It’s amazing what four months can do.
One of many beautiful views of Kanungu
I was back in Kanungu for a few days as my school was on a
week of holiday culminating the first term, and the village was quite the
whirlwind of activity. New shops have been completed since I visited last (and
the girl in me was so excited to explore them!) Really though, in terms of
retail, my favorite part of Kanungu is the cobbler, who does the best shoe
repair for a $1.25 that I have ever seen. My much-used Payless sandals were
coming unglued from their soles, and he re-glued them and stitched all the way
around the edges. The last time I had him repair sandals was before I left for
the USA last year, and those leather flip flops lasted me a whole season of
teaching middle school without his work coming undone. There are examples of
amazing African craftsmanship all over the place; this one just happens to be
my favorite.
As always, much time was spent in the village schools, and
my beloved class from last year is preparing for their primary leaving exams.
(Imagine a test around the end of eighth grade that tells you whether or not
you can be accepted to high school.) The test is cumulative, and it doesn't seem easy for the level of education in the region. The test is a universal one
for Uganda that comes straight from the capitol. I suppose it’s like an SAT for
high school, but remember the literacy issues I've mentioned? It becomes more
complicated than it sounds, and there is no such thing as special needs or
adaptations. I’m praying for these kids, and especially my friend Wilson, who
seems like a nephew to me. If he does well, I have to figure out the money to
send him to secondary school. I was a little misinformed about the fees- but it
still doesn't sound like it tops $200 per year. But secondary school here is
six years long, so my life plan will include money and Africa for a while.
Still, I think it’s the worthiest investment anyone could make. Not to be
trite, but education is the future, and that’s true of every nation. And then I
have six years to figure out how to get him to university in or out of this
country (a project that I hope the Kanungu library will be able to take on for
any village student someday!) Over Christmas I hope to talk to some stateside
universities about their Third World scholarship options. There have to be some
out there, right?
Muzungu hair never fails to amuse- and I love every second of it :)
Meanwhile, just before I left for Kanungu, my school here in
Kampala had their high school retreat. We were at the beautiful Garuga Beach Resort in Entebbe.
Lake Victoria (unfortunately, not swimmer friendly, but there was a pool!)
Garuga Resort- our wonderful accomodations
Much fun was had, and I gave my first
sermon! Ok, several of the best points were borrowed (with full credit given!)
from the amazing team at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania
(www.covfel.org). What got me though was
the conversation afterward- the boys and girls were divided by gender and age,
and set with a teacher to discuss questions relating to the message. One of my
questions for them was who do you talk to when you struggle? The girls, by a
vast majority, were silent on this, and it caused me great pain. Where would I
be without my close girlfriends from high school, to whom I could tell
anything? They all discussed fear of being judged. Some admitted to confiding
in their parents- once in awhile. So I’ve become determined to set up an older
girls’ fellowship/community/friendship/chill group that can trust each other
and truly talk. When the kids discuss God, they express annoyance that praying
is not like Facebook or a text message; there is no instant reply. That, I
think, is why we need the supplemental human sounding boards: people to listen,
and help us see beyond the clouds of our own emotions when drama kicks its way
into our lives.
Like my Seuss-y pep talk picture?
My sermon prep, and some loving Twizzlers from home in the USA were definitely a hit!
But along with the seriousness, the kids had a great time on
this trip, and many
laughs were had as students and teachers flew their way down a homemade soapy
waterslide.
Teachers and students- same expression!
PE teacher gets in on the action
Stuntmen!
There is always more to tell, but I admit that I’m still
recovering from last night’s ten hour bus journey (less than four hours of it
on paved roads…)
As always
Lots of Love,
Diane
PS- Did I mention the teachers had Canadian Thanksgiving the
other week? Poor Canadians, trying to be just like us Americans- even copying
our holidays ;)
It’s all right! The real Thanksgiving is still to come!
Miss Terri, master of ceremonies
Some of the Heritage gang!
Food time!
Noms
It isn't a party if someone isn't teasing Michael, our IT magician and a dear friend :)
Mom, how much dessert can I have?
(No, I’m not ethnocentric, it’s just a running
American/Canadian joke at school. Still though, the food will be better at
ours! :P) -D <3 nbsp="nbsp">
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