So last night at 4 am, the came and came and came and woke me up. It was pouring, unfortunately I had to use the toilet, so I tried to get skinny and stay along the wall like a cat burglar. Apparently, cat burglars are skinnier than me, because I got hit with a cold, cold ran. It was especially the worst when I hit the big drip that was running off the roof. YEEEEEEOOOOWWW!!! I was curious to see how the rain was going to effect Awere school this morning. And just as important, I was hoping that the rain would not hamper the ability of Denis to meet with Geoffrey his mentor at the IC house this morning. I know he can make it back and be something.
Class was fun today as we started with only about 11 students because of the rain. Alfred plans so much for each class, it was fun to just wing it. We started by reviewing the night's home work and I soon was able to sneak in the Identity Matrix. As Alfred collected the exercise books. I was also able to rework another problem. I know it was difficult to walk to school this morning in the rain through the mud, so I really admire the 13 or so students who were that at 8:15. We eventually had more than 40 before the 80 minute period ended,
I am writing this at Awere during a break. We had beef and rice today for lunch which is much better than the potio and beans they have every day at Gulu high and at most schools. Potio is like harder mashed potatoes with a third of the taste. The H.E.A.L.S. group left yesterday they were Josh, Megan, and Christine. Three really good people who did a lot at the afterschool program that Jolie runs. Josh was a great roommate and endeared himself to me at the very end by leaving almost a full pill bottle of immodium. After taking my first CIPRO of the trip on friday night, I have not had any more problems. We compare notes on our movements as regular conversation. My favorite quote was by South Carolina spitfire Danielle who said last week, " Every time I poop it's a party!" So although living together and eating the same food, we have different reactions. Maybe next volleyball game it should be the immodiums versus the fiber pills.
btw, It is time to get the Cardinals going.
I found out I was wrong. Nyeko Alfred, my colleague's name, Nyeko, means jealousy or in other words during his birth some friend or relative of his mother's was jealous. Also first girl twin is Apiyo and second one is Acen. So I forget is is Apiyo Elise and Acen Erin or Apiyo Erin and Acen Elise (ACEN is pronounced a-chen)
As I left school today, one class was laughing hysterically and I saw another young girl working feverishly on her assignment. It does not matter the resources, I think all teennagers will find a way to laugh, and in every school there will be the one student who works real hard no matter how big the obstacles.
john
Walk to Atanga SS
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Several Different Thoughts
03 July 2007
Several Different Thoughts
I forgot to tell everyone another interesting story. All the Acholi people have names that they use at the beginning of their name. So Amos’ name is Orach Amos, when I asked what his name meant, he said it means my mom had me in a bad place, which I think means he is a breech baby. They also have a way of naming twins by who is born first. Erin and Elise I will try to have that for you before I finish this message. There was no water again, but I found a bucket outside with enough water to flush our working toilet. I have kind of taken on that responsibility to fill the toilet with water after a certain accumulation over a night or period with no water. Compared to some of the pit latrines, this is a deluxe bathroom.
Last night, I met two teachers from Ames, Iowa who were here with high school kids building a primary school. They brought 50 in three different groups, and I hit them up for a lot of info and have their e-mail accounts. Students, I am far from making this commitment, but you should know that I am doing a lot to gather information to see if it is possible. It still is going to be between $ 3000-$ 4000, but it is at least a possibility. Tomorrow night, I am meeting Amy Colleen Finnegan who is over here doing research into the peace process and is working in a seminar at Gulu University. Both of us have a connection to Wash U. Catholic Student Center and are now staying a couple of kilometers apart both 10,000 or so miles from Father Gary and his congregation.
Today, was the first day that I actually got to lecture in the class. Alfred is such a nice man, he is always making sure that we are working together to help his students. He also loves to Sudokus, so we have completed a couple together in our down time. I felt really good in the classroom, I got to teach Matrix multiplication in a way slightly different than they have learned. I was happy, because I felt like I got to teach with my personality and laughter in the room. Also, sorry I am skipping around, but we are all sitting in the dark, with candles, and my mind is wandering as I am listening to several conversations at once. But I wanted to tell you that I am the old man here, most of the group is under 30, including a few very experienced professionals who are less than 25.
Okay back to the class, the students were excited that they can approach me for help, and I think I would have had several takers, but it rained heavily after school, so everyone stayed in their buildings, as water was carried in mud ditches away from the school. I will try to get an exterior shot of Awere up on the blog before this week is over. I guess I can never complain about my classroom or facilities again. There is very little sound protection between the classrooms, and Alfred and the students, who like all Ugandans do not talk loudly seem to have no trouble hearing each other. Only the big moo nu at the back of the classroom had to really strain to hear. The students also got a big kick when I exaggerated my American nasal talking style. The Acholi use the word stubborn, like we would use the term smart alec, silly, or crazy. After class, Alfred said like he does a lot with a smile on his face, “Those students are so stubborn.” Apparently two of the students in their answers tried to imitate my American accent.
We had our second round table it was run by Phil, the professor from Boise State, who I think is a great guy. Afterwards, Phil, David (the Acholi I talked about earlier), and I were talking. Phil floated the idea that it might be possible to fly David to Idaho to speak. It would be interesting to capitalize on that same trip and come up with the capital to help finance David’s trip ( how about it Nerinx, Cor Jesu, SLUH parents and alums) this is probably someone your sons and daughters should hear. All of the soda bottles are deposit, and if you buy one from a gas station they really want you to drink it on premises. So walking away with half a case of 300 mL bottles can be tricky, but we have a good reputation here and usually can do it at the Shell station. Btw, most people in town, will not make change for a 20,000 /= bill (about $12.50) so you have to frequently go to the gas station, because they do make change. Next to the Shell station, I got to meet David’s mom and sister, David’s mom is a midwife and has a small clinic where she treats patients for a myriad of ailments. She like many Acholis told me I was most welcome here. The Lwo word for thank you is Apwoyo ( pronounced -- a foy o) and is often connected to another word. The ones that I really like to hear and is usually spoken by an older, wise women is Apwoyo Bino which means “Thank you, you are welcome here.” I think I am going to say that to all the new freshmen I meet in August. I really like the intent and kindness that I feel from those words. If you could somehow feel the kind smile that is attached to those words, you would feel welcome and just feel really good about being here.
So tonight, since I am now teaching I am giving you homework. Your assignment is to say Apwoyo Bino to someone in the next day. It is again from the Lwo language which is the language spoken by the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.
Apwoyo Matek,
John
Several Different Thoughts
I forgot to tell everyone another interesting story. All the Acholi people have names that they use at the beginning of their name. So Amos’ name is Orach Amos, when I asked what his name meant, he said it means my mom had me in a bad place, which I think means he is a breech baby. They also have a way of naming twins by who is born first. Erin and Elise I will try to have that for you before I finish this message. There was no water again, but I found a bucket outside with enough water to flush our working toilet. I have kind of taken on that responsibility to fill the toilet with water after a certain accumulation over a night or period with no water. Compared to some of the pit latrines, this is a deluxe bathroom.
Last night, I met two teachers from Ames, Iowa who were here with high school kids building a primary school. They brought 50 in three different groups, and I hit them up for a lot of info and have their e-mail accounts. Students, I am far from making this commitment, but you should know that I am doing a lot to gather information to see if it is possible. It still is going to be between $ 3000-$ 4000, but it is at least a possibility. Tomorrow night, I am meeting Amy Colleen Finnegan who is over here doing research into the peace process and is working in a seminar at Gulu University. Both of us have a connection to Wash U. Catholic Student Center and are now staying a couple of kilometers apart both 10,000 or so miles from Father Gary and his congregation.
Today, was the first day that I actually got to lecture in the class. Alfred is such a nice man, he is always making sure that we are working together to help his students. He also loves to Sudokus, so we have completed a couple together in our down time. I felt really good in the classroom, I got to teach Matrix multiplication in a way slightly different than they have learned. I was happy, because I felt like I got to teach with my personality and laughter in the room. Also, sorry I am skipping around, but we are all sitting in the dark, with candles, and my mind is wandering as I am listening to several conversations at once. But I wanted to tell you that I am the old man here, most of the group is under 30, including a few very experienced professionals who are less than 25.
Okay back to the class, the students were excited that they can approach me for help, and I think I would have had several takers, but it rained heavily after school, so everyone stayed in their buildings, as water was carried in mud ditches away from the school. I will try to get an exterior shot of Awere up on the blog before this week is over. I guess I can never complain about my classroom or facilities again. There is very little sound protection between the classrooms, and Alfred and the students, who like all Ugandans do not talk loudly seem to have no trouble hearing each other. Only the big moo nu at the back of the classroom had to really strain to hear. The students also got a big kick when I exaggerated my American nasal talking style. The Acholi use the word stubborn, like we would use the term smart alec, silly, or crazy. After class, Alfred said like he does a lot with a smile on his face, “Those students are so stubborn.” Apparently two of the students in their answers tried to imitate my American accent.
We had our second round table it was run by Phil, the professor from Boise State, who I think is a great guy. Afterwards, Phil, David (the Acholi I talked about earlier), and I were talking. Phil floated the idea that it might be possible to fly David to Idaho to speak. It would be interesting to capitalize on that same trip and come up with the capital to help finance David’s trip ( how about it Nerinx, Cor Jesu, SLUH parents and alums) this is probably someone your sons and daughters should hear. All of the soda bottles are deposit, and if you buy one from a gas station they really want you to drink it on premises. So walking away with half a case of 300 mL bottles can be tricky, but we have a good reputation here and usually can do it at the Shell station. Btw, most people in town, will not make change for a 20,000 /= bill (about $12.50) so you have to frequently go to the gas station, because they do make change. Next to the Shell station, I got to meet David’s mom and sister, David’s mom is a midwife and has a small clinic where she treats patients for a myriad of ailments. She like many Acholis told me I was most welcome here. The Lwo word for thank you is Apwoyo ( pronounced -- a foy o) and is often connected to another word. The ones that I really like to hear and is usually spoken by an older, wise women is Apwoyo Bino which means “Thank you, you are welcome here.” I think I am going to say that to all the new freshmen I meet in August. I really like the intent and kindness that I feel from those words. If you could somehow feel the kind smile that is attached to those words, you would feel welcome and just feel really good about being here.
So tonight, since I am now teaching I am giving you homework. Your assignment is to say Apwoyo Bino to someone in the next day. It is again from the Lwo language which is the language spoken by the Acholi people of Northern Uganda.
Apwoyo Matek,
John
Monday, July 2, 2007
Isa not Esau
Well God has a sense of humor. We had no water last night, and I prayed we would have water in the morning so I could shower for the first day I would be in the classroom. We did not get water, but instead in poured on the way to school. It is a 15 minute walk along all mud paths, so I tucked my pants into my socks and walked to school. I got many a laugh from the Acholi. Since most students and teachers also take this path, it is common to wait for the rain to let up. so essentially my first class where I would lecture is rained out. I am now in an internet cafe sweating, so I hope the water does not run out before I get back.
Isa is his name not Esau, so today Isa, Amos, and Samuel met me at the IC house and we walked up to the courts. We had a game of about 8 on 6 although I was not sure. The kids all had three shirts on after school, and every time I thought I knew who was on my team, that kid got hot and took off a shirt, resulting in an entirely different color. Good game though. Afterwards, the three of us went to the Corner bar, they did not go in, but I think they can and I ordered five waters, two for the big sweaty moo nu and one for each Acholi. I talked to Isa and found out that he had enough to eat on Sunday. He and his five siblings are living with his aunt while his mother is somewhere up north. So I think things are at least stable for him. but I also talked to Amos and found that he sometimes misses school, because he does not have his school fees and he is sent home. I immediately am looking at 3rd party sponsorship. His school fees for the year at 21,000 shs i think. Which is about $20........yeh, it really might take that little to figure out how to keep this bright, and talented, and well spoken P6 student in school.
I am not sure my Nerinx e-mails are going through, so if anyone in the math dept. reads this, my AP syllabus was approved by the College board.
Sometime soon my dad will post a picture of a little kid in a suit at ST. Jude's orphanage. A lot of the kids had torn shirts on a hot day, but this little executive soldiered on. I am sorry this was quick, but I am really trying to race back to the house and get in the shower.
peace
John
Isa is his name not Esau, so today Isa, Amos, and Samuel met me at the IC house and we walked up to the courts. We had a game of about 8 on 6 although I was not sure. The kids all had three shirts on after school, and every time I thought I knew who was on my team, that kid got hot and took off a shirt, resulting in an entirely different color. Good game though. Afterwards, the three of us went to the Corner bar, they did not go in, but I think they can and I ordered five waters, two for the big sweaty moo nu and one for each Acholi. I talked to Isa and found out that he had enough to eat on Sunday. He and his five siblings are living with his aunt while his mother is somewhere up north. So I think things are at least stable for him. but I also talked to Amos and found that he sometimes misses school, because he does not have his school fees and he is sent home. I immediately am looking at 3rd party sponsorship. His school fees for the year at 21,000 shs i think. Which is about $20........yeh, it really might take that little to figure out how to keep this bright, and talented, and well spoken P6 student in school.
I am not sure my Nerinx e-mails are going through, so if anyone in the math dept. reads this, my AP syllabus was approved by the College board.
Sometime soon my dad will post a picture of a little kid in a suit at ST. Jude's orphanage. A lot of the kids had torn shirts on a hot day, but this little executive soldiered on. I am sorry this was quick, but I am really trying to race back to the house and get in the shower.
peace
John
Rooster Time
THIS ENTRY IS SLIGHTLY OUT OF ORDER
Rooster Time
It is 6:40 am on an Sunday morning and I am in bed under my mosquito netting listening to a very loud rooster. This rooster sounds like a cartoon animal trying to imitate a rooster and not quite getting it right. I can just here the big chicken say, “I say, I say son that is no way to imitate a rooster.” Seriously something is wrong with the end of this rooster’s call. It rained most of last night, but it did not matter as I was in bed at 9:24 pm on a Saturday night.
Yesterday, we had our conference for over 50 teachers at St. Monica’s up the road. St. Monica’s is a home for child mothers. In case you did not know, a lot of child mothers are that way, is because they were kidnapped and used for sex slaves during the war. This place was a wonderful campus with well manicured lawns and decorative bushes and flowers. I guess they must have a lawn mower. I have only seen one lawn mower here, a push mower in our backyard. Most of the grass cutting I have seen at schools is being done by students (as a punishment?) who wield a piece of 3 ft. metal, slightly sharpened at one end.
Any way the conference included Wamala George the headmaster of Lubiri SS in Kampala, the District Education Officer for Gulu, a child psychologist who deals with PTSD in children affected by the war. And of course, more drama related workshops to get the teachers up and moving. It was a good day, all in all. I have a great picture of Alfred from one of the exercises. I also met Sr. Mary Cara Ajio, who is the head teacher at Sacred Heart a Catholic school for 940 girls just down the road. I have made arrangements to visit the school next week.
When I came home some of the interns, had killed a guinea fowl in their yard. They had brought it over to cook supreme, Doreen to cook it. They said it tasted good, but I backed away with first teaching day coming up, and my system not quite at 100%.
Today I am going to noon mass to hear Jamie, one of the interns, who sings in the choir.
I have also erased a lot of things off of my hard drive to hopefully make uploading pictures easier. I will also find out I guess whether Jack Magee was successfully able to upload the picitures.
john
Rooster Time
It is 6:40 am on an Sunday morning and I am in bed under my mosquito netting listening to a very loud rooster. This rooster sounds like a cartoon animal trying to imitate a rooster and not quite getting it right. I can just here the big chicken say, “I say, I say son that is no way to imitate a rooster.” Seriously something is wrong with the end of this rooster’s call. It rained most of last night, but it did not matter as I was in bed at 9:24 pm on a Saturday night.
Yesterday, we had our conference for over 50 teachers at St. Monica’s up the road. St. Monica’s is a home for child mothers. In case you did not know, a lot of child mothers are that way, is because they were kidnapped and used for sex slaves during the war. This place was a wonderful campus with well manicured lawns and decorative bushes and flowers. I guess they must have a lawn mower. I have only seen one lawn mower here, a push mower in our backyard. Most of the grass cutting I have seen at schools is being done by students (as a punishment?) who wield a piece of 3 ft. metal, slightly sharpened at one end.
Any way the conference included Wamala George the headmaster of Lubiri SS in Kampala, the District Education Officer for Gulu, a child psychologist who deals with PTSD in children affected by the war. And of course, more drama related workshops to get the teachers up and moving. It was a good day, all in all. I have a great picture of Alfred from one of the exercises. I also met Sr. Mary Cara Ajio, who is the head teacher at Sacred Heart a Catholic school for 940 girls just down the road. I have made arrangements to visit the school next week.
When I came home some of the interns, had killed a guinea fowl in their yard. They had brought it over to cook supreme, Doreen to cook it. They said it tasted good, but I backed away with first teaching day coming up, and my system not quite at 100%.
Today I am going to noon mass to hear Jamie, one of the interns, who sings in the choir.
I have also erased a lot of things off of my hard drive to hopefully make uploading pictures easier. I will also find out I guess whether Jack Magee was successfully able to upload the picitures.
john
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Just when you thought you were taking a risk
I just met someone named Amelia from Oregon, she is really in the bush. She came to the IC house because her area is currently not safe. She is a couple of hours away living with the Otesse tribe teaching them English. For a while she was the only American there. She is a half mile from the latrine, so she was telling us how she never drinks or eat close to bed time. She has no electricity or running water. She had to leave because the Kajimoro tribe believes all cattle belongs to them, so if they see another tribe with cattle they will shoot them and take the cattle. Relax mom, this has nothing to do with me, but it still is one of many interesting stories I have heard. Oh and some of the guys killed a guinea fowl today. These "expert hunters" used a rock, a big stick that looked like a bat, then a larger stone. Oh btw, I spend most nites watching Arrested Development with a couple of the guys. So this really is an interesting place.
john
there is another entry on my computer somewhere that will fit before these two.
john
there is another entry on my computer somewhere that will fit before these two.
Esau
I see Esau almost every day. He seems to want to do something everytime i see him.
I am going to play basketball Monday with those guys again, but I am trying to figure out more about Esau and how I can best help him. Invisible children is big about not giving any handouts at all, and that is because it just perpetuates the practice that Western faces are for money, and delays the progress of Uganda and its people. But still although, I believe in that practice it is hard sometimes. Esau has asked me for a pen, and after asking permission I gave him a pen. I made sure it was one he could have gotten in town.
Today, Trisha and I went to Mass at Holy Rosary. There were people lined up outside of the church when we got there. I did not want to watch Mass from outside, so we went around the side and Jamie explained to us, that one mass had not let out yet. So we were part of a crowd that pushed inside of Church while the last mass crowd pushed out. It was kind of crazy, but nice that both masses were overflowing. Mass was an hour and a half and in English and Lwo, but sometimes even the English was hard to understand.
I set a John Magee record for sweating coming close but not eclipsing the record by John Gilliam in Jeff City.
Anyway, back to Esau. We saw him on the way to Mass, and he asked for 500 shillings because he was hungry. It tears me up that I could not give him anything, but I will figure something out. The enormity of what is hear is overwhelming yet the people are smiling and happy and work hard to make a little bit each day. Esau has told me that he has lost his parents, but I have been unable to find out more about his story. I cannot remember the statistic, but many of these children have lost a parent to a violent death, because of the war.
Today, I prayed for Esau amidst the sweat. The Head Teacher for Awere directed the choir in the last two songs.
john
I am going to play basketball Monday with those guys again, but I am trying to figure out more about Esau and how I can best help him. Invisible children is big about not giving any handouts at all, and that is because it just perpetuates the practice that Western faces are for money, and delays the progress of Uganda and its people. But still although, I believe in that practice it is hard sometimes. Esau has asked me for a pen, and after asking permission I gave him a pen. I made sure it was one he could have gotten in town.
Today, Trisha and I went to Mass at Holy Rosary. There were people lined up outside of the church when we got there. I did not want to watch Mass from outside, so we went around the side and Jamie explained to us, that one mass had not let out yet. So we were part of a crowd that pushed inside of Church while the last mass crowd pushed out. It was kind of crazy, but nice that both masses were overflowing. Mass was an hour and a half and in English and Lwo, but sometimes even the English was hard to understand.
I set a John Magee record for sweating coming close but not eclipsing the record by John Gilliam in Jeff City.
Anyway, back to Esau. We saw him on the way to Mass, and he asked for 500 shillings because he was hungry. It tears me up that I could not give him anything, but I will figure something out. The enormity of what is hear is overwhelming yet the people are smiling and happy and work hard to make a little bit each day. Esau has told me that he has lost his parents, but I have been unable to find out more about his story. I cannot remember the statistic, but many of these children have lost a parent to a violent death, because of the war.
Today, I prayed for Esau amidst the sweat. The Head Teacher for Awere directed the choir in the last two songs.
john
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