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.