Week 2 in Pabo

Week 2 in Pabo
So this week, we had a kick-off party. Monday was a day of celebration for the newly elected student leaders. The morning was spent in preparation for the party. As a woman, I had to help with the food. And. As we all know…I do not know my way around a kitchen…let alone an outdoor kitchen intended to serve hundreds. So, I am waiting with the ladies, and they drag this bag over. It is red at the bottom. They open it up and I see pieces of cow. With fur. And an ear. Here is something you should know…In Africa, meat is valued…because the norm is posho (like maize) and beans. I do not want to help cut up this poor animal…and now I feel a little sick, so I quickly claim vegetarian status and hide around the corner. They drag out the rice and I quickly volunteer for that job. We had to pick out the imperfections. It was a lot of rice. Since Pablo is a man, he got to go around and take pictures…Not. Cool. Then the celebration started, and there were many speeches. Ugandan time is very different than our time, as they do not focus on schedules. So this went on for hours. We ate at 4, and then the students started dragging out the desks from one of the bigger classrooms. They had speakers, and started a school dance. They asked if I would dance. Would I dance?! Out of my way!!! So we all danced, and the students started pulling out very old school cameras. They all wanted pictures with me (let’s be real…it is because I am a munu). Then, one of the teachers helped me get out because the pictures would not stop. Good times.

The rest of the week was spent preparing lessons. I got to hang out with Shanti and Ben for a bit. They are two of my students and I know there is something special about them. They have agreed to meet with me so I can learn their story next week. I cannot wait.

One of the younger teachers, who looks to be about my age, shared his story of living in Pabo during the time of the conflict. Huts packed so tightly together that you could not fit a bicycle through. He had encountered the LRA three times as a teenager, and thanks God all the time because he was not abducted. The first time, they broke into their home and his mother begged him to run away. He did not, and luckily, they only took goods from the household. He said his brother was not so lucky, and was abducted. Nearly 10 years later, his brother returned. He said his brother had problems with sleeping upon his return. He also said that government soldiers get paid very little…because they do not own a house or land, therefore they don’t need much money. I asked him what incentives people had to join the government army. He responded that they did it because they saw the suffering of the people and wanted to help their people. Such a humbling outlook. I also learned that teachers are not allowed at the same school for more than 5 years because the government does not want them to have a hidden agenda. Very interesting to talk to the people for so many hours…their stories give great insight to the culture.

Friday is a more relaxed day because I have one class only. With Shanti and Ben. We did the lesson, and then I taught them hangman. They enjoyed the game so much and their laughter is so good for the heart. I ended by having them complete the phrase “English is the best!” and when they read it outloud I said, “It is!!!” When I returned on Friday, I picked up the dress that I had made (awesome), and went to Kope to hang. That night we watched Ghana v. Uruguay and participated in the Ugandan’s disappointment at the loss. It is so great to watch the world cup in Africa…it made me root for Africa more. After the loss, Jacob cheerfully announced, “It’s okay.” Which made everyone smile. What a positive kid. I love having him around. I also saw Norman who will be coming to the party tonight…and tonight…we dance! More updates to come.

Cheers,

Jenni