talking with the other group participants.
This morning, I went to Watoto church with a group of six American teachers. Perphaps you’ve heard of the Watoto Choir. It was very Westernized. So as another teacher said, I felt comfortable because it was so Western, I felt uncomfortable because it was so Western. It just makes me wondered how forced certain styles of worship are pushed on people. Obviously, it was only one visit so I can’t make any kind of judgment call. There was a European at the service who has been in Gulu but is leaving for Sudan who shared her story. Just after she and her husband were married they were traveling in Sudan and ambushed by the LRA. The LRA killed her husband. At this time, she was pregnant. Now, her daughter is probably around 4 years old. She had a powerful story of forgiveness.
This afternoon, we had our Freire book discussion. Pedagogy of the Oppressed is very dense, but the discussion didn’t get boggy at all. Catherine had four quotes for us to create into frozen images which we then discussed. One big point that came up is that we must always be critical and thinking why we do things and the effects of those things.
Then, we visited St. Jude’s, an orphanage is Gulu. There are 89 children there. We simply went to play with the children. Few speak English and those that do it is only a few phrases. So, we simply played. It felt really good to just love on the children and touch them. Because it appeared that the children have to become very selfsufficient and create a community amongst themselves, maturing very quickly. The children really seemed to appreciate the attention. I especially like holding and rubbing the backs of the young children. It was hard leaving knowing that our involvement had been so momentary. I question the impact it had, yet it was one more touch or one more smile than they had before. Yet, it just seems so fleeting. But, I was very impressed with the sense of community between the children.
Supper was at the farm of a local family – Tom, Rose, Apollo, Obi. They must have one of the nicest homes and well manicured yard in Gulu. In addition, they have a fascinating history. Tom is originally from Gulu. His family fought against Idi Amin. He lost many family members during this time. He fled to Tanzania. Then in 1986 he and his wife and children moved to the UK where until the children grew up. Tom and Rose returned to Gulu in 2005. Obi have also moved back and Apollo is currently here visiting. I had a wonderful time listening to the family stories as well as talking with the other group participants.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Aloyo Christine
Saturday - June 20
The past 24 hours have been momentous. Last night amongst much energy, nerves and excitement we all got ready and very dressed up for our usual standards to meet our partner teachers. We arrived for dinner and waited as teachers arrived. We talked and took dinner with our teachers.
My teacher is Aloyo Christine. She is a friendly single young female and lives on campus at Sir Samuel Baker the all-boys school she has been teaching at for only two weeks. She began teaching when another teacher had a baby and left on maternity leave. PTAs are very large stakeholders in schools and often do things such as hire and pay additional teachers. Aloyo Christine is not on government payroll. She is a PTA teacher. We said that we would learn together. She also shared how she was apprehensive about teaching all boys and had the perceptions that all the boys would be stubborn. She said it is not so and that she has found the boys to be well disciplined. This was very comforting to me because I was feeling similar.
The meet the teacher dinner made me 100 times more excited about getting in the classroom – and excited for the morning.
So, this morning we visited Sir Samuel Baker School, which is about a 15-20 min boda ride from Katharines. We were suppose to be meeting with Catherine the IC teacher exchange assistant director along with all the Ugandan partner teachers and American teachers at Sir Samuel Baker. We arrived to find none of our teachers. Since Catherine had to leave we did not meet. However, a special ceremony was going on at the schools that we were able to observe. The hand off ceremony is the switching of prefects, which are lead students. It became quite long after many speeches and awards. They fed us lunch which was our first eating with our hands experience, which what is the case with all school lunch. We had our most interesting (read: horrendous) latrine experience, which I feel should be censored, yet feel free to ask me about it. It has become the source of many laughs since.
Then I got my partner teacher’s cell phone number, teaching schedule, and arranged a time to meet on Monday. As I was doing that the head teacher, began to talk with the other American teacher and joined in as soon as Christine and I were finished. He discussed the effect of the war on Sir Samuel Baker.
A few interesting things about Sir Samuel Baker:
They have a reputation of having student strikes, especially over the food.
There are around 800 students.
For many years during the war, students would sleep in shifts.
In 1995, 25 students were abducted by the LRA from Sir Samuel Baker. ¼ of them have not been accounted for since.
The main assembly hall was destroy during war and has yet to be reconstructed.
300 students are government sponsored.
The past 24 hours have been momentous. Last night amongst much energy, nerves and excitement we all got ready and very dressed up for our usual standards to meet our partner teachers. We arrived for dinner and waited as teachers arrived. We talked and took dinner with our teachers.
My teacher is Aloyo Christine. She is a friendly single young female and lives on campus at Sir Samuel Baker the all-boys school she has been teaching at for only two weeks. She began teaching when another teacher had a baby and left on maternity leave. PTAs are very large stakeholders in schools and often do things such as hire and pay additional teachers. Aloyo Christine is not on government payroll. She is a PTA teacher. We said that we would learn together. She also shared how she was apprehensive about teaching all boys and had the perceptions that all the boys would be stubborn. She said it is not so and that she has found the boys to be well disciplined. This was very comforting to me because I was feeling similar.
The meet the teacher dinner made me 100 times more excited about getting in the classroom – and excited for the morning.
So, this morning we visited Sir Samuel Baker School, which is about a 15-20 min boda ride from Katharines. We were suppose to be meeting with Catherine the IC teacher exchange assistant director along with all the Ugandan partner teachers and American teachers at Sir Samuel Baker. We arrived to find none of our teachers. Since Catherine had to leave we did not meet. However, a special ceremony was going on at the schools that we were able to observe. The hand off ceremony is the switching of prefects, which are lead students. It became quite long after many speeches and awards. They fed us lunch which was our first eating with our hands experience, which what is the case with all school lunch. We had our most interesting (read: horrendous) latrine experience, which I feel should be censored, yet feel free to ask me about it. It has become the source of many laughs since.
Then I got my partner teacher’s cell phone number, teaching schedule, and arranged a time to meet on Monday. As I was doing that the head teacher, began to talk with the other American teacher and joined in as soon as Christine and I were finished. He discussed the effect of the war on Sir Samuel Baker.
A few interesting things about Sir Samuel Baker:
They have a reputation of having student strikes, especially over the food.
There are around 800 students.
For many years during the war, students would sleep in shifts.
In 1995, 25 students were abducted by the LRA from Sir Samuel Baker. ¼ of them have not been accounted for since.
The main assembly hall was destroy during war and has yet to be reconstructed.
300 students are government sponsored.
Moments
Friday, June 19, 2009
Today was another orientation day and full day schedule but very good. First, we discussed research. My school group will be researching student voice and empowerment. I am very excited for the opportunity. After lunch, we discussed participatory strategies with other teachers in our content areas. It is comforting to know of the human resources surrounding me in the other American teachers as well as our partner teaches, who we will meet tonight.
I finally had my first completely independent, by myself experience when I came to the internet café today. I walked from our hotel to the cafe. It is only a 5 min walk taking the short cut, but since it was my fist individual activity, I felt like it should be recognized as a slight milestone. It is run by an American and even sells brownies and like right now there are only munus here. However, it is the closest café to the hotel and so that is why it is my current preference.
We will be meeting our partner teachers over dinner tonight. Initially, upon arrival in Uganda I was very nervous about this. Such as how I would be received, could I handle it, and will there be communication struggles. Now, I feel like my orientation has eased much of those anxieties. I think the sessions today were esp helpful in doing so.
I’ve had a few questions from folks so I’ll respond here.
Boda rides do scare me, but I’m attempting to become more relaxed on them. Though a bike seems like an option. Not so much to me, because there really aren’t any road rules and I trust my boda driver to do his best to get me where I need to be and have more road knowledge than myself. Strangely enough many boda drivers wear helmets, but not the riders. Today, while riding to Kope Café for lunch, I had the most friendly boda driver I have had so far. He turned around to ask me why I was going where I was going. All I could think was please turn around and look at the road. Yet, I appreciated the conversation initiation, but would much rather my driver totally focus on the road.
Weather: mornings and evenings are comfortable. Midday becomes quite warm and very sunny, probably in the 90s. There is no air conditioning and so that makes it warmer all the day and I think also helps you acclimate.
Some people have been on the IC teacher exchange multiple times. It is year 3 for two participants. It is year 2 for one participant. (The program has only been in existence for 3 years.)
Food: Drink options are bottle water or soda, for me that is usually fanta or coke. We take breakfast and lunch at Katharines restaurant (also owned by the owner of our hotel). Breakfast: fresh fruit (pineapple, banana, watermelon, avocado), chapti (these delicious tortilla type thing, but sweet and not really like a tortilla taste, but similar shape – I guess its kind of like fried dough in that shape), sometimes bread instead of chapti, also boiled egg (which I haven’t eaten yet), one morning we had potatoes.
Dinner: consist of an entrée and a side
Entrees: stewed cabbage and tomatoes, vegetable curry, chicken stew, cooked greens with some type of chickpea type peas, beans
Sides: rice, posha (similar to grits, yet thick, a solid chunk of tasteless matter), sweet potatoes (not like ours they are more white), white potatoes (they are irish)
So, Uganda used to be the foodbasket of Uganda, yet the war ended that. The fertile land and rainfall of Northern Uganda make this possible. I wish you could see the gardens here. They use no fertilize (and I assume no irrigation). Yet, their corn is incredibly green and much taller than me. Also, their other crops look so full and well developed.
Thanks for all the comments from everyone so far. It is very encouraging. I would love to hear how your summers are going so far.
Today was another orientation day and full day schedule but very good. First, we discussed research. My school group will be researching student voice and empowerment. I am very excited for the opportunity. After lunch, we discussed participatory strategies with other teachers in our content areas. It is comforting to know of the human resources surrounding me in the other American teachers as well as our partner teaches, who we will meet tonight.
I finally had my first completely independent, by myself experience when I came to the internet café today. I walked from our hotel to the cafe. It is only a 5 min walk taking the short cut, but since it was my fist individual activity, I felt like it should be recognized as a slight milestone. It is run by an American and even sells brownies and like right now there are only munus here. However, it is the closest café to the hotel and so that is why it is my current preference.
We will be meeting our partner teachers over dinner tonight. Initially, upon arrival in Uganda I was very nervous about this. Such as how I would be received, could I handle it, and will there be communication struggles. Now, I feel like my orientation has eased much of those anxieties. I think the sessions today were esp helpful in doing so.
I’ve had a few questions from folks so I’ll respond here.
Boda rides do scare me, but I’m attempting to become more relaxed on them. Though a bike seems like an option. Not so much to me, because there really aren’t any road rules and I trust my boda driver to do his best to get me where I need to be and have more road knowledge than myself. Strangely enough many boda drivers wear helmets, but not the riders. Today, while riding to Kope Café for lunch, I had the most friendly boda driver I have had so far. He turned around to ask me why I was going where I was going. All I could think was please turn around and look at the road. Yet, I appreciated the conversation initiation, but would much rather my driver totally focus on the road.
Weather: mornings and evenings are comfortable. Midday becomes quite warm and very sunny, probably in the 90s. There is no air conditioning and so that makes it warmer all the day and I think also helps you acclimate.
Some people have been on the IC teacher exchange multiple times. It is year 3 for two participants. It is year 2 for one participant. (The program has only been in existence for 3 years.)
Food: Drink options are bottle water or soda, for me that is usually fanta or coke. We take breakfast and lunch at Katharines restaurant (also owned by the owner of our hotel). Breakfast: fresh fruit (pineapple, banana, watermelon, avocado), chapti (these delicious tortilla type thing, but sweet and not really like a tortilla taste, but similar shape – I guess its kind of like fried dough in that shape), sometimes bread instead of chapti, also boiled egg (which I haven’t eaten yet), one morning we had potatoes.
Dinner: consist of an entrée and a side
Entrees: stewed cabbage and tomatoes, vegetable curry, chicken stew, cooked greens with some type of chickpea type peas, beans
Sides: rice, posha (similar to grits, yet thick, a solid chunk of tasteless matter), sweet potatoes (not like ours they are more white), white potatoes (they are irish)
So, Uganda used to be the foodbasket of Uganda, yet the war ended that. The fertile land and rainfall of Northern Uganda make this possible. I wish you could see the gardens here. They use no fertilize (and I assume no irrigation). Yet, their corn is incredibly green and much taller than me. Also, their other crops look so full and well developed.
Thanks for all the comments from everyone so far. It is very encouraging. I would love to hear how your summers are going so far.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Another orientation day
Thursday -- June 18
Today, Jennifer Labuke, Schools 4 Schools education officer, talked to us about education in Uganda, as well as the war and its effects. I learned so much. Simply by talking to us she was able to demonstrate the fear and destruction the LRA has created. It is wonderful to know that currently Northern Uganda is experiencing peace even though many challenges exist. I have gotten to interact with many people who are very knowledgeable and hopeful for the situation in Northern Uganda and acting to make that a tangible reality . This continued as we toured the Invisible Children office. Later, we had a workshop on the use of dramatic practices in the classroom. A had a few free moments to spend in the internet café and got to Skype chat with my mom. The after dinner activity was trivia at Bamboo. I really didn’t know what to expect, but it was a bar full of whites, here known as munu or muzungu. It was also my first night boda ride. I like the night rides better b/c I can’t see as much and the roads are much less busy.
I like walking except perhaps in the middle of the day when it is very hot or when it is a very long walk. It provides me with exercise. It also helps me remember where places are and how to get to them. Also it gives me a chance to interact with the Acholi people. Here it is the complete opposite of urban centers in the states where people are very blasé. It is not out of the ordinary to walk by someone and say apwoyo (hello in Luo) or how are you. Additionally because I am a munu (white person) I attract a bit more attention. I often hear munu whenever I walk by, especially by children.
Today, Jennifer Labuke, Schools 4 Schools education officer, talked to us about education in Uganda, as well as the war and its effects. I learned so much. Simply by talking to us she was able to demonstrate the fear and destruction the LRA has created. It is wonderful to know that currently Northern Uganda is experiencing peace even though many challenges exist. I have gotten to interact with many people who are very knowledgeable and hopeful for the situation in Northern Uganda and acting to make that a tangible reality . This continued as we toured the Invisible Children office. Later, we had a workshop on the use of dramatic practices in the classroom. A had a few free moments to spend in the internet café and got to Skype chat with my mom. The after dinner activity was trivia at Bamboo. I really didn’t know what to expect, but it was a bar full of whites, here known as munu or muzungu. It was also my first night boda ride. I like the night rides better b/c I can’t see as much and the roads are much less busy.
I like walking except perhaps in the middle of the day when it is very hot or when it is a very long walk. It provides me with exercise. It also helps me remember where places are and how to get to them. Also it gives me a chance to interact with the Acholi people. Here it is the complete opposite of urban centers in the states where people are very blasé. It is not out of the ordinary to walk by someone and say apwoyo (hello in Luo) or how are you. Additionally because I am a munu (white person) I attract a bit more attention. I often hear munu whenever I walk by, especially by children.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
New Place!!!
Wednesday – June 17
Tuesday morning we had some great experiences in Kampala. First off we visited a craft market. It was hard to think about purchasing gifts on my second day in Uganda. There is a better “gift” selection there than in Gulu. I didn’t purchase much because we were told that there are options in Gulu. I got myself and LeAnne a very fun treat.
Secondly in Kampala, we visited Bavukuka House. It was very beautiful. I say beautiful not in a luxurious way or eye-pleasing way, but in a culturally rich, positive, hopefully kind of way. Bavukuka is a youth empowerment program. Youth off the streets come and really develop their artistic talents and channel them in a positive way. Rapping, drawing, crafting, etc. They are incredibly talented and use their talents to encourage positive action from others and inform others on issues facing them.
I wish I could describe Kampala with words. I’ll give it my best shot. There is also constants movement. There is a steady stream of people walking on the street, mutatus (like van taxis), boda bodas (motorcycle taxis). Only a few personal vehicles. I don’t think there are any road signs. Along with the constant stream of movement there is a constant stream of honking. There is also a layer of dirt everywhere. Then there are smells, sometimes bad, sometimes good. I’m assuming coming from things such as trash, people and food.
Then we set out on a six hour drive from Kampala to Gulu. I was anticipating a very bumpy ride based on what others who have traveled the road said. But, it was not bad at all.
We are staying at Katherine’s Hotel in Gulu. We have the whole hotel for our group. Double occupancy rooms. Lisa and I are sharing a room. There is a hotel across the street where we take our meals – which so far have caused me no intestinal problems. We have pit latrines to use for toilets, which is basically a hole in the floor. One flushes, which is for long calls (poos). The others you flush manually by pouring a cup of water down the hole. Those are for short calls (pee pee). There is also a shower, which is quite exciting. I haven’t used it yet, but I hope to tonight. We also have electricity, which does go out occasionally.
Today, we had our first orientation day and the IC intern house. Jolly Okot (from the Rough Cut documentary) who is the country director for Invisible Children, spoke with us. As well as, Jared White who is program director for Invisible Children and Erica another Invisible Staff member. Then we had a Lwo lesson, which we are trying to learn and implement in interactions with people on the street. I knew boda bodas would be our mode of transportation around Gulu. After watching them in Kampala I was quite nervous over their weaving in and out of traffic. Thank goodness Gulu isn’t nearly as large or busy of a city. When we left for lunch I took my first boda ride. It wasn’t as bad as a though it would be. I was still nervous when we went over a bump or merged into a lane of traffic, but I never felt like I would fall off or crash. Since I’m a female, I sit side-saddle, which some Americans note they when they wear pants or sometimes even skirts they will straddle the seat even though its not the norm. I ate lunch at Acholi Inn which is the most Western place in Gulu. So I hope not to visit to often, but its good to know such a place exists if things rough and hard to handle. Along with that first ride I was traveling with four other guys. When we got over our bodas, my driver and only mine asked for 1500 shillings, whereas all the other drivers had asked for 1000 shillings. One of the other guys who was here last year, came up and said not she isn’t paying that. The driver didn’t really say anything and so we were able to walk away. Lesson learned is that you ask for the price of the ride before you take it, as well as talk with others before you go to learn the typical price for the trip.
This afternoon our orientation speaker was Walter the headmaster from a school in Pabo. He talked to us about Acholi culture, which was good but hard in that I was getting tired. Afterwards we walked into town for a “tour.” We broke into groups to walk around with previous participants to learn where things were such as the gas stations, the market, and the internet cafes.
Now, many of us are back at Katherine’s and we hanging out until dinner at 6:30.
Tuesday morning we had some great experiences in Kampala. First off we visited a craft market. It was hard to think about purchasing gifts on my second day in Uganda. There is a better “gift” selection there than in Gulu. I didn’t purchase much because we were told that there are options in Gulu. I got myself and LeAnne a very fun treat.
Secondly in Kampala, we visited Bavukuka House. It was very beautiful. I say beautiful not in a luxurious way or eye-pleasing way, but in a culturally rich, positive, hopefully kind of way. Bavukuka is a youth empowerment program. Youth off the streets come and really develop their artistic talents and channel them in a positive way. Rapping, drawing, crafting, etc. They are incredibly talented and use their talents to encourage positive action from others and inform others on issues facing them.
I wish I could describe Kampala with words. I’ll give it my best shot. There is also constants movement. There is a steady stream of people walking on the street, mutatus (like van taxis), boda bodas (motorcycle taxis). Only a few personal vehicles. I don’t think there are any road signs. Along with the constant stream of movement there is a constant stream of honking. There is also a layer of dirt everywhere. Then there are smells, sometimes bad, sometimes good. I’m assuming coming from things such as trash, people and food.
Then we set out on a six hour drive from Kampala to Gulu. I was anticipating a very bumpy ride based on what others who have traveled the road said. But, it was not bad at all.
We are staying at Katherine’s Hotel in Gulu. We have the whole hotel for our group. Double occupancy rooms. Lisa and I are sharing a room. There is a hotel across the street where we take our meals – which so far have caused me no intestinal problems. We have pit latrines to use for toilets, which is basically a hole in the floor. One flushes, which is for long calls (poos). The others you flush manually by pouring a cup of water down the hole. Those are for short calls (pee pee). There is also a shower, which is quite exciting. I haven’t used it yet, but I hope to tonight. We also have electricity, which does go out occasionally.
Today, we had our first orientation day and the IC intern house. Jolly Okot (from the Rough Cut documentary) who is the country director for Invisible Children, spoke with us. As well as, Jared White who is program director for Invisible Children and Erica another Invisible Staff member. Then we had a Lwo lesson, which we are trying to learn and implement in interactions with people on the street. I knew boda bodas would be our mode of transportation around Gulu. After watching them in Kampala I was quite nervous over their weaving in and out of traffic. Thank goodness Gulu isn’t nearly as large or busy of a city. When we left for lunch I took my first boda ride. It wasn’t as bad as a though it would be. I was still nervous when we went over a bump or merged into a lane of traffic, but I never felt like I would fall off or crash. Since I’m a female, I sit side-saddle, which some Americans note they when they wear pants or sometimes even skirts they will straddle the seat even though its not the norm. I ate lunch at Acholi Inn which is the most Western place in Gulu. So I hope not to visit to often, but its good to know such a place exists if things rough and hard to handle. Along with that first ride I was traveling with four other guys. When we got over our bodas, my driver and only mine asked for 1500 shillings, whereas all the other drivers had asked for 1000 shillings. One of the other guys who was here last year, came up and said not she isn’t paying that. The driver didn’t really say anything and so we were able to walk away. Lesson learned is that you ask for the price of the ride before you take it, as well as talk with others before you go to learn the typical price for the trip.
This afternoon our orientation speaker was Walter the headmaster from a school in Pabo. He talked to us about Acholi culture, which was good but hard in that I was getting tired. Afterwards we walked into town for a “tour.” We broke into groups to walk around with previous participants to learn where things were such as the gas stations, the market, and the internet cafes.
Now, many of us are back at Katherine’s and we hanging out until dinner at 6:30.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I'm Here!!!
Hey everyone!
I'm in Uganda now. Let me just give you some highlights so far.
Starting with Charlotte: My bag was overweight, but I decided to just suck it up and pay the few instead of trying to figure out what to eliminate in the middle of the airport. That would have been way too stressful for me. I realize that I probably could have packed differently and tried to put some heavier items in my carryon instead of my checked baggage, or just check a smaller second bag. Then as I went through the security check point my bottle of sunscreen got confiscated. My only bottle of sunscreen. I was a little worried. Well, it was really just a continuation of my typically airport emotions. My flight left Charlotte at 1 pm. I arrived in Charlotte at 3 pm. Another lady from South Carolina, Lisa Ellis, was also on that flight and we met up. It was really nice and relieved much anxiety to go through JFK with someone else. We didn't leave JFK until around 11pm. Others in our program also arrived early so we met up and hung out until our overnight flight to London. Interestingly, the couple I sat beside were coming back from Irmo, SC where they son lives. They are from Sparta, some some English, but there was definately some type of language barrier. I probably slept maybe two rough hours on that flight. Then we had all of Sunday in London. We all went out into the city. Though London is a ridiculously expensive city, it was worth it to get out of the airport and break up the flying. After some walking around and eating a fish and chips lunch, we laid down for a nap in a park - it was lovely. I slept more on the flight to entebbe but still not alot. I would say two good hours, and 1 1/2 rough hours.
This morning we arrived in Entebbe and then rode into Kampala, we are staying at a backpackers in Kampala. Events today in Kampala included: shopping at garden city (where I bought some suncreen, yay!), visiting a secondary school in Kampala. Some of the top performing students come from there. Then we came back to backpackers for a few hours before we go to dinner. I was able to wash my hair and make this post, which I hope you all appreciate. So much as many happening there really has been a minute to get overwhelm b/c I've just had to go, go, go. I'm so excited to be here.
Tomorrow, we're heading to Gulu, a six hour bumpy ride. Then, I'll get settled in there.
Much Love!
I'm in Uganda now. Let me just give you some highlights so far.
Starting with Charlotte: My bag was overweight, but I decided to just suck it up and pay the few instead of trying to figure out what to eliminate in the middle of the airport. That would have been way too stressful for me. I realize that I probably could have packed differently and tried to put some heavier items in my carryon instead of my checked baggage, or just check a smaller second bag. Then as I went through the security check point my bottle of sunscreen got confiscated. My only bottle of sunscreen. I was a little worried. Well, it was really just a continuation of my typically airport emotions. My flight left Charlotte at 1 pm. I arrived in Charlotte at 3 pm. Another lady from South Carolina, Lisa Ellis, was also on that flight and we met up. It was really nice and relieved much anxiety to go through JFK with someone else. We didn't leave JFK until around 11pm. Others in our program also arrived early so we met up and hung out until our overnight flight to London. Interestingly, the couple I sat beside were coming back from Irmo, SC where they son lives. They are from Sparta, some some English, but there was definately some type of language barrier. I probably slept maybe two rough hours on that flight. Then we had all of Sunday in London. We all went out into the city. Though London is a ridiculously expensive city, it was worth it to get out of the airport and break up the flying. After some walking around and eating a fish and chips lunch, we laid down for a nap in a park - it was lovely. I slept more on the flight to entebbe but still not alot. I would say two good hours, and 1 1/2 rough hours.
This morning we arrived in Entebbe and then rode into Kampala, we are staying at a backpackers in Kampala. Events today in Kampala included: shopping at garden city (where I bought some suncreen, yay!), visiting a secondary school in Kampala. Some of the top performing students come from there. Then we came back to backpackers for a few hours before we go to dinner. I was able to wash my hair and make this post, which I hope you all appreciate. So much as many happening there really has been a minute to get overwhelm b/c I've just had to go, go, go. I'm so excited to be here.
Tomorrow, we're heading to Gulu, a six hour bumpy ride. Then, I'll get settled in there.
Much Love!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
This past weekend I had a really great experience at The Rescue. Invisible Children held demonstrations in various cities in which participants abducted themselves until the were rescued by media coverage and a person of influence (politician or celebrity) pledging their support. All to symbolize the plight of child soldiers in Northern Uganda and neighboring areas.
It was such a rejuvenating experience. It was an afternoon, night, and morning of simply being. Being for something that matters. Being for something that is so much bigger than myself.
I was so glad my mom was able to join me at the Charlotte Rescue Event. This was her first activism event. It meant so much to me that she found it worthwhile and was able to gain some insight into why I'm going to Uganda this summer.
Though Charlotte was rescued Sunday morning. Cities continued to wait for a rescuer. Most notably Chicago. Everyone that makes up Invisible Children did an excellent job of creating and supporting outlets to keep people involved as Chicago waited for a rescuer. Everyday this week during my lunch and when I came home from school, I'd track the latest developments and watch live feed. Though I wasn't in Chicago, I could still be a part of this ever growing movement to rescue the child soldiers.
Oh did it grow on Friday. I rushed home Friday to make sure I'd see Invisible Children being rescued by Oprah on her Friday "Live" in Chicago show. It was kind of overwhelming. Just think of how many more people learned about the Lord's Resistance Army and will be inspired to act because of Oprah's voice. Thank you Oprah and all the Rescuers!
This week, I've been constantly reminded how full of passion this movement is, how hopeful it is and how its all about empowerment. I so enjoy being a part of the movement and the sense of community and meaningfulness that it surrounds me with. Yet, I'm eager for it to be over. For that will mean that the war is over and the children are freed.
It was such a rejuvenating experience. It was an afternoon, night, and morning of simply being. Being for something that matters. Being for something that is so much bigger than myself.
I was so glad my mom was able to join me at the Charlotte Rescue Event. This was her first activism event. It meant so much to me that she found it worthwhile and was able to gain some insight into why I'm going to Uganda this summer.
Though Charlotte was rescued Sunday morning. Cities continued to wait for a rescuer. Most notably Chicago. Everyone that makes up Invisible Children did an excellent job of creating and supporting outlets to keep people involved as Chicago waited for a rescuer. Everyday this week during my lunch and when I came home from school, I'd track the latest developments and watch live feed. Though I wasn't in Chicago, I could still be a part of this ever growing movement to rescue the child soldiers.
Oh did it grow on Friday. I rushed home Friday to make sure I'd see Invisible Children being rescued by Oprah on her Friday "Live" in Chicago show. It was kind of overwhelming. Just think of how many more people learned about the Lord's Resistance Army and will be inspired to act because of Oprah's voice. Thank you Oprah and all the Rescuers!
This week, I've been constantly reminded how full of passion this movement is, how hopeful it is and how its all about empowerment. I so enjoy being a part of the movement and the sense of community and meaningfulness that it surrounds me with. Yet, I'm eager for it to be over. For that will mean that the war is over and the children are freed.
Many Thanks!
In addition to those who purchased raffle tickets, I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all of you who made donations toward my trip. Your generosity is heart-warming and encouraging. I'm so glad you get to be a part of a movement to promote peace and affirm people's common humanity.
Swing Time
My uncle John made a cedar framed swing for me to raffle off to raise money for my trip to Uganda. It was lovely. Marianne Carlisle from Pomaria was the winner. Thanks to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket. I appreciate your support.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Confessions
...That is what we EHMs do best: we build a global empire. We are an elite group of men and women who utilize international financial organizations to foment conditions that make other nations subservient to the corporatocracy running our biggests corporations, our government, and our banks. Like our counterparts in the Mafia, EHMs provide favors. These take the form of loans to develop infrastructure - electric generating plants, highways, ports, airports, or industrial parks. A conditions of such loans is that engineering and contruction companines from our own country must build all these projects...
...Today, we still have slave traders. They no longer find it necessary to march into the forests of Africa looking for prime specimens who will bring top dollar on the auction blocks in Charleston, Cartagena, and Havan. They simply recruit desperate people and build a factory to produce the jackets, blue jeans, tennis shoes, automobile parts, computer components, and thousands of other items they can sell in the markets of their choosing...
...Though the Ecuadorian rain forests are precious, as are the indigenous people and all the other life forms that inhabit them, they are no more precious than the deserts of Iran and the Bedouins of Yamin's heritage. No more precious than the mountains of Java, the seas off the coast of the Phillippines, the steppes of Asia, the savannas of Africa, the forests of North America, the icecaps of the Artic, or hundresds of other threatened places. Every one of these represents a battle line, and every one of them forces us to search the depths of our individual and collective souls. I was reminded of a statistic that sums it all up: The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995...
...We have convinced ourselves that all economic growth benefits humankind, and that the greater the growth, the more widespread the benefits. Finally, we have persuaded one another that the corollary to this conepts is valid and morally just: that people who excel at stoking the fires of economic growth should be exalted and rewareded, while those born at the fringes are available for exploitation... This corporatocracy is ourselves - we make it happen - which, of course, is why most of us find it difficult to stand up and oppose it. We would rather glimpse conspirators lurking in the shadows, because most of us work for one of those banks, corporations, or governments, or in some way are dependent on them for the goods and services they produce and market. We cannot bring ourselves to bite the hand of the master who feeds us. ... How do you rise up against a system that appears to provide you with your home and car, food and clothes, electricity and health care - even when you know that the system also creates a world where twenty-four thousand people starve to death each day and millions more hate you, or at least hate the policies made by representatives you elected? ...
...Today, we still have slave traders. They no longer find it necessary to march into the forests of Africa looking for prime specimens who will bring top dollar on the auction blocks in Charleston, Cartagena, and Havan. They simply recruit desperate people and build a factory to produce the jackets, blue jeans, tennis shoes, automobile parts, computer components, and thousands of other items they can sell in the markets of their choosing...
...Though the Ecuadorian rain forests are precious, as are the indigenous people and all the other life forms that inhabit them, they are no more precious than the deserts of Iran and the Bedouins of Yamin's heritage. No more precious than the mountains of Java, the seas off the coast of the Phillippines, the steppes of Asia, the savannas of Africa, the forests of North America, the icecaps of the Artic, or hundresds of other threatened places. Every one of these represents a battle line, and every one of them forces us to search the depths of our individual and collective souls. I was reminded of a statistic that sums it all up: The income ratio of the one-fifth of the world's population in the wealthiest countries to the one-fifth in the poorest countries went from 30 to 1 in 1960 to 74 to 1 in 1995...
...We have convinced ourselves that all economic growth benefits humankind, and that the greater the growth, the more widespread the benefits. Finally, we have persuaded one another that the corollary to this conepts is valid and morally just: that people who excel at stoking the fires of economic growth should be exalted and rewareded, while those born at the fringes are available for exploitation... This corporatocracy is ourselves - we make it happen - which, of course, is why most of us find it difficult to stand up and oppose it. We would rather glimpse conspirators lurking in the shadows, because most of us work for one of those banks, corporations, or governments, or in some way are dependent on them for the goods and services they produce and market. We cannot bring ourselves to bite the hand of the master who feeds us. ... How do you rise up against a system that appears to provide you with your home and car, food and clothes, electricity and health care - even when you know that the system also creates a world where twenty-four thousand people starve to death each day and millions more hate you, or at least hate the policies made by representatives you elected? ...
John Perkins in Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Revolutionary Thoughts
Dialogue further requires an intense faith in humankind, faith in their power to make and remake, to create and re-create, faith in their vocation to be more fully human (which is not the privilege of an elite, but the birhtright of all). Faith in people is an a priori requirement for dialogue; the "dialogical man" believes in others even before he meets them face to face. His faith, however, is not naive. The "dialogical man" is critical and knows that although it is within the power of humans to create and transform, in a concrete situation of alienation individuals may be impaired in the use of that power. Far from destroying his faith in the people, however, this possibility strikes him as a challenge to which he must respond. He is convinced that the power to create and transform, even when thwarted in concrete situations, tends to be reborn. And that rebirth can occur - not gratuitously, but in and through the struggle for liberation - in the supersedence of slave labor by emancipated labor which gives zest to life. Without this faith in people, dialogue is a farce which inevitably degenerates into paternlistic manipulation.
Paulo Freire in Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Pokes
One of the steps to being ready for a trip abroad is getting the recommended vaccines. Not exactly on my wish list of things to do, but going to Uganda is. So, I'll do whatever it takes. My morning activity today during Clover's two hour delay (due to potential black ice left over from yesterday's "snow storm") was a trip to the York County Health Department. Five pokes and two sore arms = one step closer to Uganda.
For those of you who know of my fascination with documenting my life: I do have pictures. However, I decided to spare the public from images of pokes and dirty banaids.
For those of you who know of my fascination with documenting my life: I do have pictures. However, I decided to spare the public from images of pokes and dirty banaids.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
How did I get here?
For those of you who are just checking in and it has been awhile since we have been in touch, this post is for you.
I graduated Wofford in May of 2007 with a degree in sociology and an emphasis in secondary education. In the fall of 2007, I student taught at Dorman Freshman Campus to gain my certification in secondary social studies.
From Spartanburg, I made my way to Clover, where I am a social studies teacher at Clover High. I teach Global Studies to freshman.
Since I studied abroad in South Africa during college, I knew that I wanted international travel to be a part of life after college. IC's teacher exchange program provided that outlet, while also letting me pursue my interests in education, community development, and sub-Saharan Africa.
I am very content and satisfied with my job at Clover. There's never a dull moment. I'm always learning. The interaction with young people is worthwhile. Yet, I find that I am teaching so that I can have opportunities such as the one this summer. For me, education becomes the method for international travel to become meaningful and purposeful and have substance and be more than a trip. It becomes a great cycle because then my international experiences fuel my teaching of history and geography to students in the States.
I graduated Wofford in May of 2007 with a degree in sociology and an emphasis in secondary education. In the fall of 2007, I student taught at Dorman Freshman Campus to gain my certification in secondary social studies.
From Spartanburg, I made my way to Clover, where I am a social studies teacher at Clover High. I teach Global Studies to freshman.
Since I studied abroad in South Africa during college, I knew that I wanted international travel to be a part of life after college. IC's teacher exchange program provided that outlet, while also letting me pursue my interests in education, community development, and sub-Saharan Africa.
I am very content and satisfied with my job at Clover. There's never a dull moment. I'm always learning. The interaction with young people is worthwhile. Yet, I find that I am teaching so that I can have opportunities such as the one this summer. For me, education becomes the method for international travel to become meaningful and purposeful and have substance and be more than a trip. It becomes a great cycle because then my international experiences fuel my teaching of history and geography to students in the States.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
You can help!
I am excited about the experience that lies ahead. I hope you see the value in it also. As you can imagine, a trip like this requires financial support from a number of people. My program fee and airfare will cost $4,000. If you can support me financially, I would be very grateful. I hope that you would see this as much more than an opportunity to support an individual. I hope you would see this as I do, as an opportunity for you to be a part of a movement to be the change you wish to see in the world.
If you would like to be part of this opportunity through your financial support, send a check to Sharon Rawls, 44 Warwick Circle, Apt #108, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 and I will mail checks en masse to the organization. Or, you may send a check directly to the organization at: Invisible Children, Inc., Mission: Teacher Exchange, 1620 5th Ave, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101.
Be sure to make checks payable to "Invisible Children" and write "T/EX - Sharon Rawls" in the memo line.
If you would like to be part of this opportunity through your financial support, send a check to Sharon Rawls, 44 Warwick Circle, Apt #108, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 and I will mail checks en masse to the organization. Or, you may send a check directly to the organization at: Invisible Children, Inc., Mission: Teacher Exchange, 1620 5th Ave, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92101.
Be sure to make checks payable to "Invisible Children" and write "T/EX - Sharon Rawls" in the memo line.
What is Invisible Children?
"Invisible Children is a US-based non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for war-affected children by providing access to quality education, enhanced learning environments, and innovative economic opportunities within the community."
In addition to the Teacher Exchange Program, Invisible Children coordinates the Visible Child Scholarship Program, the Schools for Schools Program, the Braclet Campaign and the Invisible Children Internship Program.
Summer Plans
This summer I'm traveling to Uganda for six weeks with the Invisible Children Teacher Exchange Program. While there I will teach alongside a local secondary school teacher. I hope for the chance to build many meaningful relationships and learn about teaching in multiple contexts.
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