Just before the schools let out for holiday the primary school on the parish hosted the regional music and dance competition. This brought together about 6 primary schools who had each won their district competition to compete for a chance to go to the national competition in Kampala. These kids were amazing. I watched a few of the events and immediately decided i needed to go get whatever i could to record them. SO i went back and grabbed the camera and my tape recorder. I got video of lots of the dances and also some cassette tapes of the music. I'll try to get the video up sometime so you can see that, but here's a couple pictures for the mean time.
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| From Uganda |
Above is a picture from the traditional dance done by the kids from Kasese. They were really interesting because they are from a different tribe than all of the other schools. Kasese borders the Congo, so these kids speak a Congolese language and their dances and culture are heavily influenced by the Congo.
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| From Uganda |
This one is another traditional dance from a school in Masindi, which lies in the northern part of the country. They ended up placing in the top 3 and went on to compete at the nationals (with the Kasese school above, and another)
All together there were 6 or so events, including lots of dances, music, a play, and others. I was completely blown away by how talented the kids were. Comparing what i was seeing to performances by elementary schools in the states just doesn't work. And thats taking nothing away from our kids. There's just some things Africa does extremely well, and this is one.
So that was all before the schools let out for holiday. Luckily it all took place (over two days) right on the parish so i had no excuse not to go. During the holiday we had a week long training in Kampala with our entire group as well as each of our counterparts from our organizations. It was a little overwhelming to say the least, compared to living in the village where I am the only white person (until now) within 30 km's or so. It was good to see everyone though, and i got some great ideas for projects that i can replicate. Also, hearing of failed projects and hardships people were having made me feel a little better about my situation and the problems i've had spinning wheels on several projects.
Also a while back I had the chance to attend my supervisor's (who is 50 or so) grandmother's 85th birthday celebration. There not really sure what her birthday is exactly, but they know its sometime in august, so they usually just pick a day to celebrate. Kelly came with me, and i think grandma was, to say the least, very happy to have two of us come out for the party. It was in my supervisors home village which is about 20km from my site. And when i say village i really mean it. We took a car from the parish out there and had to take a (barely) one lane road through dense dense bush for a few km's until we reached there. I wish i had a picture with me, i'll try to get one up of the route we took. It was really a footpath i think, with sugarcane plants that rose about 7 ft on either side of the road.
Once we arrived my supervisor took us around the village (village=4 or 5 houses near eachother) to show us some things he is working on there. He has a small fish hatchery as well as a couple pastures with cows. We also saw two kids catching white ants to cook for dinner. I have had the white ant sauce that comes out of this process but had never seen it done before. There are large anthills all over here, between 4 and 7 feet high usually, that are made by these white ants. They look like a normal ant but have 4 big wings on them. So to catch them you go out at night (when they usually come out) and put a blanket over the anthill. Where the blanket opens you have a little hole dug that collects them as they try to come out from under the blanket. Theres a picture on Kel's computer that i'll try to get up sometime. After catching them you pull the wings off and make a (quite delicous) sauce to put over matooke or millet....yum.
So after our tour we had dinner and a few drinks with the family before heading back home. Grandma didn't speak any english, and my rutoro is not nearly enough to hold any kind of conversation, so mostly my supervisor translated. Here's a picture of (l to r) kel, mom, grandma, me.
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| From Uganda |
I think that about sums up my last few months here, or at least the major highlights. The new term started last week with beginning of term exams. I supervised about 5 of them throughout the week (3 were in a room with 130 kids!). Next week i'll start lecturing again, same classes i had before - 3 physics and 1 biology.
Oh i should make a note here of something i just realized. So some of the fam had made the comment to me about how it always seems like the school is on break, which is true, but there's good reason. The school calendar is based around the planting and harvesting seasons, which are based around the rains. Here's how it roughly breaks down: Jan-April= short rainy season and first term, May=holiday and harvest/planting, June-August=second term and dry season, Sept=planting and holiday, oct-dec=heavy rains and 3rd term, dec-jan=harvest and planting and holiday. And now you know.....
Also...HUUUUUGE thank you's are due. You all are absolutely amazing and make my time hear so much easier. My post office box has been quite busy lately thanks to you all. Here goes:
Giggles: awesome, this is a bit overdue. I got your package about a month ago i think. Thank you so much, especially for the things for school. I was trying to figure out what to do with the science magazines as i have 70 kids in my classes so instead of having them share, i've been kind of randomly giving the magazines to kids (my own and others in the village) that i meet. This, i've decided, is much better than giving out sweets and the kids are amazed every time that they can actually keep the magazine.
Jenny: Just got yours a week or two ago and was blown away. The photo album is amazing. I think i've looked through it at least 4 times since i got it. Eric i can't wait to hear the song, thank you so much for taking the time to do that. Also, the bag of peanut m&m's dropped both me and kelly's chins to the floor. you both are very much missed and loved, thank you.
the howards: holy cow, i had to send the box with one of the motorcycle taxi's to drop on my porch it was so big. I couldnt believe how much jerky was in there! I must say my favorites were the pictures of the girls. You both are quite lucky, they are cute as ever. One of the father's i live with was amazed at how much Chris and Savannah resemble one another..."right down to the chin dimple" he said. Miss you all, thank you for my card Kirstin! it's hanging in my room.
mom and dad: i've already told you how awesome yours was but i couldn't leave you off of my list here. My charging people will miss me now that i've got my own little solar power plant, which by the way amazes every one at the parish ("eh!...sure? you can charge from there?") love you both.
and thank you for your letter kelli! there are now children running around the village with spongebob stickers :) expect a response soon.
wew, i think thats it. I'm sure i'll get home and think of something or someone i forgot and feel guilty until next time im in fort. Love you all, take care.
-Eric
One more picture for good measure. A typical Kampala street:
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| From Uganda |
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