Schoooooool's Out for Half Term

Yesterday and today we did not have school. Last Friday, the teachers were called by the head teacher, Wilson, to discuss the logistics and operation of the school. It appears that a large majority of students have not paid their school fees in full so the school cannot feed the students or pay the teachers. In turn, the school had to shut down and send children home for their school fees. They decided as a group to send students home on Monday so that on Tuesday (yesterday) and Wednesday (Independence Day) they would go home and collect their school fees to bring on Thursday.

So yesterday rather than going to school, we went to Bwera. We picked up Enoch from his home and drove to Bwera Hospital. Up there, we were able to get a great view looking down onto the city. From the hospital, he took us to Bwera Secondary School. He showed us around and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. The school has a computer lab with enough computers for a class to use them. We also took a look at some of the science labs and where the materials are stored. They are in the middle of constructing a new building that will hold three new classrooms and a library. Enoch mentioned that the construction is taking a long time due to the fact that they had to build two “staircases.” We looked at the building and it turns out that one of these “staircases” is in fact a ramp for those people who use wheelchairs. It was great to see the school catering to students with physical disabilities. It was definitely interesting to look at a secondary school and how it is operating.

At a border town called Bwera

Entering Bwera Secondary School

Computer Lab

The school's chemistry supply room

The school's new addition under construction. They hope to build a library.

Afterward, we went to the market in Mpondwe that is near the Congo border. The area is insanely crowded with so many vendors and so many people just walking around everywhere. It is definitely a bit overwhelming. We looked at fabrics and got to meet Enoch's wife who sells fabric at the market.

Our supervisor, Enoch, with his wife

Mpondwe Market

Heather has gotten close with a P5 student named Deborah who is a sister to my P3 student, Kazin. Deborah told Heather that we should stop by her house on the way back to Kasese to meet her since she lives quite close to Bwera. We were sitting in a hotel resort when Deborah was brought up. Enoch turned around and pointed at a sign that had the picture of the Ugandan president as well as the Kasese District Councilman. Enoch pointed at the District Councilman and said, “I believe that is Deborah and Kazin's father.” It was crazy! And the hotel that we were sitting at is owned by him too! It couldn't have been any crazier of a coincidence.

Anyway, we went over to Kazin and Deborah's house and they graciously welcomed us. We met the rest of the family that was present at the house, looked through some family photos, and chatted. Their mother was kind enough to give us many avocado as well as a chicken that Kazin named Frank. Enoch then suggested that we go to the coast of Lake Edward to see if we could see any elephants. We invited Kazin and Deborah to come along with us. When we got there, we roamed around the grounds and just took in the view of the beautiful lake. We walked past some boats that the fisherman use to catch their fish and went to the vendors that sell the fish once they are caught. Iit was really fun and a good experience to spend time with Kazin outside of school. It gave me a different perspective of Kazin and what his home and family life is like. I feel like you can only get to know a student to a certain limit in school. But once you step outside the school realm, you can learn so much more.

My student, Kazin, with his brother.

At a resort owned by my student's father.

Fishermen with their tools

A fresh catch!

Today is Uganda's Independence Day!!!!!!!! Happy Independence Day, Uganda! We went to the Nyakasanga Playground to see what events were happening on this special day. When we arrived, there were a lot of people there and the military and police were grouped and gathered on the soccer field. There was quite a bit of talking and many speeches given. There were children who were filing out onto the field to perform for the audience. However, just as they did, it started to pour! We ran to get under the tents that were reserved for guests. We were able to squeeze ourselves into a spot. After more waiting and more speeches and more talking, we decided to leave.

Primary Students sporting Uganda's colors

At Nyakasanga Playground

Primary Students performing 

We had heard that Juliet's school was having an Independence Day celebration at her school. So when the rain lifted, we made our way over there. When we arrived, the school was having a banana peeling contest. What the. There were many other types of contests and games that were going on. There was one called “The Bottle Filling Contest” where the students had to run to get water and put it in their mouth and then transfer it into a bottle and had to fill their bottle to the top first. Just as the Bottle Filling Contest was to commence, it started to down pour....again. We took shelter in the teachers' office and waited for a good hour or hour and a half before the rain lifted. When it did, the staff provided us with lunch of tapioca and fish. During lunch, we were able to watch the official celebration of Uganda's independence take place.

Banana Peeling Contest at Juliet's school

Eating a meal with our hands

Once we finished lunch, we were brought to the school's main hall where the rest of the program was to take place. There were some insane and creative competitions going on including some miming and dancing. The competitions included: modeling, eating, and laughing (no, not comedy. But laughing out loud.....what the.). It was extremely entertaining and great. It was a good experience to see how a different country celebrates its independence day. America definitely has its own traditions and it was eye opening to see how another country celebrates theirs.

Modeling Contest

Eating Contest