Gulu Week 1

Week 1 in Gulu was our orientation week, which was still informative (although we had been through the orientation last year). We arrived at the house, which was not the same house as last year. It was a nice surprise though because we had room…A LOT more room. It was so nice to see old friends and make some new ones as well. I loved seeing Lorna, and she already came to BJz with us where we tore up that dance floor! I love that the roomies love dancing. I also started some Zumba classes, so the teachers are staying fit. We decided to make up a workout schedule so we can have some Zumba times. That means that I had to rush by the Coffee Hut and (slowly) download one song at a time.

The nerves started creeping up as we were getting ready to meet our teachers for dinner at the Acholi Inn. It was a bit like getting ready for a blind date…we didn’t know what to expect. Pablo and I waited for our teachers for a while (they were late because the track meets were going on). While we were waiting we saw not one, not two…but eight or nine Pabo teachers show up. It was one of the biggest and most spirited tables. It was so amazing to see those teachers again. It was a bit like seeing family again. I was so happy to see Alex and Big Joe and Otim and Christine. After we had many hugs they went to sit with the two teachers they are working with this year. My heart broke and I kept enviously staring at that table. It was awesome to see the energy and the number of teachers who showed up. Pabo has a strong representation in the Teacher Exchange program this year. It made me so proud. We also realized that they were three generations of American teachers who taught at Pabo. Justine and Lance taught the year before Pablo and I…Pablo and I taught there last year…and Nick and Sharoni would be teaching there this year. So many teachers and three generations. The teachers from Pabo also told me that my posters were still in the staffroom and my strategies were still being used. It reminded me again about how sustainable this program is and how changes can be made. I miss Pabo so much. I walked away with Catherine with tears for the past in my eyes and hope for the future in my heart.