Africa Day 2

Road to forever

So the driving here is a little less than kosher to say the least. The roads are bumpy…There are no signs…and no rules.

We made our way into Entebbe before moving on to Gulu. We went to a school called Babavuka that took the kids off the streets and put them into music. The bus couldn’t get into one of the streets, so we all got off and walked. As we were walking along, these two ADORABLE kids ran up to our group and grabbed my hands. The followed us into the house, where we were introduced to these teenagers making a positive impact through music, and they played with our cameras and sunglasses.

I was also stoked because I was able to play guitar while one of them free-styled…Then we jammed to some Jason Derulo. So great.

The discussion that followed as we pulled away from this wonderful place was centered on the difference between education inside and outside of the classroom. Just as important. It seems that anywhere you go (Africa or America), the youth need to be reached in different ways. Different kids have different learning styles. Fact. Different kids find different passions. Fact. Sometimes, it is just as important to unlock that passion and allow that to be the gateway to education and a positive future.

The drive from Entebbe to Gulu lasted more than FIVE hours…it was one of the only times in my life that I ever felt that I might get carsick. The road most of the way was surprisingly straight and smooth. On the way we saw a couple of monkies running across the road. Finally, the land started to get more desolate. Then we crossed the Nile river over a bridge…And it wasn’t some kind of solid bridge either! As we drove on it you heard the “Clu Clunk” of the metal…Not cool…but the river was beautiful!!!

As we got closer to Gulu-town, more people were walking on the side of the road. I definitely saw a group of soldiers holding AK-47s…later that was followed by two kids crossing a field with AK-47s…Definitely kind of eerie.

The day was wrapped up by an orientation that told us what to expect. Meetings and education on education the first week…and Collaborative teaching the rest of the week. We were also at the house that most would be staying at for the remainder of the trip (I will be at a camp Sunday through Thursday). The house included a shower (freezing) and pit latrines. Those are worse than you can imagine…as you open the door with your flashlight, you are greeted by roaches, grasshoppers, and a smelly hole in the ground.

It is so beautiful here. I cannot wait until I learn all kinds of new things. We have a workshop on the Lao language tomorrow, and we get to take Boda Bodas into town. So far it continues to be a wonderful experience!

Cheers,

Jenni