I found the old path and I feel renewed. It was further up the hill. I taught these kids how to add and most of them learned very fast. I feel very good. Then after teaching them(the older students) this we all danced and sang. We all felt good, Judy felt more than just good,she felt fantastic. Two students are going to regular school because they are sponsored. And two new ones are coming. What more do we need to make our day? Huh. Watching these students. Seeing the joy on their faces,the intensity of their interest,their hands rising, as their emotions rise,their hands like the flickering of a fire.... Can you not almost feel the heat? And where once there was only an icy coldness, now a fire,a real fire, And now two new students are coming...
Bob
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The First Real Day
Well after flying 24 hours and trying to recover we had our first real day in Africa(somehow things seem to have altered ever so slightly. I got lost my first day. Why? ) But Africa still seems to draw me. The red roadways with the even more red "sidewalks", the houses hiding behind the walls. The slow walkers on the roadways, on all roadways oblivious to those North American rabbits racing or trying to race. Why do I so love this place? But above all those wonderful children and their wonderful teacher Joyce who are waiting for me as I finally find my way now on a relatively flat roadway(where is the Mt. Everest I used to climb) toward the school. Those kids so thrilled with the desire to learn,ready it seems to pounce on all information that comes their way. Now they sit caught up in working out their puzzles,e.g. what letter comes after c. Now they are trying to do Miss Mary Mack. I don't know what to smile more about: watching the the children laughing,smiling or seeing Judy,Joyce trying to remember --sometimes they forget--which hand to hit Tomorrow. I teach the older children how to add. I will be in further touch
first day!
It was a homecoming! With the addition of 2 tables....heaven. There were 2 groups :upper and middle, with little Teddy, a girl in lower. She is tiny. We enjoyed Joyce, the new teacher. When we went to the P1 class for porridge,the teacher wondered if Doreen and I were sisters. All the teachers were thrilled at the photos, as were the children.The kids and Joyce were eager to show off the song Ellen had taught them. It was a great first day. We basically observed. I began teaching Miss Mary Mack,and introduced the clapping that goes along. That was a hit, and will be continued. Tomorrow we will work on maths. It was far less stressful this year. We knew where we were going, the layout etc. (It will be easier for Doreen and Ellen next time!)Some of the kids we knew from last year.But seeing the In Need Home kids from 2006,now growing, and in regular class because of sponsorship... that brings tears to my eyes. The climb up the hill back, after classes, was interminable... More tomorrow J
Monday, June 28, 2010
Please dont consider this a blog. Bob will blog tomorrow... We arrived safely. Andrew was there to meet us at Entebbe, as planned.It is all very familiar....today we walked briefly down Tank Hill Rd., and saw a sign for the Diplomat....and then, Le Foret. Any comment, D or E. ?Went to the Chinese restaurant we love for eggplant yui sing.We start at school tomorrow, and are all set with lesson plans! Will I be able to handle a small group of 5? Dont be sure.I feel good to be back here. Howard,the PHONE DID NOT UNLOCK!. Had to buy new phone
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Almost 1 p m. Our plane leaves around 9:30. The next time I sit at a computer, I will be in a very different world.The internet cafe will be buzzing, and I will be upset because I cant get to where I want to be,and Bob will tell me to slow down and breathe. I find it hard to do that...there is
so much I want to accomplish while there. My main goal is to review and discuss the budget so that the coming year will go smoothly. We have material for our classroom, and are armed with lesson plans.I have been lucky enough to find 3 new sponsors,and hope Peter Okoth will help match the sponsor with the child. Of course Im anxious to meet the children Ellen and Doreen have been raving about!!When I consider all this, I continue to be amazed that the project is doing such good work. Yes, its a drop in the bucket, but so many people have added drops,we may need another bucket. Wish us a safe trip. Keep us in your thoughts. Judy
so much I want to accomplish while there. My main goal is to review and discuss the budget so that the coming year will go smoothly. We have material for our classroom, and are armed with lesson plans.I have been lucky enough to find 3 new sponsors,and hope Peter Okoth will help match the sponsor with the child. Of course Im anxious to meet the children Ellen and Doreen have been raving about!!When I consider all this, I continue to be amazed that the project is doing such good work. Yes, its a drop in the bucket, but so many people have added drops,we may need another bucket. Wish us a safe trip. Keep us in your thoughts. Judy
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Butterflies
Bob and I are leaving Montreal next week, arriving in Entebbe and then travelling by "hire" to Kampala. We're hoping that Andrew, who was a wonderful help to Ellen and Doreen, will pick us up at the airport. We'll be staying at the Kenrock. It's our fourth time in Uganda. I should be blase(this computer has no accents, so please add your own!), but Im not! I have the proverbial butterflies in my belly....Please read our blogs and add your comments! Believe me, it brings us great pleasure when we're in the crowded,hot ,internet cafes, when the computer suddenly breaks down, after a long day, to hear from you all!Despite the butterflies I look forward to meeting Joyce and the children, most of whom are new to me. Judy
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
TWO MONTHS LATER
It has been two months since we left Kampala. So much has happened in my life I feel as if my head is a whirley bird-like the propellers on a helicopter.
I am now a grandmother of two babies-a boy(Jeremy) and a girl(Sofia) born nine days apart.
Of course they are wonderful and beautiful and thankfully healthy and growing well.
But although joyous, I am not "over the moon" as someone put it.
Don't get me wrong. I adore my grandbabies and all my children ,my husband and my family and friends. But everyday I find tears dripping down my cheeks and they are not tears of joy. They are what I call Namuwongo tears.
My grand babies were born here in Canada. Neither birth was totally simple. I ask myself what would have happened in the shanty town of Namuwongo. Almost 50% of delivering mothers and their babies die in Africa. If they survive, such an enormous proportion of them live in the squaller, sadness and disease. One of the young men working at our hotel told us Namuwongo was a soft slum. " you don't want to see the others" he said.
So I cry softly at the miracle that Jeremy and Sofia were born in one of the best countries in the world to marvelous parents with overflowing love in their hearts and higher educations. Both these babies are already way ahead of most of the others born on their birthdays around the world.
I love you Jeremy and Sofia.
But the tears still flow for the children of Namuwongo.
Ellen Bacal Segal
I am now a grandmother of two babies-a boy(Jeremy) and a girl(Sofia) born nine days apart.
Of course they are wonderful and beautiful and thankfully healthy and growing well.
But although joyous, I am not "over the moon" as someone put it.
Don't get me wrong. I adore my grandbabies and all my children ,my husband and my family and friends. But everyday I find tears dripping down my cheeks and they are not tears of joy. They are what I call Namuwongo tears.
My grand babies were born here in Canada. Neither birth was totally simple. I ask myself what would have happened in the shanty town of Namuwongo. Almost 50% of delivering mothers and their babies die in Africa. If they survive, such an enormous proportion of them live in the squaller, sadness and disease. One of the young men working at our hotel told us Namuwongo was a soft slum. " you don't want to see the others" he said.
So I cry softly at the miracle that Jeremy and Sofia were born in one of the best countries in the world to marvelous parents with overflowing love in their hearts and higher educations. Both these babies are already way ahead of most of the others born on their birthdays around the world.
I love you Jeremy and Sofia.
But the tears still flow for the children of Namuwongo.
Ellen Bacal Segal
Thursday, March 11, 2010
FOR THE CHILDREN ,TURN THE WORLD AROUND
March 11, 2010.
I think about this past month and it's all jumbled together; faces, people, experiences. I feel so full and so alive. The tears are leaking out of me as there is no place inside for any more emotions.
Photos of the zebras of M'Bruru flit through my mind like a silent movie. The shacks of Namuwongo overlapping with the Monyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The contrasts are neverending. Uganda , a land of opposites, the land of the have and the have-nots. Like the smiling and crying masks of the theatre.
Ellen of Africa has gone home to Canada , to the land of non- frizz hair and Starbuck's banana smoothies, leaving her mark here on the children ,on me. I have journeyed on to Israel and even as I walk along the dunes beside the Mediterranean Sea, I speak of nothing but the children.
I see Michael, always eager to help, his shoes caked with mud and his skinny legs covered with scrapes.
Doreen, who's "Uh, uh" at times say more then any words as do her beautiful brown eyes.
Christine, who's clothes are rags but she wears them as if they were silk and fur.
Julian, whose demons darken his eyes as the morning progresses.
There is Hillary, with the accent on the second sylable of his name. His pink jacket confuses us until he demonstrates his left hook and we are reminded again that he is a boy.
I see Charles with his brilliant smile lighting up the room during the power outages.
Then there is Gloria who is the bossiest and feistiest girl from all the boys. She has the intention to break away from her Namuwongo heritage and I am certain that she will.
Provia, whose beaming face and an arch of an eyebrow were her main forms of communication. We need to find her a sponser to be in P2 because even sick, she was able to complete everything perfectly before we even finished explaining it.
Shamim always trying to keep up with her sister, Provia's example and successfully setting her own high standard. Both of them living with therecent loss of their father.
Daniel with his new shoes and his new found voice, who is slowly breaking through his fog of pain.
Maureen, so proud of her gold earings, so obsessed with the scab on her forehead and the moles on my arm.
Jacob determined and focused on getting his "s" to go in the right direction, doing brilliantly after only a few weeks back from break. His mind set on not to be outdone by the new girls.
Hussein, fitting in, making new friends, playing and running despite the fact that his oversized rubber sandles probably belonged to his dead father.
Isma, Mohammed striving to copy his letters and finding a smile despite his hollow belly. Rainy days often meant that porridge was late or didn't happen at all and this was particularly hard on these two brothers.
The courage and the spirit of these wonderful children is something we can all learn from.
I can still see their faces before me. I can still feel their arms around me. I can still hear their voices, mingled with that of Teacha Joyce.
"Hello, hello."
"Hey, hey."
"Where are you?"
"I am heya."
" Are you fah?"
" Not to far."
" Come and play."
"Not today."
"Then when?"
' Another day."
With love and gratitude, Doreen
I think about this past month and it's all jumbled together; faces, people, experiences. I feel so full and so alive. The tears are leaking out of me as there is no place inside for any more emotions.
Photos of the zebras of M'Bruru flit through my mind like a silent movie. The shacks of Namuwongo overlapping with the Monyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The contrasts are neverending. Uganda , a land of opposites, the land of the have and the have-nots. Like the smiling and crying masks of the theatre.
Ellen of Africa has gone home to Canada , to the land of non- frizz hair and Starbuck's banana smoothies, leaving her mark here on the children ,on me. I have journeyed on to Israel and even as I walk along the dunes beside the Mediterranean Sea, I speak of nothing but the children.
I see Michael, always eager to help, his shoes caked with mud and his skinny legs covered with scrapes.
Doreen, who's "Uh, uh" at times say more then any words as do her beautiful brown eyes.
Christine, who's clothes are rags but she wears them as if they were silk and fur.
Julian, whose demons darken his eyes as the morning progresses.
There is Hillary, with the accent on the second sylable of his name. His pink jacket confuses us until he demonstrates his left hook and we are reminded again that he is a boy.
I see Charles with his brilliant smile lighting up the room during the power outages.
Then there is Gloria who is the bossiest and feistiest girl from all the boys. She has the intention to break away from her Namuwongo heritage and I am certain that she will.
Provia, whose beaming face and an arch of an eyebrow were her main forms of communication. We need to find her a sponser to be in P2 because even sick, she was able to complete everything perfectly before we even finished explaining it.
Shamim always trying to keep up with her sister, Provia's example and successfully setting her own high standard. Both of them living with therecent loss of their father.
Daniel with his new shoes and his new found voice, who is slowly breaking through his fog of pain.
Maureen, so proud of her gold earings, so obsessed with the scab on her forehead and the moles on my arm.
Jacob determined and focused on getting his "s" to go in the right direction, doing brilliantly after only a few weeks back from break. His mind set on not to be outdone by the new girls.
Hussein, fitting in, making new friends, playing and running despite the fact that his oversized rubber sandles probably belonged to his dead father.
Isma, Mohammed striving to copy his letters and finding a smile despite his hollow belly. Rainy days often meant that porridge was late or didn't happen at all and this was particularly hard on these two brothers.
The courage and the spirit of these wonderful children is something we can all learn from.
I can still see their faces before me. I can still feel their arms around me. I can still hear their voices, mingled with that of Teacha Joyce.
"Hello, hello."
"Hey, hey."
"Where are you?"
"I am heya."
" Are you fah?"
" Not to far."
" Come and play."
"Not today."
"Then when?"
' Another day."
With love and gratitude, Doreen
Thursday, March 4, 2010
PARTEE
Party, party, party, What a morning it was. Teacher Joyche made decorations and arranged to have all the children from pre-primary join us. Tables and benches were carried down the hill. The children sat silently and motionless(40 of them) waiting. The Headmaster gave a little speech and danced, the VP. danced with her daughter. Then we-the teachers danced. All to the wonderous music of Raffi. The children sat very still. When we took photos they smiled.
Then we served them the banana pancakes and juice Doreen and I had arranged for. The children were exceptionally polite. Then they came to us one at a time to say thank-you. We didn't cry!
Then they were let loose and boy oh boy did those kids have a great time dancing and jumping with us. It was a fabulous party.
Before the party Headmaster, Mr. Ocoth, gave us each a letter of gratitude and a gift of beautiful beaded flipflops. Tears filled our eyes. For me it was most difficult to say good bye to all the teachers we had grown to appreciate. Each of them wanted to know when we would be back. A very difficult question to answer.
My photos holds the story of the courageous children of the Namuwongo slum. My soul will always hold the feelings and special memories of this amazing month. I will never forget, I will never regret.
This is Ellen of Africa signing off with love.
Then we served them the banana pancakes and juice Doreen and I had arranged for. The children were exceptionally polite. Then they came to us one at a time to say thank-you. We didn't cry!
Then they were let loose and boy oh boy did those kids have a great time dancing and jumping with us. It was a fabulous party.
Before the party Headmaster, Mr. Ocoth, gave us each a letter of gratitude and a gift of beautiful beaded flipflops. Tears filled our eyes. For me it was most difficult to say good bye to all the teachers we had grown to appreciate. Each of them wanted to know when we would be back. A very difficult question to answer.
My photos holds the story of the courageous children of the Namuwongo slum. My soul will always hold the feelings and special memories of this amazing month. I will never forget, I will never regret.
This is Ellen of Africa signing off with love.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
TAKING PICTURES WITH MY HEART
March 3,2010.
One more day until we say goodbye.
I walk around savoring each smell, each sound and each emotion. The morning starts with the chanting of the alphabet and the accompanying games all to encourage learning. The room is filled with joy as we work our way towards break. There is porridge today so the children are recharged and eager to return to work as we move into the numbers section of the day. Christine and Provia , two of our newest students, are given their own math workbooks, courtesy of the photocopier. They are thrilled and breeze through their first page. The pride on their faces is worth all the frustrating bargaining that transpired in order to settle on a fair price.
We all pile out into the "yard" to capture a group photo for our pen pals in Canada. Teacha Joyce gets them into an organized group, her national pride as fervent as that of the Canadian Hockey Team. In order to loosen them of their serious posture, I sing them a verse of Teacha Ellen's "Hockey Pockey". I capture their laughter as it erupts on film.
I see everything with such clarity, as if it is happening in slow motion. I watch the chickens cross the road, hear all the greetings from the children passing by, and feel all the appreciation through the hugs and handshakes given by the staff . Each time someone murmurs ,"I'll miss you," tears spring to my eyes.
I am full;full of love, gratitude and sadness.
I am taking pictures with my heart.
Entry by Doreen Horen
One more day until we say goodbye.
I walk around savoring each smell, each sound and each emotion. The morning starts with the chanting of the alphabet and the accompanying games all to encourage learning. The room is filled with joy as we work our way towards break. There is porridge today so the children are recharged and eager to return to work as we move into the numbers section of the day. Christine and Provia , two of our newest students, are given their own math workbooks, courtesy of the photocopier. They are thrilled and breeze through their first page. The pride on their faces is worth all the frustrating bargaining that transpired in order to settle on a fair price.
We all pile out into the "yard" to capture a group photo for our pen pals in Canada. Teacha Joyce gets them into an organized group, her national pride as fervent as that of the Canadian Hockey Team. In order to loosen them of their serious posture, I sing them a verse of Teacha Ellen's "Hockey Pockey". I capture their laughter as it erupts on film.
I see everything with such clarity, as if it is happening in slow motion. I watch the chickens cross the road, hear all the greetings from the children passing by, and feel all the appreciation through the hugs and handshakes given by the staff . Each time someone murmurs ,"I'll miss you," tears spring to my eyes.
I am full;full of love, gratitude and sadness.
I am taking pictures with my heart.
Entry by Doreen Horen
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
AND SO.....
And so we begin our final days here at St Henry's School Muyenga with the children of The NLP. My emotions are about as controlable as a room full of bouncing ping pong balls. I am on the edge of tears when Mohamed with quivering lip whispers "porridge" to me. The rain has meant no fire and therefore no porridge and I know this little boy and his brother, another of our students, may do not have food at home. I ask Joyce not to let them go home until they are given lunch, which will be late because of the rain. Why doesn't the weather understand that our children do not carry snacks in backpacks? Cloudy is fine, downpours shift the universe.
Their english is improving everyday, their ability to focus is great (most of the time). Their academic progress has been grand considering that Joyce has only been in the classroom for 3 weeks.
And me? Well I have begun to have more trouble than usual sleeping. Last night I dreamed I was adopting two 2yr olds from Namuwongo. I miss home and my family very much but I don't know how to say good-bye to these children who have had so many losses in their lives. Have they built up some barrier to departures? Do they have attachments to us or do the realize we are only here for a short time. The teachers say they themselves will miss us. I fight tears. A former student in High School died from malaria on the week-end. I fight tears. The dead goat. I fight tears. I phone one of my daughters-in-law and I fight tears. How will Doreen and I leave the school grounds and get back to the hotel on the last day when we will both be blinded by tears.
"For everything there is a season under heaven"
Ellen of Africa
Their english is improving everyday, their ability to focus is great (most of the time). Their academic progress has been grand considering that Joyce has only been in the classroom for 3 weeks.
And me? Well I have begun to have more trouble than usual sleeping. Last night I dreamed I was adopting two 2yr olds from Namuwongo. I miss home and my family very much but I don't know how to say good-bye to these children who have had so many losses in their lives. Have they built up some barrier to departures? Do they have attachments to us or do the realize we are only here for a short time. The teachers say they themselves will miss us. I fight tears. A former student in High School died from malaria on the week-end. I fight tears. The dead goat. I fight tears. I phone one of my daughters-in-law and I fight tears. How will Doreen and I leave the school grounds and get back to the hotel on the last day when we will both be blinded by tears.
"For everything there is a season under heaven"
Ellen of Africa
Monday, March 1, 2010
JUST ANOTHER MONDAY MORNING
March 1, 2010.
Too much rain causing rivers of orange mud. A dead baby goat in the middle of the road hit by a negligent car or boda boda. The porridge late because of soaked firewood. The children hungry and complaining of empty bellies. Yet,we're still dancing and singing round the room to Raffi's "Banana phone".
"What's a banana phone?" asks Teacha Joyce. I'm not sure what Ellen tells her. I'm glad it' s not me.
We've arranged with Mary, Michael's grandmother , to make us 8o of her special banana pancakes for our parting celebration on Thursday. I am crying already, though I promised Ellen to try and wait until the walk home after school.
The penpal letters are finished , complete with drawings and accompanying photos. Relationships have been ,only to be broken. It's difficult being in the moment when there are only 3 days left to teach, to learn.
The children's faces and the lessons learned will linger ,slowly becoming woven into the fabric of who I am , who I am becoming.
Entry by Doreen on March 1, 2010.
Too much rain causing rivers of orange mud. A dead baby goat in the middle of the road hit by a negligent car or boda boda. The porridge late because of soaked firewood. The children hungry and complaining of empty bellies. Yet,we're still dancing and singing round the room to Raffi's "Banana phone".
"What's a banana phone?" asks Teacha Joyce. I'm not sure what Ellen tells her. I'm glad it' s not me.
We've arranged with Mary, Michael's grandmother , to make us 8o of her special banana pancakes for our parting celebration on Thursday. I am crying already, though I promised Ellen to try and wait until the walk home after school.
The penpal letters are finished , complete with drawings and accompanying photos. Relationships have been ,only to be broken. It's difficult being in the moment when there are only 3 days left to teach, to learn.
The children's faces and the lessons learned will linger ,slowly becoming woven into the fabric of who I am , who I am becoming.
Entry by Doreen on March 1, 2010.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
AND......
Another wonderful school day with the beautiful children. It has become a custom now for the children (all of them) to rush to us and overwhelm us with hugs when we arrive in the morning. It is so warm and wonderful and something I think we will always remember.
Everything is going along smoothly. Joyce seems to know exactly her goals for the children. We put up 2 new leaves on the tree today, one for Provia and one for Christine. The new girls are running circles around the boys, who worked very hard and were not very silly at all today. In the face of the sweet new girls they are really trying hard.
Then there was rain. BUT not just regular rain. This was a torrential downpour, complete with black sky and mud running down hills like fast moving rivers. Unbelieveable. Nobody seemed the least put out by this except me. In the darkened classroom (no electricity) the children continued to do their writing. They even ventured out to the bathroom and didn't look the least bit wet when they returned-amazing. As I write now it continues to rain but lighter than when it began about 3 hours ago. NOTE: my research on-line said quite clearly that Feb. was a Dry month. It has been raining every second day and I have another weather migraine. I'm sueing Google.
As ever,
Ellen of Africa
Everything is going along smoothly. Joyce seems to know exactly her goals for the children. We put up 2 new leaves on the tree today, one for Provia and one for Christine. The new girls are running circles around the boys, who worked very hard and were not very silly at all today. In the face of the sweet new girls they are really trying hard.
Then there was rain. BUT not just regular rain. This was a torrential downpour, complete with black sky and mud running down hills like fast moving rivers. Unbelieveable. Nobody seemed the least put out by this except me. In the darkened classroom (no electricity) the children continued to do their writing. They even ventured out to the bathroom and didn't look the least bit wet when they returned-amazing. As I write now it continues to rain but lighter than when it began about 3 hours ago. NOTE: my research on-line said quite clearly that Feb. was a Dry month. It has been raining every second day and I have another weather migraine. I'm sueing Google.
As ever,
Ellen of Africa
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
It's Days Like This ....
Feb.24, 2010.
What a special greeting this morning. Accompanying the usual "Good morning Teacha Doreen " was a group hug, filled with loving energy and smiles. What an incredible way to start the day.
All sorts of posters are up around the classroom. There are those with letters , numbers and various words . Even Judy's tree of kindness has been resurrected to encourage the children to commit acts of kindness to each other. The children are lapping it up as if it was all a sweet treat and the focus and motivation this morning was quite high. So exciting. Some of the new students are raising the bar in the classroom challenging the others to work even harder. They are so beautiful with their faces bathed in smiles of pride.
We are even managing to individualize some of the lessons according to the various levels. This is quite a breakthrough as well.
The porridge was almost on time today and there was out door play time as the mud had dried up somewhat from Sunday's downpour. We reconvened with a story by Mercer Mayor called "I Was So Mad", a precursor to introducing the tree of kindness. The children loved it so much that they immediately chorused, "Again please " the moment I stopped. Now how is that for a universal reaction?
The rest of the morning was spent learning about Canada as Teacha Joyce and myself introduced the pen pal letters I had brought from a grade two class in Terry Fox Elementary. Thank you Ms.Roberta. The students were over the top with excitement. They were so amazed about the skating on ice. Luckily I had some photographs, courtesy of my son Daniel, in my camera to show them just that. We started the responses to the letters and all went well. It was a wonderful day! It's days like this that keep you coming back for more.
Blog entry by Doreen
What a special greeting this morning. Accompanying the usual "Good morning Teacha Doreen " was a group hug, filled with loving energy and smiles. What an incredible way to start the day.
All sorts of posters are up around the classroom. There are those with letters , numbers and various words . Even Judy's tree of kindness has been resurrected to encourage the children to commit acts of kindness to each other. The children are lapping it up as if it was all a sweet treat and the focus and motivation this morning was quite high. So exciting. Some of the new students are raising the bar in the classroom challenging the others to work even harder. They are so beautiful with their faces bathed in smiles of pride.
We are even managing to individualize some of the lessons according to the various levels. This is quite a breakthrough as well.
The porridge was almost on time today and there was out door play time as the mud had dried up somewhat from Sunday's downpour. We reconvened with a story by Mercer Mayor called "I Was So Mad", a precursor to introducing the tree of kindness. The children loved it so much that they immediately chorused, "Again please " the moment I stopped. Now how is that for a universal reaction?
The rest of the morning was spent learning about Canada as Teacha Joyce and myself introduced the pen pal letters I had brought from a grade two class in Terry Fox Elementary. Thank you Ms.Roberta. The students were over the top with excitement. They were so amazed about the skating on ice. Luckily I had some photographs, courtesy of my son Daniel, in my camera to show them just that. We started the responses to the letters and all went well. It was a wonderful day! It's days like this that keep you coming back for more.
Blog entry by Doreen
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
BACK IN THE SADDLE
After being away for a long week-end to explore some of the beauty of Uganda, Doreen and I returned to class this morning. Great joy, big hugs all around and a feeling of love. I for one was very pleased to see them all again, especially our new pupils that we chose on Thursday.
Most important Teacha JoYce was back full of health, energy and creativity. I wanted to know if the children had asked about us. "No" she replied. I realized we had never told them we were leaving for a few days- a nasty omission considering how many loved ones (like mothers) have disappeared on them in their young lives. I felt really badly.
However it was a good morning even if porridge was late and the children became a bit wrangy around lunch time. You know the drill-under the table over the table, out the door, behind the door. They needed to eat and play.
I was happy to have successfully read them a story and accomplished a song with them- awhole 25 min.
I was back in the saddle again.
Ellen of Africa
Most important Teacha JoYce was back full of health, energy and creativity. I wanted to know if the children had asked about us. "No" she replied. I realized we had never told them we were leaving for a few days- a nasty omission considering how many loved ones (like mothers) have disappeared on them in their young lives. I felt really badly.
However it was a good morning even if porridge was late and the children became a bit wrangy around lunch time. You know the drill-under the table over the table, out the door, behind the door. They needed to eat and play.
I was happy to have successfully read them a story and accomplished a song with them- awhole 25 min.
I was back in the saddle again.
Ellen of Africa
Thursday, February 18, 2010
ONE STARFISH AT A TIME
Feb.18,2010.
Today Ellen and I, along with Mr. Okoth, the headmaster of St. Henry's Primary school, went down to Namuwongo. Namuwongo is a shanty town on the outskirts of Kampala of approximately 500,000 people who have come from various areas affected by wars,such as Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo, Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda. Our mission was to choose six children to be part of our project. Six children to be chosen out of 150,000. Before we got past the railroad tracks, we were approached by clusters of children. They seemed to know why we've come. One little girl took my hand, a smile on her face.Flies were swarming around and landing everywhere but none of the children seemed to notice. They were focused on being picked to go to school. They had to meet two very important criteria; one was that they have only one parent or none, and the other that they have a guardian who would make sure that they would make it to school daily. We met the parent or guardian of each child and went to see where they lived. Then we all went back to the school for interviews, informal testing and registration. They all wanted to come. I am so touched and impressed that these people who suffer so much put so much importance on education.
At the end of the day, I am filled with sadness that we could not do more. There are so many.. I took no pictures but I will never forget what I have seen today. And in the end I have come to realize that we did not choose the children, they chose us. Or perhaps it is as Mr. Okoth says. "God has chosen them."
Doreen
Today Ellen and I, along with Mr. Okoth, the headmaster of St. Henry's Primary school, went down to Namuwongo. Namuwongo is a shanty town on the outskirts of Kampala of approximately 500,000 people who have come from various areas affected by wars,such as Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo, Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda. Our mission was to choose six children to be part of our project. Six children to be chosen out of 150,000. Before we got past the railroad tracks, we were approached by clusters of children. They seemed to know why we've come. One little girl took my hand, a smile on her face.Flies were swarming around and landing everywhere but none of the children seemed to notice. They were focused on being picked to go to school. They had to meet two very important criteria; one was that they have only one parent or none, and the other that they have a guardian who would make sure that they would make it to school daily. We met the parent or guardian of each child and went to see where they lived. Then we all went back to the school for interviews, informal testing and registration. They all wanted to come. I am so touched and impressed that these people who suffer so much put so much importance on education.
At the end of the day, I am filled with sadness that we could not do more. There are so many.. I took no pictures but I will never forget what I have seen today. And in the end I have come to realize that we did not choose the children, they chose us. Or perhaps it is as Mr. Okoth says. "God has chosen them."
Doreen
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
CHAOS
So Teacha Joyce is still home recovering from malaria. I recovered from my food difficulty but it rained-like I have never seen before- for most of the night so I woke with a migraine. I don't understand , Google says it is supposed to be dry in Uganda during February. Google lied. I decided to come to school anyways as an extra adult body surely I would be useful. Ha!!!!! Doreen and I have absolutely NO credibility with the children. We were all in Teacha Sara's class which probably numbered close to 30 children under 6. Seating space is limited so the children are sitting cheek to cheek, all the better to push, pinch, grab and do anything to make your neighbor cry. We tried to get some number work done, with the children copying from the board into their notebooks. Ha!!!!!
I don't even know how to describe the chaos other than to say the children behaved like children. Some stuff is developmentally universal. Finally we got them singing and dancing Yeh. But Sara was called to a staff meeting, the porridge was 1hr. late the children were hungry, tired and very cranky. One little girl's crying began to sound like a mantra, some were covering their ears against the din, most were running around causing trouble, I was guarding the door looking for the porridge and Doreen had fallen onto a chair.
What I found very interesting was that at one point they all sat down. Some children had brought their own snacks and had gone to their bags to get them. All those with food shared with their friends. What a wonderful sight. The peace didn't last long , but while it did it was heavenly.
I haven't lost hope yet.
Ellen of Africa
I don't even know how to describe the chaos other than to say the children behaved like children. Some stuff is developmentally universal. Finally we got them singing and dancing Yeh. But Sara was called to a staff meeting, the porridge was 1hr. late the children were hungry, tired and very cranky. One little girl's crying began to sound like a mantra, some were covering their ears against the din, most were running around causing trouble, I was guarding the door looking for the porridge and Doreen had fallen onto a chair.
What I found very interesting was that at one point they all sat down. Some children had brought their own snacks and had gone to their bags to get them. All those with food shared with their friends. What a wonderful sight. The peace didn't last long , but while it did it was heavenly.
I haven't lost hope yet.
Ellen of Africa
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY
Feb.16,2010.
Today had all the ingredients of disaster. Poor "teacha" Joyce was sick with malaria and had to go home to rest. Poor "teacha" Ellen was home sick due to some adverse effects from last night's Indian food ,and poor "teacha" Doreen was the substitute for the large part of the day. I was seriously considering faking malaria symptoms so I too ,could go home to my bed. As with all children and a substitute teacher, they tested me to the limits. Julius was busy "beating on his friends". Jacobi was grabbing things out of the garbage and throwing it at the others.Charles was on the table, and Michael was under the table,while little Hillary was literally hanging off the the wall. The others divided their time between crying or simply being stunned by all this activity. I prayed for porridge time so they could run off this excess energy and it started to pour. Someone's laughing at me. It's not even rainy season.
The headmaster took pity on me and combined classes with the group we share PE with. Phew, some relief.
Today had all the ingredients of disaster. Poor "teacha" Joyce was sick with malaria and had to go home to rest. Poor "teacha" Ellen was home sick due to some adverse effects from last night's Indian food ,and poor "teacha" Doreen was the substitute for the large part of the day. I was seriously considering faking malaria symptoms so I too ,could go home to my bed. As with all children and a substitute teacher, they tested me to the limits. Julius was busy "beating on his friends". Jacobi was grabbing things out of the garbage and throwing it at the others.Charles was on the table, and Michael was under the table,while little Hillary was literally hanging off the the wall. The others divided their time between crying or simply being stunned by all this activity. I prayed for porridge time so they could run off this excess energy and it started to pour. Someone's laughing at me. It's not even rainy season.
The headmaster took pity on me and combined classes with the group we share PE with. Phew, some relief.
Monday, February 15, 2010
WATCH OUT FOR THE COWS.
Feb. 15, 2010.
Picture a city of over 7,000, 0000 people having what seems like 10,000,000 cars and ONE traffic light. That's Kampala. There we were, one afternoon last week, sitting in traffic with nowhere to g, when all of a sudden, a herd of long horn cattle came running through the turn about. They were on their way to slaughter.
Today in class, Ellen and I empathized with those cows. Joyce, the class' teacher was extremely sick, we suspect with malaria. The children took advantage of the situation just like kids anywhere and we lost control. It was an endless day.
Doreen
Friday, February 12, 2010
SONGS: THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
Feb. 12, 2010.
We start the day out in the yard. Every Monday and Friday they hold parades at St. Henry's Primary School. This is how an assembly is referred to, a parade.. a much more fitting term as it is a joyous celebration with ongoing movement. A half hour later, we head to the classroom, bathed in sweat.
A multitude of lessons, printing, numbers, stories and then it's time for porridge and break time. The children play with makeshift balls made out of garbage. They play soccer, creative and full of laughter.
I take this opportunity to make the acquaintance of one of my student's father. Michael is a little boy in our class. Bright and full of motivation to learn. He is quite promising with his ready smile and his eager attitude. He lives on the school grounds in a double shack with his father, grandmother,stepmother and brand- new, half sister. His birth mother left after the death of his natural sister. His home is located beside the teachers' bathrooms.
I introduce myself and tell him how special his son is. He does not care.
Back to class, for art lesson. First we draw and then incorporate play dough into the lesson. The children love the play dough and we constantly need to remind some not to eat it. The morning ends with some tunes from Raffi. Picture the children marching around and dancing to "Banaphone" . Children, who have lost parents and siblings to AIDS or the war in Northern Uganda. All is forgotten, as we sing together in harmony.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
I HATE PE
The morning began with thunder over Lake Victoria, a threat of rain that didn't materialize. The day opened to magnificent sunshine and a lovely breeze.
Although we arrived at school earlier today the children were already seated and playing with many of the new materials we have brought. I took the opportunity to visit with the class of the deaf girl in P1 who I will work with each day for a 1/2 hr. Monika class s at PE I was told and directed o the outdoor field where PE is held.
You might imagine an area equipped with jungle gyms, swing sets balls, hoops etc. AND you would be wrong!
There s a field of packed earth, children, and 2 Teachas. That's it.
Two amazing teachers leading the children in a most vigorous aerobic workout of group games, some of which resembled capture the flag and tug of war. The children laughed and ran and played and clapped. I clapped too.
After PE I tutored successfully tutored Monika., then returned to my class to dis cover it was time for PE. I couldn't believe it. So we returned to the field, to the game with the hot African sun above us. No more breeze. everybody except one of us was joyous.
You know when I was at school I had the physique of an athletic child but actually I was terrible.
And it still shows because I still hate PE!!!!
Until the next time I remain
Ellen of Africa
Although we arrived at school earlier today the children were already seated and playing with many of the new materials we have brought. I took the opportunity to visit with the class of the deaf girl in P1 who I will work with each day for a 1/2 hr. Monika class s at PE I was told and directed o the outdoor field where PE is held.
You might imagine an area equipped with jungle gyms, swing sets balls, hoops etc. AND you would be wrong!
There s a field of packed earth, children, and 2 Teachas. That's it.
Two amazing teachers leading the children in a most vigorous aerobic workout of group games, some of which resembled capture the flag and tug of war. The children laughed and ran and played and clapped. I clapped too.
After PE I tutored successfully tutored Monika., then returned to my class to dis cover it was time for PE. I couldn't believe it. So we returned to the field, to the game with the hot African sun above us. No more breeze. everybody except one of us was joyous.
You know when I was at school I had the physique of an athletic child but actually I was terrible.
And it still shows because I still hate PE!!!!
Until the next time I remain
Ellen of Africa
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I Have Arrived
Feb.10,2010.
It was a glorious morning, sun shining and no mud puddles to decoratively splash the back of my legs. There is always a chorus of "Good morning , Mazungo" from the children on the way to accompany me on my walk. I was almost at the top of the red clay dirt road, close enough to hear the children's' voices , when I felt the warmth of two little hands slip into mine.
"Good morning Teacha," two little smiling faces chimed. With that, we all rushed up the hill to class to start our day.
I had arrived.
Two more children showed up today, Julius and Doreen. Still sick,with flowing noses and booming coughs. Our day was filled with printing lessons, where we incorporated the peg boards I brought . The children are fascinated by every new thing but their favorite is the children's literature. Each chance they get they gravitate towards the books. Hillary can sit forever "reading" his book upside down. He's three! Julian on the other hand needed a little couching in the care of books as he didn't know how to turn a page. Now every time he turns a page , he says,"gently". I have no idea where he got that from.
We had PE in the sun at 9:00 and laughed and ran and danced. The children who are not in school but are from the surrounding areas, watched with envy tinged with sadness. I too watched them with sadness , wanting to include them all in our games.
More math after playtime and to relieve some of the "sillys" we danced and sang to Raffi.
Wonderful day, life is good.
Doreen
It was a glorious morning, sun shining and no mud puddles to decoratively splash the back of my legs. There is always a chorus of "Good morning , Mazungo" from the children on the way to accompany me on my walk. I was almost at the top of the red clay dirt road, close enough to hear the children's' voices , when I felt the warmth of two little hands slip into mine.
"Good morning Teacha," two little smiling faces chimed. With that, we all rushed up the hill to class to start our day.
I had arrived.
Two more children showed up today, Julius and Doreen. Still sick,with flowing noses and booming coughs. Our day was filled with printing lessons, where we incorporated the peg boards I brought . The children are fascinated by every new thing but their favorite is the children's literature. Each chance they get they gravitate towards the books. Hillary can sit forever "reading" his book upside down. He's three! Julian on the other hand needed a little couching in the care of books as he didn't know how to turn a page. Now every time he turns a page , he says,"gently". I have no idea where he got that from.
We had PE in the sun at 9:00 and laughed and ran and danced. The children who are not in school but are from the surrounding areas, watched with envy tinged with sadness. I too watched them with sadness , wanting to include them all in our games.
More math after playtime and to relieve some of the "sillys" we danced and sang to Raffi.
Wonderful day, life is good.
Doreen
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
AND THEY LAUGHED
Day 2 at school. Daniel was away sick. Actually we were greeted by his illness when he vomited twice yesterday morning. Poor little guy. So there were only 5 children-4 boys and 1 girl-and three teachers. Great ratio. I find the children to be quite advanced in their academic level. The learning is mainly by rote, which seems to give the children a good feeling of security. Not to mention how well they are learning.
The teacher is one of the most creative,energetic,warm and intelligent pre-primary teachers I have ever seen. A dynamo.
Today we brought more supplies with us.I brought Play Doh. Wow what a perfect response. Everyone loved it. We had to limit Teacha Joyce to the amount she used. She was so creative. The children got so much inspiration form her pleasure that they moved from their usual shy positions to joyfulness and they laughed.
ellen of Africa
The teacher is one of the most creative,energetic,warm and intelligent pre-primary teachers I have ever seen. A dynamo.
Today we brought more supplies with us.I brought Play Doh. Wow what a perfect response. Everyone loved it. We had to limit Teacha Joyce to the amount she used. She was so creative. The children got so much inspiration form her pleasure that they moved from their usual shy positions to joyfulness and they laughed.
ellen of Africa
Monday, February 8, 2010
WE ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE
Feb.8,2010.
I am in love for the first time in a long time. With the country.. with the people.... with the children of Namuwongo.
Ellen and I spent our first day at St. Henry's Primary School and were instantly smitten. They welcomed us in a special assembly outside clapping a rhythmic song. Peter, the headmaster treated us like visiting royalty and Joyce, their incredible teacher, was welcoming and made us feel like we truly belonged. We had tea in the teachers room and met the rest of the staff who were equally welcoming.
But it's the children, the children with their shining ,beautiful, faces attentive to task at hand, diligently learning all the skills, who swept us away. All were so focused ,except for one and of course she found me...
Tomorrow we are planning to spend lunch with the teachers and then I will stay on to work with the Peace and Justice Project with James.
Thank you Judy and Howard for creating this dream so that I can live it.
Doreen
I am in love for the first time in a long time. With the country.. with the people.... with the children of Namuwongo.
Ellen and I spent our first day at St. Henry's Primary School and were instantly smitten. They welcomed us in a special assembly outside clapping a rhythmic song. Peter, the headmaster treated us like visiting royalty and Joyce, their incredible teacher, was welcoming and made us feel like we truly belonged. We had tea in the teachers room and met the rest of the staff who were equally welcoming.
But it's the children, the children with their shining ,beautiful, faces attentive to task at hand, diligently learning all the skills, who swept us away. All were so focused ,except for one and of course she found me...
Tomorrow we are planning to spend lunch with the teachers and then I will stay on to work with the Peace and Justice Project with James.
Thank you Judy and Howard for creating this dream so that I can live it.
Doreen
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