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.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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!
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