Taxi ride: 4000ush, computer time: 3000ush, finally getting on the internet: PRICELESS!

Hey everybody!! Just let me first set the record straight and let you all know that I am, indeed, alive and well. No misfortune has come upon me, unless you count the fact that it takes a lot of time and energy to get to a computer with any internet, reliable or not. Speaking of which, this is actually the second times that I am typing this update. I was at the computer last week and was half way finished with the post when the power went out and lost everything that I had been typing. Needless to say, I was put in a foul mood and decided to punish the computer be leaving without giving it the honor of having my retyped update. However, that meant that you all didn’t have that honor either! But, never fear, I am back and this time, it will be posted!

So, down to business, what has been going on here in the month that I’ve been MIA? Let’s see, on the second to last weekend of April, I went to Masaka to visit some other volunteers. It’s that last time I’ll be able to take any extended trips for a while because the second term has started and I’m expected to give practicals on Saturdays. Anyway, there were 5-6 of us and we basically toured the town and ate our way through the weekend. It was pretty fantastic! One of the highlights of the trip would be the jumping of the fence in order to get to Amber’s house. The gate was locked, which was good protection for the people inside, but kinda sucked for us, since we wanted to be part of the people inside. So, in a somewhat organized fashion, our bags were thrown over and we soon followed. The gate wasn’t too bad; in fact, I’d say it was very climbable. The only problems were that some of the girls were in skirts and it was dark outside. But, we all managed to get in safe and sound. More importantly, I was able to get some good photos of our stellar entrance. We also over indulged in muzungu food, which, as always, is a wonderful experience at the time of consumption, but, in the end, turns on you with a vengeance. My stomach decided to punish me in the taxi on the way to Kampala from Masaka. That was one experience I hope never to have to repeat! I had my heard our of the window the whole time and I’m pretty sure the guy next to me was fearing for his hygienic safety: he kept glancing at me as if I’d lose what I was trying to hold down at any moment, which was basically true. But, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if I had a choice, I’d eat the same things again!! I stayed in Kampala for the night, visiting my neighbor whose dad has a house there. It was nice and relaxing: we watched friends whiles I was still recuperating and went grocery shopping the next day, before I headed back.

The second term of school started that last week of April. As of now, I am teaching S1 Math, S2 Bio, S5 Bio, computers and PE. I have been teaching the S1 and S2 regularly since term started and I am enjoying being in the classroom very much. Each of those two classes are between 75 and 80 students. Yeah, I know, they’re pretty hefty classes! But, I should say that the number of students in my class isn’t very extraordinary in Uganda. It’s actually only a little above the average class size; some teachers have to teach over 100 students. The two classes are behind in their subjects, meaning that, according to the national syllabus, they haven’t been taught all the subjects they should have up to this point. I was just assigned the S5 class, so I have only had a couple of classes with them. With their particular level, I see a lot of work is needed. But, there are only three students in this class, so one-on-one time will be easily attainable and beneficial. In teaching my classes, I have several goals for myself and hopes for the students. For example, I want to get them to the level that they should be at. Also, I want to actually teach them the subjects. The dominate mode of “learning” in Ugandan schools is memorization. The students are only expected to spout off what they have been told in class. Questions are rarely asked, or encouraged, and very few students know how to think critically, or outside the box. One of my main objectives is to get the students to actually know and learn the subject. I want to encourage them to ask questions, to analyze and to truly understand that it is they are writing. Though the concept may seem simple, it will take a lot of time and energy to get it across to the students. As the term and school year go on, I will let you know how it goes.

Last weekend was the inter-house competition at the school. The girls and teachers are assigned to one of three houses: dove, parrot and sparrow. I chose to be in sparrow, because the bird reminds me of the states. It was an intense day!! The theme of the sports day was athletics, meaning running and other track events. Some of the girls had to run around the field 12 times(!) Keep in mind that it was a hot, rather sunny day, with no water and no experience running (aka, how to breath, pace, etc.) The girls were passing out left and right. No joke, straight up one second they’re running and the next they’re being half-carried, half dragged to the shade. I tried to help the first few girls that this happened to, but there wasn’t a lot I could do. There was no water and, besides, the students were convinced that water would make her state worse. The process basically was: girl collapses, friends carry her to shade, a group of students fan her with shawls, she’s given pure glucose and eventually she is back her feet. I’m definitely seeing some problems with this picture and, sometime in the future, I hope to address them.

As far my cooking woes I go, I want to say that I absolutely refuse to admit I may be a bad cook!! That just can’t be. I can cook in the States so, theoretically, I should be able to cook he, right? Right?! Anyway, lets just say that one of my pans is no longer usable because I may or may not have burnt a whole in it… don’t ask me for the details, it’s just going to upset me! Plus, I had a realization other day, when I was eating a meal I had prepared properly, that a lot of the time, I eat my cooking because I have to. I don’t actually really enjoy what I’m eating, I just eat it because I need to be fed. *Ugh* What a dismal thought! Next time I post, it will be with tales of how wonderful my cooking has become and how everybody wants to eat dinner at my place because their food cannot possible compare. Hahaha!! Oh yes, victory shall me mine!

Alright, that was a really long update and I need to wind it up so I can get home before it gets dark, sketchy and full of mosquitoes. Oh, before I forget, my new address is: PO Box 881, Tororo, Uganda. I’m going to Kampala in a couple of weeks and plan to turn the place upside down looking for my mail. I actually heard a rumor that a letter from Japan is waiting for me and perhaps some packages(!) So, as soon as I get there, I will ransack the place and let you all know what I find! I miss all of you very much and will sending out another round of letters, to send when I’m in Kampala so, fear not, if you have not received a letter, it will come…eventually…maybe…I hope…
TTFN ( :
~Rachael