Kalikali Primary School

            As an intern with the Acholi Education Initiative, I have had the opportunity to go out into the field with the project titled the Dutch Consortium for Rehabilitation. We have gone to different community schools in the villages of Amuru District. These are the most marginalized and fragile schools of the district, which receive no help or supplies from the government. The main issues that I have witnessed with the progress of the primary schools is that they do not have the adequate textbooks or supplies for the current curriculum mandated by the government, they do not have trained or qualified teachers, the people of the community cannot afford to pay the teachers a reasonable wage, and the roadways or paths to the schools are less than desirable and sometimes nearly impossible to follow (especially when the weather is bad).

            The very first school we went to while I was with them was called Kalikali Primary School. The teachers and students of that school completely stole my heart. They were so excited to see us coming, and I was actually the first white person, or Mzungu, to ever make it to the school so the children were really freaking out. The truck got stuck on the path to the school, as the road conditions were not very great, and we were not able to do the training for the students as planned. We made it back about a week later, and the excitement from the teachers, students, and the community was still just as strong. They had even worked on the road where we had gotten stuck the week before to make sure it did not happen again. Someone with the organization did leadership training with the students who are leaders of the school, and me and a fellow student from the University of Tennessee, were able to interact with the teachers and students and play with them for hours. We got to know many things about the community and even learned some traditional dances from adorable and talented children. AEI is doing great things, and I hope to work with them again in the future!

 

 

Murchison Falls

Early on the last Saturday of July, the GSSAP team awoke and boarded two vehicles with pop-up roofs to travel to Murchison Falls Game Park. We were all extremely ecstatic to travel and see the elephants, giraffes, and (if we were lucky) lions. When we arrived at the game park my expectations were far exceeded, but in a way that I did not anticipate. Growing up in America the only material I was exposed to pertaining to African wildlife was either on Discovery Channel or Lion King. Therefore one of the sources influencing my expectations for this journey involved sensational action shots of giraffes fighting and lion kills with dramatic commentary. The other was retelling of Macbeth, featuring cliché animation and festive music. Don’t get me wrong - we were lucky enough to see a lion stalk and kill an antelope, and it was amazing to see such a powerful animal up close. In the end, however, the game park was so much more than my preconceived notions. While we were riding up on top of our jeep, I found a certain kind of peace about the place. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and the mood across the park fell into perfect harmony. I felt this strange sense of serenity while surrounded by these powerful creatures. It gave me a greater appreciation for the wildlife I continuously saw portrayed on television as well as a whole new perception on what a game park is. I learned an important lesson this weekend; no matter how well made TV or movies are, they can never hold a candle to being there in person.

Giraffe walking across the grassland

Lion tracking

Hungry, hungry hippo

Solitary elephant 

Lion on the hunt!

Group Dinners

 This past Thursday the GSSAP 2014 team went to dinner at the home of Jeff and Lindsay Opiyo. It was a clear night and a fun evening filled with easy conversation and much discussion on the different aspects of our experience in Uganda so far. We ate Sankofa pizza, played with Remy (an exceptionally cute puppy), listened to Jeff play the guitar, and learned to dance along with one of his songs. 

Jeff setting up the fire.

Jordan, Omar, Tracy, and Jake seated around the fire, having just finished our dinner.

The men clapping along with the music.

 All of us dancing to Jeff's song.

We lined up on two sides; the women danced while the men clapped.

Jeff performing a few end-of-the-evening songs, including "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley. Most everyone joined in singing, making for a relaxed atmosphere.

It was a particularly memorable group dinner because of our connections with Lindsay and Jeff. They have both been great resources, but more than that they have both been great friends to all of us in the program. I know I'm correct in saying that we all loved the evening and look forward to seeing them both again soon.

Internship Excursion!

         My internship has mostly consisted of editing grant reports and composing reports on events that GWED-G (Gulu Women's Economic Development and Globalization) has previously participated in the past. But one morning last week I got the chance to take a break from all that. I jumped into a GWED-G Toyota Landcruiser along with Ms. Pamela Angwech, executive director of GWED-G, and Sandra, a member of the GWED-G staff. GWED-G was hosting a three-day training session for various organizations associated with UYONET (Uganda Youth Network) at the Mwokka Hotel (less than a ten minute drive away). The three of us walked in and set up shop; we made sure registration was going smoothly and everyone was accounted for, plugged in our laptops, and refined all details concerning presentations and group activities.    

        And in a matter of thirty minutes, the training session was underway. A total of three lectures, one of which was GWED-G’s very own Pam Angwech, presented crucial non-profit information on organizational and financial management, along with policy implementation and funding. People were constantly asking questions and looking for networking opportunities to strengthen their organizations. That day, Hotel Mwokka was a hub of idea exchange and growth.      

       The participants in the session weren’t the only ones who gained new knowledge and insights within the non-profit world—I did too. Learning and seeing the impacts that all these amazing local organizations are making within their communities is inspiring. From my own observation and experience, these local and more community-based organizations make a bigger, more lasting impact than any international NGO. This is partially due to international NGOs not understanding the people they are serving needs and hopes for their community, much less their culture.

       Talking with people at this training session further made me think critically about the type of organization I would want to work and associate with in the future. It is important for me to support and be apart of sustainable institutions that directly caters to the communities needs-- not one that imposes their ideas and leaves a community in worse shape than what they found it in.           

       Thank you GWED-G for the opportunities and experiences that you give me everyday! 

            

Happy Little Children

I got the chance to travel with my friend Kirsten and the Acholi Education Initiative to two primary schools in Amuru district.  This whole trip, I have been eager to find some happy kids to give my various toys to. I brought bubbles, jump ropes, balls, and face paint from home to give to kids. However, they have given me way more than I could ever give them. I spent about $20 at target, but their reactions were priceless. Their smiles, laughter, and overflowing joy moved me and made me realize how much more appreciative children are here than in the United States. 

Even with all their gadgets and toys, American children are never satisfied. These children were having the time of their life with a foam football. I loved seeing their happy little faces, it has verified to me that happiness comes from within and is not dependent on material possessions. 

Both of the schools we traveled to were community schools that do not receive funding from the government. Both had only one building with a couple of classrooms and no chairs or desks. There were hundreds of kids at the school and only three teachers. Moreover, the schools were very difficult to get to because of the condition of the roads leading to them. None of the students were wearing shoes and their clothes were tattered and worn. Many of them had the light brown hair that indicates malnutrition. For this reason, I was even more impressed by their ability to play and enjoy themselves. By the looks on their faces, you would never guess their circumstance. These children just enjoy life and their innocence is pure. They inspire me so much and, even though my contribution was small, I am so glad I had the opportunity to contribute to their smiles. 

The Ugandan Marketplace

Upon arrival in Uganda, I eagerly awaited the opportunity to visit an authentic African market. I had always heard it was a place full of life and I had to see for myself what it was all about. On our quest to find the best Kitenge clothe in Gulu town, we were advised by local sources to visit the Kaunda Grounds marketplace. Located along the outskirts of town we had to walk quite some distance to find it.  Once there, we immediately felt immersed in culture as the market was alive with language, movement, and commerce. 

While navigating our way through the maze of people, we were greeted warmly by patrons selling their goods.

There were many fresh fruits and vegetables on display. The skins of these fruits and veggies made the market a very colorful place.  

 We even met Mama Pauline (pictured below), who was selling traditional Acholi baskets, drums, and spears.

 At long last, we reached our destination. We had arrived at the best tailor in Kaunda Grounds.

 Once there the fashion show commenced, as we began to strut our stuff in the beautiful Kitenge garments.

 Ultimately, I’d say we all left as satisfied customers. In the future I hope to visit this wonderful marketplace again!

The Importance of Immersion

            If I’m going to be honest about one of my flaws, I have trouble remembering to think before I speak.  I like to blurt things out and sometimes I really end up regretting it later.  That is exactly the kind of situation I thought I might have been getting myself into my first weekend in Gulu.  While I was completing some community service with the local boxing club as a part of my internship I blurted out that starting the next week I wanted to learn to be a boxer.  Before the words came out of my mouth I hadn’t really thought about what that meant.  It meant training, running, conditioning and a lot of hard work.  I was going to have to immerse myself in boxing if I actually wanted to learn to be successful and I’m certain I didn’t realize that when I made my grand proclamation. 

Now, this concept of immersion…

There isn’t a single study abroad student I know that hasn’t been told they need to “immerse themselves in the culture.”  For the most part, it’s very true advice.  One cannot say they have gained the full experience of living and studying in another country if all they do is sit in their hotel room and Skype their friends at home.  I thought long and hard before my departure about how I would immerse myself and make the most of my Ugandan experience.  I knew I’d eat the food, see the sites, and speak to the locals; on top of classes and my internship that felt like a pretty well rounded experience.  Never, in all of my wildest dreams had I imagined I would be getting sweaty while throwing punches with a bunch of local boxers whose plan is to turn me into the female Mayweather.

Though boxing wasn’t in the original game plan, training with this club, being a part of something outside of school and internship, has been one of the most valuable aspects of my immersion in Ugandan culture.  I have learned vast amounts from these young men about the culture and life in Gulu.  I have learned history, politics, popular culture and more.  I have also learned a great deal about myself, and the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone time and time again.  I look forward to continuing to box with the club and grow as both a student and as an athlete; and although thinking before you speak is usually suggested, not doing so really worked to my advantage in this case.

See you in the ring!