Well, where to start. A lot has happened since my last post. First I left Nakuru and went to Mtwapa (Fishing Village on the Indian Ocean). There I simply relaxed for a few days. Went snorkeling and got invited into a few of the fisherman’s homes for food and what nots. Afterward I went back to Nairobi to extend my Visa, and with that done I was ready to take my friend’s (Kelly) invitation to join her and her work in Uganda.
Immediately on my arrival we were to attend a traditional “function” (engagement party). It was nice, i got to dress up in traditional garm and witness some formal but relaxed events. Deo my local host translated most of the the dialgoue and I was quite glad that it was interwoven with numerous jokes and then followed by food (which we ate with our hands of course). My new roommate would be Fred Odingo, a step son to Deo. Funny Funny Funny guy, he often raises his voice a few octaves and squeals like a bird, i guess you would have to be here to understand.. but it kinda of catches you off gaurd it some strange double take way. We live at the DataGrid office in Entebbe, right on Lake Victoria, its beautiful and i often find myself taking nice walks down to the lakeside and on some of them i find myself paddling a fisherman’s canoe..
Teaching at Kikaaya Voactional School was my first real endeavor
since arriving in Uganda, and it turned out to be better than i could
have ever expected. Immediately I was welcomed and giving a tour of
the school with great enthusiasm. Afterward I got to meet the students
I would be teaching. What would I be teaching? What else besides my
favorite subject; Psychology. Well a form of Psychology. Child
Development to be exact, and I would be teaching to soon to be Nursery
Teachers or what we would soon label as “Early Childhood
Professionals”. Initially I had to feel out the situation, as in
finding out backgrounds and ways to teach effectively in a different
culture. It seemed that they were great note takers but I found it
difficult at first to get them to interact and discuss the topics. I
am not sure if it was because I was an outsider/white person, if it
just wasn’t customary in their teaching/learning methods, or if they
were just shy. But I expressed myself bluntly on the importance of
interacting and asking questions in class and soon they started to
open up. Maybe my corny jokes or maybe my bad dancing helped, I am not
too sure, but they did finally open up.
Before myself they had had no experienced teacher in the field and
not only that they had no one who could comprehend a few of their text
books and topics properly. So I felt decently important and
impactfull, and was not only able to teach them the subject of child
development but also about teaching/learning methods, including what i
said before with interacting and also on such issues as making
portfolios and giving assessments on individual students and the
class, conflict resolution strategies, and forms of educational
psychology.
Overall, though only a week, I felt like it went great and both
parties shared in the benefits. And of course I gave out my email but
when doing this they told me that others had done the same and
somewhat abandoned the students messages by not responding (sad). But
I sincerely hope that I can establish some lasting relationships with
the students were we can mentor each other over the internet, send
over more teachers/students (a teacher is a student for life), and
maybe one day meet again.
Now I am about to embarke on a several week project at Kansas College, ill let you know how its going soon.
And And And. I have booked a flight. yes, back to the states, home bitter sweet home. July 16th I flyout of Nairobi transfer in Istanbul and then land in NY. I hear their having a parade for me. google it. But yeah anyways I am in the process of attempting to set up a few fund raisers upon my return. I’ll post the ones that are definate and welcome anyone who would be interested in hosting one. We will be selling Ugandian goods, some from the kids aome from Refugees, an assorment of crafts and what nots. All the money is coming back to Uganda, hopefully it will be a good bit, you can find out more about these projects through www.directdevelopmentinternationl.org check it!
I didnt photo shop any of these or any before. I didnt know i was suppose to so maybe ill make them glow later…enjoy..
