Hiring labor around here is pretty cheap...
Jeff and Christine hired three men to dig a plot of land today...I'm talking like 8 hours of over-your-head, swinging a hoe kind of digging...not easy.
They've been hired at a wage of 8,000 shillings per day...that's equivalent to about $4 for an entire day of work.
Doesn't seem like much to me...but they're willing to take the work.
At dinner, I made a comment about the cheap labor and Jeff so kindly calculated my own wages for the week...
I started working at the Gaba Bible Institute this past Wednesday, since the kids are on holiday from school, and I'm currently working on a project to "fix" student files from the last 3 years, which is necessary as GBI moves toward national accreditation. I worked about 18 hours...I was paid today with a trip to Ciao Ciao to get ice cream ($0.50). That comes to less than $.03 per hour!!
Now, THAT'S cheap labor!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Maranatha Christian School...part 1
Recently, I realized that I didn't really have any pictures from school...the students, teachers, etc. that I work with. So, I took my camera to school and started taking pictures like crazy...first in P2, then both P3 classes. Before I could even make it to the P4 class, which I also work with, my battery died...I guess I'll have to take my camera to school again another time!
Here's a picture of the lower primary section (Primary 1-3 classes), where I tend to spend most of my day...construction is always ongoing down here.
I taught the P2 class "The Ants Go Marching" song, to work on rhyming, number sequence, and animal habitats...hoorah, hoorah!
Teacher Peninah and her P3 class...where I usually can be found, even when I'm not teaching.
Teacher Olivia: the head P3 teacher, who works mainly with the struggling students of P3.
Nussula (the middle, back student) is an example of when retaining a student can work. Last year, Nussula was in the bottom 5 students in her P3 class of about 70 students. She was in one of my reading groups and started to make progress, but not enough to move her on to P4. This year, she is at the top of her class and raises her hand confidently! She's constantly helping the other students in her class as well.
Here's a picture of the lower primary section (Primary 1-3 classes), where I tend to spend most of my day...construction is always ongoing down here.
I taught the P2 class "The Ants Go Marching" song, to work on rhyming, number sequence, and animal habitats...hoorah, hoorah!
Teacher Peninah and her P3 class...where I usually can be found, even when I'm not teaching.
Teacher Olivia: the head P3 teacher, who works mainly with the struggling students of P3.
Nussula (the middle, back student) is an example of when retaining a student can work. Last year, Nussula was in the bottom 5 students in her P3 class of about 70 students. She was in one of my reading groups and started to make progress, but not enough to move her on to P4. This year, she is at the top of her class and raises her hand confidently! She's constantly helping the other students in her class as well.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Azuukidde! He is Risen!
Happy Easter! Azuukidde! He is risen!
Despite the rain today, I made my way to Gaba Community Church's outdoor Easter service.
There were three large, white tents to sit under, but the musicians stuck it out in the rain...Yep, electrical equipment, wires, speakers, and microphones were all left out in the rain! (Ok, some of the speakers were covered with blue tarps, as you can see in the picture, and the cameramen had umbrellas, but still!?) Even the tents began to leak. The picture below is of the church choir. Note the white skirts...these Ugandans just don't think about rain!
The service was filled with special music and dance performances. I think it lasted the first hour and a half of the service. All the while, in true African style, people showed up as much as an hour late. Then, Pastor Peter gave a short Easter message, to be followed by what?...yep, more special musical performances. They did have prayers and offering somewhere in there, but there was always a song being sung at the same time. Africans love their music!
In all, it took about two and a half hours, and that was cutting off the last few performances. People were shouting for the last ones, but they decided to wrap it up anyway. Thank goodness!
This picture is of the Mwangaza children's choir...they were definitely the best performance of the morning!
Despite the rain today, I made my way to Gaba Community Church's outdoor Easter service.
There were three large, white tents to sit under, but the musicians stuck it out in the rain...Yep, electrical equipment, wires, speakers, and microphones were all left out in the rain! (Ok, some of the speakers were covered with blue tarps, as you can see in the picture, and the cameramen had umbrellas, but still!?) Even the tents began to leak. The picture below is of the church choir. Note the white skirts...these Ugandans just don't think about rain!
The service was filled with special music and dance performances. I think it lasted the first hour and a half of the service. All the while, in true African style, people showed up as much as an hour late. Then, Pastor Peter gave a short Easter message, to be followed by what?...yep, more special musical performances. They did have prayers and offering somewhere in there, but there was always a song being sung at the same time. Africans love their music!
In all, it took about two and a half hours, and that was cutting off the last few performances. People were shouting for the last ones, but they decided to wrap it up anyway. Thank goodness!
This picture is of the Mwangaza children's choir...they were definitely the best performance of the morning!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Uganda's rhinos became extinct nearly 30 years ago, during the time of Ida Amin, due to civil unrest and heavy poaching...
BUT, a few years ago Rhino Fund Uganda started a rhino sanctuary that can eventually house up to 50 rhinos! They started with 4 in 2005, and then received 2 more from Disney's Wild Kingdom last year. They are expecting the first baby rhinos to be born later this year!
Eventually, the rhinos will be re-introduced to Uganda's national parks...
The rhino sanctuary is surrounded by an electric fence to keep the rhinos in while keeping poachers out...and there are rangers who monitor the rhinos 24-7. Visitors are welcome to see the white rhinos from as close as 30-50 meters away.
So, we piled in the car and headed to the rhino sanctuary in Nakasangola district...arriving a few hours later...
Our guide met us at the gate and we headed toward where the rhinos were...driving part way but then walking the rest of the way away from the road.
Just then, we could see the first rhino...laying in the shade of some trees. As we got a little closer we noticed the other three rhinos that were also there. You can just see in the background how close I am to the rhinos!
A couple times a rhino would stand up and we were able to see how large these animals really are...they can reach up to 2.5 tons! They seemed to look right at us...but never came toward us.
The guides know them each by name and call their names to calm them down when they appear to be agitated. After getting our fill of pictures, we headed back to the cars, to lunch, and then back to Kampala.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Something I learned at school this week:
What is soil?
Soil is were you find plants, roots, and nutrients.
Nutrients are small animals that live in soil.
(This was the science lesson in P3 this week...not even kidding!)
Soil is were you find plants, roots, and nutrients.
Nutrients are small animals that live in soil.
(This was the science lesson in P3 this week...not even kidding!)
They sing like angels...
Why is it that music, art, and sports seem to be the first things that get cut in schools? Because they aren't seen as essential...they are not a part of the fundamental skills needed in basic education...they are extra...for fun.
It's true, they are fun, but they can also be huge motivators in getting students to like school...not to mention that they help develop well-rounded students and have been scientifically proven to help develop mathematics concepts and specific brain functions.
Plus, look at many of the highest paid people in the world...actors, athletes, and musicians!
What does this all look like here in Uganda? You can often walk by a typical school here in Uganda and here singing. They've got that one for sure! But a lack of resources and creative teachers make any other type of performing art/athletics virtually non-existent.
BUT...Christopher House Ministries is a local ministry that teaches students about character and the arts. The students at Maranatha Christian School (the school I'm teaching at) have been going to Christopher House once a week since the beginning of the term in Feb. Students committed themselves, for the duration of the term, to the area of focus they were most interested in: Arts & Crafts, Music & Dance, or Sports.
Each week they are excited to go...although most of the teachers gripe about the 30 minute walk there and then back during school hours. The students practically run the entire distance to make the most of their time...they are focused on their task for the whole of the hour spent there, something rarely seen in the classrooms back at school.
Today Christopher House Ministries had their Easter Celebration. Today was their day to show off what the students have learned, although most of the performances were by children who attend the Saturday Program.
I must say...I was impressed. They performed songs, dances, and skits. Even fairly young children were not timid in front of the crowd of parents. Their voices were beautiful...and man were those young girls good at twisting their hips!
Without a doubt Christopher House Ministries is doing something positive for the children in this community...and here in Uganda.
It's true, they are fun, but they can also be huge motivators in getting students to like school...not to mention that they help develop well-rounded students and have been scientifically proven to help develop mathematics concepts and specific brain functions.
Plus, look at many of the highest paid people in the world...actors, athletes, and musicians!
What does this all look like here in Uganda? You can often walk by a typical school here in Uganda and here singing. They've got that one for sure! But a lack of resources and creative teachers make any other type of performing art/athletics virtually non-existent.
BUT...Christopher House Ministries is a local ministry that teaches students about character and the arts. The students at Maranatha Christian School (the school I'm teaching at) have been going to Christopher House once a week since the beginning of the term in Feb. Students committed themselves, for the duration of the term, to the area of focus they were most interested in: Arts & Crafts, Music & Dance, or Sports.
Each week they are excited to go...although most of the teachers gripe about the 30 minute walk there and then back during school hours. The students practically run the entire distance to make the most of their time...they are focused on their task for the whole of the hour spent there, something rarely seen in the classrooms back at school.
Today Christopher House Ministries had their Easter Celebration. Today was their day to show off what the students have learned, although most of the performances were by children who attend the Saturday Program.
I must say...I was impressed. They performed songs, dances, and skits. Even fairly young children were not timid in front of the crowd of parents. Their voices were beautiful...and man were those young girls good at twisting their hips!
Without a doubt Christopher House Ministries is doing something positive for the children in this community...and here in Uganda.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Intensive Trip
One of my favorite things to do here in Uganda is to visit the church plant in Soroti. Why? There's just something about Soroti that has made me fall in love with the people. Perhaps it is the passion that Pastor Julius exudes along with his huge smile, or the hospitality of the pastor's wife and the church members, or that the children know my name and want to spend time with me with nothing else expected.
So, when I found out a team from Mariners was coming, and planning a trip up to Soroti, I knew I had to tag along...plus, I would be able to hang out with people from "back home."
We certainly packed a lot of work into a quick trip. As Pastor Julius addressed the team and announced our schedule on the first afternoon, he referred to it as an "intensive" couple of days. He wasn't kidding!
Day 1: After 5 hours of driving, we arrived at Soroti Hotel for lunch. We then drove over to the church to pack 100 bags of food (posho, beans, and cooking oil). Some of the kids began to gather at the church while we did this, so we took the opportunity to give each of them a polaroid picture of themselves.
Jackson, one of the kids I met my first trip to Soroti, came and asked if I would be in his picture with him. Of course! All the other kids took their picture individually, but Jackson wanted me to be in his. I look forward to seeing him each time I return to Soroti. Here's a pic I took with Jackson and his youngest sister, Grace. The first time I met "Gracie" she wouldn't smile or talk to anyone, yet she was always intently watching or quietly sitting on someones lap. Now, she talks and laughs with me :)
We then left to distribute the bags of food at two different IDP camp locations...The families gathered and listened to the pastors explain who we were and why we were bringing the food. By the time we finished, it was already dark. So, we returned to the hotel for dinner.
Day2: Wednesday morning we visited the new ARM sponsorship office. Then we headed to Amuria county to distribute wheelchairs. I personally had the chance to record three stories of people receiving a wheelchair for the first time. Just from this one gift, their life had hope again. In a society where crippled people are shunned and hidden, we let them know that they are not fogotten...that they are loved by a big God.
After lunch at Pastor Julius' house and a quick training on malaria & mosquito net use, we drove out to the surrounding villages to distribute the nets. I, somehow, ended up in a group with me being the only "mzungu"(white person), which was fine except that it automatically made me the spokesperson of the group! I hate being the center of attention like that!
Each time I've gone out into the villages, I am amazed by the Ugandan people's hospitality. They rush to find chairs/stools for us to sit on as they see us approaching. Each family is grateful for the net that they receive because they understand the reality of death...and malaria is the number one killer in Uganda.
Again, we were out until dark...so back to the hotel for dinner and rest. The heat of the day drained our energy and we were exhausted!
Day 3: Early the next morning we were back on the road to Kampala.
So, when I found out a team from Mariners was coming, and planning a trip up to Soroti, I knew I had to tag along...plus, I would be able to hang out with people from "back home."
We certainly packed a lot of work into a quick trip. As Pastor Julius addressed the team and announced our schedule on the first afternoon, he referred to it as an "intensive" couple of days. He wasn't kidding!
Day 1: After 5 hours of driving, we arrived at Soroti Hotel for lunch. We then drove over to the church to pack 100 bags of food (posho, beans, and cooking oil). Some of the kids began to gather at the church while we did this, so we took the opportunity to give each of them a polaroid picture of themselves.
Jackson, one of the kids I met my first trip to Soroti, came and asked if I would be in his picture with him. Of course! All the other kids took their picture individually, but Jackson wanted me to be in his. I look forward to seeing him each time I return to Soroti. Here's a pic I took with Jackson and his youngest sister, Grace. The first time I met "Gracie" she wouldn't smile or talk to anyone, yet she was always intently watching or quietly sitting on someones lap. Now, she talks and laughs with me :)
We then left to distribute the bags of food at two different IDP camp locations...The families gathered and listened to the pastors explain who we were and why we were bringing the food. By the time we finished, it was already dark. So, we returned to the hotel for dinner.
Day2: Wednesday morning we visited the new ARM sponsorship office. Then we headed to Amuria county to distribute wheelchairs. I personally had the chance to record three stories of people receiving a wheelchair for the first time. Just from this one gift, their life had hope again. In a society where crippled people are shunned and hidden, we let them know that they are not fogotten...that they are loved by a big God.
After lunch at Pastor Julius' house and a quick training on malaria & mosquito net use, we drove out to the surrounding villages to distribute the nets. I, somehow, ended up in a group with me being the only "mzungu"(white person), which was fine except that it automatically made me the spokesperson of the group! I hate being the center of attention like that!
Each time I've gone out into the villages, I am amazed by the Ugandan people's hospitality. They rush to find chairs/stools for us to sit on as they see us approaching. Each family is grateful for the net that they receive because they understand the reality of death...and malaria is the number one killer in Uganda.
Again, we were out until dark...so back to the hotel for dinner and rest. The heat of the day drained our energy and we were exhausted!
Day 3: Early the next morning we were back on the road to Kampala.
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