Finally, the school term has started, which means, technically, my job has started too. Even though the going is still a little slow, I finally feel like I can start to see what my day to day life will begin to look like here. People keep asking me "So... what do you actually do?" And honestly, I'm still not quite sure yet, but I'm definitely trying to figure it out. In the education sector of Peace Corps Uganda, I feel like my position as a CCT is the most fluid, with the least direction, but actually the most potential if you really find your niche. Well, I'm out looking for my niche nowadays. As of now, the plan is for me to at least once a week, remain at the center and develop our resource room as best I can. The resource room should provide teachers with ideas for lessons and teaching materials and inspire them to be creative on their own. In general, literacy has been identified over and over again as the number one issue children face here. So many students just don't know how to read or write on their own. Maybe they can copy what's on the blackboard or read out loud with the entire class, but when it comes to taking a test on their own, they simply can't read or understand the questions they're being asked. In effort to help the students at my center school and hopefully be an example to other teachers, I've decided to take advantage of their "library hour" to do literacy activities with the older primary school children once a week. Currently, we don't have a library, so I'm going to need to be innovative in exactly how these activities will be conducted, but I'll figure it out. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them! From there, I'll spend the rest of the week visiting my center's schools, supervising teacher's lessons and providing them with constructive feedback. I know that not all the teacher's will listen to me, but the hope is that if I could help a teacher improve their teaching, it would affect hundreds if not thousands of students.
While I haven't exactly started on all of this yet, I was finally officially introduced to my center's primary school. The staff was very excited to meet me, to welcome me to the community and to work with me in the future. Already, they've asked me lots of questions about America, and seem really eager to share their culture with me too. Then, I was introduced to the children. Because only the upper primary students are taught in English, the headteacher gave a lengthly introduction in Lunyole. When he finally invited me to say my names to the students, he was prepared to translate for me. Not a chance! I introduced myself to the large group of 500 students in Lunyole myself! I even used the conventional Ugandan questioning, which goes something like this: My name is what? Madam Negesa. All in Lunyole of course. Even though the students couldn't stop giggling. A foreigner speaking Lunyole? Crazy. But, I know they really appreciated it. And the staff was amazed. Now, I need to learn a few more phrases. I've mastered "My name is..."
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
It depends...
Have you ever sat down and thought about just how huge the United States of America actually is? I mean, think about it. To drive across the United States, it'll take you about a week. I guess if you didn't stop, it'd take what? 60 hours? And that's just the horizontal part. From top to bottom, it's still a couple days. Even to fly across the United States, from LA to New York is at least a 6 hour flight, and that's only if you're lucky enough to have a direct one at that. How many countries can really say that? Probably just Russia, China and maybe Australia? Bottom line: the United States is GIGANTIC! And, not only is it physically huge, and not only do we have a lot of people living there, but we are a country that supports and encourages a lot of diversity. So, trying to make generalizations about Americans can be tricky.
Of course, somewhere, in the back of mind, I did know all of this before coming to Uganda; however, it becomes more and more apparent every day that I live here. Everyone is constantly asking me questions about life in America: what do people do, what do people eat, what's the weather like, do you have this or do you have that, when do you get married, what are schools like, etc etc. More often than not, my answer is always: Uh, well, it depends. And, interestingly enough, when there are a group of us PCVs being asked these questions, we usually have very different answers. The only few straight answers I can give people, that we all can agree on, is: no, we don't have matooke and basically everyone speaks English as their native language, but even that one isn't quite true. Beyond that, all my answers really depend on what part of the United States you're from, how you grew up, where you're from originally, what religion you are, etc. I'm supposed to be sharing American culture with Ugandans, and so far, the best I can do is just say, well, it depends?
Yesterday, one of the teachers actually called me out on it. He said he wanted a definite answer, not something wishy washy. I finally realized that I needed to explain just how big America is, how different we all are and how individuality is something that we value. He was couldn't believe how physically big America is! I think the biggest shock factor I could give him is that Uganda is the size of one of our states (Oregon), and we have 50 states.
So, from now on, I think my main goal in explaining American culture is trying to drive home the point of how diverse we really are, and how the American ideal is the acceptance of everyone no matter what. I know that's not always the case, but it's what we strive for. And, we do celebrate diversity, which I think is one of the best things about being American. Just one small example: when I was in elementary school, we celebrated Hannakah, Christmas, Chinese New Year's, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, and so on. You have to admit, it's pretty amazing how much we value all the different cultures that make up the United States of America. This core American value is definitely something I've come to appreciate since coming here.
As for me and my well-being, things are going good. Believe it or not, I've been at site now for one month, and in country for almost 100 days. Next week, the school term starts, and real work will actually begin. I'm still not exactly sure what that will entail, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.
Of course, somewhere, in the back of mind, I did know all of this before coming to Uganda; however, it becomes more and more apparent every day that I live here. Everyone is constantly asking me questions about life in America: what do people do, what do people eat, what's the weather like, do you have this or do you have that, when do you get married, what are schools like, etc etc. More often than not, my answer is always: Uh, well, it depends. And, interestingly enough, when there are a group of us PCVs being asked these questions, we usually have very different answers. The only few straight answers I can give people, that we all can agree on, is: no, we don't have matooke and basically everyone speaks English as their native language, but even that one isn't quite true. Beyond that, all my answers really depend on what part of the United States you're from, how you grew up, where you're from originally, what religion you are, etc. I'm supposed to be sharing American culture with Ugandans, and so far, the best I can do is just say, well, it depends?
Yesterday, one of the teachers actually called me out on it. He said he wanted a definite answer, not something wishy washy. I finally realized that I needed to explain just how big America is, how different we all are and how individuality is something that we value. He was couldn't believe how physically big America is! I think the biggest shock factor I could give him is that Uganda is the size of one of our states (Oregon), and we have 50 states.
So, from now on, I think my main goal in explaining American culture is trying to drive home the point of how diverse we really are, and how the American ideal is the acceptance of everyone no matter what. I know that's not always the case, but it's what we strive for. And, we do celebrate diversity, which I think is one of the best things about being American. Just one small example: when I was in elementary school, we celebrated Hannakah, Christmas, Chinese New Year's, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, and so on. You have to admit, it's pretty amazing how much we value all the different cultures that make up the United States of America. This core American value is definitely something I've come to appreciate since coming here.
As for me and my well-being, things are going good. Believe it or not, I've been at site now for one month, and in country for almost 100 days. Next week, the school term starts, and real work will actually begin. I'm still not exactly sure what that will entail, but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Home Sweet Home?
For anyone keeping track, I've been at site for a little over three weeks. It may not be surprising to you, but it is to me, I'm still working hard on my home feeling like, well, home. For whatever reason, I thought my "settling in" period may have been a week or two, and then at least my home would feel like mine. Well, that's not quite the case. As of yesterday, my beloved window was completed, which means I can finally use that front room without feeling on display to the entire community. Once I finally mop up all the dust left behind from busting out the wall, I'll definitely feel a little better because I'll finally be able to sit on my sofas and eat at my kitchen table. Even after being in country for well over three months, I'm still living out of a suitcase, which is slowly driving me crazy. Especially because I'll labor for hours to do all my laundry by hand, only to have all my hard work end up crumpled on the floor. Thankfully, my carpenter just finished my wardrobe this morning! I'll have to wait for the varnish to dry before I can use it, but at least I can see my life finally becoming organized in the near future. I've got lots of other little things that are going to help me feel more settled in, which include but are not limited to: curtains, sofa covers, hooks to hang towels, figuring out how to store my food, etc. Eventually, it'll all get done. I just need to remind myself of the Peace Corps saying "Hurry up and wait" because patience is a survival skill here.
Besides trying to set up my house, I really haven't been up to much yet. I did attend the workshop for CCTs last week, and here's what I learned.
1. One of the biggest challenges faced by Ugandan government schools right now is teachers and headteachers not coming to school, and time spent on task.
2. Some parents don't want their children to go to school because they want them to stay at home to work.
3. Making child friendly schools is one of the Ugandan government's big goals right now. A child friendly school is somewhere that children want to be and where they feel safe, especially from corporal punishment.
4. Our counterparts seem excited to work on programs involving literacy and life skills.
Outside of sessions, I learned a few useful skills:
1. It's easy to peel a mango with your teeth. No knife needed! Toothpicks or floss are a must though.
2. "White ants" are really female termites that fly at night sometimes. I learned how to harvest them. You just need to stop caring about all the little critters crawling on you. Then you sundry them, fry with some oil and salt, enjoy!
3. It's not common to see scorpions, and yes, you should be scared and kill them immediately.
Just an administrative note: I have changed the manner in which you post comments on my blog. You must be a registered google user and I have to approve them before they are published. Happy commenting.
Besides trying to set up my house, I really haven't been up to much yet. I did attend the workshop for CCTs last week, and here's what I learned.
1. One of the biggest challenges faced by Ugandan government schools right now is teachers and headteachers not coming to school, and time spent on task.
2. Some parents don't want their children to go to school because they want them to stay at home to work.
3. Making child friendly schools is one of the Ugandan government's big goals right now. A child friendly school is somewhere that children want to be and where they feel safe, especially from corporal punishment.
4. Our counterparts seem excited to work on programs involving literacy and life skills.
Outside of sessions, I learned a few useful skills:
1. It's easy to peel a mango with your teeth. No knife needed! Toothpicks or floss are a must though.
2. "White ants" are really female termites that fly at night sometimes. I learned how to harvest them. You just need to stop caring about all the little critters crawling on you. Then you sundry them, fry with some oil and salt, enjoy!
3. It's not common to see scorpions, and yes, you should be scared and kill them immediately.
Just an administrative note: I have changed the manner in which you post comments on my blog. You must be a registered google user and I have to approve them before they are published. Happy commenting.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Mail Time
As of today, I have a new, permanent PO box! It can't be any more official that I live in Uganda now. I have updated all the other pages that had the address, but I'll list it below anyway:
Chelsea Roberts, PCV
PO Box 1189
Mbale, Uganda
Of course, I'd love to receive letters and packages if you're so inclined to do so. Thanks for everyone that did send me things during training! If I haven't received them yet, I'm going to inform the Peace Corps office to forward them to my address here. For future reference, just remember to look at my "Wish List" page that has mailing instructions. I don't want you to waste any money or time because you didn't follow directions.
It's going to be a short post, but I'm on my way to a teacher's workshop! Hopefully, I'll be able to update you all soon about how the workshop went, and how my village life is coming along.
Chelsea Roberts, PCV
PO Box 1189
Mbale, Uganda
Of course, I'd love to receive letters and packages if you're so inclined to do so. Thanks for everyone that did send me things during training! If I haven't received them yet, I'm going to inform the Peace Corps office to forward them to my address here. For future reference, just remember to look at my "Wish List" page that has mailing instructions. I don't want you to waste any money or time because you didn't follow directions.
It's going to be a short post, but I'm on my way to a teacher's workshop! Hopefully, I'll be able to update you all soon about how the workshop went, and how my village life is coming along.
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