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A letter from Charles, a student at Pabo.
To our International teachers from America,
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am here in first place I would like to thank our almighty God for helping me to be with you in this letter and I thanks your present in our school of which I could not believe it would happened, so I thank you very much for your school for school programs which has led to creations of good relationship between this school and United States and worldwide.
I would likes to inquire you to know more about me and our family background and I am interested to be with you as my guidance as well as my teachers.
Dear sir and madam about our family background, my mother married thirty years ago. She had six children, four boys and two girls. Unfortunately my two older brothers died before I was born. I am the last born of my mother. She is a peasant farmer. Even or all others older brother because they have not gone to school because of later interferences of war in Northern Uganda as peoples are in the camp.
My own father died during the course of war 15 years ago after their marriage, when I am only 3 years old. I was too young to know him well, but people say he was a hard working man. Since my father died she did no marry again with any man. And after to now we are at her father’s home. Her names are Akuku Pyerina and my father’s name are called Odong Kosiya. We live in the village called Oguru in the western part of Pabo sub-country and three kilometer from the centers.
I am 18 year old a youngest of my older brother and sister. I started my Primary one in 1999 and I sat my Primary learning exams in 2006 and I managed to passed with 16 grade division II and I was admitted in one of the best school within Gulu distric, but because of financial problems I was advised to applied for a vacant post in senior one in Pabo secondary school in 2007 to now I am in senior four and I will sit for UNEB (Uganda National Examination Board).
Dear sir and madam concerning living in this school since I joined the school I see there is much big changes in building and improvement of school structures, constructed by well wishes through school for school programs. Some are below:
*library is well organize with books
*Teachers are coming from United States of America, especially in California
*They brought for us equipment and chemicals to use in the laboratory.
Besides that sir and madam what I have thing school for schools bring in places are: The school should get advanced level, schools for school provides students playing items in the school likes football, netball and etc.
*Next thing that school should put in place is peace clubs which is very essentials to refresh mind.
Dear sir and madam concerning me my favorite food is beans, vegetables, and sorghum floors as a bread. My favorite games is football and volleyball and some athletics normally long races.
My character sir and madam: I am humble, polite, disciplined student and committed in whatever I want to do. I normally do following as below:
*I respect and love my mothers and all family members
*I love being in peaceful and harmony environment
*I love forgiving one another if he/she did something wrong to me.
*I love praying God to guide and bless me in whatever I do in this world. And many others please, sir and madam.
*I also love studying while working very hard to be successed in life.
Dear sir and madam though I mention a lot what I do and likes most, there are some problems that do affects of parts of which I should overcome it. Those problems are:
*Problems of paying my school fees, since our family is very poor to afford to payed it.
*There is also difficulties in getting school uniforms, school shoes, etc.
*There is also serious problems a hunger when in the school since my mother cannot afford to pay for lunch in this school.
*another problems is long distances. For example, I walked 3 kilometer from home to school of which I used to come late in the morning which also affected my performances in class.
In spite of those problems, sir and madam, I did not sitted back or given up. So I am aiming at these keys plans. A who should I be in future. They are:
1.) I would like to be a doctor
2.) I would like to be a policeman
3.) I would like to be a electricians.
And also I would likes to be a teacher like Pablo and Jenni. Please sir request if you can considered what I have noted down I would be very happy. Please sir and madam I have a lot to tell you about me, our school, as well as our family. I shall tell you as time goes. I would love to say that I want to inspired to study up to university if all those goes well. With this I say;
With grateful thanks,
Your sincerely,
Okello Charles
Friday, July 9, 2010
Fourth of July in Uganda!
We didn’t see fireworks…
But we got to celebrate the Fourth of July in the rains in Africa. Saturday was devoted to going into town. We picked out fabrics for the guys to get African-style shirts made. Then I picked out another fabric to get a skirt made. Then we all came back to the house and I had to rush to get ready for Awere SS to come and show us traditional African dances. Amanda and I joined the circle so that we could learn. So awesome. I put on my African made dress, and we watched these kids dance. They were wonderful. Then, everyone started to get ready for the party. As night fell, the deejay started to play some music. We danced for HOURS. The deejay played quite an array of music, from Ugandan pop to an awesome “Rains in Africa” remix (it was sprinkling at this point, enhancing the experience) to “Buffalo Soldier” (at a mixed party of Americans and Africans…awkward much?). It was an incredible time…possibly my best Fourth of July yet.
Sunday we got an early start because Nathan, Kristin, Allison, and I attended a church in Gulu. It was very difficult to understand everything the pastor was saying, but he did start off by mentioning the war. While things are settled in this area right now…remnants of the war are everywhere. And while it was difficult to understand, the children were adorable and the atmosphere was interesting.
After church, we decided that we were hungry and that we would go to Kope so that I could order the pancake and complete my challenge with witnesses. You see, Joe didn’t believe that I can eat food. A lot of food. So there is a pancake platter that everyone has difficulty finishing at Kope. Child’s play. To our surprise, Joe and a group were already there. So I ordered the African coffee and the pancake platter. I ate the whole thing and then had a bite of Amanda’s steak sandwich to wash it down. Challenge accepted.
Back at the house we had an “active classroom strategies” workshop. It was a great way to learn how to boost student involvement with little or no materials. Effective. Then a woman came with beads. She employs women who were raped and are now mothers. She treats them well and gives them a good income. I bought plenty. The background story is great. Now I am sitting in my room at Pabbo, looking forward to another week.
Until then everyone.
Jenni
But we got to celebrate the Fourth of July in the rains in Africa. Saturday was devoted to going into town. We picked out fabrics for the guys to get African-style shirts made. Then I picked out another fabric to get a skirt made. Then we all came back to the house and I had to rush to get ready for Awere SS to come and show us traditional African dances. Amanda and I joined the circle so that we could learn. So awesome. I put on my African made dress, and we watched these kids dance. They were wonderful. Then, everyone started to get ready for the party. As night fell, the deejay started to play some music. We danced for HOURS. The deejay played quite an array of music, from Ugandan pop to an awesome “Rains in Africa” remix (it was sprinkling at this point, enhancing the experience) to “Buffalo Soldier” (at a mixed party of Americans and Africans…awkward much?). It was an incredible time…possibly my best Fourth of July yet.
Sunday we got an early start because Nathan, Kristin, Allison, and I attended a church in Gulu. It was very difficult to understand everything the pastor was saying, but he did start off by mentioning the war. While things are settled in this area right now…remnants of the war are everywhere. And while it was difficult to understand, the children were adorable and the atmosphere was interesting.
After church, we decided that we were hungry and that we would go to Kope so that I could order the pancake and complete my challenge with witnesses. You see, Joe didn’t believe that I can eat food. A lot of food. So there is a pancake platter that everyone has difficulty finishing at Kope. Child’s play. To our surprise, Joe and a group were already there. So I ordered the African coffee and the pancake platter. I ate the whole thing and then had a bite of Amanda’s steak sandwich to wash it down. Challenge accepted.
Back at the house we had an “active classroom strategies” workshop. It was a great way to learn how to boost student involvement with little or no materials. Effective. Then a woman came with beads. She employs women who were raped and are now mothers. She treats them well and gives them a good income. I bought plenty. The background story is great. Now I am sitting in my room at Pabbo, looking forward to another week.
Until then everyone.
Jenni
Saturday, July 3, 2010
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
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
Friday, June 25, 2010
"home" for the weekend
As Friday rolled around, I grew more and more excited because I knew we were going back to the house in Gulu. I have fallen in love with Pabo, but I was ready to see the family that I started to miss. It was a great day of going into town with Amanda and Lindsey, and catching up with Nathan. We ate dinner-it was just like Chic-Fil-A, I swear it! Then we played the game Bananas (like scrabble) as the heavy rains poured around us. The night ended with a great conversation with Mandy, Andy, Nathan, and Kristen.
THEN
Andrew (Fuggs!) called me about 4:30 in the morning my time. We converse and joke until 5:OO and end our conversation. So, I decide to make a quick trip to the restroom before I must climb into the "womb that is my mosquito net" Andy!...Well, I looked in the toilet because something MOVED...yes, moved! It was a RAT in the toilet trying to get out and not drown. O....M...G! So I go and wake up Mandy (not sure what she was going to do, but hey, I tried) and told her that there was a mouse in the toilet and I didn't want it to die. So we both go and look, and as I peek, the rat had it's head down and I thought it was dying. Mandy looks in there and says,"That's not a mouse...it's an EFFING rat...what were you thinking?!" At this point, Catherine, our leader comes out to see what the noise was about...and we told her. She looked. Said that was her biggest fear and went back in the room. Then Danielle came out dazed and asked if there was a line..."no...there's a RAT in the toilet!" Then we wake Nathan from his slumber because the boy has a tendency to touch any creepy crawly...and he gets a cup to get the rat out. But there was still pee in the toilet. So he finally scoops it out, and it jumps out of the cup. At the "thud" Mandy promptly jumps into a chair and I literally climb on top of Danielle (I didn't want it to die, but it wasn't going to touch me either!). We were laughing so hard there were tears. Nathan finally got the rat out alive and cleaned the pee water. Savior!!!
So. Welcome back to civilization Jenni.
Cheers,
Jenni
THEN
Andrew (Fuggs!) called me about 4:30 in the morning my time. We converse and joke until 5:OO and end our conversation. So, I decide to make a quick trip to the restroom before I must climb into the "womb that is my mosquito net" Andy!...Well, I looked in the toilet because something MOVED...yes, moved! It was a RAT in the toilet trying to get out and not drown. O....M...G! So I go and wake up Mandy (not sure what she was going to do, but hey, I tried) and told her that there was a mouse in the toilet and I didn't want it to die. So we both go and look, and as I peek, the rat had it's head down and I thought it was dying. Mandy looks in there and says,"That's not a mouse...it's an EFFING rat...what were you thinking?!" At this point, Catherine, our leader comes out to see what the noise was about...and we told her. She looked. Said that was her biggest fear and went back in the room. Then Danielle came out dazed and asked if there was a line..."no...there's a RAT in the toilet!" Then we wake Nathan from his slumber because the boy has a tendency to touch any creepy crawly...and he gets a cup to get the rat out. But there was still pee in the toilet. So he finally scoops it out, and it jumps out of the cup. At the "thud" Mandy promptly jumps into a chair and I literally climb on top of Danielle (I didn't want it to die, but it wasn't going to touch me either!). We were laughing so hard there were tears. Nathan finally got the rat out alive and cleaned the pee water. Savior!!!
So. Welcome back to civilization Jenni.
Cheers,
Jenni
More Cowbell-Pabo Day 4
More Cowbell
As our Thursday came to a close, there were dark clouds looming over the horizon. The breeze picked up and it started to get COLD. I mean, I had goosebumps. The thing about Africa, they don’t have seasons like we do. They have wet season and dry season…other than that the temperature stays pretty consistent. Until a storm comes. Anyways, when it rains here, it pours. This was going to be no exception. We already heard the thunder and saw the lightening. Pablo asked if I thought we could beat the rain. I said I was willing to try, but after we felt the wet breeze, we sat on the school porch and decided to wait it out. Twenty minutes later, the teachers, Pablo, and I were still trying to decide if we could beat this rain…after all, it had not rained yet…but those clouds were certainly closer. We were going to do it, but if we were going to beat this storm we needed to move FAST. We ran to our bikes and hopped on. Sidenote: trying to keep your knees covered while riding in a skirt during a monsoon=not fun. So we are riding and we got pretty far, when pellets started coming down. These rain drops were huge. Then I hear, “MOOO!…MOOO!….MOOO!….MOOO!” It was a flipping COW running after us! So a student teacher from Pabo, Pablo, and I ride faster to lose the cow and the rain…we decided to take refuge in the primary school that was there, so we turned in and stood under the roof with many children also taking refuge from the rain. Since these were small children who had never really seen a white person before, they kept pointing. “Munu! Munu!” Then they would laugh when we waved. Finally, the group came up to us to get handshakes. Then…That cow came charging right into the school yard. “MOOOOO!…MOOOO!” It was freaking out and running in circles. Finally it ran out of the school yard the opposite direction of the ranch which it came from. As the rain subsided, we were preparing to leave when… “MOOO!…MOOO!” The cow ran back down the road towards the ranch.
Later on, Charles (the head of the English department at Pabo) came over to give us a tour. There was not much to tour as Pabo is quite small. However, what we saw, pictures or words cannot quite describe. First of all, Pabo was the biggest IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp in Northern Uganda at the height of the war. It housed 70,000 displaced persons at one point. Now, Pabo is trying to turn itself from a displacement camp to a village. You can still see the consequences of war stamped on the streets and the faces of some of the people. Many huts from the camp were torn down, but many remained because people never left. Some people had their whole family die during the war and had nowhere else to go, and others, in the 23 years, simply grew up in the camp and did not know any other way of living. Charles told us that the camps did not offer much safety. That the middle of the camp was safest because the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army…or Rebel Army) would attack the outskirts for people and food. People would often not sleep in their own huts because they would flock to the middle for safety.
As we were walking, there were children that were obviously the head of the household. There was a girl who looked to be about five years old carrying a one year old on her hip. Another girl looked to be about eight who was also taking care of a toddler.
Beyond the horizon of this painful history was the most beautiful landscape…and more importantly, in the midst of all of this were children playing and smiling. Older people greeting us with a handshake and a grin. Inviting us to sit with them and talk. It really made me think about conversations that I had with people and even feelings that I personally have had in the past. That feeling where people won’t return a hello, or will do something that makes you lose faith in humanity. However, these people have seen more evil than I will ever encounter. They have all the reason in the world to not trust others…yet, they find refuge in their community. They greet a stranger with a smile and an invitation into their lives. The resilience is incredible. I will never find a reason to lose faith after this experience.
I have seen so many beautiful things during this trip, but I think that is the most beautiful of all.
Cheers,
Jenni
As our Thursday came to a close, there were dark clouds looming over the horizon. The breeze picked up and it started to get COLD. I mean, I had goosebumps. The thing about Africa, they don’t have seasons like we do. They have wet season and dry season…other than that the temperature stays pretty consistent. Until a storm comes. Anyways, when it rains here, it pours. This was going to be no exception. We already heard the thunder and saw the lightening. Pablo asked if I thought we could beat the rain. I said I was willing to try, but after we felt the wet breeze, we sat on the school porch and decided to wait it out. Twenty minutes later, the teachers, Pablo, and I were still trying to decide if we could beat this rain…after all, it had not rained yet…but those clouds were certainly closer. We were going to do it, but if we were going to beat this storm we needed to move FAST. We ran to our bikes and hopped on. Sidenote: trying to keep your knees covered while riding in a skirt during a monsoon=not fun. So we are riding and we got pretty far, when pellets started coming down. These rain drops were huge. Then I hear, “MOOO!…MOOO!….MOOO!….MOOO!” It was a flipping COW running after us! So a student teacher from Pabo, Pablo, and I ride faster to lose the cow and the rain…we decided to take refuge in the primary school that was there, so we turned in and stood under the roof with many children also taking refuge from the rain. Since these were small children who had never really seen a white person before, they kept pointing. “Munu! Munu!” Then they would laugh when we waved. Finally, the group came up to us to get handshakes. Then…That cow came charging right into the school yard. “MOOOOO!…MOOOO!” It was freaking out and running in circles. Finally it ran out of the school yard the opposite direction of the ranch which it came from. As the rain subsided, we were preparing to leave when… “MOOO!…MOOO!” The cow ran back down the road towards the ranch.
Later on, Charles (the head of the English department at Pabo) came over to give us a tour. There was not much to tour as Pabo is quite small. However, what we saw, pictures or words cannot quite describe. First of all, Pabo was the biggest IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp in Northern Uganda at the height of the war. It housed 70,000 displaced persons at one point. Now, Pabo is trying to turn itself from a displacement camp to a village. You can still see the consequences of war stamped on the streets and the faces of some of the people. Many huts from the camp were torn down, but many remained because people never left. Some people had their whole family die during the war and had nowhere else to go, and others, in the 23 years, simply grew up in the camp and did not know any other way of living. Charles told us that the camps did not offer much safety. That the middle of the camp was safest because the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army…or Rebel Army) would attack the outskirts for people and food. People would often not sleep in their own huts because they would flock to the middle for safety.
As we were walking, there were children that were obviously the head of the household. There was a girl who looked to be about five years old carrying a one year old on her hip. Another girl looked to be about eight who was also taking care of a toddler.
Beyond the horizon of this painful history was the most beautiful landscape…and more importantly, in the midst of all of this were children playing and smiling. Older people greeting us with a handshake and a grin. Inviting us to sit with them and talk. It really made me think about conversations that I had with people and even feelings that I personally have had in the past. That feeling where people won’t return a hello, or will do something that makes you lose faith in humanity. However, these people have seen more evil than I will ever encounter. They have all the reason in the world to not trust others…yet, they find refuge in their community. They greet a stranger with a smile and an invitation into their lives. The resilience is incredible. I will never find a reason to lose faith after this experience.
I have seen so many beautiful things during this trip, but I think that is the most beautiful of all.
Cheers,
Jenni
Pabo Day 3
Pabo 3
After an eventful first couple of days, Pabo is starting to feel routine. We bike to the school to get here a little before 8:00, leave when classes are through, and eat dinner and talk back at the hotel. I have been able to team teach for a couple of days now, get a few games of Scrabble in, and meet a bunch of wonderful people. Last night our generator didn’t work, so Pablo and I hung out by kerosene lamp-light. Hopefully it works today. I want to charge my phone and freshen up so that we can return to the house and show those people what we’re made of! ;O)
The people here seem very excited to have us and are eager to share their language. I figured I could update you on some key phrases:
(most used-especially with children) is Ko pa di? Or How are you?
Kope-No Problems
Apwoyo- Thank you/Good-bye/ Hello
Icoo Maber-Are you having a good morning?
Acoo Maber- I am having a good morning
And some of my favorite phrases:
Pe lewero munu- Don’t fear the white person
Bin can mot munu- come to the white person
We often hear little children who may have not seen a white person shout ‘munu’ and then they laugh…so we will often respond with ‘acholi.’ So funny. I am still loving this place. Hope all is well in civilization.
Cheers,
Jenni
After an eventful first couple of days, Pabo is starting to feel routine. We bike to the school to get here a little before 8:00, leave when classes are through, and eat dinner and talk back at the hotel. I have been able to team teach for a couple of days now, get a few games of Scrabble in, and meet a bunch of wonderful people. Last night our generator didn’t work, so Pablo and I hung out by kerosene lamp-light. Hopefully it works today. I want to charge my phone and freshen up so that we can return to the house and show those people what we’re made of! ;O)
The people here seem very excited to have us and are eager to share their language. I figured I could update you on some key phrases:
(most used-especially with children) is Ko pa di? Or How are you?
Kope-No Problems
Apwoyo- Thank you/Good-bye/ Hello
Icoo Maber-Are you having a good morning?
Acoo Maber- I am having a good morning
And some of my favorite phrases:
Pe lewero munu- Don’t fear the white person
Bin can mot munu- come to the white person
We often hear little children who may have not seen a white person shout ‘munu’ and then they laugh…so we will often respond with ‘acholi.’ So funny. I am still loving this place. Hope all is well in civilization.
Cheers,
Jenni
Pabo Day 2
Pabo Day 1
Yesterday Catherine, Allison, Pablo, and I boarded a mutatu to head to Pabo. After stopping at multiple destinations our journey was finally underway. The ride itself was insane. The mutatu (kind of like a small bus) did not ride down the road in a straight line at all. The zig zag pattern was an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the potholes. We would avoid one set of bumps just to be met with another. The windows rattled so loudly that I could not hear what anyone was saying. At some point I just gave up and put on my ipod and stared out the window. That was the benefit of the drive. The landscape became increasingly beautiful. It was an eternal stretch of rolling hills with trees placed in just the right spot to make the scenery breathtaking. I was so excited over this view that I pulled out my camera and showed Allison the photo-op. She stopped me though, because of the police vehicle passing us. I quickly hid my camera and hoped that they did not see it. I did not want my footage to be taken. They passed and then we happily clicked away.
Finally, we arrived at Pabo. Our accommodations was going to be a hotel that was brand new. I was stoked…we walked by and looked at the beds (I was hoping the pillows would be better!) and the beds looked nice. Then he told us the bathrooms and washrooms were around the corner. I was the first one over there as I was most anxious about this information. I opened the door to the washroom…there was a drain on the floor, but where was the showerhead? A spicket at least? Nope…no running water. Our rooms had a basin that we were to fill from a spicket that contained collected rain water and that is what we were to use. Now I was nervous.
We went back outside to get our bicycles fixed (our mode of transportation-which was actually kind of exciting). The community looked a lot poorer than where we had been staying. Dirt roads and shacks. Then we headed to the school to have a tour. The buildings looked so worn as we pulled up, but there were students and teachers walking around willing to make education work. We entered the head teacher’s office to have our first round-table. Catherine (Teacher Exchange coordinator) would meet us on Fridays at 11:30 to discuss the week. Pablo and I would then leave with her and return to civilization until Sunday evenings. This will be my life for the next five weeks.
Catherine and Allison left, and Pablo and I were truly alone. We received a humbling tour of the school. There were many things to learn. The floors did not really exist, and on dry days students will try to pour their water on the floor in order to keep the dust down. The chalkboards had chunks taken out of them. No erasers. The teacher salary is equivilant to a US $25 a month…a little less than $1 a day. Our teachers, Charles and Sarah, live in sad conditions. Charles has a hut for his whole family, and Sarah rents out a single room. The teachers do not have a classroom. The students remain in one room and the teacher will travel. The rooms are about the size of my planning room, and there are over 70 students per class (and that is on the smallish side). Pablo and I looked around this heartbreaking place and Pablo mentioned that it was humbling.
We took a boda boda back to our accommodation. We had to figure out how to use a kerosene lantern so that we could see as it got darker. (One thing about Africa-the sun is brighter and hotter…the dark is definitely darker). I carried one into the washroom with me and attempted to bathe. My hair did not get washed. After a delicious dinner, a few “you’ll survive” texts from the group, and a call from my mom, I feel asleep in preparation for the following day.
Cheers,
Jenni
Yesterday Catherine, Allison, Pablo, and I boarded a mutatu to head to Pabo. After stopping at multiple destinations our journey was finally underway. The ride itself was insane. The mutatu (kind of like a small bus) did not ride down the road in a straight line at all. The zig zag pattern was an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the potholes. We would avoid one set of bumps just to be met with another. The windows rattled so loudly that I could not hear what anyone was saying. At some point I just gave up and put on my ipod and stared out the window. That was the benefit of the drive. The landscape became increasingly beautiful. It was an eternal stretch of rolling hills with trees placed in just the right spot to make the scenery breathtaking. I was so excited over this view that I pulled out my camera and showed Allison the photo-op. She stopped me though, because of the police vehicle passing us. I quickly hid my camera and hoped that they did not see it. I did not want my footage to be taken. They passed and then we happily clicked away.
Finally, we arrived at Pabo. Our accommodations was going to be a hotel that was brand new. I was stoked…we walked by and looked at the beds (I was hoping the pillows would be better!) and the beds looked nice. Then he told us the bathrooms and washrooms were around the corner. I was the first one over there as I was most anxious about this information. I opened the door to the washroom…there was a drain on the floor, but where was the showerhead? A spicket at least? Nope…no running water. Our rooms had a basin that we were to fill from a spicket that contained collected rain water and that is what we were to use. Now I was nervous.
We went back outside to get our bicycles fixed (our mode of transportation-which was actually kind of exciting). The community looked a lot poorer than where we had been staying. Dirt roads and shacks. Then we headed to the school to have a tour. The buildings looked so worn as we pulled up, but there were students and teachers walking around willing to make education work. We entered the head teacher’s office to have our first round-table. Catherine (Teacher Exchange coordinator) would meet us on Fridays at 11:30 to discuss the week. Pablo and I would then leave with her and return to civilization until Sunday evenings. This will be my life for the next five weeks.
Catherine and Allison left, and Pablo and I were truly alone. We received a humbling tour of the school. There were many things to learn. The floors did not really exist, and on dry days students will try to pour their water on the floor in order to keep the dust down. The chalkboards had chunks taken out of them. No erasers. The teacher salary is equivilant to a US $25 a month…a little less than $1 a day. Our teachers, Charles and Sarah, live in sad conditions. Charles has a hut for his whole family, and Sarah rents out a single room. The teachers do not have a classroom. The students remain in one room and the teacher will travel. The rooms are about the size of my planning room, and there are over 70 students per class (and that is on the smallish side). Pablo and I looked around this heartbreaking place and Pablo mentioned that it was humbling.
We took a boda boda back to our accommodation. We had to figure out how to use a kerosene lantern so that we could see as it got darker. (One thing about Africa-the sun is brighter and hotter…the dark is definitely darker). I carried one into the washroom with me and attempted to bathe. My hair did not get washed. After a delicious dinner, a few “you’ll survive” texts from the group, and a call from my mom, I feel asleep in preparation for the following day.
Cheers,
Jenni
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