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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
Friday, June 25, 2010
Africa Day 1
Mind the Gap
So far, this trip has been absolutely WILD! I started off very tired (from my awesome little send-off) in Jacksonville airport. Luckily, I was able to sleep on the plane because then I met Frank at JFK in New York…where we tried to hit up Jones beach then ate a sandwich at the mall. Then I waited…and waited….and waited for someone to show up. Finally, at about 7:30, Pablo showed up. We found the incredible ladies from “Invisible Children” who set up the trip and then checked our bags. Slowly, the group started to trickle in. It was amazing how we were already sharing stories like old friends and we had only just met. Then we got on our plane to head to Heathrow…as I sat in my seat next to people that I didn’t even know. So we switched some seating around and Andy, Mandy, Amanda, and I set off chatting.
Later, we arrived in London (my very FIRST time out of the country!) and decided to hit the sights before we took our next flight into Entebbe, Africa. After putting my 40 pound, obnoxious bag into a locker, we hit the subway. Walking around London was incredible. We saw Big Ben, Parliament (V for Vendetta anyone?), and the National Museum. In the National Museum, we saw epic paintings by Van Gough, Monet, and Picasso. AWESOME! Also, while in London we were able to go through a Muslim protest about the war in ‘84 and it’s lasting effects. Pretty interesting.
Then we headed back into the airport, where we waited for our flight, and I got the worst night of sleep EVER!…After landing, we took a bus…I couldn’t stop looking at EVERYTHING!!! After signing into our hostel, we hit up the developed parts of Entebbe (aka-the mall) to exchange money and get a cell phone to call each other. Then we toured a school and had discussions with teachers in different subject areas. While the rest of the group napped, I was able to toss around a Frisbee, get a picture of a monkey that was watching us, and hit up some pretty cool shacks with different carvings and prizes. Now, I am sitting in the hostel…exhausted. That will be all for now.
I love everyone here…and I miss everyone there!!!
Cheers,
Jenni
So far, this trip has been absolutely WILD! I started off very tired (from my awesome little send-off) in Jacksonville airport. Luckily, I was able to sleep on the plane because then I met Frank at JFK in New York…where we tried to hit up Jones beach then ate a sandwich at the mall. Then I waited…and waited….and waited for someone to show up. Finally, at about 7:30, Pablo showed up. We found the incredible ladies from “Invisible Children” who set up the trip and then checked our bags. Slowly, the group started to trickle in. It was amazing how we were already sharing stories like old friends and we had only just met. Then we got on our plane to head to Heathrow…as I sat in my seat next to people that I didn’t even know. So we switched some seating around and Andy, Mandy, Amanda, and I set off chatting.
Later, we arrived in London (my very FIRST time out of the country!) and decided to hit the sights before we took our next flight into Entebbe, Africa. After putting my 40 pound, obnoxious bag into a locker, we hit the subway. Walking around London was incredible. We saw Big Ben, Parliament (V for Vendetta anyone?), and the National Museum. In the National Museum, we saw epic paintings by Van Gough, Monet, and Picasso. AWESOME! Also, while in London we were able to go through a Muslim protest about the war in ‘84 and it’s lasting effects. Pretty interesting.
Then we headed back into the airport, where we waited for our flight, and I got the worst night of sleep EVER!…After landing, we took a bus…I couldn’t stop looking at EVERYTHING!!! After signing into our hostel, we hit up the developed parts of Entebbe (aka-the mall) to exchange money and get a cell phone to call each other. Then we toured a school and had discussions with teachers in different subject areas. While the rest of the group napped, I was able to toss around a Frisbee, get a picture of a monkey that was watching us, and hit up some pretty cool shacks with different carvings and prizes. Now, I am sitting in the hostel…exhausted. That will be all for now.
I love everyone here…and I miss everyone there!!!
Cheers,
Jenni
Thursday, June 10, 2010
On the radio...uh oh! On the radio...uh oh!
My radio interview...If you are more of a listener than a reader! ;O)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Less is more
Less is more
A couple of weeks ago I was talking with the Vice Principle of the school about a presentation that we had in March. “Invisible Children” came and discussed the situation in Uganda…talking about child soldiers and how these people have nothing and see education as a way out. Then we started talking about the lower level kids in the school…and the kids who have nothing. And how they were the ones that were most impacted…We made this observation and then parted ways to complete all of the tasks that come with final exams.
It was an interesting conversation…but not one that I was able to give much thought to…until another situation occurred.
I was sitting in another teacher’s intensive reading class…and a student came up to me with an envelope. She said that she collected it for “Invisible Children.” She wrote “$20” on the front. I added it to the money that my students collected earlier in the year and made the donation. $156.13 overall.
I didn’t notice the note. A few days later, Bubbles looked in the envelope ( I don’t know why I didn’t throw it away…it was “empty”) and pulled out a note.
It read:
“This money goes to the invisible children I wish I could do more but I can’t I hope this helps. Since they came to talk to us I was so inspired. I want to do so much more. If I can help please let me know.”
In addition to the conversation that I had with the VP earlier…that note really hit home. To many, it would look like only $20…but this student handed me that envelope with pride…because she did all that she could do. Her heart was in it. I loved that.
Then there was a newspaper article that came out about another student of mine.
“Last year, Tim Sharp finished his shift as a dishwasher at KFC and went over in his head how much money he had left after paying his bills. It wasn't much.
Stepping outside, he saw a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk. Sharp reached into his pocket, pulled out a few dollars and dropped them by the man, who woke up.
Most would think that Sharp has had a hard life, yet he just shakes it off. To him, giving to other people is a big part of what his life is.
He plans to major in sociology to continue the legacy that his mother, LouAnn Usina, created in Hastings before she died last year from cancer.
"I am who I am today because of her," Sharp said. "She made me see who I should be."
In high school, Sharp watched his mother head the OUR community program, where she gave food, clothes and support to as many as 5,000 people, mostly at her own expense.
Sharp already has picked up where Usina left off last year. Sharp's Take Stock in Children mentor, Tommy Lescroart, said Sharp's gas tank runs dry from giving rides to friends of friends.
Sharp was the kid who spent the few dollars in his pocket to buy cheese sticks for the student bullied in the lunchroom.
Since his mother's death, Sharp has worked three different jobs to support himself and prepare for college on his own.
Most recently he has worked at the St. Johns Housing Partnership, where he refurbishes houses for the under-privileged.
"I want to prove to people instead of show them," Sharp said. "You can do a lot with your life instead of complain about what you don't have."
For the full article go to:
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-06-01/graduate-menendez-succeeds-against-adversity
These accounts personify a story that I had heard many times before in church:
Mark 12 “41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.[k]
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
This story finally makes so much sense! It’s actually mind-blowing.
People who have nothing-what can they give? Surprisingly, everything. They give all that they can…their whole heart goes into their contribution, and at the end of the day…they know that they gave it their all.
I look up to these people who have nothing. I know that when I am beaten down…and when I feel like I have nothing to offer…I can change my perspective, because when I give my all, then I have everything to offer.
A couple of weeks ago I was talking with the Vice Principle of the school about a presentation that we had in March. “Invisible Children” came and discussed the situation in Uganda…talking about child soldiers and how these people have nothing and see education as a way out. Then we started talking about the lower level kids in the school…and the kids who have nothing. And how they were the ones that were most impacted…We made this observation and then parted ways to complete all of the tasks that come with final exams.
It was an interesting conversation…but not one that I was able to give much thought to…until another situation occurred.
I was sitting in another teacher’s intensive reading class…and a student came up to me with an envelope. She said that she collected it for “Invisible Children.” She wrote “$20” on the front. I added it to the money that my students collected earlier in the year and made the donation. $156.13 overall.
I didn’t notice the note. A few days later, Bubbles looked in the envelope ( I don’t know why I didn’t throw it away…it was “empty”) and pulled out a note.
It read:
“This money goes to the invisible children I wish I could do more but I can’t I hope this helps. Since they came to talk to us I was so inspired. I want to do so much more. If I can help please let me know.”
In addition to the conversation that I had with the VP earlier…that note really hit home. To many, it would look like only $20…but this student handed me that envelope with pride…because she did all that she could do. Her heart was in it. I loved that.
Then there was a newspaper article that came out about another student of mine.
“Last year, Tim Sharp finished his shift as a dishwasher at KFC and went over in his head how much money he had left after paying his bills. It wasn't much.
Stepping outside, he saw a homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk. Sharp reached into his pocket, pulled out a few dollars and dropped them by the man, who woke up.
Most would think that Sharp has had a hard life, yet he just shakes it off. To him, giving to other people is a big part of what his life is.
He plans to major in sociology to continue the legacy that his mother, LouAnn Usina, created in Hastings before she died last year from cancer.
"I am who I am today because of her," Sharp said. "She made me see who I should be."
In high school, Sharp watched his mother head the OUR community program, where she gave food, clothes and support to as many as 5,000 people, mostly at her own expense.
Sharp already has picked up where Usina left off last year. Sharp's Take Stock in Children mentor, Tommy Lescroart, said Sharp's gas tank runs dry from giving rides to friends of friends.
Sharp was the kid who spent the few dollars in his pocket to buy cheese sticks for the student bullied in the lunchroom.
Since his mother's death, Sharp has worked three different jobs to support himself and prepare for college on his own.
Most recently he has worked at the St. Johns Housing Partnership, where he refurbishes houses for the under-privileged.
"I want to prove to people instead of show them," Sharp said. "You can do a lot with your life instead of complain about what you don't have."
For the full article go to:
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-06-01/graduate-menendez-succeeds-against-adversity
These accounts personify a story that I had heard many times before in church:
Mark 12 “41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.[k]
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
This story finally makes so much sense! It’s actually mind-blowing.
People who have nothing-what can they give? Surprisingly, everything. They give all that they can…their whole heart goes into their contribution, and at the end of the day…they know that they gave it their all.
I look up to these people who have nothing. I know that when I am beaten down…and when I feel like I have nothing to offer…I can change my perspective, because when I give my all, then I have everything to offer.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Here's the school!
Here's a short video about the school that I will be working with! :O)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKw7j-6y57k
cheers,
Jenni
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKw7j-6y57k
cheers,
Jenni
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Awesome artist!!! Sekajipo Genes
WARNING: REVOLUTIONARIES ONLY
“There is an act of violence unlike any kind,
taking place within the battle fields of our minds.
Secret forces of darkness have waged an invisible war against our consciousness, in an attempt to control our mentalities and overthrow individuality.
Their weapons of mass destruction are not machines guns nor nuclear missiles, but rounds of subliminal sounds, fired by the media, and corporate moguls, conspiring to corrupt our ability to reason and rob us of our common sense.
When there seems to be no other peaceful solutions,
The only option left is REVOLUTION.
A REVOLUTION OF THE MIND-STATE:
To no longer CONFORM to the ways of this world,
but to be radically TRANSFORMED, by the renewing of our minds.
To change the we think is to change the way we live.”
WARNING: REVOLUTIONARIES ONLY
This is the message of a Hip Hop REVOLUIONARY,
Brought to you by any means necessary.
“...For we are soldiers of metaphysical warfare, fighting in the musical realms, and battling for the hearts, minds and souls of the future generation.
Simply put; we’re ‘REVOLUIONIZIN’ minds one rhyme at a time.
Sekajipo Genes
New Definition of Hip Hop-
Highly Intellectual People Helping Others Prosper
“There is an act of violence unlike any kind,
taking place within the battle fields of our minds.
Secret forces of darkness have waged an invisible war against our consciousness, in an attempt to control our mentalities and overthrow individuality.
Their weapons of mass destruction are not machines guns nor nuclear missiles, but rounds of subliminal sounds, fired by the media, and corporate moguls, conspiring to corrupt our ability to reason and rob us of our common sense.
When there seems to be no other peaceful solutions,
The only option left is REVOLUTION.
A REVOLUTION OF THE MIND-STATE:
To no longer CONFORM to the ways of this world,
but to be radically TRANSFORMED, by the renewing of our minds.
To change the we think is to change the way we live.”
WARNING: REVOLUTIONARIES ONLY
This is the message of a Hip Hop REVOLUIONARY,
Brought to you by any means necessary.
“...For we are soldiers of metaphysical warfare, fighting in the musical realms, and battling for the hearts, minds and souls of the future generation.
Simply put; we’re ‘REVOLUIONIZIN’ minds one rhyme at a time.
Sekajipo Genes
New Definition of Hip Hop-
Highly Intellectual People Helping Others Prosper
Friday, May 28, 2010
Why we should help Haiti (insert Africa here)
So today we were discussing social issues in my English classes. During this conversation, the crisis in Haiti was brought up. One of my students asked (without malice) why we (the U.S.) should help when there are so many hurting here. It made for a healthy class discussion. It got me thinking. Now, before I continue writing this (and more importantly before you continue reading this!)I start with a disclaimer: I would never discourage people from helping those who are hurting on their doorstep. One thing that we must realize though, is that everyone is different…which means that everyone is going to be passionate about a different cause. Whether it is right outside your door or world’s apart. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think it is quite beautiful…If we all felt compelled to contribute to one area of the world, then the rest would not know compassion….the rest would fall apart.
To answer my student’s question in a P.C. manner…it is essential that we help out in our community. However, that begs the question: what is community? Especially in this technological age. According to Mark Wrathall, a contributor to U2 and Pop Philosophy, “As economies and societies become intertwined through the technologization and globalization of world culture, a sense of…responsibility for the poverty and suffering of far distant people increases…There is a sense in which our responsibility grows along with the globalization of the economy.” I, personally, find this to be true. As technology and global relations become more aligned between cultures, I find the gap to be closing. So where does that leave community? In my definition, everywhere.
Yes, I feel that the people that are hurting in Haiti are a part of our community. Yes, I feel that we should help those in our community. While many feel that it is against human nature to help those that we do not know, I think that one of the BEST things about human nature is that we can and do help those we do not know.
This last part I could not bring up in a class setting …but I believe these two stories best illustrate this extraordinary part of human nature…they are a couple of my favorite stories. Not that I am going to drag too much religion into this thought…but one of these stories is located in the bible. It is a short one: “Jesus wept.” These two words have different theories, which is cool. Some say that Jesus wept because he was sad that his friend (Lazarus) died. Others say that he wept because he was saddened by the lack of faith around him (people not believing that he would provide a miracle). Yet another group says that he wept at the sight of everyone’s pain. That he felt their pain. This last theory happens to be my favorite.
The second story is told by Shane Claiborne, who went to work with Momma T (Mother Theresa) in Calcutta. He says, “One of the beggars in Calcutta approached me one day, and I had no money on me, but I felt a piece of gum in my pocket, so I handed it to her. I have no idea how long it had been since she had chewed gum, or if she had ever even had the chance. She looked at it and smiled with delight. Then she tore it into three pieces and handed one to me and one to my friend so we could share the excitement.”
While these two stories are exploring the two different emotions of joy and pain, they are so related. The idea that we are connected by our emotion. The idea that as humans LIVING IN COMMUNITY, their joy should be our joy. Their pain should be our pain. We should want to help those in our community because it should hurt to see them hurt. That, in my opinion, is why we should be included in the gift that is cross-cultural community. Otherwise, we miss on the chance to see something so beautiful and so human.
To answer my student’s question in a P.C. manner…it is essential that we help out in our community. However, that begs the question: what is community? Especially in this technological age. According to Mark Wrathall, a contributor to U2 and Pop Philosophy, “As economies and societies become intertwined through the technologization and globalization of world culture, a sense of…responsibility for the poverty and suffering of far distant people increases…There is a sense in which our responsibility grows along with the globalization of the economy.” I, personally, find this to be true. As technology and global relations become more aligned between cultures, I find the gap to be closing. So where does that leave community? In my definition, everywhere.
Yes, I feel that the people that are hurting in Haiti are a part of our community. Yes, I feel that we should help those in our community. While many feel that it is against human nature to help those that we do not know, I think that one of the BEST things about human nature is that we can and do help those we do not know.
This last part I could not bring up in a class setting …but I believe these two stories best illustrate this extraordinary part of human nature…they are a couple of my favorite stories. Not that I am going to drag too much religion into this thought…but one of these stories is located in the bible. It is a short one: “Jesus wept.” These two words have different theories, which is cool. Some say that Jesus wept because he was sad that his friend (Lazarus) died. Others say that he wept because he was saddened by the lack of faith around him (people not believing that he would provide a miracle). Yet another group says that he wept at the sight of everyone’s pain. That he felt their pain. This last theory happens to be my favorite.
The second story is told by Shane Claiborne, who went to work with Momma T (Mother Theresa) in Calcutta. He says, “One of the beggars in Calcutta approached me one day, and I had no money on me, but I felt a piece of gum in my pocket, so I handed it to her. I have no idea how long it had been since she had chewed gum, or if she had ever even had the chance. She looked at it and smiled with delight. Then she tore it into three pieces and handed one to me and one to my friend so we could share the excitement.”
While these two stories are exploring the two different emotions of joy and pain, they are so related. The idea that we are connected by our emotion. The idea that as humans LIVING IN COMMUNITY, their joy should be our joy. Their pain should be our pain. We should want to help those in our community because it should hurt to see them hurt. That, in my opinion, is why we should be included in the gift that is cross-cultural community. Otherwise, we miss on the chance to see something so beautiful and so human.
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