The students were invited to share a single photograph from the trip; an image which had a special significance for them. Here's the first in the series.
Georgie says:
Saturday 15 November 2014
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words.
Tuesday 4 November 2014
School Days
Thursday was a school day, though 5.30 am 'prep' was optional (at least for our students).
I team-taught a Senior 3 class who were studying Tarantella by Hillaire Belloc; it seemed strange to meet such a familiar name in such a foreign environment. I also had the opportunity to teach some creative writing techniques to Senior 2, but I had a little more preparation time this time round. After lunch I met with Senior 5 students (equivalent of our Year 12) for an hour to discuss their English Literature course and assessment, whilst our students enjoyed a tour of the school including science and art rooms.
We spent the evening at the Ridar Hotel, and most took the opportunity to order pizza and enjoy a brief return to Western food. We have all got used to the beans and posho that form the evening meal each night but it was nice to have a break from it, too.
Upon our return we were invited to another NAPA performance on the main stage. Christmas had come early to Namilyango because we were treated to some energetically conducted Christmas carols and a nativity skit, (the crib selfie was a particular highlight, as were the representations of a heavily pregnant Mary as enacted by an all-male cast) as well as some acoustic guitar and recorder music and another extended version of the tribal drumming and dance. The day began and ended with poetry, as one of the boys had penned a dramatic performance piece called 'Blaite'.
Friday began with morning parade, and the official handing over of the rugby shirts, balls and frisbees that we brought with us. We had the first two lessons at school, but after morning break we headed to Kiwanga Charity home and its neighbouring primary school.
Like at Hands for Hope on Wednesday, there were moments at Kiwanga that were quite hard to take, but by the end of our time there we'd all made some new friends.
Our week was nearly up. How quickly it passed, and how much we saw and did in such a short space of time.
I team-taught a Senior 3 class who were studying Tarantella by Hillaire Belloc; it seemed strange to meet such a familiar name in such a foreign environment. I also had the opportunity to teach some creative writing techniques to Senior 2, but I had a little more preparation time this time round. After lunch I met with Senior 5 students (equivalent of our Year 12) for an hour to discuss their English Literature course and assessment, whilst our students enjoyed a tour of the school including science and art rooms.
We spent the evening at the Ridar Hotel, and most took the opportunity to order pizza and enjoy a brief return to Western food. We have all got used to the beans and posho that form the evening meal each night but it was nice to have a break from it, too.
Upon our return we were invited to another NAPA performance on the main stage. Christmas had come early to Namilyango because we were treated to some energetically conducted Christmas carols and a nativity skit, (the crib selfie was a particular highlight, as were the representations of a heavily pregnant Mary as enacted by an all-male cast) as well as some acoustic guitar and recorder music and another extended version of the tribal drumming and dance. The day began and ended with poetry, as one of the boys had penned a dramatic performance piece called 'Blaite'.
Friday began with morning parade, and the official handing over of the rugby shirts, balls and frisbees that we brought with us. We had the first two lessons at school, but after morning break we headed to Kiwanga Charity home and its neighbouring primary school.
Like at Hands for Hope on Wednesday, there were moments at Kiwanga that were quite hard to take, but by the end of our time there we'd all made some new friends.
After lunch was an aborted frisbee session as the rains came down with a vengeance!
Our week was nearly up. How quickly it passed, and how much we saw and did in such a short space of time.
Monday 3 November 2014
Hands for Hope: the Hardest Day
Wednesday was our visit to Kampala, and it began with a visit to 'Uganda Hands for Hope'. This was an amazing highlight, or perhaps a lowlight of the trip. It is an organisation who tackle poverty, health and education in Namuwongo, one of Kampala's largest and poorest slums. On arrival we were welcomed by a gaggle of bright-eyed children, all of whom were were in school uniform and looked relatively well-nourished.
But then we were taken on a walk around the community where they live. The experience was truly indescribable. My students will say that I am not often lost for words, but I certainly was on this occasion, as we heard the harrowing stories of poverty and tragedy that breathe amongst the stench of the slum. It was really hard not to be affected by what we saw. I'm using pictures supplied by the organisation and it didn't seem right to take our own photographs there.
But then we were taken on a walk around the community where they live. The experience was truly indescribable. My students will say that I am not often lost for words, but I certainly was on this occasion, as we heard the harrowing stories of poverty and tragedy that breathe amongst the stench of the slum. It was really hard not to be affected by what we saw. I'm using pictures supplied by the organisation and it didn't seem right to take our own photographs there.
Many of the students were in tears; it was like those heart-wrenching clips that you see on Sport Relief where celebrities are overcome by emotion.
The contrast between inside Uganda Hands for Hope and the slum city beyond served to emphasise what a good job is being done by the organisation. You can find out more about them and their work here: http://www.ugandahandsforhope.org/
Afterwards were stops at the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals in Kampala, the state museum and the Kasubi tombs (where all the girls were given sarong-like skirts to wear). We also saw the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Clock Tower, drove through Makerere university where a number of the Namilyango teachers studied, and were back at college in time for dinner with the boys.
Afterwards were stops at the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals in Kampala, the state museum and the Kasubi tombs (where all the girls were given sarong-like skirts to wear). We also saw the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Clock Tower, drove through Makerere university where a number of the Namilyango teachers studied, and were back at college in time for dinner with the boys.
Saturday 1 November 2014
Jinja Jewels
Tuesday was our trip to Jinja and the 'source of the Nile'. En route we stopped for a forest walk:
The area at Jinja was beautifully landscaped and teeming with wildlife. John Henning Speke apparently 'discovered' the source in 1862. The Ugandan students were surprised to learn that we didn't know anything about this 'Great Briton'.
We took a boat-ride on the Nile, over to a little island where we saw monitor lizards, cormorants, herons, kingfishers and monkeys. Once on the island we paddled round in ankle-deep water and through a little shop, also on water(!) round to a little sign marking the actual source.
Back on shore, lunch was at 'Rumours' restaurant where many of us had our first taste of 'Tallapia', the local fish.
On the way home we stopped at Mukono market, something of an eye-opener for many of us.
It was a great day, and a little more relaxing than the last few days of travel and school (though definitely not a holiday, Mr Woodman, if you are reading this). Uganda is the pearl of Africa; Jinja is definitely another jewel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)