Pictures from last year #1

Happy New Year! I'm having trouble comprehending where the time went... I've been in Uganda for nearly a year. It seems a blur...

Here are some pictures that I meant to post, oh, 6 months ago? I think a few may have been included in my slideshow when I went back to the states... I've scoured my blog, and I can't seem to find them in another post. If this is the second time you're seeing them, no worries... I've got about a thousand more from my school vacation these last two months that are on their way.

Workers hand-digging a 1-foot wide, 3-foot deep trench extending from Fort Portal all the way to Kampala (Nearly 300km! DUG BY HAND!!). A fiber-optic cable will buried there providing 3G network (faster internet) to the rural areas out here.

The most beautiful resort I have seen in Uganda. This is located just outside Fort Portal. It sits on the ridge overlooking the Rwenzoris and two crater lakes on one side and the rolling hills and tea plantations in the direction of my home (60km away) in the other. The swimming pool costs $20 US every day, so I won't even venture a guess what the rooms run.

Kids having fun around my town.

I love their eyes.

My car taxi broke down on the way back from Kampala. We stopped in front of this family's home, and I carried on with them for nearly an hour before I was given a ride the rest of the way to Kyenjojo. I was originally pissed off about the breakdown, but after spending time with a family full of happy children, angelic in contrast to those living on my compound, I was actually in great spirits by the time I left.

A tree filled with weaver-bird nests. Loud little guys.

Sunset on the way home. Heading West on Fort Portal Highway.

This is Andrew. He helps me dig. He tells me why I suck at digging. And he is happy to continue to hang out with me even though I am likely the shittiest digger in the area. He's a very bright boy (despite his choice in friends) who wishes to be a soldier or a doctor.

Arwen: making me feel like a freak.

Hey! A monkey!

The group at a training just after I got back from the states. I was in a sad-state saying goodbye to Michelle, family and friends again, but I immediately went to KLA for this in-service training and was greeted with smiling faces and open arms. Gotta love Peace Corps friends.

Sunset from my back window.

A town traffic jam.

Charlene Brian and I.

Playing around on a hill outside Fort Portal.

Meet Ivan!

Hey every one!

Am Muhumuja Ivan from Uganda. Am 17 years of age, born on 14th June, 1993, I live in one Ugandan district called Kyenjojo found in the western part. I stay with my grandmother at times when am not with my dad and mom, but all in all my family is based in kyenjojo. I have four sisters i.e. Irene, Lucky, Lonah and Bridget. Am the second and am the only boy. Our first born is Bridget. I and Irene, we share the same mum and dad but other’s we only share the dad. Our dad is called charlie and mum is called Agnes, my dad is a business man dealing in the selling of fruits, vegetables and others at the same time a manager of a small non government organisation dealing in giving out loans & other financie. He does all this from Kampala and its where my mu7m is. In the previous years she was working but now she is not due to some uncertainties.

In Uganda’s education we have seven years of primary, and six years of secondary where the four years are for Ordinary level (O’level) and two years for advanced level (“A” level). After those you join the University. Per now am on the last year of Advanced level (“A” level) which I will accomplish in 2011 around December. I accomplished y Ordinary level from Kasubi Parents S.S. in Kampala 1a, then I moved to Kyenjojo for my Advanced level, reasons being my dad wanted me to study from a nearby home disctrict school so as my relatives could visit me more often because he is so busy another reason could be because Kampala schools are more expensive yet he is paying for three of us. Education in Uganda is good although there are some hardships that we encounter. Like, our parents do not normally pay our fees in time and its not that we get all the school requirements in full from our parents, at times they fail to make them which affects our studies. The most big problem we students encounter is that after our Advanced level, parents usually fail to pay the university fees because its so high. I would lke to be an Engineer in the future and attain a masters in engineering. I was mostly inspired by my Uncle and other engineers that I see, also my master Devon. Am specialising in physics mathematics, economic and entrepeneurship. I hope to suceed because my teachers are good and caring especially master Devon.

My hobbies

- Hanging out with friends

- Listening to slow music

- watching football

- watching movies

- Reading books/novels

I always drream of visiting outside countries like America because I want to explore the world and learn more about other people. I hope to achieve this through learning so hard and getting friends from outside Uganda like you.

Generally life in Uganda is good because of the climate and peace, on the other hand bad because we lack some things like good medical care (in remote areas), good schools and other things. I would prefer to travel outside and explore not living in Uganda forever.

Hope to hear from everyone especially you! Am at Mivanutah@gmail.com

Ivan

**NOTE FROM DEVON** - Ivan was recognized as the number one student at Kyenjojo S.S. for the 2010 school year!!! RIGHT ON!!

Oh. I cannot let this go: He also, ahem, fell in love... with my sister Catherine after seeing a photo of her after my trip to the US. Since then, rarely a day goes by when I do not get a question such as, "So Master*, how is Catherine?" to which I reply, "Ivan, niingenda kukuteera!!!" (I'm going to BEAT you!!) He did finally wear me down, however, and I agreed to the marriage under the following conditions: (1.) He achieves a Masters in Engineering as well as an MBA (2.) He has at least 500 head of cattle at his estate. After sighing and moaning about the impossibility of these requirements he recovered slightly and asked, "What then Master?" To this I replied: "Well, then it is completely up to Her if she wants to marry you!"

*I just want to assure everyone that the way my kids refer to me (i.e. "Master") is not some component of a crazed power trip. It is, in fact, how students address their male teachers here in Uganda, at least in theory because we are "masters" of our subjects (PSHHH!). I've tried to break them of the habit, but, "EH!!! I have failed..."

Meet Mugisa!

Mugisa Muntu

I was borne on 19th January 1992 in Kyenjojo. I live with my father and mother in Kyenjojo, in Uganda.

The subjects I offer are Physics, maths, economics and entrepreneurship education. I want to become an engineer in future and another option which I have is becoming an accountant.

I like music especially wrapp music, watching films, reading books, and watching football. I hate racism and I love discussing with friends.

I am doing well in my education but I have problems which I have to overcome and the major one is school fees cause I would have been in a better school than Kyenjojo S.S.

**NOTE FROM DEVON** - Mugisa was out of class on the day this assignment was discussed/assigned, and by pure bad luck also missed the day we took photos for posting (resulting in the pixel-sized pic). While everyone else was allowed one rough draft and one final draft, Mugisa had to write up a paragraph about himself on the spot, and I think he felt a bit rushed... hence the brevity. He is incredibly bright, and if I could predict his future solely by his handwriting I would shout with the the authority of THE Sorting Hat: "DOCTOR!!!"

Meet Leonard!

Hey

Am Barinda Leonard -R- from Uganda, a student in form six sciences in A’level according to the education system of Uganda which comprises of primary and secondary sections where in the secondary section there is Ordinary level of four years and Advanced level of two years and I am in that final year dreaming about the college ahead of me.

I succeeded in accomplishing primary level with a first grade, and again persued a first grade division one from Ordinary level. I have faced a lot of challenges as me personally resulting from the financial breakdown of my family. I had hopes to again continue studying from Kampala in my A’level but I failed just because of the tuition problem and the standards of living as I had to create a room for my little brothers and sisters to also have some standard education which I respect and that is from the city of Kampala. I had to join Kyenjojo Secondary School where I had to struggle with at least two kilometres from school every evening as well as two km in the morning at about 6:00 am to reach in class before 7:00 am as just because I am the head prefect where I will have to first organize the prefectorial body will perform it’s task that day.

As me personally, my father is called Byamhanga Kamili and my Mom, Kabahuma Leonida Elin, I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters and the youngest being a girl. I love Uganda personally and that I had even to join a patriotic club at school that we even had a work camp to be told how it goes about as someone is a patriot.

I have some hobbies I hold love;

- Football
- Swimming
- Hanging out with friends
- Being at the beach
- Traveling and discovering new ideas

I love reading novels and knowing more about the planet. However with all these adventures activities I chose to struggle so hard to be a big scientist and mostly an engineer where I will need to set up big investments and new inventions just from my brain, what always inspire me most is the great scientists who made themselves names as like we keep on remembering them.

I also like learning alot about other languages for the reason being that I need to communicate to everyone if possible just because I feel always down when am out of the discussion of two or more people just because of the language.

Please I just feel I have a lot to share with everyone so just mail me and advise me or assist me in any way possible as per the direction of my dreams and careers.

I like everyone out there!!!!

My mail addresses are;
Barinda.leonard.raymond@gmail.com
bleonardraymond@yahoo.com

Leonard

Meet Moses!

Hello every one!!

Am moses from uganda. I live in Kyenjojo. I school at Kyenjojo S.S, it is some kiomtetres away from home to school. I can give out a beat of explaination about our education process. here it goes: our education consists of 3 levels of education namely nersary, primary and secondary also consist of two levels that is o-level (ordinary level), A-level (Advanced level). So am in my last year of A-level. Ya!! Education goes on well and I love it so much even to other things I would wish to be an ingeneer, or a physitian and probably am setting my target to these two (ingeneer, physitian).

When I was young my dad used to narate me stories about great success jobs he could even inspire me especially when he could talk about ingeneering and physiology. So my minds turned up to focuss on these. In fact how I hope in minds is to be a great successful man in life.

So in my Education I fase the following challenges it is far from home to school and even I go walking some times I end up missing leasons because of coming late at school, school views like fees yes I pay but my Dad doesn’t meet them in required time so they some times am sent me from school as well as missing leasons.

My family consist of Dad, mum, I have two brothers and two cousin brothers, I also have three sisters.

Oh I fill unique because am in line with education I just find my self feeling in every level of education and hope is in me that though am in this struggle at one time I will fulfill my achievements and goals.

Though am at Kyenjojo, I don’t fill confutable cause the school does not meet all requirements of education & I could also wish to join good schools but school fees. In fact when I was in my last year of o-level I wished to joing a certain school known as Rubiri high school but the barrier was school fees.

So in life I would like to fulfill the following goals! becoming a great physitian, study and master the world and its “contents” , flying to different parts of the world and study different cultures, learning different languages. Because softer I know English and my local language two languages are not enough for me in life.

In case you wish to E-mail me bmosesal@gmail.com is my E-mail adress people!! –

Moses

Meet Suzy!

Whats up Everybody,

This is Suzy from Ugada. My full names are Susan Katusiime Adyeeri. Am a female aged 17 (seventeen) and the most important thing about me is that I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal lord ad savior. I love serving him with the whole of my life. A little information about me;

I was born in 1992 in Hoima district to the late Mr. Mugasa Silverest and Mrs. Beatrice Kabanyoro (Both RIP). My parents died when I was only 7 years old, and that made my childhood miserable. I am in form five physics, maths ad biology ad I want to become a doctor. I care/mind about the wellfare of people ad that’s why I want to become a doctor and treat my people around the world. I want all people to be biologically, spiritually, psycologically, financially, ad economically healed ad stable. And that’s why by crook ad hook I must study nomatter what the obstacles. I know being an orphan is not easy ad I sometimes find it difficult to concetrate on my studies but with God everything is possible.

My hobbies are; I love serving the lord, making new friends, travelling in different countries ad meeting new people. I also like listening to music ad watching inspirational movies so that I can learn more. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance of travelling out side Africa but I hope one day I will travel ever where I like. When am at school I read my books seriously ad when am home, I try to have a nap or siesta or read a novel. I stay with my maternal Aunt ad I do have siblings.

Am looking forward to having penpals from all over the world. My addresses are below.

Suzy.Katusiime@gmail.com
+2560700266058
+2560787863215

Suzy

Intro: Meet My Students!!

I’ve been teaching for two terms now, and while I have done my fair share of singing the praises of (and bitching-and-moaning about) my students, I’ve not yet shown you all the faces of these 17-21 year old balls of love/frustration (save to those of you who saw my Africa slide show during my brief visit to the states, and then for only 5 or 10 seconds). In fact, I’ve been such a slack-ass about the blog and uploading photos, that I’ve failed to include pictures of my school and all that it comprises. Well: Shame… on… me. As they say here: slowly, slowly.

A few weeks ago, I began to consider the problem of the third goal of Peace Corps: Educating American’s about Ugandan’s. Now, Michelle remedied a bit of the challenge by connecting many of our friends and family with my kids and their shiny new GMAIL addresses - and I dare say that the grades in my classes have fallen steadily off a cliff ever since! - (I kid, I kid!). Actually, the whole email connection gig has been fantastic. Not only are my students increasing their typing speeds and knowledge of the computer and internet, but by connecting the them directly to American’s it has removed the middle-man (me) and allowed you and my students to develop a unique and otherwise impossible connection, a friendship.

Let me extend my sincerest thanks. You, by taking the time to write these boys and girls, have literally made them happier than I can say. To see them jump a bit when they see new messages in their inboxes, the exclamations of “Eh!” after reading something, learning something new, etc…

Congratulations! You are changing lives.

Moving on… a few weeks back, I proposed this to my students: “How would you like me to post a picture of you on the internet, on my website, so that the entire world can see you, learn about you, and contact you if they so desire.” The response was an overwhelming “YES!” So I asked them to begin thinking about a few things...

“Ask yourselves, ‘who am I? What makes *me* *ME*? Why am I special? What am I doing in this world? Where did I come from, and where am I going?’.”

Several days later, I snapped photos of Leonard, Ivan, Mugisa, Suzan and Ivan, and they gave me their short biographies. (Note: I am doing this project with my Physics class alone, as, well, liken me to a bad parent: I have my favorites.)

And what before my wondering eyes should appear?

Personal Ads. I felt like I was reading the lonely-people section on page 17 of some obscure free paper distributed in the dark downtown alleys of American cities.

You know exactly what I’m talking about: “SUM/F, DDF, HWP ISO VGL, ND, NK, NS PFF”
Read: “Single Ugandan Male/Female, drug and disease free, height and weight proportionate in search of very good looking, non-drinking, non-smoking, no kids person for friendship.”

“I’m sorry guys, but I cannot have you hitting on my family, friends and random internet house guests. I’ll make some suggestions. COME ON! I want you to get DEEP! Show these people who you really are! They want to meet you!”

With promises to revise, we parted ways until today, the last day of the third term.

The LAST DAY OF THE YEAR!!! TODAY!! HOLIDAYS!!!

Together, likely for the last time until January 31st when school reopens, I was presented with fresh copies of their biographies. As they are leaving to various parts of the country – deep village, Kampala, Fort Portal – these are the final drafts. Personal ads or not, my kids are getting published.

So here is the plan… the next series of blog posts will be titled “Meet (insert student name here)”. They should help you to get to know my kids a bit better. Honestly, its helped me to learn some personal facts that I was previously unaware of. Some of the writing is really touching. I hope you enjoy it.

My one rule: I am not editing ANY of the writing. It comes as is, straight from the page. I warned the kids about this in hopes that they would correct misspellings and use proper punctuation. Still, they are worried about what you may think of them. I’ve assured them that they are far more proficient at English than any of us are at Rutooro, Swahili or Luganda (which they are all fluent in), so they have no problems. Still, if you decide to contact them, please let them know that they are doing very well in their writing and to keep up the hard work… you know: Positive Reinforcement.

Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoy meeting my students.

I love you all (but especially you Michelle!)

Devon.