The Stories of Amber Grimes

Day 23 Sunday 4 July 2010

This morning I woke up and went to the market with Karen. She had to do the grocery shopping for the people that would be going to camps for the week. By grocery shopping, we went to the open market and haggled. It was quite an experience and I actually managed to get everything for the price suggested on my list. The women had weights that they would use to balance the scales for half a kilo or a kilo or whatever. I really enjoyed it and Karen was very appreciative of the help. I would like to go back with her again.

I managed to squeeze in a catnap before our Active Strategies workshop. I really enjoyed the workshop and got a lot out of it. I have some ideas of what to incorporate in class. Simon and Geoffrey both came!!!! I was soooo excited. They came on Ugandan time (late) but they were there. That really meant a lot and I think they were able to see what I am pushing for a little better. I am so happy they came.

After the Ugandan teachers left (there weren’t too many), we were supposed to have a little shopping session at the house. Molly, who makes Acholi beads, came but MEND did not. MEND was pushed back to Thursday. The beads were pretty awesome. I really want to learn how to make them.

For dinner, I headed to a new café I heard about with my new friend from Group 2 (and MD), Sarah. I think it is called Sankufa. Brian, an American from Chicago worked with an NGO in Uganda a few years ago. He decided to ‘put his money where his mouth is’ and moved to Lire where he opened his first café. Recently, he opened a satellite branch in Gulu (which is only open on weekends). The cafes serve a mix of local food and food from abroad, like pizza. Since it was the Fourth of July, they were having a hamburger and hotdog special. Amazing, right?

I went for a hamburger and chips (fries). It was pretty awesome. I couldn’t get the wireless to work so Brian gave me a cord to plug-in. I uploaded my emails quickly and went back to eating and enjoying my company. I had an email from Shane that I am VERY excited to read. I did notice that he sent me a picture of the fireworks. I love him. While eating, Brian mentioned that the Ethiopian restaurant was showing The Sandlot. Naturally, that is where Sarah and I went next.

The courtyard was full of munos and The Sandlot was being projected onto the wall from someone’s laptop. It was such a good time. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as did Sarah. It was the perfect way to spend the 4^th of July in Gulu, Uganda.

Wanna s’more?

Some more of what?

Day 21 Friday 2 July 2010

Today was a very interesting day. I arrived to school and taught Simon’s class on probability. It went well. He did not want to teach experimental probability, which is the fun part of probability. I think the students seemed to pick it up. I left them with that problem that was kicking my butt on Tuesday. I put them in partners and told them to bring their books to the staff room when they were done.

Our class ran over a bit but I returned to the staff room to wait for Geoffrey for the next class. We were told not to go to class without our co-teachers. I am also still confused about what buildings and doors are which. All of the classrooms look the same. After a while, I had a feeling he had already gone to class but it was possible that he was late.  He then returned and seemed surprised I was there. I told him I had an 8:00 class with Simon (they both have my schedule but they do not even know their own). He thought I might still be not feeling well from Wednesday. Either way, we sat and began discussing our next class.

After a bit, someone came in asked to him go out to a meeting. He came in and out a couple of times and kept telling me to stay seated. Eventually, he explained that they were having a meeting for the guidance department and I could wait for him there. I asked if I could sit in on the meeting with him. He then came in and out a few more times and then invited me to come sit with him.

The meeting was with representatives from the United Movement to End Child Soldiering (UMEC). They do something similar to the Knowledge of Behavior and Self (KOBS) curriculum that IC is implementing, where they are trying to create emotional literacy and help students be aware of their feelings and actions. I think this is very important since many of these kids grew up in a time of uncertainty, conflict, and violence. While not all of my students were child soldiers, many were still heavily affected by the war. Sir Samuel Baker was even attacked by the LRA many years ago.

The UMEC people were asking me about education in the states. Somehow we were discussing behavior and discipline and the man brought up caning. I said I thought that was illegal and he said it was not. Some people are pushing for it to be but he seemed to be in favor of the act. I was surprised that someone supporting peace education and conflict resolution would support caning. While it is not meant to cause serious injury, I still think is a violent act.

According to IC, caning is illegal but several teachers have come back to the house describing canings they have seen at their schools. Katherine has been making notes and discussing it at the IC meetings. IC does not support caning but I do not know if the continuation of the act will affect the relationship with the partner schools. I have not seen any canings at Sir Samuel Baker. I think my school culture may be a bit different from the other schools.

From what I can tell, the curriculum is not really being implemented. One of the activities UMEC is pushing for is to do a play or have a debate. After much discussion, I eventually informed the group that I have theatre experience and was disappointed that Sir Samuel Banker did not have a theatre program. I am not trained in the curriculum but I would love to help with a play. There were some head nods but no one has approached me.

The brief 10-minute meeting with UMEC lasted about an hour and half. When it was finally wrapped up, I asked Geoffrey if we should go to class. He said there was only twenty minutes left and we would not have time to do anything. So I only taught one class today.

Afterwards, we had lunch. It was awful. I was hungry and had been teased about taking child-sized portions so I took a generous amount of beans today. They are usually pretty decent but I thought I was going to vomit today. I don’t know if they were old or had been overcooked but they were disgusting today. I choked down what I could but I felt horrible about how much I wasted. When Geoffrey inquired, I told him I wasn’t as hungry as I thought I was and they had filled me up.

Then we did our interviews for the KOBS curriculum and conference. It was just a series of questions for students about friendship, their school, and their views on conflict. Geoffrey chose two students that he thought would understand and talk. He picked good students and they had some interesting things to say. I am not too sure what I will be using the information for. For the most part, they seemed like normal answers I would get from any student anywhere. I wish I had more interactions with the students. I am not getting to know them as well as I would like.

On the way back, I stopped off at Kope and talked to Jacob about showing a movie on his projector. He seemed excited about the idea and told me to pick a day. I am going to run it by the other teachers.

I returned to the house for dinner and then went to Café Larem for wine night. I had a glass of a very sweet blush wine and my Tulane friends were there. It was their last night so they were just hanging out. I was sad to see them go but they offered me a place to stay if I ever go to New Orleans. That’s pretty sweet. We then headed to Kope Café to watch the World Cup on the projection screen. It was a very nice, relaxing night, which is important since we have such busy weekend ahead of us.

We have all been very concerned after hearing the news about the bombing. Amber called and asked me to post on her blog that she is okay and they are a good distance away from the bombing. She said it may be very difficult to make any future posts. The teachers are staying close to home in the evening after teaching at their schools.  She will try to post but their main concern is safety for the group.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

I just spent 45 minutes loading 10 out of 12 pictures of the town and the power went out. I am not paying double to to load them again. Sorry guys… you’ll have to wait ’til next time…

I slept in a little bit and went for a run this morning. I ran around the neighborhood a little bit, trying to learn more about the area. I am still unsure of where a lot of the roads lead.

I came back, showered (I actually washed my hair!), took some pictures, and went into town. I had some research I wanted to do before my Skype date with my parents this afternoon (morning at home), before my dad went to work. Of course, the power was out and stayed out.

While at Larem, trying to catch up on my blogs, there were some munos at the table next to mine. We ended up talking and they were a group of med students from Tulane here for a class on developing nations. The T.A. that was escorting them ran a primary school in Entebbe. I am hoping to remain in contact with him. I mentioned quiz night and they already had plans to attend.

I meandered around town for a bit waiting for power to come back. Shortly before I was supposed to meet my parents on line, I headed to my other favorite Internet café. The power was still out but someone there told me I could go to the internet/computer place that had a generator. I raced over and was able to get on and talk to them. It was great! I do miss them a lot. My dad updated me on the Orioles. My mom stayed on for a while after my dad left for work to help me with some technical stuff. I cannot get the videos from my flip camera to load onto my computer. I didn’t know until after I had been on for two hours that they charge double when the generator is running. It was still under $2.50.

I had to get home because Katherine had asked for a check-in meeting. I told her things are progressing. I feel like we are taking baby steps. She knew I had had a bad day the other day. There are good days and bad days and every day is a new day. She told me that she had been talking about what Geoffrey had done with the computers at her meetings with Invisible Children. They are interested in putting on a professional development. They have someone who can do it but that person cannot do it at all of the schools. They are trying to focus their resources where there is interest. And now there is interest at Sir Samuel Baker. We just have to get them plugged in…

Later, we went to quiz night and the Tulane students were there as well as some of the nurses from St. Jude’s. The two teams of teachers took second and third place. The first place prize was a case of my favorite beer here. It would have been nice to have for our party this weekend.

Please excuse the following 13-year-old-myspace-style photos.

I was supposed to meet Simon early before class to go over the problem I had so much trouble with yesterday. He said 7:45. That is the time I usually get there. Then I wait for 25 minutes until my teachers arrive for the 8:00 am class. Of all days, I had difficulty getting a boda. The first one I came across wanted to charge me double of what I usually pay. I refused. He tried to explain that the fuel costs were high but I pay the same price every morning. I walked about half-way to town before coming across another boda. He agreed to my regular price.

I got on and he took off. We passed the streets the drivers usually turn on and I asked him if he knew Sir Samuel Baker and explained we had passed the way I usually go. He said he did. We then drove to a part of town that I did not recognize at all and he asked me if we should go straight. I said I did not know, I had never gone this way. We then circled block and I insisted he ask someone for directions. The person did not know and then some students told him which way to go. I was livid.

I called Simon to inform him that I would be a little late because my boda driver had gotten lost. The boda driver then increased his speed and I arrived at 7:50. Everyone was standing outside of the staff room and huge padlock placed on it. I called Simon to let him know I was there and he said he had gone to retrieve the key.

I taught the 8:00 am class. We didn’t even get to the problem that I labored over last night. The students would give me a “thumbs up” for the explanation and answer my questions about the problems on the board but then they would struggle with the practice problems. I think this is because the practice problems in the book are much more complicated than the examples. When we left, Simon blamed the students for not spending enough time with textbooks. He made it seem like we shouldn’t have to go in and explain everything. I have even been having trouble teaching myself from the text and I taught myself trigonometry in high school. Today, I asked for my mom to email me the BCPS algebra curriculum. I am hoping that will be a huge help. I will be better equipped to teach myself and be able to use strategies.

I then met with Geoffrey and we planned. I think I may have made some headway. We were going to teach the sine and cosine rules. The example we had did not require the use of the rules and could be solved much easier another way. I suggested we pick a different problem but he insisted it would work. I explained that it would work but why go through all of the unnecessary work, part of teaching the students how to do something is teaching when to use it. This seemed to get through. He nodded and developed another problem.

I even pushed to plan for Friday also! He pretty much just told me to plan the next part. There is still a huge gap in the collaboration part of this experience. I did get up in front of our class today, even it was only for five minutes. I pretty much introduced the concept and then let him work through it. I tried to get some interactive questioning going but the students just weren’t into it. That will change. ☺

After class, the three of us were supposed to discuss preparations for an upcoming conference. Geoffrey tried to push that back to after lunch. I wasn’t having that today. My stomach was feeling strange, my lessons were planned, and I wanted out. I politely but insistently explained that I wanted to do it before lunch because I wanted to leave. They had both peaced out on me this week so I refused to let myself feel guilty. We sat and discussed when and which students to speak with for the conference preparation and I made sure they did not need anything else from me. I told them they could call me if they did and I would come in tomorrow. I could not spend the next two hours sitting between them competing for my attention and making my head spin. I just didn’t have it in me today.

Before I left, I asked Geoffrey if the proposal had been finished. He said I would get a copy and that he was meeting with the head teacher in the afternoon to discuss things. I am excited to hear about this. I considered calling him this evening but was concerned that may be a bit intrusive.

As walked out of the campus, I realized the house was full of the new group of teachers going through orientation and I would not be able to go back and rest as I had hoped. I decided to go to Kope Café and relax online for a bit. I had to walk quite a distance before catching a boda. I didn’t mind the walk but then a woman with a huge bucket on her head and baby on her back passed me and smiled as she did so.

I then spent the afternoon Skyping and emailing and researching math strategies. There was a woman at another table who grew very frustrated and quite rude with the service. It’s Uganda. Everything takes forever. She said something about going to another café and it not taking as long. I’d like to know where that is. I don’t think she has been in Gulu for very long. Either way, I found her behavior very disrespectful and inappropriate.

I came home for dinner and then had a discussion with a few other teachers and Karen, the intern, about the podcast. It turned into a very interesting conversation about race, which has been very present in my mind lately. No earth-shattering conclusion was reached but the conversation was very insightful and intellectual. I enjoyed it. I also got my bag back from the laundry. It still smelled like petrol but the stain is out. So I Febreezed it.

As we were wrapping up, there was a large explosion sound that came from the direction of town, followed by a smaller one and then several popping sounds. This made me a little nervous. I wandered over to our guard and asked what he thought the noise was. He said it was gunshots and that was some thievery going on somewhere. I asked if he thought I should be concerned and he said no. I made my way back to the porch only to see Karen walk over to him and ask him what the sounds were. He said gunshots and she mentioned that there was a military base near by (I was unaware) and he said, “Yes, they are practicing drills.”
Then there were sirens coming from two different directions going toward town. I waited for a bit and things seemed to quiet down. I went in and got ready for bed. A few teachers returned from the Ethiopian place around the corner and informed us that they had seen fireworks. I suppose I will really find out when I go into town in the morning…

Sorry for the delinquency in my posts. It is partially because I am so busy and partially because the power keeps going out. It was out for twelve hours today and even now it keeps going in and out, causing many problems with loading posts. Thank you for your concern and updates will be available shortly.

Today was another rough day. It actually started pretty nice though. I got to sleep in a bit and that was awesome. I had meant to get up a lot earlier than I did though. I finally went for a run. I had to keep it short since I stayed in bed so long (It was also the first time I have run since arriving here). It was nice little run but I got even stranger looks from the local people. People do not run for fun here, only the munos.

When I returned, Julie had decided to move to the other room so we were more spread out when Group 2 arrived. I was sad to see her go (she only went next door) but I did not mind moving to her bottom bunk. There is at least part of a window near her bed.

I only teach with Geoffrey on Tuesdays and I still have not been in front of his classes. Our communication and my limited math skills in his area are still a source of frustration. Simon came in to plan today since he left early yesterday. So after class, I once again had to sit between them while they competed for my attention and my brain had to switch from geometry and trigonometry to probability to teaching strategies.

While in class, there was this load clap of thunder that rolled for over a minute, I am sure. It was the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my life and the boys even jumped and looked around. It then rained. It was not like the usual short downpours here but a light rain that lasted for a few hours. Geoffrey grew very concerned about traveling and did not want to stay for the round table. The roads were already wet. We would have to travel on them regardless.

(I don’t think I have mentioned round tables before. Round tables are when our program director(s) come(s) to our school and meets with all of the Ugandan and American teaching partners in a group. We discuss various things regarding teaching, the partnerships, upcoming events, culture, etc.)

Geoffrey and I are moving to the Cosine and Sine rule. That is what you use to find the measurements of triangles that do not have ninety degree angles. The example he wanted to use was a ninety-degree triangle. I explained that you did not have to use those rules on that triangle. He said, “It will work.” I explained that it would work, but part of teaching students how to do something is also teaching them when to do it. The students needed to know when and why they needed to use the rules. That seemed to register and he created another example. Small successes.

Geoffrey then announced that he was not feeling well and would leave. It was 30 minutes before our round table. I texted Danielle but she was already on her way. I was even more disappointed that he had left when I found out the topic of the round table was professionalism and different cultural approaches to time. I think Geoffrey and I having this conversation in a group format would have been very beneficial to our relationship.

Simon and I are still working on probability, which I do not mind except for the Venn diagram problem he insisted on using. I couldn’t figure out the middle number of the three Venn diagram for the life of me. Once I could get that number, I would be able to do the probability part very easily. After leaving school, I spent two hours on line trying to solve the problem. I emailed math teachers in the states. I had nothing. And I had to use the problem to teach at 8 am.

This, on top of everything else, led to my first cry here. It wasn’t a big one but I was feeling very overwhelmed and frustrated.

My mom emailed me some stuff from the BCPS curriculum that I think will be helpful, then I finally went back to the house for dinner. I arrived minutes after group two. I was not in the mood to be social but I did my best. I met the girl from Towson. She reminds me a lot of Rachel Siegel (one of my best friends and sorority sisters) and I am hoping we will be good friends.

After dinner, the power went out. A few of stepped out to look at the stars and Amanda pointed out the Northern Star and the Southern Cross. It was really cool to see. I have never even seen the Southern Cross and apparently you can only see both of them when you are near the Equator.

Then group one had get out of the way so group two could have an orientation meeting. I wasn’t really feeling the bar, which is where most of the group was heading, so I went with a few people to Coffee Hut for dessert. I was hoping to get nachos but once again, they were out. I am beginning to believe they are mythical. I had a mango yogurt combination instead. It was decent.

While there, Kristin said she had been working on solving Venn diagrams in her class. She agreed to take a look at the current bane of my existence with me when we got back but there was little success. I then I asked if there were any math teachers in group two who could help. John Magee, the legendary big muno, took one look and told me how to do it. It was brilliant. I now have my work ready for tomorrow.

I taught my first class today!! I got laughed at a lot. I am not positive why the students were laughing but I think it was for things not being able to reach the top of the chalkboard and saying words differently/funny. They definitely laughed when I spoke in the local language. At first it made me more nervous but I kept pushing through. When I asked the class questions, I was met with quiet, blank stares. There is very little dialogue between Ugandan teachers and students. Usually questions are rhetorical, as discussed with my South African friend on Saturday.

In order to monitor comprehension, I asked the students to give me thumbs up if they understood and thumbs down if they did not (I checked before hand to make sure ‘thumbs up’ meant ‘good’ in this culture and was not something profane.). The first time, almost all of the students gave me thumbs down. I had to start all over again! Luckily, I had not gone far into the lesson and only had to slow down my speech, which was a challenge for me. I talk fast in the states. Here, I imagine I sound something like a chipmunk to them. After I slowed down, things went much smoother. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed their smiles and I even got three students to come up and write answers on the board. All in all, I would say it was a success.

Both of my teachers were in a hurry to leave today so I did not have to stay for lunch! Woo hoo! Without Geoffrey to arrange a boda for me, I had the option to call one of the drivers I know, or walk for a bit. I chose to walk and took some pictures along the way. I crossed paths with Simon, who was heading to his campus housing and informed that is was going to rain. I looked up at the beautiful blue sky with white puffs and asked how he knew. He said when it is cloudy and the temperature is high and the wind picks up, it will rain. I had barely noticed the soft breeze.

I went into town and hung out at Café Larem for a while. I am really not a fan of their food and apparently there is a new (muno, pretty sure, American) owner. She was a big jerk to the employees and I don’t think I am going to go back just because of her. Tomorrow, I return to Kope Café, even if it is a bit more costly.

Amanda just came in and informed that they caught a black widow spider on the handle of the latrine. I didn’t know they existed here. We had them at camp last summer too.

Group Two arrives tomorrow. I anxious to see how things change around here… People are already moving. Some of my roommates volunteered to go out to the stables. If I am going to switch to a bottom bunk, I’d better do it now. I have grown very attached to my little window, though.

We woke, had a delicious breakfast, and packed to return home. We paused at the little ‘petting zoo’ and played with some deer like things, then on our way out, there were three cows blocking the road! The matatu honked and slowed down but kept driving. The cows moved out of the way and then one of them started running after our matatu! It got tired after a few seconds but was really funny.

We passed the baboons again and I tried to be sneaky about taking a picture but just got a bunch of shots of grass. I hope I will see them again somewhere that I am allowed to take pictures.

After a bit, the drivers pulled over to the side of the ride of the road in front of what looked like a house with a man and a young girl, presumably his daughter, in front. The driver got out, the men exchanged words, and then opened the back of the matatu. He apparently purchased petrol from the side of the road. After a bit, Karen in the back noticed something had spilled on the floor. It was the petrol. Apparently the men had made a mess when pouring it in and my new bag that I am in love with was sitting in a puddle of it. I was very upset. It is stained and reeks. I am going to soak it in water over night and hope Evelyn can get out in the laundry tomorrow.

When we got back, we went into town for lunch. There is a place rumored to have nachos. I was so excited! Then, to my surprise and delight, there were also wings on the menu!! I ordered both. Of all things, they were out of nachos. My disappointment was epic and to worsen matters, the wings were not very good. I will keep trying to get nachos from there.

Afterwards, we went to the Internet café. I had a very sweet Face book message from Ann and I got to Skype with my parents for a little bit. Then I headed over to the market to purchase another bag. I need something to carry my mass amounts of schoolbooks in while riding on the boda. Luckily, they are not expensive and will make good souvenirs.

For dinner, a few of us went to the Ethiopian restaurant around the corner to meet with the nurses and med students that were at St. Jude’s the day we were there. It was a lot of fun there was some great conversation. I really enjoyed it. We are all planning to go to quiz night on Thursday also.

Tomorrow is my first day teaching!