So maybe all of you computer challenged people can relate to this blog. A teacher last week approached me telling me that the Head Mistress at the school had told him that I would be teaching the teachers to use the computers we have here at the school. I had discussed this with her when I first arrived because those computers are mostly just dust collectors at this time. I set up some scheduled time to help them out, not really knowing what they needed. What I found was not what I expected. They were pretty much all computer illiterate. It was a difficult task teaching them as I was trying to introduce Microsoft Word, but I'm not sure if that's what they were looking for. Besides their level of fluency, some of the computers weren't functioning properly. The mouse on a few were very difficult to use. This made for an even more interesting time. Try teaching someone who is pretty much computer illiterate when the mouse doesn't work! The only real good thing that came out of this is that I have a stronger relationship with the teachers as we laughed through most every session. However, I need to go back to the drawing board. I found 45 minutes wasn't enough time to do much with them. I need to find some kind of program that can teach them independently following instructions because they are all at very different levels of learning. Any suggestions?Saturday, August 30, 2008
Computers
So maybe all of you computer challenged people can relate to this blog. A teacher last week approached me telling me that the Head Mistress at the school had told him that I would be teaching the teachers to use the computers we have here at the school. I had discussed this with her when I first arrived because those computers are mostly just dust collectors at this time. I set up some scheduled time to help them out, not really knowing what they needed. What I found was not what I expected. They were pretty much all computer illiterate. It was a difficult task teaching them as I was trying to introduce Microsoft Word, but I'm not sure if that's what they were looking for. Besides their level of fluency, some of the computers weren't functioning properly. The mouse on a few were very difficult to use. This made for an even more interesting time. Try teaching someone who is pretty much computer illiterate when the mouse doesn't work! The only real good thing that came out of this is that I have a stronger relationship with the teachers as we laughed through most every session. However, I need to go back to the drawing board. I found 45 minutes wasn't enough time to do much with them. I need to find some kind of program that can teach them independently following instructions because they are all at very different levels of learning. Any suggestions?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Driving & Wedding
So yesterday, Pastor Dongo decided it was time that I drove around in Uganda. So he gave the me keys and pretty much ordered me to drive him to the church. So knowing that I only needed to take left turns, not right turns (remember they're on the opposite side of the road here), I knew that would be a cinch. One thing I didn't account for...the location of the turn indicator. I kept hitting the windshield wipers because the turn indicator was also on the other side. We made it safely to church, but even Dongo knew that would be easy. Knowing that Thanx and I were headed to town, he told me I should drive to town to run our errands. In order to get to town...right turns were involved. For those of you who have never been to Uganda, turning across traffic can be best described as a game of chicken. No one is going to really help you turn. You basically just have to turn in front of oncoming traffic hoping that someone will eventually let you in. So Thanx tried to tell me when to go and it was a pretty successful day of driving. Stay tuned, next week I think I get my car, but I think it's a little bigger than Pastor Dongo's car, although he thinks it's the same length.
Saturday also brought on another surprise. I found out the day before that there was a wedding at the church. I had kind of been warned about introductions and weddings by a missionary friend. I guess it wasn't so much of a warning as a recommendation to not go to any. I was told they last a long time. Pastor invited me, almost insisting that I experience this so lucky for me I brought my suit to Uganda. The wedding was supposed to begin at 12 pm, but in typical Ugandan fashion it began over an hour late. The wedding itself wasn't too bad...typical length for a wedding. The reception on the other hand was long. Lucky for me, I was warned ahead of time that we probably wouldn't eat until after 8pm even though the reception began at 4pm. Wedding receptions are big celebrations for Ugandans. We had all you could drink soda at our disposal from the time we arrived. We tried to arrive late so that they would be starting when we got there. A short time after we arrived, the wedding party arrived. In the US, they announce the wedding party as they enter and then go about the business. In Uganda, they play music and everyone in the wedding party dances into the party in line. So what could take a few minutes instead takes 30-40 minutes. After the wedding party is seated, the speeches begin. There weren't as many as I expected based on what I had been warned, but it took at least another 45 minutes. Little
did I know that I was part of the team representing Kabalagala Pentecostal Church when Pastor Dongo went to speak about the bride and groom. So I had to stand with him as he spoke...talk about uncomfortable. Next was the cake cutting ceremony. Now keep in mind, they don't just walk to do anything...they dance very slowly to get somewhere. So they cut the cake then slowly take small pieces for everyone to have. Another interesting thing to note is that there wasn't one cake, but something like 10 cakes...to be explained later. Then after the cake cutting ceremony...the wedding party changes and comes out and the other cakes have been packaged up to give as gifts to the families, friends and others they want to thank. This takes about 45 minutes as remember that they slowly dance to give each person/group their cake...and there are many to give. About 8:30pm and we finally get to eat. The food was good...no posho, but nothing super fancy either. We left after eating so I don't know what happened after that, but I can guess that the party continued for hours after we left. I'm glad I had a big lunch because I think I would have been going crazy to wait that long on an empty stomach.
Saturday also brought on another surprise. I found out the day before that there was a wedding at the church. I had kind of been warned about introductions and weddings by a missionary friend. I guess it wasn't so much of a warning as a recommendation to not go to any. I was told they last a long time. Pastor invited me, almost insisting that I experience this so lucky for me I brought my suit to Uganda. The wedding was supposed to begin at 12 pm, but in typical Ugandan fashion it began over an hour late. The wedding itself wasn't too bad...typical length for a wedding. The reception on the other hand was long. Lucky for me, I was warned ahead of time that we probably wouldn't eat until after 8pm even though the reception began at 4pm. Wedding receptions are big celebrations for Ugandans. We had all you could drink soda at our disposal from the time we arrived. We tried to arrive late so that they would be starting when we got there. A short time after we arrived, the wedding party arrived. In the US, they announce the wedding party as they enter and then go about the business. In Uganda, they play music and everyone in the wedding party dances into the party in line. So what could take a few minutes instead takes 30-40 minutes. After the wedding party is seated, the speeches begin. There weren't as many as I expected based on what I had been warned, but it took at least another 45 minutes. Little did I know that I was part of the team representing Kabalagala Pentecostal Church when Pastor Dongo went to speak about the bride and groom. So I had to stand with him as he spoke...talk about uncomfortable. Next was the cake cutting ceremony. Now keep in mind, they don't just walk to do anything...they dance very slowly to get somewhere. So they cut the cake then slowly take small pieces for everyone to have. Another interesting thing to note is that there wasn't one cake, but something like 10 cakes...to be explained later. Then after the cake cutting ceremony...the wedding party changes and comes out and the other cakes have been packaged up to give as gifts to the families, friends and others they want to thank. This takes about 45 minutes as remember that they slowly dance to give each person/group their cake...and there are many to give. About 8:30pm and we finally get to eat. The food was good...no posho, but nothing super fancy either. We left after eating so I don't know what happened after that, but I can guess that the party continued for hours after we left. I'm glad I had a big lunch because I think I would have been going crazy to wait that long on an empty stomach.
Internet?
Here's a riddle (this is for you Dani if you're reading): How many days does it take to install an internet connection in Uganda? That's still the question I'm trying to find out. If you know the answer, you might want to let other mzungu know. Moving here has been an adventure. For all of you in the US who get upset when the cable company tells you they'll be there between 8 and 12, here's a good blog for you.
You might be wondering when I first went to sign up for internet. It's been so long that I had to actually pull out the receipt and look: July 9, 2008. I can't say that I didn't have anything right away because I did. Originally I signed up for a mobile 3G service. After about 3 weeks of frustrations of very slow internet and often not being able to log on at all. I went in to see if I could request a change to a fixed line. First of all, the mobile service was much more expensive than the fixed line and secondly, I tried the fixed line at the school and it was a lot faster than what I was experiencing with the mobile internet. So on July 25, 2008, I put in a change to a fixed line. The supervisor who made the changes to my service told me someone would be out in a week. A week passed...no one...I had to go to town to complain. A different supervisor (Naomi), the one who originally told me that I could make the switch, was there and told me she hadn't submitted the request yet. Another week...of silence...again had to go to town to find out what was going on. A third different supervisor was there and had no idea what I was talkin
g about. She talked to Naomi and gave me her number so I could call in the future. They should be coming this week she told me. Another 4 days, nothing. I tried calling...the phone number was missing one number. I had to go to town. Naomi was not there again, but the one that gave me the phone number was there. She gave me the correct number and I called Naomi. She has been a lot of help (not sarcastic by the way) Finally someone came out on Aug 14, 2008 to look at where I needed everything set up. He told me that he need to get all the materials and he would be back tomorrow. Was he back? Saturday he returned and pulled the line, but he didn't have a modem to set up. The modem box on the service request wasn't checked...I noticed that earlier and mentioned to them, but I showed him by calculation that I paid for a modem. He said he would have to come back Monday. Monday, I called Naomi again and told her the situation since they hadn't come by 1pm. She said she would take care of it. Now imagine this...you have things to do and places to go, but you don't know what day they are coming and when during the day they will be there. Cabin fever is the only way I can describe how I have felt this week. Tuesday, he came back with the modem, but the service didn't work. He told me that they were going to fix it and to call him when the "adsl" light came on. It never came on...I called him on Wednesday...no answer. I called Naomi again. They came on Thursday to look at it finally, but the power was down. Can't check much when that happens. Finally, Friday they dedicated their day to get me up and running. They finally did it, but the moden that they brought me wasn't working. However, I found out that the tech guy, David, is a Christian and talked to him more about his faith and his church. He let me keep a loaner modem until they could get me a new one...so really the saga continues. How long will my service continue before it goes down? TIA
You might be wondering when I first went to sign up for internet. It's been so long that I had to actually pull out the receipt and look: July 9, 2008. I can't say that I didn't have anything right away because I did. Originally I signed up for a mobile 3G service. After about 3 weeks of frustrations of very slow internet and often not being able to log on at all. I went in to see if I could request a change to a fixed line. First of all, the mobile service was much more expensive than the fixed line and secondly, I tried the fixed line at the school and it was a lot faster than what I was experiencing with the mobile internet. So on July 25, 2008, I put in a change to a fixed line. The supervisor who made the changes to my service told me someone would be out in a week. A week passed...no one...I had to go to town to complain. A different supervisor (Naomi), the one who originally told me that I could make the switch, was there and told me she hadn't submitted the request yet. Another week...of silence...again had to go to town to find out what was going on. A third different supervisor was there and had no idea what I was talkin
g about. She talked to Naomi and gave me her number so I could call in the future. They should be coming this week she told me. Another 4 days, nothing. I tried calling...the phone number was missing one number. I had to go to town. Naomi was not there again, but the one that gave me the phone number was there. She gave me the correct number and I called Naomi. She has been a lot of help (not sarcastic by the way) Finally someone came out on Aug 14, 2008 to look at where I needed everything set up. He told me that he need to get all the materials and he would be back tomorrow. Was he back? Saturday he returned and pulled the line, but he didn't have a modem to set up. The modem box on the service request wasn't checked...I noticed that earlier and mentioned to them, but I showed him by calculation that I paid for a modem. He said he would have to come back Monday. Monday, I called Naomi again and told her the situation since they hadn't come by 1pm. She said she would take care of it. Now imagine this...you have things to do and places to go, but you don't know what day they are coming and when during the day they will be there. Cabin fever is the only way I can describe how I have felt this week. Tuesday, he came back with the modem, but the service didn't work. He told me that they were going to fix it and to call him when the "adsl" light came on. It never came on...I called him on Wednesday...no answer. I called Naomi again. They came on Thursday to look at it finally, but the power was down. Can't check much when that happens. Finally, Friday they dedicated their day to get me up and running. They finally did it, but the moden that they brought me wasn't working. However, I found out that the tech guy, David, is a Christian and talked to him more about his faith and his church. He let me keep a loaner modem until they could get me a new one...so really the saga continues. How long will my service continue before it goes down? TIA
Friday, August 22, 2008
Privacy & Personal Space
I've thought long and hard about whether or not to blog about these two subjects. They are near and dear to my heart and at the top of my struggles right now. I know that there are some kids from the school that read the blog when they get a chance so hopefully they don't have time to get online and be offended by what I'm saying, but I just needed to vent.
On the issue of privacy...Pastor Dongo told me last year not to just let kids hang out all the time in the room because I need to have time to myself, etc. I kind of blew him off at the time. What did he know about how I tick. Well, he was right. It's difficult to balance time with the kids and the time you need to just unwind by yourself. If you know me well, you know I have some major introvert issues. They don't dominate my life, but when they come, I can seclude myself for a good period of time. I just need to be alone some times. Other times I enjoy being around other people. Here in Uganda because I have few friends, I have to rely on the kids often to be my peers. It's something I'm working on changing as I meet more people. And because the kids are here all the time...not much time for privacy. I think as a visitor you love the kids to be around all the time, but when you're a resident, it doesn't suit you as well.
Personal space is another whole issue, but it builds on the idea of privacy. Currently, Ismail, one of the high school boys, is living in the guest house with me. I thought he was going to be the only kid here during the break, but there are three others here. Since I thought he would be alone, Pastor Dongo and I decided he could stay with me...can you say big mistake. How many of you enjoy awkward moments? Me neither, but they seem to happen every day and even mulitple times a day with Ismail. If you've been reading the blog, then you know that when Grayson was here, Diana ended up in our room just hanging out doing nothing for a good period of time for no particular reason. It's very similar with Ismail. If I am reading, he'll just sit down like he's waiting for me to stop and to talk to him. Honestly, I have difficulty talking to him sometimes. If I'm in my room on my computer, he'll just sit down and watch. This morning, I was ironing clothes. He came into my room and just stood next to me quiet for about 10 minutes before leaving.
People tell me...is it me? Is it because I am alone on this journey? Am I just grumpy? Or is it that people in Uganda tend to not have issues with personal space and privacy. I thought about this and it brought me back to the fact that in their homes, there is no such thing as privacy or personal space. When you have a house that is 10' X15' with 7 people living there, there's no opportunity for personal space or privacy. Well, there it is, I have blogged in a while, and maybe I shouldn't have written any of this, but I couldn't take it any more!!! Oh well, TIA.
On the issue of privacy...Pastor Dongo told me last year not to just let kids hang out all the time in the room because I need to have time to myself, etc. I kind of blew him off at the time. What did he know about how I tick. Well, he was right. It's difficult to balance time with the kids and the time you need to just unwind by yourself. If you know me well, you know I have some major introvert issues. They don't dominate my life, but when they come, I can seclude myself for a good period of time. I just need to be alone some times. Other times I enjoy being around other people. Here in Uganda because I have few friends, I have to rely on the kids often to be my peers. It's something I'm working on changing as I meet more people. And because the kids are here all the time...not much time for privacy. I think as a visitor you love the kids to be around all the time, but when you're a resident, it doesn't suit you as well.
Personal space is another whole issue, but it builds on the idea of privacy. Currently, Ismail, one of the high school boys, is living in the guest house with me. I thought he was going to be the only kid here during the break, but there are three others here. Since I thought he would be alone, Pastor Dongo and I decided he could stay with me...can you say big mistake. How many of you enjoy awkward moments? Me neither, but they seem to happen every day and even mulitple times a day with Ismail. If you've been reading the blog, then you know that when Grayson was here, Diana ended up in our room just hanging out doing nothing for a good period of time for no particular reason. It's very similar with Ismail. If I am reading, he'll just sit down like he's waiting for me to stop and to talk to him. Honestly, I have difficulty talking to him sometimes. If I'm in my room on my computer, he'll just sit down and watch. This morning, I was ironing clothes. He came into my room and just stood next to me quiet for about 10 minutes before leaving.
People tell me...is it me? Is it because I am alone on this journey? Am I just grumpy? Or is it that people in Uganda tend to not have issues with personal space and privacy. I thought about this and it brought me back to the fact that in their homes, there is no such thing as privacy or personal space. When you have a house that is 10' X15' with 7 people living there, there's no opportunity for personal space or privacy. Well, there it is, I have blogged in a while, and maybe I shouldn't have written any of this, but I couldn't take it any more!!! Oh well, TIA.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bats & Haircuts
With each passing day, there are more interesting things to observe. Take the other day. I decided that it was time to start a work out routine (as eating posho and beans alone was not initiating trimming down). So I woke...well, really, the kids woke me with their yelling and screaming, at 5:30 am and decided to go for a run. I got all ready for the run and went to get me shoes when I saw something dark on the top of my shoe. Keep in mind that I didn't turn the lights on as I could see enough with the outside lights on. I thought it was just mud as I had played soccer with the students the other day and the field was very muddy. I went to shake it off and realized it wasn't a leaf and it wasn't mud...what was it? Aigh...a BAT!!! Needless to say, I jumped a little trying to quickly decide what to do with it. I tossed it out my front door and examined it. Yup, a bat! So next time you're in Africa getting ready to put your shoes on...check for mud or bats!Yesterday I had finally had enough with the length of my hair. I decided to go for a haircut. Actually, I decided a few days earlier and went to a small hole in the wall barber who had his shop in a shack. The students went to get their hair cut there for about 1000 shillings. So I went with Frank to the barber, but when I got there, he said he didn't have the clippers to cut my hair...so yesterday I decided to go to a "salon" to see if they had the right clippers. They did and told me it would be 5000 shillings (about $3.25). All I wanted was to shave my head to about #2 and go on my merry way. But this is Africa and things don't go at the speed that you want all the time. Meticulous an understatement for the way that this guy cut my hair. He was very precise with the clippers and wanted to make sure everything was perfect. I don't think I can even describe in words how he was cutting my hair. Forty minutes later...done. Now for all of you who have been to Supercuts or Fantastic Sams, you know what I'm talking about. Those people want you in and out as fast as possible...and they charge 5 times my haircut in Uganda. But here in Africa...don't make any back to back plans because...you just might not be able to make you;re next destination on time.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Bus ride
So today was a pretty boring day until I was summoned by Florence Dongo to accompany Samuel on the bus to take home the nursery class students to their homes. I have been on previous bus rides, but not to take the younger students home. I wasn't really sure what my role was. I only knew that I was taking the place of Ddembe who usually rides with Samuel. They told me that I needed to help the students cross the street so that they would not get hit by vehicles. Easy enough. Remember though that these kids are maybe 5-7 years old.
The kids were jam packed into the bus. I think the outside of the bus says something like "licensed for 29 passengers". There must have been at least 50 kids in the bus. So many kids that I had to stand near the door of the bus. So off we were on our trek. The kids were standing when they were supposed to be sitting, hitting each other, crying, arguing...every crazy thing you can think of. At one point, a kid tried to make her way to the front and got her leg stuck in between two chairs. I had to try to rescue her as she cried but couldn't explain to me what was wrong. Finally, I was able to free her leg.
However, the most memorable part is when we made one of our frequent stops. It seemed like we were only supposed to only let 1 student out there, but all of a sudden, many students started exitiing the bus. To my surprise, there was a purpose. I turned to look outside and just a few feet from the bus door a girl was squatting down to pee. I was a little in shock, but then one after another about 10 kids pee'd on the side of the road. One boy made an attempt to pee as high as he could...all I could see was a stream going in the air.
But such are things in Uganda/Africa. I'm sure this is not the biggest surprise that I will see in my time, but it was definitely entertainment for the day.
The kids were jam packed into the bus. I think the outside of the bus says something like "licensed for 29 passengers". There must have been at least 50 kids in the bus. So many kids that I had to stand near the door of the bus. So off we were on our trek. The kids were standing when they were supposed to be sitting, hitting each other, crying, arguing...every crazy thing you can think of. At one point, a kid tried to make her way to the front and got her leg stuck in between two chairs. I had to try to rescue her as she cried but couldn't explain to me what was wrong. Finally, I was able to free her leg.
However, the most memorable part is when we made one of our frequent stops. It seemed like we were only supposed to only let 1 student out there, but all of a sudden, many students started exitiing the bus. To my surprise, there was a purpose. I turned to look outside and just a few feet from the bus door a girl was squatting down to pee. I was a little in shock, but then one after another about 10 kids pee'd on the side of the road. One boy made an attempt to pee as high as he could...all I could see was a stream going in the air.
But such are things in Uganda/Africa. I'm sure this is not the biggest surprise that I will see in my time, but it was definitely entertainment for the day.
Friday, August 1, 2008
One month!!!
As of today, I have not been in the US for a month. It doesn't seem very long...but a month. Last year, I stayed in Uganda for 3 weeks so I guess it's not that much different. But this time has been much different. I think the children have also noticed how different it has been this time around. The kids at the high school have commented that "You're lost". (meaning that I haven't been around) They also mentioned how last year I work jeans and a t-shirt most of the time and this year I dress "smart" (meaning I wear nicer clothes). I told them that last year was a leisure trip, but now I am working and I need to be respectful and dress "smart". They understood. This week cabinets went into the kitchen so now there are only one or two boxes of stuff on the floor. Hopefully I can get a mini-closet of some sort to hang my clothes otherwise I have to iron on a daily basis and keep clothes in my suitcase.
As for work, I am teaching a discipleship curriculum to the teenagers for both awana and Sunday school this weekend. I have yet to really prepare my lessons, so today will be a busy day.
Prayer requests:
That I will be able to get my long term visa from Uganda
That God will give me wisdom for teaching
Continued health
That I will be able to learn Luganda
As for work, I am teaching a discipleship curriculum to the teenagers for both awana and Sunday school this weekend. I have yet to really prepare my lessons, so today will be a busy day.
Prayer requests:
That I will be able to get my long term visa from Uganda
That God will give me wisdom for teaching
Continued health
That I will be able to learn Luganda
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