Monday, March 19, 2012

For Life


As I walked in my compound this evening from school, I greeted my neighbors on the veranda sorting peanuts.  We caught up on each other’s days, and I reminded my Ugandan mother, a P-2 teacher, about the upcoming school supervision, just so she could be prepared.  Her response: “Supervision?  Fine, let them come.  But what are they going to do if they don’t like us?  We’re qualified teachers!  Where will they take us?”

In Uganda, you can “choose” to enter the Primary Teacher’s College after passing your S-4 exams.  (I say “choose” because for many people it is not a choice.  The students that go to the teacher’s college are the ones that didn’t do well enough to go on in their studies or don’t have enough money to pay for higher education.)  You are trained to teach all subjects and all classes.  Once you have passed your teaching exams and student teaching, you can apply for government positions at primary schools.  After two years of good reports, you will become a qualified teacher.  A qualified teacher means salary for life.

One of the biggest struggles I face working in the primary schools is one that I will never be able to change.  It is essentially impossible to fire a teacher in Uganda, for anything.  If children aren’t performing well on exams, the teacher is not responsible.  If the teacher doesn’t make lesson plans, he gets a warning.  If the teacher doesn’t come to school, the other teachers complain about having to do his work.  If a teacher badly hurts a pupil from over-caning, he has to pay off the parents who are threatening to go to the police.  If the teacher defiles a pupil, he still keeps teaching.  The absolute worst that can happen to a teacher is a transfer to another school, where he becomes a problem for another head teacher and staff.  I wish I was exaggerating, but I’m not.  I know teachers that haven’t been at school for weeks at a time, teachers that have had sex with underaged pupils and teachers that come to school drunk.  Regardless of their offense, they will almost always stay on the payroll and pension plan.

How do you motivate someone that has nothing to lose and you have nothing to give?  Our schools have little funds to buy prep books, pens and chalk, let alone try to reward teachers for their efforts.  Head teachers are powerless in terms of enforcing good teaching practices.  Supervisors, like the District Inspector or myself, make their rounds to the schools and try to make suggestions for improvement.  But when it comes down to it, the teachers aren’t paid enough and their performance does not determine whether they get that little salary. Why would you try to be better if, in the end, it doesn’t affect you?

Sadly, I understand the Ugandan education system better than my own, but I do know that American schools we have this concept of tenure.  I know that our unions fight for it because it encourages teachers to try different things without worrying about their position; however, it seems strange that we don’t constantly demand for effective teaching, regardless of someone’s experience. Why don’t we see schools as the businesses they are?  If the employees aren’t performing, they should get the boot.  Isn’t that the American way?  Teachers have one of the most important jobs- preparing the future generation.  Children spend more time with their teachers than their families.  Teachers shape not only their reading skills, but also our children’s every day behavior, morals, political views and aspirations.  It always amazed me that Americans don’t consider teaching a very worthy profession.  We recruit from the bottom 30% of college graduates.  American teachers are paid poorly, and yet our future relies on their work.  Of course, I suggest that we increase their salaries and change our attitudes towards teaching.  In certain countries, such as Finland and Japan, teaching is one of the most desirable and honorable positions, only filled by the most qualified professionals.

Regardless of the country, children are the victims of complacent, lazy and careless teachers.  Although this may be an extreme case, I’d like to share it with you.  From beneath the shade of a mango tree today, I watched a teacher cane children for poorly performing on his math quiz.  As I strode up to this class, I doubted whether immediate action was the most professional option, but I didn’t care.  I couldn’t stand hearing the thwack on the backs of innocent children.  I called the teacher outside, and asked him if he was really caning children for bad performance.  Upon confirmation, I explained to him that poor performance was not the child’s fault, but his fault.  I further explained that it should not be the children to be caned, but him.  A child can only perform as well as he was taught.  Ends up, he’s not teaching very well.  But nothing will happen to him.  He will continue teaching poorly, blaming his pupils for his failure and collecting his salary every month.  As for me, I will continue to be baffled by our acceptance of this broken system and stumped by questions about where to take qualified, but poorly performing teachers.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Blogging on the Bandwagon


Wednesday morning, I jumped on Facebook for a little post-breakfast surfing before I headed off to school.  Imagine my surprise when I see Facebook flooded with one link “Kony 2012.”  Upon first glance, I incredulously thought, “Can’t be related to Uganda, to the LRA, to Kony.  Must be yet another fad I haven’t heard of yet,” when in fact, it’s the one new fad that I already knew all about.

I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of harsh responses to this blog post, particularly because I have not seen the YouTube video.  Hey, internet’s too slow for me download a 25 minute video.  For eating up all that bandwidth, I’d much rather Skype to Nathan than blow it downloading something that I already know.  I want to preface my post with the following:

1.     Nope, I have not seen the video
2.     Nope, I don’t plan on seeing it any time soon
3.     Most Ugandans have not seen the video (as in probably about 98%)
4.     These are my very humble opinions


I find it incredibly sad that the “masses” are finally learning about Joseph Kony and the LRA, despite the fact that this conflict began nearly 25 years ago and Kony is no longer in Uganda.  I want to emphasize that point: the LRA are no longer active in Northern Uganda and have not been for some time.  We have Peace Corps volunteers in the North!  Although the North is riddled with physical, emotional and social damages caused by prolonged fighting and fear, Northern Ugandans are no longer in danger.  I do not mean to say that we should give up and allow Kony to enjoy freedom.  I simply want to show that the hype is a little late.  A few years late.

And that is not for lack of trying.  I can assure you that the LRA have appeared on international news more than once in the last 25 years.  I know there are at least a few books that reveal the hell that Northern Uganda faced.  Even the Academy Award winning documentary, War Dance, explores the aftermath of the LRA and the North’s recovery (I highly recommend this movie, particularly after all Uganda’s bad press).  This was not some secret.

Regardless, I will admit that it is a step forward that the LRA have finally gotten on people’s radar.  But, now, what’s the next step?  Taping up posters and throwing stickers all over American cities?  Sadly, I think that will in the following:

1.     An unnecessary environmental disaster.  Why must trees suffer when millions were reached through YouTube and Facebook?  Need paper to write a letter to the Senate?  Fine.
2.     Little increase in awareness.  If people haven’t heard it on the radio, seen it on TV or watched it online, I doubt they go outside.
3.     Satisfaction on part of the “activists.”  Ahhhh, now, I’ve done something about that wily Kony war criminal.  Back to my XBOX.  Finally!
4.     The US can only do so much about the situation.  It’s an international problem that involves that least five countries: Uganda, South Sudan, North Sudan, Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo.  A very complicated situation not hastened by vandalism in major American cities.

Now that I have effectively torn apart the fad solution, I’ll present my suggestions.  They are merely suggestions, so take them with a grain of salt.

1.     Become more informed on the LRA, Kony and Uganda before taking any further action.  A 25-minute video is not enough to understand the situation completely.
2.     Before ever making a donation, investigate the agency to see where your donation is going.  Many agencies use donations to fund internal costs, which may not be the most effective use of your money.  Also, be aware that corruption is an international problem, particularly in many developing countries.
3.     After being a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have seen that foreign aid creates aid dependency.  I call it the “Gimme Gimme Syndrome” because people learn to look outside themselves for the solution, when they may be able to solve it for themselves.  Interested in the concept?  Read Dead Aid.  Still interested in investing internationally?  Look for sustainable investments that have community involvement and support.  Microfinance, capacity building, education, etc.
4.     Still stuck on donating internationally, and now feel lost?  Keep those checkbooks and credit card numbers handy.  I’ll have a donation opportunity coming up in a few months to fund the next Camp GLOW.
5.     Travel!  I may mock tourists while being in Uganda, but visiting developing countries builds their economy.  Uganda was voted the top tourist destination of 2012!  Once called “the pearl of Africa,” it offers hiking, rafting, safaris, gorilla tracking and more.  By spending money, you’re helping Uganda establish an industry, but I’m sure you’ll buy handcrafts as souvenirs, which are usually made by local women’s groups.  Plus, if you’re a friend, I’d be happy to show you around or at least give you some good travel advice.
6.     Invest domestically.  No, I’m not comparing Ugandan’s problems to the LRA, but we could use some improvement too.  There are plenty of organizations that are doing great work and can guarantee good use of your funds.  Donate to The Boys and Girls Club, The Miracle Network, The Salvation Army, YMCA, etc.
7.     Volunteer locally or internationally.  Obviously I’m a huge advocate for volunteering; otherwise I wouldn’t dedicate two and a half years of my 20s to do so.  Again, there are a lot of opportunities in every American city or town.  I was a Big Sister for three years, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences.  Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment.  There are plenty of one day events that need a hand.  Check out www.volunteer.org to find some organizations in your area.  Volunteering internationally can be amazing, but beware!  Unless you devote at least one year, expect that you’ll have to pay to volunteer.  The fee pays for staff support, room and board, transportation, etc.  Now, there are many organizations.  Personally, I’ve travelled with WorldTeach and Projects Abroad.
8.     Pressure our government to improve the American education system so our youth is more involved and interested in international politics and events.  As an international “Super Power,” our youth pays very little attention to anything beyond the US.  It is sad that it took a Facebook sensation to finally catch their attention.  Our education system is falling behind anyway.  We are no longer leading the world in math, science or even English.  We need to invest in our children by investing in our teachers and schools.
 
I’m jumping off my soapbox now.  Feel free to respond.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Texts from Uganda

For those of you unfamiliar with the site, there is something called “Texts from Last Night,” which post wildly inappropriate texts that people actually sent. Most PCVs in my region pay 1000UGX per week (about 40 cents) for unlimited texting. I would like to give you a taste of what kinds of texts we send to each other in Uganda:




ok i know this sounds totally crazy but i was trying to fall asleep and i heard a rat under my bed. then i thought maybe it was trying to get into my bed. so i violently kicked the bed and swiped under it with a broom. im back in bed, the rats still there and im worried it will seek revenge...


im almost done watching all ten seasons with friends... what am i going to do with my life?!?


yes! i might dance in the rain when it arrives


it's a chicken. i'm trying to keep it in perspective. but i can't kill it myself! maybe i'll give it to my watchman and his family


i'm doing leggos with the kids. it's...interesting


i'm going to the pool today and monday. i think if everyone followed my lead there would be world peace and my job would be done


oh and emptied my night bucket for the first time in two days. the smell gave me an instant head ache. oops. (a night bucket is the Peace Corps equivalent of a chamberpot)


i have the least self control when it comes to american food. but i'm going to try!!


i heard you solved your cockroach problem somehow. what did you do?


hey you guys still alive?


side note: a teacher just raised their hand in the middle of my workshop and told me i look like hannah montana without the wig


also i ate a whole pineapple today


so one of the women teachers brought her kid, which of course peed on the floor, twice, while were saying that a safe school is a sanitary one. awesome


does 38k seem high for an iPod cord?


my mom sent me spf 100! i'm pretty sure over 30 is all the same but i'm still happy.


also kids are throwing rocks at the mango tree next to my house and they're hitting my roof. nevermind that they're going to spilt their heads open.


if you were to label 5-8 parts of the male reproductive system, what would those be?


i haven't bathed since sunday. is it bad? (received on Thursday)


a teacher just told me i should eat jackfruit to make my lady parts taste nice.


i made it back but im so tired... i don't know how i'll survive the meeting! i'm already hungry


you know how i am afraid of people in costumes? i’m pretty sure nuns fall in that category. how am i going to live on a convent?


a man has been going around my village warning people about a ghost with fire in the morning. aka – me running with my torch. (a torch is a flashlight)


one of the teachers at my school said he wished he knew i was going to america because he would have given me money to bring back a used car.


i’m pretty sure I just ate intestines for lunch. i’ve already brushed my teeth three times.


a goat fell down my latrine and my neighbors are trying to rescue it.


i thought Peace Corps would make me less materialistic, but it’s done the opposite.


it’s raining, guess i can’t work today!


well i guess i can join the rat club. my apples are half eaten and my soy crumbles are gone!


oh and my arms still hurt from ‘raving’ with the glow sticks.


why is your skin white? haha how have i lived here a whole year and today is the first time a student thought to ask me this?


things are looking up. i had a decent avocado today! and jackfruit!


i’m eating my last brick of weetabix while watching a really bad copy of valentines day. how depressing.


who knew facebook would be part of your peace corps service?