Walk to Atanga SS

Walk to Atanga SS

Saturday, June 30, 2012

52 years without wife...what is wrong

A good day on Thursday at school. It started out the same, but I soon found out that my teaching partner Okidi Polycarp was to be at a meeting with the Head Teacher, so I volunteered to teach the classes myself. I taught the Senior 2 students Vectors, the Senior 3 students Cumulative Frequency Polygons and Ogives and I taught the Senior 4 students Combined Matrix Transformations. There was some extra time with Senior 4 so I let them write anonymous questions on small sheets of paper and I would answer them. They are really curious about life in America and most want to visit. They asked several questions and soon it was time to go. I stuffed the remaining slips in my pocket. I sat down in the staff room and looked at the ones I did not answer. My favorite (and I have a picture) was the title of the post. "52 years old without wife what is wrong". ... Quite amusing to me. Being my age and single is unheard of in Uganada. But before that laugh several students found me at around 4:00 pm and we did an hour and a half of math before I left. Heaven. The students at the end of Senior 4 take cumulative tests over 4 years of each of their subjects. These tests are the sole basis of who makes it to the University level or not. Pretty important tests and as I was given them help it dawned on me that there is very little instruction on how to take a tests. The first problem had an 8 and a 17 in it so my mind immediately went to a 8-15-17 Pythagorean triple, but they did not know this little trick. The funny thing was three problems later we had the same triple in a completely different problem....Any way a great day. I had already decided not to ride my bike, my body was tired, so our little math group walked home with one of the students Patrick on my bike. He told me we would not beat the ran and we did not. We were all soaked to the bone, but as we walked through town, the town was enjoying the predicament of the large American. They were all huddled under overhangs of various shops, and I hollered out, "I don't think the heavy stuff is coming down yet." Might post in a couple of hours, we had a great 4th of July party last night. All is well.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Learning and Loving in Atanga

An interesting day today where I have experience a few lows, but end the day with optimism and hope. The day started out just fine, or maybe not, usually they trip to school is not that tough (although it was on Monday, when Isaac took the wrong bike), but today my small bike seemed extra small, and I was struggling to get my knees past the handlebars as I pedaled. The midterms ended after first period today, which meant it was time to teach Senior 2 and Senior 3 again. Hoorah! More time in the classroom. This afternoon I started to mark (grade) the S3 midterms and their results were not close to good. I wondered what I could do to help these students understand mathematics in such a short time. It seems that there are not as many strong students at Atanga SS as there were in 2009, and without these capable few, it seems some of the studying and the dedication amongst the other students is a bit lost. I then tried to get a hold of Caroline Mosby and Meghan Grass through facebook, as I wanted to tell them that their five pages of goofy photos and goodbye card for Ocwa Alfred was now prominently displayed on his front room wall for all the world to see. I had texted Cathy Barry to let her know Mary Grace’s photo was also on the wall. ( I am not sure if Mike knows how to text, maybe Ed Poth should teach him). But here is the cool part, isn’t it neat that something you gave someone, these cards are now hanging half a world away….. encouraging each visitor to ask who is Caroline, who is Meghan, and who is Toben? Still discouraged by the math difficulties of our students, but I came home to finish a wonderful book (Love Does by Bob Goff). It talks about loving in such a way that our love actually does something. Our as the Biloxi kids know not only having your heart in the right place, but your feet in the right place too. He only uses the word whimsy about 100 times, so I was reminded of my mother and her advice “to have a sense of whimsy” and who better than Bob G. who considers his office, Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland (just read the book already). It is also cool that both Sarah Allen and Isaac have already completed this book, and we continue our journey together as teachers. __________________________________________________________________________________ I now have one simple goal for the rest of 2012, and that is to love each of you better. And when I say you I mean my family, my friends, and most important all of you that I have not met yet. “And for me, I’ve realized that I used to be afraid of failing at the things that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” -- Bob Goff

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Stabilize There

“Stabilize there,” were the words my friend Ocwa Alfred Jackson said to his chicken in the middle of our dinner. I think the chicken was confused about what was happening. Usually at this time of night, the chicken would return home with its four chicks and sleep for the night. But tonight was different. Alfred had invited Isaac and I for dinner, his wife Angela Rose was busy preparing a massive meal in the next room, and we were just talking. Alfred had invited a neighbor to join us for this great feast. The chicken and the choice of words by Alfred reminded me I was not in America. Alfred has a modest one room dwelling that is turned into 3 rooms with the addition of a couple of curtains. We were seated around a table in the center room, while his wife busily prepared a large meal for the four of us. Alfred’s youngest, Samuel not yet a year, spent a lot of time on his dad’s lap. Alfred told us that Samuel will sleep anywhere as long as he can reach out and feel someone near. If he does not feel mom or dad next to him he cries. Mercy, his two year old daughter, peaked past a lace curtain inside once or twice, but left quickly upon seeing two large white men. The dinner consisted of great tasting chicken, rice, posho, doo(greens similar to spinach), millet bread mixed with cassava, cooked cabbage, and ended with pineapple after the meal was over. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Among the first things that Alfred showed me was he had the cow that sang “Silver Bells” hung right next to his front door. He squeezed the cow’s hoof to make the cow sing another song, and he laughed. The cow was white in a white and red sock, when he left St. Louis, but now all the white was brown. The Ugandan dust that is always prevalent, made that transition quickly. Now the singing cow which looked pristine and new in white, now looked like a comfortable old friend. He told me that the cow was the baby’s favorite. Alfred laughs and gives a big smile every time he hears the cow sing. Of course, Alfred always is ready with a smile, friendship or a prayer that praises God for his blessings. I wonder how many American women who live in nice, big houses would trade what they have for a 3 room house in Uganda, with a man who is kind and laughs every time a cow puppet sings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is so much to tell you about the evening. I could tell you how Alfred had made sure he had large Fantas waiting for us. Or I could tell you that he walked us all the way home, and I wondered why until I realized it was just to give us the two extra Fantas. A small Thgift, but like everything Alfred does it meant a lot. It started getting darker and it was harder to see the food that we were eating, Alfred disappeared into the bedroom and came back with a solar light. Coca-Cola had given many of them to students and teachers so they can do work at night. There is no power in the whole village, remember. Then with a flick of the light up, Alfred illuminated two children that had entered the room, one young girl, his niece, was about 12, and his nephew, a young boy, who had just entered Primary 1. Without a real explanation, Alfred told us that they were both living with him and his wife, and he was supporting them both and trying to give them a better future through better schools. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The chicken was now stabilized for at least an hour in the place, Alfred had told it to go. I asked Isaac to take a picture of the chicken in the dark. The flash illuminated the sleeping hen with her four chicks nestled safely below her, warm and feeling loved. I ate dinner with my friend Alfred, who gave us the best of his hospitality and his kindness, and a great dinner. And I think maybe at the end of the night, Alfred’s four chicks, two of his own, and two of his extended family, nestled under Alfred and his wife, feeling warm and feeling loved. Stabilize here.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Carrying Wood

So there is essentially a two story treehouse as part of our property. The steps going up to the second floor were okay, but the hand railing was not good. The hand railing was two by fours so my plan was to buy a 12 foot 2 x 4 and nail it parallel and also sink it into the ground a couple inches for support. The first step was to find a 2 x 4 in Gulu....not an easy task. To be continued..... Termites are a problem here, so most of the buildings are brick made from the earth. And most of the wood here for small structures is just bamboo lashed together. So as Isaac peeled off to get some food, I went walking down streets. For some reason, I saw a mass of metal entry gates and decided to look behind it to see what else the shop had. To do that I had to hop over a drainage ditch filled with water. First I saw a 2 x 6, then a 4 x 4. I finally the coveted 2 x 4 although there were 16 ft. long ( or close I can almost guarantee they were not a uniform size). After careful looking, aided by a Ugandan student, Oydek Julius, we found two straight boards. Now where was Isaac? I tried to find him at Coffee Hut, the hangout of all the white people, but he had just left. I walked by the same boda boda drivers, who were trying to get me to ride, and I asked if they had seen a big white guy. They said had he had just ducked into a shop and I found him. We spent 32,000 shillings for the two boards and started to walk through town. Two large white men carrying two large boards on their shoulders walking through town. We were a hit. Then when I got back to the bar. Lindsey Troup came out looked at what we were about to do, and said, "Why don't you take down the wood, so the inside steps work. She was right, and it kind of ticked me off that I had not seen it first, but a good idea, is a good idea. Now, how where we going to saw through wood without finding a band saw anywhere in town. Our day guard, Michael Jackson, soon returned with a hacksaw and we got to work. Of course, the hacksaw broke and Isaac and I took turns using the blade and sawed through a 2 x 4 by hand with half a hacksaw blade. And to think somewhere in the Gaffney garage is our Share Kindness battery operated Sawzall. We finally got it together, and things are looking good for our fourth of July party on Friday. Power is out and this post is getting long, and I might add pictures.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Jacob Acaye

Walking into Gulu town, tonight with Sarah Girl, Josh, and li'l feisty. We were looking for something different and I was going to take them to the Green Valley which is a little bar that has a little bit of a wild streak. As we have now been here a week or so, our headlamps were on just sporadically as we are getting better at negotiating roads in the dark. There was a crowd of Boda Boda drivers trying to get us to use their bikes for transportation, when I noticed one of them had the Cardinals Sunday hat on. I explained to him with a laugh that he was wearing the hat of my home village. We had not even reached the corner when some young men called out to us, and soon I was warmly greeted by Jacob Acaye in the dark. He had a huge smile on his face, and was so happy to see me. I think it was the Cardinals hat that spurred the meeting. Some of you remember two years ago, Jacob was wearing a Reds hat, when thanks to some great work by Rachel Kuehnle and Becky Dale, I was able to get him a Cardinal hat on the last day of my trip. We soon made plans to have our two groups go to a different place to hang out. There are times when I think we all have doubt about what we do, and sometimes I have my own doubts about Invisible Children, but when I see Jacob and know his story---then just maybe IC has done something quite remarkable. I am going to try to imbed a link here to Jacob's story. But here was a boy who was kidnapped at a young age, watch his brother get executed, and still smiles at you and greets you like he has always smiled and life has always been wonderful. I also wonder how many Jacobs we have lost, because we have sit by and watch genocide and atrocities happen. I wonder how many young boys and girls in Syria could be great lawyers in 10 years given the chance. How many young minds and young smiles have we lost to war and poverty ? But even when I think of man at his worst, I remember tonight Jacob's laughter, his hearty handshake, and embrace. Such a smile, such a young man, such a journey.... I am blessed to be his friend, and humbled that he is part of my life.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Finding the Perfect Line

Second day of riding home on the bike, if you want to get the description of the route, click back to the entries from 2009, and again I was trying to find that perfect line. I am convinced that somewhere on this 16 foot wide road, there is a 2 inch path, that is easier on the bike, and if I can just find it, then my ride will go easy. On my way out, I got stopped by Denis, a tall S4 student with an engaging smile. I told him that I remembered his smile—it was true. We talked for a while, about volleyball and other things and all of sudden he mentioned the name Kathryn Buss. Even after 3 years, he has remembered his pen pal. (So if you are reading this and a Nerinx girl, have Kate email me a letter to Denis—I will print it out and give it to him.) but now back to the bicycle journey. So although I again look ridiculous on this bike, my peddling knees barely clear the handlebars, I was trying to find the 28 year old in this 53 year old body. Soon I had my goal, 10 feet in front of me, was a small boy barely able to get his legs to touch the pedals, and only maybe 60 pounds. RACE ON! He did not know it was a race, but still. I felt triumphant as I worked hard and passed him 200 meters later like he was standing still. (He was standing still as his chain had fallen off his bike). What a victory, and now another moral victory as it looked like I would get to the bicycle repair shop in town without stopping or walking the bike….. but wait what the hell… all of a sudden the 10 year old passed me. How did he get his chain on so quick? He had me buy about 8 meters when he turned to look stoically at his now defeated foe. I did not return his stoic look, but started pedaling frantically as he now knew the race was on. He met my challenge and put several bike lengths between us, and I know settled in for a second place finish, but 5 minutes down the road, the distractions of the big city, Lacekocot, distracted him, and I sped by him to claim the mythical title---the yellow jersey, the laurel, the kiss from the wonderful French girl. I had found that perfect line. _____________________________ My victory suite awaited me, with about 17 flies. And the smell of turkey shit was wafting from the courtyard outside my room, but wait where were the turkeys? Is it possible, that pigeons have the same smell. So winning the Tour de France, is not what it is cracked up to be, just killing time with the flies breathing in the wonderful smell of turkeys or pigeons. It is almost time for a shift change, and the flies will go home and the mosquitos will start. I kind of see a line of them clocking in, like an animated Jerry Seinfeld movie. ____________________________ Btw, A great day at school today. My teaching partner is a wonderfully committed man who talked about hard work and working longer hours than a normal teacher. But his story will be saved for next week. Tonight will be day 3 of posting hope it works….

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Thanks to those that kept me in the game

I am unemployed teacher, novice pizza cook, quite friendly bartender, free tutor, large man. There have been times over the last year where I have felt sorry for myself. How could this have happened? Now I am Lapwony Cura (mathematics teacher pronounced LaFone Chura) in Atanga SS. I walk around as one of two white people in the whole town, and all I see is people that work really, really hard to struggle to have an existence of maybe a fourth of what I currently have. They for the most part are welcoming and smiling and sometimes even make up a song. I was serenaded by 12 young ones all under the age of 6 today. The song went something like “Bye, bye, munu, bye, (sing song Lwo), bye, bye” it was accompanied by the uncontrollable laughter of a small child. Barefoot in the dirt, as happy as can be. ___________________________Oh and one more thing, and it is a big thing, today I dedicated my teaching to all those that I have tutored over the last year. By trying your best and overcoming many difficult obstacles in your path, you have done something quite special for yourself. But also, you did something for me, you kept me in the game, when some in power said I was not a teacher, you gave me your smiles and your questions, but most of all you let me watch you unlock knowledge along your journey. At our best that are what teachers are just interested travelers who help you keep the path true. You can do it yourselves, but everyone once in a while, you need just a small nudge. I am honored and blessed that I was in your life this year, and you will always be special, because it is you who linked my teaching past to my teaching future. “Good morning, Lapwony.” , said a couple of students on the path today. I cannot tell you the joy that greeting gave me. It reminded me of the best days walking down the halls of Nerinx, afterall—I am a teacher.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

On earlier years, I think I got the name of the village incorrect, but I do have it correct now. We got started a little late to Atanga SS on Monday, first there was the usual delay (of course), but then when we all packed and ready to leave, we realized that the bicycles we were tieing to the top of the mutatu (van) were locked in a shed, and the only man with the key had gone into town for some errands. I would love to spend one of these delays with Mike Barry or Tom Magee, not that anything would happen, of course, I would just like to be a fly on the wall. We embarked on our journey with 5 people and all of our stuff in the back of a Land Rover. I had two empty jerry cans on my leg, had one leg on top of a case of water and balanced a kerosene lamp in a bucket made from a water bottle in the other. Isaac and I took turns pushing the shelves back on to the top of the other case of water. The seats had very little padding and the bumps were brutal, but I was headed back to Atanga SS. All was good. Unfortunately, none of us thought to check if the kerosene lamp ( which I did not want, and have yet to use) had kerosene in it. It leaked into the bucket. I also noticed the bucket was leaking a little and we stopped to empty the kerosene. The driver did not like throwing away any kerosene (it is too valuable) and hollered at a young boy to come get, my homemade trash can at the kerosene that was in it. Skip ahead, I was talking about living in the concrete room that is Lacekocot, and I tried really hard not to get the same room as 2009, but guess who is back in the room with a metal window that catches all of the afternoon sun. I had cautioned Isaac about sitting very broad on the bed as all of our weight focused on our seat, might be too much for these beds to hold. As I was telling him this tale, I pulled up the mattress on the bed I was going to sleep on, and saw my bright green duct tape repair job and lashing that I had made on this bed 3 years ago. Luckily there was a non-fat ass damaged bed in the same room. Finally, the story about the killer pig. To use the outhouse at night, you have to go out the room, to the courtyard and open up a heavy metal door. Then walk around back to outhouse # 6 and open up the lock. In the middle of the night, I thought I heard someone messing with the door, there is no noise politeness in Uganda, loud noises, people talking, and loud music are frequent. But seriously, could this person not know how to operate the door. After not being able to sleep, I finally dozed for 25 minutes or so, and then work up really having to use the latrine. I woke up, pulled on some pants, and was ready. Just when I got to the door, I made out the outline of a pig in front of me. I decided not to cross an angry pig at 2 am, but then realized I had no choice. It was me or the pig. But then again, I thought it out and decided maybe the pig was a livelihood for one of my roommates in this place. What if the pig escaped, and it was detrimental to some poor soul.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Love Does

At least two people on this trip are reading Love Does by Bob Goff. It looks Like something I will also read this summer. Sarah read me the introduction on the bus to the Rhino trip. It was inspiring. It talks about love being active and going out and doing things and being the spirit, that ennui that can make a real difference in the world. It is what we in Biloxi talked about when we said about hearts have been in the right place, but now also on this trip our feet are in the right place too. It is that kinship that we strive for.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------At the bottom of my frustration over my techno problems I read some kind words that Josh Franklin wrote on his blog. And there it is that simple power of love or kindness to always triumph. I am so excited for Josh and Sarah to begin the first day at Sir Samuel Baker school and in my dream scenario, it will be Ronald Kwoyelo to open that first door for them. They are already good friends and I believe great teachers. Sarah actually sang a lot of the songs on the TV show Barney when she was a child. The actors lip synced her voice. Sarah and I have already bonded Over our love for Defying Gravity. I see in both Sarah and Josh what Marian Wright Edelman calls "the sound of the genuine" and I feel blessed that they are my colleagues and my friends. but most of all I feel great that two great people are here to give their very best to my friends in Uganda, especially a young man named Ronald.----------------------------------------So I think my goal for the next 5 weeks is simple--it is to love, and maybe be known as the man who loves. "I'm though accepting limits because someone says they're so.". I think there are no limits on love, and I will do better because if I ever need an example of love, I have all of you, my friends, my family, and 30 of the most amazing young women I know who showed loved every day, Building ramps, painting, and building homes in Mississippi.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Rhinos and Frustration

9 of us went to visit Rhinos and we once again had a great time. The Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda has grown from 6 rhinos to 12 rhinos with the birth of six new ones since I have been coming to Uganda. There are only 14 rhinos total in all of Uganda. This seems to be a great start in returning native animals back to Uganda. The boys, Josh Franklin, Isaac Morford, and myself shared a nice room and Sarah Allen and Li'l Feisty were in the other room of Chalet # 2. Two great meals at a very nice retreat about 3 hours away from Gulu. It was a great trip before the first week of school Nothing seems to be working this year, and I again have phone problems which means I will add to the 14 hours (not a joke) that I have already spent at the MTN phone store. My phone stopped working right after I had loaded $30 dollars worth of credit on it. (so that credit is now lost somewhere in cyberspace). I have an ipad that is not connected to the internet because of some SNAFU somewhere. It is frustrating, because Dana Larkin went to the store in Kampala at the exact same time, and did the exact same thing and hers has been working for almost a week now. My internet stick for the laptop, does not seem to be loading or some other problem. So the current score is Devices that I brought to Uganda to connect with all of you that are not working 3 while devices I have working 0. I am not sure whether I will be able to connect on a regular basis with you this year, but know that I am working on solving these problems several hours each day, and will continue to try until I leave. There are several good teachers that are a part of this group and another dozen will be arriving within a week. If any of my students were having these problems I would advise them that the things that are frustrating them are just things and getting frustrated by silly things is not worth your worry. We should be concentrating on people not things. Tomorrow, I will arrive in Atanga after a 2 year absence of seeing the students, and I will remember again why I come to Uganda. This week I will also be in a classroom teaching for the first time since May 2011. It has been awhile and I cannot wait.

Friday, June 15, 2012

We Bless the Rains Down in Africa

Okay, so here is the update on my connectivity. My phone's sim card is corrupt, so I have to get a new one before I can call or receive calls. Unfortunately, power has to be up for this to happen( there has been no power for 36 hours). My stick works on my laptop, but I was excited when I got home last night, and tried to squeeze a last sentence into this post and the computer died, and finally the sim card for my iPad still will not load. Now back to the story We all went to quiz night at BJ's, which is the old Bamboo. All of the teachers went so it was a good time. There were two European cup matches to be played so the bar was full of interested soccer fans. Italy vs. Croatia is a big draw in Uganda. We then got going on quiz night and the 11 of us were joined by 3 Ugandans and a young woman from Holland. My trivia skills were not good, and several of our right answer were marked wrong. But it was still a good night, half of the group left early and got caught in a downpour. The hardcores benefitted from sticking around and having another Bell. I had told Josh Franklin about dancing with the imaginary hacky sac and mid conversation he reached into his pocket and found an invisible hacky sac and we soon had a good 10 minute game that several Ugandans thought was hilarious. (See Holly Schoen it is fun, and now has been played on two continents) I then had a great conversation with Rebecca aka li'l feisty. We talked about teaching and family and many other things..., but mostly how great this whole experience is going to be. I think she is going to be a fantastic teacher and is a great part of the Teacher Exchange Program. Isaac was there keeping watch on everything, I am looking forward to working with him. Dana had her Ugandan friend David along, who is fast becoming everyone's friend. Sarah found a few Ugandans to chat up, and it was just a great night. Since the rain had come and the roads were muddy, we decided (mostly me) to walk home. Headlamps pointed out a few puddles, but not all of them and we laughed and joked all the round home. It is a great group, and this just reinforced how enjoyable it is going to be to spend time with this bunch. The final 6 were all the guys: Isaac, Josh, and myself and we were joined by Sarah, Dana, and li'l Feisty. I might actually buy a generator today, as the lack of electricity is seriously hampering my ability to communicate. All is well, and don't forget to send a brotha a shout back on the comments below. Tonight I get to meet my partner teacher, Okidi Polycarp and met old friend Calistus today. So many good people here..... until later, John

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Finding Comfort in Gulu

Okay sorry about the last couple of days. I purchased two different ways to get on the Internet and neither one is working. Then tonight, I had more problems, started at Cafe Larem, Moved because a nothing was loading, moved to Kope Cafe, and now back at Cafe Larem using Dana's computer whose modem is working (we bought the exact same thing) to type this. TIA...TIA I am soon headed to Atanga SS. My colleague will be Isaac who played football at UNC and had to battle Julius Peppers in practice. This is his story. We all hoped on Boda Bodas to get to town and it was an adventure for 12 of us were having their first ride. I was not with Isaac but met up with him at the IC office. He had a big smile on his face and was sharing a child's drawing with a Uganda woman. He was explaining to her that his 6 year old daughter Rigby had made this drawing for her. She had apparently stayed with Isaac's family when she was in Flordia advocation for IC and the children of Uganda. When Rigby found out that Dad was going to Uganda, she asked her Dad to find this young woman in Uganda. A difficult task, but not in the dreams of Rigby. Dad made a few inquiries and was ready when he got to the IC office. The young Ugandan woman was there and Isaac greeted her warmly, a two day visit in the past had already made them fast friends. It might have helped that Isaac has two wonderful, cute daughters...Rigby and Layla. I have not met them, but aren't all 6 and 3 year olds wonderful. The young woman took the painting and the message slowly crafted on lined paper by Rigby. She laughed and said, "I am so excited, I could collapse.". The young Ugandan woman's name was Comfort. So this morning, that is how a 6 year old I never met, and her father, a man as big as a house showed me how to find Comfort in Gulu. I told the Biloxi students last week that their greatest talent was to love. If I needed any more proof of how love can bind us all together---I found it today in Gulu.

Monday, June 11, 2012

First Night in Uganda

Although I did not sleep more than a 5 minute nod off on any of my flights. I got a 3 hour nap tonight and ready to begin the latest chapter. Good night in NYC with Frank Hellwig who got up at 500 am to help me hail a cab. A 7 hour flight to London....there just enough time to buy 2 waters with the 5 pound note, I had saved from several years ago, then on to Uganda.... We arrived at 715 am Monday, and walked across the historic Entebbe tarmac. Soon got to see my good friend James our Kampala driver. Spent an hour in the phone store trying to get ipad internet access with Dana Larkin. We were not successful, but I loaded up more time on my stick and that should get me internet access in Atanga. We are going to the US Embassy tomorrow, and then home to Gulu... I cannot wait. After a tough year, I am so inspired by the 30 students I just spent a week with. They are amazing talented, but most of all the spread joy and love to everyone they touch. We did incredible things there, and most of them were done by the hard work of the students.... of course could not have done it without the adults either. For the first time in 13 months, I am ready for the classroom. I am going to work tirelessly to do my best, because Boo Yah, Aahahanana, Jump Around, and 27 others have shown me that hard work and love can make a difference. to see their blog www.sharekindnessstl.blogspot.com