Today there was a strike by the students at Atanga Secondary School. This means that the Teacher Exchange will not be going to tAtanga village (border town to Sudan) this summer. Since I am going to Anaka we had a meeting to decide, among the 7 of us who were going to be in the villages, who really wanted to go to the vilages and who would not mind staying in town. I left the decision up to the new people. I love the town and would love the opportunity to see the village but I have great relationships in town I can improve upon as well.
I should probably explain the school system in Uganda. It is very similar to the 1920's British education system. They have 7 years of primary school referred to as P1 - P7, then they have 6 years of Secondary School referred to as S1- S6. The first four years are referred to as Ordinary levels, or O levels (yea HP!) and the students sit for their national exams at the end of their S4 year. They then work on S5 and S6 which is referred to Advanced or A levels.
It turns out another math person REALLY wanted to go to the village so I traded places. I will be working at Sacred Heart Secondary School (). It is an all girl school. I am very excited to be working with the girls this year because last year I worked at St Joseph's Layibi College, an all boys school. While I loved working with the boys, I am very happy to get to work with the girls of Gulu town!
Today I picked up my outfit from Irene in the market. The outfit fit perfectly and looked great! On my way out of the market I stopped by my friend Patrick's stall.
Patrick is now a medical student. He just finished his first year of medical school. Last summer he was working for his brother while trying to figure out what to do. He knew i would look for him at his brother's stall so he waited for me there. He took 2 weeks before leaving for Kitgum so he could welcome me back to Gulu. Kitgum is a village northeast of Gulu where he will be spending time doing medical practice.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Day 8: Tuesday June 29th: BavaBuka All Stars Making New Friends
Day 8: BavaBuka All Stars
Making New Friends
This morning at breakfast I decided to branch out and talk to some one not with our group at breakfast. Enter Sebastian. We said hello and then I noticed his accent. Do you speak Spanish? Yes I'm from Uruguay, he replied. An instant connection. We continue our conversation in Spanish. I find out he is a UN doctor working in the Congo. He has been there for 6 months and this is his first holiday since arriving in Africa. He plans to go to a safari in Tanzania today. We have breakfast while he regals me with stories of working for the UN in the Congo. All in all a great start for a day that will be filled with reunions and new meetings! He gave me his contact info and asked that I stay in contact. I also talked to one of the workers at the hostel, Barbara, she was great. We talked about her 4 year old daughter and fashion.
Then we were off to BavaBuka. We arrived at BavaBuka home where we were treated to an overview of the mass undertaking that is their organization. It is not funded by anyone. It is completely grassroots and self reliant. They sell t-shirts they make, music cds they record, and jewelry they make. The organization is created to empower the youth of Kampala to have a positive creative
outlet. They create poetry, artwork and music that reflects their experiences, their oppression and their hope for the future. They teach each other what they know and lead art, poetry, music, rapping and dance classes. They created a safe place where children can express themselves.
It was great being welcomed back as” Rodriguez” by Brian, Facie, Xubie, Burney, David and Gerald. They have all matured so much in the last year in their confidence and artistic abilities. I felt so inspired that I want to do something to help. I would love to have some fundraising events for them and maybe have an artist night in the fall, where people can come and create and share who they are,.....
Fundraising event can be karaoke/ game night in midtown. There are snacks for sale, a $5 entry charge and games stations set up. Anyone want to donate a Wii or Rockband for the evening? You can learn move about BavaBuka at their blog (www.bavubukacommunity.blogspot.com ) or on their website (http://www.bavubuka.org). I love that their message is so positive and hopeful, we can help ourselves and transform our community, Each One Teach One!
I often feel I am not artistic or creative but I also never really have given myself the opportunity to try. This is why I would love to have an artist night where people can come and share their talents and others can learn for free. Maybe one evening people can come over to my house and I will teach them how to cook, or Gina can teach us a dance or someone can teach us how to paint with oils....etc...
I am so tired of living my life alone while I am completely surrounded by people with various talents and strengths. I would like to see the community mindedness I live in Uganda lived in New York.
Making New Friends
This morning at breakfast I decided to branch out and talk to some one not with our group at breakfast. Enter Sebastian. We said hello and then I noticed his accent. Do you speak Spanish? Yes I'm from Uruguay, he replied. An instant connection. We continue our conversation in Spanish. I find out he is a UN doctor working in the Congo. He has been there for 6 months and this is his first holiday since arriving in Africa. He plans to go to a safari in Tanzania today. We have breakfast while he regals me with stories of working for the UN in the Congo. All in all a great start for a day that will be filled with reunions and new meetings! He gave me his contact info and asked that I stay in contact. I also talked to one of the workers at the hostel, Barbara, she was great. We talked about her 4 year old daughter and fashion.
Then we were off to BavaBuka. We arrived at BavaBuka home where we were treated to an overview of the mass undertaking that is their organization. It is not funded by anyone. It is completely grassroots and self reliant. They sell t-shirts they make, music cds they record, and jewelry they make. The organization is created to empower the youth of Kampala to have a positive creative
outlet. They create poetry, artwork and music that reflects their experiences, their oppression and their hope for the future. They teach each other what they know and lead art, poetry, music, rapping and dance classes. They created a safe place where children can express themselves.
It was great being welcomed back as” Rodriguez” by Brian, Facie, Xubie, Burney, David and Gerald. They have all matured so much in the last year in their confidence and artistic abilities. I felt so inspired that I want to do something to help. I would love to have some fundraising events for them and maybe have an artist night in the fall, where people can come and create and share who they are,.....
Fundraising event can be karaoke/ game night in midtown. There are snacks for sale, a $5 entry charge and games stations set up. Anyone want to donate a Wii or Rockband for the evening? You can learn move about BavaBuka at their blog (www.bavubukacommunity.
I often feel I am not artistic or creative but I also never really have given myself the opportunity to try. This is why I would love to have an artist night where people can come and share their talents and others can learn for free. Maybe one evening people can come over to my house and I will teach them how to cook, or Gina can teach us a dance or someone can teach us how to paint with oils....etc...
I am so tired of living my life alone while I am completely surrounded by people with various talents and strengths. I would like to see the community mindedness I live in Uganda lived in New York.
Day 6: June 28th: BackPackers Hostel, Kampala
We arrive at 7:30 am Monday Uganda time (for reference: 5:30 am London time and 11:30 pm Sunday New York time). At this point I have not slept for more than 2 or 3 hours since Thursday night but the minute we land I am overcome with excitement. Everything feels so familiar this time, comfortable, like coming home.
All our luggage made it to Entebbe this year and we are all ecstatic! We go to Garden City mall in Kampala to exchange money and get our cell phones. (My Ugandan number is +256 – 789 – 706 – 856 the plus is important!!) Please call! Just remember to add 8 hours to NYC time to find out what time it is here. I can receive calls for free and it costs about $2 a minute to call out. If you get a $2 calling card in the states and give me a ring it is about 25 minutes of time.
Currently at Backpackers trying to stay awake until 10pm so that I can go to sleep and be adjusted to the time changes by tomorrow. Everything here is just as I remembered it. I cannot remember what my thoughts were last year at this point but I cannot wait to
1)see my friends over at BavaBuka a youth empowerment organization ()
2)be in Gulu tomorrow!
One clearly noticeable difference is the lack of miliatry and guns in Entebbe and Kampala. Last year you would see an AK-47 at every turn. This year in the 8 hours we have been here so far I have not seen 1 riffle. Also Backpackers seems to be becoming more popular with a younger european crowd. Talking to our mutatu driver also leads to the discovery that property prices are skyrocketing in this area....would that be called gentrification or colonization? I'm too tired to decide!
Soooooooo looking forward to Indian food and sleep!!!!!
All our luggage made it to Entebbe this year and we are all ecstatic! We go to Garden City mall in Kampala to exchange money and get our cell phones. (My Ugandan number is +256 – 789 – 706 – 856 the plus is important!!) Please call! Just remember to add 8 hours to NYC time to find out what time it is here. I can receive calls for free and it costs about $2 a minute to call out. If you get a $2 calling card in the states and give me a ring it is about 25 minutes of time.
Currently at Backpackers trying to stay awake until 10pm so that I can go to sleep and be adjusted to the time changes by tomorrow. Everything here is just as I remembered it. I cannot remember what my thoughts were last year at this point but I cannot wait to
1)see my friends over at BavaBuka a youth empowerment organization ()
2)be in Gulu tomorrow!
One clearly noticeable difference is the lack of miliatry and guns in Entebbe and Kampala. Last year you would see an AK-47 at every turn. This year in the 8 hours we have been here so far I have not seen 1 riffle. Also Backpackers seems to be becoming more popular with a younger european crowd. Talking to our mutatu driver also leads to the discovery that property prices are skyrocketing in this area....would that be called gentrification or colonization? I'm too tired to decide!
Soooooooo looking forward to Indian food and sleep!!!!!
Day 5: Sunday June 27th : London Bridge!
Day 5: Sunday June 27th
London Bridge!
We arrived safely in London. Considering that there were 12 hours until our next flight many of us took the opportunity to head out and explore London.
I hate drive by tourism but that is what we did! The Buckingham Palace, check, Big Ben, check, etc...We were able to get through a lot of London considering most people had not slept the last two evenings (I had not!!)
We were in London during the FIFA tournament with England playing but they lost :(
This day is a blur of fatigue, bright sun, and spending of pounds! Back at the airport by 7, get through security and have dinner at Wagamama.
Leg 2: Fly London to Entebbe, Uganda: 8 hours
Uganda here we come!
London Bridge!
We arrived safely in London. Considering that there were 12 hours until our next flight many of us took the opportunity to head out and explore London.
I hate drive by tourism but that is what we did! The Buckingham Palace, check, Big Ben, check, etc...We were able to get through a lot of London considering most people had not slept the last two evenings (I had not!!)
We were in London during the FIFA tournament with England playing but they lost :(
This day is a blur of fatigue, bright sun, and spending of pounds! Back at the airport by 7, get through security and have dinner at Wagamama.
Leg 2: Fly London to Entebbe, Uganda: 8 hours
Uganda here we come!
Day 4: Saturday June 26th: Packing and Flying
Day 4: Saturday June 26th
Packing and Flying
Well maybe I was not completely packed! Today Michelle came in from San Diego and the most wonderful of friends helped me to get her from the airport. Michelle is a fellow American teacher who I worked with last summer in Uganda. This is also her Uganda...Take Two!
Michelle and I had a great lunch reunion with Brit. (Brit is another American teacher who was with us last year but who is currently in a “family way” so is not returning.) It was great sharing our favorite Uganda stories, what we missed the most, what we missed the least; it was a great moment of connection for all of us.
If Uganda taught me anything it is the invaluable experience of sharing your life. There is nothing quite like sitting down, sharing a meal and listening. Seeing Michelle is making the experience much more real.
We head out to the airport and meet the other teachers on this adventure. Some are familiar and others are new faces. I look forward to getting to know their stories. Leg 1: Fly NYC to London: 7 hours
Packing and Flying
Well maybe I was not completely packed! Today Michelle came in from San Diego and the most wonderful of friends helped me to get her from the airport. Michelle is a fellow American teacher who I worked with last summer in Uganda. This is also her Uganda...Take Two!
Michelle and I had a great lunch reunion with Brit. (Brit is another American teacher who was with us last year but who is currently in a “family way” so is not returning.) It was great sharing our favorite Uganda stories, what we missed the most, what we missed the least; it was a great moment of connection for all of us.
If Uganda taught me anything it is the invaluable experience of sharing your life. There is nothing quite like sitting down, sharing a meal and listening. Seeing Michelle is making the experience much more real.
We head out to the airport and meet the other teachers on this adventure. Some are familiar and others are new faces. I look forward to getting to know their stories. Leg 1: Fly NYC to London: 7 hours
Day 3: Friday June 25th : Beginnings and Endings
A seed has to die to produce new life. Our lives eerily reflect this process in that sometimes death has to occur in order for new things to begin.
I leave New York with feelings of sadness. I will miss my friends and the experiences I could have had with them this summer. But I have open a chance to continue learning about another culture, another way of viewing the world and myself.
I enter Uganda with my heart open and my mind at a ready. I am looking forward to the new friendships I will form. I am looking forward to the old relationships I will continue to improve upon but most of all I look forward to all I will have to share with my readers as I embark on Uganda... Take Two!
I leave New York with feelings of sadness. I will miss my friends and the experiences I could have had with them this summer. But I have open a chance to continue learning about another culture, another way of viewing the world and myself.
I enter Uganda with my heart open and my mind at a ready. I am looking forward to the new friendships I will form. I am looking forward to the old relationships I will continue to improve upon but most of all I look forward to all I will have to share with my readers as I embark on Uganda... Take Two!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The IC House
We were welcome with a dance and a poster! In the house we are housing 30 peoploe. Yes 30! My room is off of the living room and there are 6 of us in the room. Only 2 high bunks this year (last year there were3 high bunks)
There are posters with our schedule posted in the living room and a wall with a poster full of funny quotes. There is never a dull moment. We have 2 pit latrines for long call (#2), and two toilets in house for short call (#1). Since there are so many people and not much water we can only shower once every two days, which is difficult because the red dirt here sticks to your skin and makes you feel so dirty!!
We have a cook named Jennifer. She is Acoli and amazing! (In luo the “c” makes a “ch” sound so you pronounce it Acholi) She is 22 years old and has been a restaurant owner. She makes the most delicious food. I am afraid I will be gaining weight again this summer!
We live behind the Invisible Children office this year near Pece (pronounced Peche) Stadium it is on the east side of Gulu town. We are near an Ethopian restaurant and the roads are very bad here. The roads are mainly just of dirt and their shape changes based on the weather. It is about a 20 minute walk to the center of town.
Speaking of town I made my first run to my tailor, Irene! She was so happy to see me. I put in an order for a school dress so I can be dressed appropriately at school. I am so excited to start getting clothes made for me again. My first outfit cost me 25,000 shillings, including labor and materials, which is about $12.50.
Wanen Diki! (In luo means “See you later!”)
There are posters with our schedule posted in the living room and a wall with a poster full of funny quotes. There is never a dull moment. We have 2 pit latrines for long call (#2), and two toilets in house for short call (#1). Since there are so many people and not much water we can only shower once every two days, which is difficult because the red dirt here sticks to your skin and makes you feel so dirty!!
We have a cook named Jennifer. She is Acoli and amazing! (In luo the “c” makes a “ch” sound so you pronounce it Acholi) She is 22 years old and has been a restaurant owner. She makes the most delicious food. I am afraid I will be gaining weight again this summer!
We live behind the Invisible Children office this year near Pece (pronounced Peche) Stadium it is on the east side of Gulu town. We are near an Ethopian restaurant and the roads are very bad here. The roads are mainly just of dirt and their shape changes based on the weather. It is about a 20 minute walk to the center of town.
Speaking of town I made my first run to my tailor, Irene! She was so happy to see me. I put in an order for a school dress so I can be dressed appropriately at school. I am so excited to start getting clothes made for me again. My first outfit cost me 25,000 shillings, including labor and materials, which is about $12.50.
Wanen Diki! (In luo means “See you later!”)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Feelings....
Have you ever had the creepy feeling that your living world is actually something you are dreaming?
There is an eerie calm this year as Uganda looms in the distance. Today all three of my classroom areas are clean, books packed away, portfolios graded, report card grades submitted and tomorrow marks the end of the sthis school year.
The math team website is created with every page September ready. Bill payments have been automated . IPhone has been cancelled (that really hurt!) Rent checks written. Medications packed. The 21st century has finally been joined with the purchase of a digital camera.
Half of my supplies are ready for packing. Last year at this time (3 days away) I only had my medical in order. I didn't even know what I needed to bring. I actually went shopping the morning of my flight and was packing until it was time to go to the airport!! It was CRAZY! Sometimes I wonder what part of me revels in the madness of the last minute. What is it in my constitution that demands stress filled situations?
Maybe that is why there is a sense of calm. There is no rushing only a stand against the usually tendency to create stress for myself.
Although a part of me wants to run through the apartment screaming at the top of my lungs "I'm leaving Saturday! What the hell am I doing?!!!"
So maybe not........so.........calm?? Maybe, just maybe it is denial....
My assignment this year is Anaka. Gulu is the town that is the nearest to this location.
Gulu has hotels, bars, coffee shops, internet cafes, restaurants and a central market place. Anaka does not...maybe this is the cosmic equivalent of a time out. Posts will only be able to occur once a week (although I am going to try to find out if I can post through texting from Uganda)....since I will only be able to access an internet cafe on the weekends.
Once I reach Uganda on Monday June 28th, I will buy a Ugandan sim card and will post my new phone number as soon as possible. Calls can be received for free so start getting some phone cards. Your voices will save me from becoming home sick!
But I digress, ye gods I am a horrific writer. Feelings.....are torn between wanting to go and wanting to stay. Thanks for bearing through. This really shows me how much you love me :)
There is an eerie calm this year as Uganda looms in the distance. Today all three of my classroom areas are clean, books packed away, portfolios graded, report card grades submitted and tomorrow marks the end of the sthis school year.
The math team website is created with every page September ready. Bill payments have been automated . IPhone has been cancelled (that really hurt!) Rent checks written. Medications packed. The 21st century has finally been joined with the purchase of a digital camera.
Half of my supplies are ready for packing. Last year at this time (3 days away) I only had my medical in order. I didn't even know what I needed to bring. I actually went shopping the morning of my flight and was packing until it was time to go to the airport!! It was CRAZY! Sometimes I wonder what part of me revels in the madness of the last minute. What is it in my constitution that demands stress filled situations?
Maybe that is why there is a sense of calm. There is no rushing only a stand against the usually tendency to create stress for myself.
Although a part of me wants to run through the apartment screaming at the top of my lungs "I'm leaving Saturday! What the hell am I doing?!!!"
So maybe not........so.........calm?? Maybe, just maybe it is denial....
My assignment this year is Anaka. Gulu is the town that is the nearest to this location.
Gulu has hotels, bars, coffee shops, internet cafes, restaurants and a central market place. Anaka does not...maybe this is the cosmic equivalent of a time out. Posts will only be able to occur once a week (although I am going to try to find out if I can post through texting from Uganda)....since I will only be able to access an internet cafe on the weekends.
Once I reach Uganda on Monday June 28th, I will buy a Ugandan sim card and will post my new phone number as soon as possible. Calls can be received for free so start getting some phone cards. Your voices will save me from becoming home sick!
But I digress, ye gods I am a horrific writer. Feelings.....are torn between wanting to go and wanting to stay. Thanks for bearing through. This really shows me how much you love me :)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The countdown begins....3 days before liftoff
What can I say? Endings are beginnings and new beginnings usually signal the death of the past.
As a teacher I have reached another ending, another school year drawing to a close. Our school graduated our 8th graders on Monday. It was a marvelous affair filled with music, tears, laughter but overwhelming LOVE! It helped me to refocus on why I worked soooo hard this year. It was a wonderful ending.
As I prepare to leave for Uganda again this summer I hope to be more communicative. I don't have much of a record of last summer. I didn't keep a journal, I didn't take photos or videos. I have always tried to live my life at a distance but I've come to an age where I cannot continue thus anymore.
This summer my goal is to stay in touch with all of you through my words on this blog. Hold me accountable to posting at least once a week. Write comments when I don't . Call me out on my bull. I beg of you. Help me grow.
So it begins....I am preparing and packing... 3 more days to go before Uganda Take Two!
As a teacher I have reached another ending, another school year drawing to a close. Our school graduated our 8th graders on Monday. It was a marvelous affair filled with music, tears, laughter but overwhelming LOVE! It helped me to refocus on why I worked soooo hard this year. It was a wonderful ending.
As I prepare to leave for Uganda again this summer I hope to be more communicative. I don't have much of a record of last summer. I didn't keep a journal, I didn't take photos or videos. I have always tried to live my life at a distance but I've come to an age where I cannot continue thus anymore.
This summer my goal is to stay in touch with all of you through my words on this blog. Hold me accountable to posting at least once a week. Write comments when I don't . Call me out on my bull. I beg of you. Help me grow.
So it begins....I am preparing and packing... 3 more days to go before Uganda Take Two!
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