A quick post tonight, but we've arrived safe and sound in Kampala, Uganda. A long and exhausting day, and I'm still not sure that it's hit me that I am in Africa. Maybe after a good night's sleep...
We arrived this morning at 7:30 in Entebbe and were met by Catherine who works for Invisible Children. We drove an hour to our youth hostel (which at the moment has me thinking I'm somewhere in Europe with all the young, traveling Brits and Aussies) where we grabbed breakfast. The group traveling from JFK lost their luggage, so those few of us who had bags shared clothing. (Mom, your skirts got good use today!!)
After exchanging money at the "mall" (where a few hundred bucks gets you wads and wads of Uganda shillings that don't fit in your wallet) we went to the US Embassay and met with a representative from the Ugandan education department. Some interesting questions were raised - about educational problems in Uganda, and about the role of US (or other countries') NGO organizations in Uganda's educational reform. I'm sure these are issues that we'll be considering during the trip and long after we leave, but basically Invisible Children, while trying to improve the situation throughout Gulu, is also constantly questioning its' role in the rebuilding of the country. How do you empower people - or governments or countries - without enabling them?
After the embassy, we went to tour a local school, considered one of the best in the country. We were able to sit down for a few minutes and speak with the teachers. Interestingly, a number of the issues that they expressed in regards to their job were so similar to ones we face half a world away. An English teacher complained of student disinterest and apathy in regards to grammar and writing; another spoke of the seemingly unattainable balance of assigning enough writing for the kids to get practice and then finding the means to assess it all. Only, I'll never complain about 30 to a class... teachers at this school have 6 sections with 80+ students a session. This is what we're told to expect in Gulu, so it will be interesting to see how this is (or isn't) managed when I actually get in a classroom. The teacher complained about the inability to provide individual attention to her students - a compaint I hear so often from teachers at home. Other concerns were lack of parental involvement, outdated or insufficient resources, and absent or irrelevant professional development - amazing how in two vastly different cultures, the art of teaching comes down to the sam key issues and concerns.
Much, much more to come. But for now, it's off to tuck myself into my mosquito net and try to get some sleep. Big day at the market in the morning, then the 6 hour drive to Gulu and the Invisible Children Headquaters.
Missing home - and all of you - but excited for this adventure!
Keep in touch!
Love,
Sarah
P.S. Shout outs:
Kim, Raymers, and co. for taking care of the pooch and the apartment!
We arrived this morning at 7:30 in Entebbe and were met by Catherine who works for Invisible Children. We drove an hour to our youth hostel (which at the moment has me thinking I'm somewhere in Europe with all the young, traveling Brits and Aussies) where we grabbed breakfast. The group traveling from JFK lost their luggage, so those few of us who had bags shared clothing. (Mom, your skirts got good use today!!)
After exchanging money at the "mall" (where a few hundred bucks gets you wads and wads of Uganda shillings that don't fit in your wallet) we went to the US Embassay and met with a representative from the Ugandan education department. Some interesting questions were raised - about educational problems in Uganda, and about the role of US (or other countries') NGO organizations in Uganda's educational reform. I'm sure these are issues that we'll be considering during the trip and long after we leave, but basically Invisible Children, while trying to improve the situation throughout Gulu, is also constantly questioning its' role in the rebuilding of the country. How do you empower people - or governments or countries - without enabling them?
After the embassy, we went to tour a local school, considered one of the best in the country. We were able to sit down for a few minutes and speak with the teachers. Interestingly, a number of the issues that they expressed in regards to their job were so similar to ones we face half a world away. An English teacher complained of student disinterest and apathy in regards to grammar and writing; another spoke of the seemingly unattainable balance of assigning enough writing for the kids to get practice and then finding the means to assess it all. Only, I'll never complain about 30 to a class... teachers at this school have 6 sections with 80+ students a session. This is what we're told to expect in Gulu, so it will be interesting to see how this is (or isn't) managed when I actually get in a classroom. The teacher complained about the inability to provide individual attention to her students - a compaint I hear so often from teachers at home. Other concerns were lack of parental involvement, outdated or insufficient resources, and absent or irrelevant professional development - amazing how in two vastly different cultures, the art of teaching comes down to the sam key issues and concerns.
Much, much more to come. But for now, it's off to tuck myself into my mosquito net and try to get some sleep. Big day at the market in the morning, then the 6 hour drive to Gulu and the Invisible Children Headquaters.
Missing home - and all of you - but excited for this adventure!
Keep in touch!
Love,
Sarah
P.S. Shout outs:
Kim, Raymers, and co. for taking care of the pooch and the apartment!
The Highams for an awesome stay in England - so good to see everyone!
Mom and Dad - for the suitcases - they've gotten quite the uses over the last 11 years...
Little brother - here's the link, now read the blog!
Adam S and family - Thanks guys!!!
Jace and the 7Springs Golf Course - You are the best!!!
USC kids - Hope your summer is AWESOME so far! Grades arriving soooooon....
Emma - STOP CHASING DEER!!!
Mom and Dad - for the suitcases - they've gotten quite the uses over the last 11 years...
Little brother - here's the link, now read the blog!
Adam S and family - Thanks guys!!!
Jace and the 7Springs Golf Course - You are the best!!!
USC kids - Hope your summer is AWESOME so far! Grades arriving soooooon....
Emma - STOP CHASING DEER!!!
